MMKB

When making edits to long standing statements or facts on the wiki, you MUST PROVIDE CREDIBLE SOURCES FOR YOUR CLAIMS. edits done without will be UNDONE, NO REASONS GIVEN. Please use the talk pages to provide these sources before editing!

READ MORE

MMKB
Register
Advertisement

"...Sorry to have kept you waiting, Zero. I'm going to terminate you, destroy all Neo Arcadia, and exterminate all human beings. What do you say? A world without humans... The world only for Reploids... Don't you think it will be paradise!?"
—Elpizo, Mega Man Zero 2

Elpizo, known as Elpis (エルピス Erupisu) in Japan, is a supporting character and the main antagonist of Mega Man Zero 2. He is put in charge of the Resistance while Ciel works on the Ciel System, but takes a more violent strategy that sends him down a path of insanity seeking the Dark Elf.

Appearance[]

Elpizo has an overall regal theme, appearing as a tall, young man with a long, high-collared fuchsia coat with a cyan shirt and black tight pants completed by white gloves. He wears a helmet that covers half of his face and head featuring a fuchsia head light that bore some resemblance to a beret. Combined with his long and blond curly hair, Elpizo appears as a refined gentleman. It is unknown what he looked like before gaining his unique name.

Upon absorbing the Dark Elf's power, his appearance radically changed, with his fingers becoming more clawlike, a more skeletal-like white armor, and jagged military shoulder cuffs. His face also becomes noticeably paler, as well as gaining red eyes characteristic of that of mavericks. The only aspect of his original form that was retained was his hair and his beret.

Absorbing more of the Dark Elf's power granted him a more demonic form with spindly arms, a jagged mask, and bat-like wings that bore some resemblance to a large Cyber elf. The only thing retained in this form was his characteristic hair, only it is now billowing without any support from the wind, enhancing his current demon-like nature.

Personality[]

Elpizo was an ambitious and determined Reploid who styled himself as a heroic avenger, but seemed to exhibit some traits of megalomania. At first, he felt awkward for being made the Resistance Leader by Ciel, but as time progressed, he ended up feeling grandiose and self-important. He ended up firmly convinced that he was special and that he could only be understood by others who were special, such as Ciel and Zero.

He developed an arrogant nature and acted haughtily, feeling superior, omnipotent, and invincible. Elpizo seemed to also suffer from his history of persecution by Neo Arcadia, constantly wishing to destroy them and believing rightly that Neo Arcadia felt the same way about him.

After his invasion force was killed and he was defeated in Neo Arcadia, his ideal image of himself and his plans were destroyed. He developed a deep sense of self-inadequacy, which he sought to rectify by finding the Dark Elf and gaining its power. It can also be argued that he developed a narcissistic view of himself, wanting to become more powerful in order to maintain the illusion of his grandiose nature in the eyes of other people.

In the end, Elpizo took a similar but opposite stance to Copy X; instead of wishing to exterminate Reploids for the good of mankind, Elpizo wanted to exterminate humans for the good of Reploids. This makes him similar to Sigma, since he also wanted to destroy only humanity. Ironically, thanks to Copy X antagonizing Ciel and orchestrating an attack which killed many humans as well, this made Elpizo and Copy X the only Mega Man Zero series Reploids who fit the original definition of a Maverick (Craft arguably being another one).

In the Telos drama tracks, it is noted that he loved the system of Neo Arcadia because he found it supremely well-managed. It can then be theorized that this love of organization helped to develop the militaristic attitude he took to rebelling against Neo Arcadia and inevitably made him go insane when his organized plans fell apart.

History[]

Background[]

Z2 scene 05

Elpizo in the Resistance

Elpizo, who used to be known only by his serial number TK31, was a mass-produced Reploid that worked as an errand boy at the Neo Arcadian City Management Bureau.

On a survey supervised by Sage Harpuia to collect data from the then newly discovered Sunken Library, TK31 stumbles upon a holographic record of the Elf Wars despite being ordered to avoid independent action and to report everything. He watches history unfold, seeing images of the above-first-degree criminal, Dr. Weil; Mega Man X fighting against Omega and of course, the Dark Elf and the Baby Elves. He is reminded that the Baby Elves are stored in Area 7.

The alarms go off and TK31 learns about Project Elpizo, the Creation of the Sigma Antibody Program known as Mother Elf, developed during the Maverick Wars.

Hearing the alarm, Harpuia enters and shuts it off. Noticing TK31 trembling, he tells TK31 that he was just supposed to gather the data. Harpuia goes on to mention how pointless it is for someone like TK31 to follow his shameful curiosity and take an interest. He commands TK31 to forget everything he saw.

Days later, TK31 discusses the current situation in Neo Arcadia with a co-worker, HE22, who was presented the report on the survey. Talking about the energy crisis, the increase in false accusations and the Resistance, HE22 mentions that strange things are happening to the Reploids involved in that survey. TK31 does not wish to hear such things, saying he'll call the police if such talk continues.

