:Yo-kai Watch

{{see also|List of Yo-kai Watch characters}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.

{{Main article|List of Yo-kai Watch media}}

{{VG timeline

| 2013a = Yo-kai Watch

| 2013b = Yo-kai Taiso Dai-Ichi Puzzle da Nyan

| 2014a = Yo-kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits & Fleshy Souls

| 2014b = Yo-kai Watch 2: Psychic Specters

| 2014c = Yo-kai Watch: Tomodachi UkiUkipedia

| 2015a = Yo-kai Watch Blasters

| 2015b = Yo-kai Watch Dance: Just Dance Special Version

| 2015c = Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble

| 2015d = Yo-kai Watch Busters: Iron Oni Force

| 2016a = Yo-kai Sangokushi

| 2016b = Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi & Tempura

| 2016c = Yo-kai Watch 3: Sukiyaki

| 2017 = Yo-kai Watch Busters 2

| 2018a = Yo-kai Sangokushi: Kunitori Wars

| 2018b = Yo-kai Watch: Gerapo Rhythm

| 2018c = Yo-kai Daijiten

| 2018d = Yo-kai Watch World

| 2019a = Yo-kai Watch 4

| 2019b = 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.{{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}} 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.

{{main|Yo-kai Watch (video game)}}

The first game in the main series, Yo-kai Watch, was announced at the 2011 Tokyo Game Show{{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}}{{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}} and first released in Japan on July 11, 2013.{{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 }} 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.

{{main|Yo-kai Watch 2}}

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.{{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}}{{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 }}{{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 }} 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{{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 }} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls were localized in English and released on September 30, 2016, in the United States {{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}} and on April 7, 2017, in Europe.{{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}} They received the Oni Evolution update on September 14, 2017,{{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}} and gained compatibility with save data from Psychic Specters on September 29, 2017.{{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}}

{{main|Yo-kai Watch 3}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.

{{main|Yo-kai Watch 4}}

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,{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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,{{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."}} the status of the game's localization is currently unknown.

{{main|Yo-kai Watch Blasters}}

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.{{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}} 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!.{{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}}

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.{{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}} They are compatible with save data from the first Busters games as well as the three versions of Yo-kai Watch 3.{{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}}

The first game was localized in English regions as Yo-kai Watch Blasters and released on September 7, 2018.{{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}} The games were released under the names Red Cat Corps and White Dog Squad. A free update for both games, Moon Rabbit Crew, was released on September 27, 2018.{{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}}

Busters 2 has not been localized into English, and most likely will never be because the Nintendo 3DS's production was discontinued.

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.

{{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 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.{{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 }} 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.

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.

• 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

• Yo-kai Land (iOS, Android, 2015) – Produced by Hasbro
• {{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)
• {{nihongo4|Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble|妖怪ウォッチ ぷにぷに|Yōkai Wotchi Puni-puni}} (iOS, Android, 2015)
• {{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)
• {{nihongo4|Yo-kai Daijiten|妖怪大辞典||lit. "Great Yo-kai Dictionary"}} (iOS, Android, 2018)
• {{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
• {{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 inc., with a Google Maps-based engine
• {{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

{{See also|Yo-kai Watch (manga)}}

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.{{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}} The manga is licensed in French by Kazé.

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 from December 27, 2013 to 2017.{{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}} 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 {{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 SPECIAL from August 30, 2014, to June 30, 2018.

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 Ichiban! from April 2015.

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.

A manga series based on Yo-kai Watch Blasters by Atsushi Ohba began serialization in CoroCoro Comic in June 2015{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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.

