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"“PET“ is short for “PErsonal Terminal“. It's a portable link to the net, see? Kinda like a cellphone that does a whole lot more. You can send mail, use electronic money and read textbooks! The Navi program inside helps if you have a problem. You have one on your PET, too. Wasn't it called MegaMan? "
Yai Ayanokoji, Mega Man Battle Network

A PErsonal Terminal (パーソナルターミナル Pāsonaru Tāminaru), or PET (read as ペット Petto) for short, is a small electronic portable device that plays an important role in the Mega Man Battle Network series. It is pronounced "Pet"[1], but "P-E-T" in the MegaMan NT Warrior English dub.

The PET was invented by Dr. Tadashi Hikari, grandfather of Lan Hikari. Various terminal models appear throughout the series in a wide variety of colors and styles. While Yuichiro Hikari often aids in the production of PETs, it is the company from Chaud's father, IPC that produces and distributes the various PET models.

It is succeeded by the more general termed Mobile Terminal in the Mega Man Star Force series.

Basic functions and design[]

A terminal is essentially a more advanced PDA device. It enables a user to make phone calls, send E-mail, store and use the electronic money and access the Internet wirelessly. It may also house a "Network Navigator", or NetNavi, an artificial intelligence program that interacts with their user, the operator. Other than operating the PET's main functions, the NetNavi is capable to exit the PET by "jacking in" to electronic devices to investigate or explore the cyber network within it. "Jack in" is usually said by human characters when connecting their PETs to a machine. PETs are used for personal convenience as well as machinery maintenance.

The terminals are often modeled after real-life devices, such as handheld gaming consoles or MP3 players. Usually, there is a screen with two or three buttons, a device for jacking in, and a slot for Battle Chips.

Earlier models were larger with more obstructing features, but subsequent models would become smaller, sleeker, and more simple. While the games hardly show the differences between the different PETs, the anime shows its evolution more clearly, with infrared jack in, touch screen, and holograms.

The PET is also very vital during the anime-exclusive Cross Fusion technique in MegaMan NT Warrior. During the fusion of operators with their NetNavis, the PET becomes the central power source for the transformation, stored within the NetNavi's unique symbol crest (which is usually located on the human's chest). If this crest is attacked directly or completely destroyed, the fusion will deteriorate, and the PET can suffer serious damage.

PET Models[]

MMBN5 terminals

Different models of terminals from SciLab

There are five different models of PETs shown in the Mega Man Battle Network series, with two upgrades of one model. The PET model is often updated or redesigned all together between subsequent game entries, anime series, and manga story arcs, each with its own unique functions and uses.

In real life development standpoint, as stated in the Mega Man Battle Network Official Complete Works, the PET designs were developed by Capcom or by the companies that were producing toys for the series.

Original PET[]

PET
Main article: Original PET

The first two Mega Man Battle Network video games and Rockman.EXE Operate Shooting Star used the original model simply known as the "PET." It was designed with a flip-open laptop-esque screen with its own keyboard (a feature unique to this PET), and it was held by a handle along the bottom (which is actually its battery pack). It uses a retractable cord to jack in. Though this PET did not appear in the anime, it appeared in the MegaMan NT Warrior and Battle Story MegaMan NT Warrior manga.

Plug-in PET[]

Plug-in PET
Main article: Plug-in PET

The second version of the PET originally appeared in the first season of the MegaMan NT Warrior anime series. It later appeared in Mega Man Battle Network 3 and made appearances in the spin-off titles Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge, Mega Man Network Transmission, and Rockman EXE WS.

It is squarish with rounded edges and a larger piece attached to the bottom left corner as a grip. The grip can be pulled down for a better handle of the device. Like the original PET, it features a retractable cord for jacking-in. In the anime, most of the PETs are a light-blue color, but some characters have uniquely-colored PETs.

Advanced PET[]

Advanced PET
Main article: Advanced PET

Introduced in Mega Man Battle Network 4, this PET was also used in the MegaMan NT Warrior Axess anime series. This model was designed more like a flip-open cellular phone, and as such can be conventionally used as one. A sliding piece along the bottom would cause the screen to open, revealing a button interface. There is also a small handle piece along the right side to hold the PET more sturdily. A message board in Mega Man Battle Network 4 states that they were designed by Dr. Hikari and Mr. Famous [2].

In the anime, this PET introduced a new method of wirelessly jacking-in through the use of infrared lasers. This PET came in many unique colors representative of various characters.

