Monkey

The Monkeys (おさるさん^?, Osaru-san) are a recurring species in the Rhythm Heaven Series.

Showtime

The first monkey to appear is in Showtime, where it hits a switch to launch a ball for penguins to catch mid-air.

The penguins used to have conflicts with the monkey at one point, not liking how the monkey is the one bossing them around. While one of those penguins was going to the bathroom one night, they heard a banging sound, which turned out to be the monkey training for the show. The next day, the penguins turned their heated emotions into an act^[1].

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	さる	Monkey

Tap Trial

In Tap Trial, there are 2 Monkeys (おさるさん^?, Osaru-san) (known as Tap Partners in Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise) who instruct the Girl on when to tap.

The monkeys are friends with the Giraffe, however, they find it annoying how it stands next to them as they stoically tap dance. After a while, the monkeys seem to have secretly changed their practice location without telling the giraffe^[2].

Under the influence of the girl, the monkeys change their appearance multiple times along with her. The monkeys bring their A game in Tap Trial 2, changing their appearance once again. During one segment in Remix 7, the monkeys get replaced with Buta-san (ブタさん^?, Mr. Pig)^[3]. The monkeys return in Songbird Remix, wearing bird-themed hats. The sprites of the monkeys appear significantly taller than their artwork. In Tap Trial 2P and Tap Trial 2 2P in Rhythm Tengoku (Arcade), only a single monkey appears, as a second girl appears on the far left instead.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おさるさんさる(サル)	Mr. Monkey Monkey
English^NOA	Monkey
English^NOE	Monkey
French	Singes	Monkeys
Spanish	Los monos	The monkeys
German	Affen	Monkeys
Italian	Le scimmiette	The monkeys
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

WarioWare: Smooth Moves

Two Dancing Monkeys (タップモンキーズ^?, Tap Monkeys) make a cameo appearance in the prologue to Young Cricket's stage, Enter Young Cricket, standing next to Mona and her friends at their dumpling stand. Their appearance matches that of Remix 7 and Remix 8 in Rhythm Tengoku, though one is recolored brown like the regular monkeys. Toy versions of the monkeys, alongside another kind of monkey, can be seen in the prologue to 9-Volt's stage, The Multiplayer Test, sitting on the shelf at Toy Express.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	タップモンキーズ	Tap Monkeys
English^NOA	Dancing Monkeys
English^NOE	Dancing Monkeys
French	Les singes danseurs	The dancing monkeys
Spanish	Monos danzarines	Dancing monkeys
German	Tanzaffen	Dancing monkeys
Italian	Scimmie ballerine	Dancing monkeys
Korean	댄서 몽키즈	Dancer Monkeys

Fan Club

In Fan Club, there are several monkeys that make up Pop Singer's fan club, one of which is the player. They are taught by the #1 Fan (リーダー^?, Leader) how to follow Pop Singer's cues. The monkeys return in Remix 1, Fan Club 2, Remix 7 and Donut Remix, each time with a different appearance.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	リーダー	Leader
English^NOA	The #1 Fan
English^NOE	The #1 Fan
French	Plus grand fan	The biggest fan
German	Der Oberaffe	The Upper Monkey
Italian	Il fan sfegatato	The diehard fan
Korean	팬클럽회장	Fan Club President

Freeze Frame

In Freeze Frame, three monkeys stacked up on each other show up as Racing Fans that form a crowd to block the player's view. In Rhythm Heaven Megamix, there are many more monkeys of various colors.

Hole in One

In Hole in One, Monkey (おさるさん^?, Osaru-san) is seen with his friend, Mandrill, working as a professional golf coach for the Golfer. Since it's the first Rhythm Game in Rhythm Heaven Fever, he introduces the player to the concept of rhythm.

He returns in Remix 1, where his fur is white and he wears a top hat. In Lush Remix he wears an explorer's hat. In Hole in One 2 and Remix 9, his fur changes to pink and red respectively, and is now coaching a lady golfer.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おさるさん	Mr. Monkey
English^NOA	Monkey
English^NOE	Monkey
French	Le singe	The monkey
Spanish	Monito	Monkey
German	Äffchen	Monkey
Italian	Mr. Scimmia	Mr. Monkey
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

Tambourine

Monkey (おさるさん^?, Osaru-san) is the leader in Tambourine. He plays the tambourine and the player must repeat him. He is stated to love music more than bananas^[5]. He mainly speaks in ooks but can also speak English^[6]. In Remix 2, a Monkey like those from Tap Trial 2 appears in his stead, and in Remix 9, Monkey returns with all white fur. In the Two Player version of Tambourine, a blue monkey appears for Player 1, and an orange one for Player 2.

