Yo-kai Watch: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Japanese multimedia franchise}} |
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{{about|the video game franchise|the first game in the franchise|Yo-kai Watch (video game)}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2015}} |
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{{Infobox |
{{Infobox media franchise |
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| image = Yo-kai Watch logo.png |
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| caption = |
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| image = [[File:Yo-kai Watch Promotional Art.jpg|frameless|upright=1.2]] |
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| creator = [[Akihiro Hino]] |
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| caption = Promotional art for the ''Yo-kai Watch'' video game |
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| origin = ''[[Yo-kai Watch (video game)|Yo-kai Watch]]'' (2013){{efn|The game's release was preceded by the manga series of the same name, which debuted in 2012.}} |
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| ja_kanji = 妖怪ウォッチ |
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| owner = [[Level-5 (company)|Level-5]] |
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| ja_romaji = Yōkai Wotchi |
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| years = 2013–present |
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| genre = [[Fantasy]], [[Supernatural]], [[Comedy]] |
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| books = |
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| novels = |
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| short_stories = |
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| comics = [[Yo-kai Watch (manga)|Manga series]] (2012–2023) |
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| magazines = |
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| films = {{ubl|''[[Yo-kai Watch: The Movie]]'' (2014)|''[[Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!]]'' (2015)|''[[Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!]]'' (2016)|''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu]]'' (2017)|''[[Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends]]'' (2018)}} |
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| shorts = |
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| tv = |
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| atv = ''Yo-kai Watch'' (2014–2018) ([[List of Yo-kai Watch (2014 TV series) episodes|List of episodes]])<br>''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside]]'' (2018–2019)<br>''[[Yo-kai Watch! (2019 TV series)|Yo-kai Watch!]]'' (2019)<br>''Yo-kai Watch Jam - Yo-kai Academy Y: Close Encounters of the N Kind'' (2019–2021)<br>''Yo-kai Watch ♪'' (2021–2023) |
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| tv_specials = |
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| tv_films = |
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| dtv = |
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| plays = |
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| musicals = |
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| games = |
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| rpgs = |
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| vgs = [[#video games|Video games]] |
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| radio = |
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| soundtracks = |
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| music = |
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| toys = [[#Merchandise|Merchandise]] |
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| otherlabel1 = |
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| otherdata1 = |
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| otherlabel2 = |
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| otherdata2 = |
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| otherlabel3 = |
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| otherdata3 = |
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| website = [https://www.yo-kai-world.com/ Official website] |
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| alt = Logo of the series, with the word "YO-KAI" written in a yellow font and the O made to resemble the eponymous device, with a multicolored face and white hands; and the word "WATCH" in a red font, with the C being stylized. The words are surrounded by a tapering black wisp. |
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}} |
}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Print |
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| type = manga |
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| author = Noriyuki Konishi |
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| illustrator = |
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| publisher = [[Shogakukan]] |
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| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=[[Viz Media]]|SG=[[Shogakukan Asia]]}} |
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| demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]'' |
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| magazine = [[CoroCoro Comic]] |
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| first = January 2013 |
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| last = |
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| volumes = 8 |
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| volumes_list = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP=Level-5|NA=[[Nintendo]]|AUS=Nintendo|EU=Nintendo}} |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease new|JP|July 11, 2013|NA|November 6, 2015<ref name="release date">{{cite web|last=Fidanza|first=Salvatore|date=August 19, 2015|url=http://www.vgchartz.com/article/260628/yo-kai-watch-coming-to-na-in-november-amp-europe-in-2016/|title=Yo-Kai Watch Coming to NA in November & Europe in 2016|publisher=[[Vgchartz]] |accessdate=August 19, 2015}}</ref>|AU|December 5, 2015<ref name="aus">{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=news&nid=3706&pageID=6|title=YO-KAI WATCH TO LAUNCH 5th DECEMBER IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2 October 2015|publisher=[[Nintendo Australia]]|access-date=2 October 2015}}</ref>|EU|2016<ref name="release date"/>}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Video |
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| type = tv series |
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| director = Shinji Ushiro |
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| producer = Yoshikazu Kuretani <small>(TV Tokyo)</small>, Kiyofumi Kajiwara |
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| writer = Yoichi Kato |
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| music = Ken'ichirō Saigō |
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| studio = [[OLM, Inc.|OLM]] |
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| licensor = {{english anime licensees|NA=[[Dentsu|Dentsu USA]], [[Hasbro]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mynintendonews.com/2015/02/13/level-5-is-partnering-with-hasbro-for-yokai-watch-in-the-west-and-toys-coming-2016/|title=Level 5 Is Partnering With Hasbro For Yokai Watch In The West And Toys Coming 2016}}</ref>|EU=[[Viz Media Europe]]|AUS=Fusion Agency|Latin America=[[MarVista Entertainment]]}} |
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| network = [[TX Network|TXN]] ([[TV Tokyo]]), BS Japan, [[AT-X (company)|AT-X]], [[Kids Station]] |
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| network_en = {{English anime network|US=[[Disney XD]]|CA=[[Teletoon]]|PH=[[Toonami (Asia)|Toonami]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orendsrange.com/2015/04/yo-kai-watch-beywarriors-more-to.html|title=Yo-Kai Watch, BeyWarriors & More to Premiere in Toonami Asia's Anime Siege Block}}</ref>|AU=[[GO! (Australian TV channel)|GO!]]<ref name="aus" />}} |
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| first = January 8, 2014 |
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| last = |
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| episodes = 90 |
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| episode_list = List of Yo-kai Watch episodes |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Print |
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| type = manga |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch: Wakuwaku Nyanderful Days |
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| author = Chikako Mori |
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| illustrator = |
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| publisher = [[Shogakukan]] |
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| publisher_en = |
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| demographic = ''[[Shōjo manga|Shōjo]]'' |
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| magazine = [[Ciao (magazine)|Ciao]] |
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| first = February 2014 |
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| last = |
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| volumes = 2 |
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| volumes_list = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch 2: Ganzo & Honke |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP={{start date|2014|7|10}}|NA={{start date|2016}}<ref>{{cite web|date=October 8, 2015|url=http://nintendoenthusiast.com/news/yokai-watch-could-get-amiibo-support-yokai-watch-2-in-consideration-of-us-release/|title=Yokai Watch Could Get Amiibo Support, Yokai Watch 2 In Consideration of US Release|publisher=Nintendo Enthusiast|accessdate=October 8, 2015}}</ref>}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Print |
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| type = manga |
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| title = 4-Koma Yo-kai Watch: Geragera Manga Theater |
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| author = Coconas Rumba |
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| illustrator = |
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| publisher = [[Shogakukan]] |
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| demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]'' |
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| magazine = [[CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro Comic SPECIAL]] |
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| first = October 2014 |
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| last = |
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| volumes = 1 |
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| volumes_list = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch 2: Shinuchi |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP={{start date|2014|12|13}}}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Video |
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| type = film |
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| title = [[Yo-Kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!|Yo-Kai Watch the Movie: The Secret is Created, Nyan!]] |
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| director = Shigeharu Takahashi, Shinji Ushiro |
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| producer = |
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| writer = Yoichi Kato |
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| music = Ken'ichirō Saigō |
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| studio = [[OLM, Inc.|OLM]] |
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| licensor = |
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| released = {{start date|2014|12|20}} |
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| runtime = 97 minutes |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Print |
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| type = manga |
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| title = Yo-kai Watch: 4-Koma Pun-Club |
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| author = Santa Harukaze |
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| illustrator = |
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| publisher = [[Shogakukan]] |
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| publisher_en = |
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| demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]'' |
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| magazine = [[CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro Ichiban!]] |
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| first = April 2015 |
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| last = |
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| volumes = 1 |
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| volumes_list = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Print |
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| type = manga |
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| title = Komasan: A Time for Fireworks and Miracles |
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| author = Shou Shibamoto |
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| illustrator = |
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| publisher = [[Shogakukan]] |
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| publisher_en = |
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| demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]'', ''[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]'' |
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| magazine = [[Big Comic Spirits|HiBaNa]] |
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| first = April 2015 |
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| last = |
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| volumes = |
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| volumes_list = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Print |
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| type = manga |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch Busters |
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| author = Atsushi Ohba |
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| illustrator = |
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| publisher = [[Shogakukan]] |
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| publisher_en = |
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| demographic = ''[[Shōnen manga|Shōnen]]'' |
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| magazine = [[CoroCoro Comic]] |
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| first = June 2015 |
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| last = October 2015 |
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| volumes = 1 |
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| volumes_list = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch Busters: Red Cat Team & White Dog Squad |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP={{start date|2015|7|11}}}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch Busters: Moon Rabbit Team |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP={{start date|2015|12}}}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]], [[Ubisoft]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]], [[Ubisoft]] |
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| genre = [[Music video game|Music game]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Wii U]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP={{start date|2015|12|5}}}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Video |
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| type = film |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch the Movie 2: King Enma and the 5 Stories, Nyan! |
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| director = Shinji Ushiro |
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| producer = |
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| writer = Yoichi Kato |
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| music = Ken'ichirō Saigō |
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| studio = [[OLM, Inc.|OLM]] |
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| licensor = |
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| released = {{start date|2015|12|19}} |
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| runtime = |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Watch 3 |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP=Summer 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2015/07/08/yo-kai-watch-3-travels-to-japan-in-summer-2016/|title=Yo-kai Watch 3 Travels To Japan In Summer 2016|publisher=Siliconera |accessdate=July 8, 2015}}</ref>}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Game |
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| title = Yo-Kai Three Kingdoms |
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| developer = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]], [[Koei Tecmo]] |
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| publisher = [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]], [[Koei Tecmo]] |
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| genre = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]] |
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| ratings = {{vgratings|CERO=A}} |
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| platforms = [[Nintendo 3DS]] |
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| released = {{vgrelease|JP=2016}} |
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}} |
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{{Infobox animanga/Footer}} |
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{{Nihongo|'''''Yo- |
{{Nihongo foot|'''''Yo-kai Watch'''''|妖怪ウォッチ|Yōkai Wotchi|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}{{efn|Trademarked in Japan as '''''Youkai Watch''''' and '''''Yokai Watch'''''}} is a Japanese [[media franchise]] created and developed by [[Level-5 (company)|Level-5]]. The franchise's main work is the [[role-playing video game]] series of the same name, the [[Yo-kai Watch (video game)|first of which]] was released for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2013.<ref name="releasedate">{{cite web|date=June 16, 2015 |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/e3-2015-yo-kai-watchs-release-window-revealed |title=E3 2015: Yo-Kai Watch's Release Window Revealed |publisher=IGN |access-date=June 16, 2015}}</ref> Three main sequels and several spinoffs, on both Nintendo and mobile platforms, have been released. In December 2019, the franchise expanded to [[PlayStation]] with the release of ''Yo-kai Watch 4++''. An associated toy line is produced by [[Bandai]] for the Japanese market, while [[Hasbro]] formerly sold the toys under license in the Americas and Europe. |
