Warning! This article contains spoilers for Secret Level episode 10.
Secret Level episode 10 focuses on the story of Mega Man and his battle with Dr. Wily's robotic minions. The many video game franchises in Prime Video's Secret Level were chosen for several reasons. Not only was their iconicity a role in choosing which video games should receive animated short films but so too was the potential for a new, intriguing take on the source material. Secret Level episode 6's Pac-Man story, for example, offered a distinct, intensely different iteration of the maze-centric game. Admittedly, these differing perspectives may be the reason for Secret Level's middling Rotten Tomatoes score.
However, if any episode of the Prime Video anthology series is set to appease fans of the original games, it is Secret Level episode 10. By the time of Secret Level episode 10's ending, the origin story of the iconic video game character Mega Man is explored. From his earliest battles with his recognizable villains to the setup of the games that seemingly succeed Secret Level episode 10's animated video game adaptation, Mega Man's journey is incredibly faithful to the Capcom franchise and overly familiar as a result.
Secret Level Episode 10's Ending: Who Is Mega Man Going To Fight?
Mega Man Is Ready To Face His Next Threat
The ending shot of Secret Level episode 10 shows Mega Man, now kitted up in his iconic blue armor, standing atop a building looking out over the wreckage of his city. The reason for this stems from the overarching story of Secret Level episode 10, as well as that of the original Mega Man game from 1987. In the original game, Mega Man is tasked with defeating six Robot Masters that are intent on subduing Earth so that an evil mastermind can rise above the human race and their technological creations.
Mega Man sets out to face the five remaining robots after defeating Bomb Man...
These six Robot Masters are Cut Man, Guts Man, Ice Man, Bomb Man, Fire Man, and Elec Man. In Secret Level episode 10's ending, Mega Man sets out to face the five remaining robots after defeating Bomb Man. This essentially means that Secret Level episode 10 ends as the original game begins, only with a few differences. Of course, Bomb Man has already been defeated, meaning Secret Level episode 10 has already gotten the first boss for Mega Man out of the way!
Why Bomb Man Turned Evil & How Mega Man Defeated Him In Secret Level Episode 10
As One Weapon Was Lost, Another Was Forged
The primary action set piece of Secret Level episode 10 sees Mega Man facing off with one of the classic villains from the original 1987 Mega Man. This villain comes in the form of Bomb Man, though he does not actually begin the episode as an antagonist. Secret Level episode 10 opens with Mega Man, known only as Rock, aiding his creator Dr. Light in stopping a recent robot uprising. Light was responsible for creating these robots as helpers for mankind before the aforementioned evil mastermind took control of them.
In a bid to stop the five robots from wreaking havoc on Earth's people, Dr. Light intends to send out one of his final creations that is powerful enough to stop the others: Bomb Man. However, before he can implement a failsafe to protect Bomb Man from the hijacker, a smaller robot takes over its systems. This turns Bomb Man against Dr. Light and Rock, forcing the latter into action in a way that sees him become Secret Level episode 10's Mega Man.
The smaller robot in
Secret Level
episode 10 is somewhat reminiscent of the Bospiders from the
Mega Man
game franchise.
After Bomb Man causes the destruction of Dr. Light's lab, Rock springs into action to save his creator. Rock finds a cryogenic tank and attaches it to his mechanical arm. After doing so, Rock shoots an ice blast at Bomb Man and freezes the robot's eponymous projectile. The bomb explodes, defeating Bomb Man and saving Dr. Light. After this, Rock finds the small robot that infected Bomb Man and destroys it as well, proving to Dr. Light that he could be the savior Earth needs.
Who Are Dr. Light & Dr. Wily In Secret Level Episode 10?
A Duo Of Scientists Whose Differences Made Them Enemies
The mad scientist who has been referenced several times was confirmed as Dr. Wily in Secret Level episode 10, a prominent antagonist from the Mega Man game series. Dr. Wily is the man responsible for taking control of Dr. Light's robots in Secret Level episode 10, wishing to use them in his plan for world domination. Secret Level episode 10 does not outline exactly why, but many games in the Mega Man franchise have in the past. Dr. WIly and Dr. Light, the creator of the robots found in Secret Level episode 10, used to be somewhat allies.
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In Mega Man 11 specifically, the history between Dr. Light and Dr. Wily is outlined. The latter wished to imbue robots with a Double Gear System that drastically increases their capabilities, yet the former was skeptical of how this could be used for evil. Light instead wished to see robots be imbued with independent thinking to become partners to mankind, which Wily thought was hopeless as robots would always be seen as tools to humanity. Wily came to resent Light when the latter advocated against the Double Gear System, causing the former to vow world domination using robots.
Secret Level Episodes
Video Game
"The Queen's Cradle"
Dungeons & Dragons
"It Takes a Life"
Sifu
"The Once and Future King"
New World
"Xan"
Unreal Tournament
"And They Shall Know No Fear"
Warhammer 40,000
"Circle"
PAC-MAN
"Good Conflict"
Crossfire
"Asset Management"
Armored Core
"The Company We Keep"
The Outer Worlds
"Start"
Mega Man
"Odyssey"
Exodus
"Tally"
Spelunky
"Tales of the Implacable"
Concord
"The Way of All Things"
Honor of Kings
"Fulfillment"
PlayStation
Secret Level episode 10 seemingly follows this backstory, with Wily succeeding in overtaking Light's robots to become the sole leader of the world. As is the case in the many Mega Man games, though, Wily is thwarted by the titular character. Secret Level episode 10 does not show Mega Man's clashes with Wily directly, but stopping his evil robots provides familiarity with the source material.
How Secret Level Episode 10 Connects To The Mega Man Games
As alluded to several times, the basis of Secret Level episode 10 is the core connection to the Mega Man games. The origin stories of Rock/Mega Man, Dr. Light, Dr. Wily, and several other video game robot characters are all part of Secret Level episode 10. Rock becoming Mega Man includes several references, from the blue armor synonymous with the character to the development of the Mega Buster arm canon. All of these elements combine to make Secret Level episode 10 a pseudo-origin story for Mega Man in an adaptation of the original 1987 game.
The Real Meaning Of Secret Level Episode 10’s Ending
The true message at the heart of Secret Level episode 10 is one of fulfilling destiny. Rock was created as a helper to Dr. Light and was never intended to be a combat robot. However, by the time of Secret Level episode 10's ending, Rock becomes Mega Man and the only person on Earth who can defeat Wily and his minions. Light's words show that it does not matter what Rock was created for and that it only matters what Rock was meant for. In Secret Level episode 10's case, Rock was meant to become the iconic character of Mega Man.
Secret Level is an adult animated series exploring original short stories set within the worlds of popular video games. Each episode introduces new adventures, delving into iconic gaming classics and forthcoming titles to unlock captivating narratives and immersive experiences. Created by Tim Miller, the series celebrates gaming culture.
Release Date December 10, 2024
CastKeanu Reeves , Parry Shen , Ping Wu , Lydia Look , Nelson Lee , Feodor Chin , Rae Lim , Erin Yvette , Temuera Morrison , Patrick Schwarzenegger , Steve Blum , Noah Manzoor , Madeleine Knight , Laura Wohlwend , Delroy Atkinson , Umulisa Gahiga , Paul Ridley , Rita Estevanovich , Tracy Wiles , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Steven Pacey , Gabriel Luna , Arazou Baker
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English (US) ·