Mega Man Gets Politically Crafty
Mega Man taking a political stand for equal marriage rights? And with Mario, no less?
Well, not exactly…
Rock Miyabi dropped us a line about the recent Minnesota State Fair, which had a contest for crop/seed art and a special division for political stands against a proposed state marriage amendment. The artist, Mark Dahlager, took second place in the “30% Dyed or Painted, Advanced Category.”
“We’ve seen Mega Man promote bicycle locks, bubble tea, and power washing before, right? So why can’t he jump and shoot his way into political art now?” asks our tipster. “I didn’t know Mario and Rock had publicly come out for each other, but apparently they are now the poster children for same-sex marriage rights.”
Quite frankly, after all the Mega Man/Bass, X/Zero, MegaMan.EXE/ProtoMan.EXE, and other such pairings this fandom has both created and endured over the years, not much surprises us on that front any more. In any case, congratulations to Mark for his win, and thanks to Rock Miyabi for the tip!
Tags: Mega Man, Mega Man Classic
Filed under: Community Developments
I approve.
i’d prefer a megaman/link coupling but whateva
Even though I think whoever did this was a conservative, a Republican or a right-wing nutso, I think they did a good job making it.
In other words: Nice art, wrong purpose.
I disapprove.
I disapprove.
There’s nothing truly loving in such a relationship. And what kind of sickie uses MM and Mario to promote such a terrible thing? Ugh. Shame.
Bizarre couple, I mean, it is a robot kid, man! Mario is a sick robo-pedophile!.
(Jokes aside, why not? I mean… not, really, why not? I want reasons)
it is kinda surprising to me, actually, but as main characters for more than fairly popular video games, I guess I shouldn’t be. It’s a bit creepy, though, the character choice, but I doubt I could think of something any more eye catching as far as that goes…
…
So, when do I start making the popcorn?
Fantastic. No surprise that Mega Man would stand up for such a noble, just cause.
Eh Ehhh Ehhhhhhhh
Mods better watch this. I sense a political flame war approacheth
Please leave my two favorite video game franchises out of your homosexual war games.
^^^
Agree.
@Thumb
We already are. Bans will be dealt out accordingly.
Yes, this is our official, preemptive warning to everyone who will comment.
You can’t equate yaoi with homosexual marriage debates. Your justifying the former and frankly demoting the latter.
But more importantly, strikes me as an honest but off-the-wall idea. Let’s not turn this into PokePeta.
Cute picture, but please keep politics the hell away from my games.
This can only end in tears.
My god…
Why…
My brain…
BZZZZTTTT
South Park did it!
I have never heard of the Mario/Megaman shipping.
But thanks to the internet, I fully expect it to explode.
TIUN TIUN TIUN TIUN TIUN
I… wow some of these comments. Okay anyway this use of medium is brilliant and would love to see more of this technique.
I knew even submitting this tip was a little…questionable…both in content and potential reaction. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the subject, but you know, hopefully it isn’t an opinion based solely on hatred or ignorance.
And with how tame a couple of sprites standing there are anyhow, I would think anyone bashing this would be better served directing their energy at artwork that is more graphic and controversial in nature.
More than anything, I just think it’s a unique art form that perhaps a lot of people don’t even know about, and it was surprising to see something involving Mega Man this year, let alone used to make a statement in this way.
Just to sort of clarify, the marriage amendment debate wasn’t the only political topic covered in the varying art pieces, nor was it a specific category (This was just one of many that did address the topic, though. Sorry if it came across that way when I sent the tip, LBD, it might have been my fault).
There have always been pop culture references in the crop art over the years (political or otherwise), but this definitely stood out to me because I wondered what the artist’s inspiration really was to pair two game characters like this to address the issue.
I won’t link to any others, since they aren’t Megaman-related, but there always are some fantastic pieces of art created year after year in this medium. Just searching ‘crop art’ will bring up links to our State Fair and other cool pieces, if you’re really interested.
And on top of the art itself, I thought the “Legend” tag below it was a nice shout out to a different type of movement within our community that some would appreciate.
So yeah, not meant to bring about a flame war. Or a serious political debate, despite it being that time of year in the States. Stay classy, San Diego.
Suffice to say, The Mega Man Network has no official political stance, and this is presented more as a point of interest than anything else.
The message isn’t as political as much as it is a question of ethics. Just thought I’d point that out to you all.
This is wrong. JUST WRONG.
@Omar
Well, the main message really is political in that he’s telling people to vote ‘no’ pertaining to a proposed State Amendment involving the definition of marriage.
If it were more of an ethical message, it would be focused on the moral principles of society and the ends if the State Constitution was altered. You can kind of take the “h8er” part as an ethical message, but by no means is it really diving in deep towards what is right or wrong conduct, whether that be towards the equality aspect or the traditional nature of marriage argument.
And those are better off different arguments for different places than here.
I cant, for the love of anything, understand why gay marriage is still such a huge problem in our day and age -.-
On Topic: I really like the texture of the picture. nice technique.
@Prince Asbel
Super Mario is not one of the two, of my favorite game franchises but… +1 for your comment from me anyway…
Mario x Mega Man, huh? Let the fanart commence!! lol
Pairings are bad enough in fanfics, why politics! Though arguably politics are just very bad fanfics about our society read aloud to the voters.
@RedrazerZero
Thanks! What’s your other favorite, just out of curiosity?
Screw this, where is my RollxPeach pairing?
Ugh. Who got controversial politics in my Mega Man? Not the place for this.
@Prince Asbel
Castlevania.
only you guys would get so sensitive about a videogame character being involved in political matters.
Nope.avi
I really don’t know why you would post this, I don’t need politics when I want to read about Megaman. I disapprove.
Absolutely disgusting.
Although neat, the art actually fails, because it essentially is trying to promote robo-pedophilia.
That said, videogame characters should never be used to promote a political agenda.
There is something wrong, very, very wrong about this but I can’t say what… Oh wait, that’s right, Megaman doesn’t have genitals. Dr. Light wasn’t that big of a pervert. Starting with Reploids, though, things started getting a little hazy… And if you want to talk about inappropriate Megaman pairings, why does Iceman have a crush on Roll, who is more or less is sister?
@Phaelin: Peach X Roll, huh? Good idea…
I’ve always wanted to see Mario and Megaman together, but like this?
Ah the old debate but with VG characters! Now this is the way a community like gamers should be thinking…OPEN MINDEDLY!!!…i mean we cant have the populace think that we are all COD gamers who use the term “gay” as an insult…or am i the only one who thinks like this…
Lot of commentors here must not get out much.
Pretty sure that the issue isn’t that this is a gay pairing or even an odd pairing so much as the fact that original, 8-bit Mega Man is designed to resemble a boy.