"Yo-kai Watch" is an anime that is hugely popular among children. It features a wide variety of fascinating yo-kai, from cute to cool. But what kind of yo-kai are the most popular among them? In this article, we'll be introducing the top 20 favorite yo-kai from those that appear in "Yo-kai Watch"!
Yokai Ranking #1: Koma-san
First and foremost, he's adorable! Taking the top spot is Koma-san. With a laid-back personality, adorable dialects like "mongee" and "~zura," and a kindhearted, caring nature, he's a wonderful character packed with charm. His species is the "Pretty Tribe," and his favorite food is soft-serve ice cream. Furthermore, his special move is the "Hitodama Ranbu." In the anime, he sometimes transforms into a human, and his cute appearance has also become a hot topic. Koma-san merchandise is also very cute and is sure to soothe you.
Yokai Ranking #2: Jibanyan
Jibanyan came in second place, closely trailing Koma-san. Speaking of Yo-kai Watch, he's the mascot character. People seemed to be divided into Jibanyan and Koma-san supporters. He has a distinctive red body, yellow bellyband, and two tails. Jibanyan is a Chocobo lover and idol otaku, and even after being summoned by Keita, he is lazy and unmotivated to fight, showing his laid-back personality typical of a cat. But he is actually an earthbound spirit yokai with a sad past... His species is the "Pretty Tribe," and his special move is "100 Paws."
Yokai Ranking #3: Orochi
Topping the list is Orochi! He's one of the most popular cool characters. He's an elite yokai of the demon world, fighting with a blue twin-dragon scarf made from his own aura. In the anime version, it is revealed that he was once a human, and battled "Red J," who took away his friends, family, and hometown. His cool appearance makes him popular not only with children but also with older women. His species is the "Nyororon Tribe," and his special move is "Yamata no Orochi." There are also shiny versions such as "Shadow Orochi" and "Hikari Orochi," and each has a slightly different personality.
Yokai Ranking #4: Fuyunyan
In fourth place is "Fuyunyan"! This floating spirit cat yokai moves around by flying around in a red cloak. Although his body floats in the air, he has a brave, down-to-earth personality and is very reliable. The scar on his forehead is an honorable wound! He is a character who mainly appeared in the movies, but he also makes appearances in the anime halfway through (according to him, that's because he doesn't have a role in the fourth movie). In fact, the actor playing him is Kaji Yuki, who has a really cool voice and every line he speaks is powerful. His species is the "Isamashi Tribe" and his special move is the "Tough Straight Paw."
Yokai Ranking #5: Komajiro
In fifth place is Komajiro. He's Koma-san's younger brother! He's often seen together with Koma-san, but unlike Koma-san, who doesn't get used to living in the city, Komajiro is the type who can quickly adapt to any environment. He's adapted to the city very quickly, mastering the use of his smartphone, DJing with his slightly frivolous friends, and getting a human girlfriend. He's also rediscovered the good things about the countryside, and he and his two siblings get along well, but it seems he still carries his smartphone with him. When talking with his city friends, he speaks fluent standard Japanese. His species is the "Purichi Tribe," and his special move is "Wind and Thunder Thunder."
Yokai Ranking #6: Whisper
In sixth place is Whisper. He calls himself a Yo-kai butler and fluently shares information about Yo-kai, but in reality, he's just pretending to know everything while using his Yo-kai Pad. Keita has described him as a "useless butler" and "maybe he doesn't actually know anything about yokai," but he does seem to be knowledgeable about classic yokai. He was sealed away for 190 years in a capsule in an old Gasha Gasha machine for a crime he didn't commit. It was the protagonist Keita (and Fumi-chan in the game version) who broke the seal. His species is the "Nyorolon Tribe," and his special move is "a random breath from his mouth."
