The greatest festival is going on in Japan as
you read this...it is called: (Monster Hunter Festa '09)!

These are one of those events, I truly wish
I could be a part of, and I'm sure all of us
Monster Hunter fans who don't live in Japan,
will also wish to be able to attend.  It seems
like millions of people came to the festival!

Previous MHFestas have been focused primarily
on the PSP MH games, but this is the first Wii
based festival (but the PSP Hunters are still
welcomed, of course). But whats a festival without
it's booth games?

And how about the attractions?

Here's what greets you upon entrance to the Festival.

Above is the guy in the Ragiakurusu armor!
And next are the lovely ladies of the MHfesta

Next are a couple of classic attractions from past
MHFestivals as well as some newer stuff! Like
the head sculpts of Lao Shan Lung & of Ragiakurusu!!

Otomo Airu is also present
As well as the rock formation from the Airu village!

We all know the above weapon is a life sized Tactical Blade.
Nearby is the "take-your-arse-back to camp-cart" Airu!

And whats a MHfestival without the skull of Ragiakurusu!
But I like this new attraction: Life sized footprints of
Monsters from the series!

The lady above is standing in the footprint of Lao Shan Lung!
All 417cm (almost 14ft long!) of it!

And some nice artwork!

And what is a festival without a wishing panel?  Here you
can purchase one of these..

Then write your wish on a card and post it on the panel!
This one hunter wished for 3,000 Kajikimaguro (a tuna)!

Above is the Airu figure display, and the picture below
is a life size figure of the MH3(tri~) Shark!

Speaking of pictures, you can take yours like this!

And aside attractions, there is a ton of shopping!

It is here where you will see awesome Monster Hunter swag like...

Yes...your eyes aren't deceiving you, that is...toilet paper!!

And will all of the things to see and do, one can easily get
famished, and the food at the festa, sure looks delish!!

The above rice crackers crack me up! The quote says:
"I was at there! At Monster Hunter Festival 09!"

But this festival revolves around the Competition! But before
I get into that, this MC is quite captivating...

ahem...uh, yeah...back to the competition!

For the first time ever, the Champion gets this super cool belt!

Here's some video of the competions!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPMhrpjEr9Q

There is a lot more going on so take a look at Dengeki's coverage for a more detailed article!
blog.dengeki.com/mh/2009/08/28_170056.ph...

news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/188/188575...

Here's a blog of one of the Capcom lady's dressed in costume!
ameblo.jp/chiori-akt247/image-1032716531...

Although there was no updated poster of this...

I really like this poster the best!

This Festival is amazing, and the best way to describe
it is to paraphrase "Q" from ST:TNG;
"containing wonders more incredible than you
can possibly imagine, and Monster terrors to
freeze your soul..."

Anyone get a wind of this virus?  Some, like me
got it worse than others.  As such, I will use
this time to express my Monster Hunter passion!

Remember Indiana Jone's father? Grail Lore was
his obsession......and aside my wife....

.....This is my "Holy Grail!!"

Some people collect stamps, canadian quarters,
I get my kicks playing and collecting MONSTER HUNTER
games, as well as office badge decals, Hunting Cards.....

Monster Hunter Figures, BBQ spit timer, poogie.....

Monster Hunter Poster, calendar.....

PSP grip, PSP case, MONSTER HUNTER books.....

Art books, weapon replicas, cds, dvds, coasters.....

Ultra Rare Airu, mouse pad, blanket, bags, handkerchief....

PSP grip bag, drink stirrer, phone charms.....

phone decals, high grade stickers, oh my!!!

..Yeah, I got the MONSTER HUNTER virus, and it's with me as long as there is a MONSTER HUNTER to have and to hold! And with MH3(tri~) around the corner, my collection will only grow! 

Capcom knows it's about to unleash the most Amazing
video game of all time, so how does a company like
Capcom capitalize on this?  By sharing, cultivating
and by teasing!

The date: July 3rd, 2009, Friday.
The city: Tokyo, Japan (Roppongi to be precise)
On this date and time, Capcom, alongside with
Nintendo, held a press conference discussing the
greatest game ever made, soon to be released to
the world, MONSTER HUNTER 3(tri~)!! As you can
see by the image below, MH producer Tsuzimoto Makoto III
is on the left, President of Nintendo, Iwata Akira in
the middle, and CEO of Capcom, Hiroshi Tsujimoto on the right.

