History Main / Mon

* The Japanese UrExample is an Edo period OlderThanRadio CollectibleCardGame called ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuta#Obake_karuta Obake Karuta]]'' (''"Monster Cards"''). In the game, a set of cards with depictions of various monsters from Myth/JapaneseMythology would be placed on a table. Each round, players would be given a clue, and attempt to grab the card of a monster who met that clue before their opponents could. At the end of the game, [[GottaCatchThemAll the player with the most cards won]].

* ''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]].

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 Belgian city, or the ''[[CountryMatters mons veneris]]'', for that matter. Also, nothing to do with [[WelcomeToTheCaribbeanMon a stereotypical Caribbean accent]]. Also, {{Film/Rashomon}} is NOT a Mons movie, despite what the sound of the name could make you think.

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 Belgian city, or the ''[[CountryMatters mons veneris]]'', for that matter. Also, nothing to do with [[WelcomeToTheCaribbeanMon a stereotypical Caribbean accent]].

* ''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 said ally possesses a unique pool of to strengthen and versify it. The base creature can be anything from an angel to even a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]].

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has a Summoner class that operates on the "one Mon per person" route (barring a certain subclass 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 said ally possesses a unique pool of to strengthen and versify it. The base creature can be anything from an angel to even a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]].

* The Japanese UrExample is an Edo period OlderThanRadio CollectibleCardGame called ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karuta#Obake_karuta Obake Karuta]]'' (''"Monster Cards"''). In the game, a set of cards with depictions of various monsters from Myth/JapaneseMythology would be placed on a table. Each round, players would be given a clue, and attempt to grab the card of a monster who met that clue before their opponents could. At the end of the game, [[GottaCatchThemAll the player with the most cards won]].

* Let's not forget ''TabletopGame/{{Pokethulhu}}'': Mons with a [[EldritchAbomination Mythos]] spin.
** The ''TabletopGame/BigEyesSmallMouth'' supplement ''Cute and Fuzzy Cockfighting Seizure Monsters'' is another TabletopGames treatment of the genre, presented (as can be inferred from the title) as something of an AffectionateParody. Or a mean-spirited one, it's a fine line.
* 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.
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has a Summoner class that operates on the "one Mon per person" route (barring a certain subclass 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 said ally possesses a unique pool of to strengthen and versify it. The base creature can be anything from an angel to even a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]].
* 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.

* The elementals of the "Storm Summoners" sample magic system for ''TabletopGame/FateCore'' (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.
* ''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}}''.

* ''Anime/{{Gigantor}}'' is probably the earliest example of mon, where the mon is a HumongousMecha -- the very first of the genre.

** 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 ''Franchise/YuGiOh''.

* ''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 Spirits, introduced in ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' are a more traditional example.

* ''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 introduced in ''Anime/YuGiOhGX'' are a more traditional example.

* ''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.

** 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 Pokemon Master, fighting by way of ''Franchise/YuGiOh''.

* ''VideoGame/{{Medabots}}'' and ''VideoGame/{{CustomRobo}}'' are both Robot versions of the standard Mon design. Medabots anime and games being a cross between Franchise/YuGiOh and Pokémon when it comes to making fighting Robots for Children {{Serious Business}}.

* ''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 meets]] ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''.

* ''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.

* ''TabletopGame/MajiMonsters'', an RPG set in a fantasy world where you play a binder, someone with the ability to bind monsters to your service, capturing them in specially prepared crystals - sort of a cross between [[JustForFun/XMeetsY Pokémon and Dungeons & Dragons]].

* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'' has a Summoner class that operates on the "one Mon per person" route (barring a certain subclass that uses many weak versions of them to ZergRush the enemy). This class basically being a type of [[OurMagesAreDifferent mage]] who [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin specializes in]] SummonMagic, with their signature quality being the ability to summon a specific type of outsider known as an Eidolon, their unique class path is based around forming and utilizing a personal summoned ally that they are [[BondCreature bonded to]], along with a second experience pool to buy Evolutions for it. The base creature can be anything from an angel to even a zombie.
* The franchise ''TabletopGame/MagiNation'', which was [[JustForFun/XMeetsY Magic the Gathering meets Pokémon]]. It also had a loose AnimatedAdaptation [[WesternAnimation/MagiNation of the same name]] produced by Creator/CookieJarEntertainment.

* ''TabletopGame/{{MajiMonsters}}'', an RPG set in a fantasy world where you play a binder, someone with the ability to bind monsters to your service, capturing them in specially prepared crystals - sort of a cross between [[JustForFun/XMeetsY Pokémon and Dungeons & Dragons]].
* ''Mystical: Kingdom of Monsters'' is a setting for TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}} and 4th edition TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons focusing on capturing and training Mons, even allowing you to play one.

* The Soul Dolls of ''Manga/{{Legendz}}''.

[-[[caption-width-right:350:"[[Anime/{{Pokemon}} To catch them is my real test, to train them is]]...wait, [[Franchise/{{Digimon}} wrong show]]."]]-]

!!Here are a bunch of Mon Tropes

* ElementalPowers: All Mons have 'em.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Slugterra}}'' features people using small creatures called slugs, with different powers, and firing them from guns to duel.

* ''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.

* The Scrammers of ''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.

* The Paramount Animation film ''Monster on the Hill'' is about a world where "monster wrestling" is a popular sport and focuses on a human protagonist who becomes a manager for a monster.

* While ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'' is normally ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin and features hunting, it has a subseries that includes ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterStories'' and ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterStories2WingsOfRuin'' where the player becomes a Monster ''Rider'' instead, hatching and riding tamed versions of the series' beasts.

* '''Type 2:''' Mons are fully sapient beings who partner with humans to fight a BigBad and SaveTheWorld. Anime series, like ''Franchise/{{Digimon}}'' and ''Anime/MonsterRancher'', tend to use this type. The ''Pokemon'' games sometimes edge into Type 2, especially with the various [[TheMafia evil teams]].

* Music/ImagineDragons parodies the genre in the video for the song "Radioactive", where muppets and muppets are foreced to fight to death in a way which resembles cockfighting.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheGuardiansOfTheLostCode', a Mexican movie from the year 2010, features the Brijes, some sort of magical guardian resembling small animals.