Secret Level's Mega Man episode left me desperately wanting a full Blue Bomber show

The following contains spoilers for Secret Level Season 1 Episode 10, “Mega Man: Start,” now streaming on Prime VideoSecret levelThe Mega Man episode is a perfect indicator of how much the Blue Bomber deserves his new gig. Mega man is a long success story in the world of video games. The original game, which debuted in 1987, quickly became a worldwide success that resulted in more than a dozen titles and several spin-off series. The underlying story about a heroic young robot who faces hordes of corrupted machines can be remixed and reimagined in many ways, including in other media. However, there has never been a truly great version of the story on screen.

Secret level was Prime Video's newest video game adaptation, taking audiences to more than a dozen different worlds through self-contained adventure stories. This includes a new version of Mega Man, which features a younger version of the titular hero as he realizes his full potential to protect his creator, Dr. While other episodes of Secret level were darkly subversive, the anthology's take on Mega Man is true to the spirit of the original games. Secret levelThe Mega Man episode is a perfect reimagining that proves the character deserves a new show, and I hope Prime Video embraces that potential.

Secret Level's Mega Man is a perfect introduction to Blue Bomber

Secret level Gives Mega Man a great new origin story

Secret levelof Mega man The episode works perfectly as an introduction to the character, and now I really want a complete series focused on his adventures. “Start” introduces audiences to Dr. Light and his lab assistant Rock, amid the villainous Dr. Wily's efforts to corrupt robots in his city. The pair settle into a father-son dynamic, especially when one of Dr. Light's other creations goes crazy and attacks the inventory. This forces Rock into action, despite Dr. Light's efforts to stop Mega Man from fighting.. The result is a thrilling adventure that quickly establishes Rock's personality and abilities.

As a long time fan Mega manI love how quickly the episode understands the main emotional connection between Rock and Dr. In essence, the short is a perfect pilot episode for a larger storyrevealing the scope of Rock's mission and the type of threats he will need to overcome. I love how the episode emphasizes why Rocm is willing to fight. By grounding Rock's mission in an effort to protect his father from a direct corruption of his work, the episode gives the potentially one-note “good robots vs. bad robots” plot a bigger emotional hook.

Secret Level Mega Man is just getting started

Secret level Features Rock first, Mega Man second

What does the Mega man What's so exciting about the episode is the way it's so focused on setting up the character's world. The episode ends with Rock fully equipped for the first time, ready to embark on the adventure. Having proven his combat skills and ability to duplicate other robot abilities, the short effectively ends where the first Mega man the game begins. This was the ideal way to establish the character as a sympathetic protagonist, the kind of hero who could drive an entire series without feeling like the episode spent too much time explaining the character and his world.

I love how the episode shows Dr. Wily's danger without feeling too much like an extended explanation. The danger he poses to Rock's world and way of life is clear, even though Wily himself is nowhere to be seen. Instead, his corrupting influence over robots means that there is no limit to the new enemies and new foes Mega Man can encounter. The premise is quickly established and ends with Mega Man primed and ready for battle. It's a perfect pilot episode, establishing a clear episodic narrative where each entry is focused on Rock facing off against another robot.

A New Mega Man Show Could Right the Wrongs of the Past

Mega Man deserves a show that truly realizes the franchise's potential

Mega man proved to be a deceptively complicated character to bring to television or film, making Secret levelHis success with the character is even more impressive. In North America, Mega Man made his debut as a cast member in Captain N: The Game Mastera show whose potentially expansive premise was undermined by bizarre takes on the characters. After that, the Mega man the animated series felt more authentic to the source material, but was also hampered by a stilted execution. Mega Man: Fully Loaded was a recent attempt aimed primarily at younger audiences and reflected this in the execution.

In contrast, Secret level presents a more dramatic and action-centric Mega Man without making him strangely violent or mature. Mega man looks like an action hero that all audiences could appreciatewith many dangers to overcome, but with an inherently innocent element that makes him quickly likable and relatable. It's everything I've ever liked about the character and I quickly established it through action rather than explanation. The previous Mega man The shows may have their strengths, but this new version feels authentic to the original games, but with enough compelling elements that I'd love to see expanded into a full-fledged show.

Prime Video should make a full Mega Man show

Recent video game success stories prove the time is right for Mega Man

Video game adaptations are better than ever, highlighting how there's natural room for a new take on Mega Man. Prime Video might even be the place to do it. Secret Level proves that it's willing to give creatives like Tim Miller license to experiment with IP and play with it in unexpected ways, while also staying true to the spirit of the originals. Shows like Fallout highlight how new takes on IP can feel faithful to the original. The success of the Mario and Sonic films proves that there is an audience for family adventures based on video games.

The enormous visual variety and versatility of action inherent to Mega man and his wider world makes him an ideal subject for adaptation into a show, with a lot of potential for good deeds. I always wanted to see one Mega man show that they realized the true potential of the original gamesand Secret level proves that the right creative team can keep the spirit of Rock alive while delivering truly impressive action. Secret level does a great job teasing what Mega man the series could be, and now Prime Video is perfectly positioned to expand that potential.