Ginormous Monster Hunter fan folga has created an incredible fan-made Monster Hunter short movie, entitled Monster Hunter Zero. The movie will make even the most die-hard anti-Monster Hunter want to play. It’s that good.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 owners should check out the “Downloads” section of their options menu today, to discover the first of many new downloadable quests. The PSP title that already provides hundreds of hours of gameplay is back with even more free content, including the quests “Crabs and Monkeys” and “Challenge Quest 1,” and five bonus items, including “Piggie Fashions: Angel Leotard.” You know you want it!

While Monster Hunter has always been most popular with the dedicated fans, the latest installment has been winning over the critics as well. Monster Hunter Freedom 2 receives an 8.5 from 1UP.com, an 8.3 from IGN, and currently has an 82% score overall on gamerankings.com:

1UP.com

IGN

Gamerankings

GameSpy

Serious Japanese Monster Hunter fans recently was able to attend a two-day Monster Hunter Summer Camp from August 14-15. Over 100 hunters who attended were split into 4 groups. Mock exams were given and players were able to play a special quest and acquire an item in game, as well in real life (a t-shirt).

Via Famitsu (Video) and J!-Ent.

Some great stuff is coming out of Japan’s Wonder Festival, not the least of which is this great Airman cosplay…

The show has a (Giga)ton of amazing fan created Monster Hunter figurines on display, some of which you can see on Senaka Blog’s Wonder Festival gallery.

Via Kotaku, Akiba Blog and Senaka Blog.

The new online world of Monster Hunter is LIVE! It’s a-liiiiiive…

I’m jealous. Not only does our breathens in Japan get to play the upcoming MMO Monster Hunter Frontier, they also get these wild and wacky, not to mention tasty, promotions to boot. Capcom Japan is working with Pizza Hut and Glico ice cream to give buyers who purchase their real food with in-game quest rewards. Now I’m hungry.

Thanks Kotaku.

Kotaku’s Brian Ashcraft recently attended a Japanese Monster Hunter Portable 2nd Rally during Japan’s Golden Week. Check out his post for the full adventure, with pictures!

Link.

Japanese gaming magazine, Famitsu, considered the most important gaming magazine in Japan, has honored Capcom with three awards for their Famitsu Awards 2006.

The games under consideration for this year’s awards were games that were released in Japan during the period of January 1st, 2006 through December 31st, 2006. Votes were cast by game players around Japan and the editors from the Famitsu Group of Enterbrain’s publications determined the final awards based on the votes received.

Monster Hunter 2 Dos was awarded for Best Multiplayer Action Game, Dead Rising received an award for Best Impact Game, and Okami received an award for Best Game Design.

Gaming blog Kotaku is reporting the new sales data from Japan for the week of April 9th through April 15th, which was highlighted by Ace Attorney 4 premiering at the top of the chart with 250,186 copies sold. Monter Hunter Freedom 2 continues to do well in Japan as well, coming in at number 15.

Click on the link to go to Kotaku with the full list.

Link.