How Monster Hunter uses Imaginative Realism in their Games

[@boshwa20]

"Why do these monsters even look similar to one another! That's so lazy" Me: *aggressively points at the 200+ bird species that look similar to one another*

[@ulforcemegamon3094]

Boshwa same imao

[@spacemegalodon5049]

If you're looking at it as a game then it is pretty lazy (for subspecies like pink rathian, the new ones in world are really cool) but knowing that they designed these fantasy animals to act like real animals it makes perfect sense for a monster to look and act almost identically to another monster but with a little color change.

[@lilporky8565]

... Who said that?

[@davidfitzsimmons2451]

@Kevin 10 actually Lazyness is an innate motivator baked into every living organism down to a cellular level. Multicelled organisms arose BECAUSE of lazyness, a practical need to conserve energy and resources. So yes, nature itself is lazy.

[@fenrir3097]

god will give us title updates it just takes a while for the free DLC to come

[@abbysol5812]

Glavanus isn't based on a T-rex, he is based on a Carnotaurus, a very underappreciated dino that is very cool.

[@thomasallen9974]

And has an added sword tail, again still fucking awesome.

[@kingmerck1538]

Anjanath gives me both t-tex and spino vibes

[@tannerq8900]

Deviljho on the other hand. He's based of satin.

[@abbysol5812]

@@tannerq8900 he is based on Godzilla, which means by proxy he is based on an atomic bomb xD

[@YaBoyuhhKenny]

i played ark survival evolved you do not understand my hatred for the carotaurus species

[@LegendaryMythril]

i feel like the only thing missing in this video is how the monster hunter design process takes into account "but how would something like this work in our world?". zinogre for example doesn't just control lightning, he has a symbiotic relationship with bugs that produce sparks of electricity; brachydios doesn't produce explosive slime, it's a parasitic fungus that's activated by his saliva; etc.

[@crestfallensunbro6001]

This is something I love about monster hunter, the player is part of a faction that has the goal of documenting all these creatures, so it makes sense that they would have some access to more details on how these monsters live and function.

[@blazi40]

These concepts are actually formed by a group of japanese scientists. MH is practically general culture over there, and of course we have some smart minds wanting to give an explanation that at the least makes sense in our world, and then they were applied to the notes in the game. Outside of that though, you right: it would have been great to have mentioned that little extra layer of depth that the egg heads outside of the team created. Brilliant!

[@shurhaian]

Adding to this list, Vaal Hazak's effluvium is something like cordyceps fungi. Monsters infected by it basically lose themselves, becoming hyper-agressive - perhaps spreading the stuff around. But when Vaal is hungry enough, he sucks it back out of them, presumably being adapted to draw sustenance from the very effluvium he spreads around - an extreme sort of symbiosis, but comparable to Brachydios. Of course, by that point this stuff is driving or at least heavily entangled with their brains, and its violent removal is fatal - this can even work on the player if you ignore effluvia buildup. It's very zombie like but without needing to actually invoke a nebulous/completely fantastic concept like "life force."

[@bohlam6c]

Don't forget that the devs would sometimes intentionally ignore their usual approach when designing certain monsters. This resulted in monster that are mysterious and powerful that their mere exitence is abnormal, unnatural, and even magical. Fatalis is the prime example, the devs created without a care about the logic behind it's physiology or ecology and just wanted to create a classic western fantasy dragon.

[@Gamedsheep]

@@bohlam6c And they even thought that through. Most elder dragons are slightly unexplained because it is an almost requirement to me an elder dragon. Especially black dragons like fatalis that are supposedly god-like in lore.

[@alexdombrowski9483]

"Boring stuff" none of this stuff is boring, in fact its very interesting as an artist

[@wendya881]

Ikr

[@Subjectively]

Glad you think so! You should check out James Gurney’s channel!

[@alexdombrowski9483]

@@Subjectively I'll check him out, thanks

[@kmkitties3231]

IKR?

[@thezintere-sanchannel3294]

"as an artist" is the key here

[@itsturniptime3699]

I love how the series actually has reasons to why their monsters can do what they can do. Valstrax, the Rocket Powered Elder Dragon, intakes air through an opening in its chest, and mixes it with a fantasy element, Dragon Element, to make it combust and blow out of the ends of its wings like a jet. The fact they took the time to try to explain why this works, in a way that’s fairly easily understandable, is great.

[@pigsmacker213]

Monster Hunter also has actual encyclopedias you can get that breakdown the possible skeletal muscle, organ structure of monsters.

[@yokaiju8909]

@@pigsmacker213 link please? That sounds awesome.

[@Subjectively]

Yeah!! There's so much thought put into all these designs, and that's why they're all so solid.

[@sanguineregis5354]

Yeah, Technically there is no magic in monster hunter. Everything is either a known science, or thry straight up dont know (How kushala Daora manipulates weather is straight up unknown, and the "Scientist" characters sometimes talk about how ridiculous an idea that is and how hunters have to be exxagerating what it does).

[@thewolfofcomedy5966]

Sanguine Regis That’s one of the biggest things that draws me to MH. It’s a fantasy game, but a grounded fantasy game. No magic or spells, just really out-there science and biology beyond Earth, but to the people and cultures of this game, it’s totally normal. They look at a fire-breathing Rathalos the same way we look at a Lion. It’s just normal life.

[@BitBlush]

My favorite part of MHW's ecology was when me and my friend were talking about why Viper Tobi Kadachi, a variant of an electricity-based creature, was weak to electric. We noticed that its fur looked very similar aside from pigmentation, and knew that electricity could arc between the hairs. So we deduced that the darker fur may be because it's evolved away from using electricity to using toxins. Its electrified fur, however, was still remaining as vestigial, and the color meant it became more fur-like to adapt to the cold of the Hoarfrost Reach: Perfectly flammable and ready to be electrocuted. Now, fast forwards to when we were in the guiding lands encountering a Zinogre. It wasn't just any zinogre, no. It was dark, with red eyes, and gave us dragonblight instead of thunderblight. We couldn't figure out what it was weak to: Ice, which worked on Zinogre, did absolutely nothing. We didn't want to call it quits though, so we had to think of another plan. What hints did it give of its weakness? From our research and reading the notes on Zinogre, we found that zinny boy didn't make his own electricity, but in fact stored it from Fulgurbugs, electric insects that used bioelectricity to give its fur a charge. So... If it wasn't electrified, that meant no fulgurbugs to potentially absorb electricity. Yet, its fur was still there. Could that mean that it was weak to electricity? It was going back to camp and grabbing our thunder weapons to test this that turned a hunt gone bad to a success by drawing similarities to similar monsters and using inferences to figure out how to take down our first Stygian Zinogre. A google search later revealed we were right on the money: Not only was Thunder its weakness, but the _only_ element it was vulnerable to outside of its power state.

