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| 5 | [[quoteright:350:[[Anime/DigimonTamers https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ewayaihvaaehq3q.png]]]] |
| 6 | [-[[caption-width-right:350:[[Anime/PokemonTheSeries To catch them is my real test, to train them is]]...wait, [[Franchise/{{Digimon}} wrong show]].]]-] |
| 7 | %% |
| 8 | %% Caption selected per most recent IP thread. Please do not replace or remove without discussion in the Caption Repair thread: |
| 9 | %% https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1404492079030138900 |
| 10 | %% |
| 11 | ->''"Green tea from Iemon\ |
| 12 | Pikachu from'' Franchise/{{Pokemon}}\ |
| 13 | Anime/YuGiOh's ''duel mons\ |
| 14 | Oyama Nobuyo as'' Manga/{{Doraemon}}\ |
| 15 | ''Yes, in this world many different kinds of mons are known to exist."'' |
| 16 | -->-- Music/{{Hyadain}}'s ''VideoGame/GanbareGoemon'' |
| 17 | |
| 18 | A Mon[[note]]short for "monster", as in Franchise/{{Pokemon}} (Pocket Monsters) and Franchise/{{Digimon}} (Digital Monsters)[[/note]] is a creature, generally summoned by magic or [[ClarkesThirdLaw sufficiently advanced science]] means, which fights on behalf of its summoner. This allows characters to fight each other without actually fighting themselves; instead, they conjure a proxy--perhaps a beast or a machine--that fights for them. Sometimes only one side will have Mons, so the characters on the other side directly fight the Mons. Wild Mons--those uncontrolled by anyone--are also known to appear. |
| 19 | |
| 20 | Mons range up and down the scale in terms of intelligence, power, and appearance. Some are almost mindless, while some are far, far smarter than their so-called "masters." Likewise, whether they're servants, partners, or just another race depends on the series. |
| 21 | |
| 22 | Good relations with Mons are recommended, as ThePowerOfFriendship usually serves to make your Mon more powerful and loyal to your cause. Apathetic or cruel treatment, on the other hand, may cause them to run away, [[TheDogBitesBack turn on you]], or even (if they are [[OlympusMons powerful enough]]) bring about TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt. |
| 23 | |
| 24 | Expect the majority of Mon works showing the human barely doing any contribution to the fighting while hogging all the CharacterDevelopment, with the Mons in question being {{Satellite Character}}s. [[HumanFocusedAdaptation Contrary to popular belief, the focus is on the humans for the most part, not the titular Mons, no matter how interesting and sapient the latter are.]] |
| 25 | |
| 26 | The types of Mons tend to vary series to series, but there are some common themes: |
| 27 | * Mons are analogous to ordinary (if super-powered) animals, sometimes being found as wildlife. Humans in the setting use them in various types of hobbyist activities, such as collecting all species of Mons and/or using them in sporting tournaments, in order ToBeAMaster. The number of Mons usable is often unlimited and storable in special items, although their owners may especially favor one Mon or a number of them over the rest. This version tends to appear most often in games, such as the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'', and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'' series. |
| 28 | * Mons are [[IntellectualAnimal fully sapient beings]], with distinct personalities and societies, who partner with humans to fight a BigBad and SaveTheWorld. They usually work in pairings of one Mon per human, with exceptions rarely going much higher, which allows for (or even requires) mutual development in order to learn how to live and fight together. As the premise lends itself to complex stories, at least some drama is ensured. Anime series, like ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'', ''Anime/MonsterRancher'', and ''Toys/{{Jewelpet}}'', tend to use this type. The ''Pokemon'' games sometimes edge into Type 2, especially with the various [[TheMafia evil teams]]. |
| 29 | * Mons are [[OurSpiritsAreDifferent spirits]] or {{Familiar}}s, often summoned exclusively to fight and remaining away or invisible the rest of the time. Usually, only humans with unique abilities are capable of summoning Mons or persuading hostile ones to join their side, and generally only use them in order to accomplish their own personal goals, which might be heroic or not. They are often used in fantasy settings, like ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphoniaDawnOfTheNewWorld'' and ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'', although they can also appear in media set in the real world, such as ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' and ''Franchise/{{Persona}}''. |
| 30 | * A {{Deconstruction}} of the above: Mons are {{Living Weapon}}s or [[OurGodsAreDifferent Literal Gods]] enslaved to human masters. This leads to {{Crapsack World}}s where they're used for BeastlyBloodsports, or cause [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt mass chaos, death, and destruction]] as humans abuse their newfound power, like in ''Manga/ShadowStar'' or ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor''. |
| 31 | |
| 32 | May overlap with OurMonstersAreWeird if the roster of creatures is big enough. Also a type of AttackAnimal. Occasionally, some Mons may get an InconvenientSummons (no pun intended). The first Mon that a character gets is a StarterMon. Jarringly-powerful Mons are OlympusMons, while totally pathetic ones are ComMons. Mons often feature ElementalPowers used in ElementalRockPaperScissors gameplay and [[MundaneUtility general exploration]]. A character's main Mon is their SignatureMon. |
| 33 | |
| 34 | Compare and Contrast SummonMagic. See also TheBeastmaster and BondCreatures. May function as a GuardianEntity. Contrast with {{Kaiju}}, giant monsters defined by ''not'' being under the control of humans or other summoners. |
| 35 | |
| 36 | For an index of works based around this trope, see the MonsSeries index. For those who want to start their own, we have a handy guide on writing one [[SoYouWantTo/WriteAMonSeries right here.]] |
| 37 | |
| 38 | JustForFun/NotToBeConfusedWith [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_mon_%28currency%29 mon,]] a historical currency in Japan, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_%28crest%29 mon,]] a Japanese symbol similar to a coat of arms in European heraldry, a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mons Belgian city]], a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_language language spoken in Myanmar]], or the ''[[CountryMatters mons veneris]]'', for that matter. Also, nothing to do with a stereotypical [[UsefulNotes/TheCaribbean Caribbean]] accent. |
| 39 | -------- |
| 40 | !!Here are a bunch of Mon Tropes: |
| 41 | [[index]] |
| 42 | * CaptureBalls: Mon storage item. |
| 43 | * ComMons: The first Mons you encounter in a Mons work. |
| 44 | * ElementalPowers: A common trait in these works. |
| 45 | * GottaCatchThemAll: A goal of catching all Mons is common. |
| 46 | * HuMons: Mons that look like people. |
| 47 | * InfinityPlusOneElement: An element better than the rest. |
| 48 | * MagikarpPower: A weak Mon that becomes strong shows up in basically every Mons work. |
| 49 | * MonMode: Humans transforming into mons. |
| 50 | * MonsAsCharacterization: One's choice of mons reveals their inner character. |
| 51 | * MonsSeries: A genre that centers around mons. |
| 52 | * MonTech: A device made to interact with mons that includes CaptureBalls. |
| 53 | * OlympusMons: The most powerful of mons, often with World-Destroying capabilities. And yet, human children still capture them. |
| 54 | * {{Phonymon}}: A mon series satire (usually, as the name implies, riffing on ''Pokémon'' due to its comparatively gigantic media presence). |
| 55 | * SignatureMon: The main Mon of one particular character. |
| 56 | * StarterMon: The Mon you start with, often rare, sometimes even one-of-a-kind. |
| 57 | [[/index]] |
| 58 | |
| 59 | !!Examples: |
| 60 | |
| 61 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 62 | |
| 63 | [[folder:Anime & Manga]] |
| 64 | * ''Manga/{{Bakegyamon}}'': One of the rules of the game is that the contestants are able to summon monsters that can battle each other and aid the contestants in their pursuit of winning the game. [[TheProtagonist Sanshiro]]'s first Mon is a trio of living mud balls. |
| 65 | %%* The Soul Dolls of ''Manga/{{Legendz}}''. |
| 66 | * ''Anime/MonColleKnights'' has several, including chimeras, forest elves, lizardmen and dragons. |
| 67 | * ''Anime/DuelMasters'', besides ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' and ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'', is one of the examples most likely to be familiar to Westerners. |
| 68 | * Many of the fighters in ''Manga/ZatchBell'' resemble humans, but have a mon-ish flavor to them. |
| 69 | * ''Anime/YuGiOh'' is a rather weird example, in that the monsters in question are holograms rather than living creatures -- and indeed, some of them really stretch the definition of "monster", looking more like humans or even machines. The Duel Monster Spirits, or simply Duel Monsters/Spirits, introduced in ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' are a more traditional example. |
| 70 | * ''Anime/MyHime'' is an example of a series with Mon intended for an older audience. |
| 71 | * ''Manga/ShadowStar'' viciously [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructs]] the genre by showing in rather graphic detail [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt just what could happen]] if misfit teenagers suddenly found themselves controlling awesomely powerful Mons. |
