I have to agree with the creators in the afternote, this Megaman is different story telling style from other Megaman medias I have seen and is more subdued in nature. It was strange yet interesting to see a more teen drama approach to Megaman (he's handsome here!) and see how the "former evil robots" adjusted to good civilian lives.

Not my type of manga, I couldn't really get into it or enjoy but it's a fun concept and I'm sure a lot of others would have a blast!

What happens when a legendary hero hangs up his helmet and picks up a dental drill?** That’s the central (and hilarious) question posed by "Mr. Mega Man Volume 1" by Yuushi Kawata—a graphic novel that takes a quirky, slice-of-life detour from the action-packed adventures fans know and love. This is not your typical Mega Man story, and that’s precisely what makes it so charming.

Set years after the pixelated glory of the original "Mega Man" battles, the story reintroduces us to Rock—once the fearless hero, now a mild-mannered dentist navigating the everyday absurdities of adult life. His days of defeating Dr. Wily and saving the world are behind him. Instead, Rock now finds himself dealing with stubborn patients and old rivals who’ve traded evil plans for peaceful, albeit strange, professions. From a barber Cut Man to a flame-grilled chef Flame Man, the *Robot Masters* have moved on—and Rock is just trying to keep up.

🌟 The tone is delightfully lighthearted. This is a graphic novel that’s less about epic showdowns and more about the humorous moments that come with reinvention. The manga leans into comedy and slice-of-life storytelling, making it a perfect entry point for younger readers or longtime fans eager for a fresh twist. While there are some nicely drawn action sequences, they’re never overbearing—just enough to remind you where these characters came from without disrupting the cozy pace.

What makes "Mr. Mega Man" shine is its clever reimagining of classic characters. Watching these former villains embrace influencer culture or deal with the mundanities of retail life is both funny and oddly relatable. There’s something nostalgic and touching about seeing a hero—and his enemies—grappling with life after glory.

🎨 The artwork is crisp and engaging, keeping things dynamic without overwhelming the story. Kawata balances humour and warmth in each panel, giving the characters exaggerated expressions and visual gags that keep the pages turning. It’s evident that this is a labour of love, not just a spin-off for nostalgia’s sake.

In summary, "Mr. Mega Man Volume 1" is a clever, quirky, and wholesome reboot of a beloved franchise. It’s the perfect palette cleanser—whether you’re a seasoned Mega Man fan or just curious to see how a legendary hero tackles adulting (and plaque control 😁). This is a story about change, growth, and finding joy in the everyday—even if you used to blast robots for a living.

📚 Genre: Comedy, Slice-of-Life, Sci-Fi
👤 Target Audience: All ages, especially nostalgic fans
🎨 Art Style: Clean, expressive, accessible

⭐️ Verdict: A light, feel-good romp through a post-heroic world. Rock on, dentist man. 🦷⚡

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

What happens when Mega Man grows up? When you spend your whole childhood fighting for justice, whats next?
Justice has been found, and there is peace in the world. Mega Man, now faces his biggest challenge, one that seems even bigger than battling Dr. Wily...becoming an adult.

The world no longer needs Mega Man. Now that he's no longer fighting, Rick now leads a very peaceful life working as a dentist. We get to visit all of our Robot Masters, who all have seemingly normal careers, well... as normal as Robot Masters careers can be. Cut man , cuts hair. Flame Man, works as a chef. and we even get to see Top Man as a dancing influencer.

Everything seems nice, and at peace. The one thing we know for sure is , things aren't always what they seem.

This was such a cool way to revisit a classic. You get the feel that Rock has really grown up , not just physically but mentally as well. The world has changed, but even the robots yearn for more.

I'm so excited to jump back in to the Mega Man world. This was one of the first comics I read as a kid growing up, just as many others did. Coming back to this is nostalgic and yet feels like a new adventure.

Thank you NetGalley and Udon Entertainment | UDON Entertainment for he digital ARC for review.

Rock is a dentist in this future, which is set after the events of the games. This answers any questions like what did Rock do after the events of the game? What became of him? What does he want to be when he grows up, now that he's no longer fighting corrupt robots? Well... he becomes a dentist. It was nice to see Roll in this story as Rock's assistant. They've always been close, so it was nice to see them still together in a more adult setting.

The main part I found interesting was Rock's need for old parts to upgrade his body; he needs older models to improve himself and repair body parts once a body part is damaged or wearing down. It's a lot different compared to the games where Rock needs to absorb powers of other robots instead of replacing actual body parts, like in this story.

Rock is a caring and compassionate person and is seen checking in on old bots who aren't as successful or happy with where they ended up. I loved seeing that aspect of his character, but it took up a large part of the story and seemed like one huge therapy session, and I found it extremely repetitive.

What happens when you place a hero in a peaceful world?
I found the concept of this manga quite interesting. All of the dangers have been vanquished, and the world is in an era of peace, making things like heroes and indestructible robots unneeded. Mega Man is no longer Mega Man, but Rock, a dentist, trying his best to fit within this new era.
As someone unfamiliar with the Mega Man stories, I was still able to piece things together and follow the plotline. I think that his character at times felt a little flat, but nothing too distracting. The pacing was a little slow, but I stuck with it anyway, curious to see where the story was heading. Eventually some fight scenes are introduced and at that point the story really seems to settle into what it wants to do.
I think if I had immersed myself into the Mega Man universe before reading I might have been able to appreciate it more, but since I didn’t, I can’t really say I have too strong of an opinion one way or the other about this one. Still, it was entertaining in the moment that I read it.
Overall, Mr. Mega Man has an interesting premise, that suffered a little through pacing, but if you can forgive the lumps, should chalk up to be a nice addition to the Mega Man universe.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Interesting series with an unexpected twist on the future of mega man. There were definitely parts of this where it felt like mega man spent more time as a symbol than a person, but I wasn't sure if that was the intention when counseling the other robots. It felt like Mega Man with his advanced adaptability and wide acceptance couldn't possibly understand the plight of robots who were aging, growing obsolete, or could not find a single place to exist comfortably.