[@truestblue916]

Gosh, if only more people were as observant as y'all-

[@smoliv.]

This was a mouthful to read, but absolutely worth it

[@Nrex117]

Monster Hunter is basically just supernatural speculative biology

[@thomasallen9974]

And then we get to kill it/get carted by it

[@justthere845]

@@thomasallen9974 and wear it

[@JustABallOfAnger]

And make your cat wear it

[@RedHornSSS]

Which is fucking awesome

[@Dabajaws]

And beat its own familly to death with its pieces

[@ronyheat91]

"This isn't Armor Hunter, This is Monster Hunter" you mean fashion hunter thank you very much haha.

[@personx3373]

If I have to fight Bazelgeuse without any potential hope in my survival, I'm gonna do it in S T Y L E.

[@shirosocool2938]

Whats mh called in the monsters world Hunter hunter?

[@TheDevestatorX]

*fashion souls

[@Ukaronong]

Who play this game to admire the beauty of it armor?, Well i did

[@kellerbot4399]

It may have great skills, but...does it look good? lol

[@MIO9_sh]

5:47: "This thing" me: no, this one, darn, annoying, B-52 bomber

[@ultimateninja3703]

i hate him so much

[@wtf_is_this_handle_shit]

Be nice to basil juice

[@storyofus3943]

Bagel juice is a nice monster

[@iamtheyeti6663]

His roar though ❤️

[@isaacm7934]

@@ultimateninja3703 I hate him and I love him

[@Paperfiasco]

GaijinHunter references the fact that in Japan, the Capcom MonHun dev team actually had scientists come by during an anniversary and ask them to take a deep dive into how their monsters can realistically work. They go ALL IN on their monsters.

[@5at5una]

for a game which the main point is about monster.. they should and the did xD

[@deviljho4260]

Link?

[@thegameranch5935]

Link?

[@barney993]

@@thegameranch5935 For anybody who's curious kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaecoYagq5mjhac it's a video from GaijinHunter called "Monster Feature | Brachydios", at the 4:01 he mention about the MonHun dev team invited a bunch of researcher and scientists to come and give their thought about the monsters and the mechanics.

[@Shilobotomized]

"if every character design looked like it was from league of legends, the world would be a very boring place." You got that right lmao

[@rbrachy2518]

James Spencer and if every female had an orgasm when they died... hoo boy...

[@ZAH33D]

@@rbrachy2518 We would have a lot of murderers. Oh wait...

[@sandk7969]

Dota 2, lol we are good

[@killtoa98]

he's joking, ofc if u take old champions like sivir their design is dull, but imagine a world where most characters are like jhin, aurelion or senna. Their design is marvelous so its a 50/50 thing

[@TheLegend-wz7fl]

Only explains Zinogre’s visual design, misses the most important detail. His bigger back protrusions have hive-like holes in the back. Because of his symbiotic relationship with thunderbugs, which also was not mentioned. By talking about the visual design alone you’re kinda shorting the designers because they also think about WHY monsters have their powers, and that is also visually represented. Most of the time at least. Anjanath breathes fire, his throat glows from the organ responsible, Pukei spews poison our both ends and eats scatternuts to empower this ability further. Odogaron can eat and enter a hyper-metabolic state to boost his strength that literally heats his body until he glows and his breath turns to steam. Teostra’s unique biology makes his dandruff set you on fucking fire. Brachydios has a symbiotic relationship with a sticky algae-like slime that is very chemically unstable and explodes when struck or exposed to heat, thus why fire and thunder is not effective on him but water and ice put him down quick. It even plays into their weaknesses. Again it would have been nice to see at least a brief mention of this.

[@toostronk2088]

Becausw the talking point was the art/visual design? You really posted a wall of text just to whine?

[@TheLegend-wz7fl]

Their powers are incorporated into their visual design and he only talked about the color of zinogre. That bothered me, so yes I did. And you replied just to counter-whine about my whining.

[@sodecdash9336]

@@TheLegend-wz7fl i totally agree with you

[@igorchistyakov8876]

@@toostronk2088, as long as experience goes, the MH series almost always used form to convey function. Which in its own turn derived from ecology or mythology for elder dragons who are forces of nature incarnate. The later guys are mostly bound by artistic expression and therefore better suit as examples for the video we've watched. But when describing other beasts, boiling everything down to mere looks is a bit... Shallow? So it wasn't just whining for the sake of it but more of constructive criticism of a great video nonetheless.

[@Daigon95]

@@toostronk2088 Funny how no one agreed with u and made u look like the whiner. lol

[@themakuta2937]

Vaal hazak isn’t a zombie he’s literally wearing rotting flesh to feed his symbiosis

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

he's introduction was terrific

[@Exel3nce]

@@senritsujumpsuit6021 you mean his subspecies in icebirne ? Hell yeah it was

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

@@Exel3nce both are nice :3

[@regiman222]

Yes, but he sure looks like a zombie dragon

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

@@regiman222 that is what makes him beautiful \(^w^)/

[@bigbeetle468]

God, I love Monster Hunter. It's been my favorite game series since 4U, and I love that you're talking about it.

[@Subjectively]

Teo_HunterJ 4U was my introduction to the series! I love them so much, even though I’m not good at them

[@rory1336]

Same, freedom unite has my heart

[@JadeMythriil]

I've only loved the series a year ago when World finally hooked me in after 4U failed to intrigue me and it already feels like its been my favorite for years even though I've only played it extensively for a year.

[@salj.5459]

Same, 4U is my favorite video game ever by far

[@AstreusArkraris]

Same 4U was my first game I ever played.

