Cita:Capcom is holding a Monster Hunter 10th Anniversary exhibit in Shibuya (Tokyo) during the month of August. ItÔÇÖs a fabulous event and I suggest you go if you are in Japan (would suggest coming to Japan to see it but we are in the worst month for weather and itÔÇÖs like an oven outside, so I donÔÇÖt recommend traveling here in the Summer).

The opening section is a long hallway. On the right side inside glass cases are all the products from MH, starting from the first game and all the limited edition packages up to MH4 and promotional items for MH4G. Sort of a ÔÇÿhallway of historyÔÇÖ with text on the wall explaining when the games were released and what new monsters/features each game had. On the left side of the hall was a HUGE mural of all the monsters of Monster Hunter, in a size caparison chart. We have these for each MH but this was a giant complete one, with every monster from every game. Very cool.

After the hallways was the first hall, and photos were strictly prohibited. This section had monitors showing video from early development builds, and a ton of art world on the wall, showing how each monster, the locations, and weapons are designed. There was art to show off the monster concepts, their movement patterns, and everything. There were some really interesting facts listed on the wall, some of which that stood out for me were:

- For locations, the staff went to Chile, Argentina, and Scotland looking for inspiration. They had video of the staff doing location research.
- It was first decided that you would have your room in the town start out really bare, like being thrown in the local barn, and as your hunter rank went up youÔÇÖd be given better living quarters. The idea was that being alone would be really lonely so they first decided to have a Mosswine in there with you. However they felt it came off as real living in a dump so they went with a cute pig as the animal to keep you company.
- The Airu (for some reason romanized as AIROU) were planned from the start to be goblin-like creatures. However someone on the team suggested making it a cat, and thus the felynes came to be.
- The game concept started out as a fantasy game so there were classes like Alchemist, Dark Magic user, and more. As they progressed the design it got less fantasy-like.
- They started with designs for Rathalos/Rathian and everything else branched off from there
- Some of the artwork shows really cool weapons that donÔÇÖt exist like maces, dual blade bo-like weapons, etc.

The second part of the exhibit you could take photos (see my posts). A big Gore Magara in the center stood out. On the one corner you had copies of the first monster hunters you could play, then full scale costume designs for the guild sweeties from each game. On another side you had full scaled weapons, photo opportunities with cooking meat and getting your head eaten by Khezu, etc. In the other corner they had a mural of all the monsters and their scientific classifications, and machines that let you simulate the screams of some of the more memorable monsters.

The third hall was just a massive Serlegios hanging from the ceiling and his armor/charge blade on display. A big monitor showed off 2 amazing 5-minute videos they made for the event, and I hope they release them eventually they were cool, showing off all the monsters and locations form the past games.

The final forth hall was just merchandise and they sold the official book for the event, containing all the previous artwork and design pictures they had in Hall 2. As you exit the event they had a special corner to download the 10th anniversary quest (they will release eventually) and a small cafe with MH-related food.

All in all a great event. I highly recommend it if you are in Japan!