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Six [[manga]] adaptations have also been produced; one, a series that began serialization in [[Shogakukan]]'s ''[[CoroCoro Comic]]'' from December 2012 to December 2022,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-01-03/noriyuki-konishi-yo-kai-watch-manga-moves-magazines/.193536 | title=Noriyuki Konishi's Yo-kai Watch Manga Moves Magazines | date=July 10, 2023 }}</ref> was an award winner. An [[anime]] television series produced by [[OLM, Inc.]] aired in Japan from January 8, 2014, to March 30, 2018, and was a ratings success, boosting the franchise in popularity,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-anime-thats-taking-japan-by-storm-1558122724|title=The Video Game Anime That's Taking Japan by Storm|first=Brian|last=Ashcraft|website=Kotaku.com|date=April 4, 2014 }}</ref> and began airing in North America from September 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-11/yo-kai-watch-anime-october-5-u.s-debut-dub-cast-revealed/.92817|title= Yo-kai Watch Anime's October 5 U.S. Debut, Dub Cast Revealed|date= July 10, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://imissbionix.wordpress.com/2015/09/20/yo-kai-watch-listed-for-october-3rd-premiere-on-teletoon/|title=Yo-Kai Watch listed for October 3rd premiere on Teletoon|date=September 20, 2015}}</ref> An animated film, ''[[Yo-kai Watch: The Movie]],'' was released on December 20, 2014, with seven more films being produced since then. As of 2022, the game series has sold over 17 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/articles/87376/|title = 初代『妖怪ウォッチ』スマホ版が配信開始。期間限定でセール実施中| date=July 10, 2021 }}</ref> |
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While the franchise is popular in Japan and Europe, it failed to meet Level-5's expectations in North America. Nonetheless, the franchise's North American launch was successful, with the original 3DS game selling 400,000 units, backed by the toys and the broadcast of the English dub on [[Disney XD]] in the United States. However, interest in the ''Yo-kai Watch'' franchise has since steadily declined. The franchise generated $2 billion in retail sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://yowieworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Yo-Kai_Watch_License_Agreement_-_26_May_2016.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209113442/https://yowieworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Yo-Kai_Watch_License_Agreement_-_26_May_2016.pdf|title=Yoview Signs Yo-Kai Watch License Agreement|website=yowieworld.com|page=1|archivedate=February 9, 2023|date=May 26, 2016|accessdate=July 1, 2024}}</ref> |
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==Plot== |
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{{TOC limit|3}} |
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{{see also|List of Yo-Kai Watch characters}} |
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One day, whilst searching for bugs in the woods, a boy named Nathan "Nate" Adams (Keita Amano) comes across a peculiar [[Gashapon|capsule machine]] next to a sacred tree (in the games, players can choose to play as a girl named Katie (Fumika Kodama) instead). When he opens one of the capsules up, it brings forth a [[yōkai|Yo-kai]] named Whisper, who gives Nate a device known as the Yo-kai Watch. Using this, Nate is able to identify and see various different Yo-kai that are haunting people and causing mischief. Joined by the cat Yo-kai Jibanyan, Nate and Whisper start making friends with all sorts of Yo-kai, which he can summon to battle against more ill-intentioned Yo-kai that happen to live in his town, haunting the residents and causing terrible trouble. |
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== |
== Concept == |
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{{see also|List of Yo-kai Watch characters}} |
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''Yo-Kai Watch'' is a [[role-playing video game]] where the player searches around Sakura New Town for Yo-kai using the 3DS' touchscreen. Players befriend Yo-kai by giving them a food that they like before beginning battle, and after defeating the Yo-Kai it approaches the player character and gives them its Yo-kai Medal, allowing it to be summoned at will. Yo-kai can also be acquired through an in game [[gashapon|Gasha Machine]] by collecting in-game coins or using Play Coins. Certain Yo-kai are necessary for completing the game's main quest, and special rare Yo-kai are acquired through various subquests. Yo-kai have the capability to evolve into more powerful versions of themselves if they reach a certain level, or they can evolve by combining with particular items or other Yo-kai. The Yo-kai are divided amongst eight different classes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. There are also Legend Yo-kai that can only be obtained by collecting a particular set of Yo-kai listed in the Yo-kai Medallium, a compendium of the different Yo-kai the player has encountered or befriended, as well as Boss Yo-kai that cannot be befriended in the original game, but can become the player's friends in ''Ganso'' and ''Honke''. |
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The franchise was first conceived as a ''[[Doraemon]]'' IP, something that could last over a long period of time. [[Akihiro Hino]], CEO of Level-5, researched extensively what makes a franchise long-lasting, and came up with ''Yo-kai Watch''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://kotaku.com/how-yokai-watch-was-engineered-to-be-a-massive-hit-1602863085|title=How Yokai Watch Was Engineered To Be A Massive Hit|last=Nakamura|first=Toshi|work=Kotaku|access-date=2017-10-05|language=en-US}}</ref> |
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''Yo-kai Watch'' revolves around befriending Yo-kai that are haunting the city, which are based on traditional ''[[yōkai]],'' but often with clever twists. If one befriends a Yo-kai, they get their Yo-kai Medal, an object that allows one to summon Yo-kai. With these, they can summon Yo-kai to either fight other Yo-kai, befriend others, or solve everyday tasks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/240631/What_the_heck_is_YoKai_Watch_10_things_you_need_to_know.php|title=What the heck is Yo-Kai Watch ? 10 things you need to know|first=Christian|last=Nutt|website=Gamasutra.com|date=April 8, 2015}}</ref> |
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The basic plot of most media is that the main character, either Nathan "Nate" Adams or Katie Forester, obtains a Yo-kai Watch through Whisper, a butler Yo-kai. They then befriend Jibanyan, a cat Yo-kai who haunts an intersection because he thinks his owner from when he was alive named Amy called him lame for getting hit by a truck. During the anime's run, other Yo-kai were introduced. |
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A common in-game event is "Oni Time" (Terror Time), where the player character enters a nightmare realm where he or she looks for treasure chests with special items in them all while trying to avoid being seen by other Yo-kai. If spotted, the player is chased by a powerful [[Oni]] Yo-Kai that can easily wipe out the player's party unless he or she can escape. It is possible to defeat the Oni, but only if the player's Yo-Kai are particularly powerful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/06/09/cant-sleep-onis-will-chase-you-in-level-5s-youkai-watch/|title=Can't Sleep Onis Will Chase You In Level-5's Youkai Watch|publisher=Siliconera|date=June 9, 2013|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref> The player can also encounter similarly powerful [[Namahage]] Yo-kai if the player crosses the street on a red light, but the encounter may be beneficial if the player follows the rules.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/07/11/level-5s-next-major-rpg-has-a-number-of-areas-to-explore/|title=Level 5's Next Major RPG Has A Number Of Areas To Explore|publisher=Siliconera|date=July 11, 2013|accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref> |
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== Media == |
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Players can also participate in several side quests for experience and bug-catching and fishing minigames to obtain special items. |
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{{Main article|List of Yo-kai Watch media}} |
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=== Main series === |
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''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' expands the areas to be explored with nearly 100 new Yo-Kai in the present day of the Kemamoto region and the past, where he meets traditional Yo-kai and the predecessor to the Yo-kai Watch. |
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{{VG timeline |
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| 2013a = ''[[Yo-kai Watch (video game)|Yo-kai Watch]]'' |
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| 2013b = ''Yo-kai Taiso Dai-Ichi Puzzle da Nyan'' |
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| 2014a = ''[[Yo-kai Watch 2|Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls]]'' |
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| 2014b = ''[[Yo-kai Watch 2|Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters]]'' |
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| 2014c = ''Yo-kai Watch: Tomodachi UkiUkipedia'' |
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| 2015a = ''[[Yo-kai Watch Blasters]]'' |
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| 2015b = ''[[Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version]]'' |
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| 2015c = ''[[Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble]]'' |
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| 2015d = ''Yo-kai Watch Busters: Iron Oni Force'' |
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| 2016a = ''[[Yo-kai Sangokushi]]'' |
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| 2016b = ''[[Yo-kai Watch 3|Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi & Tempura]]'' |
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| 2017 = ''[[Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya|Yo-kai Watch Busters 2]]'' |
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| 2018a = ''Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars'' |
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| 2018b = ''Yo-kai Watch: Gerapo Rhythm'' |
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| 2018c = ''Yo-kai Daijiten'' |
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| 2018d = ''Yo-kai Watch World'' |
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| 2019a = ''[[Yo-kai Watch 4]]'' |
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| 2019b = ''Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars'' |
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| 2020 = ''[[Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y]]'' |
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|2016c=''[[Yo-kai Watch 3|Yo-kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki]]''}} |
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The main video game series are [[role-playing video game]]s where the player befriends Yo-kai and fights evil Yo-kai that seek to rule the world, with emphasis placed on fighting and befriending Yo-kai. ''[[Yo-kai Watch (video game)|Yo-kai Watch]]'' and ''[[Yo-kai Watch 2]]'' have a battle system revolving around using the 3DS's touchscreen to rotate amongst the player's Yo-kai. All Yo-kai have powerful moves called Soultimates, with some being offensive and some being supportive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamingandtechnetwork.com/2013/04/15/one-can-only-hope-youkai-watch-gets-localized-in-english/|title=One Can Only Hope Yo-Kai Watch Gets Localized in English|publisher=Gaming and Tech Network|date=April 15, 2013|access-date=January 29, 2014}}</ref> In ''[[Yo-kai Watch 3]]'', the battle system was changed to a grid-based movement system, with the added ability to use the Dream Link and the Yo-kai Blaster against foes during battle. |
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==== ''Yo-kai Watch'' ==== |
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==Media== |
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{{main|Yo-kai Watch (video game)}} |
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The first game in the main series, ''Yo-kai Watch'', was announced at the 2011 [[Tokyo Game Show]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2011/10/level-5-vision-2011-trailers|title=Level-5 Vision 2011 trailers - Gematsu|date=October 15, 2011|website=Gematsu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://level5ia.com/news/level5-vision-2011-recap/|title=LEVEL5 VISION 2011 Recap - LEVEL-5 International America|website=level5ia.com|access-date=October 4, 2017|archive-date=October 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111017174433/http://level5ia.com/news/level5-vision-2011-recap/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and first released in Japan on July 11, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Yo-Kai+Watch/news.asp?c=45755|title=Level-5's ghostly Pokemon-esque title Youkai Watch is probably heading to 3DS|website=Pocketgamer.co.uk|date=October 15, 2012 }}</ref> It sets the foundation for the rest of the video game franchise, introducing its main mechanics. The game was released in North America on November 6, 2015, and in Europe on April 29, 2016. |
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=== |
==== ''Yo-kai Watch 2'' ==== |
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{{main|Yo-kai Watch 2}} |
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The ''Yo-Kai Watch'' video game was announced by [[Level-5 (video game company)|Level-5]] at the 2011 [[Tokyo Game Show]]. It was released in Japan for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] on July 11, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Yo-Kai+Watch/news.asp?c=45755 |title=Level-5's ghostly Pokémon-esque title Yo-Kai Watch is probably heading to 3DS | Yo-Kai Watch news | 3DS |publisher=Pocket Gamer |date=October 15, 2012 |accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref> As of February 2014, the game had sold over 500,000 retail copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/09/youkai_watch_receiving_a_new_game_in_japan_already |title=Yo-Kai Watch Receiving A New Game in Japan Already - 3DS News @ Nintendo Life |publisher=Nintendolife.com |date=September 18, 2013 |accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2014/02/19/Yo-Kai-watch-ships-500000-copies-japan/ |title=Yo-Kai Watch Ships Over 500,000 Copies In Japan |publisher=Siliconera |date=February 19, 2014 |accessdate=February 19, 2014}}</ref> In January 2014, Level-5 filed for a trademark in the United States for "''Yo-Kai Watch''"<ref>{{cite web|last=Hillier |first=Brenna |url=http://www.vg247.com/2014/01/22/Yo-Kai-watch-trademark-gives-hope-of-western-release-for-level-5-ghost-hunter/ |title=Yo-Kai Watch trademark gives hope of western release for Level-5 ghost hunter |publisher=VG247 |date=January 22, 2014 |accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/01/level-5-trademarks-Yo-Kai-watch-us |title=Level-5 trademarks Yo-Kai Watch in the U.S. |publisher=Gematsu |date=January 22, 2014 |accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref> and is currently gauging interest in a Western release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LEVEL5_IA/statuses/435909756339765248 |title=Twitter / LEVEL5_IA: Between the game and the anime |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=February 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-18/level-5-asks-if-fans-want-Yo-Kai-watch-in-the-west |title=Level-5 Asks If Fans Want Yo-Kai Watch in the West - News - Anime News Network |publisher=Anime News Network |date= |accessdate=February 19, 2014}}</ref> [[Nintendo]] announced that they would be publishing the game in North America for a Holiday 2015 release.<ref name="releasedate"/> |
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The second main game in the series, ''Yo-kai Watch 2'', was released in Japan on July 10, 2014, as two versions: ''Ganso'' and ''Honke.''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/09/17/youkai-watch-follow-up-announced/|title=Youkai Watch follow-up announced - VG247|date=September 17, 2013|website=Vg247.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-11/yokai-watch-2-game-debuts-on-july-10-in-2-versions|title=Yōkai Watch 2 Game Debuts on July 10 in 2 Versions|website=Animemewsnetwork.com|date=July 10, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://level5ia.com/product/yo-kai-watch-2-jp/ |title=History & Products: YO-KAI WATCH 2 |publisher=Level-5 International America |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501143712/http://level5ia.com/product/yo-kai-watch-2-jp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> These versions are known in English as ''Bony Spirits'' and ''Fleshy Souls''. ''Yo-kai Watch 2'' adds several new areas, such as Kemamoto/Harrisville, and nearly 100 new Yo-kai to befriend, both in the present day and the past. The plot revolves around the protagonist going back in time 60 years to meet their grandfather, who made the predecessor to the Yo-kai Watch, and fighting against the Wicked Yo-kai. A third version, ''Shinuchi,'' known in English as ''Psychic Specters'', was released on December 12, 2014<ref>{{cite web |url=http://level5ia.com/product/yo-kai-watch-2-shinuchi-jp/ |title=History & Products: YO-KAI WATCH 2 Shinuchi |publisher=Level-5 International America |access-date=1 May 2019 |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501143715/http://level5ia.com/product/yo-kai-watch-2-shinuchi-jp/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> to coincide with the first Yo-kai Watch film, [[Yo-kai Watch: The Movie|''Yo-kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!'']]. ''Psychic Specters'' features characters and scenarios not included in ''Bony Spirits'' and ''Fleshy Souls''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/10/yokai-watch-2-shinuchi-announced|title=Yokai Watch 2: Shinuchi announced - Gematsu|date=October 10, 2014|website=Gematsu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/10/first-look-yokai-watch-2-shinuchi|title=First look at Yokai Watch 2: Shinuchi - Gematsu|date=October 14, 2014|website=Gematsu.com}}</ref> |
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''Bony Spirits'' and ''Fleshy Souls'' were localized in English and released on September 30, 2016, in the United States <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/games/3ds/yo-kai_watch_2_bony_spirits_and_fleshy_souls |title=Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls |date=2016 |publisher=Nintendo Life |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> and on April 7, 2017, in Europe.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/02/yo-kai_watch_2_bony_spirits_and_fleshy_souls_finally_get_a_european_release_date |title=Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls Finally Get a European Release Date |author=Whitehead, Thomas |date=2 February 2017 |work=Nintendo Life |access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> They received the Oni Evolution update on September 14, 2017,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.siliconera.com/yo-kai-watch-2-oni-evolution-update-released-bony-spirits-fleshy-souls/ |title=Yo-kai Watch 2: Oni Evolution Update Released For Bony Spirits And Fleshy Souls |author=Jenni |date=September 14, 2017 |work=Siliconera |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref> and gained compatibility with save data from ''Psychic Specters'' on September 29, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2017/08/01/yo-kai-watch-2-psychic-specters-is-released-this-september-alongside-the-snes-classic-edition/#77dec6984a30|title='Yo-Kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters' Is Released This September Alongside The SNES Classic Edition|first=Ollie|last=Barder|website=Forbes.com}}</ref> |