[@themuch21]

You missed an opportunity to talk about how the gameplay interacts with the realistic design. E.g. the fulgur bugs in the zinogre. He can't channel the lightning himself , he uses the power of fulgurbugs which he attracts in the fight and has a symbiosis with. If he topples over you can use your net and gather the bugs, which shortens time he can stay in the charged state. Or take the barioth as an example. He uses the spikes on his wings or whatever you call them to slow down after a jump. If you break those he has problems with keeping his balance after every jump. Those are just little things but to me they add so much to the games.

[@crestfallensunbro6001]

Or how the rathalos family cant apply poison on tail attacks after the spiky bulge at the end is chopped off, or how if you cut off the tails of monsters that use them in attacks, they will tend to wiff their tail attacks because they aren't used to having such a short tail (glavanus is a good example)

[@EmperorSigismund]

@@crestfallensunbro6001 Better. The Rathlos has no venom in his tail because he hunts with his venomous talons. The Rathian is the only Rath with venom in her tail so she can attack predators while shielding her nest on the ground. They're a sexual dimorphic monogamous species, the male hunts while the female protects the nest.

[@christophersmith1694]

@@crestfallensunbro6001 I had a Rathian poison me without its tail. I thought it couldn't but.... well it did in Monster Hunter Rise.

[@Jessica-yl2gu]

@@christophersmith1694 Apparently MHW is the only game where cutting off a Rathian's tail disables it's poison attack. I think the reason that is is because poison in monster hunter works by seeping in through the skin (ex: pukei-pukei spit, poisoncups, ect.) so it makes sense that a Rathian would still be able to poison you since the poison would be spewing out of it's tail stump.

[@isaacm7934]

@@Jessica-yl2gu so that means New World rathians physiology different than the old world rathian physiology please tell me if I used the word physiology right

[@deptonebunthole]

mhw is actually the most beginner friendly game they’ve made lol. they teach you everything as long as you read everything 😂

[@traceyjacobsen8544]

Hansa i don't so it wasn't exactly beginner friendly for me

[@desouj03]

RNG is beginner friendly.

[@senritsujumpsuit6021]

I started with Tri U and it did not hold my hand but am a brave and staburn gamer ( ╹▽╹ )

[@Subjectively]

I would agree that MHW felt easier to me than the other games I’d played

[@legendarytat8278]

@@desouj03 And RNG is also a crutch too.

[@terencesmith3961]

I thing I’d like to add about Zorah Magdaros is that it has “wings” that hold the shell on it’s back. The “wings” resemble chameleon hands and hold the molten shell to his back, it was seen in a 3D model rip , concept art, and you can see it in-game from the wing drake stations in high-rank. So Zorah’s shell isn’t attached to its body.

[@springsnap1985]

Wow didn’t know that thanks now I like it even more

[@IcedOften]

The amount of small details that are in this game are insane. Like the I tried to flash blind the gore Magala and was wondering why, I asked my buddy and he said because he was blind which makes total sense.

[@imnotpatrick4043]

funny you flash gore magala when I tried to flash khezu in my first hunt against it lmao

[@TornaitSuperBird]

@@imnotpatrick4043 And that reminds me- the hunt music for Khezu never starts because it has no eyes and cannot properly see you.

[@imnotpatrick4043]

@@TornaitSuperBird in old gen it also didn't show the eye icon when encounter khezu - yea because it can't see us lmao

[@paulpinto5226]

"Kushala Daora is the most baseline dragon you can get" When the world is full of wyverns The legend is revived Meat is eaten, Bone is crunched. And blood is sucked up dry He burns the earth And melts through iron He boils the rivers And mows down trees He awakens the winds And lights an inferno He is called Fatalis The wyvern of destiny He is called Fatalis The wyvern of destruction Call for help Run for your lives And don't forget to Pray to the skies He is called Fatalis The wyvern of destiny He is called Fatalis The wyvern of destruction Fatalis, Fatalis Heaven and Earth are yours Fatalis, Fatalis Heaven and Earth are yours

[@zanogre]

Where the fuck can I find this

[@skeletonwar4445]

@@zanogre It's the OP's version of "The Legend of the Black Dragon" from the old MH

[@zanogre]

@@skeletonwar4445 ahh nice

[@ondakaga]

*Hammer's noise*

[@grimclawtigrex7034]

And his new fight really does stuff like this justice

[@JackgarPrime]

"This isn't Armor Hunter, right?" I mean....Fashion Hunter all day, man.

[@kereminde]

"Dammit, still need a gem, time to genocide Nergigante."

[@nargarex2390]

@@kereminde Me still completing the Tigrex set: *Peace was never an option*

[@5at5una]

need.. to... complete.. the SETS!! ... just to have a layered armour in the end.. Yakumo Chest and Oolong waist, legging and vambraces.. and faux felyne head is what i wore now lol

[@nargarex2390]

MHFU player here gonna share a custom set I like: 😊Diablos 🎽Chameleos 👐Diablos 👗Chameleos 👖Diablos

[@BraveCat9927]

@@kereminde me when ALL I need a gem "welp there goes my wyverian prints"

[@thenecroticraptor8338]

It really is amazing how the monsters in the MH series feel like actual animals. They don't feel like an Eldritch beast, they feel like living, breathing creatures.

[@ben10inches]

Yeah, i never really understood why they'd be called monsters they feel normal

[@anis6800]

@@ben10inches cuz Capcom thought Monsters would sound cool for Western Audiences. Lol

[@ben10inches]

@@anis6800 makes sense

[@ekosubandie2094]

@@ben10inches pretty sure that "monsters" are just in-universe catch-all term for animals or wild animals instead of literal monster

[@ben10inches]

@@ekosubandie2094 i think irl animals have been mentioned in the game before but that sounds like a good enough explanation

[@fatalis9000]

as a player from 2004 when i was 6 years old this game is my life and greatly appreciate this video

[@tannerq8900]

I 100% feel ya. I sucked at the game for most of my early years. So I would just enjoy watching my brother take on Tigrex. But this game has left a strong impact on me. If I remember correctly my first introduction to the game was early Freedom and Freedom unite. I saw the game by brother was playing thought it was cool. And he had the fun idea of shoving me straight in with a Rathalos and Rathian quest. I carted so many times. But I will always love this game for the endless hours of fun and memories it has given me. Heck, I and my brother still play MHW whenever we get the chance. I hope you have a fantastic day. And I hope you enjoy Ice Born.

