"Yo-kai Watch" has become a huge hit, sweeping the world. Originally a game, it has since been adapted into an anime and toys, which have become a hot topic. Recently, the anime has entered a new chapter, and it is popular with a wide range of people, not just young children. But what exactly is the reason behind Yo-kai Watch's huge success? In this article, we'll take a thorough look at the secret to Yo-kai Watch's popularity!
Secret of Popularity 1: The Yo-kai are fascinating!
First of all, the most fascinating thing about Yo-kai Watch is the variety of yo-kai that appear. From cute yo-kai like Jibanyan and Koma-san to cool yo-kai like Orochi, there's a wide variety. New yo-kai are still being added, and there are apparently a total of around 700 types!
Cute Yokai
A wide variety of yokai are categorized here, from cute, mascot-like yokai like Jibanyan and Koma-san to beautiful girls like Princess Fubuki.
Cool Yo-kai
Orochi, Kyubi, Ooga, Tsuchigumo, and other characters are popular with boys and older women.
Classic Yokai
Famous folk tales like the Hitotsume Kozo, Rokurokubi, and Kara Umbrella Ghost fall into this category. Giant Toads and Tsuchigumo (earth spiders) also fall into this category.
American Yokai
This category includes American-style yokai. The medals, including Usapyon and Pintocorn, are also cutely colored in American colors.
Great People Yokai
These yokai are based on great people, such as Thomas Edison.
Secret of Popularity #2: You'll Want to Collect Them!
When you think of Yo-kai Watch, you think of the "Yo-kai Medals"! Yo-kai Medals are items used to summon Yo-kai. They are mainly given to you by Yo-kai you've befriended, and the main character, Keita, has many Yo-kai Medals. While they are played with as toys by putting them in the watch, many people are dedicated to collecting the medals. This desire to collect them is the secret to Yo-kai Watch's popularity.
Secret of Popularity #3: Tons of Games to Play!
Yo-kai Watch was originally based on a video game. In fact, there are many different games available! There are the RPG games "Yo-kai Watch 1-3," "Yo-kai Watch Busters" where you can battle with friends, and even "Yo-kai Sangokushi" which includes elements from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms! Another great thing about these games is that they can be enjoyed not only by young children, but also by siblings and parents.
Secret of Popularity #4: The Yo-kai Names are "Puns"!
Kids love puns, don't they? Many of the characters in "Yo-kai Watch" have pun-inspired names. For example, there's "Wasurenboushi," a hat-shaped yokai that causes people to forget things when possessed. There are also many other yokai, such as the bird yokai "Yokodori" that steals everything that belongs to others, and the shell yokai "Mudazukai" that always ends up buying things that it doesn't need. Pun names are fun and easy to remember, which is great.
Secret of Popularity 5: Overly aggressive parody material!
Speaking of Yo-kai Watch, the sheer number of parodies is also a source of laughter. The anime, in particular, often features some pretty bold themes, often becoming a hot topic online. There are so many parodies it's almost impossible to count them all, including "Taiyo ni Hoero Zura!", a parody of "Taiyo ni Hoero!", and "Komaree Hills", a parody of "Beverly Hills". There are so many parodies that some episodes have had to be shelved entirely! Although it can get a little nerve-wracking at times, the point of this anime is that it can be enjoyed by adults as well as children.
Secret of Popularity 6: The Exciting Dance!
Speaking of "Yo-kai Watch," the opening and ending dances are a hot topic. These include "Gera Gera Po," "Yo-Kai Exercise No. 1," and more recently, the "Harokuri Dance." The choreography is fun and easy even for children to remember, making it hard not to want to join in. Apparently, they're often performed at children's parties and sports days. Like "Haruhi Suzumiya" and "Lucky Star," dance theme songs are always popular!
Secret of Popularity #7: Modeled after "Doraemon"?
When creating "Yo-kai Watch," the development team surprisingly had in mind a worldview similar to that of "Doraemon," rather than "Pokémon." When we think of Doraemon, the main character is Nobita, who is not good at studying or sports. His friends include his cute classmate Shizuka, the rich and slightly annoying Suneo, and the bully Gian. In "Yo-kai Watch," the main character is Keita, who is not particularly bad at grades or sports, but is just "too average" in every way. Fumi-chan is a cute classmate who catches Keita's attention. Kanji is rich, but not as mean as Suneo. Kuma, a well-built boy who appears to be a bully at first glance, is actually a good kid and gets along well with Keita.
Secret of Popularity 8: They've attracted female fans too!
"Yo-kai Watch" is also serialized as a manga. It's published in "CoroCoro Comic" and "Ciao" magazines! The Ciao version features Fumi-chan as the main character and is set in a different world from the anime. The Ciao version of Yo-kai Watch puts cuteness front and center, making it a sure hit with girls. Another notable feature is the increased appearance of cool yo-kai, such as Orochi, the human version of Kyubi, Oogaama, and Tsuchigumo. By attracting female fans, its popularity is growing even more.
Secret of Popularity 9: The "Otaku" Female Protagonist
"Yo-kai Watch" has two main characters: the male protagonist "Keita" and the female protagonist "Inaho," who appeared in the second season. Inaho is a protagonist who is a little different from your average girl, and describes herself as an "all-around otaku"! She loves anime, space, and science fiction, and is known for her fast, rapid-fire way of speaking. She also says that she has trouble fitting in with the other kids in her class. As she is a rare protagonist in a children's anime, there was a lot of criticism at first, but she has since been completely accepted.
Secret of Popularity 10: Live-action x Anime!? The movie is so innovative.
"Yo-kai Watch" releases a new movie every winter. It's always entertaining and popular, but the third film in particular was quite innovative. The film is a fusion of live-action and animation, with Keita and Jibanyan going back and forth between the live-action and animation worlds! Incidentally, King Enma is voiced by Yamazaki Kento, and Nurarihyon is voiced by Saito Takumi, a delight for mothers.
Secret of Popularity 11: The anime is entering a new chapter!
Starting in April 2018, the anime entered a new chapter. It's called "Yo-kai Watch Shadowside"! It's a completely different worldview from the usual cute atmosphere. "Shadowside" refers to a world 30 years after the events of "Yo-kai Watch." Keita has also had a child, and that child becomes the main character in this story. Characters who have previously been all about cuteness, such as Jibanyan and Koma-san, now have a completely different feel. They are drawn with a more realistic touch that makes them seem more like monsters, and their personalities have changed. The story is also different from previous ones, with a horror-like development!
New characters will also be appearing one after another?
The number of human characters has increased significantly, making for an engaging story. Apparently, there are some handsome characters, making it increasingly popular with older women. While some have expressed a desire for the series to "go back to the way it was" due to the drastic changes in the worldview, the constant incorporation of new elements is also part of Yo-kai Watch's charm.
The Secret to Its Popularity in Brief!
That's the secret behind the popularity of "Yo-kai Watch." Now you know there are many reasons behind its huge success! It's surprising that it's embraced by adults as well as young children. It's not just a children's anime; it's packed with humor that will make adults chuckle at key points. The anime has entered a new chapter, so there may be new developments in the games and other areas in the future. We look forward to future developments!