| 72 | * In the series ''Literature/TheFamiliarOfZero'' -- set in another world where the nobility are Franchise/HarryPotter-esque magi -- a hapless yet [[{{Tsundere}} haughty]] mage named Louise accidentally summons a computer science student from Earth as her familiar. All the other mage familiars are Mon. |
| 73 | * ''Anime/{{Gigantor}}'' is quite possibly the earliest example of this trope, where the Mon is a HumongousMecha -- the very first of the genre. |
| 74 | * The Angels in ''Manga/AngelicLayer'' could be somewhat identified with Mon. |
| 75 | * ''Franchise/{{Beyblade}}'' has a difficult relation with its mon-ism. The first series, ''Anime/BakutenShootBeyblade'' has mon named bit-beasts (English) or holy beasts (Japanese), but focuses less on them and more on the humans who wield the eponymous beyblades. All series following [[AvertedTrope drop]] the gimmick in that the mon are still there, but just never acknowledged. |
| 76 | * Speaking of shamanism above, ''Manga/ShamanKing'' has this, albeit with the spirits of the deceased and nature taking over mon duties. |
| 77 | * Summoning mystical, talking animals is one of the many varieties of Ninjutsu magic used in ''Manga/{{Naruto}}''. However, the series as a whole doesn't focus on them, and most of the characters use other techniques to fight, making it only a borderline example at best. |
| 78 | * ''Bistro Recipe'', AKA ''Manga/FightingFoodons'', was a mons series where all the monsters were living food items. |
| 79 | * An AffectionateParody in ''Manga/HellTeacherNube'' --a priest, who is a friend of Nube's, comes across a box full of capsules with miniature [[{{Obake}} yokai]] sealed within. He then sells them as capsule toys to the children, who use them to battle exactly in the same manner as ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. Too bad one of the sealed monsters actually ''was'' a real threat and starts devouring all the others, threatening the entire neighborhood. |
| 80 | * ''Anime/{{Bakugan}}'', the spiritual successor to ''Beyblade'' and the less successful ''B-Daman'', and from [[Creator/TMSEntertainment the same studio that did]] ''WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures'', [[OffModel but without the top-notch animation due to bad outsourcing]]. Toys/{{Zoobles}} is a SpinOff. |
| 81 | * ''Toys/{{Jewelpet}}'' combines this with the MagicalGirl genre. |
| 82 | * ''Manga/CardcaptorSakura'' combines elements of this with the MagicalGirl genre. |
| 83 | * In ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth'', there's Ascot who can summon all kinds of Mons he calls his friends. |
| 84 | * ''VideoGame/BlueDragon'''s spinoff manga ''Ral Grad'' is mostly focused on monster-to-monster combat, being that these particular mons are parasitic. There is plenty of human-vs-monster action, however. |
| 85 | * The RPG ''[[http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2012/258/3/7/me_playing_guranbo_on_vba_by_arshes91-d5esjsr.jpg Guranbo]]'', released only in Japan in late 2001, innovates little from the theme. It's quite close to ''Digimon''. |
| 86 | * ''Manga/JoJosBizarreAdventure'' becomes a sort of Mon series from Part 3 and onward, with many characters having their own creature that is basically a manifestation of their soul which they control. |
| 87 | ** Because part 3 of the manga, Stardust Crusaders, predates most of the examples in this category it can be considered the UrExample for anime and manga as the original purpose of the stands was just to have a more creative way to show psychic powers. |
| 88 | * ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'', where the mons are customizable robots powered by medals. |
| 89 | * ''Anime/LiveOnCardliverKakeru'' is a semi-Mon series fairly similar to ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'', with cards to summon the familiars, done by Creator/{{TMS|Entertainment}} of ''Anime/{{Bakugan}}'' fame. |
| 90 | * In ''Manga/MagiLabyrinthOfMagic'', djinn are Type 2, with the magic lantern or other artifact acting as a "[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokéball]]" rather than trapping them as such. |
| 91 | * The "Giant Warrior" from ''Manga/NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind'' qualifies as Type 4. |
| 92 | * ''Anime/FlintTheTimeDetective'' revolves around collecting Time Shifters from different time periods. |
| 93 | * The Hench of the ''Mix Master'' series. |
| 94 | * ''Anime/{{Cencoroll}}'', a {{Reconstruction}} of the genre. |
| 95 | * ''Manga/BusterKeel'' has quite a few, like Lavie's flying pig Mippy. |
| 96 | * ''Manga/{{Sekirei}}'' takes a very unusual direction with this, combining it with the HaremGenre through the use of HumanAliens with many of the hallmarks of the Type 4 Mon. The Sekirei instinctively seek out and form a [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss bond]] with a human master, becoming their partner in a secret tournament. The Ashikabi's role involves standing back, and occasionally giving their Sekirei orders or encouragement while they duel to the death. This is even lampshaded by the character of Mikogami Hayato, a bratty teenager that wants to [[GottaCatchEmAll Catch Em All]] and gets excited at the prospect of being able to capture one of the main characters because he's a super-rare natural element and a fire type! |
| 97 | * The cards of ''Anime/BattleSpiritsShonenToppaBashin'' and its sequels. |
| 98 | * In ''Manga/FairyTail'', celestial spirit mages, such as Lucy, Yukino, and Angel, summon spirits from the Spirit World, who then fight for them. |
| 99 | * ''Anime/MarvelDISKWarsTheAvengers'' does this to roughly half the Franchise/MarvelUniverse, using an experimental system for containing Supervillains as the framing device. |
| 100 | * ''Manga/TomodachiXMonster'' is a BlackComedy parody of the idea. The series focuses on kids fighting each other to the death with their "friends" (the titular tomodachi monsters). |
| 101 | * ''Manga/DragonDrive'' is a Mons story where all the Mons are dragons. |
| 102 | * ''Anime/{{Kiba}}'' is a very dark example of this genre, possibly a deconstruction, as many character die, go insane, or suffer horrible trauma. In the setting of ''Kiba'', Mons, which are called spirits are used for war between several factions. When not in use the spirits exist as small spheres called shards which the characters pull from somewhere on their body. Unlike other Mon shows, the masters also fight each other at the same time using lightsaber-like weapons and spells that are also stored in spheres, instead of just standing around and giving commands to their spirits. The various villains of the series are trying to collect the six [[OlympusMons key spirits]]''. |
| 103 | * ''Mazica Party'' involves [[WitchesAndWizards wizards and witches]] catching, collecting, and training wierd creatures known as ''mazins''. |
| 104 | * ''Manga/CanEvenAMobHighschoolerLikeMeBeANormieIfIBecomeAnAdventurer'' has adventurers forming a party with monsters summoned from monster cards that came as a loot drop from defeating a monster of the same species, with all the monsters introduced to date being clearly self-aware and sapient, but bound to the one who summoned them and have no agency aside from being summoned monsters who fight on behalf of their owner. Maro's mon's are clearly blessed as they have an owner who treasures them to the point he would put himself in peril to fight on their behalf, unlike the norm who treat monster cards as disposable resources, at best. |
| 105 | * ''Anime/MyDaemon'': Is set in a future where a nuclear disaster caused monstrous Daemons from Hell to come to Earth. These Daemons come in a large variety of shapes an sizes, and not all of them are dangerous as long as they are left alone. Humans consider them at best a weapon to be exploited or at worst vermin that must be exterminated. Some humans named Daemon Experts have captured and enslaved a Daemon to fight for them. |
| 106 | [[/folder]] |
| 107 | |
| 108 | [[folder:Comic Books]] |
| 109 | * Depending on the writer, ''[[Creator/DCComics Johnny (and Jakeem) Thunder's Thunderbolt]]'' is more Mon than magical servant, though the distinction is subtle. |
| 110 | * The eponymous ''ComicBook/CaptureCreatures'' are about as Mon as the Pokémon are. |
| 111 | * Cénit's little devil in ''ComicBook/DiabloChile'' qualifies, although it's also her {{Mascot}}. |
| 112 | [[/folder]] |
| 113 | |
| 114 | [[folder:Fan Works]] |
| 115 | * Unohana's shikai is portrayed as this in ''Fanfic/{{Downfall|Bleach}}'' taking the form of both a flying manta creature with therapeutic stomach juices and a [[spoiler:fifteen-foot cylopean monstrosity with massive claws]]. |
| 116 | * ''Fanfic/TokimekiPokeLiveAndTwinbee'' is basically ''Pokémon'', but with [[{{Franchise/LoveLive}} School Idols]] mixed with a lighthearted slice of life/romantic tone similar to ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial'', but with shoujo-ai/yuri instead of straight pairings. |
| 117 | * ''Fanfic/SonicEvilRebornZero'' takes this path when it's revealed that Chaos and Serdist Wraiths can be harnessed and given physical forms, which leads to battle between them. |
| 118 | [[/folder]] |
| 119 | |
| 120 | [[folder:Films -- Animation]] |
| 121 | * ''WesternAnimation/TheGuardiansOfTheLostCode'', a Mexican movie from the year 2010, features the Brijes, some sort of magical guardian resembling small animals. |
| 122 | * The Paramount Animation film ''WesternAnimation/{{Rumble}}'' is about a world where "monster wrestling" is a popular sport and focuses on a human protagonist who becomes a manager for a monster. |
| 123 | [[/folder]] |
| 124 | |
| 125 | [[folder:Films -- Live-Action]] |
