Capcom's latest addition Monster Hunter Rise displays a unique theme that sets it apart from previous installments in Capcom's franchise. Nearly everything from the Irimoya-Zukuri roofs, the Samurai armor, and the Yakushima-like forest depict feudal Japan. The theme creates a beautiful and unique world for players to admire to their heart's content. The architecture, gear, and environment are not the only aspects inspired by Japanese culture.

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Many of the monsters in Monster Hunter Rise are based on various supernatural beings from Japanese folklore. Some monsters were inspired by spirits while others were created from creatures known as Yokai. Each monster reflects the appearance and characteristics of the legend they were based upon. Battles with these monsters feel like a confrontation directly with the myths that they were based on, an experience that none would look forward to. To truly appreciate the design and mechanics of each monster players should review the interesting creatures of Japanese folklore.

10 The Great Izuchi

Split Image Of The Great Izuchi & The Sickle Weasel

The Great Izuchi is one of the first large monsters that hunters will encounter. It appears to be a raptor-like creature with razor-sharp claws and a scythe-like tail. It uses its dangerous appendages to unleash a flurry of cutting attacks upon hunters. The Great Izuchi is never alone, it travels with two lesser Izuchi that aid it in combat. The fast and dangerous Great Izuchi draws inspiration from the equally quick and dreadful Kamaitachi.

The Kamaitachi, or the "sickle weasel," is a Yokai that inhabits the mountainous regions of Japan. It resembles a weasel with spines and long sharp claws. The Kamaitachi is said to travel in groups of three trekking the mountains of Japan in search of people to carve. The numerous wounds that the Kamaitachi inflicts appear to be lethal yet victims leave with only scratches and minor pain. Nearly every aspect of this creature was implemented in the Great Izuchi except for the fact that hunters will endure much more than a few small cuts.

9 The Aknosom

Split Image Of The Aknosom & The Umbrella Ghost

The Aknosom is a fiery and majestic bird that soars across the skies surrounding Kamura Village. The Aknosom resembles a crane with a large folding crest. This monster possesses the ability to breathe fire, a power that it uses to inflict burns upon hunters unlucky enough to cross its path. The Aknosom uses its wings to perform aerial attacks or escape from battle. The majestic yet deadly Aknosom is based on the less threatening and mischievous Kasa-Obake.

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Kasa-Obake, or the "umbrella ghost," is a Yokai that resembles an umbrella bearing one eye, a mouth, and a long slimy tongue. This Yokai is not dangerous and it does not inflict any physical harm towards people. The Kasa-Obake is a prankster that sneaks up on unsuspecting humans and licks them, leaving them unharmed but mentally scarred from the events that occurred.  The Aknosom's umbrella-like crest and one-legged stance accurately reflect the appearance of the Kasa-Obake but the Aknosom is not looking to play a prank.

8 The Zinogre

Split Image Of The Zinogre and The Raiju

The Zinogre is an electrifying beast that hunters will be shocked to face in battle. The Zinogre looks like a vicious wolf with armor plating. This monster can emit electricity to power its attacks and paralyze hunters. The Zinogre's speed and fury make it a dangerous opponent to face head-on. The relentless Zinogre is based on the companions of the thunder gods known as the Raiju.

Raiju, or "thunder beasts," are believed to be the embodiment of lightning appearing in animal form, usually as a wolf. These creatures were believed to be messengers of the thunder gods and they were frequently sent to punish sinful humans. The Raiju would indiscriminately destroy everything in its path and leave villages in ruin. The Zinogre electric attacks and destructive behavior reflect the thunderous beast it is based upon.

7 The Tetranadon

Split Image Of The Tetranadon And The Kappa

The Tetranadon is a gluttonous and relentless monster that hunters will face in swampy areas. The Tetranadon appears to be a combination of a duck, a turtle, and a frog with a round figure. This massive beast has quite the appetite and during battles, it will eat anything in sight including hunters. The greedy Tetranadon is based on the reptilian humanoid the Kappa.

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The Kappa, or the "river child," is a Yokai that resembles a boy with the features of a turtle. These creatures inhabit bodies of water where they thrive. Kappa are not as efficient on land and if they lose the water atop their head they could die. Kappa can be friendly and giving or mischievous and violent to people depending on how they are treated. These creatures can and will eat anything that they can find. The Tetranadon displays the turtle shell and scales of the Kappa along with its expansive taste.

6 The Bishaten

Split Image Of The Bishaten And The Karasu Tengu

The Bishaten is an acrobatic monster that uses unique tactics unseen by hunters. The Bishaten has a body similar to a monkey but its other features resemble a bird. It uses various fruits at its disposal to inflict detrimental effects on hunters. Using its wings, the Bishaten maneuvers through the skies dealing aerial attacks. The mobile fruit-loving Bishaten is based on the Tengu, specifically the Karasu-Tengu.

