Secret Level's Mega Man Episode Left Me Desperately Wanting A Full Show For The Blue Bomber

Secret Level’s Mega Man Episode Left Me Desperately Wanting A Full Show For The Blue Bomber


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




Secret Level has been Prime Video’s newest video game adaptation, bringing audiences into over a dozen different worlds through self-contained adventure storylines. This includes a new take on Mega Man, which introduces a young version of the titular hero as he realizes his full potential to protect his creator, Dr. Light. 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 Level‘s Mega Man episode is a pitch-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 The Blue Bomber

Secret Level Gives Mega Man A Great New Origin Story


Secret Level‘s Mega Man episode functions perfectly as an introduction to the character, and now I really want a full series focused on his adventures. “Start” introduces audiences to Dr. Light and his lab assistant Rock, amid the efforts of the villainous Dr. Wily to corrupt robots around their city. The pair are established with a father-son dynamic, especially when one of Dr. Light’s other creations goes wild and attacks the inventory. This forces Rock into action, despite Dr. Light’s efforts to keep Mega Man from fighting. The result is an exciting adventure that quickly establishes Rock’s personality and abilities.

Secret Level Pac-Man Episode 3

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As a lifelong fan of Mega Man, I love how quickly the episode understands the key emotional connection between Rock and Dr. Light. In essence, the short is a perfect pilot episode for a larger story, teasing the scope of Rock’s mission and the kind of threats he’ll need to overcome. I love how the episode places emphasis on why Rocm is willing to fight though. 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” storyline a greater emotional hook.

Secret Level’s Mega Man Is Only Getting Started

Secret Level Introduces Rock First, Mega Man Second

Mega Man looking up at his arm canon in Secret Level (2024)


What makes the Mega Man episode so exciting is the way it is very much geared towards setting up the character’s world. The episode ends with Rock fully suited up for the first time, ready to jump into adventure. Having proven his combat skills and capability to duplicate other robot abilities, the short ends effectively where the first Mega Man game begins. This was an ideal way to establish the character as a likable protagonist, the kind of hero who could drive an entire series without feeling like the episode spends too much time explaining the character and his world.

It’s a perfect pilot episode, setting up a clear episodic narrative where each entry is focused on Rock facing another robot.


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

A New Mega Man Show Could Fix The Mistakes Of The Past

Mega Man Deserves A Show That Truly Realizes The Franchise’s Potential

Mega Man has proven to be a deceptively tricky character to bring to television or film, making Secret Level‘s success with the character all the more impressive. In North America, Mega Man made his debut as a cast member in Captain N: The Game Master, a show whose potentially expansive premise was undercut by bizarre takes on the characters. After that, the Mega Man animated series felt more authentic to the source material but was also hindered by a stilted execution. Mega Man: Fully Charged was a recent attempt geared primarily to younger audiences and reflected that in the execution.


Mega Man Appearances On TV

Year Of Release

Captain N: The Game Master

1989-1991

Mega Man

1994-1996

Mega Man: Fully Charged

2018

Secret Level

2024-Present

By contrast, Secret Level presents a more dramatic and action-centric Mega Man without making him weirdly violent or mature. Mega Man feels like an action hero that all audiences could appreciate, with plenty of danger to overcome but an inherently innocent element that makes him quickly likable and relatable. It’s everything I’ve always liked about the character and quickly established through action instead of explanation. The previous Mega Man shows may have had 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 show.


Prime Video Should Make A Full Mega Man Show

Recent Video Game Success Stories Prove The Time Is Right For Mega Man

Mega Man Secret Level Face

Video game adaptations have been doing better than ever, highlighting how there’s natural room for a new take on Mega Man. Prime Video may even be the ideal place to do it. Secret Level proves they’re willing to give creatives like Tim Miller license to experiment with IP and play with it in unexpected ways, all while remaining true to the spirit of the originals. Shows like Fallout highlight how new takes on IP can feel true to the original. The success of the Mario and Sonic movies prove there’s an audience for a family-friendly adventures based on video games.


The sheer visual variety and versatility of action inherent to Mega Man and his larger world makes it an ideal subject to adapt into a show, with lots of potential for good action. I’ve always wanted to see a Mega Man show that realized the true potential of the original games, and Secret Level proves that the right creative team can keep the spirit of Rock alive while showcasing some really impressive action. Secret Level does a great job teasing what a Mega Man series could look like, and now Prime Video is perfectly positioned to expand on that potential.


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