| 126 | * ''Film/JellyfishEyes'', the debut film of the famous visual artist Takashi Murakami, is about a group of kids who are able to communicate with and control a group of fantastic creatures. |
| 127 | [[/folder]] |
| 128 | |
| 129 | [[folder:Literature]] |
| 130 | * Very creepily used in ''Literature/AndTheAssSawTheAngel'', a novel written by Nick Cave, when Euchrid [[spoiler:starts collecting wild animals in cages and teaching them to fight. He eventually unleashes them on the town, killing many]]. |
| 131 | * In the Creator/JimButcher series ''Literature/CodexAlera'', Furies serve a somewhat similar role to Mons. Indeed, he admitted he was inspired by Pokémon in writing it. Only earth and fire furies manifest physically most of the time though, and it is truly SeriousBusiness since the entire world's technology and culture has evolved around the use of Furies. |
| 132 | * The demons of the ''Literature/TheBartimaeusTrilogy''. |
| 133 | * ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials'' has daemons, the physical manifestation of one's soul as seemingly ordinary animals (though most of them can talk and they can even change their apparent species as long as the person they're attached to is still a child). Here, the focus is not so much on them battling (though they occasionally do so) as it is as embodying a kind of personal creativity and free will that is frowned upon by organized religion (separating a child from his/her daemon is shown as traumatic and is explicitly likened to abusive religious practices). |
| 134 | * The Materials in ''Literature/TheUnexploredSummonBloodSign'', supernatural beings from another world that summoners use to fight. The Materials themselves aren't physically summoned; rather, a summoner calls in the Material to possess their vessel's body, [[PowersViaPossession transforming the vessel into the Material]]. Materials don't remain in the human world - once a summoning battle is over, they return to their original world. This means that any summoner is equally capable of summoning any Material (at least in theory). Materials are divided into three categories: [[OurMonstersAreWeird Regulation-Class]]; [[OurGodsAreGreater Divine-Class]], and the titular [[TheOldGods Unexplored-Class]]. |
| 135 | * The demons in ''Literature/TheSummonerTrilogy'' by Taran Matharu. Demons (which, in this universe, include a number of magical creatures such as minotaurs, griffins, and salamanders) are native to an alternate dimension called the Ether. Battlemages use magic to control demons and then summon them to use in battle (with controlled demons being stored within the battlemage and providing mana to fuel their magic). The demons show several other traits of typical Mons; all summoners and demons have a magical value known as a "fulfillment level," with summoners limited to actively directing a demon or group of demons with a total level less than or equal to their own, and they can choose to either give mental commands or directly take control of their demons. Humans and orcs also have access to different areas of the Ether thanks to the runes they use, meaning they have different demons at their disposal. [[spoiler:Salamanders are also shown to "evolve" into a more powerful type of demon called drakes when submerged in lava, and drakes apparrently evolve further into [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragons]], providing an interesting example of [[DragonsAreDemonic Dragons are Demonic]]. Because only one dragon appears at the climactic point of the series's "final" battle, and the book states the dragon's fulfillment level is enormous, it acts as an [[OlympusMons Olympus Mons]].]] |
| 136 | [[/folder]] |
| 137 | |
| 138 | [[folder:Live-Action TV]] |
| 139 | * ''Franchise/KamenRider'' series, starting with ''[[Series/KamenRiderRyuki Ryuki]]'', use this in varying degrees. In some, the heroes draw power from a contracted (''Ryuki'') or sealed (''[[Series/KamenRiderBlade Blade]]'') MonsterOfTheWeek to use their unique traits. ''[[Series/KamenRiderHibiki Hibiki]]'' has the Disc Animals, which mostly play the trope straight. ''[[Series/KamenRiderDenO Den-O]]'' and ''[[Series/KamenRiderKiva Kiva]]'' have the interesting spin of having the "Mons" (the good-guy Imagin and the Arms Monsters, respectively) being regular characters in their own right who can merge with the Riders to power them up, [[SharingABody taking control of the body]] to boot. |
| 140 | ** However, Ryuki's example is a deconstruction. The monsters are not friendly and will eat their owner the moment their contract is broken, their body parts are used as weapons, and a few of the riders use their monsters to attack and kill citizens. |
| 141 | ** Series/KamenRiderDecade takes this trope, and runs it as the main plot element. The two main Riders, Decade and Diend are, respectively, a [[PowerCopying Mega Man]] and a Pokémon Trainer, fighting by way of a Duelist from ''Franchise/YuGiOh''. |
| 142 | ** Series/KamenRiderGaim also deconstructs the trope with the Inves. At the start of the show they're treated much like Pokémon, but early on they're revealed to be creatures from another plane of existence (hence the name, a contraction of "invasive species") and are vectors of a disease that spreads across Zawame City like a plague and turns the townsfolk against the kids who participate in the Inves Game. At one point, TheRival even summons his Inves when an AngryMob comes after him. Then the whole thing gets broken down even further when it's revealed that [[spoiler:Inves are actually creatures -- [[WasOnceAMan including some humans]] -- who ate the fruit from the Inves' home dimension and mutated. And that they have leaders who want to wipe out humanity.]] |
| 143 | * ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' |
| 144 | ** In ''Series/UltraSeven'', when Dan Moroboshi was unable to transform into Ultraseven for whatever reason (like his TransformationTrinket has been stolen by the [[MonsterOfTheWeek Alien of the Week]]), he would pull out a tiny capsule that carried a {{Kaiju}} to do the fighting in his stead. We get to know three of them in the series run: Miclas, a horned ogre; Windam, a robot; and Agira, a Triceratops-like beast. It's also worth mentioning that Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', [[OlderThanTheyThink confirmed the Capsule Monsters inspired the idea of Pokéballs.]] |
| 145 | ** ''Series/UltramanLeo'' added a fourth Capsule Monster named Sevengar, a robot stored inside a football-shaped capsule called a "Monster Ball" (keep in mind that this was some 20 years before ''Pokemon''!). He proved to be pretty strong, but had [[HourOfPower a 1 minute time limit]] and a 50 hour recharge time, [[AwesomeButImpractical which is probably why he's never reappears in the series again]], at least until ''Series/UltramanZ''. |
| 146 | ** In ''Series/UltramanMebius'', they had Maquette Monsters made to assist Mebius and the attack team in defeating the MonsterOfTheWeek. They only exist for a minute before vanishing and having to recharge. Miclas and Windam return as the team's maquettes. |
| 147 | ** ''Series/UltraGalaxyMegaMonsterBattle'' is ''Ultra Series'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets Pokémon]]! To elaborate, the [[LoadsAndLoadsOfRaces many races]] (humans included) of the ''Ultra Series'' universe have individuals called reionics. Reionics carry special technology called battlenizers which allows the user to control up to three kaiju and call them in to battle rampaging kaiju or other reionics. Fighting wild kaiju is as fun as it sounds, not so much when fighting another reionics since the rules of reionics battling say that the master dies with his monsters at the end of the battle! Why? [[spoiler:Because reionics are unwittingly carrying out the agenda of a long-defeated HumanoidAbomination who seeks to find a replacement who is as capable of controlling monsters as he is.]] There's also the Giga Battlenizer, the original battlenizer [[spoiler:once owned by said HumanoidAbomination]], which can control up to 100 monsters and aliens! |
| 148 | [[/folder]] |
| 149 | |
| 150 | [[folder:[=MMORPGs=]]] |
| 151 | * ''VideoGame/EtherSagaOdyssey'' makes the player capture pets to aid them in their journey through some of the aftermath of Literature/JourneyToTheWest. Essentially, its a type II. Many monsters you fight can be captured, allowing a lot of variety for which ones can fight by your side. It has been described as ''Pokémon'' meets ''Journey to the West''. |
| 152 | * The battle system in ''VideoGame/Wizard101'' is largely based on this, especially focused within the Myth school, where the crux of their combat is summoning powerful creatures and beasts of legend to help them in battle, though most other schools rely heavily on this as well. |
| 153 | * ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'': |