The Karasu-Tengu, or "crow tengu," is a Yokai that resembles a man with crow features. These creatures usually wear robes and wield weapons stolen from humans. Karasu-Tengu are very arrogant and they view people as nothing compared to themselves. These creatures will often trick humans that it deals with but occasionally Karasu-Tengu will be tricked instead. The Bishaten shares the avian characteristics and intelligence of the Karasu-Tengu. Fortunately for hunters, the Bishaten does not seem to own any weapons of its own.

5 The Goss Harag

Split Image Of The Goss Harag And The Namahage

The Goss Harag is a terrifying and formidable beast that roams cold desolate areas. The Goss Harag is a large hairy monster with massive claws and eyes that glare a bright yellow. It can use its frosty breath to create large ice blades on its arms. When the Goss Harag is angered it turns a bright red and becomes even more deadly. The temperamental icy Goss Harag is based on the much less threatening Namahage.

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The Namahage is a Yokai that shares the red or blue demon-like features of the notorious Oni. These Yokai reside in the mountains of Japan and they only descend once a year on the first full moon wielding blades. Despite their frightening appearance and aggressive behavior, the Namahage only works to dissuade people from doing wrong. The Goss Harag reflects many of the features of the Namahage such as the colors, blades, and demon appearance but it is not looking to teach hunters a lesson about doing good.

4 The Somnacanth

Split Image Of The Somnacanth And The Ningyo

The Somnacanth is an oddly appealing leviathan that hunters will face. The Somnacanth is an aquatic monster with purple fins and a long green body. It can spray a sleep-inducing powder on hunters or crack open shells that can induce a variety of effects on hunters. The beautiful yet deadly Somnacanth is based on the Western and the Japanese version of mermaids. The Japanese mermaid is known as the Ningyo.

The Ningyo is vastly different from the popular representation of mermaids. The upper half of the Ningyo resembles a demon rather than a beautiful woman. The Ningyo's are believed to grant eternal life and youth to people that eat it, but this creature can place curses on any who attempt to do so. The Somnacanth reflects some alluring qualities of the Western mermaid but its monstrous form more closely resembles the Ningyo.

3 The Almudron

Split Image Of The Almudron And The Dorotabo

The Almudron is a muddy leviathan that hunters will face in swampy areas. It is an aquatic monster with the characteristics of a Chinese dragon. It uses mud to attack or trap hunters and defend itself by sticking mud to its body. This monster can stand revealing its massive size and in this stance, it can deal devastating blows. The versatile Almudron is based on the vengeful mud Yokai, the Dorotabo.

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The Dorotabo is said to be the spiteful spirit of rice field workers that died in the fields and were left to rot. It appears as a decrepit muddy man with three fingers and one eye. The Dorotobo live on revenge and they will haunt negligent owners of rice fields who have disgraced their land. It will not stop until the land is either returned to its former glory or sold to someone more capable of caring for the rice fields. The Almudron shares the relation to mud and the relentlessness of the Dorotobo.

2 The Rakna-Kadaki

Split Image Of The Rakna Kadaki And The Jorogumo

The Rakna-Kadaki is a creepy arachnid monster that players will encounter in Monster Hunter Rise. The Rakna-Kadaki's design uses different aspects from various spiders to create its monstrous appearance. Hunters will notice that the Rakna-Kadaki is covered in webbing that makes it appear to be wearing a dress. The monster uses its sticky webs to trap prey and it finishes them off with a scorching gas. The Rakna-Kadaki is based on the arachnid shapeshifter the Jorogumo.

The Jorogumo, or the "entangling bride," is a spider-type Yokai that possesses the ability to turn into a beautiful woman. It deceives men and lures them into its lair where it traps them and grants them a long painful death before they are eaten. The Jorogumo can control other spiders to do their bidding, their favorite servants being fire-breathing spiders capable of destroying villages. The Rakna-Kadaki's dress-like webbing and fire breathing ability reflect the Jorogumo perfectly.

1 The Magnamalo

Split Image Of The Magnamalo And Its Inspirations

The Magnamalo is Monster Hunter Rise's staple monster and for good reason. The Magnamalo combines the features of a tiger, samurai armor, and a demon all into one terrifying monster. It possesses a unique ability to spout purple energy from its body called Hellfire. The Hellfire is used to power up the Magnamalo's already deadly attacks making every hit a possible knockout. The Magnamalo itself is based not on a Yokai but a suit of possessed samurai armor and the purple gas represents the ghost light or the Onibi that it is associated with.

The Onibi usually appears from the bodies of dead humans and animals or from feelings of spite and anger. These fiery balls of light drain the life of living things it comes in contact with taking the appearance and voice of its victim. Onibi can be seen in various places and they are often found with the souls of fallen samurai that are bound to their armor. The Magnamalo's appearance is nearly identical to samurai armor and the Hellfire accurately represents the Onibi inside.

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