You probably think you know everything about Mega Man Cut Man. He’s the first boss you fight. He’s the red guy with scissors on his head. He's basically the "tutorial" boss of the NES era.
But here is the thing. Cut Man isn't just a random robot Dr. Wily stole to make life miserable for the Blue Bomber.
He was almost the main character.
Before Capcom even decided on the name Rockman, series creator Akira Kitamura had a different vision. In those early brainstorming sessions, the game didn't revolve around a boy in blue armor who copies powers. It revolved around a robot with a pair of giant scissors on his head.
Kitamura literally imagined a game where you’d use those scissors to cut down enemies and navigate obstacles. Honestly, it’s wild to think that in some alternate universe, we aren't talking about Mega Man at all—we're talking about the adventures of Cut Man.
Why Mega Man Cut Man is the Perfect First Boss
Most people start with Cut Man because he’s the path of least resistance. In the original 1987 Mega Man, his stage is relatively forgiving compared to the vertical nightmares of Elec Man or the slippery floors of Ice Man.
But there is a technical reason he feels so "right" as a starting point.
Mega Man Cut Man takes more damage from the standard Mega Buster than any other boss in the game. Most Robot Masters take one or two points of damage per pellet. Cut Man? He takes three.
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He’s also the only boss who suffers from physical recoil. When you pelt him with lemons, he actually staggers backward. It makes the fight feel reactive and fair, even if you’re a kid in the 80s who has no idea what they're doing.
The Rolling Cutter: More Than Just Scissor Blades
Once you beat him, you get the Rolling Cutter.
In the original game, this weapon is a bit of a weird beast. It travels in a teardrop-shaped arc. It’s essentially a boomerang made of "Ceratanium" (a fictional ceramic/titanium alloy).
You’ve probably used it to shred Elec Man—it's his hard weakness, after all—but it has some hidden utility most players overlook. It can actually destroy the Gabyoall (those annoying floor-crawlers) that are otherwise immune to your buster.
The Story Behind the Scissors
In the lore, Cut Man is DLN-003.
He was built by Dr. Light for timber felling and deforestation. That’s why he’s so nimble; he was designed to hop around uneven forest terrain. When Wily reprogrammed him, he didn't change much of the hardware, just the objective.
His design is surprisingly deep for a 1987 sprite:
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- His "ears" are actually handles for the scissor blades.
- His head is perfectly spherical to allow the blades to detach and reattach smoothly.
- He is one of the few Robot Masters who looks like a direct "brother" to Mega Man, sharing the same basic boot and glove design.
There’s a hilarious bit of trivia from the Japanese character profiles, too. Cut Man apparently loves getting haircuts (don't ask how that works for a robot) and absolutely hates the game Rock-Paper-Scissors.
Why? Because he always picks scissors. He literally can't help himself.
How to Beat Cut Man Without Losing Your Mind
If you’re playing the Mega Man Legacy Collection or an original cart, you might struggle if you try to get too fancy.
The "pro" way to handle him is using Guts Man’s power, the Super Arm. There are two large blocks in the middle of Cut Man’s arena. If you pick one up and chuck it at him, it deals massive damage. Two hits and he’s done.
But if you miss? You’re out of blocks.
If you're stuck with just the buster, stay on the ground. Don't try to out-jump him. Cut Man’s AI is programmed to jump when you jump. If you stay still, he usually stays on his side of the room. Wait for the Rolling Cutter to reach its apex, hop over it, and just keep mashing that fire button.
The Legacy of the First Robot Master
Mega Man Cut Man is the unofficial mascot for the "Classic" series bosses.
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He’s appeared in more cameos than almost any other Robot Master. He showed up as a secret boss in the Sega Saturn version of Mega Man 8. He was a playable character in Mega Man Powered Up. He even makes a cameo in Mega Man 7 in a newspaper clipping.
He represents a specific era of game design where "simple" didn't mean "boring."
He’s a guy with scissors. It’s a silly concept, but it works. It’s iconic.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Playthrough
If you're planning to revisit the original game, keep these specific tips in mind to maximize your efficiency:
- Farm the Screwdrivers: Early in Cut Man's stage, there are "Screw Driver" enemies. If you’re low on health, stay near them. They respawn infinitely and are great for farming small health pellets.
- The Elec Man Shortcut: Don't even think about fighting Elec Man without the Rolling Cutter. The Cutter hits him multiple times per throw because of how the hitbox lingers, making the hardest fight in the game a total breeze.
- Watch the Arcs: In the Wily Wars (the Genesis remake), the Rolling Cutter's physics are slightly different. Practice the arc in the first room of the stage so you don't waste weapon energy later.
Cut Man isn't just a boss. He’s a piece of gaming history that reminds us how a single sketch of a scissor-headed robot turned into one of the biggest franchises in the world.
Next time you see him, don't just shoot. Appreciate the fact that he almost had his own 40-year franchise.
Next Steps for Your Mega Man Journey
- Master the Boss Order: Now that you've taken down Cut Man, move on to Elec Man to use your new Rolling Cutter. From there, take those sparks to Ice Man.
- Explore the Lore: Check out the Mega Man Megamix manga by Hitoshi Ariga for a much more detailed, almost "human" look at Cut Man’s personality and his relationship with Dr. Light.
- Try the Remakes: If the NES difficulty is too frustrating, play Mega Man Powered Up on the PSP (or via emulation). Playing as Cut Man himself gives you a completely different perspective on the level design.