Monster type (Secret of Mana)

Monster types are attributes given to enemies in the Mana series. While in some games those are purely aesthetics, in others they influence the enemy's elemental and/or weapon strengths and weaknesses.

Secret of Mana
There are 14 monsters types in Secret of Mana, though the original japanese game lumps Gas Body and Spirit together. The only notable characteristic that sets them appart is their susceptibility to some weapons. Most types are paired with another when it comes to weaknesses. Additionally, some monster types have different names depending on the source (game or official guidebook).

Animal
Japanese name: 動物 (Animal)

Monsters that have the Animal typing have physical traits taken from mammals (rabbits, wolves, bats, moles). There isn't a defining elemental affinity or weakness for that monster group.

Beast/Beastman
Japanese name: 獣人 (Beastman)

Bird
Japanese name: トリ (Bird)

Bird type monsters are all inspired of real or mythological avian creatures. They are noteworthy of being almost all strong againt wind-elemental magic and weak againt earth magic. They also have the distinction of having a unique dying animation, which sends feathers gliding momentarily.

Demi-Human/Dragon
Japanese name: 亜人 (Demi-Human)

The Dragon group is most likely as misnomer since no enemy depicted in this class share draconic features. The Demi-Human fits the requirements better, as all of them are bipedal weapon wielding monsters. Most of them don't seem to be connected with a specific element.

Demon
Japanese name: アクマ (Akuma)

Enemies with the demon type are based of biblical or mythological creatures, especially those known for their nefarious influence. They all share an affinity with dark-elemental magic and a weakness for light spells. Most of them can summon other enemies.

Fish
Japanese name: サカナ (Fish)

Fish type monsters are reminescent of aquatic wildlife (fishes, frogs, jellyfishes). They are almost all aligned with the Water element and weak to Fire.

Gas Body
Japanese name: 霊体 (Spirit Body)

Gas Bodies, like Apparitions, cannot be hit by any physical attacks and are only vulnerable by magic.

Insect
Japanese name: ムシ (Insect)

Insect monsters are typically depicted as bugs or arthropods, but the Chess Knight is a notable exception. Most are aligned with either the Moon or Earth element. Also, the majority has a relatively unique death animation, their exoskeleton bursting after fainting.

Lizard/Reptile
Japanese name: リザード (Lizard)

This small monster group is based on real and mythological reptiles.

Metallic/Machine
Japanese name: カラダのかたい (Hard Body)

The metallic group is comprised of enchanted metal equipment, robots, or metal-clad monsters.


 * Needlion is categorized as an Animal type in japanese guidebook.

Plant
Japanese name: しょくぶつ (Vegetation)

Plant type monsters are comprised of mutated vegetation or all kind and wooden furniture. The vast majority are aligned with the Wood element and weak to Moon magic.

Slime/Morph
Japanese name: スライム (Slime)

Slime type monsters are generally depicted as having an inconsistent and/or gelatinous consistency. A sizeable of them are strong against Water magic and weak to the Fire element.

Spirit/Apparition
Japanese name: 霊体 (Spirit Body)

The spirit type monsters are very similar to Gas Body monsters, in that they are invulnerable to physical attacks. They are strong against Light magic and weak against the Dark element.

Undead/Nonliving
Japanese name: アンデッド (Undead)

Undead monsters are comprised of the typical zombies and ghouls you may find in early RPGs. All of them are aligned with Dark magic, making them weak to Light.

Secret of Mana

 * Secret Of Mana Official Game Secrets
 * WT-Navi