| 154 | ** ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline'' Episodes I and II sort of has this with the mag. Mags are a race of [[RobotBuddy living computers]] that are freely distributed to [[AnAdventurerIsYou new hunters/rangers/forces]], but more can be found in other places such as [[RandomlyDrops the mines in Ragol]]. When they are new, all mags share [[PaletteSwap the exact same form except for their color]] (which they have a handful of options), and are [[MagikarpPower almost widely useless]] for anything except to [[InventoryManagementPuzzle use up extra mates/fluids when they take up too much space in your pack]]. The mon part? If you feed them certain [[HealingPotion mates/fluids/cures/etc]]. or a combination of them that typical mag can [[UnstableGeneticCode quickly change its form into many other different and unique models]] (sometimes even changing back to a previous form, not including the infant model) and learn different combinations of photon blasts (up to three). Their transformations are based around their levels, their stats and a few other tricks (such as the owner's Section ID or other [[TemporaryOnlineContent rare]] event items), and if the stats are [[GuideDangIt tweaked the right way]] by the time they [[LevelGrinding cap their level]], they can make a permanent change into a very rare model of mag. While they aren't used to directly fight in battle (unless you count some of the photon blasts) and while the player has few reasons to go out hunting extra mags, some of the rarer mags can perform valuable techs aside from the photons, including [[AutoRevive reviving their owner if they die]] or [[StatusBuff temporarily boosting their attack and defense]]. Not to mention that their stats directly affects the players and also adds significant boosts to them for as long as that model is equipped (which can [[GameBreaker really shoot high]] with some more [[TrialAndErrorGameplay clever tweaking]]). They also have [[PetInterface intelligence and feelings to watch for as well as a damage meter]], the two formers of which are affected by their "food", such as if they like it or if it's good for them, or (for synch) whether or not you give them [[WizardNeedsFoodBadly mates/fluids/cures/so on quick enough when they're hungry]] (the latter charges up energy for the photon blast the [[VideoGameCrueltyPotential more hits you/they take]]). Ironically, although the game also makes an effort in a few missions to make it clear how mags are living creatures that try to protect and serve you well in exchange for care, and they made it also clear that every Hunter (and Ranger and Force) gets one upon becoming hunters (part of the Hunter's Guild/government on Pioneer 2, not just the class), there are only a small number of characters (besides player made ones) whom have one or were seen with one (Elenor comes to mind and supposedly Ult). |
| 155 | ** Summoners are frequently considered the black sheep of ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarOnline2''. They don't play by the same rules as the other classes, lacking common mechanics and abilities in favor of their own system that invokes this trope. Their power curve is the only one in the game that can best be described as "parabolic" (in contrast to LinearWarriorsQuadraticWizards), and they are considered resource-intensive in the early game but extremely cheap to gear in the endgame. |
| 156 | * ''VideoGame/GrandChase'' has the "pets" who get to attack with you during dungeons and pvp. |
| 157 | * ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' allows players to collect cards dropped by most monsters and set them as their familiar, which provides a passive bonus (increased meso drops, increased item drops, increased movement speed, immunity to environmental DamageOverTime effects, etc.) and provides combat support. A familiar can only be summoned if it has enough Vitality (indicated by a red orb), in which case the player can summon another familiar while its Vitality recharges. If you use more than one of that monster's card it will increase its Vitality up to a maximum of three orbs, allowing you to have it out longer. |
| 158 | * ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' introduced a Mons system in the ''Mists of Pandaria'' expansion, using the non-combat pets that before now have always been mostly [[AndYourRewardIsClothes there to look cool]]. It is constantly referred to as "''Pokémon''" rather than the official "Pet Battle System" by fans, though rather calling it that is a TakeThat or not [[BrokenBase depends on the individual person's opinion]]. It's mostly for fun, offering no real rewards that affect the main game, though winning pet battles grants experience for the character. |
| 159 | * ''VideoGame/DragonsProphet'' has this as a primary mechanic, regardless of class, making it one of the few [=MMOs=] to do so. Your mounts and summons all consist of a number of dragons that you [[GottaCatchThemAll capture and train]]. The "gotta catch 'em all" aspect of the mons genre is {{downplayed|Trope}} here; at the start you can only have four dragons, being a [[AllegedlyFreeGame F2P MMO]], you can use real-world currency to purchase room for twelve. |
| 160 | * The Korean MMORPG ''T-Crew'' was a casual online game in which creatures called Crews assist the player and have evolution methods like that to Pokémon. |
| 161 | * ''VideoGame/{{Temtem}}'' is an {{MMORPG}} designed to be a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' that stands out as being the biggest example of how the style would translate into that genre. |
| 162 | * The Chinese MMORPG ''VideoGame/RocoKingdom'' is [[TheMockbuster literally]] ''Pokemon'' [[RecycledInSpace if it were set in a fantasy kingdom]], even going as far as to copy a lot of designs from ''Pokemon'' and have them fight with the same elements. Interestingly, ''Roco Kingdom'' actually has more Mons than ''Pokemon'' - the latter has 890 of them as of ''[[VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield Sword and Shield]]'' whereas the former has ''over 2,000''. |
| 163 | [[/folder]] |
| 164 | |
| 165 | [[folder:Music Videos]] |
| 166 | * Music/ImagineDragons parodies the genre in the video for the song "Radioactive", where muppets and plush toys are forced to fight to death in a way which resembles cockfighting. |
| 167 | [[/folder]] |
| 168 | |
| 169 | [[folder:Tabletop Games]] |
| 170 | * The ''TabletopGame/BigEyesSmallMouth'' supplement ''Cute and Fuzzy Cockfighting Seizure Monsters'' is presented (as can be inferred from the title) as something of an AffectionateParody of the genre. Or a mean-spirited one, it's a fine line. |
| 171 | * TabletopGame/CreepyFreaks, an obscure collectible figures tabletop game distributed by Wizkids in 2003. Featuring Monsters Under the Bed, undead cats that spit hairballs, and various other gross UglyCute, strange, and humorous creatures. It supposedly was supposed to be its own show (a disk with the pilot episode is included in the starter pack), but for some reason or another, it never got off the ground. |
| 172 | * Project Nephilim introduces ''TabletopGame/CthulhuTech'''s own take on the anime genre, with genetically engineered mini-mecha horrors that have to be kept under control by [[TheKidWithTheRemoteControl psychic handlers]]. There's also a plethora of spells which allow sorcerers to summon various {{Eldritch Abomination}}s, usually to serve as assassins or bodyguards. |
| 173 | * The elementals of the "Storm Summoners" sample magic system for ''UsefulNotes/{{Fate}}'' (contained in the ''Fate System Toolkit'') have strong shades of this -- calling them up relies on a SummoningRitual, but once successfully summoned and bound they remain so for at least a week and the bond can be potentially extended indefinitely as long as the summoner keeps making the required periodic rolls for that purpose. There's even an optional specialization for training "wisps", the least powerful type of elementals, specifically for tournament fights and the like for entertainment. |
| 174 | * Small-scale games of Creator/PrivateerPress's ''TabletopGame/{{WARMACHINE}}'' and ''TabletopGame/{{HORDES}}'' tend to be duels between two opposing magic users and a handful of either steam-powered robots or giant angry monsters on each side. As the games scale up, though, the robots and monsters stop being Mon so much as units in a larger military force. |
| 175 | ** Played somewhat straight with the Warjacks - if a specific 'Jack is used by a Warcaster frequently for a long period of time, they can gain a level of personality. This is likely what has happened to Stryker's faithful Ironclad Ol' Rowdy and Haley's special Lancer Thorn. Drago could also be viewed as this to Vladimir Tzepeci, and Beast 09 for Sorcha is most definitely this. Likewise, said Warcasters can also get very defensive about particular 'Jacks as well (case and point - this is the reason Haley refuses to have Cygnarian Mechanics "examine" Thorn). |
| 176 | * The ''TabletopGame/MagiNation'' franchise, which is basically ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY meets]] ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. It also has a loose AnimatedAdaptation [[WesternAnimation/MagiNation of the same name]] produced by Creator/CookieJarEntertainment. |
| 177 | * ''TabletopGame/{{MajiMonsters}}'' is an RPG set in a fantasy world where you play as a binder, someone with the ability to bind monsters to your service by capturing them in specially prepared crystals. Sort of a cross between ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' [[JustForFun/XMeetsY and]] ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''. |
| 178 | * ''TabletopGame/MonstersAndOtherChildishThings'' presents a setting in which the mon are things like dark and malevolent forgotten gods and [[CosmicHorror Lovecraftian]] abominations against the order of our reality. Unlike some examples, it has a strict "one monster per kid" rule, so there's no collecting or catching. |
| 179 | * The ''TabletopGame/MutantsAndMasterminds'' supplement based on Japanese media, ''Mecha and Manga'', has a chapter devoted to this concept. |
| 180 | * ''Mystical: Kingdom of Monsters'' is a setting for ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragonsFourthEdition'' and ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' that focuses on capturing and training Mons, even allowing you to play as one. |
