Yo Kai Watch

Yo-kai Watch is a phenomenon in Japan, with millions of games sold along with significant success for toys and the TV show. It's a franchise that has been a huge asset for Level-5, and there's naturally the expectation that it'll make a big impact in the West.

Level-5 has already confirmed that Yo-kai Watch will arrive outside of Japan, with statements suggesting a 2015 roll-out, yet details are scarce; it's a logistical challenge too, as there have been two main game releases and multiple iterations already in Japan. A press release today, however, suggests that we may be looking at 2016 before the full range arrives, or at least late in the year for the first game releases.

A partnership with Hasbro to bring a toy-range for the franchise to the West has been confirmed; below is a relevant excerpt.

In 2016, Hasbro will introduce an innovative toy line for the franchise. The YO-KAI WATCH cross-platform experience will also include additional broadcasting, video game and merchandising relationships to be announced later this year.

Level-5 President Ahihiro Hino is quoted as saying "we are ready to bring the brand to new markets across multiple platforms", with multiple platforms in this context seemingly meaning video games, toys, books and TV. There have been no suggestions to date that the franchise will stop being 3DS-exclusive on the gaming front, though we'll know this year whether that's set to change.

Considering its phenomenal success in Japan it's certainly taking quite a while to bring Yo-kai Watch to the West; hopefully it'll be worth the wait.

[source gonintendo.com]