Advanced PET II[]

Main article: Advanced PET
Advanced PET II

The PET was subsequently updated for Rockman EXE 4.5 Real Operation and was also featured in the later half of the MegaMan NT Warrior Axess anime. This PET is mainly an aesthetic update in the games, having a more armored look and a glass dome cover. In the anime, it enhances Lan's Cross Fusion abilities. Lan is the only character to receive an Advanced PET II in the anime. Lan began using this PET in episode 34 and used it until episode 3 of Rockman EXE Stream.

Progress PET[]

Progress PET
Main article: Progress PET

Introduced in Mega Man Battle Network 5 and its accompanying anime series, Rockman EXE Stream. This PET somewhat resembles a Game Boy Advance, PSP, flat faced phone, or a Game Boy Micro. This is the only PET known to jack in using infrared rays in the games, featured in the Queen Bohemia, where a perpetrator uses mirrors for a long distance jack in [3]. Apparently, Navis are also able to get around more easily. [4].

In the anime, this PET features a holographic touch screen, allowing the operator to drag-and-drop Battle Chip data onto their NetNavi with touch alone. This PET also allows for the attachment of various accessory upgrades, specifically for upgrading NetNavis' abilities during battle. Also, in the anime, the PET could enhance Lan and Chaud's Cross Fusion strength, and give them a new design during the fusion.

Link PET_EX[]

Link PET_EX
Main article: Link PET_EX

Introduced in Mega Man Battle Network 6 and its accompanying anime series, Rockman EXE Beast and Rockman EXE Beast+ This PET resembles an iPod MP3 player. In the games, it's shown to have some sort of cord during the jack in animation.

In the anime, Lan is seen wearing the PET in a strap on his bicep. The Link PET retains the holographic touch screen of its predecessor, and also features a stylus for further interactivity, similar to the Nintendo DS stylus. NetNavis are able to appear in the real world as miniature holographic representations of themselves, usually standing on their operator's shoulders. It also gave Lan, Chaud, and Raika jet-propelled flight abilities during Cross Fusion.

Other PETs[]

MiniPET[]

A MiniPET (ミニPET Mini Petto) is a PET that is limited to basic functions such as reading mail, lacking a NetNavi and other functions. For safety reasons, normal PETs are not allowed inside airplanes as NetNavis could cause trouble, so Lan received a MiniPET to use during his travel to Netopia in Mega Man Battle Network 2. Lan was sad to be separated from MegaMan, even if only for some hours, but Chaud used his position as an Official NetBattler to give Lan permission to keep his PET.

SubPET[]

SubPET

A SubPET (サブPET Sabu Petto) is basically a backup PET used when the operator's main PET needs repairs. One is used by Lan in Mega Man Battle Network 3 when the transmission program from his custom Plug-in PET is damaged by FlashMan, and Dex mentions that he is using one when he and his friends first travel to Oran Island in Mega Man Battle Network 5 due to his PET being stolen.[5] Although a NetNavi can still function in it, it also has been stripped of some features, like the alarm function, and most importantly, jacking-in,[6] but it can still be used to communicate with others. The known colors for the SubPET are orange, as shown in Mega Man Battle Network 3.


Yamato Man's spear tip
PLEASE NOTE: THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ABOUT MATERIAL THAT HAS NOT BEEN LOCALIZED OR DUBBED OUTSIDE OF JAPAN OR OTHER ASIAN COUNTRIES, AND USES THE ORIGINAL TERMS AND NAMES.
Yamato Man

Link Gate[]

The Link Gate (リンクゲート Rinku Gēto) is a variation of the PET that is used by the people of the parallel world, Beyondard, in the Rockman EXE Beast anime. Its design is an alteration of the Beast Link Gate. Although the Link Gate doesn't have a screen, their interaction can be made verbally, as well as forming a small hologram of the Navi. While the Beast Link Gates are marked with the symbol and colors of Glaga and Falzer, the Link Gates are marked with that operator's Navi Mark.


Yamato Man
END OF UNLOCALIZED MATERIAL.

Accessories[]

Wireless[]

WirelessPlug-EXEep56

Wireless Plug in the anime

WirelessPlug-design

Wireless Plug anime design sheet

Wireless (ワイヤレスプラグ Waiyaresu Puragu, Wireless Plug in Japan) is a device that allows early PET models to jack in from a distance by connecting the device to a jack in port. Later PET models have a wireless function by default, not requiring cords nor a device connected to a port. Before Lan travelled to Netopia in Mega Man Battle Network 2, Mayl gifted a Wireless to Lan, saying that it is the lucky item from his horoscope. Thanks to Wireless, Lan was able to escape from a trap in Netopia, throwing the device to a jack in port he could not reach. The second time it is thrown it cannot be retrieved as it is out of Lan's reach, and it is used to disable all traps.

Lan built a similar device for his Plug-in PET in the MegaMan NT Warrior anime episode Virus Busters!.

