

Dozens of fantasy and _isekai_ stories have the one-horn-rabbit as a staple
beginner's monster.

![Horned rabbit in the Re:Monster manga](https://i.stack.imgur.com/JRnrUm.png)

Some examples:

  1. _Re:Monster_ (day 4)
  2. _I Said Make My Abilities Average!_ (ch. 19)
  3. _Kenshi o Mezashite Nyūgaku Shitanoni Mahō Tekisei 9999 Nandesukedo!?_ (web novel ch. 22)
  4. _Nidoume no Jinsei wo Isekai de_ (ch. 23)
  5. _Saikyou no Shokugyou wa Yuusha demo Kenja demo naku Kanteishi (Kari) rashii desu yo?_ (ch. 2)

What is the origin of this monster, and why is it so common?


CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-01T21:38:31.927
47263
2020-03-26T01:55:56.577
2018-06-01T22:15:39.653
2516
2808
question
tropes
What is the origin of the one-horned rabbit so common in fantasy and isekai stories?


It's possibly a reference to **[Bunicorn](https://dragon-
quest.org/wiki/Bunicorn), an early-stage recurring enemy in _Dragon Quest_
series**.

> ![bunicorn](https://i.stack.imgur.com/qTcJRm.jpg)
>
> Bunicorns are rabbits with a single horn, parodying the fabled unicorns.
> They have gray fur, and the horn is often a yellowish brown shade. [...].
>
> As enemies typically encountered at the start of a game, Bunicorns are not
> particularly strong, though they typically outweigh the likes of Slimes
> [...].

The creature first appeared on [_Dragon Quest III_](https://dragon-
quest.org/wiki/Dragon_Quest_III:_The_Seeds_of_Salvation) in 1988 (Japanese NES
release).

Considering that _Dragon Quest_ is really popular in Japan, I think this is
the most possible reason for using it as a beginner's monster, as an
alternative to [Slime](https://dragon-quest.org/wiki/Slime).


CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-06-01T22:12:54.933
47264
2018-06-01T22:12:54.933
2020-06-17T09:17:53.303
-1
2516
47263
answer


They're called Al-mi'raj. And they have been around for hundreds of years.
Dragon Quest is only the first game to include them in.

Series could just be using them as a starting monster as a simple DQ
reference... But it could also be because they're like one the most easiest
fantasy animal to kill. The most they can do is scare off wild animals.

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-mi%27raj#cite_note-:0-1>

Wiki doesn't go into much detail about them. So here's another website just in
case you're curious to know more.

<https://abookofcreatures.com/2015/04/15/miraj/>


CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-03-26T01:55:56.577
57075
2020-03-26T01:55:56.577
52452
47263
answer