{{Graphic novel list/header

|Language=Japanese

|SecondLanguage=English

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 1

| OriginalRelDate = June 28, 2013

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-141655-1

| LicensedRelDate = November 3, 2015

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-8251-1

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 2

| OriginalRelDate = December 27, 2013

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-140018-5

| LicensedRelDate = November 3, 2015

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-8252-8

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 3

| OriginalRelDate = March 25, 2014

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-141709-1

| LicensedRelDate = January 5, 2016

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-8273-3

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 4

| OriginalRelDate = July 25, 2014

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-141793-0

| LicensedRelDate = March 1, 2016

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-8274-0

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 5

| OriginalRelDate = October 28, 2014

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-141817-3

| LicensedRelDate = May 3, 2016

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-8275-7

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 6

| OriginalRelDate = February 27, 2015

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-141876-0

| LicensedRelDate = December 6, 2016

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-9217-6

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 7

| OriginalRelDate = June 26, 2015

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-142006-0

| LicensedRelDate = March 7, 2017

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-9218-3

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 8

| OriginalRelDate = September 28, 2015

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-142102-9

| LicensedRelDate = January 2, 2018

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-9691-4

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 9

| OriginalRelDate = February 26, 2016

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-142119-7

| LicensedRelDate = July 3, 2018

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-9753-9

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 10

| OriginalRelDate = June 24, 2016

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-142175-3

| LicensedRelDate = January 8, 2019

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-9754-6

| ChapterList =

}}

{{Graphic novel list

| VolumeNumber = 11

| OriginalRelDate = August 5, 2016

| OriginalISBN = 978-4-09-159232-3

| LicensedRelDate = May 14, 2019

| LicensedISBN = 978-1-4215-9755-3

| ChapterList =

}}

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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)}}

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.{{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}}{{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}} 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"{{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}} and the "Yo-kai Watch Dream". The season premiered on January 6, 2017, and entered a Busters Arc in July.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }} 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.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{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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,{{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}} The second film, Yo-kai Watch: Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!, was released in Japan on December 19, 2015,{{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 }} 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{{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 }} The fourth film, Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu, released in Japanese theatres on December 16, 2017.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}

The series is being released on DVD box sets, along with rental DVDs, in Japan by Kadokawa Media Factory.{{cite web|url=http://kids.bc.mediafactory.jp/youkai-watch/dvd/dvdbox/|title=妖怪ウォッチ DVDBOX|language=ja|publisher=Kadokawa Media Factory|access-date=July 27, 2016}}{{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 Media Factory|access-date=July 27, 2016}} Every episode to date is available for streaming on multiple video on demand services in Japan, such as Hulu and Rakuten Video Showtime.{{cite web|url=https://www.happyon.jp/yokai-watch|title=妖怪ウォッチ|publisher=Hulu|access-date=July 27, 2016}}{{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}}

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".{{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}}{{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}}

Dentsu Entertainment USA announced in April 2014 that they were seeking broadcast and merchandising partners in North America for the anime.{{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}} The anime began broadcast as a 26-episode season on Disney XD on October 5, 2015,{{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 }} with the official Yo-kai Watch YouTube channel posting episodes a month later.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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,{{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}} and one version of that set comes with a free comic book.{{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}} The first season's second volume was released on September 3, 2019.{{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 }}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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.{{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}}

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).

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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

An alternative English dub began airing on Cartoon Network Asia and Toonami Asia in Asian countries from June 27, 2015.{{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}} 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.

The Fusion Agency acquired the licensing and merchandising rights for the series in Australia and New Zealand.{{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}} It aired in Australia on 9Go! on December 14, 2015.

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.{{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}}

File:DX Youkai Watch "Type-Zero". (15895100797).jpg

Various toys, such as the eponymous Yo-kai Watch and Yo-kai Medals, have been produced based on the series, receiving high commercial success.{{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 }} Hasbro released a toy line based on the series worldwide in December 2015.{{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 }} 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.{{cite web|url=http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/2016/youkai-watch/|title=Yo-Kai Watch: Gather One, Gather All!}} In January 2018, McDonald's began offering Yo-kai Watch toys in US Happy Meals, alongside the much more popular Shopkins.

