Is 貝獣 an actual pun?


貝獣

Does this work out of context? Do these kanji even go together? Would it need
furigana to make the pun apparent? Does it have any unfortunate implications?




It should work as a pun for most native speakers (though not many would think
it was funny). They would not have any problems reading 「貝獣」 as 「かいじゅう」 even
though it is a kun-on combo and they would think it was a shell-related
monster.

I myself was one of those native speakers described above until I googled upon
reading this question today to find out there is already a game named
[貝獣物語{かいじゅうものがたり}](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaij%C5%AB_Monogatari).

Thus, for those familiar with the game, 「貝獣」 might not work as a pun as they
are accustomed to seeing the name.

![enter image description here](https://www.suruga-
ya.jp/database/pics/game/120014521.jpg)