All in smiles at the impending
amount of cash they will make with the release
of MH3(tri~)!!

There was a slew of information released, about
the MH3(tri~) town, npcs, hunter's house, split-
screen, and a whole lot more. Nintendo also gave
a speech detailing its unwaivering support of
MH3(tri~) and working together, they will push
Capcom's latest installment of the MH series as
though it was a first party game!

And if that wasn't enough, a new trailer was
debut as well as a new commercial!  The trailer
was of Titanic proportions and featured a popular
young Japanese actor: Satoshi Tsumabuki.

 

Capcom has used many celebrities to market it's
Monster Hunter games in the past, but none as big
as Satoshi san!  When my wife saw the MH3(tri~) tv ad,
she was at awe at who was the actor.  Satoshi is the
stature of Hugh Jackman, Tom Hanks and Lawrence Fishburn
all rolled into one! At least in Japan!  And Satoshi san
has just a little over 300+ hours in playing MH!

After they showed the latest commercial, Capcom disclosed
that a new MONSTER HUNTER Festival would take place!

Commencing on August 23rd, 2009 and ending at Oct. 25th
this year.  Of course this festival will be populated with
contests, posters, t-shirts, pillows, collectables, snacks
and a slew of other stuff!  Like the pics below!

The first one is the phone charms or PSP charms which have
Health Potion, Rathalos Scale, LBB, Book of Combos, Well
Done Steak, and Machalite Ore!

Next are decals for your Wii!  I was worried the new Black
Wii wouldn't come with any MH3(tri~) logos on it, but with
the release of these decals, I ain't even trippin!

Next is the latest MH weapons collection!  I'll let the
image do all the talking....

Then there are shirts and all kinds of other stuff!

But no life-size armor for sale!!  (darn it, I really want
that Ragiakurusu Armor for LARPing!)

All this information would be enough to satisfy any MH fan,
but Capcom wants us all to be teased and pleased! As such, Capcom
is collaborating with the Makuhari Messe International
Exhibition Hall, to unveil: Dinosaur 2009-Miracles of the Desert!

This exhibit will run from July 18th through Sept. 27th,
this year and will feature a dinosaur exhibit as well as
some MONSTER HUNTER 3 (tri~) monsters!  It will be a means
to show how big actual Dinosaurs are compared to the fictional,
yet highly realistic Dragons, Wyverns, and Monsters of the
world of MONSTER HUNTER!

There will even be a cgi movie made by Capcom showing Dinos
and MH Monsters side by side in contrast!
NOW THAT IS SO FANTASTIC AND AWESOME, IT IS BEYOND WORDS!!!
There will be stuff for sale there of course like this...
Wonderfully crafted, Intellectually stimulating replica of
a Ragiakurusu skeleton!

So where should you go when you're done with all of that?!?
Well you go to Shibuya to eat, of course at the...........
Monster Hunter restaurant collaboration with Pasela!! It will
be called: "The FEAST of the HUNTER: FINAL!!"

Capcom has done this more than once in the past! And I can
tell you first hand, this place is an experience! It is too
bad this themed collaboration is, as it's title implies, the
Final! Sad, but true, this August 1st ~ 31st will be the last
time Capcom will do this......maybe a Monster Hunter restaurant
will open in the future....?  Who knows!

This is just the tip of the Gargantuan Iceberg of 411 Capcom
disclosed last Friday to the world!  I wish I could tell you
it all, but perhaps these links will help!

news.dengeki.com/elem/000/000/175/175713...

blog.inside-games.jp/news/361/36183.html

I certainly hope you've read down this far, and if by reading
this blog, you've gotten more interested in MONSTER HUNTER or
MH3(tri~) for the Wii, then my task was a success!!  I cannot
wait for this game and I look forward to it's release and any
items to be sold to coincide with said release!

Thank you Capcom and a major ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU to the Lords
behind the greatest creation since fire, MONSTER HUNTER!

This is one of the millions of MH fans awaiting the explosion!!

