{{short description|Fictional cat-like race in the Monster Hunter series}} {{Infobox character | name = Felyne | image = frameless|upright=1.1|alt=Anthropomorphic catlike creatures. | caption = Two Felynes from ''Monster Hunter Portable 3rd'' wearing armor | series = Monster Hunter | firstgame = ''Monster Hunter'' (2004) | creator = Capcom | alias = Palico | species = Lynian (Beastman) }}
The '''Felyne''' ({{langx|ja|アイルー|translit=airū}}), is a fictional species in the ''Monster Hunter'' video game series developed by Capcom. Since ''Monster Hunter Generations'', '''Palico''' refers to specific skilled Felynes who accompany player characters, or "hunters", as AI-controlled partners. Felynes have become a popular mascot for the series, and have featured in spin-off games, many cross-promotions with other Capcom and non-Capcom video games, and various Japanese consumer products.
== Characteristics == Felynes are members of the Lynian species of beastmen, which also includes other, similar races like the lynx-like Grimalkynes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Parkin|first=Jeffrey|date=2018-01-30|title=Monster Hunter: World grimalkynes guide|url=https://www.polygon.com/monster-hunter-world-guide-walkthrough/2018/1/30/16948112/mhw-grimalkynes-doodles-lynian-researchers|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Polygon|language=en-US}}</ref> Small in stature compared to humans, they have an appearance similar to the domestic cat, but are fully sentient, bipedal, and can speak the human language. Felynes who partner with a hunter wear miniature suits of armor. Felynes assist the player in cooking meals, maintaining gardens, and returning them to camp if they are defeated in battle.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/1746130/the-latest-monster-hunter-world-trailer-focuses-on-the-cute-cat-companions|title=The Latest Monster Hunter World Trailer Focuses On The Cute Cat Companions|date=2017-12-19|work=CINEMABLEND|access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> Their use as servants also extends to the villages of Riders, humans who tame rather than hunt monsters, where they perform tasks such as farming and animal husbandry.
Several types of designs have been used to represent the Felynes in different media. In addition to the classic, realistic design used in main series games, there is a chibi design used in the spin-off games with an oversized head and large, circular eyes. Designs more resembling cartoons are used in ''Monster Hunter Stories'' for the unique Felyne Navirou and his comrades, The Numbers.
== Appearances == ===Video games=== Felynes have appeared in every game in the ''Monster Hunter'' series. Spin-off games featuring Felynes include ''Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village'', developed by FromSoftware for the Nintendo 3DS,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/03/16/about-that-monster-hunter-felyne-spin-off/|title=About That Monster Hunter Felyne Spin-Off - Siliconera|date=2010-03-16|work=Siliconera|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> which was also bundled with a purple PSP system,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2010/06/01/monster-hunter-felyne-spinoff-bundled-with-hannah-montana-psp/|title=Monster Hunter Felyne Spinoff Bundled With Hannah Montana PSP - Siliconera|date=2010-06-01|work=Siliconera|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> and a PSP version of ''Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo'' called ''Felyne de Puzzle.''<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2012/07/17/capcom-drops-new-video-of-felyne-super-puzzle-fighter/|title=Capcom Drops New Video Of "Felyne Super Puzzle Fighter" - Siliconera|date=2012-07-17|work=Siliconera|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> A mobile game called ''Poka Poka Felyne Reversi'' was also developed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://andriasang.com/comrxa/felyne_reversi/|title=Felyne Reversi is like Reversi but with Felynes!|work=Andriasang|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2018-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212201439/http://andriasang.com/comrxa/felyne_reversi/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Crossovers often involve Felyne outfits based on other video games. For ''Monster Hunter: World'', this included a ''Horizon Zero Dawn'' skin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://heavy.com/games/2018/01/monster-hunter-world-horizon-zero-dawn/|title=Monster Hunter World: How to Get the Horizon Zero Dawn Armor|last=Fennimore|first=Jack|date=2018-01-26|work=Heavy.com|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Other media === Felynes featured in the ''Monster Hunter'' live-action film, with director Paul W.S. Anderson stating that "you couldn't make a ''Monster Hunter'' movie without having a Palico in it" in response to fan concerns that Felynes would be excluded, also saying that "definitely we lean in to the Palico".