However, even in this, no matter what the battle is mega man faced it with aplomb, with understanding, and with love for humans and robots.

I'm interested to see where the rest of the series goes, who is behind the shadow machinations, and whether happiness continues to be as elusive for robots as it is for humans.

Mega man is all grown up. And he got boring. I grew up with mega Man and the adventures were always exciting. Whether you were reading or watching a cartoon Mega Man was exciting. Mega man as an adult is boring. A lot of this is setting up the world and the universe in which we now find Mega Man. Maybe I didn’t get far enough, but this book was boring and put me to sleep.

A world were Dr. Willy surrender? Count me in!
Mega man is no longer a child? I'm right here!
Robots with midlife crisis? I'm totally in for that!
And the art is amazing. Everything I need :)

I had a great time reading this graphic novel. Life for this robotic hero is simple, and they have a good number of friends. Yet there are still threats showing up, and this hero does their best to combat them. In this graphic novel, we see this hero meet up with old foes, and they try to help them figure out a purpose for them. Once an old foe returns with a team hungry for revenge, it seems that Mega Man might be the only one who can stop them. As this graphic novel comes to a close, you can tell this adventure has only just begun.

Mr. Mega Man Vol. 1 by Yushi Kawata is an intriguing take on the classic Mega Man series, imagining a future where the titular hero is no longer in his prime, and instead, is a much older, reflective figure. The central premise focuses on Mega Man’s relationships with the people he once fought against, presenting a more mature and thoughtful narrative as he reflects on the consequences of his past battles. It's a rare take, considering the usually action-packed nature of the Mega Man franchise.

The story has a serious tone, exploring themes of redemption, friendship, and growth, which makes it feel like an introspective journey for both Mega Man and his former foes. These moments of reflection, however, seem to come at the cost of pacing. While the emotional and heartfelt moments are touching, there are times when the story drags, which could make it hard to stay engaged, especially for readers expecting more action-driven plots. This slower pace might feel a bit repetitive, particularly when focusing on the mundane day-to-day interactions rather than high-stakes conflicts.

The art is solid, as you mentioned. The illustrations manage to capture both the futuristic, robotic world and the more grounded, human elements of the story. The character designs are consistent with the original Mega Man style, which helps maintain a nostalgic connection, while also allowing for more mature and nuanced expressions fitting the story’s themes.

Overall, Mr. Mega Man Vol. 1 offers an interesting and fresh perspective on a well-known character, but it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those seeking the classic action-packed adventures of the blue bomber. For fans of introspective narratives and character development, this volume is a worthwhile read, but it’s understandable that at times, the slower pace could cause the story to feel tedious.

This was definitely a nostalgia trip for anyone who grew up playing the Mega Man games. Is this for new fans who want to jump into the universe? not so much.

This is a very different story from what I would expect in something named Megaman. Its quiet and thought-provoking. In a world where the fighting is done and there's only peace, where do the robot masters and Megaman fit in to the picture now? I don't think the slow tone will be for everyone. I enjoyed reading about the lives of all the robots trying to fit into society that continues to evolve past them. There is humor and in-jokes throughout the manga.

I wished that I had paid more attention to the description of this title before I read it. I was hoping for a more serious Mega Man serialization, so the comedic tone threw me off at first. However, as I read further into the title, I grew to enjoy the style with which it was drawn and written. The frames are wonderfully done, and though the opening chapters tend to jump from one story topic to the next, the threads start to weave together towards the end of the first volume. Overall, a great read for any existing Mega Man fan or anyone interested in the franchise. A very light hearted title with great humor that can also be a bit heart warming at times.

A slice of life Mega Man volume told in short panels. It was nice to see a " What if Dr. Wiley was no longer being menace to society?"

A nice addition to the Mega Man lore and stories that are told in that universe. I am excited to see what Vol.2 has in store. Especially with a new villain being introduced.

As a fan of MegaMan I loved this a lot as it gave him more depth and he's now an adult. It gives a whole new aspect to the character than many already love. I definitely will be reading more of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Udon Entertainment for the opportunity to read and review this manga. Honestly, if you're a Megaman fan who knows the other varying characters in the series, you'll enjoy this more than me due to my lack of knowledge. Also, it just felt so long that I didn't know what the point of the story was. I also would recommend this for adult fans of Megaman due to some of the adult events. Because of these points, I have to give this 3 out of 5 stars

As a casual fan of the Megaman games over a decade ago, I felt nostalgic seeing the franchise in a new manga series, until I saw what it was about. This was an interesting take on the "What happens when every mission is complete?" scenario as Megaman and all the other robots take on everyday careers. It is touching to see the robots have thoughts and struggles that I myself can relate to, and even nicer to see what they can bloom out of their situations.

The concept is really fun, and the action scenes are well done, but the pacing felt off. Some parts moved too quickly, while others dragged. The characters had potential, but I didn’t feel as connected to them as I wanted. The artwork was a highlight, though! A decent start, but I was hoping for more.

Ever wondered what it would be like if your favorite video game characters grew up? THat is what Kawata has presented here in a slightly cozy slice of life about life as a growing young adult robot? I am not sure what this is but I like it. The humanization panels of different rbot characters brought me life. Recommneded for fans of Capcom or folks who have zero idea and like weird slice of life.