Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In this video, I’m reacting to and breaking down the musical genius behind the Red Dragon's theme "Safi'Jiiva" from Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. As a game composer, I was floored by the high-level counterpoint. The way the main melody is traded between sections is so exciting! Oh, and the brass cluster stabs create a sense of pure, calculated malice. This is my kind of battle theme!

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Watch me play and talk more music of Monster Hunter World here: youtube.com/live/RtV8IeQDZis?feature=share

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Watch as I jump on the piano (at 01:02) to strip back the orchestration and show you exactly how this melody works under the hood. 🎹

Game footage credits to Boss Fight Database youtube.com/watch?v=o9-qavsmRBI

#MonsterHunter #SafiJiiva #iceborne

Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:11 Safi'Jiiva Theme part 1
01:02 Piano breakdown of the main melody
01:38 Safi'Jiiva Reaction part 2
05:22 Cluster chords, Call / Respose drama
06:27 Safi'Jiiva Reaction part 3
07:19 Rising tension
07:49 Safi'Jiiva Reaction part 4
15:25 Summary of the Monster Hunter music