Yokai Ranking #7: Bushinyan
In #7 is "Bushinyan." This legendary yokai resembles Jibanyan in samurai armor. He's not Jibanyan himself, but rather his ancestor. He speaks with a samurai-like accent and loves bonito flakes. Its legendary sharpness allows it to cut through anything. Incidentally, like Jibanyan, it seems to love NyaKB. It's a very reliable presence in the game, and is extremely useful in boss battles. Most users rely on it. Its species is the "Isamash tribe," and its special move is "Katsuobushigiri."
Yokai Ranking #8: Kyubi
Ranked #8 is Kyubi! This fox yokai is considered the highest-ranking yokai, and possesses incredible supernatural powers, allowing it to control flames. Its power is so great that it can easily generate the same force as a volcanic eruption. As its name suggests, Kyubi has nine tails. He has a whimsical and hedonistic personality. Incidentally, in the anime, he disguises himself as a beautiful young boy and asks Fumi-chan out on a date. (From "Kyuubi's Great Heart-Pounding Mission"). His species is "Mysterious," and his special move is "Crimson Hell."
Yokai Ranking #9: King Enma
Ranked #9 is King Enma. He stands at the pinnacle of all the yokai that appear in the Yo-kai Watch series. He is the king who rules over the world where they live, the "Yomakai." His cool appearance makes him extremely popular with everyone from young children to older women. He boasts overwhelming strength in battle. Incidentally, his voice actor is Kimura Ryohei, and in the live-action version he was played by Yamazaki Kento. In the live-action film, the dance scene with Nurarihyon became a hot topic! His species is "Royal" and his special move is the "Haou Enma-dama."
Yokai Ranking #10: Nurarihyon
Topping the list at #10 is Nurarihyon! He's a tall, handsome man with long white hair and a black kimono. He serves as a close aide to King Enma and also serves as chairman of the Yokai Council. He was also a close aide to the previous King Enma. He appears as the final boss in "Yo-kai Watch the Movie: King Enma and the Five Stories, Nyan!". Incidentally, he is voiced by Takehito Koyasu and played by Takumi Saito in the live-action version, and is also popular as the mother character. Although he often appears as the final boss, he can also be recruited in the app game "Yo-kai Watch Puni Puni." His species is the "Usurakage Tribe," and his special move is "Super Wave of Judgment."
Yokai Ranking #11: Giant Toad
In 11th place is the Giant Toad! It's a mutated form of a toad that's said to have lived for hundreds of years, and is classified as a classic yokai. It serves as the leader of the "main family," a faction that divides the yokai world. He attacks opponents by freely moving his tongue-like ponytail hair. He cares about fashion and loves new things. Although he is an ancient, classic yokai, he is also adept at using foreign words such as "tension." He does not seem to get along with the Tsuchigumo of the "Original" army, who do not accept new things. His species is the "Goketsu Tribe," and his special move is the "Oogama Transformation Technique."
Yokai Ranking #12: Tsuchigumo
Ranked #12 is the "Tsuchigumo." This giant spider yokai is a classic, traditional yokai. He is the leader of the "Original" faction, one of the two major factions of yokai, who values the good old traditions. He is characterized by his spider-themed hairstyle and his appearance reminiscent of a Kabuki actor. He also speaks in an old-fashioned way, and according to him, he doesn't like the "main branch" of the two major factions led by Oo-Gama because they "make fun of the good old traditions." He is a "Scary Tribe" and his special move is the "Earth Spider/Earth Release Technique."
Yokai Ranking #13: Princess Fubuki
In 13th place is Princess Fubuki. With her cute appearance, she's a very popular yokai among girls. Her evolved form is a combination of the Snow Lady and the Silver Blade, and she possesses S-rank abilities. Its supernatural powers are incredible, and it can freely control the power of cold air, powerful enough to freeze everything it touches. In the anime, it's also notable for showing a slightly (quite?) aggressive side. Its species is the "Pretty Tribe," and its special move is "Sparkling Snow Covered." There are also shiny versions such as "Hyakkihime" and "Tsubakihime," but in the anime version, they seem more like rivals.