[@hellokatyfac3]

"Kushala Daora is the most baseline dragon you can get" Fatalis: Am I a joke to you?

[@ZaydinTTV]

It is the most baseline in World. Fatalis isn't in World.

[@Krescentwolf]

It's a moot point either way.... Safi'Jiiva is literally generic dragon. XD

[@victorsandeen2694]

Safi can drain energy from its environment, Fatalis can't.

[@silverrath]

@@ZaydinTTV he is now

[@lisaschuster9305]

Fatalis is a joke to everybody.

[@stratus42]

I also love how Zinogres thunder works, they didn't just say "Oh by the way he can summon lightning", but came up with a reasonable explanation as to why he can summon lightning and I absolutely adore it.

[@Quintesson16]

These games were what keep fueling my passion for creature design. There's so many creative examples of ecology and biology involved in these creatures. How the Gypceros uses that horn knocking device on its head to create blinding light, or how the Khezu sniffs the air as it walks trying to sense you. Its amazing.

[@dreamweav3r367]

I know it probably wasn’t the catalyst that led to this videos creation, but in a poll awhile ago you asked for things you’d like to see and I said “More monster hunter etc.” So it’s really cool to see and feel like you may have been listening :,). Great video and love the way you brought some of the history of the style out. Great stuff

[@SubjectivelyClaire]

we are listening!

[@Subjectively]

Yeah a couple people asked for monster hunter!!

[@dreamweav3r367]

SubjectivelyClaire (psssstt) In that case, watching the crew (or maybe just a few of you) take a crack at drawing some of the monsters would be something I’d love to see. Regardless I love you guys. : )

[@NeoBoneGirl]

This video made me remember why I love Tigrex's concept so much. It's classified as a "Flying Wyvern" even though it can barely fly because it's supposed to represent a branch in monster history where Flying Wyverns just started to exist, but the line that ended up in Tigrex took a different approach and maximized for land speed and musculature instead. It's also really cool because you can see that monsters like Tigrex, Nargacuga and Barioth are more closely related to each other than other Flying Wyverns, even if there's no explicit statements of this being so.

[@zeroichi532]

10:51 "the kashala daohra (most likely misspelled) is one of the flate line looking dragons" Fatalus: Hold my beer

[@dragoncat9153]

11:23 Viewer:how is that not the biggest Dalamadur:*laughs in the distance*

[@Nidameningen]

*And then Raviente laughs even further away past Dalamadur*

[@kingofflames738]

@@Nidameningen Raviente Is 10m shorter than Dala

[@GtAwyFrmMyRamen]

I'm pretty sure dala is longer but Rav is bigger overall by mass. The general consensus here gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/762804-monster-hunter-4-ultimate/71694324 is that Rav is bigger.

[@yoshicrafter4366]

@@GtAwyFrmMyRamen Yeah but is the raviente that you fight a adult one or still a young one like dalamadur?

[@Daigon95]

@@GtAwyFrmMyRamen True but its already been confirmed by MHW, tht the one we fought in 4U was just a young one. Bc tht skull size in MHW is definitely more massive than the one we fought. yeesh

[@tylerrodriguez9935]

I want you to teach lectures in art. You’re so much better at conveying ideas with passion than some professors I know

[@rocketrakkor9424]

“... that they star in” Shows Aurelion Sol I see what you did there

[@Subjectively]

Sanguine Vastaya 😉

[@bigguy679]

I cant say how happy i am that this video exists. Imaginative realism is like my thing that i LOVE. I love the design of this game and thank you for giving this game's design the recognition it deserves

[@spacemegalodon5049]

" the kushala daora is as base line dragon as monster hunter gets." I would like to introduce you to fatalis.

[@Subjectively]

Space Megalodon I mean u right

[@dsm4043]

also fatalis is the strongest monster in lore

[@zanogre]

@@dsm4043 with dalamudar coming close second imo

[@jiskool1]

You mean Safii Jiiva now?

[@Aratherquirkyindividual]

@@jiskool1 nergigante is probably 3rd

[@Gregoji]

I've been waiting for a Subjectively Speaking episode about MH. You basically summed up one of the many reasons why I love this series

[@ItsVeeVie]

I'm surprised you forgot that extra level of detail capcom goes into on top of everything you already mentioned to make these monsters more "believable" in a real world setting. To use zinogre again as an example, he is covered in numerous bony porous appendages, these parts on his body have many holes that fulgarbugs can live inside on the zinogre's body. Making a symbiotic relationship where the fulgarbugs give the zinogre immense lightning powers, and the fulgarbugs get to live in complete safety by the zinogre. And when a zinogre gets angry and "powers up" he will extend these appendages outward allowing more holes to be visible so fulgarbugs can come out in droves. Capcom puts so much detail into their worldbuilding and monster design, this is why these are my favorite games.

[@lilfuzzballa]

And what makes it even more amazing, is that they don't even shove all these monster details down our throat. They just leave it up to the players to find it out for themselves, knowing very well that many players will glance over all these details and not fully appreciate their hard work and effort. It just adds another deep layer to the universe that will greatly enrich your experience if you choose to be observant and curious for answers.

[@tannerq8900]

I always love seeing people delve into all the wonderful things that make Monster Hunter so good. I have literally grown up playing monster hunter so I have a deep love for all the monsters and mechanics that make up this really beautiful world. So I just wanted to say thanks. And I hope whoever sees this has a fantastic day.

[@2_572]

Tanner Q same

[@elijahkeay3906]

The devs actually have brought in biologists in the past to help them come up with semi realistic ways for the monsters abilities to make sense, and how those abilities could effect the environment

[@Homunculus97]

Hot take: The Anjanath is a more realistic portrayal of a Tyrannosaurid than 95% of popular culture media depictions.

[@thomasallen9974]

And somewhat more terrifying somehow.

