The Ultimate Mega Man fan, as you can read in the topic of this blog, is not a term to be thrown around lightly. No, the ultimate Mega Man fan would definitely be one whom stands above all else in the Rock Man World. This is certainly not something I can hope to claim-- the task is far to great for me to boast, though it will always be something I will most definitely aspire to be.

What I can say, however, is that ever since that fateful Christmas Eve, sixteen years ago, when I unwrapped Mega Man IV, I've been a hooked on Mega Man and his Wily Wars. As I continued grade school, and with the help of the Nintendo Power artwork of Mega Man III, Mega Man was everywhere throughout my day. Scribbles on my notes, pads upon pads of paper used for drawing the Blue Bomber, to even hand-drawn Valentines of Ol' Mega Man shooting a Needle Cannon through hearts. Oh, those were the days.

And though I don't have any pictures, I dressed up as Mega Man not once, but three times for the grand occassion of Halloween. I can remember helping my mother crafting the shiney metallic boots the first year, and again when we did Mega Man with the Rush Jet Adapter. I also recall the trapsing through the snow with the red tin foil falling off my winter boots.

I can remember seeing in the old TV Guide that there was a Mega Man cartoon coming out. I woke up an hour before it was one (5:30am) to get ready to record it, but I could not find the right channel that morning. You would not believe the tantrum I threw, and I feel bad for my mother looking back on it now. I did have better luck the second week (and each from there-on) and feel in love with the Super Fighting Robot once again. Picking up action figures whereever I could, reading up websites when I was at the library (Before having an internet connection was as common as it was now), eventually leading up to finding sprites online and learning to use the sophisticated tool we know as "MS Paint" to edit them.

This followed into what became a huge time sink as a young child, of editing Mega Man sprites to come up with my own creations. Looking at the created dates of some of these files, they date back to 1998, I am fortunate enough to still have some of my creations. And while I'll be the first to admit (As you will see in the old animations I'll post, I was not a very original or artistic kid. (A blue Zero, who would have thought of that!)

I've spent a large chunk of my twenty-two years with Mega Man, and I look forward to spending much more. Even if I cannot hope to claim the title of the "Ultimate Mega Man Fan", I am content knowing that I'm doing everything I can to help bring about more Mega Man into the world. The sheer enjoyment I've had playing Mega Man games is something no other game has been able to replace, something I've been fortunate enough to relearn after playing Mega Man 9.

All in all, thanks for keeping the Blue Bomber alive Capcom, and know you've got one faithful Mega Man fan, if not the Ultimate one, on your side!