Then Harpuia arrives with a warrant from the Eight Gentle Judges that designates Serial Number TK31 as a Maverick. Harpuia says he'll be taken into custody and then tried for high treason. TK31 is in total disbelief at this claim; he does not accept he is a Maverick. Harpuia states boldly that any who resist arrest will be retired.

At the same time, the Resistance launches an attack against Neo Arcadia. In the chaos that ensues, TK31 and HE22 flee the vicinity. Walking through the sewers, they talk about joining the resistance. TK31 agrees, but he insists that he first has to go to Area 7 to retrieve the Baby Elves (though he only obtains one). From that point on, he insists on being called Elpizo.[1]

After the events of Mega Man Zero, Elpizo helps the Resistance build a new, more advanced Resistance Base. Ciel appoints him Commander of the Resistance Forces, as she wishes to focus on her energy research. Upon becoming commander, he begins planning "Operation Righteous Strike", as he believes the only way to save Reploids is to destroy Neo Arcadia. He concedes, however, that if Ciel finishes her new energy system, he will cancel "Operation Righteous Strike" for her sake, but is not convinced that her plan would work.

Mega Man Zero 2[]

Elpizo tranforming

Elpizo transforming after absorbing the Dark Elf.

Obsessed with destroying Neo Arcadia, Elpizo executes his blitz-like "Operation Righteous Strike", despite the wishes of Ciel. With Zero's return, Elpizo feels bold enough to execute his plans. The attack is thwarted by the three remaining Guardians, and Elpizo's dream is dashed. Unable to deal with the prospect of defeat, Elpizo leaves the base and Ciel resumes command. He leaves a message where he blames his lack of power as the reason he failed as a commander, so he decides to awaken the Dark Elf in order to completely wipe out Neo Arcadia and all of the humans, creating a "paradise" for all Reploids.

Penetrating the shrine where X's body was kept as a seal over the Dark Elf, Elpizo destroyed X's body and absorbed the Dark Elf. He then transforms into a darker version of his normal form before fighting Zero in a maniacal frenzy. Despite his new abilities, however, he is still unable to defeat Zero. He pleads for more power from the Dark Elf, and gives an inhuman scream as he transforms again, this time into a winged, vaguely Cyber Elf-esque monstrosity speaking in broken sentences while fighting Zero.

MMZ2 Scene 19

Elpizo defeated.

Zero defeats Elpizo once again, and Elpizo transforms back into his human form. A dying Elpizo apologizes for his actions, admits he was weak-minded, and thanks Zero for stopping him because he would have otherwise "done something unforgivable." However, the Dark Elf, turning good for a brief moment, transforms Elpizo into a Cyber-elf, saving his life. He remarks that the Dark Elf is not evil, and flies away. He is not seen again for the rest of the series.

Elpizo's release of the Dark Elf unintentionally jumpstarted the events of Dr. Weil's return to Neo Arcadia as well as Omega's return to Earth.[2]

Mega Man Zero 3[]

In an e-Reader-modified version of Mega Man Zero 3 available for purchase in Japan only, a Cyber-elf appears outside the Command Room of the Resistance Base. It plays no active role in the game and is not named. When Zero approaches it, the following text appears: "It has a warm light but there's a sadness to it... Almost as if it remembers this base." This text is popularly assumed to indicate that this Cyber Elf is Elpizo. This Cyber-elf appears in the same way in Mega Man Zero Collection and Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection if the appropriate modification Card is used. In addition the picture on the particular card is that of Elpizo.

Power and Abilities[]

Despite his status as a non-combat model Reploid, Elpizo seemed to have abilities beyond those of the other Resistance soldiers, though not at the same level as those of Zero or the Guardians. His status as the Resistance's new commander, plus the fact that with his help, they were able to organize from a rag-tag guerrilla group to a more equipped, well organized military force, indicated that he possessed a high degree of intelligence and some military skills and planning. He also carried an energy rapier, able to block frontal attacks, indicating he had some skill in swordsmanship, though in the end these skills were not enough to prevent the Resistance's crushing defeat at the hands of the Neo Arcadian forces.

Elpizo's first form[]

After the fiasco of Operation Righteous Strike, Elpizo stole the Baby Elves, using their powers to combat enemies. He was able to subdue X in his Cyber-elf form, force Harpuia into his Armed Phenomenon state to fight Zero and restrain Zero in an energy net long enough to break the Dark Elf's seal. After absorbing the Dark Elf, Elpizo gained a combat body and had his overall abilities explosively increased, such as his strength, speed and swordsmanship, among others, enabling him to fight Zero on a near-equal level.

Attack Description Notes
Dark Drain Elpizo summons a ring of purple orbs that quickly chase Zero and drain his health if caught.
Saber Dash Elpizo dashes toward Zero while thrusting his rapier repeatedly. This attack can be cancelled by striking Elpizo with a charged Z-Saber attack.
Splash Laser Elpizo points his beam rapier upwards and shoots multiple dark energy bullets that create shockwaves upon reaching the ground, erupting into dark flames.
Distortion Aura Elpizo opens a portal that summons either a Pantheon Guardian or Spiking.
(EX Skill) Grand Burst Elpizo enters Dark Overdrive, mimicking the Overdrive ability of the Four Guardians. He becomes wrapped in a shadowy aura that blocks any attack until it wears off. While invincible, he sends his rapier spinning into the air, blasting a huge, blue column into the ground and sending debris in several directions. After the attack ends, his rapier returns to him like a boomerang.