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The [[Data Carddass]] game {{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch: Tomodachi UkiUkipedia''|妖怪ウォッチ ともだちウキウキペディア}} was first location tested in late December 2013, and debuted at the Next Generation World Hobby Fair Winter 2014 before being released in early 2014. The game is played much like Bandai's other Data Carddass games, in which the player uses an interface resembling a slot machine to determine the events of a battle between 3 of the player's Yo-Kai against 3 enemy Yo-Kai, after the player sought them out on the game interface. Winning the game awards the player a card that can be used for future ''Tomodachi UkiUkipedia'' play. |
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==== ''Yo-kai Watch 3'' ==== |
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A sequel, ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'', was released in Japan on July 10, 2014 in two editions; {{nihongo4|''Ganso''|元祖}} and {{nihongo4|''Honke''|本家||both can be translated as "original"}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hillier |first=Brenna |url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/09/17/youkai-watch-follow-up-announced/ |title=Youkai Watch follow-up announced |publisher=VG247 |date=September 17, 2013 |accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-04-11/yokai-watch-2-game-debuts-on-july-10-in-2-versions |title=Yōkai Watch 2 Game Debuts on July 10 in 2 Versions - News |publisher=Anime News Network |date= |accessdate=April 11, 2014}}</ref> ''[[CoroCoro Comic]]'' began running a contest for readers to design a new form for the game's mascot Jibanyan that would appear in the new game as well as in the manga in ''CoroCoro''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2013/09/16/level-5s-ghost-raising-rpg-youkai-watch-is-already-getting-a-new-game/ |title=Level-5's Ghost Raising RPG, Youkai Watch, Is Already Getting A New Game |publisher=Siliconera |date=September 16, 2013 |accessdate=January 29, 2014}}</ref> These were revealed to be Buchinyan, a fusion of Jibanyan and Whisper available in an update to the original game (as well as adding special Komasan and Tsuchinoko partners), and Fuyunyan, a heroic Yo-Kai that is central to the plot of the games. ''Ganso'' and ''Honke'' will also feature Yo-Kai that are unobtainable in the other version, including boss characters. Other new features include Z Medals, old Medals, train travel, bike racing, climbing poles, and a "spooky red box" that causes the player to fart or rewards a special item.<ref>{{cite web|author=(志賀康紀) |url=http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140528_650293.html |title=3DS「妖怪ウォッチ2 元祖/本家」個性豊かで見た目もユニークな妖怪たちが続々登場! - GAME Watch |publisher=Game.watch.impress.co.jp |date= |accessdate=June 4, 2014}}</ref> In collaboration with ''Tomodachi UkiUkipedia'', the arcade game will feature unique local Yo-Kai representing eight regions of Japan, that can be used in ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' by using a code found on the game's prize card. On December 13, 2014, a third edition of ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' subtitled {{nihongo4|''Shinuchi''|真打|Shin'uchi|"Headliner"}} was released in Japan, featuring characters and scenarios not initially included in ''Ganso'' and ''Honke''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/10/yokai-watch-2-shinuchi-announced|title=Yokai Watch 2: Shinuchi announced|work=Gematsu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/10/first-look-yokai-watch-2-shinuchi|title=First look at Yokai Watch 2: Shinuchi|work=Gematsu}}</ref> As of November 2014, the ''Ganso'' and ''Honke'' editions had sold a combined 2,881,810 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-26/japan-video-game-rankings-november-17-23/.81477|title=Japan's Video Game Rankings, November 17–23|date=November 26, 2014|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|accessdate=November 26, 2014}}</ref> The ''Ganso'' and ''Honke'' versions sold over three million copies in 2014, making it the best-selling video game in Japan in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Phillips|first1=Tom|title=Japan's console market at lowest point for 24 years|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-01-07-japans-console-and-handheld-physical-game-sales-at-lowest-point-for-24-years|website=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=Gamer Network|accessdate=January 7, 2015|date=January 7, 2015}}</ref> |
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{{main|Yo-kai Watch 3}} |
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In Japan, ''Yo-kai Watch 3'' was announced alongside ''Yo-kai Watch Busters'' in April 2015 and released on July 16, 2016, with two versions: ''Sushi'' and ''Tempura''. The game features two protagonists: Nate Adams and Hailey Anne Thomas, each with their own story. Nate's story focuses on him and his family moving from Springdale to the United States, which is called BBQ in the localized version, to the fictional town of St. Peanutsburg, where new American-themed {{nihongo4|"Merican"|メリケン}} Yo-kai are found. Hailey Anne's story focuses on her meeting her partner Yo-kai [[Usapyon]] and opening a detective agency with him.<ref name="siliconera.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/yo-kai-watch-3-release-japan-july-16-sushi-tempura-versions/|title=Yo-kai Watch 3 To Release In Japan On July 16 In Sushi And Tempura Versions - Siliconera|date=April 12, 2016|website=Siliconera.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/yo-kai-watch-3-game-announced-with-usa-setting/.86844|title=Yo-kai Watch 3 Game Announced With USA Setting|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> These two stories converge in the game's latter half as the two team up to face a greater threat called the Ghoulfather. A third version, ''Sukiyaki'', was released in Japan on December 16, 2016, combining ''Sushi'' and ''Tempura'' into one game and adding additional features.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/yo-kai-watch-3-completes-seance-getting-third-version-392906.phtml|title=Yo-Kai Watch 3 completes seance, getting third version|website=Destructoid.com|date=October 14, 2016}}</ref> |
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On September 27, 2018, Nintendo of America announced that Yo-kai Watch 3 was getting a localized release outside of Japan. It was released on December 16, 2018, in Europe and on February 8, 2019, in North America. The localized version was based on ''Sukiyaki'', and as such contains the features it added. |
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A spin-off game, ''Yo-Kai Watch Busters'', and a third installment, ''Yo-Kai Watch 3'', are currently in development, according to the April 2015 issue of ''CoroCoro''. The spin-off will allow four players to cooperate in battling boss Yo-Kai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-12/yo-kai-watch-3-yo-kai-watch-busters-games-announced/.85899|title=Yo-Kai Watch 3, Yo-Kai Watch Busters Games Announced|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 12, 2015|accessdate=March 13, 2015}}</ref> Keita's story in ''Yo-Kai Watch 3'' will take place in the [[United States]] in the fictional town of Saint Peanutsburg where Keita's family has moved. The game will feature new "American looking" Yo-Kai and introduce the new anime protagonist Inaho Misora and her partner Yo-Kai Usapyon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/yo-kai-watch-3-game-announced-with-usa-setting/.86844|title=Yo-kai Watch 3 Game Announced With USA Setting|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=April 7, 2015}}</ref> |
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====Main series==== |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch''|妖怪ウォッチ}} ([[Nintendo 3DS]], 2013) |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Ganso & Honke''|妖怪ウォッチ2 元祖&本家||lit. "Yo-kai Watch 2: Pioneer & Originator"}} (Nintendo 3DS, 2014) |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Shin'nuchi''|妖怪ウォッチ2 真打||lit. "Yo-kai Watch 2: Star Performer"}} (Nintendo 3DS, 2014) |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch 3''|妖怪ウォッチ3}} (Nintendo 3DS, 2016) |
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==== |
==== ''Yo-kai Watch 4'' ==== |
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{{main|Yo-kai Watch 4}} |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch Busters: Aka Neko-dan & Shiroi Inu-tai''|妖怪ウォッチバスターズ 赤猫団&白犬隊||lit. "Yo-kai Watch Busters: Red Cat Team & White Dog Corps"}} (Nintendo 3DS, 2015) |
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''Yo-kai Watch 4'' was released for the [[Nintendo Switch]] in Japan on June 20, 2019, featuring a new artstyle and character designs from ''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/10/yo-kai-watch-4-delayed-to-spring-2019-in-japan|title=Yo-kai Watch 4 delayed to spring 2019 in Japan|website=Gematsu|date=October 10, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2018}}</ref> as well as the original designs. The game includes characters from previous games as well as the main characters from ''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside]]'' and ''[[Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends]]''. |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch Busters: Getto-gumi''|妖怪ウォッチバスターズ 月兎組||lit. "Yo-kai Watch Busters: Moon Rabbit Team"}} (Nintendo 3DS, 2015)<ref>http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/news/2015-10-12/new-yo-kai-watch-busters-getto-gumi-3ds-game-ships-in-december/.94091</ref> |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version''|妖怪ウォッチダンス JUST DANCE スペシャルバージョン}} ([[Wii U]], 2015) - Co-developed and published by [[Ubisoft]] as part of the ''[[Just Dance (video game series)|Just Dance]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-08-22/ubisoft-just-dance-gets-yo-kai-watch-edition/.91958|title=Ubisoft's Just Dance Gets Yo-kai Watch Edition|work=Anime News Network}}</ref> |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Sangokushi''|妖怪三国志||lit. "Yo-kai Three Kingdoms"}} (Nintendo 3DS, 2016) - A crossover with [[Koei Tecmo]]'s ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' series. |
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An enhanced version, ''Yo-kai Watch 4++'', was later released as paid [[downloadable content]] and at retail for both the Switch and [[PlayStation 4]] on December 5, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Sato |title=Yo-kai Watch 4++ Released Today In Japan, Here's Its Opening Movie |url=https://www.siliconera.com/yo-kai-watch-4-released-today-in-japan-heres-its-opening-movie/ |website=Siliconera |date=December 5, 2019 |access-date=1 March 2020}}</ref> |
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====Smartphone apps==== |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Taiso Dai-ichi Puzzle da nyan''|ようかい体操第一 パズルだニャン||lit. "Yo-kai Exercise No. 1: Puzzle meow''}} ([[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], 2013) |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Daijiten''|妖怪大辞典||lit. "Yo-kai Medallium"}} (iOS, Android, 2015) |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch: Gerapo Rhythm''|妖怪ウォッチ ゲラポリズム}} (iOS, Android, 2015) |
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*{{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch: Punipuni''|妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに}} (iOS, Android, 2015) |
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Level-5 confirmed during the [[Anime Expo]] 2019 that an English localization was under consideration, but due to the shutdown of American branch Level-5 Abby,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Valentine |first1=Rebekah |title=Level-5 has virtually halted operations in North America |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-09-level-5-has-virtually-halted-operations-in-north-america |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=21 February 2023 |language=en |date=12 October 2020 |quote=In July of 2019, Level-5 International America confirmed it was closing its design department, laying off two employees, though at the time the company said this was "not a large-scale restructuring."}}</ref> the status of the game's localization is currently unknown. |
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===Manga=== |
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Three [[manga]] adaptations based on the series have been published by [[Shogakukan]]. A [[shōnen manga]] series by Noriyuki Konishi began serialization in ''[[CoroCoro Comic]]'' from December 15, 2012. This series has been licensed by [[Viz Media]] under its Perfect Square imprint.<ref name="vizlicense">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-06/viz-media-adds-yo-kai-watch-manga-to-perfect-square-imprint/.86542 |title=Viz Media Adds Yo-kai Watch Manga to Perfect Square Imprint - News - Anime News Network |publisher=Anime News Network |date= |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref> A [[shōjo manga]] series by Chikako Mori, titled ''Yo-Kai Watch: Wakuwaku Nyanderful Days'', began serialization in ''[[Ciao (magazine)|Ciao]]'' magazine from December 27, 2013. A [[yonkoma]] series by Coconas Rumba, ''4-Koma Yo-kai Watch: Geragera Manga Theater'', began serialization in [[CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro Comic SPECIAL]] from October 2014. A manga series based on ''Yo-Kai Watch Busters'' by Atsushi Ohba began serialization in ''CoroCoro'' in June 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-12/yo-kai-watch-busters-spinoff-game-gets-manga-adaptation/.88070|title=Yo-Kai Watch Busters Spinoff Game Gets Manga Adaptation|publisher=Anime News Network|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015}}</ref> |
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=== Other video games === |
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==== ''Blasters'' ==== |
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{{main|Yo-kai Watch Blasters}} |
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A spin-off game, {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch Blasters''|妖怪ウォッチバスターズ|Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu}} was first announced in the April 2015 issue of ''CoroCoro Comic'' alongside ''Yo-kai Watch 3,'' allowing up to four players to cooperate in completing missions and battling boss Yo-kai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-03-12/yo-kai-watch-3-yo-kai-watch-busters-games-announced/.85899|title=Yo-Kai Watch 3, Yo-Kai Watch Busters Games Announced|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=March 12, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2015}}</ref> The first two versions of the game, {{nihongo4|''Aka Neko-dan''|赤猫団||"Red Cat Troupe"}} and {{nihongo4|''Shiro Inu-tai''|白犬隊||"White Dog Corps"}}, were released on July 11, 2015. A free expansion called {{nihongo4|''Getto-gumi''|月兎組||"Moon Rabbit Crew"}} was released on December 12, 2015, adding characters and settings featured in the second film, ''[[Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-12/new-yo-kai-watch-busters-getto-gumi-3ds-game-ships-in-december/.94091|title= New Yo-kai Watch Busters: Getto-gumi 3DS Game Ships in December|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=October 12, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref> |
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A sequel, {{nihongo4|''[[Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya]]''|妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2秘宝伝説バンバラヤー|Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu 2 Hihō Densetsu Banbarayā}}, was released in two versions, {{nihongo4||ソード||"Sword"}} and {{nihongo4||マグナム||"Magnum"}}, on December 16, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201711/22146603.html |title=『妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2 秘宝伝説バンバラヤー』の発売日が12月16日(土)に変更 |trans-title=Release date of ''Yo-kai Watch Busters 2'' changed to Saturday, December 16 |date=22 November 2017 |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref> They are compatible with save data from the first ''Busters'' games as well as the three versions of ''Yo-kai Watch 3''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201710/13143967.html |title=『妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2 ソード/マグナム』2バージョンの限定妖怪が明らかに! 各種特典も公開 |trans-title=Announcing the yo-kai of ''Yo-Kai Watch Busters 2'' exclusive to ''Sword'' and ''Magnum'' versions! Various benefits also published |date=13 October 2017 |magazine=Famitsu |access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref> |
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The first game was localized in English regions as ''Yo-kai Watch Blasters'' and released on September 7, 2018.<ref name=Variety-Blasters>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/yo-kai-watch-blasters-1202860640/ |title='Yo-Kai Watch Blasters' Revealed for Western Release This Fall |author=Vincent, Brittany |date=June 28, 2018 |work=Variety |access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref> The games were released under the names ''Red Cat Corps'' and ''White Dog Squad''.<ref name=Variety-Blasters/> A free update for both games, ''Moon Rabbit Crew'', was released on September 27, 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/09/nintendo_download_27th_september_north_america |title=Nintendo Download: 27th September (North America) |author=Calvert, Darren |date=27 September 2018 |work=Nintendo Life |access-date=29 April 2019}}</ref> |
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''Busters 2'' has not been localized into English, and most likely will never be because the Nintendo 3DS's production was discontinued. |
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==== Other associated games ==== |
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The [[Data Carddass]] game {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch: Tomodachi UkiUkipedia''|妖怪ウォッチ ともだちウキウキペディア}} was first location tested in late December 2013, and debuted at the Next Generation World Hobby Fair Winter 2014 before being released in early 2014. The game is similar to Bandai's other Data Carddass games, as the player uses an interface resembling a slot machine to determine the events of a battle between three of the player's Yo-kai and three enemy Yo-kai. Winning the game awards the player with a card that can be used in future ''Tomodachi UkiUkipedia'' play. |
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{{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Sangokushi''|妖怪三国志||lit. "Yo-kai Three Kingdoms"}} was announced alongside ''Busters'' and ''Yo-kai Watch 3'' in April 2015. ''Sangokushi'' was made in collaboration with [[Koei Tecmo]]'s ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' series as well as several mobile games. |
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In August 2015, a collaboration with [[Ubisoft]] to release a special version of the ''[[Just Dance (video game series)|Just Dance]]'' series was announced, set to feature songs from the anime's soundtrack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-08-22/ubisoft-just-dance-gets-yo-kai-watch-edition/.91958|title=Ubisoft's Just Dance Gets Yo-kai Watch Edition|work=Anime News Network|date=July 10, 2023 }}</ref> Titled ''{{nihongo4|Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version|妖怪ウォッチダンス {{ruby|JUST DANCE|ジャストダンス}} スペシャルバージョン|Yōkai Uotchi Dansu: Jasuto Dansu Supesharu Bājon|}}'', it was released exclusively in Japan for the Wii U on December 5, 2015. |
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On June 27, 2018, Level-5 and [[GungHo Online Entertainment]] announced in a special live stream the release of Yo-kai Watch World. Before the same-day release of the game, Level-5 teased it online as a "game that will shock the world". Said to compete with ''[[Pokémon Go]]'', it featured new gameplay mechanics as well as battle sequences similar to the original 3DS games. Currently, it is only able to work within Japan, as other locations do not mostly work outside of Japan. Service for Yo-kai Watch World was discontinued on December 23, 2022. |
