mythical beast; cryptid
Refers to creatures from mythology, folklore, or unconfirmed cryptozoological reports. Often used in fantasy, games, and speculative contexts.
このゲームには多くの幻獣が登場する。
Many mythical beasts appear in this game.
ツチノコは日本の幻
The tsuchinoko is one of Japan's cryptids.
Compound of 幻 (gen, 'phantom, illusion') and 獣 (jū, 'beast'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the word is a modern coinage likely influenced by fantasy and cryptozoology terminology.