| “ | The Grimm are a superior species, fascinating in their biology, their unbridled, raw aggression and lack of sentience make them the perfect vessel. | „ |
| ~ Merlot's view on Grimm. |
| “ | Welcome to the testing grounds, students. Why don't you get acquainted with my test subjects? They could use the exercise. | „ |
| ~ Dr. Merlot to team RWBY. |
| “ | Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. My name's Dr. Merlot. You don't know me, but I most certainly know who you are. Nevertheless, I'm thrilled you're here. You might be exactly what I need for a very important... experiment. | „ |
| ~ Dr. Merlot introducing himself. |
Dr. Merlot is the main antagonist of the 2016 video game RWBY: Grimm Eclipse, the tie-in for the anime-influenced animated web series RWBY. He is the founder of Merlot Industries with an obsession for Grimm due to believing they are a superior species to humanity and desires to improve them even further with his research.
He was voiced by Dave Fennoy, who also voiced Pong Krell in the Star Wars series, and Josey in Lollipop Chainsaw.
History[]
Before the start of the series it is revealed that Merlot founded his own company known as Merlot Industries that specialized in research on both artificial intelligence and genetic supposedly in order to use what they could to improve the world around them. However at an unspecified time Merlot himself became obsessed with Grimm seeing them as much superior to humans and desired to increase their power further believing that nature ultimately failed to perfect them. This caused many people to lose respect from many colleagues. Not long after he ran out of test subjects he tried to capture more Grimm only for it to cause the near complete destruction of his location and the rest of surrounding area. While he was never found everyone assumed he was killed in the destruction caused by his obsession.
Years later Merlot Industries resurfaced in a isolated island where he would continue his research on how to increase Grimm's and their capabilities with some success in creating his own "improved" Grimm's through one of his serums. Over time Team RWBY is sent to investigate the location after some of the Grimm are traced back to his company. Realizing he was found out Merlot revealed himself through monitors to his new enemies and explained his goal. Realizing he had to dispose of his enemies and that this was also an opportunity to test out the abilities of his mutated monster including his mutated Death Stalker when they infiltrate his secret lab. Merlot unleashes his beasts. However in the end when the other including his prized Death Stalker are finally defeated, Merlot decides to activate the self-destruct on his base, possibly killing him in the process.
However, if the player collects all the artifacts in each level of the game, Merlot can be heard laughing after the end credits roll, indicating that he survived.
Other Media[]
RWBY: Amity Arena[]
While Dr. Merlot does not appear in RWBY: Amity Arena, his Mutant Creeps appear as units. During the first few days of their release when players were gifted free Mutant Creep cards, the cards came with the message "Dr. Merlot... what were you thinking?".
Personality[]
Merlot is portrayed as an egotistical scientist who believes the most powerful creatures should be in control of the world and seeks to help advance the Grimm due to the belief they are the closest thing to a perfect life form. He also seems to have a hatred for humanity due to them calling his beliefs insane. He is implied to have a mild god-complex as he firmly believes that nature and evolution has failed to perfect the Grimm and that his science can fix its failures, with his theme song even having him call himself the god of the Grimm.
Appearance[]
Merlot is a elderly man with messy light gray hair and a short beard with a red mechanical eye. It also seems that at least one of his arms are mechanical. His outfit is shown to be a red shirt mostly covered with a white jacket.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- The song "Lusus Naturae" plays during the end credits is presumed to be written form Merlot's perspective and is considered his theme song.
- Merlot is a type of grape most notably used in making the red wine that shares its name.
- The character of Merlot may allude to the science fiction novel The Island of Doctor Moreau by H. G. Wells. Apart from the similarity in name, the story features an eccentric doctor living on a remote island and performing morally questionable experiments on animals.
External Links[]
- Dr. Merlot on the RWBY Wiki