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==== Console-based spin-offs ==== |
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* ''[[Yo-kai Watch Blasters]]'' (Nintendo 3DS, 2015) – released worldwide (outside Korea) on September 7, 2018, with ''Moon Rabbit Crew'' update released on September 27, 2018 |
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* ''[[Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version]]'' ([[Wii U]], 2015) – Exclusive to Japan, developed by [[Ubisoft]] as part of the ''[[Just Dance (video game series)|Just Dance]]'' series |
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* ''[[Yo-kai Sangokushi]]'' (Nintendo 3DS, 2016) – Japan only, Collaboration with [[Koei Tecmo|Koei Techmo]]'s [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]] series |
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* ''[[Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya]]'' (Nintendo 3DS, 2017) — Japan only |
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* ''[[Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y ]]'' (Nintendo Switch, 2020) — Japan only |
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==== Smartphone apps ==== |
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* ''Yo-kai Land'' ([[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], 2015) – Produced by [[Hasbro]] |
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* {{nihongo4|''[[Yo-kai Taiso Dai-Ichi]] Puzzle da Nyan''|ようかい体操第一 パズルだニャン|Yōkai Taisō Dai-Ichi Pazuru da Nyan|lit. "Yo-kai Exercise No. 1: Puzzle Meow"}} (iOS, Android, 2013) |
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* {{nihongo4|''[[Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble]]''|妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに|Yōkai Wotchi Puni-puni}} (iOS, Android, 2015) |
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* {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch: Gerapo Rhythm''|妖怪ウォッチ ゲラポリズム|Yōkai Wotchi Gerapo Rizumu}} (iOS, Android, 2018) |
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* {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Daijiten''|妖怪大辞典||lit. "Great Yo-kai Dictionary"}} (iOS, Android, 2018) |
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* {{Nihongo4|''Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars''|妖怪三国志 国盗りウォーズ|Yōkai Wocchi Kunitori Wōzu}} (iOS, Android, 2018) – Co-produced with [[Koei Tecmo]] |
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* {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch World''|妖怪ウォッチワールド|Yōkai Wocchi Wārudo}} (iOS, Android, June 27, 2018) – Co-produced by [[GungHo Online Entertainment|GungHo Online Entertainment inc.]], with a [[Google Maps]]-based engine |
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* {{Nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars''|妖怪ウォッチ メダルウォーズ|Yōkai Wocchi Medaru Wōzu}} (iOS, Android, 2019) – Co-produced with [[Netmarble Games|Netmarble]] |
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=== Manga and comics === |
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{{See also|Yo-kai Watch (manga)}} |
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Six [[manga]] adaptations based on the series have been published by [[Shogakukan]]. A series by Noriyuki Konishi began serialization in ''[[CoroCoro Comic]]'' from December 15, 2012. This series has been licensed by [[Viz Media]] under its Perfect Square imprint for its North American releases up to Volume 10, and is now directly from Viz Media as of Volume 11.<ref name="vizlicense">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-06/viz-media-adds-yo-kai-watch-manga-to-perfect-square-imprint/.86542 |title=Viz Media Adds Yo-kai Watch Manga to Perfect Square Imprint - News - Anime News Network |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref> The manga is licensed in French by [[Kazé]]. |
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A [[shōjo manga]] series by Chikako Mori, titled {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch: Exciting Nyanderful Days''|妖怪ウォッチ~わくわく☆にゃんだふるデイズ~|Yōkai Wotchi ~Wakuwaku Nyandafuru Deizu~}}, was serialized in ''[[Ciao (magazine)|Ciao]]'' magazine from December 27, 2013 to 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-30/yokai-watch-game-gets-shojo-manga-in-nakayoshi|title=Yōkai Watch Game Gets Shōjo Manga in Ciao|work=Anime News Network|access-date=2017-10-04|language=en}}</ref> In this series, it was based on the alternate timeline, in which Katie Forester would receive the Yo-kai Watch. This is in contrast to the main timeline, where Nate Adams is the primary. |
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A [[yonkoma]] series by Coconas Rumba, titled {{nihongo4|''4-Panel Yo-kai Watch: Geragera Manga Theater''|4コマ妖怪ウォッチ ゲラゲラマンガ劇場|Yonkoma Yōkai Wotchi Geragera Manga Gekijō}}, has been serialized in ''[[CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro Comic SPECIAL]]'' from August 30, 2014, to June 30, 2018. |
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Another yonkoma series by Santa Harukaze, titled {{nihongo4|''Yo-kai Watch 4-Panel Pun Club''|妖怪ウォッチ 4コマだじゃれクラブ|Yōkai Wotchi Yonkoma Dajare Kurabu}}, began serialization in ''[[CoroCoro Comic|CoroCoro Ichiban!]]'' from April 2015. |
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A series by Shō Shibamoto, titled {{nihongo4|''Komasan 〜A Time for Fireworks and Miracles〜''|コマさん 〜ハナビとキセキの時間〜|Komasan 〜Hanabi to Kiseki no Jikan〜}}, began serialization in the [[seinen manga]] magazine ''Hibana'' on April 10, 2015, and ended on September 10 of that year. |
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A manga series based on ''Yo-kai Watch Blasters'' by Atsushi Ohba began serialization in ''CoroCoro Comic'' in June 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-05-12/yo-kai-watch-busters-spinoff-game-gets-manga-adaptation/.88070|title=Yo-Kai Watch Busters Spinoff Game Gets Manga Adaptation|publisher=Anime News Network|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref> and ended in October of that year. |
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A comic book series was announced in January 2017, courtesy of [[IDW Publishing]], and was released in May 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Yo-Kai Watch American Comic Book Series Is Going To Release This April|url=http://www.siliconera.com/a-yo-kai-watch-american-comic-book-series-is-going-to-release-this-april/|website=Siliconera|date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.idwpublishing.com/product/yo-kai-watch-1/|title=Yo-Kai Watch #1 – IDW Publishing|publisher=Idwpublishing.com|access-date=June 14, 2017|archive-date=July 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706032048/http://www.idwpublishing.com/product/yo-kai-watch-1/|url-status=dead}}</ref><!--Turns out the Esquivel, Francisco, and Hao published by [[Norma Editorial]] in Spain is the same as the IDW comic {{cite web|url=https://www.normacomics.com/comics/yo-kai-watch-23282.html|title=YO-KAI WATCH (Tomo único)|publisher=[[Norma Editorial]]|accessdate=2023-06-03}}--> |
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==== Noriyuki Konishi version ==== |
==== Noriyuki Konishi version ==== |
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Loosely based on the main Yo-kai Watch series, a manga series by Noriyuki Konishi started serialization before the release of Yo-kai Watch on the 3DS, and the debut of the original Yo-kai Watch anime. In the series, the art style was different from the current designs, like the early design of the Yo-kai Watch, and also has different character personalities. As the games and anime were released, the manga kept the art style, but the characters also slowly developed over time. |
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<onlyinclude> |
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Volume 16 transitioned the manga into the current "[[Yo-kai Watch! (2019 TV series)|Yo-kai Watch!]]" anime timeline, while still keeping the art style of the previous edition. |
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| OriginalRelDate = August 5, 2016 |
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| OriginalRelDate = September 28, 2017 |
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| OriginalRelDate = November 28, 2017 |
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| OriginalRelDate = May 28, 2018 |
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| VolumeNumber = 16 |
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| OriginalRelDate = July 26, 2019 |
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| VolumeNumber = 17 |
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| OriginalRelDate = October 28, 2019 |
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| OriginalRelDate = July 28, 2020 |
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| VolumeNumber = 19 |
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| OriginalRelDate = August 27, 2021 |
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| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-143339-8 |
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| LicensedRelDate = August 9, 2022 |
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| OriginalRelDate = December 27, 2021 |
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| OriginalRelDate = April 27, 2022 |
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==== ''Yo- |
==== ''Yo-kai Watch: Exciting Nyanderful Days'' ==== |
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==== ''Yo-kai Watch: 4- |
==== ''Yo-kai Watch: 4-Panel Pun-Club'' ==== |
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==== ''Yo- |
==== ''Yo-kai Watch Busters'' ==== |
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==== ''4- |
==== ''4-Panel Yo-kai Watch: Geragera Manga Theater'' ==== |
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==== ''Komasan: A Time for Fireworks and Miracles'' ==== |
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===Anime=== |
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{{main|List of Yo-Kai Watch episodes|Yo-Kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!}} |
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A television [[anime]] series based on the game, produced by [[OLM, Inc.|OLM]], began airing in Japan on [[TX Network]] on January 8, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-15/yokai-watch-tv-anime-to-premiere-in-january|title=''Yōkai Watch'' TV Anime to Premiere in January|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 16, 2013 |accessdate=December 24, 2013}}</ref> On April 7, 2015, Level-5 unveiled a promotional video for a second season of the anime series, which premiered in July 2015. The second season features a new protagonist, Inaho Misora, and a new Yo-Kai partner, Usapyon. It also features a new model of the Yo-Kai Watch called the "Yo-Kai Watch U".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/yo-kai-watch-anime-2nd-season-previewed-in-video/.86845|title=Yo-Kai Watch Anime's 2nd Season Previewed in Video|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 7, 2015|accessdate=April 7, 2015}}</ref> A movie {{nihongo4|''[[Yo-Kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!|Yo-Kai Watch the Movie: The Secret is Created, Nyan!]]''|映画 妖怪ウォッチ 誕生の秘密だニャン!|Eiga Yōkai Wotchi: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!}} was released in Japan on December 20, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-10/level-5-yo-kai-watch-games-get-film-in-december/.75393|title= Level-5's Yo-kai Watch Games Get Film in December|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=June 10, 2014|accessdate=June 10, 2014}}</ref> A second movie, {{nihongo4|''Yo-Kai Watch the Movie: The Great King Enma and the Five Tales, Nyan!''|映画 妖怪ウォッチ エンマ大王と5つの物語だニャン!|Eiga Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daioh to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!}}, will release in theaters on December 19, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2015-06-14/2nd-yo-kai-watch-film-opens-in-japan-on-december-19/.89255|title=2nd Yo-kai Watch Film Opens in Japan on December 19|work=Anime News Network}}</ref> |
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=== Anime === |
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[[Dentsu|Dentsu Entertainment USA]] announced in April 2014 that they were seeking broadcast and merchandising partners in North America for the anime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dentsu-entertainment-usa-seeks-broadcast--merchandising-partners-in-the-americas-for-japanese-comedy--adventure-hit-Yo-Kai-watch-257167111.html|title=Dentsu Entertainment USA Seeks Broadcast & Merchandising Partners In The Americas | date= April 29, 2014 | publisher=[[PRNewswire]] |accessdate=April 30, 2014}}</ref> At the premiere of the ''Yo-Kai Watch'' film, Level-5's president Akihiro Hino announced that the ''Yo-Kai Watch'' anime would begin broadcast internationally in 2015. He also jokingly requested [[Etsuko Kozakura]] and [[Tomokazu Seki]], who voice Jibanyan and Whisper respectively, to "study English".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-20/yo-kai-watch-to-air-in-u.s-europe-other-regions-globally/.82434|title=Yo-kai Watch to Air in U.S., Europe, Other Regions Globally|work=Anime News Network|accessdate=December 20, 2014|date=December 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0069205|title=「妖怪ウォッチ」世界へ!ジバニャンはジバニャンのまま|date=December 20, 2014|work=シネマトゥデイ|accessdate=December 21, 2014}}</ref> [[Viz Media|Viz Media Europe]] has licensed the series in Europe, Russia, Africa and Philippines.<ref name="vizlicense" /> The Fusion Agency has acquired the licensing and merchandising rights for the series in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toyhobbyretailer.com.au/news/fusion-agency-secures-yo-kai-watch-a/nz-rights|title=Fusion Agency secures Yo-Kai Watch A/NZ rights|publisher=Toy & Hobby Retailer|date=May 12, 2015|accessdate=May 15, 2015}}</ref> [[MarVista Entertainment]] has licensed the series in Latin America. The series began airing in North America on [[Disney XD]] on October 5, 2015.<ref>http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-23/yo-kai-watch-anime-to-premiere-on-disney-xd/.89623</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/japanese-phenomenon-yo-kai-watch-to-begin-airing-on-disney-xd-in-the-us-later-this-year-300103478.html|title=Japanese Phenomenon YO-KAI WATCH™ To Begin Airing On Disney XD In... -- SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --|author=Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc.|date=June 23, 2015|work=prnewswire.com}}</ref> An alternative English dub began airing on [[Toonami (Asia)|Toonami Asia]] in Asian countries from June 27, 2015.<ref>http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-06-25/toonami-picks-up-yo-kai-watch-in-asia/.89708</ref> |
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{{main|List of Yo-kai Watch episodes|Yo-kai Watch: The Movie|Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!|Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!|Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu|Yo-kai Watch Shadowside|Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends|Yo-kai Watch! (2019 TV series)}} |
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An [[anime]] television series based on the game, produced by [[OLM, Inc.|OLM]], aired from January 8, 2014, to March 30, 2018, in Japan and began airing on [[Disney XD]] on October 5, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-15/yokai-watch-tv-anime-to-premiere-in-january|title=''Yōkai Watch'' TV Anime to Premiere in January|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 16, 2013 |access-date=December 24, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-03/level-5-yokai-watch-tv-anime-previewed-in-promo-video|title=Level 5's Yōkai Watch TV Anime Previewed in Promo Video|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=January 3, 2014|access-date=January 3, 2020}}</ref> It is more comedic in tone, and has several segments per episode, with most focusing on Nathan "Nate" Adams solving problems caused by Yo-kai. Some episodes have a "Mini-Corner" featuring one of the main Yo-kai. The English theme song is sung by [[Jeff "Swampy" Marsh]], best known as one of the creators of the fellow Disney show [[Phineas and Ferb]]. |
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===Music=== |
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The music for both the games and anime series is composed by Ken'ichirō Saigō. The following themes are used in both the video games and anime series. All opening themes are performed by King Cream Soda, with lyrics by [[m.o.v.e]] vocalist Motsu. The anime themes are also dubbed into English for its North American broadcast. |
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On April 7, 2015, Level-5 unveiled a promotional video for the series' third season, which premiered in July 2015. The third season features a new protagonist named Hailey Anne Thomas and her Yo-kai companion Usapyon, as well as new models of the Yo-kai Watch called the "Yo-kai Watch Model U"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/yo-kai-watch-anime-2nd-season-previewed-in-video/.86845|title=Yo-Kai Watch Anime's 3rd Season Previewed in Video|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=April 7, 2015|access-date=April 7, 2015}}</ref> and the "Yo-kai Watch Dream". The season premiered on January 6, 2017, and entered a Busters Arc in July.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-05-14/yo-kai-watch-anime-enters-busters-arc-in-july/.115996|title=Yo-Kai Watch Anime Enters 'Busters' Arc in July|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> In February 2018, a sequel series called ''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside]]'' started airing after the original series ended on March 30, 2018, with its first two episodes broadcast as an hour-long special on April 13, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-15/yo-kai-watch-tv-anime-enters-shadowside-arc-in-april/.127812|title=Yo-kai Watch TV Anime Enters Shadowside Arc in April|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> The series lasted for 49 episodes, ending on March 29, 2019. |
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;Opening themes |
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*{{nihongo4|"Gera Gera Po no Uta"|ゲラゲラポーのうた|Geragerapō no Uta|"The Laughter Song"}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch'' game, anime eps. 1-36, 51) |
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**"The Gera Gera Po Song (English ver.)", performed by Peter Michail and Kathryn Lynn<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-25/yo-kai-watch-anime-english-theme-song-video-streamed/.93417|title=Yo-kai Watch Anime's English Theme Song Video Streamed|work=Anime News Network}}</ref> |
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*{{nihongo4|"Matsuribayashi de Geragerapō"|祭り囃子でゲラゲラポー||"The Festival Band's Gera Gera Po"}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Ganso'', anime eps 37-62<ref name="alternating themes" group="lower-alpha" />) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Hatsukoitōge de Geragerapō"|初恋峠でゲラゲラポー||"First Love's Pass Gera Gera Po}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Honke'', anime eps 38-61<ref name="alternating themes" group="lower-alpha" />) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Gerappo Dance Train"|ゲラッポ・ダンストレイン|Gerappo Dansutorein}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Shinuchi'', anime eps 63-76) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Jinsei Dramatic"|人生ドラマティック|Jinsei Doramatikku|"A Life Dramatic"}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch 3'', anime ep 77-) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Tomaranai Aka"|止まらない赤||"Unstoppable Red"}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch Busters: Aka Neko-dan'') |