Yokai Ranking #14: Yamabuki Oni
Ranked #14 is "Yamabuki Oni"! Born from the demon time, this powerful demon is said to be so powerful that there is no need to describe it. As the strongest legendary yokai, its overwhelming strength makes it extremely popular with children! He has gained popularity among some boys to the point that it rivals Jibanyan. It seems that boys really do like strong characters. His species is the "Goketsu Tribe" and his special move is the "Legendary Iron Club."
Yokai Ranking #15: Tsuchinoko
Topping the list at #15 is "Tsuchinoko"! This auspicious snake yokai brings good fortune, sporting a four-leaf clover, a symbol of good luck, growing from its head. In the game, it's hard to encounter, and even if you do find it, it quickly disappears, making it difficult to recruit. You'll be extremely lucky if you meet him! He also appeared in the anime, but in one episode he left a bit of a mystery... For more details, please see episode 46, "The Yokai Money Neider." His species is the "Nyorolon Tribe," and his special move is the "Tsuchinoko Smile."
Yokai Ranking #16: Robonyan F-Type
Ranked #16 is Robonyan F-Type. This is the latest Robonyan, developed as a much-improved version. While Robonyan is Jibanyan's future form, Robonyan F-Type is said to be Robonyan's far-future form. All unnecessary functions from the Robonyan era have been eliminated, resulting in a beautiful film. Its species is the "Gouketsu Tribe," and its special move is a self-destruct technique called "I'll Be Self-Burck." The episode depicting the battle between Robonyan and Robonyan Type F was also broadcast as an anime!
Yokai Ranking #17: Princess Hyakki
Ranked #17 is Princess Hyakki! While she's a shiny version of Princess Fubuki, her personality is completely different. Born in a small kingdom in Hell, she's been educated in the dark arts since she was a child. In exchange, she's lost her heart and can sometimes show a cold-hearted side. She speaks in an old-fashioned way, ending her sentences with "-ja." Like Princess Fubuki, she's cute and popular with girls. Her species is the "Pretty Tribe," and her special move is "Tokimeki☆Hyakki Yakou."
Yokai Ranking #18: Red J
Ranked #18 is "Red J"! Feared as the most powerful yokai, this demonic yokai is the subject of many legends. He leads a vicious underling called the "Army of Hell." It is said that not a blade of grass is left behind after Red J passes by, as he possesses incredible supernatural powers. With a red body, what appears to be a belly band (filled with dynamite), severed ears, and two tails, he has some similarities to Jibanyan, and so it was speculated that he could be Jibanyan. However, he is a completely different person.
Yokai Ranking #19: Mighty Dog
Ranked #19 is "Mighty Dog"! His white body is strong and majestic, while his inner spirit is savage and cruel. The wrapping cloth on his back contains a bomb of madness, stuffed into the skulls of defeated enemies, which he then consumes by solidifying the frozen white souls of humans into a spiral (like soft serve ice cream). Like Red J, this is also a terrifying yokai, but there are some parts of the character's profile that make you wonder, "Could it be Koma-san?" This one, too, is a completely different person.
Yokai Ranking #20: USApyon
20th place goes to "USApyon." He first appeared in the second season of the Yo-kai Watch anime. He is the partner yo-kai of the second protagonist, Misora Inaho. He has the appearance of a rabbit with a light blue body and a yellow space suit, and came to Japan from the USA. He is often portrayed as the straight man who scolds Inaho, who tends to get out of control. He is a serious but slightly (quite?) short-tempered character, and when his anger reaches its boiling point, he enters an enhanced mode called "Vader Mode." His species is the "Usurakage Tribe," and his special move is the "Extra Thick USA Beam."
Yo-kai Ranking Summary!
What did you think? Various yokai appear in both the anime and the game, and they're all incredibly charming. Overall, I think strong and cool characters are popular with boys, while cute characters are popular with girls. There were even characters that were secretly popular with older women, which really showed the breadth of Yo-kai Watch's popularity. The anime has also entered a new chapter, so we can look forward to seeing more of his future exploits!
