The Invincible Influence of Dragon Quest's Slimes on the Gaming World

Legendary artist Akira Toriyama has been actively contributing to the realms of gaming and manga for over 40 years. Among his most notable creations are Dragon Ball and the art and design of the Dragon Quest franchise. While the franchise's protagonists hold their own significance, it is the recurring monsters that truly capture the essence of the series. Undoubtedly, the most iconic and influential character, not just within the Dragon Quest universe but in the RPG genre as a whole, is the Dragon Quest Slime.

Ever since the release of the original Dragon Quest game in 1986, the Slime has remained a constant presence, appearing in all 11 titles of the series. Serving as the first adversaries players encounter, the Slimes set the tone for Japanese RPG design, establishing themselves as the quintessential challenge. The fact that the franchise has spawned multiple spin-off titles centered around its monsters, with the Slimes prominently featured in their promotional art, is no mere coincidence. Dragon Quest holds immense importance in the gaming world, and it is the Slime that stands as its most recognizable and cherished icon.

How Dragon Quest's Slime Enemy Became the Face of the Franchise

In his groundbreaking book Understanding Comics, author Scott McCloud explores the concept of icons in visual storytelling. Icons, he explains, can go beyond mere visuals and employ symbols, shapes, and design elements to convey abstract ideas. One prime example of this in the gaming world is Dragon Quest's Slime, an iconic character that instantly brings the entire game to mind for millions of players, even in the absence of any additional information or context.

Interestingly, many of Akira Toriyama's works have achieved a similar level of iconic status. Characters like Goku and Piccolo from Dragon Ball Z immediately evoke thoughts of the popular series without any need for further reminders. When it comes to JRPG protagonists, few are as timeless and easily recognizable as Chrono from Chrono Trigger. While the Dragon Quest games can be categorized into different eras based on their narrative connections, the series has never focused primarily on its human characters. It is in the realm of monster design where Toriyama truly showcases his creativity, with each game featuring a diverse range of incredibly unique and distinct creatures.

The presence of a dedicated spin-off series centered around the monsters in the Dragon Quest franchise speaks volumes about its significance. Among these titles, the Slime stands out as the unmistakable symbol and representative of the Dragon Quest monsterpedia. While numerous spin-offs have emerged from the Dragon Quest series, few have garnered the same level of lasting popularity as the Dragon Quest Monsters series, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Whether it is due to the creature's unique design or its inherent appeal to players, the utilization of the Slime as the iconic face of the Monsters spin-offs has undoubtedly played a role in its success. Together with the Final Fantasy series, the Dragon Quest games have pioneered and established the design elements that have become standard in Japanese-developed RPGs.

The Final Fantasy series is well-known for its iconic creatures, including the Chocobo and Moogle, which have been a constant presence throughout the franchise. However, it is important to note that neither the Chocobo nor Moogle originated from the first Final Fantasy game. This distinction belongs to the Slime, which has a strong connection to the Dragon Quest franchise. Fans are eagerly anticipating news about Dragon Quest 12, and it is highly likely that the reveal will be accompanied by an image of the Slime.

An exciting release is set to take place on December 1 for Nintendo Switch, as Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince will become available.