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*{{nihongo4|"Shiroi Ikakūka"|白いイカクウカ||"White Intimidation"}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch Busters: Shiro Inu-tai'') |
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A revival series known as ''[[Yo-kai Watch! (2019 TV series)|Yo-kai Watch!]]'' ran from April 5, 2019, to December 20, 2019, in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-02-14/yo-kai-watch-anime-gets-new-series-in-april-with-returning-protagonist-keita/.143427|title = Yo-Kai Watch Anime Gets New Series in April with Returning Protagonist Nate| date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> It is a continuation of the original series that introduces new Yo-kai while serving as a sort of prologue to the fourth movie, as Nate receives the Yo-kai Watch Arcane Version K, which resembles the Yo-kai Watch Arcane used in ''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside]]''. While mostly based on the original series, it features elements from Shadowside, such as the Yo-kai Arks and the Shadowside Tribes. |
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;Ending themes |
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*{{nihongo4|"Yo-Kai Taisō Dai-Ichi"|ようかい体操第一|Yōkai Taisō Dai-Ichi|"Yo-Kai Exercise No. 1"}} by Maiko (game), [[Dream5]] (anime, eps 1-24) |
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**"Yo-Kai Exercise No. 1 (English ver.)", performed by [[Melissa Hutchison]] & [[Alicyn Packard]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-10-05/yo-kai-watch-anime-gets-english-exercise-video/.93814|title=Yo-kai Watch Anime Gets English Exercise Video|work=Anime News Network}}</ref> |
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*{{nihongo4|"Dan Dan Doobie Zubah!"|ダン・ダン ドゥビ・ズバー!|Dan Dan Dubi Zubā!}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Ganso'' & ''Honke''), Dream5 and Bully-taichō (Motsu) (anime eps 25-50) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Geragerapō Sōkyoku"|ゲラゲラポー走曲||"Gera Gera Po Medley"}} by Yo-Kai King Dream Soda (Lucky Ikeda, Dream5, and King Cream Soda) (anime eps 48-49, [[TV Tokyo]] broadcast) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Kuwagata to Kabutomushi"|クワガタとカブトムシ||"Stag Beetle and Rhinoceros Beetle"}} by King Cream Soda (''Yo-Kai Watch 2: Shinuchi'') |
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*{{nihongo4|"Idol wa Ooh-Nya-Nya no Ken"|アイドルはウーニャニャの件|Aidoru wa Ūnyanya no Ken|"Idols are a Matter of Ooh-Nya-Nya"}} by NyaKB ([[Haruka Shimazaki]], [[Jurina Matsui]], [[Sakura Miyawaki]], [[Rina Kawaei]], [[Yuria Kizaki]], [[Rena Kato]], Mako Kojima) with Tsuchinoko Panda ([[Yuko Sasamoto]]) (anime eps 51-67) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Yo-Kai Taisō Dai-Ni"|ようかい体操第二|Yōkai Taisō Dai-Ni|"Yo-Kai Exercise No. 2"}} by Dream5 (anime eps 68-76) |
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*{{nihongo4|"Uchū Dance!"|宇宙ダンス!|Uchū Dansu!|"Space Dance!"}} by Cotori with Stitchbird (''Yo-Kai Busters: Aka Neko-dan'' & ''Shiro Inu-tai'', anime eps 77-) |
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''Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y: Close Encounters of the N Kind'' ran from December 27, 2019, to April 2, 2021, as a sequel and continuation of the sixth movie.<ref>本日11/15(金)発売の「月刊コロコロコミック」(小学館)にて、『妖怪ウォッチ4++』「映画 妖怪学園Y 猫はHEROになれるか」「妖怪学園Y ~Nとの遭遇~」の紹介記事が掲載されています!ぜひ、ご覧ください!レベルファイブ (@LEVEL5_times) https://twitter.com/LEVEL5_times/status/1195275281285578758 November 15, 2019</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-11-14/yo-kai-watch-anime-gets-new-series-in-6th-movie-academy-setting/.153247|title=Yo-kai Watch Anime Gets New Series in 6th Movie's Academy Setting|author=Pineda, Rafael Antonio|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=November 14, 2019|accessdate=February 15, 2021}}</ref> |
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{{reflist|group=lower-alpha|refs= |
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<ref name="alternating themes" group="lower-alpha">The ending themes for epiodes 37-62 of the anime series alternate between "Matsuribayashi de Geragerapō" and "Hatsukoitōge de Geragerapō".</ref> |
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Another revival series, ''Yo-kai Watch ♪'' started airing on April 9, 2021, in which Nate now uses a "enhanced" version of the original Yo-kai Watch which can recognize all types of medals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-02-26/yo-kai-watch-tv-anime-starts-new-series-with-original-main-leads-on-april-9/.170007|title=Yo-kai Watch TV Anime Starts New Series With Original Main Leads on April 9|author=Mateo, Alex|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=February 26, 2021|accessdate=February 26, 2021}}</ref> |
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In the course of the franchise's history, eight ''Yo-kai Watch'' movies have been made. The first, ''[[Yo-kai Watch: The Movie]]'', was released in Japan on December 20, 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-10/level-5-yo-kai-watch-games-get-film-in-december/.75393|title= Level-5's Yo-kai Watch Games Get Film in December|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> The second film, ''[[Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!]]'', was released in Japan on December 19, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2015-06-14/2nd-yo-kai-watch-film-opens-in-japan-on-december-19/.89255|title=2nd Yo-kai Watch Film Opens in Japan on December 19|work=Anime News Network|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> and the third film, ''[[Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!]]'', a [[live-action animated film]], was released in Japan on December 17, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-06-18/yo-kai-watch-sora-tobu-kujira-to-sekai-no-daiboken-da-nyan-anime-and-live-action-film-opens-on-december-17/.103328|title=Yo-kai Watch: Sora Tobu Kujira to Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan Anime & Live-Action Film Opens on December 17|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> The fourth film, ''[[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu]]'', released in Japanese theatres on December 16, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-06-14/4th-yo-kai-watch-film-details-new-characters-december-opening-revealed/.117458|title=4th Yo-kai Watch Film's Details, New Characters, December Opening Revealed|newspaper=Anime News Network}}</ref> A fifth movie, ''[[Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends]]'', released in Japanese theatres on December 14, 2018. A sixth movie, ''Yo-kai Watch Jam the Movie: Yo-Kai Academy Y - Can a Cat be a Hero?'', was released in Japanese theatres on December 13, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-06-14/6th-yo-kai-watch-film-reveals-visual-december-13-opening/.147833|title = 6th Yo-kai Watch Film Reveals Visual, December 13 Opening| date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> A seventh movie, ''Yo-kai Watch♪ the Movie: How Nate and I Met Nyan!♪ M-Me Too~♪♪,'' was released in Japanese theatres on November 12, 2021. It is based on the ''Yo-kai Watch ♪'' series and features re-edited versions of segments from the anime, as well as some original content.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=New Yo-kai Watch TV Anime Gets Compilation Film on November 12 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-10-20/new-yo-kai-watch-tv-anime-gets-compilation-film-on-november-12/.178682 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref> An eighth movie, ''Yo-kai Watch♪: Jibanyan vs. Komasan - The Big Amazing Battle, Nyan'', was released in Japan on January 13, 2023, based on the ''Yo-kai Watch♪'' series and used as its two-part finale''.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-21 |title=New Yo-kai Watch TV Anime Gets Theatrical Anime Special on January 13 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-11-17/new-yo-kai-watch-tv-anime-gets-theatrical-anime-special-on-january-13/.192016 |access-date=2023-08-21 |website=Anime News Network |language=en}}</ref> |
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The series is being released on DVD box sets, along with rental DVDs, in Japan by [[Kadokawa Corporation|Kadokawa Media Factory]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kids.bc.mediafactory.jp/youkai-watch/dvd/dvdbox/|title=妖怪ウォッチ DVDBOX|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Corporation|Kadokawa Media Factory]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kids.bc.mediafactory.jp/youkai-watch/dvd/rental/|title=妖怪ウォッチ レンタルDVD|language=ja|publisher=[[Kadokawa Corporation|Kadokawa Media Factory]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref> Every episode to date is available for streaming on multiple [[video on demand]] services in Japan, such as [[Hulu]] and [[Rakuten|Rakuten Video Showtime]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.happyon.jp/yokai-watch|title=妖怪ウォッチ|publisher=[[Hulu]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://video.rakuten.co.jp/content/85637/|title=妖怪ウォッチ 動画|language=ja|publisher=[[Rakuten]]|access-date=July 27, 2016}}</ref> |
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==== Overseas ==== |
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At the premiere of the ''Yo-kai Watch'' film, Level-5's president Akihiro Hino officially announced that the ''Yo-kai Watch'' anime would begin broadcast internationally in 2015. He also jokingly requested [[Etsuko Kozakura]] and [[Tomokazu Seki]], who voice Jibanyan and Whisper respectively, to "study English".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-20/yo-kai-watch-to-air-in-u.s-europe-other-regions-globally/.82434|title=Yo-kai Watch to Air in U.S., Europe, Other Regions Globally|work=Anime News Network|access-date=December 20, 2014|date=December 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cinematoday.jp/page/N0069205|title=「妖怪ウォッチ」世界へ!ジバニャンはジバニャンのまま|date=December 20, 2014|work=シネマトゥデイ|access-date=December 21, 2014}}</ref> |
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==== In North America ==== |
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[[Dentsu|Dentsu Entertainment USA]] announced in April 2014 that they were seeking broadcast and merchandising partners in North America for the anime.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dentsu-entertainment-usa-seeks-broadcast--merchandising-partners-in-the-americas-for-japanese-comedy--adventure-hit-Yo-Kai-watch-257167111.html|title=Dentsu Entertainment USA Seeks Broadcast & Merchandising Partners In The Americas | date= April 29, 2014 | publisher=[[PRNewswire]] |access-date=April 30, 2014}}</ref> The anime began broadcast as a 26-episode season on Disney XD on October 5, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-06-23/yo-kai-watch-anime-to-premiere-on-disney-xd/.89623|title=Yo-kai Watch Anime to Premiere on Disney XD|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> with the official Yo-kai Watch YouTube channel posting episodes a month later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/the-yo-kai-watch-anime-will-be-available-for-free-on-youtube-starting-this-week-319199.phtml|title=The Yo-Kai Watch anime will be available for free on YouTube starting this week|website=Destructoid.com|date=November 5, 2015}}</ref> Since the show had performed well, a second season (no relation to the Japanese second season) with an additional 50 episodes was broadcast on August 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/yo-kai-watch-anime-is-back-in-august-with-double-the-episodes-369892.phtml|title=Yo-Kai Watch anime is back in August with double the episodes|website=Destructoid.com|date=June 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/level-5-finally-reveals-north-american-yo-kai-watch-sales-367709.phtml|title=Level-5 finally reveals North American Yo-Kai Watch sales|website=Destructoid.com|date=June 12, 2016}}</ref> The third season premiered on July 2, 2018, on Disney XD in the United States, and ended on December 29, 2018. In 2019, Disney XD removed the ''Yo-kai Watch'' anime from its lineup due to declining ratings; but eventually returned to the network in a weekend-only timeslot in January 2020, re-taking the place of a previous replacement, ''[[Inazuma Eleven: Ares (2018 TV series)|Inazuma Eleven: Ares]]''. The first season's first volume was released on DVD by NCircle Entertainment on February 26, 2019,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncircleentertainment.com/yo-kai-watch-season-1-volume-1/843501010310|title=Yo-kai Watch Season 1 Volume 1|website=NCircle Entertainment Shop|access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> and one version of that set comes with a free comic book.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ncircleentertainment.com/yo-kai-watch-s1-v1-wcomic-book/843501010280|title=Yo-kai Watch S1 V1 W/ Comic Book|website=NCircle Entertainment Shop|access-date=November 28, 2018}}</ref> The first season's second volume was released on September 3, 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.com/Yo-Kai-Watch-Season-One-Two/dp/B07RY4CQHC | title=Yo-Kai Watch: Season One, Volume Two | website=Amazon | date=September 3, 2019 }}</ref> |
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The first movie was also brought over, as a special screening one day screening, on October 15, 2016. This was only in the US, via [[Fathom Events]]. Those who attended got a Hovernyan medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/14/yo-kai-watch-the-movie-event-coming-to-theaters-for-one-day-only|title=Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie Event Coming to Theaters for One Day Only|first=Alex|last=Osborn|date=October 14, 2016|website=Ign.com}}</ref> |
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Outside of the US, the first season and the movie used to be available to stream on Netflix, but as of now, it is no longer available to stream.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/04/02/yo-kai-watch-anime-now-available-to-stream-on-netflix/200707/|title=Yo-Kai Watch Anime Now Available to Stream on Netflix - Hardcore Gamer|website=Hardcoregamer.com|date=April 2, 2016}}</ref> |
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The English version of the anime dub used a cast from [[Sprite Animation Studios]] for the first two seasons, but they were replaced in the third season with actors from [[SDI Media]] due to budget costs and low ratings on Disney XD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toonbarn.com/other-cartoons/yo-kai-watch-replaces-english-voice-cast/|title=Yo-Kai Watch replaces English voice cast • ToonBarn|date=December 28, 2017|website=Toonbarn.com}}</ref> |
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[[MarVista Entertainment]] has licensed the series in Latin America, and it also localized the second movie despite never airing in the U.S., so the movie was dubbed based on the Japanese version (which also kept the promotional ending of the third Yo-kai watch movie despite never being dubbed afterwards). |
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==== In Europe and Africa ==== |
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[[Viz Media Europe]] has licensed the series in Europe, Russia, and Africa. They premiered the anime in the UK and Ireland on [[Cartoon Network (UK and Ireland)|Cartoon Network]] on April 23, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cartoon Network EMEA Feeds Acquire Yo-kai Watch Broadcasting Rights|url=http://www.regularcapital.com/2016/02/cartoon-network-emea-feeds-acquire-yo-kai-watch-broadcasting-rights/|website=RegularCapital.com|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=2016-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Parfitt|first1=Ben|title=Yo-Kai Watch TV Series Confirmed For UK|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/yo-kai-watch-tv-series-confirmed-for-uk/0161493|website=MCV UK|date=January 21, 2016|access-date=21 January 2016}}</ref> In France it showed on three different stations: Boing in April, 2016, Gulli in September, 2016, and Cartoon Network France in March, 2017. Other countries it aired in are Germany and Austria (Nickelodeon), Spain and Africa on Boing, Belgium and the Netherlands on Nickelodeon, and Israel on Noga. Cartoon Network also has it airing on their Portugal, Turkey, Poland and the Nordic, Central and Eastern Europe feeds, starting in Spring 2016. |
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Viz has also hired Bulldog Licensing and German brand-management company m4e to represent the brand in the UK and German-speaking territories, respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kidscreen.com/2016/02/25/yo-kai-watch-makes-spring-debut-across-europe/|title=Yo-Kai Watch makes spring debut across Europe}}</ref> |
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==== Asia ==== |
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An alternative English dub began airing on [[Cartoon Network (Southeast Asia)|Cartoon Network Asia]] and [[Toonami (Asia)|Toonami Asia]] in Asian countries from June 27, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2015-06-25/toonami-picks-up-yo-kai-watch-in-asia/.89708 |title=Toonami Picks Up Yo-kai Watch in Asia |publisher=Anime News Network |date=2015-06-25 |access-date=2015-12-23}}</ref> The alternative English dub uses the original Japanese names. |
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[[Shogakukan Asia]] also licensed the series in the [[Philippines]]. Similarly, for a few years, [[GMA Network]] also made a Tagalog dub of the original anime. |
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For [[Yo-kai Watch Shadowside]], a subbed version aired in the Southeast Asia area, in 2019 via [[Animax|Animax Asia]]. |
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==== In Australia and New Zealand ==== |
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The Fusion Agency acquired the licensing and merchandising rights for the series in [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toyhobbyretailer.com.au/news/fusion-agency-secures-yo-kai-watch-a/nz-rights|title=Fusion Agency secures Yo-Kai Watch A/NZ rights|publisher=Toy & Hobby Retailer|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=May 15, 2015}}</ref> It aired in Australia on [[9Go!]] on December 14, 2015. |
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=== Music === |
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The music for the games and anime series is composed by Level-5 employee Kenichiro Saigo. The following themes are used in both the video games and anime series. In the original anime, all opening themes are performed by King Cream Soda, with lyrics by [[m.o.v.e]] vocalist Motsu. The anime themes are also dubbed into English for its North American broadcast. |
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Recent seasons of the anime have had opening and ending themes performed by Japanese [[YouTuber]]s such as [[Soraru]], [[Rinu]], and [[Strawberry Prince]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=2019-12-26|title=主題歌情報を公開!|url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/youkai-watch2020/news/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128015711/https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/youkai-watch2020/news/|archive-date=2021-01-28|access-date=2021-07-24|website=妖怪ウォッチJam「妖怪学園Y ~Nとの遭遇~」 テレビ東京アニメ公式|language=Japanese}}</ref> |
