Unveiling new monsters and sharing which monsters from older titles are making a comeback is a key part of the marketing cycle for a new Monster Hunter game. Capcom's latest addition to the action-adventure series of games, Monster Hunter Rise, is no different from its predecessors, as it takes to Twitter to showcase new and never-seen-before concept art of two of its upcoming monsters - Somnacanth and Bishaten.
Announced back in September 2020 and with a solid release date planned for March 26, 2021, Monster Hunter Rise is currently being developed for the Nintendo Switch. The game brings back the game's well-loved multiplayer portability - one of the many reasons that the Monster Hunter community has grown. Now, the hunting community are watching social media for any glimpse of the latest game's planned monsters.
On Twitter, Capcom has posted several tweets showcasing new concept art of Somnacanth and Bishaten. Being new to the series, not much information can be found about these monsters aside from what the developers are willing to share. Dubbed the "intoxicating serpent", the Somnacanth is a snake-like creature that slithers and slides through the watery landscape surrounding the Monster Hunter Rise's Kamura Village.
As seen in the recently-released Monster Hunter Rise trailer, the Somnacanth uses its mouth to spew out a sleeping powder that can take players out of battle. However, one eye-catching detail about the Somnacanth follows the game's traditional Japanese-inspired theme - its stomach. Emblazoned by a unique design inspired by the Japanese taiko drum, the Somnacanth's stomach is "tough enough to crack shells" and is used to break objects.
New concept art of the Bishaten was also shared with fellow hunters recently on Twitter. A monkey-like creature that the developers have called the "omnivorous trickster," the Bishaten's monster type is not new to the Monster Hunter franchise. Blagonga and Rajang are two monsters from past games that seem inspired by primates. Attacking with dangerous spin moves, the Bishaten has a very unique tail design that acts as an extension of its body. Its love for persimmons is more than just a character trait, as it can use the juicy fruit as projectiles in battle.
Though both newcomers, the Somnacanth and Bishaten were not part of the foreboding monster Rampage event in the recent Monster Hunter Rise trailer released during The Game Awards 2020. This can mean they are minor monsters but still play an important role in helping establish the traditional Japanese look and feel of the game's setting.
Monster Hunter Rise will be released on March 26, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.