Look, I'll be honest with you: this pillow is unsettling at best and tongue-curlingly revolting at worst. It's supposed to bring to mind the eyeless and flabby Khezu, the electrical bastards you fight throughout Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, but from where I'm sitting -- a comfortable distance away, mind -- it definitely does not resemble so innocent a giant monster. Joystiq pointed this out as their editors were undoubtedly trolling along in search of some unspeakable tentacular anime and happened across this by accident. Even more unsettling is the fact that the mouth can be flipped inside out and streeeeeeeetched, just like the Khezu's flailing head attack. If you'll excuse me, I must now go and poke out my eyes.
This weekend saw the release of Monster Hunter Tri on the Wii in Japan (which explains why we made our North American/European announcement today!). Predictably in a country where hunting monsters is almost as big a national pasttime as catching them and putting them in your pocket, there were tons of players lining up across Japan in order to get their goods. The intrepid photohounds of Famitsu covered a couple of the launch events, including this one at a Bic Camera in Yurakucho where producer Ryozo Tsujimoto-san made an appearance.
I'm truly digging Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. I admit it, I'm late to the party, but I haven't played a fantasy RPG this much since EverQuest II launched. Evidently I'm not the only person lovin' the huntin'. Andy Powell caught my attention via Twitter today to point out this awesome Monster Hunter-themed sketch he doodled while his computer was chugging away. According to his Flickr profile, Andy is a 3D animator at Nelvana (and Unity member) who's been playing a lot of MHFU, too. I dig the North American animation-influenced style on the Felyne, especially the look on the little kitty's face as he's running away from the wyvern in the upper right. Nicely done, Andy!
Lucky, lucky Japanese Monster Hunters -- millions of them! -- will be jumping into the world of Monster Hunter Tri come August 1. Once again, the Capcom e-Store team are producing an awesome limited-edition bundle, pictured below
Not only is the crate-inspired packaging rad, but the $100-ish Limited Edition version comes with a DVD that contains the inevitable "Making of" that you'll never watch, but also a more interesting live orchestral performance of MH music. Also in the box is a random rubber monster head that you can use to scare your cats or nerdify your work environment, your call.
No, we're not announcing MH Tri in the US, so just cool your jets. In the meantime, watch this Japanese trailer and gnash your teeth over all the fun you'll be missing out on...