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== Merchandise == |
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[[File:DX Youkai Watch "Type-Zero". (15895100797).jpg|thumb|Japanese DX Yo-kai Watch "Model Zero"]] |
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Various toys, such as the eponymous Yo-kai Watch and Yo-kai Medals, have been produced based on the series, receiving high commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/buying-japans-most-popular-toy-was-crazy-hard-1618115548|title=Buying Japan's Most Popular Toy Was Crazy Hard|author=Brian Ashcraft|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Kotaku|date=August 8, 2014 }}</ref> [[Hasbro]] released a toy line based on the series worldwide in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-13/hasbro-to-launch-level-5-yo-kai-watch-toy-line-in-2016/.84421|title=Hasbro to Launch Level-5's Yo-kai Watch Toy Line in 2016|work=Anime News Network|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> In July 2016, [[Square Enix]]'s [[MMORPG]] ''[[Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn]]'' held a special crossover event lasting until October which allowed players to gather Medals from existing in-game battles and exchange them for minions modeled after the franchise's titular Yo-kai as well as weapons inspired by them.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2016/youkai-watch/|title=Yo-Kai Watch: Gather One, Gather All!}}</ref> In January 2018, McDonald's began offering Yo-kai Watch toys in US Happy Meals, alongside the much more popular [[Shopkins]]. |
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== Reception == |
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The original ''Yo-kai Watch'' game received a score of 36/40 from Famitsu,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-10-05/yo-kai-watch-anime-gets-english-exercise-video/.93814|title=Yo-kai Watch Anime Gets English Exercise Video|work=Anime News Network|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> with its sequel ''Yo-kai Watch 2'' also scoring 36/40.<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=http://www.siliconera.com/yo-kai-watch-ships-500000-copies-japan|title=Yo-kai Watch Ships Over 500,000 Copies In Japan - Siliconera|date=2014-02-19|work=Siliconera|access-date=2022-10-09|language=en-US}}</ref> ''Yo-kai Watch 2'' won the Grand Prize in the Japan Game Awards. It also won 3 other awards: The Best Sales Award, and two Excellence Awards (for the 2nd game and its third version).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/yo-kai-watch-and-super-smash-bros-win-big-at-japan-game-awards-2015/|title=Yo-Kai Watch And Super Smash Bros Win Big At Japan Game Awards 2015 - Siliconera|date=September 18, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, ''Yo-kai Watch'''s manga in CoroCoro Comic won the 38th Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Children's Manga category.<ref name="siliconera.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/rise-fall-yo-kai-watch-boom-took-japan-storm/|title=The Rise And Fall Of The Yo-kai Watch Boom That Took Japan By Storm - Siliconera|date=May 11, 2017}}</ref> In the following year, it also was awarded the Best Children's manga at the 60th Shogakukan Manga Awards.<ref name="siliconera.com2">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/this-week-in-sales-yo-kai-watch-2-invades-japan-again/|title=This Week In Sales: Yo-kai Watch 2 Invades Japan (Again) - Siliconera|date=December 17, 2014}}</ref> |
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Series mascot Jibanyan was at the center of artwork for the 2014 holding of the World Hobby Fair,<ref name="ANN">{{cite web |last=Dong |first=Bamboo |date=November 18, 2014 |title=Yōkai Watch's Jibanyan Ousts Pikachu From the World Hobby Fair Spotlight |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-11-17/yokai-watch-jibanyan-ousts-pikachu-from-the-world-hobby-fair-spotlight/.81148 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> was chosen as the kids [[goodwill ambassador]] of the Hawaii Tourism Board in Japan in 2015,<ref name="Famitsu">{{cite magazine |date=March 2, 2015 |title=ジバニャンがハワイ州観光局キッズ親善大使に就任! 『妖怪ウォッチ』×ハワイ州観光局のコラボが実現 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201503/02072987.html |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |language=Japanese |access-date=October 1, 2020}}</ref> and was one of the 8 "Olympics Ambassadors" for the [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="ComicBook">{{cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jenna |date=September 5, 2017 |title=The Tokyo 2020 Olympics May Have A Full-On Anime Parade |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/tokyo-2020-olympics-anime-parade-yoshiro-mori/ |access-date=October 5, 2020 |website=ComicBook}}</ref> |
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[[File:Seibu 20000 Series 20152 Youkai Watch.JPG|thumb|Seibu Series train: Yo-Kai Watch]] |
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When the anime first aired, in 2014, the franchise became popular in Japan. By February, the first game, which originally sold only 53,654 copies, was at over 500,000 shipped<ref name="auto"/> and the anime was surpassing Pokémon in the TV rankings; being compared to it<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/yo-kai-watch-popular-enough-japan-compared-pokemon/|title=Yo-kai Watch Is Popular Enough In Japan To Be Compared To Pokémon - Siliconera|date=April 11, 2014}}</ref> and being dubbed the "Pokémon Killer".<ref name="siliconera.com1"/> By the second game's release, the first game had sold 1,195,287 copies and the second game surpassed that at release at 1,316,707 copies. The third version also impressed, at 1,244,171 units.<ref name="siliconera.com2"/> |
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Even the president of Level-5, Akihiro Hino, was surprised by Yo-kai Watch's popularity. "While I did believe that it would get its break, honestly, to have it come this far, where the children of Japan would get so hopped-up on Yo-kai, to the point where all the goods would sell out, is something I didn't expect."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.siliconera.com/even-level-5s-president-surprised-yo-kai-watchs-booming-popularity/|title=Even Level-5's President Was Surprised About Yo-kai Watch's Booming Popularity - Siliconera|date=2014-05-05|work=Siliconera|access-date=2022-10-09|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/even-level-5s-president-surprised-yo-kai-watchs-booming-popularity/|title=Even Level-5's President Was Surprised About Yo-kai Watch's Booming Popularity - Siliconera|date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> They were the second most popular characters in Japan, in a survey by Video Research Ltd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-11-06/mcdonald-now-fully-on-board-the-yo-kai-watch-bandwagon/.80727|title=McDonald's Now Fully On Board the Yo-kai Watch Bandwagon|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> Explanations for its popularity ranged from catchy songs and dances,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-06-29/yo-kai-watch-displaces-long-time-favorite-anpanman-in-children-poll/.89834|title=Yo-kai Watch Displaces Long-Time Favorite Anpanman in Children's Poll|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> to being something parents and kids could enjoy together,<ref name="siliconera.com1"/> to "[[Otaku|weird adults]]" not being interested in it.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2015/09/14/yo-kai-watch-is-losing-steam-in-japan/#326872cd6f13|title='Yo-Kai Watch' Is Losing Steam In Japan|first=Ollie|last=Barder|website=Forbes.com}}</ref> Hino himself said that it was the relatable characters and situations relatable to modern kids that made it popular.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/how-yokai-watch-was-engineered-to-be-a-massive-hit-1602863085|title=How Yokai Watch Was Engineered To Be A Massive Hit|first=Toshi|last=Nakamura|website=Kotaku.com|date=July 10, 2014 }}</ref> |
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This also translated into toy sales, racking in 55.2 billion yen for [[Bandai Namco Holdings|Namco Bandai]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bandainamco.co.jp/cgi-bin/releases/index.cgi/file/view/5338?entry_id=4684|title=BANDAI NAMCO Holdings Inc.: Consolidated Financial Results|website=Bandainamco/co/jp|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> Yo-kai Watch toys were frequently out of stock; people having to wait in lotteries to get a Yo-kai Watch and search hard for medals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/buying-japans-most-popular-toy-was-crazy-hard-1618115548|title=Buying Japan's Most Popular Toy Was Crazy Hard|first=Brian|last=Ashcraft|website=Kotaku.com|date=August 8, 2014 }}</ref> Other merchandise had to wait longer because of the long licensing wait times.<ref name="auto1"/> This demand made it the second highest product in [[Nikkei Business Publications|Nikkei Trendy]] that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-03/frozen-yo-kai-watch-are-japan-top-products/.80611|title=Frozen, Yo-kai Watch Are Japan's Top Products|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> |
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It was a top seller in many other areas as well: The Yo-kai Watch Guide was the number one book in 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-30/yo-kai-watch-guide-is-japan-no.1-book-in-2014-while-disney-frozen-sells-2.1-million-books/.81610|title=Yo-kai Watch Guide Is Japan's #1 Book in 2014, While Disney's Frozen Sells 2.1 Million Books|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> its first theme song, [[Gera Gera Po|Geragerapo no Uta]], was the number 50 song on the [[Oricon Singles Chart]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-113179-oricon-top-100-2014-singles.html|title=Oricon Top 100 2014: Singles}}</ref> and the movie had the highest opening of any Japanese film since 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/12/24-1/yo-kai-watch-film-breaks-opening-weekend-record-of-howls-moving-castle|title="Yo-Kai Watch" Film Breaks Opening Weekend Record of "Howl's Moving Castle"}}</ref> Yo-kai Watch even had a special segment on [[Kōhaku Uta Gassen|Kohaku Uta Gassen]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2014-11-25/yo-kai-watch-will-hit-the-stage-in-new-year-eve-song-contest/.81444|title=Yo-kai Watch will Hit the Stage in New Year's Eve Song Contest|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> Japan's most viewed music program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-11-23/nana-mizuki-to-sing-in-new-year-kohaku-uta-gassen|title=Nana Mizuki to Sing in New Year's Kōhaku Uta Gassen (Updated)|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> |
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By 2015, sales had started to fall to numbers ranging from around a quarter to 1/8 of what they were the previous year. Prices were cut<ref name="auto1"/> and there was less visible excitement among children.<ref name="animenewsnetwork.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2015-09-07/is-japan-fascination-with-yo-kai-watch-over/.92487|title=Is Japan's Fascination with Yo-Kai Watch Watch Over?|website=Animenewsnetwork.com|date=June 23, 2023 }}</ref> By the time the third games were released, in 2016, it was on a downward slope with the game launching with about half of what the second games did, with 632,135 units<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/week-sales-yo-kai-watch-3-trails-sky-3rd-evolution-uppers-make-debuts/|title=This Week In Sales: Yo-kai Watch 3, Trails in the Sky the 3rd Evolution, And Uppers Make Debuts - Siliconera|date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> and the third version of the game launched with half of what the first versions sold with 337,979 units.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/week-sales-yo-kai-watch-3-cooks-sukiyaki-version/|title=This Week In Sales: Yo-kai Watch 3 Cooks Up Its Sukiyaki Version - Siliconera|date=December 23, 2016}}</ref> The toy sales were 10.4 billion yen in 2016 and estimated to be at 6.3 billion yen in 2017.<ref name="siliconera.com1"/> This was largely due to hype building for two games that were coming from Nintendo's ''[[Pokémon]]'' franchise, the ''[[Pokémon Go]]'' smartphone app and ''[[Pokémon Sun and Moon|Pokémon Sun]]'' [[Pokémon Sun and Moon|and ''Moon'']] for the 3DS.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sato |title=The Rise And Fall Of The Yo-kai Watch Boom That Took Japan By Storm |url=https://www.siliconera.com/rise-fall-yo-kai-watch-boom-took-japan-storm/ |access-date=5 February 2019 |agency=Silconera |date=11 May 2017}}</ref> |
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==Merchandise== |
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Various toys, such as the eponymous Yo-Kai Watch and Yo-Kai Medals, have been produced based on the series, receiving high commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/buying-japans-most-popular-toy-was-crazy-hard-1618115548|title=Buying Japan's Most Popular Toy Was Crazy Hard|author=Brian Ashcraft|publisher=Gawker Media|work=Kotaku}}</ref> [[Hasbro]] will release a toy line based on the series worldwide in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-02-13/hasbro-to-launch-level-5-yo-kai-watch-toy-line-in-2016/.84421|title=Hasbro to Launch Level-5's Yo-kai Watch Toy Line in 2016|work=Anime News Network}}</ref> |
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In addition to the wake of ''Pokémon'''s renewed popularity, analysts had a few other theories on why ''Yo-kai Watch'' was falling. Ken Hōri of The Business Journal and Ollie Barder of [[Forbes]] thought it was mainly distribution issues; products that were ordered from the summer vacation were over stocked, because of the six-month waiting period for copyright approvals. Another reason he had was that the toys had incompatible medals with later watches, leading to a loss of interest.<ref name="animenewsnetwork.com"/><ref name="auto1"/> Barder and Sato of [[Siliconera]] also mentioned oversaturation, with it being Sato's main focus.<ref name="siliconera.com1"/> |
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==Reception== |
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{{expand section|date=July 2014}} |
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The original ''Yo-Kai Watch'' game received a score of 36/40 from ''[[Famitsu]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/3/4489476/japan-review-check-yokai-watch-new-super-luigi-u|title=Japan Review Check: Yokai Watch, New Super Luigi U|work=Polygon}}</ref> with its sequel ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' also scoring 36/40.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=232190|title=Famitsu Yokai Watch 2 Review Score|work=GoNintendo}}</ref> ''Yo-Kai Watch 2'' has sold over 5 million units across all three of its versions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/12/yokai-watch-2-sales-top-five-million|title=Yokai Watch 2 sales top five million - Gematsu|work=Gematsu}}</ref> |
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Unlike in its native Japan where it experienced a short period of great popularity, ''Yo-kai Watch'' had an overall underwhelming performance in the United States. Although it got off to a promising start in that region, with the original game selling at least 400,000 units there as of 2016,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2016/06/yo-kai_watch_sold_less_than_half_a_million_units_in_north_america|title=Yo-kai Watch Sold Less Than Half a Million Units in North America|date=2016-06-12|work=Nintendo Life|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en-GB}}</ref> the sequel, ''[[Yo-kai Watch 2]]'', sold less than 200,000 copies in comparison. Meanwhile, [[Disney XD]]'s English broadcast of the anime series has estimated only 100,000-300,000 viewers per episode, and was removed from the network's schedule in 2017. Despite the franchise's unsatisfactory western response, it maintains a [[cult following]] with attempts to revive the franchise such as #SaveYoKaiWatch which trended on [[Twitter]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrissy |first=Kim |date=2023-12-04 |title=Yo-kai Watch Screenwriter Reacts to Series Trending in America |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-03-12/yo-kai-watch-screenwriter-reacts-to-series-trending-in-america/.170534 |access-date=2023-12-05 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |language=en}}</ref> The franchise is also popular in Europe, with the original game's sales out pacing the Japanese release as of October 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/161027_2e.pdf|title=Financial Results Briefing|website=Nintendo.co.jp|access-date=17 July 2018}}</ref> |
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In 2014, ''Yo-Kai Watch''{{'}}s manga in ''CoroCoro Comic'' won the 38th [[Kodansha Manga Award]] in the Best Children's Manga category.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-05-08/yo-kai-watch-baby-steps-win-38th-kodansha-manga-awards | title=Yo-kai Watch, Baby Steps Win 38th Kodansha Manga Awards | date=May 8, 2014 | publisher=Anime News Network | accessdate=July 27, 2014}}</ref> In the following year, it also was awarded the Best Children at the 60th [[Shogakukan Manga Award]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-21/yo-kai-watch-be-blues-win-60th-shogakukan-awards/.83532|title= Yo-kai Watch, Be Blues Win 60th Shogakukan Awards|date= January 21, 2015|accessdate= March 11, 2015|publisher=Anime News Network}}</ref> |
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== |
== Notes == |
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{{notelist}} |
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* [[List of Japanese role-playing game franchises]] |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
== External links == |
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* {{Official website|https://yo-kai.nintendo.com/|Nintendo portal}} |
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* [https://disneynow.com/shows/yo-kai-watch Watch Yo-kai Watch TV Show | Disney XD on DisneyNOW] |
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*{{official website|http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/youkai-watch/index2.html|Anime website}} {{ja icon}} |
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Latest revision as of 01:24, 23 November 2024
Yo-kai Watch | |
---|---|
Created by | Akihiro Hino |
Original work | Yo-kai Watch (2013)[a] |
Owner | Level-5 |
Years | 2013–present |
Print publications | |
Comics | Manga series (2012–2023) |
Films and television | |
Film(s) | |
Animated series | Yo-kai Watch (2014–2018) (List of episodes) Yo-kai Watch Shadowside (2018–2019) Yo-kai Watch! (2019) Yo-kai Watch Jam - Yo-kai Academy Y: Close Encounters of the N Kind (2019–2021) Yo-kai Watch ♪ (2021–2023) |
Games | |
Video game(s) | Video games |
Miscellaneous | |
Toy(s) | Merchandise |
Official website | |
Official website |
Yo-kai Watch[b][c] is a Japanese media franchise created and developed by Level-5. The franchise's main work is the role-playing video game series of the same name, the first of which was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013.[1] Three main sequels and several spinoffs, on both Nintendo and mobile platforms, have been released. In December 2019, the franchise expanded to PlayStation with the release of Yo-kai Watch 4++. An associated toy line is produced by Bandai for the Japanese market, while Hasbro formerly sold the toys under license in the Americas and Europe.
