Summoning (召喚) is the name of Grandmaster Meio's unique ability to create life out of nothing, featured as one of his attacks in both the original Strider and Strider 2.

Overview

In spite of its apparent esoteric nature, Meio's ability to create life is actually the result of intensive scientific research. Looking for a way to fulfill his greatest ambition, that of ascending to godhood, Grandmaster Meio conducted extensive research on the ancient organisms living within the Amazon forest, until he was able to decipher the secret to create life^[1]. Meio applies this knowledge to his own powers, allowing him to will any kind of life out of thin air through lightning surging from his hands.^[2]

Meio's powers are not limited to simple lifeforms, as he's also able to ressurect long-exctinct lifeforms (such as the dinosaurs) and even recreate mechanical forms (as he does to Lago and Ouroboros during Hiryu's assault on the Third Moon). Meio planned to use his powers to create a new human race, and in this way become the true Creator of all life on Earth.

Strider (CPS-1)

Grandmaster Meio's Summoning is performed by a set of green lightning bolts shot from his hands. Once released, these lightning bolts fly toward Hiryu while turning and twisting in all directions, until they finally stop at one spot and life is created instantly. Grandmaster Meio utilizes this ability to hinder Hiryu's movement by crowding the area with obstacles.

Grandmaster Meio's Summoning is seen creating three basic lifeforms during battle: six piranhas, two white wolves and four Pteranodon. Before the battle he also created a number of Tyrannosaurus, the machines Mecha Pon and Lago, and the mysterious being Ouroboros.

Strider 2

During their second encounter, Grandmaster Meio's life summoning powers have been greatly enhanced. He no longer shoots lightning bolts in order to create life, instead simply rising his hands above his head and willing a lifeform at any location he desires. The lifeforms he creates now are not regular animals like those found on Earth, but bizarre creatures with unnatural shapes and great powers. He uses them the same way as before, trying to crowd the screen to hinder Hiryu's movement.

Among the creatures Meio creates stand three bizarre organisms: Graveleo (a brown, vaguely lion-shaped creature with gravity powers), Ardoravis (a flying orb of fire) and Fulmenorca (a fish-shaped transparent creature with electric powers). Meio's greatest creation is Caduceus, a massive organism capable of interstellar travel.

Other appearances

• Grandmaster Meio's basic attack in Namco × Capcom is known as "Summoning", and is a mix of his life-creating attacks from both games in that he creates life from his glowing hands as in Strider 2, and from them launches the three animals from Strider forward to strike at the opponent. His Special attack, "Summoning (Strong)" (召喚（強）), is a simple variation where he sends two waves of animals instead of one. The power is also referenced in the story, where Meio used it to replicate the Gnosis creatures from Xenosaga, a task deemed by Shion to be impossible, as well as bend them to his will.^[3]
• Grandmaster Meio's powers are featured in the Strider-centric story from Namco × Capcom Comic Anthology, where it is used to generate an infinite amount of money. According to Hien, Meio's power allows him to create a large amount of any material in existence, and it works on anything that exists within all the game's worlds.
• Meio's card ability in the "Heroes and Heralds" mode of Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, being able to slowly restore the player's health/lifebar, may possibly be a nod to this life-creating power.
• In Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, Hiryu references this ability when describing Meio to Gamora, stating he is capable of "corrupting life itself, reshaping it to his own twisted desire".

Gallery

Meio's lightning bolts

Meio using his power to create money in Namco × Capcom Comic Anthology

Trivia

• The main antagonist from Moon Diver, Faust, possess a similar ability to create complex lifeforms from any material he comes into contact with, such as car parts or scrap metal. This ability is called "Summoning" as well, and Isuke has stated his powers are the same of "the man in the past" ("The Man" being the way Meio is called in Isuke's draft), indicating Faust and Grandmaster Meio both use the same type of power.^[4]

References