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Wales|first=Matt|date=2020-10-12|title=Milla Jovovich has "flirtatious relationship" with Meowscular Chef in Monster Hunter movie|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-10-12-milla-jovovich-has-flirtatious-relationship-with-meowscular-chef-in-monster-hunter-movie|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Eurogamer|language=en}}</ref> An unusually large Felyne cook called the Meowscular Chef received notoriety for his appearances both in ''Monster Hunter: World'', and the live-action movie, where he is a sidekick to the Admiral and has a "flirtatious relationship" with Captain Artemis, played by Milla Jovovich.<ref name=":0" /> The Meowscular Chef has been adapted for use as a custom skin in a fan-made mod for ''Monster Hunter World''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lada|first=Jenni|date=2021-05-04|title=Monster Hunter World Mods Make Meowscular Chef Playable|url=https://www.siliconera.com/monster-hunter-world-mods-make-meowscular-chef-playable/|access-date=2022-01-31|website=Siliconera|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Development == The noises of Felynes are created using the real-life vocalizations of cats owned by the games' development team, causing them to compile a library of cat noises stretching back to the original ''Monster Hunter''. The noises are sometimes arranged in order to depict a situation that would be impossible to subject a real cat to, such as being attacked by a monster.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Peppiatt |first=Dom |date=2022-06-02 |title=Monster Hunter Rise Palico noises come from the developers' own (often un-cooperative) cats |url=https://www.vg247.com/monster-hunter-palicos-felynes-real-cat-migya |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=VG247 |language=en}}</ref>
== Merchandise == In 2013, several ''Monster Hunter 4'' figures were given away as prizes in Japan, including ones based on Felynes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://tinycartridge.com/post/43485297897/super-cute-monster-hunter-4-figures-fans-in-japan|title=Super cute Monster Hunter 4 figures |website=Tiny Cartridge |author=Eric Caoili |access-date=2018-02-12|language=en}}</ref> In 2014, a ''Mega Man'' crossover toy was released,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Chris |date=2014-02-19 |title=A Monster Hunter Felyne becomes decidedly more Mega Man |url=https://www.destructoid.com/a-monster-hunter-felyne-becomes-decidedly-more-mega-man-270791.phtml |access-date=2018-02-12 |work=Destructoid}}</ref> a set of Felyne-themed 3DS XL accessories,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/08/these_felyne_themed_3ds_xl_accessories_are_ludicrously_cute|title=These Felyne-Themed 3DS XL Accessories are Ludicrously Cute|date=2014-08-18|work=Nintendo Life|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-GB}}</ref> as well as a 24 karat gold Felyne statue that cost almost $30,000 to celebrate the series' 10-year anniversary.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/08/06/celebrate-10-years-of-monster-hunter-with-a-29-213-felyne/|title=Capcom: Everyone knows that the 10th anniversary is the "golden statue of an angry bipedal kitten" anniversary|work=Engadget|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2017, a highly detailed doll of a Felyne was released by Capcom for 162,000 yen.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kotaku.com/a-incredibly-realistic-monster-hunter-felyne-doll-1797708606|title=An Incredibly Realistic Monster Hunter Felyne Doll|last=Ashcraft|first=Brian|work=Kotaku|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> More unusual products include Felyne toilet paper-holders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.destructoid.com/dump-on-this-monster-hunter-toilet-paper-holders-208173.phtml|title=Dump on this: Monster Hunter toilet paper holders|work=destructoid|access-date=2018-02-12}}</ref> Beyond merchandise, a Felyne-themed car was used to promote the series at the Odaiba Motor Festival.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://andriasang.com/comyy5/|title=Monster Hunter's Felyne Mascot Makes for a Cute Car|work=Andriasang|access-date=2018-02-12|archive-date=2018-02-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180212203005/http://andriasang.com/comyy5/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2022, merchandise featuring the characters was utilized in a public safety promotion as part of an ongoing partnership between Capcom and local Japanese police.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sea.ign.com/monster-hunter-capcom/190969/news/monster-hunter-felynes-fight-crime-with-japanese-police |title=Monster Hunter Felynes Fight Crime With Japanese Police |website=IGN |date=2022-10-04 |accessdate=2023-10-13 |first=Syazwan |last=Bahri}}</ref>