| 181 | * ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has the Summoner class, which operates on the "one Mon per person" route (barring a certain archetype that uses many weak versions of them to ZergRush the enemy). This class is essentially a type of [[OurMagesAreDifferent mage]] who [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin specializes in]] SummonMagic, along with their signature ability to summon a specific type of outsider known as an Eidolon. Their class gimmick is based around forming and utilizing a personal summoned ally that they are [[BondCreature bonded to]], as well as spending Evolution Points that they gain to strengthen and versify said ally. The base creature can be anything from an angel to even a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]]. |
| 182 | * Let's not forget ''TabletopGame/{{Pokethulhu}}'': Mons with a [[EldritchAbomination Mythos]] spin. |
| 183 | [[/folder]] |
| 184 | |
| 185 | [[folder:Video Games]] |
| 186 | * [[TropeMaker Started]] with the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' series of [=JRPGs=], where the main characters recruit [[OlympusMons demons, angels,]] {{Cosmic Horror}}s and {{Physical God}}s to fight alongside them, [[DeconstructorFleet only for everything to go horribly wrong because of it]]. |
| 187 | ** TropeMaker ''Digital Devil Story: VideoGame/MegamiTensei'' back in 1987. Interestingly, both the [[Literature/DigitalDevilStory original novels]] ([[AdaptationDisplacement yes, the series is based on novels]]) and the game are themselves viewed as {{Deconstruct|edTrope}}ions in retrospect, making the Mon trope {{Unbuilt|Trope}}. |
| 188 | ** The spinoff ''Franchise/{{Persona}}'' series features AnthropomorphicPersonification OlympusMons that come from ''inside your head''. ''VideoGame/Persona5'' also allows you to directly recruit enemies to your cause, rather than picking up card versions of them first. |
| 189 | ** ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'' offers a horrific {{Deconstruction}} of Mon games that sprang up in the wake of ''Shin Megami Tensei'', as it features all the trappings of Pokemon type games, but then goes on to demonstrate how kids and adults being able to call deadly creatures out of handheld devices would inevitably lead to ''mass chaos and death''. |
| 190 | ** On the other side of the coin, the earlier ''VideoGame/DevilChildren'' games were SMT games cut from the same cloth as Pokémon and intended to be LighterAndSofter for kids to discover the franchise. Though the Japanese-only Red, Black and White Books had stories that were more-or-less about angels [[TykeBomb turning human children into soul-less killing machines]] to wage war against the demons. |
| 191 | ** ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIf'' meanwhile featured high school students wreaking havoc on each other with demons and spirits after a JerkAss sends them all to Hell. |
| 192 | * ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'', and ''VideoGame/MonsterRancher'' are the flagship Mon series, in part due to all being licensed and released around the same time in North America and all having "mon" in their name (not to mention have/had their own [[TheAnimeOfTheGame Anime]]). Comparing the three shows the diversity of the genre. ''Pokémon'' came out the victor in terms of popularity, which [[MisBlamed led the others to be thought of as "Pokémon knockoffs"]]. |
| 193 | * This trope is very popular in online games from China. One notable example is Taomee's ''VideoGame/{{Seer}}'', a browser MMORPG with a Pokémon inspired battle system, which started a string of similar games. |
| 194 | * The Summons in the various ''Franchise/FinalFantasy'' games occasionally resemble Mons, particularly in ''VIII'' and ''XIII'' where [=GFs=]/Eidolons are both closely tied to the characters and play a notable role in plot. There are a few games in particular that go deeper with this idea though. |
| 195 | ** ''[[VideoGame/FinalFantasyXII Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings]]'' has most of your troops being summoned monsters. The main characters also fight, but the main point is using these summoned monsters that you steadily gain a better selection of by recruiting them from a ring with auracite. |
| 196 | ** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'' makes use of a Franchise/{{Pokemon}}-esque gameplay feature that involves capturing and training the random battle monsters that usually plague you out in the field and then using them as a de facto third character alongside Serah and Noel. Using downloadable content, you can even have them fight alongside playable characters from the previous game, though the gameplay mechanic still treats them like summoned monsters. This can result in Serah telling her own fiancee "You deserve a treat!" |
| 197 | ** ''VideoGame/WorldOfFinalFantasy'' is filled with this pretty much from the start and the Mons are known as "Mirages" here. Many of them are familiar ''Final Fantasy'' creatures and mascots, and part of the game's gimmick is that you can "stack" them in battle. Also, the game opens with it being stated that the main characters actually [[spoiler:had "caught 'em all" in the past, but then lost 'em]]. |
| 198 | * ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'' is a VisualNovel set in the {{Franchise/Nasuverse}} where the main characters summon and command "Servants" (the souls of former heroes, now in various RPG-esque classes) and [[ThereCanBeOnlyOne battle it out Highlander-style]] for the Holy Grail. |
| 199 | ** Taken to its ultimate conclusion with ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' where now, you can literally [[GottaCatchThemAll get them all.]] |
| 200 | * Nintendo has also taken some of its JRPG's in this direction; ''VideoGame/FireEmblemHeroes'' allows you to collect and summon various heroes from the ''Fire Emblem'' universe, while ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles2'' does the same thing with its [[LivingWeapon Blades]], but as a non-monetized single-player system. |
| 201 | * ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{CustomRobo}}'' are both Robot versions of the standard Mon design. Medabots anime and games being a cross between ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' and ''Pokémon'' when it comes to making fighting Robots for Children {{Serious Business}}. |
| 202 | ** Medabots somewhat [[JustifiedTrope justified]] it as the Medabots are [[MyLittlePanzer ARMED WITH ACTUAL ARMATURE]], especially the game and the manga. |
| 203 | ** Custom Robos started as [[MundaneUtility tools for work and toys to play with]], but they became very hard to combat conventionally once effective weapon systems were developed for them. |
| 204 | * In ''VideoGame/Onmyoji2016'', Mons are called ''[[UsefulNotes/{{Onmyodo}} shikigami]]''. |
| 205 | * ''VideoGame/{{Geomon}}'' is a mobile phone based game where you catch spirits using GPS. |
| 206 | * The ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'' DS remake allows you to raise a monster which can become pretty much any enemy in the game, although sadly you can only own one per save state. |
| 207 | * The [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Chao]] of the ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' series in the first two ''Adventure'' games. Collected as eggs ingame or online, raised with fruit to eat and small animals/drivers to influence stats and looks, can be bred, grow up and change appearance based on stats and looks, and used for contests like racing and sparring. If raised correctly, Chao can evolve into [[OlympusMons Chaos Chao]], immortal beings with superb stats. |
| 208 | * ''VideoGame/AzureDreams'' is a game where a human takes monsters with him to fight other monsters in a tower. You need monsters as your stats reset every time you return to town. It is a more hands on form of this genre. |
| 209 | * Although it's not a Mon series, per se, both ''VideoGame/SummonNight'' and its spinoff ''Swordcraft Story'' have elements of it, as in the setting, humans can't use magic directly, and have to rely on various summoned creatures to provide it. |
| 210 | * In the ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork'' series, Net Navis are intelligent computer programs relied upon for using the internet and fixing or utilizing all manner of electronic equipment, as well as a battle game with its own special equipment. It functions basically as a Type 2. |
| 211 | ** In the third installment, you can collect viruses that can be summoned to perform a single attack while in battle. The sixth installment, however, goes all the way with it, implementing a virus battling minigame and having you find special viruses to use for it as rare RandomEncounters throughout the net. |
| 212 | ** All of this was later continued in ''VideoGame/MegaManStarForce''. |
| 213 | * ''VideoGame/YokaiWatch'' has the player finding, defeating and collecting {{youkai}}-themed mons with the help of a wrist-mounted device that renders them visible. |
| 214 | * Even ''Franchise/DragonQuest'' got into the Mon craze by releasing the Game Boy games known as ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'', where one can capture and raise many of the enemies in the game, including an entire family based on the Slime... although even before this -- and before ''Pokémon'' -- ''VideoGame/DragonQuestV'' and ''VideoGame/DragonQuestVI'' let you recruit and train monsters. |
| 215 | * ''VideoGame/DinosaurKing'' is this with dinosaurs. |
| 216 | * Predated by ''VideoGame/KouchuuOujaMushiking'' from the same company (built around insects, hence "Mushi") |
| 217 | ** ''Mushiking'' was popular enough to have some clones, like Culture Brain's ''Konchuu Monster'' series, arcade game ''Konchuu DASH!!'' or Rocket Company (of VideoGame/{{Medabots}} fame)'s ''Kabutomushi Kakuto: Mushi-1 Grand Prix''. |
| 218 | * ''Konchuu Fighters'' was a BugCatching-themed Pokemon clone that debuted a year earlier than the Mushiking franchise. |