[@leanbarci2485]

Yeah because Tyrannosaurss had wing-like membranes on the back and an extended nasal crest, yes. And also breath fire. HELL YEAH

[@spinomania1921]

And guess what? Scaly rexes are currently still more plausible than feathered rexes since we have scale imprints on rex fossils and so far there's no evidence for feathered rex other than yuty

[@spinomania1921]

@Koi White Can you send a link to where you got the info of feather impressions on a rex? I'm curious

[@necrogenisis]

@Koi White Mate, we have absolutely no feather impressions from Tyrannosaurus. What we do have are feather impressions from Yutyrannus and Dilong, both tyrannosauroids but not tyrannosaurids. It is probable Tyrannosaurus had some sparse filamentous feathers but, all evidence from Tyrannosaurus, Tarbosaurus, Albertosaurus and Gorgosaurus show they were definitely covered, at least to a degree, in scales.

[@TheNervousMedic]

Warning monster hunter players : SPOILERS FOR ICEBOURNE ARE IN THIS VID. things such as trailer details and monster intros are seen in this video, if you wish to avoid seeing them please do not watch until you have played icebourne for the thrill you're looking for.

[@copernicus7110]

Yeah I stopped watching a quarter in but my poor mind has already seen some spoilers T^T

[@LeoSoulEater]

I like this video a lot but i cant see it 😢😢😢😢😢

[@johnwayne387]

But everything that appears in the video was already shown on the trailers

[@LeoSoulEater]

@@johnwayne387 Ño >:(

[@johnwayne387]

Well,nearly everything

[@snotenberg7]

I feel like another facet of speculative realism is giving a legitimate pseudo scientific explanation to most, if not all of the supernatural powers that monsters can use, like the zinogre's charge is it releasing a pheromone to gather thunderbugs, an actual thing hunters use, then letting them feed and accelerating their growth into the stronger fulgurbug. Its attack of hurling out lightning balls is also just it shaking off and directing some of those thunder/fulgurbugs. So much realistic thought put into the lore of the world itself, it kinda makes you forget that these are basically magical creatures. BTW, the world of monster hunter does have ordinary predators in it like tigers, lions, bears, wolves, etc. It just also has HUGE FUCK OFF DINOSAURS

[@tofuteh2348]

Could you go into detail about the environments and villages of monster hunter? I think they're often overlooked but have so much love put into them

[@SMNBLMRDM]

This.

[@iliasa.5298]

The environments before World only served as an arena, they were nothing remarkable. World's environments are outstanding however.

[@SMNBLMRDM]

Ilias A. Dundorma, Val Habar, Pokke Village, Yukumo Village, Cathar, Loc Lac City, the Wycademy Hub

[@tofuteh2348]

@@SMNBLMRDM i think Ilias was referring to the maps, not the towns

[@AnInsaneOstrich]

"Believable, realistic designs" *Shows Banbaro, a monster covered in heavy fur that somehow can live in a volcano*

[@Gamedsheep]

We all know the only reason it's an invader is to use different rocks to show off the mechanic.

[@AnInsaneOstrich]

@@Gamedsheep they could have had that for Rajang, if he tore up a rock from the ground and hurtled it, or Savage Deviljho could have it for that attack where he launches rocks.

[@BraveCat9927]

@@AnInsaneOstrich nope, we MUST have a giant moose roll a small meteor at us when its thousands of miles away from its natural habitat on a different land mass.

[@luisd.gonzalez1215]

Metal gear mantis would like to have a word.

[@andrewpenn1145]

Fur is still an insulator.

[@alienstar2088]

One of the things I truly love about Monster Hunter is that they give interesting and cool monster designs but, also give scientific explanations as to how exactly these creatures do what they do. Seriously, just look at Anjanath and how MH explained its ability to breath fire!

[@Subjectively]

Alien Star yeah they get really into the realism!!

[@gladiusbladeofthenorth9939]

Alien Star Vaal hazak,for example,covers itself in decaying flesh to feed the efluvium virus,which it uses to drain the life force of prey.

[@tylermacgregor1320]

My two favourite creature designs in the series are Zinogre and Vaal Hazak. Zinogre hunts the creatures that feed on fulgerbugs, so they flock to his fur for safety and over time, Zinogre evolved to harness the energy they produce and even command them in combat. When he goes into super charged mode, the spikes on his back open up to let more in. Vaal Hazak has a symbiotic relationship with the bacteria in the Rotten Vale that produces effluvium. The effluvium has the ability to “possess” small monsters and corpses, and Vaal Hazak can both suck it in, or expel it at any time, giving off the appearance that he can command the undead. As well the hook-like spines that run down his back, he hangs dead meat and rotting flesh off them 1. For protection, they actually cover his weakness to the dragon element, 2. To feed his effluvium bacteria. It’s why he has the appearance of a walking, decomposing corpse.

[@VVabsa]

I find Nergigante pretty interesting. One of the few elder dragon powerfull enough to hunt down other elder dragons, so much so. His diet completely exists of elders, no matter which one. And one of the few elder dragons that (lore wise) is capable of insanely fast regeneration and recovery from wounds.

[@salj.5459]

VVabsa It's so weird that Nergigante is considered an Elder Dragon because it doesn't look like one at all. It could easily be classified as a Elder Dragon level Flying Wyvern.

[@krav9904]

Two videos in one day? *we have been blessed*

[@gammothguy4866]

I’ve always wanted to be a concept artist, and monster hunter has definitely made me more motivated to try to get a job in that business. As we speak, I am still on my educational journey to achieve this goal, and wish me luck.

[@goldenwolfae]

creature design and monsters is one of the things that can get me talking for hours, specifically how the creature could work, live, and co exist with other things in its own universe or in the real world. that stuff can get me talking for literal hours

[@medjed7422]

would you guys consider redesigning monster hunter monsters?

[@ippikiy9999]

yea!! that would be pretty amazing

[@Subjectively]

Maybe- I don’t really think they need redesigning!

[@ippikiy9999]

perhaps any kind of your own subspecies? like your galarian forms series

[@BeeCrab]

I would definitely love to see this.

