Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance will bring several familiar Elder Dragons back to the series, including Kushala Daora, but producer Ryozo Tsujimoto has explained why the popular monster was specifically chosen for the expansion.
According to comments made during an interview at Tokyo Game Show 2026, the decision is closely tied to Capcom’s desire to explore Elder Dragons and the wider lore of the Forbidden Lands.
Ryozo Tsujimoto Explains Kushala Daora’s Return
Speaking with TheGamer, Tsujimoto explained that the base game did not have enough opportunity to explore Elder Dragons and Wyverians. That made Elder Dragons a natural direction for Ascendance, especially because Kushala Daora has represented the concept for much of the franchise’s history.
“Since its appearance in Monster Hunter 2, when we introduced Elder Dragons, Kushala Daora has become a byword for them, and it represents the entire concept.”
Tsujimoto added that Kushala Daora was therefore an obvious choice for the expansion’s themes. The explanation is particularly relevant because Ascendance is expanding the world beyond the base game’s story rather than simply continuing its existing narrative. Capcom has also confirmed that Elder Dragons are central to the expansion’s story, with Kushala Daora, Teostra, Lao-Shan Lung, and the new Elder Dragon Gundoraja among its major additions.
The explanation also provides more context for Ascendance’s direction. Director Takuro Hiraoka previously described the expansion as a “proper evolution” of Wilds, with the team using player feedback to improve areas of the original game while expanding its story and combat systems.
Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is scheduled to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S |
|---|---|
| Developer | Capcom |
| Director | Yuya Tokuda |
