Best Nopon In The Xenoblade Chronicles Series

Summary

• Nopon characters in Xenoblade provide comic relief and support to main protagonists.
• Standout Nopon characters like Monopon, Tatsu, and Riki have unique designs and roles.

The Nopon are an iconic part of the Xenoblade Chronicles series. These round, fluffy creatures add comic relief to the games’ narratives, but some Nopon are also great characters in their own right and are a key part of the main cast.

Their adorable character designs and unique way of speaking, meh meh, make them stand apart from the human members of the cast. They may not be the protagonists of Xenoblade’s stories, but the Nopon are always there to support the heroes on their journey. These are our favourite Nopon characters from across the Xenoblade Chronicles games.

8

Nopon Archsage

Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 3

The Nopon Archsage is a recurring Nopon throughout the Xenoblade Chronicles series, offering you battle challenges to attempt with your party. In Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and 3, talking to the Nopon Archsage allows you to take part in Challenge Battles, while talking to him in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition lets you take on Time Attack battles.

The Nopon Archsage isn’t as prominent as other Nopon, but it’s still great to see a familiar face between games. Shulk’s voice actor, Adam Howden, also voiced the Nopon Archsage in his Xenoblade Chronicles 3 iteration.

The Nopon Archsage only appears in the Definitive Edition of Xenoblade Chronicles, not the original Wii version.

7

Monopon

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Did you think Nopon were just cute, fuzzy creatures? Think again, as Monopon puts up a fight in Xenoblade Chronicles 2. She may have a big smile on her face with little fangs, and lovely pastel pink fur, but she’s an extremely tough boss in This Year’s Heropon Challenge Battle.

Monopon’s name is thought to be a combination of Monolith Soft (the developer of the Xenoblade Chronicles games) and Nopon, which is particularly apt, as she is often used as a mascot for the company in Japan.

6

Tatsu

Xenoblade Chronicles X

Tatsu is a Nopon who joins your adventure in Xenoblade Chronicles X, though unfortunately he’s not a playable character. Tatsu has a distinct character design that makes him stand out from other Nopon, as he wears a pair of glasses with swirled lenses to cover his eyes and a pink star on his belly.

Although Xenoblade Chronicles X isn’t set in the same timeline as the other Xenoblade Chronicles games, Tatsu actually makes numerous references to the first game in the series. He calls humans Hom Hom, and even mentions a Nopon prophecy about a Nopon killing an evil god.

5

Samon

Xenoblade Chronicles 3

Samon is a Nopon you meet in the City in Xenoblade Chronicles 3. His fur is bright yellow, and unlike other Nopon, he has a grey moustache, which instantly makes his appearance stand out. He is also the leader of the Seven Legendary Nopon, and asks you to reunite them all as part of a quest.

After you unite them all, he’ll offer to upgrade your weapons (for a price). He’s one of the Nopon NPCs you’ll speak to the most in the game, and with a friendly face like that, it’s always a joy to see him.

4

Nene

Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Flashback)

Nene is one of Riki’s many children in Xenoblade Chronicles. She isn’t an important character in the base game, but she becomes a central character and party member in the DLC, Future Connected.

As one of the oldest of Riki’s children, she helps her mother look after her siblings, and is very protective of Kino. This is also reflected in her role in the party, as she’s a tank and draws in the enemy’s aggro. Alongside her fleshed-out personality, she has an adorable design, with pink fur and matching red bows on her ears.

3

Manana

Manana joins your party as part of a duo with Riku in Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and her specialty is cooking, which is reflected in her character design. She wears a chef’s hat and coat, and her shield is shaped just like a pot lid.

Manana has a bright and positive personality so she’s always able to cheer the other party members up. She’s also very useful in terms of gameplay, as she can cook food for your main party, which provides them with temporary buffs in the battlefield.

2

Kino

Xenoblade Chronicles: Future Connected, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Flashback)

Kino is the cutest Nopon in the entire Xenoblade Chronicles series. End of. He has green and yellow fur, with hair on his head that looks like a budding flower. He has rosy pink cheeks and puppy-dog eyes. His entire design just screams adorable.

He was adopted by Riki and Oka, and dreams of becoming the next Heropon, like his father, which is why he stows away with Shulk and Melia in Future Connected. Though he wants to become the next Heropon, he isn’t much of a fighter, and takes on the role of healer in the party. He is easily one of the sweetest characters in the series, not just out of the Nopon, and is the best part of Future Connected.

1

Riki

Xenoblade Chronicles, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Challenge Battle Boss), Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Flashback), Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed (Flashback)

No other Nopon could take the title of the best Nopon in the series other than Riki, the Heropon himself. He joins Shulk and his party in the first Xenoblade Chronicles game, and despite his cute appearance and silly personality, is one of the strongest playable characters.

However, what everyone knows him for is his huge family, and his huge debt. When you first visit his home in Frontier Village, his wife, Oka, scolds him for leaving her with all her children and no money to feed them. Despite this, Riki has a huge heart, adopting Kino when he was abandoned, and even offering to become a father figure for Shulk. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the funds to support his large family lifestyle…