| For the remake of the first Mega Man X, see Mega Man Maverick Hunter X. For the cancelled first-person shooter reboot of the series, see Maverick Hunter (cancelled game). |
The Maverick Hunters, known as Irregular Hunters (イレギュラーハンター Iregyurā Hantā) in Japan, is a law enforcement organization in the Mega Man X series dedicated to protecting humans and Reploids alike from Mavericks. It was founded by Dr. Cain, and deploys Reploids to police Mavericks by stopping them from causing damage.
Organization[]
Leadership[]
The Maverick Hunters are led by a high-ranked division known as the Upper Echelon (上層部 Jōsō-bu).[1] Few of the Upper Echelon's members have ever been revealed, save for the Commander (総監 Sōkan, lit. "General").[2][3][4] This role was initially filled by Sigma, until he went Maverick. In Mega Man X6, after the Earth Crisis reorganization, Signas was appointed to Director (総指揮官 Sō shiki-kan, lit. "Commander-in-chief").[3][5]
Dr. Cain is the founder and was an Advisor (アドバイザー Adobaizā)[1] of the organization, presumably acting as a consultant but not holding an official post in the Maverick Hunters, until at least Mega Man X3.
Units[]
Two-page spread of the ranks of the Maverick Hunters, from Rockman X Chō Hyakka.
The Maverick Hunters' combat forces were originally divided into Units (部隊 Butai) depending on their specialization. It is unknown how many units existed, though there were at least 18.[note 1] Each unit was led by a Leader (隊長 Taichō, lit. "Captain"),[3] who was assisted by a Second-in-command (副官 Fukkan, lit. "Vice-Captain").[3] The 1st-3rd, 5th, 10th-12th, and 15-16th Units were never disclosed.[1] However, all units disbanded after the Earth Crisis in Mega Man X5, as the remaining Maverick Hunters downsized and began working together as one large team.[6][7]
Special 0 Unit (Shinobi)[]
The Special 0 Unit (Shinobi) (第0特殊部隊（忍び部隊）),[3] also known as the Special #0 Class Unit[8] or Zero Unit,[9] was a unit that focused on covert missions. It was led by Zero after he was reconstructed by Dr. Cain, with Blast Hornet as second-in-command until his defection.[10] Most members of this unit, such as Magna Centipede and Web Spider, were arthropod in design.
4th Land Unit[]
The 4th Land Unit (第4陸上部隊)[3] was a unit that focuses on land missions. It was one of the few units that did not participate in Sigma's rebellion due to not wanting to follow their leader, Flame Mammoth, who was cruel and abusive towards them.[11]
[]
The 6th Naval Unit (第6艦隊)[3] was a unit that focused on aquatic missions. While its leader is unknown, Wheel Gator was second-in-command until he attacked a colleague and went Maverick.[10] Bubble Crab was also in this unit and constantly butted heads with Gator.[10] Launch Octopus and Volt Kraken were part of the unit, but after Octopus defected and was destroyed, Kraken retired.[10]
7th Airborne Unit[]
The 7th Airborne Unit (第7空挺部隊)[3] was a unit that focused on aerial missions. Storm Eagle served as its leader until his defection, and Overdrive Ostrich served until an accident that cost him his ability to fly.
8th Armored Unit[]
The 8th Armored Unit (第8機甲部隊)[3] was a unit composed of Reploids with high defenses. Its leader was Armored Armadillo, though he gave control of the unit to Sigma when he defected.[10]
9th Special Unit (Rangers)[]
The 9th Special Unit (Rangers) (第9特殊部隊（レンジャー部隊）)[3] was a unit whose members worked as rangers in the wilderness. Sting Chameleon was a member who sought to be made leader, but proved unpopular with his colleagues due to his personality and underhanded tactics.[12]
13th Polar Region Unit[]
The 13th Polar Unit (第13極地部隊)[3] was a unit that focused on cold regions. Chill Penguin served in this unit, and destroyed the leader when he defected to Sigma's rebellion.[10]
14th Special Unit[]
The 14th Special Unit (第１４特殊部隊) was led by Magma Dragoon before the fall of Sky Lagoon. It appeared to consist of Reploids with skills in hand-to-hand combat.[13][14]
17th Elite Unit[]
The 17th Elite Unit in the Archie Mega Man comics.
The 17th Elite Unit (第17精鋭部隊) was a unit composed of elite Hunters with a variety of specialties. It was first personally led by Sigma, and major characters including X, Zero, and Vile formed its ranks, alongside others such as Boomer Kuwanger, Spark Mandrill, Flame Stag, and Gravity Beetle. After Sigma's rebellion, he took many of its members with him, leaving Zero as the new leader. After Zero's death, X was made leader, and remained in this role until all units were disbanded after the Earth Crisis.
[]
Navigators are support staff who were never included in units. They are non-combatants, often female, who offer data and information to Hunters operating in the field. Many of them, such as Alia, Iris, and Pallette, also have engineering skills and can make upgrades.
Other members[]
These are staff who do not fit into the other categories. Some include medical officers like Lifesaver, mechanics like Douglas, or those like Axl who joined the organization after the Earth Crisis restructuring. There are also many minor characters.
Hunter Rank[]
Vile is placed under arrest by the Hunters.
Maverick Hunters are ranked with a Hunter Rank depending on their performance. The ranks SA, A, B, and C are the only ones mentioned in the story. Other ranks such as E and AAA only appear in gameplay and thus are likely not canon.
Facilities[]
The Maverick Hunters are mainly stationed in Hunter Base. The organization is also shown to use virtual reality training programs such as Helios in Troia Base. In the continuity of Mega Man X: Command Mission, they are also shown to provide defenses to the Federation at Far East HQ, as Hunters are deployed to deal with the Rebellion in Giga City and to defend Colonel Redips.
Trivia[]
- Haoh Game Special #4: Rockman X Hisshō Kōryaku Hon states that at the time of Mega Man X, only 0.01% of Maverick Hunters had the rank of SA-Class.[15] There were three known SA-Class Hunters at the time: Zero, Sigma, and Vile. The stated percentage implies that there were at least 30,000 ranked Maverick Hunters at their peak, though this number is not canon by any means.
Notes[]
- ↑ An early concept shows that Capcom planned the Maverick Hunters to have 24 units numbered from 0 to 23, but it may not be the case in the final version.
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kodansha Manga Hyakka #34: Rockman X Chō Hyakka. 1996.
- ↑ (Archived) Capcom Japan official website, New Products, Mega Man X5. 2000. (http://www.capcom.co.jp/newproducts/consumer/psrockx5/index.html)
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Gallery. Mega Man X Legacy Collection. 2018.
- ↑ "X: Does Commander Sigma know about this?" The Day of Sigma. 2005.
- ↑ Japanese game manual, Rockman X6.
- ↑ Compendium of Rockman X page 7 (translation)
- ↑ Rockman X6 manual
- ↑ Mega Man X3 or Mega Man X4 North American manuals
- ↑ Mega Man X5 North American manual
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Compendium of Rockman X. 2005.
- ↑ Flame Mammoth bio, Mega Man Maverick Hunter X game manual.
- ↑ Rockman & Rockman X Daizukan
- ↑ Rockman X4 official site (archive)
- ↑ Televi Magazine Great Hyakka #103: Rockman X4 Himitsu Daizukan. 1997.
- ↑ Haoh Game Special #4: Rockman X Hisshō Kōryaku Hon. 1993. (p. 4)