Master Yoda was on to something with those words of wisdom,
however, when it comes to MONSTER HUNTER, there is a tri....
MONSTER HUNTER 3(tri~) that is!  Oh and what a magnanimus game this is. Come August 1st, all of Japan, as well as those willing to import, which is, in a sense, all of the world, will be baptised into the latest world of Monster Hunting!  As this is Capcom-unity, there is no reason to go on about the phenomenon that is (tri~), so what I will do now is blog about some of the things I've seen and some of the things I look forward to.

Let us begin by going back.....back almost 60 weeks...at a time called
Golden Week.  For those who aren't familiar, Golden Week is a period of
Holidays celebrated during the last few days of April and first few days
of May, in Japan.  Some of these holidays are:  

憲法記念日, Kenpō kinenbi

みどりの日, Midori no hi

昭和の日, Shōwa no hi

国民の休日, Kokumin no kyūjitsu

こどもの日, Kodomo no hi

端午の節句, Tango no sekku
Depending on the calendar, some offices/businesses close for 10 days to
take a vacation and enjoy Golden Week!  You can look up this holiday to
get more detailed information, however, I bring this all up because of a
quaint little MH3(tri~) booth that was set up during Golden Week.  Set
within the outskirts of the Shiodome and sponsored by Capcom & NihonTV,

 

this was a nice way to get people to view/try MH3(tri~) and play a fun
fishing game.

First off lets look at the Awesome RAGIAKURUSU head sculpt! It's a beauty
isn't it?

I wouldn't mind just taking a picture next to this bad puppy! Simply
Monster-Hunterly-Astonishing!

Next to the base of this fantastic sculpt is where the MH3(tri~) fishing
game takes place. 

Using a fishing rod, one would attempt to catch cut-outs
of MH3(tri~) creatures, with the goal being to catch the Ragiakurusu!

Should one be fortunate enough to catch the Ragiakurusu, said individual willl be
rewarded with a special MH3(tri~) coaster, an original MH3(tri~) bag and a
set of MH3(tri~) stickers!  Not a bad prize for a free Monster Hunter related
booth game and a chance to play the MH3(tri~) demo!

Here's a link to Dengeki for a more detailed account of this booth and prize!

Speaking of prize, with the upcoming release of tri~, I am so looking forward
to the avalanche of new MONSTER HUNTER goodies to come out of the woodwork.
Many companies will want a piece of the Monster Hunter-money-making pie, and
so there will be a ton of swag to come forth.  We've seen the keyboards and
classic pro controllers, there are stickers and chips out there, but here is
a preview of the tip of the gargantuan iceberg of MH3(tri~) stuff.

First off is the new set of MONSTER figures from the series, featuring Ragiakurusu!

Also included are, Gravios, Teo and a couple others!

Next up is the set of tiny or chibi versions of Monsters and Hunters!

I would put these on my shelf next to my desk at work!

Lastly is the hidden/secret gift that comes along with the e-capcom, MH3(tri~)
Limited Edition bundle.....a special glow in the dark Ragiakurusu figure!

I truly cannot wait for the release of tri~, and all the swag that implies!!!

Sorry Master Yoda, come August 1st, there is tri~!!!

I want to try to blog about MONSTER HUNTER or Capcom as much as possible, but today's blog is for the true KATANA and one who is the Master of it.

On another forum several years ago I posted these videos depicting the awesome godlike power of the Japanese Katana! The first video showcases a 9mm vs. Katana, with surprising results!

Next up is a video with a war-tested, battle ready machine gun!

 machine gun vs Katana

So now that you have an idea of the godlike power of the Katana take a look at a video of a real live BATTOUSAI in 2009:

Isao Machii

He is able to slice extremely difficult objects in half like a mushroom top, or a pod of beans, or a BB shot at him with an airsoft gun!  Isao sama is truly a majestic miracle with the Katana! I wish I was a poet or a more gifted writer because no words can describe the unforgiving accuracy and the superb control Isao sama possesses! He wields the Katana straight out of the manga! 

It would be really cool if Capcom appoints this Lord of the Blade, this Battousai as a representative of MONSTER HUNTER in the west!