Six manga adaptations have also been produced; one, a series that began serialization in Shogakukan's CoroCoro Comic from December 2012 to December 2022,[2] was an award winner. An anime television series produced by OLM, Inc. aired in Japan from January 8, 2014, to March 30, 2018, and was a ratings success, boosting the franchise in popularity,[3] and began airing in North America from September 2015.[4][5] An animated film, Yo-kai Watch: The Movie, was released on December 20, 2014, with seven more films being produced since then. As of 2022, the game series has sold over 17 million copies worldwide.[6]
While the franchise is popular in Japan and Europe, it failed to meet Level-5's expectations in North America. Nonetheless, the franchise's North American launch was successful, with the original 3DS game selling 400,000 units, backed by the toys and the broadcast of the English dub on Disney XD in the United States. However, interest in the Yo-kai Watch franchise has since steadily declined. The franchise generated $2 billion in retail sales.[7]
Concept
[edit]The franchise was first conceived as a Doraemon IP, something that could last over a long period of time. Akihiro Hino, CEO of Level-5, researched extensively what makes a franchise long-lasting, and came up with Yo-kai Watch.[8]
Yo-kai Watch revolves around befriending Yo-kai that are haunting the city, which are based on traditional yōkai, but often with clever twists. If one befriends a Yo-kai, they get their Yo-kai Medal, an object that allows one to summon Yo-kai. With these, they can summon Yo-kai to either fight other Yo-kai, befriend others, or solve everyday tasks.[9]
The basic plot of most media is that the main character, either Nathan "Nate" Adams or Katie Forester, obtains a Yo-kai Watch through Whisper, a butler Yo-kai. They then befriend Jibanyan, a cat Yo-kai who haunts an intersection because he thinks his owner from when he was alive named Amy called him lame for getting hit by a truck. During the anime's run, other Yo-kai were introduced.
Media
[edit]Main series
[edit]2013 | Yo-kai Watch |
---|---|
Yo-kai Taiso Dai-Ichi Puzzle da Nyan | |
2014 | Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls |
Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters | |
Yo-kai Watch: Tomodachi UkiUkipedia | |
2015 | Yo-kai Watch Blasters |
Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version | |
Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble | |
Yo-kai Watch Busters: Iron Oni Force | |
2016 | Yo-kai Sangokushi |
Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi & Tempura | |
Yo-kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki | |
2017 | Yo-kai Watch Busters 2 |
2018 | Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars |
Yo-kai Watch: Gerapo Rhythm | |
Yo-kai Daijiten | |
Yo-kai Watch World | |
2019 | Yo-kai Watch 4 |
Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars | |
2020 | Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y |
The main video game series are role-playing video games where the player befriends Yo-kai and fights evil Yo-kai that seek to rule the world, with emphasis placed on fighting and befriending Yo-kai. Yo-kai Watch and Yo-kai Watch 2 have a battle system revolving around using the 3DS's touchscreen to rotate amongst the player's Yo-kai. All Yo-kai have powerful moves called Soultimates, with some being offensive and some being supportive.[10] In Yo-kai Watch 3, the battle system was changed to a grid-based movement system, with the added ability to use the Dream Link and the Yo-kai Blaster against foes during battle.
Yo-kai Watch
[edit]The first game in the main series, Yo-kai Watch, was announced at the 2011 Tokyo Game Show[11][12] and first released in Japan on July 11, 2013.[13] It sets the foundation for the rest of the video game franchise, introducing its main mechanics. The game was released in North America on November 6, 2015, and in Europe on April 29, 2016.
Yo-kai Watch 2
[edit]The second main game in the series, Yo-kai Watch 2, was released in Japan on July 10, 2014, as two versions: Ganso and Honke.[14][15][16] These versions are known in English as Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls. Yo-kai Watch 2 adds several new areas, such as Kemamoto/Harrisville, and nearly 100 new Yo-kai to befriend, both in the present day and the past. The plot revolves around the protagonist going back in time 60 years to meet their grandfather, who made the predecessor to the Yo-kai Watch, and fighting against the Wicked Yo-kai. A third version, Shinuchi, known in English as Psychic Specters, was released on December 12, 2014[17] to coincide with the first Yo-kai Watch film, Yo-kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!. Psychic Specters features characters and scenarios not included in Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls.[18][19]
Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls were localized in English and released on September 30, 2016, in the United States [20] and on April 7, 2017, in Europe.[21] They received the Oni Evolution update on September 14, 2017,[22] and gained compatibility with save data from Psychic Specters on September 29, 2017.[23]
Yo-kai Watch 3
[edit]In Japan, Yo-kai Watch 3 was announced alongside Yo-kai Watch Busters in April 2015 and released on July 16, 2016, with two versions: Sushi and Tempura. The game features two protagonists: Nate Adams and Hailey Anne Thomas, each with their own story. Nate's story focuses on him and his family moving from Springdale to the United States, which is called BBQ in the localized version, to the fictional town of St. Peanutsburg, where new American-themed "Merican" (メリケン) Yo-kai are found. Hailey Anne's story focuses on her meeting her partner Yo-kai Usapyon and opening a detective agency with him.[24][25] These two stories converge in the game's latter half as the two team up to face a greater threat called the Ghoulfather. A third version, Sukiyaki, was released in Japan on December 16, 2016, combining Sushi and Tempura into one game and adding additional features.[26]
On September 27, 2018, Nintendo of America announced that Yo-kai Watch 3 was getting a localized release outside of Japan. It was released on December 16, 2018, in Europe and on February 8, 2019, in North America. The localized version was based on Sukiyaki, and as such contains the features it added.
Yo-kai Watch 4
[edit]Yo-kai Watch 4 was released for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on June 20, 2019, featuring a new artstyle and character designs from Yo-kai Watch Shadowside,[27] as well as the original designs. The game includes characters from previous games as well as the main characters from Yo-kai Watch Shadowside and Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends.
An enhanced version, Yo-kai Watch 4++, was later released as paid downloadable content and at retail for both the Switch and PlayStation 4 on December 5, 2019.[28]
Level-5 confirmed during the Anime Expo 2019 that an English localization was under consideration, but due to the shutdown of American branch Level-5 Abby,[29] the status of the game's localization is currently unknown.
Other video games
[edit]Blasters
[edit]A spin-off game, Yo-kai Watch Blasters (妖怪ウォッチバスターズ, Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu) was first announced in the April 2015 issue of CoroCoro Comic alongside Yo-kai Watch 3, allowing up to four players to cooperate in completing missions and battling boss Yo-kai.[30] The first two versions of the game, Aka Neko-dan (赤猫団, "Red Cat Troupe") and Shiro Inu-tai (白犬隊, "White Dog Corps"), were released on July 11, 2015. A free expansion called Getto-gumi (月兎組, "Moon Rabbit Crew") was released on December 12, 2015, adding characters and settings featured in the second film, Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!.[31]
A sequel, Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya (妖怪ウォッチバスターズ2秘宝伝説バンバラヤー, Yōkai Wotchi Basutāzu 2 Hihō Densetsu Banbarayā), was released in two versions, (ソード, "Sword") and (マグナム, "Magnum"), on December 16, 2017.[32] They are compatible with save data from the first Busters games as well as the three versions of Yo-kai Watch 3.[33]
The first game was localized in English regions as Yo-kai Watch Blasters and released on September 7, 2018.[34] The games were released under the names Red Cat Corps and White Dog Squad.[34] A free update for both games, Moon Rabbit Crew, was released on September 27, 2018.[35]
Busters 2 has not been localized into English, and most likely will never be because the Nintendo 3DS's production was discontinued.
Other associated games
[edit]The Data Carddass game Yo-kai Watch: Tomodachi UkiUkipedia (妖怪ウォッチ ともだちウキウキペディア) was first location tested in late December 2013, and debuted at the Next Generation World Hobby Fair Winter 2014 before being released in early 2014. The game is similar to Bandai's other Data Carddass games, as the player uses an interface resembling a slot machine to determine the events of a battle between three of the player's Yo-kai and three enemy Yo-kai. Winning the game awards the player with a card that can be used in future Tomodachi UkiUkipedia play.
Yo-kai Sangokushi (妖怪三国志, lit. "Yo-kai Three Kingdoms") was announced alongside Busters and Yo-kai Watch 3 in April 2015. Sangokushi was made in collaboration with Koei Tecmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series as well as several mobile games.
In August 2015, a collaboration with Ubisoft to release a special version of the Just Dance series was announced, set to feature songs from the anime's soundtrack.[36] Titled Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version (妖怪ウォッチダンス JUST DANCE スペシャルバージョン, Yōkai Uotchi Dansu: Jasuto Dansu Supesharu Bājon), it was released exclusively in Japan for the Wii U on December 5, 2015.
On June 27, 2018, Level-5 and GungHo Online Entertainment announced in a special live stream the release of Yo-kai Watch World. Before the same-day release of the game, Level-5 teased it online as a "game that will shock the world". Said to compete with Pokémon Go, it featured new gameplay mechanics as well as battle sequences similar to the original 3DS games. Currently, it is only able to work within Japan, as other locations do not mostly work outside of Japan. Service for Yo-kai Watch World was discontinued on December 23, 2022.
Console-based spin-offs
[edit]- Yo-kai Watch Blasters (Nintendo 3DS, 2015) – released worldwide (outside Korea) on September 7, 2018, with Moon Rabbit Crew update released on September 27, 2018
- Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version (Wii U, 2015) – Exclusive to Japan, developed by Ubisoft as part of the Just Dance series
- Yo-kai Sangokushi (Nintendo 3DS, 2016) – Japan only, Collaboration with Koei Techmo's Romance of the Three Kingdoms series
- Yo-kai Watch Busters 2: Secret of the Legendary Treasure Bambalaya (Nintendo 3DS, 2017) — Japan only
- Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y (Nintendo Switch, 2020) — Japan only
Smartphone apps
[edit]- Yo-kai Land (iOS, Android, 2015) – Produced by Hasbro
- Yo-kai Taiso Dai-Ichi Puzzle da Nyan (ようかい体操第一 パズルだニャン, Yōkai Taisō Dai-Ichi Pazuru da Nyan, lit. "Yo-kai Exercise No. 1: Puzzle Meow") (iOS, Android, 2013)
- Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble (妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに, Yōkai Wotchi Puni-puni) (iOS, Android, 2015)
- Yo-kai Watch: Gerapo Rhythm (妖怪ウォッチ ゲラポリズム, Yōkai Wotchi Gerapo Rizumu) (iOS, Android, 2018)
- Yo-kai Daijiten (妖怪大辞典, lit. "Great Yo-kai Dictionary") (iOS, Android, 2018)
- Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars (妖怪三国志 国盗りウォーズ, Yōkai Wocchi Kunitori Wōzu) (iOS, Android, 2018) – Co-produced with Koei Tecmo
- Yo-kai Watch World (妖怪ウォッチワールド, Yōkai Wocchi Wārudo) (iOS, Android, June 27, 2018) – Co-produced by GungHo Online Entertainment inc., with a Google Maps-based engine
- Yo-kai Watch: Medal Wars (妖怪ウォッチ メダルウォーズ, Yōkai Wocchi Medaru Wōzu) (iOS, Android, 2019) – Co-produced with Netmarble
Manga and comics
[edit]Six manga adaptations based on the series have been published by Shogakukan. A series by Noriyuki Konishi began serialization in CoroCoro Comic from December 15, 2012. This series has been licensed by Viz Media under its Perfect Square imprint for its North American releases up to Volume 10, and is now directly from Viz Media as of Volume 11.[37] The manga is licensed in French by Kazé.
A shōjo manga series by Chikako Mori, titled Yo-kai Watch: Exciting Nyanderful Days (妖怪ウォッチ~わくわく☆にゃんだふるデイズ~, Yōkai Wotchi ~Wakuwaku Nyandafuru Deizu~), was serialized in Ciao magazine from December 27, 2013 to 2017.[38] In this series, it was based on the alternate timeline, in which Katie Forester would receive the Yo-kai Watch. This is in contrast to the main timeline, where Nate Adams is the primary.
A yonkoma series by Coconas Rumba, titled 4-Panel Yo-kai Watch: Geragera Manga Theater (4コマ妖怪ウォッチ ゲラゲラマンガ劇場, Yonkoma Yōkai Wotchi Geragera Manga Gekijō), has been serialized in CoroCoro Comic SPECIAL from August 30, 2014, to June 30, 2018.
Another yonkoma series by Santa Harukaze, titled Yo-kai Watch 4-Panel Pun Club (妖怪ウォッチ 4コマだじゃれクラブ, Yōkai Wotchi Yonkoma Dajare Kurabu), began serialization in CoroCoro Ichiban! from April 2015.
A series by Shō Shibamoto, titled Komasan 〜A Time for Fireworks and Miracles〜 (コマさん 〜ハナビとキセキの時間〜, Komasan 〜Hanabi to Kiseki no Jikan〜), began serialization in the seinen manga magazine Hibana on April 10, 2015, and ended on September 10 of that year.
A manga series based on Yo-kai Watch Blasters by Atsushi Ohba began serialization in CoroCoro Comic in June 2015[39] and ended in October of that year.
A comic book series was announced in January 2017, courtesy of IDW Publishing, and was released in May 2017.[40][41]
Noriyuki Konishi version
[edit]Loosely based on the main Yo-kai Watch series, a manga series by Noriyuki Konishi started serialization before the release of Yo-kai Watch on the 3DS, and the debut of the original Yo-kai Watch anime. In the series, the art style was different from the current designs, like the early design of the Yo-kai Watch, and also has different character personalities. As the games and anime were released, the manga kept the art style, but the characters also slowly developed over time.
Volume 16 transitioned the manga into the current "Yo-kai Watch!" anime timeline, while still keeping the art style of the previous edition.