[@medjed7422]

@@ippikiy9999 yes this exactly

[@skootz24]

One of my favorite little details not a whole bunch of people seem to notice is the prints! Each monster leaves a unique and quite detailed footprint, and just like real life, can tell you a whole bunch about the creature in question. Avian monsters leave suitably birdlike wedges, aggressive predators have sharp claws, less instantly hostile creatures are more likely to have wider, rounder prints since they don't need their paws for hunting.

[@Draconic74]

Don't forget that MH outta puts a lot of thought into *why* this lightning wolf can shoot lightning in the first place. In the game there are thunderbugs, sort of super powered versions of a glow bug (but with lightning, not bio luminescence). These bugs have a symbiotic relationship with Zinogre and congregate in huge numbers in its fur. His animation into the lightning charged state where he uses a ton of lightning involves summoning up huge swarms of thunder bugs. This sort of lore extends to other monsters, from the simplicity of chemical sacs to produce fire (which really do exist) to a monster's saliva reacting with the slime molds that grow on it's armor by causing them to violently explode. The exception is the Elder Dragons. They are considered to be more of an elemental force of nature, containers of such high amounts of raw energy that they influence the world around them. Their powers are more mysterious and inexplicable.

[@eiriksundby]

I know more about the biology and ecology of a Gore Magala than that of an elephant

[@Subjectively]

eirik sundby gore magala is bae

[@eiriksundby]

@@Subjectively i need it in iceborne

[@walkthebrokenpath0]

Personally I like Zinogre and Brachydios. There are so many instances of symbiotic relationships in the real world that these monsters seem extra believable. I mean humans have millions of symbiotic relationships going in inside and out from skin mites to gut bacteria.

[@eiriksundby]

@@walkthebrokenpath0 ikr. Reading about their ecology on the MH wiki is very interesting

[@eiriksundby]

@@walkthebrokenpath0 vaal hazak also has a very interesting symbiosis with the effluvium

[@mturtle1977]

With zinogre they did miss something, it doesn't really control lightning, it harnesses the power of thunder bugs which produce thunder and in the trade of zinofre using them as a weapon they can creates small hives on its back

[@justsomejojo]

Monster Hunter's imaginative realism is awesome because it goes that extra mile and, in addition to drawing from real life creatures in design, also tries to explain the monsters' more outlandish powers. Dragon Elders like Vaal and Kushala are considered natural disasters in the MH world, so their environment shaping abilities are very much fantasy. However, did you know that the Zinogre doesn't magically summon lightning? Nope, it basically commands a species called a Fulgur Bug. These Fulgur Bugs are the ones amplifying the electric attacks of the Zinogre and are actually an offshoot of another creature, the thunderbug (which you can gather and in some games hunt). The Anjanath's firebreath actually is its highly flammable mucus that it also uses to mark its territory. The Brachydios' explosive "slime" is actually a type of symbiotic mold that is stimulated by the Brachydios' saliva (this is why a Brachy with depleted slime will lick itself) It's these things that put MH monster design in a special place to me. It's great.

[@dennynavarra]

The amazing artdesign of monster hunter was the main reason i got so drawn to this series. Because i never had a console till resent times (switch), i could never play any MH, even tho i knew it since the second or third generation. The world building kept young me really interested in the series till world and GU. This to me just showes what for a great worldbuilding and artesign they made, tho the games also hits also alot of my interest.

[@bakublader1999]

I know this isn't technically about a video game, but can I just say that I think the character designs in Netflix' new anime Cannon Busters is just phenomenal. The characters all look so good.

[@sventipede]

Cannon busters is a visual masterpiece 😳

[@Subjectively]

Gotta check that out!

[@blackknightz5036]

They actually invited some scientists over to judge their monster designs and whether they could be something in the real world,the Brachydios for example they concluded that the mold that it has a symbiotic relationship with will make sure that only strong healthy individual can survive til adulthood due to the explosions keep reforming the shell and kill off the weak one

[@toaster83]

Great jagras:*exists* Almost every hunter ever:PEACE WAS NEVER AN OPTION

[@epithet052]

You actually massively simplified Zinogre. His thunder isn't just magic, he gets it from fulgurbugs. Why does the bugs help him? Because he eats the thing that eats fulgurbugs. It's a symbiotic relationship.

[@scorpiopede]

As a long time Monster Hunter fan and someone who hugely appreciates realistic fantasy designs and concepts, I am SO glad you finally got around to talking about this series and the incredible art direction it has. This is the style I wish to pursue in my own art (albeit more as a hobby and less as a career choice), and it is such a niche and difficult area there haven't been many sources that delve into it in more details. I'm curious if you know any videos or books or other sources that go into this in more detail that may be worth pursuing.

[@Subjectively]

Definitely check out James Gurney and his KZbin channel and his books- and be sure to follow artists who work on games like League of Legends or Monster Hunter on ArtStation or their websites!

[@finnianheart]

honestly anjanath is one of my favorite monsters. he's so clearly a t rex and a vulture, but.... HE'S JUST SO COOL? like it... idk just really appeals to me

[@thehermit8618]

Dragons are not the only monsters with neat mythological references to them in Monster Hunter. Zinogre itself also has a neat mythological reference in the Raiju, a Yokai that is the embodiment of lighting and takes the form of a wolf and all of the newcomer monsters from Monster Hunter Rise are based on different Yokai. So i'd say monsters in the MH franchise are 1/3 cool concept, 1/3 imaginative realism and 1/3 mythological inspiration for a sweet blend of realism, style and cultural significance

[@bronsonneill2944]

i'd love to see you guys design monsters for the monster hunter series.

[@KrocDP]

Amazing video, i also love how mh has believable morphology for a lot of its monsters. Teostra has explosive scales that it can spark with its teeth, glavenous aharpens its tail with its mouth so it has this large almost mouthgaurd around its actual jaw. Its the little unnoticed things

[@groudonmario]

I am playing MonHun on switch with a friend who has like 900 hours in this game specifically, I am definitely gonna recommend her this video!

[@sanguineregis5354]

"Her"? "900 hours" What fantasy world is this?

[@naylofu697]

Sanguine Regis ikr, gamer girls dont exist everybody knows that.

[@diegoseba12]

@@sanguineregis5354 You'd be surprised.

