'Monster Hunter' spinoff release date updates: 'Monster Hunter Stories' set for October launch in Japan

"Monster Hunter Stories," the latest spinoff to the widely popular fantasy action role-playing video game "Monster Hunter," will be released in Japan on Oct. 8. Apart from the confirmation of the game's Japan release date, "Monster Hunter Stories" will be accompanied as well with three amiibo figures and an animated show.

Gematsu reported that the most recent "Monster Hunter" spinoff will be available for both physical and digital downloads for Nintendo 3DS in Japan at ¥5,800 and ¥5,546, respectively.

Game developer and publisher Capcom will also release three "Monster Hunter Stories" amiibo figures namely, "One-Eyed Rathalos and Rider (Female)" and "One-Eyed Rathalos and Rider (Male)" for ¥1,800 each, and "Nabiru" for ¥1,200. The company is said to be releasing more amiibo figures later on.

Capcom is also working on updates on language. In a Facebook question and answer, "Monster Hunter" Online (MHO) said that the English translation of the game was supposed to be released on May 30. But due to a pending client update for "Monster Hunter Stories," the team needed to postpone for a few days. MHO noted, "We decided to push the release date after the game's update which is either around May 31st or even 1st of June."

On a related note, the "Monster Hunter Stories" anime titled "Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On" will air on Japanese network Fuji TV also in October during Sundays at 8.30 a.m. According to Anime News Network, the TV channel allotting a morning schedule for an anime will be a first in 10 years.

"Monster Hunter Stories" follows the journey of a young Rider who has a good bond with monsters and holds on to the aspiration of being the world's best Rider. As opposed to Riders, there exist as well the Hunters who, as per their name, are out to chase after monsters.