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN |
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1 | June 28, 2013 | 978-4-09-141655-1 | November 3, 2015 | 978-1-4215-8251-1 |
2 | December 27, 2013 | 978-4-09-140018-5 | November 3, 2015 | 978-1-4215-8252-8 |
3 | March 25, 2014 | 978-4-09-141709-1 | January 5, 2016 | 978-1-4215-8273-3 |
4 | July 25, 2014 | 978-4-09-141793-0 | March 1, 2016 | 978-1-4215-8274-0 |
5 | October 28, 2014 | 978-4-09-141817-3 | May 3, 2016 | 978-1-4215-8275-7 |
6 | February 27, 2015 | 978-4-09-141876-0 | December 6, 2016 | 978-1-4215-9217-6 |
7 | June 26, 2015 | 978-4-09-142006-0 | March 7, 2017 | 978-1-4215-9218-3 |
8 | September 28, 2015 | 978-4-09-142102-9 | January 2, 2018 | 978-1-4215-9691-4 |
9 | February 26, 2016 | 978-4-09-142119-7 | July 3, 2018 | 978-1-4215-9753-9 |
10 | June 24, 2016 | 978-4-09-142175-3 | January 8, 2019 | 978-1-4215-9754-6 |
11 | August 5, 2016 | 978-4-09-159232-3 | May 14, 2019 | 978-1-4215-9755-3 |
12 | April 28, 2017 | 978-4-09-142389-4 | September 12, 2019 | 978-1-9747-0310-4 |
13 | September 28, 2017 | 978-4-09-142530-0 | January 14, 2020 | 978-1-9747-0311-1 |
14 | November 28, 2017 | 978-4-09-142637-6 | May 12, 2020 | 978-1-9747-0312-8 |
15 | May 28, 2018 | 978-4-09-142710-6 | September 8, 2020 | 978-1-9747-0608-2 |
16 | July 26, 2019 | 978-4-09-143046-5 | January 12, 2021 | 978-1-9747-1858-0 |
17 | October 28, 2019 | 978-4-09-143109-7 | May 11, 2021 | 978-1-9747-1881-8 |
18 | July 28, 2020 | 978-4-09-143209-4 | September 14, 2021 | 978-1-9747-1485-8 |
19 | August 27, 2021 | 978-4-09-143339-8 | August 9, 2022 | 978-1-9747-3210-4 |
20 | December 27, 2021 | 978-4-09-143367-1 | January 10, 2023 | 978-1-9747-3424-5 |
21 | April 27, 2022 | 978-4-09-143390-9 | May 9, 2023 | 978-1-9747-3697-3 |
22 | December 27, 2022 | 978-4-09-143575-0 | — | — |
23 | May 26, 2023 | 978-4-09-143615-3 | — | — |
Yo-kai Watch: Exciting Nyanderful Days
[edit]No. | Release date | ISBN |
---|---|---|
1 | December 25, 2014 | 978-4-09-136714-3 |
2 | October 30, 2015 | 978-4-09-137888-0 |
3 | July 22, 2016 | 978-4-09-138609-0 |
Yo-kai Watch: 4-Panel Pun-Club
[edit]No. | Release date | ISBN |
---|---|---|
1 | June 18, 2015 | 978-4-09-281232-1 |
2 | January 28, 2016 | 978-4-09-281233-8 |
3 | November 30, 2016 | 978-4-09-281234-5 |
4 | December 6, 2017 | 978-4-09-281237-6 |
Yo-kai Watch Busters
[edit]No. | Release date | ISBN |
---|---|---|
1 | September 28, 2015 | 978-4-09-142100-5 |
4-Panel Yo-kai Watch: Geragera Manga Theater
[edit]No. | Release date | ISBN |
---|---|---|
1 | October 28, 2015 | 978-4-09-142105-0 |
2 | November 28, 2016 | 978-4-09-142233-0 |
3 | July 27, 2018 | 978-4-09-142794-6 |
Komasan: A Time for Fireworks and Miracles
[edit]No. | Release date | ISBN |
---|---|---|
1 | December 11, 2015 | 978-4-09-187427-6 |
2 | December 12, 2016 | 978-4-09-189330-7 |
Anime
[edit]An anime television series based on the game, produced by OLM, aired from January 8, 2014, to March 30, 2018, in Japan and began airing on Disney XD on October 5, 2015.[42][43] It is more comedic in tone, and has several segments per episode, with most focusing on Nathan "Nate" Adams solving problems caused by Yo-kai. Some episodes have a "Mini-Corner" featuring one of the main Yo-kai. The English theme song is sung by Jeff "Swampy" Marsh, best known as one of the creators of the fellow Disney show Phineas and Ferb.
On April 7, 2015, Level-5 unveiled a promotional video for the series' third season, which premiered in July 2015. The third season features a new protagonist named Hailey Anne Thomas and her Yo-kai companion Usapyon, as well as new models of the Yo-kai Watch called the "Yo-kai Watch Model U"[44] and the "Yo-kai Watch Dream". The season premiered on January 6, 2017, and entered a Busters Arc in July.[45] In February 2018, a sequel series called Yo-kai Watch Shadowside started airing after the original series ended on March 30, 2018, with its first two episodes broadcast as an hour-long special on April 13, 2018.[46] The series lasted for 49 episodes, ending on March 29, 2019.
A revival series known as Yo-kai Watch! ran from April 5, 2019, to December 20, 2019, in Japan.[47] It is a continuation of the original series that introduces new Yo-kai while serving as a sort of prologue to the fourth movie, as Nate receives the Yo-kai Watch Arcane Version K, which resembles the Yo-kai Watch Arcane used in Yo-kai Watch Shadowside. While mostly based on the original series, it features elements from Shadowside, such as the Yo-kai Arks and the Shadowside Tribes.
Yo-kai Watch Jam: Yo-kai Academy Y: Close Encounters of the N Kind ran from December 27, 2019, to April 2, 2021, as a sequel and continuation of the sixth movie.[48][49]
Another revival series, Yo-kai Watch ♪ started airing on April 9, 2021, in which Nate now uses a "enhanced" version of the original Yo-kai Watch which can recognize all types of medals.[50]
In the course of the franchise's history, eight Yo-kai Watch movies have been made. The first, Yo-kai Watch: The Movie, was released in Japan on December 20, 2014,[51] The second film, Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!, was released in Japan on December 19, 2015,[52] and the third film, Yo-kai Watch: Soratobu Kujira to Double no Sekai no Daibōken da Nyan!, a live-action animated film, was released in Japan on December 17, 2016[53] The fourth film, Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu, released in Japanese theatres on December 16, 2017.[54] A fifth movie, Yo-kai Watch: Forever Friends, released in Japanese theatres on December 14, 2018. A sixth movie, Yo-kai Watch Jam the Movie: Yo-Kai Academy Y - Can a Cat be a Hero?, was released in Japanese theatres on December 13, 2019.[55] A seventh movie, Yo-kai Watch♪ the Movie: How Nate and I Met Nyan!♪ M-Me Too~♪♪, was released in Japanese theatres on November 12, 2021. It is based on the Yo-kai Watch ♪ series and features re-edited versions of segments from the anime, as well as some original content.[56] An eighth movie, Yo-kai Watch♪: Jibanyan vs. Komasan - The Big Amazing Battle, Nyan, was released in Japan on January 13, 2023, based on the Yo-kai Watch♪ series and used as its two-part finale.[57]
The series is being released on DVD box sets, along with rental DVDs, in Japan by Kadokawa Media Factory.[58][59] Every episode to date is available for streaming on multiple video on demand services in Japan, such as Hulu and Rakuten Video Showtime.[60][61]
Overseas
[edit]At the premiere of the Yo-kai Watch film, Level-5's president Akihiro Hino officially announced that the Yo-kai Watch anime would begin broadcast internationally in 2015. He also jokingly requested Etsuko Kozakura and Tomokazu Seki, who voice Jibanyan and Whisper respectively, to "study English".[62][63]
In North America
[edit]Dentsu Entertainment USA announced in April 2014 that they were seeking broadcast and merchandising partners in North America for the anime.[64] The anime began broadcast as a 26-episode season on Disney XD on October 5, 2015,[65] with the official Yo-kai Watch YouTube channel posting episodes a month later.[66] Since the show had performed well, a second season (no relation to the Japanese second season) with an additional 50 episodes was broadcast on August 1, 2016.[67][68] The third season premiered on July 2, 2018, on Disney XD in the United States, and ended on December 29, 2018. In 2019, Disney XD removed the Yo-kai Watch anime from its lineup due to declining ratings; but eventually returned to the network in a weekend-only timeslot in January 2020, re-taking the place of a previous replacement, Inazuma Eleven: Ares. The first season's first volume was released on DVD by NCircle Entertainment on February 26, 2019,[69] and one version of that set comes with a free comic book.[70] The first season's second volume was released on September 3, 2019.[71]
The first movie was also brought over, as a special screening one day screening, on October 15, 2016. This was only in the US, via Fathom Events. Those who attended got a Hovernyan medal.[72] Outside of the US, the first season and the movie used to be available to stream on Netflix, but as of now, it is no longer available to stream.[73]
The English version of the anime dub used a cast from Sprite Animation Studios for the first two seasons, but they were replaced in the third season with actors from SDI Media due to budget costs and low ratings on Disney XD.[74]
MarVista Entertainment has licensed the series in Latin America, and it also localized the second movie despite never airing in the U.S., so the movie was dubbed based on the Japanese version (which also kept the promotional ending of the third Yo-kai watch movie despite never being dubbed afterwards).
In Europe and Africa
[edit]Viz Media Europe has licensed the series in Europe, Russia, and Africa. They premiered the anime in the UK and Ireland on Cartoon Network on April 23, 2016.[75][76] In France it showed on three different stations: Boing in April, 2016, Gulli in September, 2016, and Cartoon Network France in March, 2017. Other countries it aired in are Germany and Austria (Nickelodeon), Spain and Africa on Boing, Belgium and the Netherlands on Nickelodeon, and Israel on Noga. Cartoon Network also has it airing on their Portugal, Turkey, Poland and the Nordic, Central and Eastern Europe feeds, starting in Spring 2016.
Viz has also hired Bulldog Licensing and German brand-management company m4e to represent the brand in the UK and German-speaking territories, respectively.[77]
Asia
[edit]An alternative English dub began airing on Cartoon Network Asia and Toonami Asia in Asian countries from June 27, 2015.[78] The alternative English dub uses the original Japanese names.
Shogakukan Asia also licensed the series in the Philippines. Similarly, for a few years, GMA Network also made a Tagalog dub of the original anime.
For Yo-kai Watch Shadowside, a subbed version aired in the Southeast Asia area, in 2019 via Animax Asia.
In Australia and New Zealand
[edit]The Fusion Agency acquired the licensing and merchandising rights for the series in Australia and New Zealand.[79] It aired in Australia on 9Go! on December 14, 2015.
Music
[edit]The music for the games and anime series is composed by Level-5 employee Kenichiro Saigo. The following themes are used in both the video games and anime series. In the original anime, all opening themes are performed by King Cream Soda, with lyrics by m.o.v.e vocalist Motsu. The anime themes are also dubbed into English for its North American broadcast.
Recent seasons of the anime have had opening and ending themes performed by Japanese YouTubers such as Soraru, Rinu, and Strawberry Prince.[80]
Merchandise
[edit]Various toys, such as the eponymous Yo-kai Watch and Yo-kai Medals, have been produced based on the series, receiving high commercial success.[81] Hasbro released a toy line based on the series worldwide in December 2015.[82] In July 2016, Square Enix's MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn held a special crossover event lasting until October which allowed players to gather Medals from existing in-game battles and exchange them for minions modeled after the franchise's titular Yo-kai as well as weapons inspired by them.[83] In January 2018, McDonald's began offering Yo-kai Watch toys in US Happy Meals, alongside the much more popular Shopkins.
Reception
[edit]The original Yo-kai Watch game received a score of 36/40 from Famitsu,[84] with its sequel Yo-kai Watch 2 also scoring 36/40.[85] Yo-kai Watch 2 won the Grand Prize in the Japan Game Awards. It also won 3 other awards: The Best Sales Award, and two Excellence Awards (for the 2nd game and its third version).[86] In 2014, Yo-kai Watch's manga in CoroCoro Comic won the 38th Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Children's Manga category.[87] In the following year, it also was awarded the Best Children's manga at the 60th Shogakukan Manga Awards.[88]
Series mascot Jibanyan was at the center of artwork for the 2014 holding of the World Hobby Fair,[89] was chosen as the kids goodwill ambassador of the Hawaii Tourism Board in Japan in 2015,[90] and was one of the 8 "Olympics Ambassadors" for the 2020 Summer Olympics.[91]
When the anime first aired, in 2014, the franchise became popular in Japan. By February, the first game, which originally sold only 53,654 copies, was at over 500,000 shipped[85] and the anime was surpassing Pokémon in the TV rankings; being compared to it[92] and being dubbed the "Pokémon Killer".[87] By the second game's release, the first game had sold 1,195,287 copies and the second game surpassed that at release at 1,316,707 copies. The third version also impressed, at 1,244,171 units.[88]
Even the president of Level-5, Akihiro Hino, was surprised by Yo-kai Watch's popularity. "While I did believe that it would get its break, honestly, to have it come this far, where the children of Japan would get so hopped-up on Yo-kai, to the point where all the goods would sell out, is something I didn't expect."[93][94] They were the second most popular characters in Japan, in a survey by Video Research Ltd.[95] Explanations for its popularity ranged from catchy songs and dances,[96] to being something parents and kids could enjoy together,[87] to "weird adults" not being interested in it.[97] Hino himself said that it was the relatable characters and situations relatable to modern kids that made it popular.[98]
This also translated into toy sales, racking in 55.2 billion yen for Namco Bandai.[99] Yo-kai Watch toys were frequently out of stock; people having to wait in lotteries to get a Yo-kai Watch and search hard for medals.[100] Other merchandise had to wait longer because of the long licensing wait times.[97] This demand made it the second highest product in Nikkei Trendy that year.[101]
It was a top seller in many other areas as well: The Yo-kai Watch Guide was the number one book in 2014,[102] its first theme song, Geragerapo no Uta, was the number 50 song on the Oricon Singles Chart,[103] and the movie had the highest opening of any Japanese film since 2000.[104] Yo-kai Watch even had a special segment on Kohaku Uta Gassen,[105] Japan's most viewed music program.[106]
By 2015, sales had started to fall to numbers ranging from around a quarter to 1/8 of what they were the previous year. Prices were cut[97] and there was less visible excitement among children.[107] By the time the third games were released, in 2016, it was on a downward slope with the game launching with about half of what the second games did, with 632,135 units[108] and the third version of the game launched with half of what the first versions sold with 337,979 units.[109] The toy sales were 10.4 billion yen in 2016 and estimated to be at 6.3 billion yen in 2017.[87] This was largely due to hype building for two games that were coming from Nintendo's Pokémon franchise, the Pokémon Go smartphone app and Pokémon Sun and Moon for the 3DS.[110]
In addition to the wake of Pokémon's renewed popularity, analysts had a few other theories on why Yo-kai Watch was falling. Ken Hōri of The Business Journal and Ollie Barder of Forbes thought it was mainly distribution issues; products that were ordered from the summer vacation were over stocked, because of the six-month waiting period for copyright approvals. Another reason he had was that the toys had incompatible medals with later watches, leading to a loss of interest.[107][97] Barder and Sato of Siliconera also mentioned oversaturation, with it being Sato's main focus.[87]
Unlike in its native Japan where it experienced a short period of great popularity, Yo-kai Watch had an overall underwhelming performance in the United States. Although it got off to a promising start in that region, with the original game selling at least 400,000 units there as of 2016,[111] the sequel, Yo-kai Watch 2, sold less than 200,000 copies in comparison. Meanwhile, Disney XD's English broadcast of the anime series has estimated only 100,000-300,000 viewers per episode, and was removed from the network's schedule in 2017. Despite the franchise's unsatisfactory western response, it maintains a cult following with attempts to revive the franchise such as #SaveYoKaiWatch which trended on Twitter.[112] The franchise is also popular in Europe, with the original game's sales out pacing the Japanese release as of October 2016.[113]
Notes
[edit]References
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External links
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