In Police Call, inputting the code word BIRDS brings up audio of the monkey attempting to play Tambourine with a Huebird. The Huebird keeps ending every pattern with the squawk call from its own Rhythm Game, so the monkey eventually finishes a pattern with the same squawk call so that the Huebird can correctly follow before the call ends. A Rhythm Monkey Hat, based on the monkey from Tambourine, appeared as one of the unlockable outfits in StreetPass Mii Plaza.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おさるさん	Mr. Monkey
English^NOA	Monkeys
English^NOE	Monkeys
French	Les singes	The monkeys
Spanish	Monos	Monkeys
German	Tamburinäffchen	Tambourmonkey
Italian	Le scimmiette	The monkeys
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

Board Meeting

In Remix 2's version of Board Meeting, there is a small monkey wearing glasses and a small pink dress replacing the Assistant. Instead of saying "One, two, three!" the monkey says "Oo-ookii!". She can be seen again holding onto Mandrill's hair in the Remix 9 version of Hole in One 2, where her pink parts turn red.

Monkey Watch

In Monkey Watch, there are many Small Monkeys (おさるさん^?, Osaru-san), also known as Watch Monkeys in Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise.

They keep the time on the Monkey Watch products. The player, who is one of the monkeys, rides the watch's clock hand and "high fives" the other monkeys as they pass by them. There are also ones which high five on the off-beat, who look like purple versions of the monkeys from Tap Trial 2. A single Small Monkey also rides in a hot air balloon at one point. In Remix 2, the Small Monkeys are high-fiving on a giant, Big Ben-esque clock, suggesting these are the size of a normal monkey.

The purpose of the Monkey Watch as a product is to make the user happy while looking at it, as the ads claim it to be "medically impossible" to frown after doing so, citing "We asked some science guys about it!" as proof. Using Monkey Watch continuously may make the monkeys tired, so it is suggested users to give them rest and the occasional banana for more accurate timekeeping. It is never claimed to be useful for time management however, and can cause people to forget about time and stare at the cute monkeys^[7], which can lead to them being late^[8]. When the watch itself gets worn out, it is fixed by replacing the monkeys themselves^[9]. Mr. Upbeat also seems to use the Monkey Watch as a therapist^[10].

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おさる	Monkey
English^NOA	Small Monkeys
English^NOE	Watch Monkeys
French	Les singes tapeurs	Tapping monkeys
Spanish	Monos del reloj	Watch monkeys
German	Alarmäffchen	Alarmonkey
Italian	Le scimmiette	The monkeys
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

Exhibition Match

Before the last ball is thrown in Exhibition Match, the curtain in the middle of the arena rises to reveal the Monkey (おさるさん^?, Osaru-san), also known as the Monkey Umpire (サルの審判^?, Saru no Shinpan), who was catching the Pitcher's baseballs and dropping them to the Slugger all along.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おさるさんサルの審判	Mr. Monkey Monkey Referee
English^NOA	Monkey Monkey Umpire
English^NOE	Monkey Monkey Umpire
French	Le singe Arbitre	The monkey Referee
Spanish	Monito Árbitro	Monkey Referee
German	Äffchen	Monkey
Italian	Scimmia	Monkey
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

Clap Trap

A yellow Small Monkey makes a small appearance in Clap Trap, holding on to the branch that comes down at times from behind the Clap Trap Doll.

Game & Wario

In the GAME & WARIO Prologue, when Wario flips the channel on his TV to a news report for a new game, a Monkey can be seen among the crowd.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おさるさん	Mr. Monkey
English^NOA	Monkey
English^NOE	Monkey
French^NOA	Le singe	The monkey
French^NOE	Le singe	The monkey
Spanish^NOA	Mono	Monkey
Spanish^NOE	Mono	Monkey
German	Äffchen	Monkey
Italian	Scimmia	Monkey

Animal Acrobat

In Animal Acrobat, the monkey (おサル^?, Osaru) swings on elephants and Giraffes to earn his stripes as an official Animal Acrobat at the circus. He later appears in Donut Remix with blue fur and a cowlick, where he is shown to love donuts. In Final Remix, he shows up riding a cloud through Munchy Monk and Ninja Bodyguard, before hopping off to swing on elephants and a giraffe in Animal Acrobat.

