Felyne

The Felyne (Japanese: アイルー, romanized: airū) is a fictional species of anthropomorphic cats in the Monster Hunter video game series developed by Capcom. They are the most common members of a diminutive race of mammals known as the Lynians that also includes the Shakalaka. They accompany player characters, or "hunters", and can act as AI-controlled backup. Felynes who partner with a hunter are known as Palicoes and wear miniature suits of armor. Felynes have become a popular mascot for the series, and have featured in spin-off games, many cross-promotions with other Capcom and non-Capcom video games, and various Japanese consumer products.

Not to be confused with Cat.
Felyne
'Monster Hunter' character
Two Felynes from Monster Hunter Portable 3rd wearing armor
First gameMonster Hunter (2004)

Characteristics

Felynes first appeared in the original Monster Hunter. They are small in stature compared to humans, and have an appearance similar to the domestic cat, but are fully sentient, bipedal, and can speak the human language. They assist the player in cooking meals, maintaining gardens, and returning them to camp if they are defeated in battle.[1]

Several types of designs have been used to represent the Felynes in different media. In addition to the classic, realistic design used in main series games, there is a chibi design used in the spin-off games with an oversized head and large, circular eyes. Designs more resembling cartoons are used in Monster Hunter Stories for the unique Felyne Navirou and his comrades, The Numbers.

Appearances

Felynes have appeared in every game in the Monster Hunter series. Spin-off games featuring Felynes include Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village, developed by FromSoftware for the Nintendo 3DS,[2] which was also bundled with a purple PSP system,[3] and a PSP version of Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo called Felyne de Puzzle.[4] A mobile game called Poka Poka Felyne Reversi was also developed.[5]

Crossovers often involve Felyne outfits based on other anime or video games. For Monster Hunter: World, this included a Horizon Zero Dawn skin.[6]

Products

In 2013, several Monster Hunter 4 figures were given away as prizes in Japan, including ones based on Felynes.[7] In 2014, a Mega Man crossover toy was released,[8] a set of Felyne-themed 3DS XL accessories,[9] as well as a 24 karat gold Felyne statue that cost almost $30,000 to celebrate the series' 10-year anniversary.[10] In 2017, a highly detailed doll of a Felyne was released by Capcom for 162,000 yen.[11] More unusual products include Felyne toilet paper-holders.[12]

Reception

A Felyne-themed car was used to promote the series at the Odaiba Motor Festival.[13]

The Palicoes in Monster Hunter: World received a great deal of social media publicity when their vocalizations attracted the real-life cats of players.[14]

References
  1. "The Latest Monster Hunter World Trailer Focuses On The Cute Cat Companions". CINEMABLEND. 2017-12-19. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  2. "About That Monster Hunter Felyne Spin-Off - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2010-03-16. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  3. "Monster Hunter Felyne Spinoff Bundled With Hannah Montana PSP - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  4. "Capcom Drops New Video Of "Felyne Super Puzzle Fighter" - Siliconera". Siliconera. 2012-07-17. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  5. "Felyne Reversi is like Reversi but with Felynes!". Andriasang. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  6. Fennimore, Jack (2018-01-26). "Monster Hunter World: How to Get the Horizon Zero Dawn Armor". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  7. Eric Caoili. "Super cute Monster Hunter 4 figures". Tiny Cartridge. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  8. "A Monster Hunter Felyne becomes decidedly more Mega Man". destructoid. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  9. Life, Nintendo (2014-08-18). "These Felyne-Themed 3DS XL Accessories are Ludicrously Cute". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  10. "Capcom: Everyone knows that the 10th anniversary is the "golden statue of an angry bipedal kitten" anniversary". Engadget. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  11. Ashcraft, Brian. "An Incredibly Realistic Monster Hunter Felyne Doll". Kotaku. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  12. "Dump on this: Monster Hunter toilet paper holders". destructoid. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  13. "Monster Hunter's Felyne Mascot Makes for a Cute Car". Andriasang. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
  14. "Japanese Twitter loves adorable cats' reactions to Monster Hunter: World's Felyne voices【Videos】". SoraNews24. 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2018-02-12.
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