| 219 | * Ditto ''VideoGame/FossilFighters''. |
| 220 | ** And Disney's ''VideoGame/{{Spectrobes}}'', although they're a straighter example in that they aren't based on real creatures. |
| 221 | * ''VideoGame/BillyHatcherAndTheGiantEgg'' has you hatch various creatures called Egg Animals to assist you in your adventure. Some of these animals can even be ridden. |
| 222 | * Oddly enough, ''VideoGame/{{Bomberman}}'' also did this with Charaboms, which also acted as living power-ups for Bomberman during normal gameplay. Started in the Game Boy Color games called ''Bomberman Max''. |
| 223 | * ''VideoGame/MarioParty3'' has a Duel Map Mode where each character essentially has one of the various iconic Mario enemies as their mon. |
| 224 | * ''VideoGame/{{Folklore}}'', where the captured Mons are actually forest spirits. |
| 225 | * ''VideoGame/JadeCocoon'', which was partially designed by Creator/StudioGhibli artists. |
| 226 | * The little remembered ''VideoGame/{{Dokapon}}'', which had a BlindIdiotTranslation but was kind of interesting. When the series was [[{{Revival}} revived]] on the Wii/DS, though, it came back as a mon-free RPG with PartyGame elements. |
| 227 | * ''VideoGame/{{Dragonseeds}}'', a FollowTheLeader version of ''Monster Rancher/Farm''. Most of the monsters didn't look anything like dragons, with some being animated coffins, shakōkidogū, or owlmen. Monsters were created by scanning other Platform/PlayStation save files. |
| 228 | * ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphoniaDawnOfTheNewWorld'' includes a monster-pact system which is pretty much [[JustForFun/XMeetsY Tales of Symphonia meets Pokémon]]. However, the cast of the previous game shows up often enough that there are really only a few bosses and dungeons where you have to make use of the system, if you don't like it. |
| 229 | ** Unfortunately, the Symphonia characters are also {{Crutch Character}}s who only level up at specific points in the plot (and stop leveling up around level 50.) |
| 230 | * ''VideoGame/{{Geneforge}}''. Shaping your own army of creatures, from cute mascot-like tiny dragons to acid-spitting worms to lightning coatl to full-fledged drakes and giants. Almost every character type depends on them in some way or another, and the few types that are designed for operate solo can still make use of them. They can develop along with the character, augmented with more essence, or have their essence reclaimed to build stronger monster types. Under certain circumstances they may go rogue. Different factions have their own ideology regarding their rights to life and freedom, but they never really demonstrate any personality of their own (as of Geneforge 4.) |
| 231 | * The semi-obscure RPG series VideoGame/{{Robopon}} is like ''Pokémon'' '''[[RecycledInSpace with robots!]]''' |
| 232 | * ''VideoGame/EnchantedArms'' has golems you can collect by finding and defeating PreexistingEncounters. All the game's random enemies and some of the bosses are acquireable. Unfortunately the ArbitraryHeadcountLimit makes the golems more or less useless as soon as all four human party members have joined. |
| 233 | * Titans from ''VideoGame/{{Huntik}}''. They're summoned from amulets using the summoner's own [[{{Mana}} magical energy]]. Some are unique, like [[{{golem}} Metagolem]] or Garghoul, while others are common, like Hoplites (lion-centaur-Spartan things) or the Redcaps and Mindrones the Organization {{mooks}} use. |
| 234 | * ''[[VideoGame/TouhouNingyougeki Touhou Puppet Play]]'' (also known as ''Touhoumon''), a ''Franchise/TouhouProject'' ROMHack of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', has you using the girls of the Touhou series much like Pokémon. The ROMHack got a standalone spiritual successor, ''[[VideoGame/GensouNingyouEnbu Touhou Puppet Dance Performance]]''. |
| 235 | * ''VideoGame/{{Telefang}}'' was a Platform/GameBoyColor[=/=]Platform/GameBoyAdvance release loosely based off Pokémon, although it has some ''Digimon'' elements to it. The series is most well-known for the mediocre bootlegs of the original games that actually tried to pass themselves as ''Pokemon'' games. |
| 236 | * ''VideoGame/{{Culdcept}}'' is one of the few mon games/manga where the humans fight just as hard as the monsters. |
| 237 | * ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' has elements of mon games, in that you are able to create monster units if you've killed at least one of that type, though unlike most {{RPG}}s featuring monster allies, they're treated more like full-fledged characters, being able to equip weapons and armor, and possessing unique abilities to make up for the ones they lack in contrast to the humanoids. |
| 238 | * ''VideoGame/NiNoKuni'' features Familiars, which fight alongside the human characters. In the [=PS3=] version of the game, they do all of the fighting in their owner's place while they're active, but as manifestations of their owner's fighting spirit, [[{{Synchronization}} any harm that comes to them affects the owner, too.]] |
| 239 | * ''VideoGame/NiNoKuniIIRevenantKingdom'' does away with most of the Mon aspect because of it's switch to an ActionRPG style approach but still has something akin to this in the form of Higgledies, tiny sprite-like creatures that are the AnthropomorphicPersonification of elements. They either found throughout the world or crafted through a mid-game shop. They offer a wide variety of effects, be it [[GeoEffects temporarily creating areas that give passive effects]], applying buffs to the player characters or healing them, or carrying out special attacks when commanded to by a player character. |
| 240 | * ''VideoGame/{{Invizimals}}'' attempts to bring Mons into RealLife by way of camera. |
| 241 | * ''VideoGame/EternalEyes'' is a mons-based strategy RPG. The monsters are magical puppets. |
| 242 | * ''VideoGame/LilMonster'' and its Japan-only prequel Kandume Monster, though the prequel was also rather "traditional RPG"-ish in its way. |
| 243 | * ''VideoGame/GoldenSun'' has Djinn. While your characters do most of the fighting, the Djinn provide passive stat bonuses, as well as a variety of attacks. |
| 244 | * ''VideoGame/MonsterGalaxy'' and ''VideoGame/{{Outernauts}}'', two Facebook games. |
| 245 | * ''PocketFrogs'' is apparantly this with frogs. Which hatch as miniaturized adult frogs instead of tadpoles. |
| 246 | * ''VideoGame/KingdomHearts3DDreamDropDistance'' has these in the form of the spirit Dream Eaters, [[AmazingTechnicolorWildlife brightly colored creatures]] based on real and mythological animals who exist to rid their dream world of their evil counterparts, the Nightmares. They fight alongside you, provide you with new abilities, and can be a huge source of VideoGameCaringPotential thanks to their adorable reactions to being pet and poked. As is usual for Mons, they can also be battled against each other in the Flick Rush minigame. |
| 247 | * ''VideoGame/MonsterRacers'' is a rare example of a non-combat oriented Mon video game, centering in, well, racing. |
| 248 | * ''VideoGame/MonsterTraveler'' is an obscure Japan-only RPG made by Taito, where you explore a star system alongside monsters called Cosmon (short for Cosmic Monsters) in search of the secret to how they once communicated with the ancients, while avoiding the local bad guy team Dogma Darks. |
| 249 | * ''VideoGame/VivaPinata'' is more of a simulation-style game where you collect strange pinata creatures in a magical garden. Generally, you ''don't'' want them fighting each other. |
| 250 | * ''VideoGame/{{Bugsnax}}'' is in a similar vein - while it's mostly an adventure game, the campy aesthetic, puzzles, and GottaCatchThemAll strongly take after ''Pokemon'', complete with PokemonSpeak and a system based on ''VideoGame/PokemonSnap''. |
| 251 | * Familliars from ''VideoGame/KingdomOfLoathing'' have a shade of this, being mostly pets who randomly use a unique attack or other benificial effect. They are not, however, the focus of the game, and you can only watch them dog-fight in a certain area (however, a noncombat adventure where it looks like you may obtain a large number of rare familliar larvae has your character extatic, and some players may adopt a GottaCatchThemAll attitude), and the Pastamancer-exclusive Pasta Guardians go the one-per-person route (although their nemesis quest gives you an item that lets you switch [=PG=]'s without nuking your progress with your first one). There is also [[http://kol.coldfront.net/thekolwiki/index.php/Pokemann Pokëmann]], a parody of Pokemon, which is a set of figurines that your Pen Pal (if you have one) randomly sends you. |
| 252 | * The Platform/SegaDreamcast game ''Kiteretsu Boy's Gangagan'' has a total of 144 different Mons (or ''kotodamashi'') with some derived from Myth/JapaneseMythology figures. A unique factor for this game is a bundled microphone that must be spoken to during battles, with the mons shouting Japanese words to the opponent to inflict damage. You play as your ''kotodamashi'' in a minuscule size in different environments to find, battle and capture other mons. |
| 253 | * ''VideoGame/DragonIslandBlue'' is basically ''VideoGame/DragonQuestMonsters'' for the iPhone. Differs by being a Type 4, however - mons are considered living weapons and tightly controlled by the Trainers Guild, with the tools necessary to capture and control monsters (special, magical cards) available only to properly-licensed trainers. Sadly, at some point, the Trainers Guild has turned into TheEmpire, and now they enforce their edicts with armies of powerful monsters led by top-ranked Trainers... resulting, of course, in the forming of LaResistance, who sell stolen or bootlegged Cards on the BlackMarket and encourage Guild Trainers to [[HeelRealization wake up to the Guild's tyranny]] and defect. Guess which side [[VillainProtagonist you]] are on. |