The original Yo-kai Watch game received a score of 36/40 from Famitsu,{{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 }} with its sequel Yo-kai Watch 2 also scoring 36/40.{{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}} 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).{{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}} In 2014, Yo-kai Watch's manga in CoroCoro Comic won the 38th Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Children's Manga category.{{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}} In the following year, it also was awarded the Best Children's manga at the 60th Shogakukan Manga Awards.{{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}}

Series mascot Jibanyan was at the center of artwork for the 2014 holding of the World Hobby Fair,{{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}} was chosen as the kids goodwill ambassador of the Hawaii Tourism Board in Japan in 2015,{{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}} and was one of the 8 "Olympics Ambassadors" for the 2020 Summer Olympics.{{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}}

File:Seibu 20000 Series 20152 Youkai Watch.JPG

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 and the anime was surpassing Pokémon in the TV rankings; being compared to it{{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}} and being dubbed the "Pokémon Killer". 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.

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."{{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}}{{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}} They were the second most popular characters in Japan, in a survey by Video Research Ltd.{{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 }} Explanations for its popularity ranged from catchy songs and dances,{{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 }} to being something parents and kids could enjoy together, to "weird adults" not being interested in it.{{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}} Hino himself said that it was the relatable characters and situations relatable to modern kids that made it popular.{{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 }}

This also translated into toy sales, racking in 55.2 billion yen for Namco Bandai.{{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}} 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.{{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 }} Other merchandise had to wait longer because of the long licensing wait times. This demand made it the second highest product in Nikkei Trendy that year.{{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 }}

It was a top seller in many other areas as well: The Yo-kai Watch Guide was the number one book in 2014,{{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 }} its first theme song, Geragerapo no Uta, was the number 50 song on the Oricon Singles Chart,{{cite web|url=http://www.jame-world.com/us/articles-113179-oricon-top-100-2014-singles.html|title=Oricon Top 100 2014: Singles}} and the movie had the highest opening of any Japanese film since 2000.{{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"}} Yo-kai Watch even had a special segment on Kohaku Uta Gassen,{{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 }} Japan's most viewed music program.{{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 }}

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 and there was less visible excitement among children.{{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 }} 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{{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}} and the third version of the game launched with half of what the first versions sold with 337,979 units.{{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}} The toy sales were 10.4 billion yen in 2016 and estimated to be at 6.3 billion yen in 2017. 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.{{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}}

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. Barder and Sato of Siliconera also mentioned oversaturation, with it being Sato's main focus.

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,{{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}} 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.{{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}} The franchise is also popular in Europe, with the original game's sales out pacing the Japanese release as of October 2016.{{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}}

• GeGeGe no Kitarō - There exist several crossovers including Yo-kai Watch Shadowside: Oni-ō no Fukkatsu and Natsuhiko Kyogoku's novel series USO Makoto Yōkai Hyaku Monogatari.Natsuhiko Kyogoku, 2018, USO Makoto Yōkai Hyaku Monogatari, "Kyu", 373-375, Kadokawa
• Power Battle Watch Car (aka Wrist Racers), South Korean 3D animated series, characters use WatchCars, AI cars that are controlled via wristwatches, in WatchCar Battle League competition
• Metalions, South Korean 3D animated series, characters use wrist summoning devices called Infinity Watches, that summon Metalions and with Archean Stones can temporarily upgrade and combine them

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Yo-kai Watch}}

• {{Official website|https://www.yo-kai-world.com/}}
• {{Official website|https://yo-kai.nintendo.com/|Nintendo portal}}
• [https://disneynow.com/shows/yo-kai-watch Watch Yo-kai Watch TV Show | Disney XD on DisneyNOW]
• {{anime News Network|anime|13724}}
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q19478097|id=tt3432210}}
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q21160200|id=tt4168022|title=Yo-kai Watch :The Movie}}
• {{IMDb title|qid=Q21329154|id=tt4168024|title=Yo-kai Watch the Movie 2}}

{{Yo-kai Watch}}

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