Mega Myths: Mega Man Zero 2 – Poler Kamrous

by aRobinsonWriter

This time in Mega Myths, we’re taking a look at the icy Mutos Reploid from the Antarctic, Poler Kamrous.

In Kamrous’s stage, Zero is sent to sabotage Neo Arcadia’s Computer Zone in Antarctica. He begins the stage outside, fighting his way across glaciers, before he finds Neo Arcadia’s base and destroys the computers. Poler Kamrous waits in the center of the base, furiously accusing Zero of trying to confuse Neo Arcadia, something he can’t be allowed to do — not that the protests stop Zero from his heroics.

I’ve read online that Kamrous is female, but I can’t find anything in the game itself which would corroborate this. If she is a girl, she could be partly inspired by Qailertetang. Qailertang is from Inuit mythology, but it’s actually rather difficult to find sources in agreement as to what qailertang is. Some sources define qailertang as the shamans who embodied the goddess Sedna (more on her later). This could relate to why Poler Kamrous has that ring around her neck, as it does somewhat resemble the bone-lined necklace a shaman would have worn.

Other sources describe Qailertang as a large female goddess with heavy limbs, which fits Poler Kamrous’s giant arms. This version of Qailertang had the responsibility of caring for animals, fishers, and hunters, which may be partially why Kamrous is so protective; she says Zero is trying to confuse “us,” meaning she is definitely watching out for others as well as herself. Qailertetang also had the ability to control the weather, which matches all of Poler’s ice-summoning attacks.

Kamrous may also have been inspired by Sedna, the Mother of the Sea. Some myths surrounding Sedna claim she was a giant; fitting enough for a polar bear to represent her. Even more fittingly, Sedna’s fingers were cut off by her father (for reasons ranging from attacking her own parents to marrying a dog). Perhaps it is no coincidence, then, that Poler Kamrous’s fingertips are comprised of pure ice.

After she was thrown into the sea (for the same reasons she lost her fingers), Sedna became the goddess of Adlivun, the Inuit underworld where people are frozen and purified before their eternal trip to the moon (where they will, presumably, join MegaMan Volnutt) (sorry). If you stretch it, the Computer Zone may be inspired by Adlivun, given the dangerous temperatures which can freeze Zero himself. And if we want to really be forgiving here, we could say that the fact that the Computer Zone is in the South Pole is because it’s “under the world.” That would also help explain why Kamrous is there when, in reality, polar bears don’t live at the South Pole. They definitely live at the North.

One thing you might’ve noticed about Qailertang and Sedna is that neither one is a polar bear. This is true. The primary polar bear found in mythology is Nanook, the “great bear.” He determined whether or not a hunter would be successful when hunting a polar bear. He was very wise and deserving of respect, which honestly doesn’t much match Poler Kamrous’s dopey dialogue and constant cries of “Bwoooo!” Then again, this may have been intentional. Polar bears were revered partly because they appeared to be almost human in the way they walk and behave. Maybe Kamrous was given simple dialogue to honor the “almost-human” nature of polar bears.

When I started researching this myth, I really thought I’d up come up blank and determine that Poler Kamrous was nothing but a video game polar bear. And while that may be primarily true, I think I’ve made the case that perhaps there was more to her design than originally apparent (especially with the ice fingertips).

But what do you think? Is Kamrous inspired by Inuit mythology, or is she just a simple bear at the wrong pole? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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aRobinsonWriter is a member of The Mega Man Network’s User Content Submission System, and the views expressed here reflect the views of the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Mega Man Network.

LBD "Nytetrayn"

David Oxford, or “LBD ‘Nytetrayn’,” as he is sometimes also known, is a freelance writer of many varied interests who resides in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. If you’re interested in hiring him, please drop him a line at david.oxford (at) nyteworks.net.

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