== Reception == Dom Peppiatt of ''VG247'' remarked that Felynes were "cute" and a "staple" of ''Monster Hunter'', saying that the series had a "slight obsession with cats" for a long time. Calling Felynes "small in stature (but big in personality)", he said that "these mascot characters have become integral to ''Monster Hunter''<nowiki/>'s world".<ref name=":1" /> James Whitbrook of ''Gizmodo'' also called them a staple character, as well as "gosh darn adorable" with "incredibly cute armor", and expressed his pleasure that Felynes were featured in the ''Monster Hunter'' film. Praising the depiction of Meowscular Chef in ''Monster Hunter: World'' as "hilarious", he was excited that the character would be brought to the film as a homage, calling the Chef his "new best friend".<ref>{{cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=2020-11-23 |title=New Monster Hunter Footage Is Here, and Palico Palico Palico Palico |url=https://gizmodo.com/new-monster-hunter-footage-is-here-and-palico-palico-p-1845740970 |accessdate=2023-07-20 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref>
Garrett Martin of ''Endless Mode'' praised the Prowler mode in ''Monster Hunter Generations'' which allowed the player to play as a Palico, wishing that it had been integrated into ''Monster Hunter Wilds'', and described every Palico as "perfect from the start", calling his hunter "the most generic RPG character ever designed" in comparison. He went further to say that he wished that the entire game solely featured Palicos instead of humans.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Garrett |date=2025-02-24 |title=Monster Hunter Wilds Would Be Better If We Could Play as the Weird Cat Sidekicks |url=https://www.endlessmode.com/video-games/monster-hunter/monster-hunter-wilds-would-be-better-if-we-could-play-as-the-weird-cat-sidekicks,%20https://www.endlessmode.com/video-games/monster-hunter/monster-hunter-wilds-would-be-better-if-we-could-play-as-the-weird-cat-sidekicks |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=Endless Mode |language=en-US}}</ref> The Palicoes in ''Monster Hunter: World'' received a great deal of social media publicity when their vocalizations attracted the real-life cats of players.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://en.rocketnews24.com/2018/01/31/japanese-twitter-loves-adorable-cats-reactions-to-monster-hunter-worlds-felyne-voice-sounds/|title=Japanese Twitter loves adorable cats' reactions to Monster Hunter: World's Felyne voices【Videos】|date=2018-01-30|work=SoraNews24|access-date=2018-02-12|language=en-US}}</ref> Gene Park of ''The Washington Post'' said that the games had the "scourge of driving real animals up the wall", adding that "pets being distracted or noticing ''Monster Hunter'' games is a tradition among all ''Monster Hunter'' fans with pets."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Gene |date=2021-04-09 |title=Analysis {{!}} Raising the cats and dogs of 'Monster Hunter Rise' is a game on its own |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/tips/monster-hunter-rise-buddies-guide/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The option for them to speak English was added to the later ''Wilds'', though Martin described selecting the option as "utterly deranged", greatly favoring their catlike sounds.<ref name=":2" />
The Palico outfits in ''Wilds'' were described by Sean Martin of ''PC Gamer'' as "extremely weird", including one that gave the Palico squid legs or put their brain in a jar. He described it as "a nice distraction from the fact that Palico builds have kind of been gutted" in the game compared to its predecessor, also lamenting the lack of the Meowscular Chef.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Sean |date=2025-03-07 |title=I'm glad Capcom has continued its tradition of cooking up extremely cursed Palico outfits in Monster Hunter Wilds |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/capcom-cooked-up-some-extremely-cursed-palico-outfits-in-monster-hunter-wilds/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}{{Monster Hunter series}}
Category:Video game species and races Category:Monster Hunter Category:Anthropomorphic cats Category:Video game mascots Category:Video game characters introduced in 2004