What Is Monster Hunter? Capcom's Hunting Action RPG Franchise, Explained by Marine

Article

One of Capcom's biggest franchises is expanding across genres and platforms simultaneously in 2026.

A Hunting Action RPG Giant

Monster Hunter is Capcom's hunting action RPG franchise, having sold over 125 million units lifetime as of 2026, making it one of the company's flagship properties alongside Resident Evil and Street Fighter.

Expanding in Every Direction

2026 saw the turn-based spin-off "Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection" release in March, alongside the announced mobile title "Monster Hunter Outlanders" and continued support for mainline title "Monster Hunter Wilds," including a Nintendo Switch 2 version and a planned 2027 expansion.

What To Know

Understanding Monster Hunter as specifically Capcom's IP clarifies ownership when discussing crossovers, spin-offs, or business news about the franchise.

Monster Hunter's massive commercial success specifically on Nintendo handhelds in Japan reflects a distinctly Japanese gaming-culture pattern where certain franchises achieve outsized domestic popularity tied to specific hardware.

What Fans Are Saying

• "125 million units is a massive number for one franchise."
• "A turn-based spin-off is a fun change of pace from the usual action gameplay."
• "Excited for Wilds on Switch 2."

Original Japanese

• 「累計1億2500万本というのは本当にすごい数字です」
• 「ターン制のスピンオフは新鮮な魅力がありますね」
• 「Switch 2版のワイルズが楽しみです」

Easy Japanese

「モンスターハンター」は、カプコンが作る狩りをテーマにしたゲームシリーズです。世界中で人気があります。