He learned all his tricks in the jungle from his sister. In Jungle Gymnast, she chases her dream of atavistic aerialism by swinging on not only elephants and giraffes, but also white monkeys (白いおサルさん^?, Shiroi Osaru-san), who lend many helping hands (and feet). She received her bow from her brother when she joined the circus, and wears it for every show and rehearsal^[11].

At the end of Animal Acrobat, the monkey lands on a gorilla's head as the audience cheers. At the end of Donut Remix, he lands on a mountain of donuts as the audience cheers. In Jungle Gymnast, his sister lands on a balloon piloted by a yellow monkey, who soon takes off.

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おサル	Monkey
English^NOA	Monkey Animal Acrobat
English^NOE	Monkey Animal Acrobat
French	Le singe José l'acrobate^[12] Emma^[13]	The monkey José the acrobat Emma
Spanish	Mono	Monkey
German	Akrobat	Acrobat
Italian	Scimmietta	Little monkey
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

Pajama Party

In Pajama Party, 24 monkeys (おサル^?, Osaru) are having a slumber party with Mako. They resemble the monkey from Tambourine. When they enter Dreamland, they get blonde hair. A plush of one such monkey also appears in Rhythm Tengoku The Best Plus Comic 27パジャマな朝 (Pajama Morning).

In Other Languages

Language	Name	Meaning
Japanese	おサル	Monkey
English^NOA	Monkey
English^NOE	Monkey
French	Singes	Monkeys
Spanish	Monos	Monkeys
German	Affen	Monkeys
Italian	Scimmiette Scimmie	Monkeys Monkeys
Korean	원숭이	Monkey

Unused

Main article: Tanuki & Monkey

Appearances

Gallery

Artwork for Showtime from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork for Tap Trial from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork for Tap Trial from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork for Tap Trial from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork for Remix 5 from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork for Monkey from Tap Trial 2 in Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork for Remix 7 and Remix 8 from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork of Buta-san in Remix 7 from Rhythm Tengoku
Artwork from Rhythm Tengoku (Arcade)
Artwork from Rhythm Tengoku (Arcade)
Artwork from Rhythm Tengoku (Arcade)
Artwork for Hole in One from Rhythm Heaven Fever
Artwork for Hole in One from Rhythm Heaven Fever
Artwork for Monkey Watch from Rhythm Heaven Fever
Artwork for Monkey Watch from Rhythm Heaven Fever
Artwork for Animal Acrobat from Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Artwork for Jungle Gymnast from Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Artwork for Tap Trial from Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Sprites from Freeze Frame in Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Artwork for Pajama Party from Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Artwork for Monkey Watch from Rhythm Heaven Megamix
Cameo in WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Cameo in WarioWare: Smooth Moves
GAME & WARIO Epilogue
Artwork from LINE
Autographed illustration by Ko Takeuchi
New year card by Ko Takeuchi shown in the February 2016 issue of Nintendo Dream
Kinopio-kun's drawing of Golfer, Monkey and Mandrill from LINE

Trivia

The somewhat absurd amount of monkeys in the series is pointed out in the Challenge Land course titled "So Many Monkeys!".