Elpizo's second form[]

After his first defeat, Elpizo drew out more of the Dark Elf's power and transformed into a winged, demonic form with even greater power. It is implied however that Elpizo wasn't able to draw out or control the Elf's full power, and became even more insane as a result of his attempt.

Note that this form's attacks lack official names, the names below being unofficial nicknames used to identify them.

Attack Description Notes
"Teleportation" Elpizo can teleport randomly in the second half of the battle.
"Chain Walls" Elpizo summons two non-lethal spiked walls.
"Shadow Vortex" Elpizo will summon a green orb, which slowly, speeding up, unwinds around him.
"Dual Macabre" Elpizo summons the Baby Elves to send out floods of clones and attack Zero from both sides.
EX Skill Elpizo's winged segments light up randomly, and the tips send out golden proton blasts that home in on the player.

In-battle quotes[]

Action Japanese Translation Audio
First form
Taunt ふっふふふふ… (Fufufufufu...) Fufufufufu...
Blocking attack おっといけない!(Ottoikenai!) Oops, that was close!
Splash Laser 失礼!(Shitsurei!) Pardon me!
Dark Drain そこですか!(Soko desu ka!) There you are!
("I see you!" in Mega Man Zero Official Complete Works)
Distortion Aura 甘いですよ!(Amai desu yo!) How naive!
("You've underestimated me!" in Mega Man Zero Official Complete Works)
Grand Burst 楽しんでください!(Tanoshinde kudasai!) Please enjoy yourself!
Second form
Transformation ひゃぁぁぁぁぁぁっ!!(Hyaaaaaa!!) Hyaaaaaa!!
Pre-battle もっと力をっ!!(Motto chikara wō!!) More power!!
Teleporting 図に乗るな!(Zu ni noru na!) Don't get cocky!
Attacking 錆びて朽ちろ!!(Sabite kuchiro!!) Rust and crumble!!
Attacking おわかれです!(Owakare desu!) This is the end!

Etymology[]

  • Elpizo's name in the English version is derived from the Greek verb "elpizo" (ἐλπίζω), which means "to hope (for)". This is a reference to his perceived role as a source of hope to the Reploids of Neo Arcadia. Notably, hope was usually seen as an extension of suffering by the Greeks, and not as inherently good like in English. In-universe, he is named after Project Elpizo.
  • His name in the Japanese version, Elpis, is a reference to the Greek personification and spirit of hope Elpis (ελπις). This continues his theme of hope.
  • Elpizo's original serial number, TK31, is a reference to his voice actor's name and birthdate (Tsutomu Kashiwakura was born on March 1).

Gallery[]

Artwork[]

Cutscenes[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

Elpizo dash glitch

Elpizo's dashing sprite glitch.

  • During the cutscene in the Temple of Wind, when Elpizo dashes away after triggering Harpuia's Armed Phenomenon, a 1 appears behind his foot and a 2 appears under his head. This glitch was fixed in the Mega Man Zero Collection.
  • Other final bosses in the Zero series (Copy X, Omega, Dr. Weil) change the battlefield (and, in Copy X's case, made it more hazardous), when transitioning between their forms. Elpizo stands out as the only final boss in which the battlefield remains the same throughout both his battles.
  • After Elpizo unseals the power of the Dark Elf in MMZ2, his personality is taken over and he states that he wants to exterminate all humans and create a world only for Reploids, similar to Sigma's ambitions. This may be due to the fact that the Dark Elf was developed from the Maverick Virus, and thus has a connection to Sigma.
  • It can be hinted that Harpuia knew what Elpizo's motives were for locating the Baby Elves and the Mother Elf before Zero and the rest of the Resistance found out, providing Harpuia's hint at Elpizo that there will be more deaths of the Resistance and other innocents as long as he remained unchecked. This also comes to pass at the Temple of Wind when Elpizo already defeated Harpuia before Zero arrived to stop him, now revealing that he will destroy the body of the original X to Harpuia and Zero, and after the battle, Harpuia requests Zero to stop Elpizo from destroying X's body because he failed to stop him.
  • Elpizo is one of two bosses in this game that can restore their own health during battle. The other one is Burble Hekelot.
  • In Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog #141, Knuckles's transformation into Super Knuckles directly references Elpizo's transformation with the Dark Elf.[3]

References[]

  1. Remastered Tracks Rockman Zero Telos drama tracks
  2. ???: "It seems the Dark Elf has been awakened. Hee hee hee hee. The time has come for you to take action, Omega... Hee hee hee..." - Mega Man Zero 2
  3. Jon Gray's deviantArt


Advertisement