up vote 16 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

Having played the Japanese versions before the American I am aware that Mega Man is called Rock Man in the original Japanese game. This is in reference to Rock and Roll with Mega Man's sister being named Roll.

To quote Inafune

"This game's always been based around music. You know Rock, and the character Roll... you know Blues. And the reason why we did that is because music is something everybody knows. There are very few people out there in the world that don't listen to music in some way, shape or form. We all feel it; it has power. So to base characters on that, that's something that we all can understand, and we can all...buy that concept."

I've heard rumors that he was renamed when the game was ported to the US because of the absence of Roll, but I am unable to find why the name Mega Man was chosen.

I had originally thought that this name hearkened back to Neo Human Casshan (which Mega Man is based on), but I was unable to find any reference there.

To be short: Where did the name Mega Man come from?

link|improve this question
88% accept rate
2  
Heh. Well played, sir. – Raven Dreamer♦ Sep 20 '10 at 5:35
@Raven I know a lot about Mega Man, but when I saw those comments I realized I didn't actually know where the name came from. – tzenes Sep 20 '10 at 5:45
Unfortunately, I can't find anything definitive. "Random localization that stuck" is all I can come up with. – Raven Dreamer♦ Sep 20 '10 at 5:47
2  
Someone, somewhere, was responsible for this... and probably goes to sleep every night thinking "I named Mega Man and nobody knows!" ... The real question is - would you put that on your tombstone? Here lies tzenes, (s)he made Man "Mega", RIP – Shaderach Sep 20 '10 at 6:32
2  
@shaderach You mean Joseph Morici. Also, side note, I a male (barring any major life choices in my future). – tzenes Sep 20 '10 at 18:29
show 3 more comments
feedback

closed as not constructive by StrixVaria, Wipqozn, OrigamiRobot, murgatroid99, Fluttershy Apr 5 at 3:40

This question is not a good fit to our Q&A format. We expect answers to generally involve facts, references, or specific expertise; this question will likely solicit opinion, debate, arguments, polling, or extended discussion. See the FAQ for guidance on how to improve it.

2 Answers

up vote 14 down vote

I did a search and found this. Apparently it was Joseph Morici, former senior vice president of Capcom who renamed Rock Man to Mega Man. He just didn't like the name Rock Man.

link|improve this answer
It seems then, that the only way to know where Mega Man comes from is to go ask Joseph Morici. How sad. – tzenes Sep 20 '10 at 18:29
10  
Well, find his email and ask him! Let us know what he says! – Raven Dreamer♦ Sep 20 '10 at 19:09
feedback
up vote 3 down vote

While this doesn't actually answer the question (unlike Wai Wong's answer, which you should be accepting), I thought this nugget of history was insanely interesting, from Wikipedia: Mega Man (character)

His most notable appearances have been within his own self-titled games, beginning with Rockman for the Nintendo Famicom in 1987. This, and all future Mega Man games released in North America and Europe, would bear the title "Mega Man" due to Capcom USA's early decision to change the name. Prior to decision on the name "Mega Man" which was proposed by Joseph Morici, Capcom had even considered the name "Rainbow Man" as a possible title due to the nature of Mega Man's color change when using different Robot Master weapons.

The name could have certainly been worse than it is...

link|improve this answer
Well yeah, just look at some of the robot masters. Leafman? Junkman? – Raven Dreamer♦ Sep 27 '10 at 0:30
I fail to see the problem with that amount of literal-ness, as opposed to Rock Man. He doesn't play instruments, nor does he throw rocks! At least Leafman shoots leaf clusters at you, and Junkman throws junk at you. – VxJasonxV Sep 27 '10 at 1:06
feedback

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.