| 254 | * ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'' features Noise, which are ultraterrestrial manifestations of negative soul energy in the form of animals such as frogs, hedgehogs, and elephants. Though naturally forming, Reapers ([[spoiler:and, with the right pins, Players]]) can create Noise. Because of this, most of the game is Player vs. Mons, but once you get [[spoiler:Rhyme's pin]], battles can become Mons vs. Mons and Mons. vs Opponent (though it's a tad difficult to aim the Noise). |
| 255 | * ''VideoGame/BraveFrontier'' has them in the form of summons. They may be either collected in a form of defeated enemies or obtained through Honor Summon and are usually used in battles, if not as a fusing or evolving ingredient. |
| 256 | * Sega's smartphone game ''Dragon Coins'' is based around collecting mons which fight using a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coin_pusher#Pusher_game_type coin dozer]] battle system. |
| 257 | * Like Brave Frontier mentioned above, ''VideoGame/SummonersWarSkyArena'' also has it as the core mechanics of the game. In fact, many have noted the similarity of the game with Brave Frontier. |
| 258 | * The mobile game ''VideoGame/MySingingMonsters'' replaces combat with musical performance. |
| 259 | * In ''VideoGame/ElementalStory'', the characters that the players collect are called monsters and they function as such. |
| 260 | * ''VideoGame/MailOrderMonsters'', for the Platform/Commodore64, was a surprisingly early Western example. |
| 261 | * In ''VideoGame/MocoMocoFriends'', the monsters are adorable plushies that you can befriend after battle. |
| 262 | * The mobile RPG ''VideoGame/{{ZENFORMS}}: Protectors'' has ZENFORMS as Mons. However, unlike Pokemon, they evolve based on how you train them stat-wise. |
| 263 | * An early Western example is the ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' game ''Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna'', in which the eponymous Werdna must rely on monsters summoned at pentagrams found throughout the levels to survive against her adversaries. |
| 264 | * ''VideoGame/BlenderBros'' is a game with a side-focus on mons instead of them being the main aspect. The main character, Blender, can collect small creatures called Mini Bros (who are said in some places to be beneficial [[CuteMachines cute robots]]) which act as powerups for him. They can also evolve by... listening to music. |
| 265 | * ''VideoGame/VantageMaster'' is a subversion - while you can summon monsters to fight for you, you're also on the field, so you can be attacked yourself. |
| 266 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Dragonica}}'', you can create miniature versions of monsters to accompany you, and, with the help of equipment, have them fight with you. |
| 267 | * The Astromons of ''VideoGame/MonsterSuperLeague''. |
| 268 | * ''VideoGame/ShiKongXingShou'' is a Chinese bootleg of ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'', but the monster partners that can only be used by their assigned human companion idea comes from ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}''. |
| 269 | * In ''VideoGame/PuzzleAndDragons'', defeated monsters can be collected by the player and used on his own team. |
| 270 | * Subverted in ''VideoGame/MetalWalker'' - you can't catch the Busters, although your Walker can evolve. |
| 271 | * The Doodles of ''VideoGame/MagicPengel''. Uniquely, you get to design your own monsters, although the game does provide presets if you so wish. |
| 272 | * ''VideoGame/TheDenpaMen'' has an unconventional take on this, as you catch the Denpa Men in real life using the 3DS's AR camera around radio waves. |
| 273 | * In ''VideoGame/SphinxAndTheCursedMummy'', you can capture monsters and release them later to perform an attack against other monsters. |
| 274 | * ''VideoGame/MonsterSanctuary'' is a game that combines this genre's typical gameplay style with {{Metroidvania}} platforming. |
| 275 | * In ''VideoGame/MonsterStrike'', you assemble a team of monsters and use them as marbles in order to attack enemies by colliding with them. |
| 276 | * In ''Catcha Beast'', you can use the handheld device to locate invisible beasts, hook them, reel them in until they appear on screen, then battle them in order to train them or exchange them with friends. |
| 277 | * ''Evo Creo'' is a monster collection/ battling game which takes place in the world of Zenith, a world populated with monsters called Creos. The game is similar to Pokémon, but emphasizes deeper gameplay and monster customization. |
| 278 | * ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterStories'' puts this spin on the popular ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' franchise. In this game, Riders use special stones to form bonds with monster eggs, hatching them into stunted versions of their adult forms that they can ride into battle and teach powerful attacks. True to the genre's LighterAndSofter reputation, the game features cel-shaded graphics and much younger protagonist and supporting characters than are found in the mainline series. |
| 279 | * ''Bakutsuri Bar Hunter'' is a Nintendo 3DS game where players use a camera to scan barcodes for "bar soul" lifeforms which live in the "barcode ocean", then use a fishing rod add-on to capture the creatures. |
| 280 | * One of the mechanics of ''VideoGame/SakuraDungeon'' is the 'capture' mechanic, which enables the player to capture monster girls they encounter and add them to their party. |
| 281 | * The Miasmon of ''VideoGame/TamingDreams''. |
| 282 | * In ''Planet Centauri'', the player can capture and tame monsters to fight by their side. |
| 283 | * The Guadias of the "Guadia Quest" mini-game in ''VideoGame/RetroGameChallenge''. They're pretty limited compared to most other examples, however: each one has a fixed level of strength, you can only have one at a time and they mostly exist to give you an additional attack, heal or stat increase every few turns. |
| 284 | * The Sushi Sprites of ''VideoGame/SushiStrikerTheWayOfSushido''. |
| 285 | * The pets of ''VideoGame/{{Fantage}}'', although they can't be used to battle. |
| 286 | * Monsters in ''VideoGame/RainbowSkies'' sometimes leave eggs behind once they've been defeated, and the monsters which hatch from said eggs can then join the party. |
| 287 | * ''VideoGame/RhapsodyAMusicalAdventure'' allows you to capture monsters as well as having you command various puppets you collect throughout the game to do battle. |
| 288 | * ''VideoGame/ArkSurvivalEvolved'' could be considered a Western example, albeit one with more emphasis on survival and combat than on bonding with the creatures themselves. The premise still fits, since you tame wild creatures-- some based on real animals, some fictional-- and use them for combat and other purposes. |
| 289 | * ''VideoGame/AzurLane'' dances around this trope with sapient summoned beings, with StarterMon shipgirls who are selected at the start as Commanders progress through the story, collect more ships, and challenge other Commanders with their own fleets in [=PvP=] exercises. The shipgirls themselves are just [[SpaceshipGirl ships manifested as humans]], but the Commander has authority over even ships acknowledged as royalty. The ''WebAnimation/KizunaAI'' collaboration event explicitly notes that Kizuna herself must've been a commander with her own set of ships that are fought later in the event, cementing this trope. |
| 290 | * The Yabi from ''VideoGame/AolaStar'' - it IS a Franchise/{{Pokemon}} knockoff. |
| 291 | * The ''VideoGame/BokuNoNatsuyasumi'' series, although primarily 1970s summer vacation simulators, features BugCatching (Pokemon's inspiration) as one of its main characteristics: a few of them, mostly beetles, can be pitted in sumo matches on a makeshift ''dohyō'' ring (usually a tambourine). The fourth entry, set a decade later, adds ''[[Manga/{{Kinnikuman}} kinkeshi]]''-like eraser toys[[note]]Actually, ''keshigomu'' are rubber toys - the "gomu" (eraser) part supposedly came from children [[NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught bringing them to school as erasers]]. However, [[OpenSecret they were banned in a lot of schools anyway]] - something similar happened with Platform/GameAndWatch devices a time later.[[/note]] that "fight" on a cardboard box tapped by the children until one of them loses balance. |
| 292 | ** AlternateCompanyEquivalent ''Houkago Shounen'', as a city-based game, pushes the toy collecting theme further with ''menko'' cards / milk caps and ''supercar keshigomu'' toys (the ''kinkeshi'' craze's predecessor) that can compete in ballpoint pen-powered races or sumo matches. |
| 293 | * In a unique twist to the typical [[LimitBreak Photon Blast]] mechanic commonly featured in the ''VideoGame/PhantasyStar'' series, ''VideoGame/PhantasyStarNova'' features a pseudo-Mon mechanic where the gigantic, towering boss monsters that serve as the focus of the game's plot can also be captured by the heroes and used as the {{Limit Break}}s instead. They come in numerous different forms and types and each boast unique effects that can turn the tides of battle. As opposed to raising a RobotBuddy to power up your LimitBreak, you strengthen the effects by capturing higher level bosses. |
| 294 | * ''VideoGame/SpaceStationSiliconValley'' is unique in that the mons consist of animal robots that you can possess through a robotic chip, although you'll usually need to battle them until they break down to do so. Every creature has its own set of stats and abilities, and some even possess upgraded variants. |
