Is Mettaton EX Female? Unpacking Gender and Identity in Undertale
Mettaton EX is not female. While Mettaton’s design and presentation might lead some to that conclusion, the game consistently uses male pronouns for him, and the creator, Toby Fox, has confirmed that Mettaton is male. Understanding Mettaton requires looking beyond stereotypical gender presentations and delving into the complexities of identity, robotics, and self-expression within the world of Undertale.
Mettaton: More Than Meets the Eye (Or Chassis)
Mettaton presents a fascinating case study in gender expression within a video game context. His humanoid form, Mettaton EX, embodies many traditionally feminine characteristics: long hair, a sleek design, and an overall glamorous aesthetic. This, coupled with the fact that he was formerly a ghost named Happstablook (whose gender presentation is ambiguous, like their cousin Napstablook) before inhabiting the robotic body, often sparks debates about his gender identity.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that presentation does not equal identity. Mettaton chooses his form and uses it to express himself. He embraces performance, theatricality, and a flamboyant personality. His appearance reflects his aspirations to be a star, a beloved figure, and an icon of entertainment. These ambitions don’t inherently align with any particular gender.
The key evidence points directly to his consistent male pronoun usage throughout the game and Toby Fox’s statements on the matter. This reinforces the idea that Mettaton’s gender is male, even if his presentation challenges conventional notions of masculinity.
Understanding Undertale’s World
Undertale thrives on subverting expectations and challenging norms. The game is renowned for its nuanced characters and its exploration of complex themes, including identity, acceptance, and the consequences of violence. Therefore, simply assigning Mettaton a gender based on his appearance misses the deeper point.
Undertale encourages players to look beyond surface-level judgements and consider the individual’s motivations and experiences. Mettaton’s story is about a ghost who longed to be seen, to be loved, and to achieve his dreams. The robot body provided him with the means to do that, and he shaped it according to his vision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mettaton
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify aspects of Mettaton’s character, his design, and the lore surrounding him.
1. What does Mettaton EX look like?
Mettaton EX is a humanoid robot with a stylish design. He has black hair with a long fringe covering his right eye, pale metallic “skin,” and visible metal segments around his left eye. His overall appearance is sleek and designed for performance and showmanship.
2. What is Mettaton supposed to be?
Mettaton is a ghost possessing a robot body created by Alphys. The robot was initially designed as a TV entertainer, but Alphys later added combat features, which she supposedly tried to remove.
3. What is the difference between Mettaton EX and Mettaton NEO?
Mettaton transforms into Mettaton NEO on the Genocide Route. Mettaton NEO is a more combat-oriented version of Mettaton EX, featuring a more aggressive design. However, he is surprisingly weak and can be defeated with a single attack.
4. Can you date Mettaton?
Unfortunately, no. While Undertale allows the protagonist, Frisk, to “date” other characters like Papyrus and Alphys, there is no dating option for Mettaton.
5. Does Papyrus have romantic feelings for Mettaton?
Papyrus is a huge fan of Mettaton. He describes Mettaton as his favorite “sexy rectangle.” He admires Mettaton and expresses a desire to live near him. His feelings are more akin to idol worship than romantic love.
6. Is Frisk a guy or a girl?
Frisk’s gender is intentionally ambiguous. They are designed as a genderless avatar so that players can project their own identities onto the character. The game never explicitly states Frisk’s gender.
7. Can you beat Mettaton without killing him?
Yes. To spare Mettaton EX, you must achieve a show rating of 10,000 or more by using actions that entertain him and his audience. If his limbs are not blown off, a show rating of 12,000 or more ends the battle. Waiting without acting causes the ratings to go down.
8. Does Mettaton have a human soul?
No. Mettaton possesses a monster soul, as he was originally a ghost. Only human souls are depicted in a specific sequence in the game. His heart-shaped core is often mistaken for a soul but that is not true.
9. Do you fight Mettaton EX in Genocide?
No. On the Genocide Route, Mettaton EX does not appear. Instead, he transforms into Mettaton NEO when confronted by the protagonist.
10. What is Mettaton’s real name?
Mettaton is a name adopted after becoming a robot. His original name is Happstablook, according to Papyrus.
11. Who is Mettaton’s cousin?
Mettaton is Napstablook’s cousin.
12. Why is Mettaton named Mettaton?
The name Mettaton is likely a wordplay on “Megatron,” a reference to the Transformers franchise. This aligns with the game’s tendency to use puns and references in character names. For more on game design and learning, explore resources from the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. Their research offers valuable insight into how games impact education and identity.
13. Is Mettaton really a ghost?
Yes. It is revealed that Mettaton is a ghost controlling the robot body. He’s not just programming, he’s a monster inside a metal body.
14. Does Mettaton care about Alphys?
Mettaton cares about Alphys, though he often prioritizes himself. He has shown concern for her in canon and even mentioned apologizing to her in a neutral ending.
15. Why is Mettaton so feminine?
Mettaton’s design choices are a reflection of his personality and aspirations, not necessarily his gender identity. He aims to be a star and uses his appearance to create a captivating stage persona. His embracing of “feminine” traits doesn’t negate his male identity but enhances his character’s complexity.
Conclusion: Gender is More Than Appearance
Ultimately, Mettaton’s gender identity is male, a fact consistently supported by the game and its creator. Debates about his gender arise from the common misconception that appearance dictates identity. Undertale cleverly uses Mettaton to challenge this notion and encourage players to embrace individuality and self-expression in all its forms. The character serves as a reminder that gender is a complex and multifaceted concept, and judging someone solely based on their presentation is both simplistic and inaccurate.