References

↑ キャラクターアルバムステージ３ (Character Album Stage 3)
↑ キャラクターアルバムステージ５ (Character Album Stage 5)
↑ キャラクターアルバム　もろもろ (Character Album Various)
↑ "やっぱりキャナァーリ倶楽部のえり〜なに歌ってもらったら、ファンの方も2度おいしいかなと（笑）。ちなみにサルたちの「かーもね、ホイッ！」というかけ声は、つんく♂の声も混じっています。あと、実際のコンサートにも、サルの着ぐるみを着たファンの方もいらっしゃるようですね。" (I thought it would be twice as good for the fans if Eri~na from Canary CLUB sang it for us (laughs). By the way, the monkeys' call of "Kamone, hoi!" has Tsunku♂'s voice mixed in. Also, it seems that there are fans who wear monkey costumes at the actual concerts.) ~ Hideki Oguro, Rhythm Tengoku Zen Kyoku-shu STAFF'S VOICE
↑ "Ook! Will you play the tambourine with Monkey? He loves music more than bananas!" ~ Tambourine description, Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise (English)
↑ "Ook! (You've got it!) As a reward, I will now switch to English." ~ Monkey, Rhythm Heaven Fever
↑ "My parents bought me a monkey watch when I started high school. The monkeys are so cute that I forget about time and just stare at them. Kind of useless as a watch, isn't it?" ~ Monkey Watch, Rhythm Heaven Megamix
↑ "I'm so sorry I'm late! It was the monkeys' fault!" ~ Try Again epilogue to Monkey Watch, Rhythm Heaven Fever
↑ "Nova went out shopping after lunch. Recently, her Monkey Watch had worn out so she went to get the monkeys changed." ~ Bossa Nova, Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise (English)
↑ "Do you ever have problems like this? Do people just look at you and assume that you're into, I dunno, copying what people do?" "Oookii oook-ook!" "Right, right. My therapy is about me and my problems, not you." ~ A Musical Term, Rhythm Heaven Fever
↑ "My brother gave me this red ribbon when I joined the circus. I wear it for every show and rehearsal. It's nice to have him looking out for me (or at least for my head)." ~ Cute Ribbon, Rhythm Heaven Megamix
↑ "Un show époustouflant ce soir sous notre chapiteau ! Pas de ingeries inutiles avec José l'acrobate !" (A breathtaking show tonight under our marquee! No unnecessary injuries with José the acrobat!) ~ Le cirque des acrobates description, Rhythm Paradise Megamix (French)
↑ "Retour aux sources pour Emma, avec une séquence là où tout a commencé pour elle : au beau milieu de la jungle !" (Back to basics for Emma, with a sequence where it all began for her: in the middle of the jungle!) ~ La jungle des acrobates description, Rhythm Paradise Megamix (French)

[1] キャラクターアルバムステージ３ (Character Album Stage 3)

[2] キャラクターアルバムステージ５ (Character Album Stage 5)

[3] キャラクターアルバム　もろもろ (Character Album Various)

[4] "やっぱりキャナァーリ倶楽部のえり〜なに歌ってもらったら、ファンの方も2度おいしいかなと（笑）。ちなみにサルたちの「かーもね、ホイッ！」というかけ声は、つんく♂の声も混じっています。あと、実際のコンサートにも、サルの着ぐるみを着たファンの方もいらっしゃるようですね。" (I thought it would be twice as good for the fans if Eri~na from Canary CLUB sang it for us (laughs). By the way, the monkeys' call of "Kamone, hoi!" has Tsunku♂'s voice mixed in. Also, it seems that there are fans who wear monkey costumes at the actual concerts.) ~ Hideki Oguro, Rhythm Tengoku Zen Kyoku-shu STAFF'S VOICE

[5] "Ook! Will you play the tambourine with Monkey? He loves music more than bananas!" ~ Tambourine description, Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise (English)

[6] "Ook! (You've got it!) As a reward, I will now switch to English." ~ Monkey, Rhythm Heaven Fever

[7] "My parents bought me a monkey watch when I started high school. The monkeys are so cute that I forget about time and just stare at them. Kind of useless as a watch, isn't it?" ~ Monkey Watch, Rhythm Heaven Megamix

[8] "I'm so sorry I'm late! It was the monkeys' fault!" ~ Try Again epilogue to Monkey Watch, Rhythm Heaven Fever

[9] "Nova went out shopping after lunch. Recently, her Monkey Watch had worn out so she went to get the monkeys changed." ~ Bossa Nova, Beat the Beat: Rhythm Paradise (English)

[10] "Do you ever have problems like this? Do people just look at you and assume that you're into, I dunno, copying what people do?" "Oookii oook-ook!" "Right, right. My therapy is about me and my problems, not you." ~ A Musical Term, Rhythm Heaven Fever

[11] "My brother gave me this red ribbon when I joined the circus. I wear it for every show and rehearsal. It's nice to have him looking out for me (or at least for my head)." ~ Cute Ribbon, Rhythm Heaven Megamix

[12] "Un show époustouflant ce soir sous notre chapiteau ! Pas de ingeries inutiles avec José l'acrobate !" (A breathtaking show tonight under our marquee! No unnecessary injuries with José the acrobat!) ~ Le cirque des acrobates description, Rhythm Paradise Megamix (French)

[13] "Retour aux sources pour Emma, avec une séquence là où tout a commencé pour elle : au beau milieu de la jungle !" (Back to basics for Emma, with a sequence where it all began for her: in the middle of the jungle!) ~ La jungle des acrobates description, Rhythm Paradise Megamix (French)

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