| 295 | * ''VideoGame/DragonCity'' is a mobile game about, as one might guess it, [[CaptainObvious a game about dragons]]. [[OurDragonsAreDifferent And there's a treasure trove of variety to go around to boot]]! |
| 296 | * The developers of ''VideoGame/MonsterCrown'' claim that it's a "Monster Taming Game with True Crossbreeds". While there's not an infinite number of permutations, players can indeed breed the monsters they tame and end up with creatures that have appearances and elemental affinities that represent both of their parents. |
| 297 | * In ''VideoGame/{{Nexomon}}'', the titular creatures can be captured using devices called Nexotraps and trained to fight other Nexomon. Many of them can also evolve into stronger forms when they reach certain experience levels. The player character is a Nexomon Trainer. |
| 298 | * ''VideoGame/NexomonExtinction'' is the third game in the ''Micromon'' series developed by MOGA. |
| 299 | * ''VideoGame/{{Coromon}}'' is a series in which the player takes the role of a mon researcher, tasked with studying the six [[PhysicalGod elemental Titans]] scattered across the continent. |
| 300 | * ''VideoGame/XanderTheMonsterMorpher'' is a top-down action RPG where the player can catch and play as every enemy monster, right down to the final boss. |
| 301 | [[/folder]] |
| 302 | |
| 303 | [[folder:Web Animation]] |
| 304 | * ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'''s anime-style 20X6 mirror universe turns the Cheat into the "Cheatball", who later appeared as a character in a ''Pokémon''-inspired CollectibleCardGame. |
| 305 | -->'''Stinkoman:''' Uh, did I win? Does anyone know how this game works??? |
| 306 | * The Pokémon card game was parodied again in ''WebAnimation/TwoMoreEggs'' with "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zf0tRZC3q0 Qblepon]]". In this case we get to see a dozen of its very bizarre characters, though very little can be gleaned about the gameplay. |
| 307 | [[/folder]] |
| 308 | |
| 309 | [[folder:Webcomics]] |
| 310 | * ''Webcomic/AlienDice'' is a webcomic that advertises itself as being Pokémon ''{{In Space}}'', but it's actually a {{deconstruction}}, showing the brutal side effects of having evolving monsters, [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman self-aware sentient creatures as slaves]], and the side effects of being captured and imprisoned in an itty-bitty dice would have on your body and your psyche. It's particularly {{anvilicious}} since the main character ''is'' a Dice. |
| 311 | * ''Webcomic/ButImACatPerson'' is another deconstruction. The Mon owners have jobs, other hobbies, and personal issues to deal with aside from fighting, and not all of them are sure they want to participate in the first place. Well into the third chapter, there's only been one battle, and it was entirely off-panel. |
| 312 | * ''Webcomic/MonsterPulse'' plays with the genre. On paper it's a coming of age story about kids and their mons. The twist being that said monsters are made from the organs and body parts of the main characters. |
| 313 | ** Not to mention, said kids and monsters are being searched for by the organization that created the monsters for reasons unknown. Given the world the series is set in, their intentions are [[GreyAndGreyMorality ambiguous]]. |
| 314 | * ''Webcomic/HiToTsukiToHoshiNoTama'' is about three {{magical girl}}s with "beads" which turn into mons. |
| 315 | * ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' has ''Fiduspawn''. It seems to revolve around monsters that [[ChestBurster reproduce similar to the Xenomorph]] from ''Film/{{Alien}}''. There are also cards, but [[NoodleImplements how they factor in is never explained]]. |
| 316 | * The kreatures of the NotSafeForWork comic ''Webcomic/BattleKreaturez''. |
| 317 | * In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'', the [[https://www.egscomics.com/egsnp/gam-01 Grace-A-Monsters! storyline]] is a parody of ''VideoGame/PokemonRedAndBlue'' featuring variations of Grace as all the mons. |
| 318 | [[/folder]] |
| 319 | |
| 320 | [[folder:Web Original]] |
| 321 | * Website/{{Bogleech}}'s Website/{{Mortasheen}} is this, combined with copious amounts of terror. |
| 322 | * ''Website/{{Neopets}}'', but InUniverse, it is more of a constructed world, since the Mons are the "humans" of Neopia, and owners... well, they don't exist in the storylines on the site. |
| 323 | * Website/FourChan has an ongoing Forum Game by the name of "/v/ermin" (as it started on the website's video game board /v/). People create /v/ermin by hand drawing them and assigning them stats of "Lifes", "Muscle", "Blast", "Guard", and "Fast" plus a special ability. From there, tournaments are hosted on the weekends. What makes /v/ermin unique is that every tournament is hosted by someone that has made their own automated battle simulator and as such every tournament is different. Some even break away from standard turn based battles and host eating contests, races and card game tournaments (wherein the /v/ermin themselves are the ones playing cards, of course). |
| 324 | * ''VideoGame/{{Marapets}}''. |
| 325 | [[/folder]] |
| 326 | |
| 327 | [[folder:Web Videos]] |
| 328 | * Parodied on ''WebVideo/AtopTheFourthWall''. In the "Silent Hill: Dying Inside #5" review, Linkara captures the first Pyramid Head in a Pokeball after weakening it with his cluestick. ("[[PunctuatedPounding *bong* Word! To! The! Wise! Wearing! A! Huge! Freaking! Echo! Chamber! On! Your! Head! Is! Not! Very! Smart!" *bong*]]) |
| 329 | * ''WebVideo/{{Petscop}}'': The game appears to have a focus on collecting strange creatures referred to as Pets. |
| 330 | [[/folder]] |
| 331 | |
| 332 | [[folder:Western Animation]] |
| 333 | * The Jinlins of ''WesternAnimation/{{Battleclaw}}''. |
| 334 | * The BEAST in ''WesternAnimation/BeastKeeper'', like some other examples of this trope, humans can merge with them to become powerful hybrid warriors. |
| 335 | * In ''WesternAnimation/{{Chaotic}}'', the creature scans don't possess sentience, but players do use them to become the creatures for the match and battle with them. Creatures in Perim are not animals but beings that form distinct societies and, of course, wage wars. |
| 336 | * The Scrammers of Creator/{{Nelvana}}'s ''WesternAnimation/DNAce'' are heavily inspired by this trope (to the point where the animation studio behind ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' served as a production consultant for the show). While they are [[LegoGenetics artificial creatures]] created by Ace using his Descrambler, the Scrammers are still Mons in how they are unusual and varied creatures with special powers that Ace trains and bonds with while also having them battle in tournaments (albeit with robots as the enemies) or against villains. |
| 337 | * On another Nelvana series, ''WesternAnimation/DiGataDefenders'', all Stone Casters (except [[CharlesAtlasSuperpower Malco]]) have a Guardian, a creature that they can summon with a certain word or phrase to aid them in battle. They are usually houses in a Guardian Stone but some like Mel's Guardian [[OurDragonsAredifferent Draykor]] can be stored in other objects like a [[MagicalAccessory necklace]]. The heroes' Guardians have been shown to have smaller, cuter forms that they can manifest in outside of battle. Later, Seth, Mel and Rion gain the power to FusionDance with their Guardians. |
| 338 | * Ling-ling of ''WesternAnimation/DrawnTogether'' is a parody of Pikachu that was apparently abused by his trainer who captured him using a bear trap, turned him into a sociopathic killing machine, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking took his dance shoes]]. |
| 339 | * The Ancient Guardians in ''WesternAnimation/GormitiTheLordsOfNatureReturn'', at least in the first season. |
| 340 | * The titans from ''WesternAnimation/HuntikSecretsAndSeekers''. |
| 341 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Monsuno}}'' featured people battling monsters created with alien and animal DNA and sending them out to duel by throwing small hourglass-shaped devices called Cores. |
| 342 | * The experiments in ''WesternAnimation/LiloAndStitchTheSeries'' could be considered this -- many of them have special abilities, and the heroes have to hunt them down. |
| 343 | * The Dream Creatures from ''WesternAnimation/MagiNation'' are summoned to do battle or clear obstacles, akin to normal applications of this trope. Unusually, they have a parallel world they go to when recharging their energies. |
| 344 | * The ''WesternAnimation/LoveDeathAndRobots'' short "[[Recap/LoveDeathAndRobotsSonniesEdge Sonnie's Edge]]" is a different kind of {{Deconstruction}} of this genre. The monsters are just mindless, bioengineered {{Meat Puppet}}s that are remote controlled by the trainers... [[spoiler:except for the protagonist, who is ''not'' a person controlling a monster. She's ''a monster controlling a person''; her mind was [[BrainUploading uploaded]] into her monster after she suffered fatal injuries, and her now brain-dead body is implanted with the same technology used to control the monsters to give the illusion she's still human. This ends up making her a better player than anybody else; unlike all the other trainers, [[HadToBeSharp she's actually fighting for her life in every match and acts accordingly]]]]. |
| 345 | * ''WesternAnimation/{{Slugterra}}'' features people using small creatures called slugs, with different powers, and firing them from guns to duel. Slugs fired from these guns transform into bigger stronger forms, and corrupted slugs called ghouls are present, being the primary tools of the BigBad. They're basically Mons as AbnormalAmmo. |
| 346 | [[/folder]] |
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