Based on the games which made its debut in March 21st 2001 as a launch title for the Game Boy Advance, the Rockman EXE animation is the first in its series which follows the games' basic world setting while telling its own story using the same cast of characters.

Taking place in a world where the Internet is part of everything and digital handheld computers known as Personal Terminals (PETs) with built-in personal assistants known as Netnavis are commonplace, the story follows fifth-grader Netto Hikari with his unique Netnavi Rockman in their everyday life as they strive to become strong netbattlers while fighting off ever-escalating cyber-attacks by criminal organizations.

The first Rockman EXE animation started airing in March 4th 2002 and finished its initial run in March 31st 2003. This series then continued in its sequel Rockman EXE Axess in late 2003.