[@lovedeluxeillustration8003]

A few of my peers in my art program are obsessed with the idea of working for Riot and making art for LoL so your comment about that definitely made me chuckle. Fantastic video, especially for those of us who specializing in creature design!

[@irenedeharo6098]

YEAH BOIII! I've been waiting for your take on mh since I first saw your first smaugust video!

[@RurikLoderr]

Actually, Anjanath is even cooler than merely breathing fire.. It ignites it's own mucous somehow.. it fucking sneezes fire at you. The sound design for it and the animations make that so disgustingly clear and it's amazing.

[@collesque5045]

I feel like MHGU could have been referenced here, with a game with nearly twice the amount of monsters, and less realistic, more imaginative designs, would have shown great context

[@fantyful]

Very nice video! I would have liked to see you talk about how all monsters fit within a niche in their ecosystem as well. It's a small detail that not many games use, but it gives MH just that extra bit of depth.

[@yokaiju8909]

You should draw your own Monster Hunter monsters. I'd love to see what you can come up with, as an MH enthusiast and artist myself! Edit: Says some of the most Iconic characters in storytelling can be described as monsters, then doesn't show Agumon? This requires a video on making Digimon!

[@zulterithcreations6791]

Video: *plays B-52 bombers theme music* Me: *huddled in a corner sobbing*

[@qamal1027]

Do something on shin Godzilla not enough love in the brilliance behind the reimagined beast

[@Subjectively]

Qamal Thigpen all around a fantastic movie

[@arourallis]

I have so agree. Shin is somehow way, WAY more _viscerally_ terrifying than any other Godzilla

[@Spicypuff]

@@arourallis That's final scene gives me shivers. It's so unnerving.

[@slight7596]

Qamal Thigpen favorite Godzilla movie

[@jadenkarpoff9158]

It’s really a masterpiece of modern filmmaking imo, and I’m not saying that as an Eva fan cuz I saw the film before I knew Anno made it and before I even watched Eva. The soundtrack is amazing, the political satire is some of the best human material ever in a Godzilla film, Shin has an incredible design that actually made Godzilla cool to me (typically more of a Gigan/Ghidorah fan who watches Godzilla more for the monsters he fights), and the effects put Hollywood to shame with many looking like top quality practical effects despite being cg on a budget almost 10x smaller than most Hollywood movies with worse effects (looking at you Great Wall and Gods of Egypt...).

[@ziggenplays1208]

Best part is that everything has a reason for it's powers (elder dragons blur this) like zinogre doesn't have lightning powers, the bugs that live in his fur do, they live in him to protect themselves from predators and they help him hunt to keep him alive and protecting

[@jackkrell7313]

Wdym? Elder dragons also have reasons for their powers, like how valstrax converts air into dragon element via a dragon element organ in it's body to than blast out the dragon from it's wingtips to fly. Or like how teostra ignites the blast by clicking his teeth.

[@nabuchodonosormcgalapatram6941]

*Well actually* the Glavenus is roughly based on a Carnotaurus... Probably a Disney Dinosaur's Carnotaurus with its bigger head, shorter neck and legs, but still. Something I don't really like about the Theropod-like monsters in MH are their pronated hands, that no Theropod had in real life and kinda look goofy. Yeah, I'm nitpicking...

[@yokaiju8909]

Eh, the hand thing shouldn't really matter, given that it's been millions of years and that they're mostly vaguely theropod, not just dinosaurs with stuff on.

[@nabuchodonosormcgalapatram6941]

@@yokaiju8909 As I said, I'm nitpicking, but still, I have an aversion for pronated hands on everything even vaguely based on a Theropod, unless maybe it's really stylized, like Tyrantrum. I think the monsters would look better with non-pronated hands.

[@yokaiju8909]

@@nabuchodonosormcgalapatram6941 does prorated mean inwards? Or out?

[@nabuchodonosormcgalapatram6941]

@@yokaiju8909 It's how the Dinosaurs from Jurassic Park hold their hands, with the palms facing downward, real Theropods had their palms facing each other.

[@yokaiju8909]

@@nabuchodonosormcgalapatram6941 ok. Still, technically completely different animals.

[@aidanpurcell783]

My favorite part about Vaal Hazak, is that it’s a zombie dragon, but it’s not actually a zombie dragon, it’s a dragon that just is covered in corpses to feed the bacterium (effluvium) that it uses for energy. Because it’s need to cover itself in decaying flesh, it has hooks all over its body to grab onto meat and corpses that just are littered all over the rotten vale, in a sense it’s and extremely morbid version of the hair on bees’ legs that catch pollen, and it’s awesome

[@budlebubthebard301]

I've drawn so many fan monsters for monster hunter. But I usually base my monsters on the environments they would live in. Though alot of my art is heavily inspired by John carpenters The Thing. So alot of these monsters end up looking more then I wanted....and out of all the monsters my favorite is shagaru magala. The way he was designed fit his personality and his functionality. He doesn't just look like a godly brute. He fights and acts like one. He is intimating and awe inspiring at the same time

[@Subjectively]

I almost put clips from The Thing in this video- but it's so freaky, I didn't wanna scare any of my audience

[@budlebubthebard301]

@@Subjectively aww.. it would be cool to go on the subject of the impact horror has. And how our imagination of the unknown can create an endless sea of designs. I grew up with silent Hill, the human fly, right down to just cool like Metroid prime and so many other things full of out of the ordinary creatures. My entire style was born from that creepy strange yet unique art style. If there is ever another chance for me to enter a submission on this channel I'm taking it immediately. I love sharing the darker side of monsters

[@KoboldCommando]

This is an awesome video, thank you! The design of Monster Hunter's creatures has always been something that makes it stick around, and you described why really well! One thing I would have mentioned, though I know your video was packed and you were likely trying to keep it condensed: in the earlier games, they had to design several monsters to use a single skeleton, presumably for game size limits. So you have occurrences like Tigrex and Nargacuga having the same general shape and structure, yet they had to stretch their understanding of skeletons muscles and movement even further to make one seem like a giant ball of muscle and teeth while the comes across as an agile stealthy hunter.

[@oripoke4396]

Subjectively and Monster Hunter combined? Be still, my heart...