PET Case[]

PET Case

PET Case (PETケース) is a sturdy case to protect the PET that Lan received from his father in Mega Man Battle Network 3. MegaMan mentions that thanks to the case he didn't feel anything when Lan jumped into the ocean from Seaside Hospital's second floor during an emergency. Lan also threw the PET into Sunayama without causing damage to it.

Gate devices[]

Battlechipgate

Battle Chip Gate

Main article: Battle Chip Gate

Battle Chip Gates don't feature any kind of interface or the ability to house a NetNavi; instead, they can only be used to transfer Battle Chips to remote NetNavis, even NetNavis that don't belong to the Operator/NetOp. In the anime, it is also used to send Battle Chips to humans who are transformed with Cross Fusion or remote Navis, or to even activate Battle Chips that don't require a NetNavi for the effect (such as field-altering Battle Chips like RockCube (which can still crush opponents) or Grass Stage instead of swords or projectiles. Although, it can still activate certain offensive chips like Flame Tower, MiniBomb, and TimeBomb, or even use certain Battle Chips to summon their virus counterparts, e.g. Cannon summons Canodumb, Guard/Shockwave summons Mettaur, Life Aura summons Scuttlest, DashAttack summons Fishy, Train/Trident Arrow summons Piranha, etc. Sword Chips have never been activated on their own by the Battle Chip Gate.

MegaMan NT Warrior Axess Battle Chip Gate

Chaud using a Battle Chip Gate in Axess.

The Battle Chip Gate first appeared for the fourth Battle Network title as a Japanese-exclusive toy accessory. It connected to the Game Boy Advance and allowed the player to transmit real-life toy Battle Chips to the NetNavis in the game. It received a redesign for its usage in the fifth Battle Network title, and both models appeared in Axess and Stream respectively. The Battle Chip Gates were also used in various spin-off titles such as Rockman EXE 4.5.

For Mega Man Battle Network 6, the Battle Chip Gate would again be updated, this time to the Beast Link Gate. These devices have the same use as their predecessors but come in two styles representative of the Cybeasts Gregar and Falzar. However, in the final two anime series, Beast and Beast+, the Beast Link Gates are instead used as PETs by the residents of the parallel world Beyondard, regardless that they lack an interface.

The gates themselves have only ever appeared once in the games themselves as a poster in Higsby's shop, and in some games an icon of them will appear on the top left of the screen when connect.

The Wave Scanner is like a successor to the Battle Chip Gate.

Navi Tune Parts[]

Main article: Progress PET

Navi Tune Parts are nine accessories released for the Progress PET, each granting different effects.

Toy Versions[]

Electronic toy versions of the PETs have been distributed to the Japanese market by Bandai and Takara, and various toy Battle Chips were also distributed for use on the PETs. The PETs often come in many colors with various accessories (such as carrying cases). Accessories to the Progress PET can be purchased, as well as different face-plates for the Link PET. The PETs often simulate housing a virtual NetNavi that can battle with fictional computer viruses or other NetNavis, similar to digital pets.

Toy versions of every PET model except the original PET used in the first two Battle Network games have been produced. Most of the PETs are still being manufactured and can be purchased from various import shops. However, the original PET (from the anime and third game; produced by Bandai) has been discontinued, and these PETs are often deemed valuable in online auctions. So far, only the Advanced PET (in three available colors) has been imported to the United States market. This version uses physical Battle Chips to fight "viruses," and two can be connected with a link cable.

Examples of PET Toys[]

Trivia[]

  • It was claimed to mean "Personal Exploration Terminal" on the back of the box for the original Mega Man Battle Network and "Personal Terminus" in early art.
MMBN GC controller

PET-shaped controller.

  • According to Yuji Ishihara, there were plans for Mega Man Network Transmission to come packed with a special PET-themed GameCube controller, but it did not come to fruition.

References[]

  1. Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection
  2. "Those new PETs are sweet! I hear Dr. Hikari himself teamed up with Mr. Famous to develop them! Their cases slide open at the touch of a button!" -JomonElec's HP BBS
  3. "Navis travel over infrared rays when you jack in⋯ That's it! Using a mirror to reflect the rays, you could jack in even from a way off!" -ProtoMan/Colonel
  4. I went to buy one with Mayl. It's easier for our Navis to get around with the new version And it comes in lots of colors. Mayl got her PET in pink! -Yai's HP BBS
  5. "But I only have my SubPET so let's go somewhere unrelated to Cyberworld!" - Dex, Mega Man Battle Network 5
  6. "Yeah, we can't go online, and we can't even NetBattle..." - MegaMan, Mega Man Battle Network 3


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