This is a list of characters from the Mega Man series. In Japan, the Mega Man series is known as Rockman.
Mega Man, known in Japan as Rockman (ロックマン Rokkuman?) is the hero of the games, created by Dr. Light, with assistance from Dr. Wily. Originally created as a lab assistant named "Rock", he was modified for battle after the disgruntled Dr. Wily reprogrammed the original Robot Masters. Due to his Variable Weapons System, he can copy the weapon of any Robot Master he defeats in combat and use it as his own. This ability can also be used by Protoman and Bass.
Doctor Thomas Light, known in Japan as Doctor Thomas Right (トーマス・ライト Tōmasu Raito?), is depicted as an aged scientist, who is a peerless roboticist. He is the creator of protagonist Mega Man and several other robots, and can be considered the father of Mega Man, Roll, and Proto Man. While a pacifist, he reluctantly recognizes that the use of force can be a necessity. He plays a supporting role, often developing and distributing new gear. In the Mega Man X series, set 100 years after the original series, Dr. Light resumes his supporting role through enhancement capsules that contain upgrades to X's systems together with messages relayed by silver/blue, slightly translucent holographic projections of the deceased scientist. He also appears in the "Navi Mode" of Mega Man and Mega Man 6 in the Mega Man Anniversary Collection to provide gameplay hints to Mega Man.