[@DenverEight]

Somehow wish this went deeper. In my observations and gatherings, monster designs fill in the needs of the game and the designers. Other designs seem to be them challenging themselves with concepts they haven't worked before. The inspirations even delve much deeper than those of the natural world as well.

[@AshnSilvercorp]

"If every character design looked like the ones from League of Legends, everything would look really boring." -dunked

[@johnwayne387]

Thank you so much for this video,why? Because I feel that Monster Hunter's monster design is kind of underrated when it comes down to why it is wonderful,it's something that always gets looked over and for me it's such a joy to have a professional on this topic like you breaking them down and explaining why are they so great,because the effort put into these designs finally pays off,and it's really sad that there aren't that many monster design analysis out there,but again,thank you for doing this video and talking about something that is kind of ignorated but at the same time is so important for the franchise

[@TheVSIONX]

6:12 well congrats you just kicked in my PTSD i feel kinda dissapointed you didn't talked about our good friend the giant t-rex with a pickle for a tail

[@naylofu697]

More about the zinogre, it has a symbiotic relationship with fulgurbugs, which are kept in pockets of the armour plating in its fur. When fulgurbugs expose to heat, the release an electrical shock. The pockets in the armour plating are superheated by special organs.

[@cannedbread2242]

Monster hunter was underappreciate until monster hunter world came in which really makes me happy that they finally got the love they deserve because of how detailed the series is.seriously,it got its own lore with a timeline and all!

[@thomasallen9974]

Even when the game goes slightly less realistic, your so absorbed in how the game is designed and functions you dont notice that 'realism' has left the room for a hot minute.

[@doomslayer4963]

“Kushala is as baseline dragon as Monster Hunter gets.” *Fatalis would like to know your location*

[@Hmathwin]

you guys should design your own for an episode!

[@MariNyan.p]

Loved the monster design breakdowns, wish I could watch one for every monster

[@NoxSacera]

THIS This is exactly why I fell in love with MH:W. The attention to details in this game is absolutely outstanding. You just have to find any monster and look at it close to understand.

[@ajlomas7185]

That's what makes the fantasy art genre so (no pun intended) FANTASTIC, you're only limited by your imagination. However, when I was younger I would use the characteristics of one animal and mix them up with another without really putting any real thought into it.... But these days as well as something looking cool, I have to constantly ask myself, "is it practical"? James Gurney is a legend, the care and effort he takes in creating his creatures is so mesmerising, his study is like a proper "man cave", I wished I had one like that, I hope one day he does a vlog tour of his amazing study. The talent of artists who create these amazing creatures for video games is outstanding, they really do set the bar real high, and Monster Hunter is no exception. It's a great source of inspiration for artists, professional and amateur alike.

[@ilikegoblo4665]

This is a gamer video

[@HiiGino]

Glavenus actually isnt just a trex with a sword tail, he needs to sharpen his tail constantly for it to stay like a sword, he does this by scraping it againt ore and then when he sharpens his tail with its beak the left over ore gets in his throat where it heats up and lets him breath fire balls.

[@iseuls]

When I'm still studying human anatomy nd this vid recommending to study animal anatomy.... 😭

[@Subjectively]

김이슬 it’s all important!

[@zeehero7280]

I like how they were so realistic with some monster designs, one of them is even an exact copy of a real life person! I speak of course of Uragaan, aka Jay Leno!

[@Stratelier]

@6:44 Bonus point for actually using the term "manticore" :)

[@silenthades]

When I started playing Monster Hunter World, I was absolutely enamored. I grew up around a lot of animals and not many chances to enjoy human interaction. Grew up on Animal Planet and training myself to sit still long enough to be able to watch wild animals. I also had a grandma who raised wolves and wolf hybrids as well as birds and raccoons. Studying animal behaviors was one of my favorite things to do and I've helped raise everything from chickens and goats to cats and guinea pigs so when I say that I have taken the time to learn a lot about animals and their behaviors and body language, I mean it. Not only does MH take the anatomy of actual animals and uses it to make realistic designs and movements, but their behaviors as well. Whenever you think you've knocked over an Odogaron only for it to scramble its claws and get right back up with more rage than before, whenever you see a Great Jagras wiggle its whole body with minimal movement of its actual legs while charging at you, you can so plainly see that they have studied the body language of their muses as well. My boyfriend often tells me that he doesn't know how I seem to read their AI so well and it's because- even with limitations- a lot of what they do is the same thing animals would do. Even if I get a lot of shit from him and his friends for my gillie mantle and screen recordings of Banbaro basking next to the hot spring or Viper Tobi Kodachi sitting near its pool in zone 8 just looking out over it like a cat in the window sill or even the tiny Jagras sleeping in a group while one is awake and looking around so the others can cuddle safely... There is a lot of detail put into these things that make me happy. Seeing Nergigante writhe around on his back like a bored puppy as an idle animation, seeing Anjanath take a dust bath, watching the wing drakes alight down to preen... There are a lot of things that add to MH and I love it.

[@annoy4nce648]

13:15 "I know the actual playstyle and mechanics of the game has a bit of a learning curve" >Shows LS gameplay Something doesn't match up here

[@Hyper_Steel]

11:42 you mean eternatus???

[@joshahaheeheehoho]

I think subjectively can read my mind, I was literally talking a bout monster hunter yesterday

[@gregorymckenzie7511]

I've been thinking about it for the last 13 years. :P

[@Subjectively]

We're in your head

[@MakeEmRageQuit]

Monster Hunter artists also use evolution to create their monsters. You can see it for example in jinouga, as it shows evidence that it once had wings(you can see the vestigial remains of them on it's feet, in which it would have had wings similar to a bat), and has evolved into more of a terrestrial beast and has begun to evolve into a mammalian path(evidenced by that fact that even though Jinouga is not a wolf, it has the characteristics of one). Details like that make things a lot more interesting.

[@demonnox5829]

Hey, would you guys consider making a video (or videos) where you make your own renditions of the 9 TF2 mercenaries??

[@Subjectively]

Maybe!

[@WildPortraitArtist]

Was sooo not expecting you to bring up James Gurney, he's my all time favourite artist and he makes art videos here on youtube! His work is just incredible. I had no idea he's the one who coined the phrase "imaginative realism"!