When Monster Hunter was released last December, viewers had no idea what to expect. The film's release had been met with mid to low ratings from critics but has also been given credit for properly adapting the monsters and hunting techniques from the game. While it was adapting the hit Capcom game franchise, director Paul W.S. Anderson also included new elements that made it difficult for even seasoned players to know what was happening.
Another interesting connection that the film has is to the anime portal fantasy genre, or "isekai." The genre typically follows a protagonist who finds themself in another world, either through a portal or following an untimely death. These worlds are usually in a fantasy setting, though that isn't always the case. Monster Hunter's action also greatly parallels the action found in most anime, from fighting giant monsters to brandishing oversized weapons.
In the film, Lt. Natalie Artemis (Milla Jovovich) finds herself transported to a world inhabited by giant and deadly monsters and the hunters sworn to find and destroy them. Much like an isekai, the character is quickly forced to learn the new world's rules as she and her squad are slowly picked off by the monsters. The group of soldiers initially open fire on the creatures that are hunting them, but they quickly discover that everything from rifles to grenades don't hurt the larger monsters.
In a way, this sharp learning curve is reminiscent of that in the anime series KonoSuba, where the protagonist gathers a group of people with various skills to help him overcome the dangers of this new world. However, rather than a group, Artemis meets a hunter (Tony Jaa) who teaches her how to defeat the deadly behemoths. Not long after their first victory, the duo forms a close bond.
While most isekai involve reincarnation in another world, anime like Sword Art Online eliminated that aspect and let the characters venture into the world fully aware of their past. That particular anime also features exciting action that is similar to the battles found in Monster Hunter. One great example can be found in the climactic battle where Artemis squares off against a dragon called Ratholos. Much like in an anime, it takes her and the Hunter's teamwork to take it down.
Whether or not it was intentional, the isekai influences found in Monster Hunter are hard to miss. From the moment that Artemis is transported to another world, it's easy to see where some of the inspiration may have come from. The decision proved to be a great one as it helped introduce many viewers to a whole new world where monsters are real and showed how much fun portal fantasy stories could be.