User blog comment:BannedLagiacrus/Monster Appreciation Week: Kirin (5th Gen)/@comment-26421638-20180526123926

I've almost forgot that Kirin existed since MH1 and, beside 3rd Gen, appeared in every single game but let's focus on MHW's Kirin. Objectively may be the best revamp of World and possibly the best incarnation of Kirin... But is still a Kirin. 5th Gen Kirin improved itself a lot but I always hated Kirin.

Let's face it: In World Kirin looks amazing and it didn't improved only in terms of graphics, Kirin is literally changed. Its mane and tail isn't a static straight fur anymore, now it moves with a proper physics giving to Kirin a more legendary appearance, the Phantom Beast is considerably bigger from older games, now thunderstorms appears in the sky of Coral Highlands when it's there and after more than 10 years is finally capable to open its mouth!!!1!1!1! Never liked the Design of Kirin because is just a thunderous unicorn (and its isn't new in myths, legends ot even other media) but this pony never looked so good before and now the classification in Elder Dragon is reasonable.

Coral Highlands' BGM surprisingly suits well with Kirin, even if that theme was made for Legiana.

Obviously now Kirin has new moves, new ways for summoning lightnings (even horizontal lightnings!?) and new/reworked animations (now can finally limp). Now rage and armor mode has been separated but now when it activates armor mode boost its summons lighting skills and it's where turns into a living thunderstorm... And a pain in the arse... Thunderblight, Paralysis and Stun will become your worst enemies against a fully-enraged Kirin, one thunder strike makes the difference from a good run into 5 minutes of failplay. ... And is still a Kirin, moves too much (not as much as in the past). Tempered Kirin? Well, that's probably the first real mayor challenge that World has to offer.

Weapons always offered an insane amount of Thunder damage and its GS is still one of my favorite GS, excellent choice for monsters who are weak to Thunder. Armor skills could be better (Thunder Atk Up+Free Element? Meh, especially in World where Non-elemental bonus is a thing). Armor design? Hot air... And I'm almost tired of it...

Overall: Kirin always tried to be original even since MH1, but it always sucked. Sure, generation after generation Kirin improved itself and in World it did a mayor leap forward, good improvements but not enough to make Kirin interesting (but is technically one of the best revamps in World). Original =/= Quality, my unpopular opinion strikes again. In World Kirin is better to see/show rather than facing it. Unless if Capcom surprises me, probably I will never like a Kirin but who knows...