Yo-kai Watch: The Movie
{{Short description|2014 film by Shigeharu Takahashi}}
{{Infobox film
|name = Yo-kai Watch: The Movie
|image = Yo-Kai Watch Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan! poster.jpeg
|caption = Theatrical release poster
|native_name = {{Infobox Japanese
|kanji = 映画 妖怪ウォッチ 誕生の秘密だニャン!
|revhep = Eiga Yōkai Wotchi Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!}}
|director = {{Interlanguage link multi|Shigeharu Takahashi|ja|3=高橋滋春}}
{{Interlanguage link multi|Shinji Ushiro|ja|3=後信治}}
|producer = Kiyofumi Kajiwara
Makoto Wada
Izumi Furusawa
Yukari Hayakawa
Junichi Yanagihara
|screenplay = Yoichi Kato
|based_on = {{based on|Yo-kai Watch|Level-5}}
|starring = Haruka Tomatsu
Tomokazu Seki
Etsuko Kozakura
Romi Park
Yuki Kaji
|music = Kenichiro Saigo
|cinematography = Tatsumi Yukiwaki
|editing = Emi Onodera
|studio = OLM, Inc.
|distributor = Toho{{cite web|url=https://eiga.com/movie/80540/|title=映画 妖怪ウォッチ 誕生の秘密だニャン！|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=eiga.com|lang=ja}}
|released = {{Film date|2014|12|20|Japan}}
|runtime = 97 minutes
|country = Japan
|language = Japanese
|budget =
|gross = {{US$|99.5 million|long=no}}{{cite web|title=Yo-kai Watch Movie: It's the Secret of Birth, Meow!|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4168022/|access-date=October 16, 2022|website=Box Office Mojo}}
}}
Yo-kai Watch: The Movie, released in Japan under the name Yo-kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da Nyan!,{{efn|{{nihongo|Yo-kai Watch: Tanjō no Himitsu da 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!|lit. Yo-kai Watch the Movie: Its the Secret of Birth, Meow!}}}} is a 2014 Japanese animated fantasy adventure film directed by Shigeharu Takahashi and Shinji Ushiro as part of the Yo-kai Watch franchise.{{cite web|url=https://www.allcinema.net/cinema/349443|title=映画 妖怪ウォッチ 誕生の秘密だニャン！(2014)|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=allcinema|publisher= Stingray|lang=ja}} The film was released on December 20, 2014 in Japan. It was followed by Enma Daiō to Itsutsu no Monogatari da Nyan!, released on December 19, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://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|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|date=June 14, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}}
Plot
{{more plot|date=December 2015}}
The plot is the same as Yo-kai Watch 2, but with a few changes. One night, the evil Yo-kai duo Kin and Gin steal the Yo-kai Watch from Nate Adams to help their master Dame Dedtime prevent humans and Yo-kai from being friends. He then encounters the Yo-kai Meganyan, who tells him that Yo-kai are real. He and the crew head to Nate's grandmother Lucy Loo Adams, encounter a shadow and chase it, but to no avail. Meganyan returns, asking to pull out the cork in his body—the cork that suppresses his energy. Nate decides not to pull it out, and asks Jibanyan & Whisper to pull it out for him, but to no avail. Nate pulls it out, and he and the crew get covered in pink smoke. He finds help from the Yo-kai Hovernyan - and uses a time stone to take Nate, Whisper, and Jibanyan back in time 60 years to when the Yo-kai Watch was first invented by Nate's own grandfather Nathaniel Adams while he was a kid. Dame Dedtime gets word of this, and tries a plan to push the human world farther from the Yo-kai world. Together, the two boys battles against Dame Dedtime and her Wicked Yo-kai minions to save the world of the past from her evil plans and recover Nate's Yo-kai Watch.
Voice cast
| border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse;" class="wikitable" |
| style="background-color: rgb(255,85,0);"
!Character !Japanese voice actor !English voice actor |
| Nathan "Nate" Adams (Keita Amano) |
| Whisper |
| Jibanyan |
| Nathaniel Adams (Keizō Amano) |
| Hovernyan (Fuyunyan)
| rowspan="3" |Yūki Kaji |Johnny Yong Bosch |
| Darknyan
|Brent Pendergrass |
| Meganyan (Dekanyan)
|Johnny Yong Bosch |
| Buchinyan
|Alicyn Packard |
| Dame Dedtime (Tokio Ubaune)
|Alicyn Packard |
| Kin and Gin |
| Lucy Loo Adams (Yukiko "Yukippe" Amano)
|Hisako Kyōda (old) |Jenn Wong |
| Robonyan
|Joey D'Auria |
| Shogunyan (Bushinyan)
|Alicyn Packard |
| Komasan
|rowspan=4|Melissa Hutchison |
| Walkappa (Nogappa) |
| Kyubi |
| Tattletell (Bakuroba) |
| Blazion (Melamelion)
|rowspan=3|Brent Pendergrass |
| Roughraff (Gurerurin) |
| Noway (Murikabe) |
| Manjimutt (Jinmenken)
|rowspan=3|Paul Greenberg |
| Happierre (Honobono)
|rowspan=2|Masahito Yabe |
| Dandoodle (Ikemenken) |
| Aaron Adams
|Brent Pendergrass |
| Lily Adams
|Alicyn Packard |
| Katie Forester (Fumika "Fumi-chan" Kodama)
|Melissa Hutchison |
| Edward "Eddie" Archer (Kanchi Imada)
|Brent Pendergrass |
| Barnaby "Bear" Bernstein (Gorota "Kuma" Kumashima)
|Paul Greenberg |
| Master Nyada
|Joey D'Auria |
| Bronzlow (Do)
|Paul Greenberg |
Production
=Music=
The film's score was written Kenichiro Saigo.
- Opening Theme
- "Gera Gera Po (Movie Version)" by King Cream Soda (Japan)
- "Yo-kai Watch" by Basilio Fernando Ferreira (USA)
- Ending Theme
- "Yo-kai Medley" by Yo-kai King Dream Soda & "Kuwagata to Kabutomushi" by King Cream Soda (Japan & USA)
Release
=Marketing=
The film was announced in July 2014 on CoroCoro Comic.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-10/level-5-yo-kai-watch-games-get-film-in-december/.75393|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Level-5's Yo-kai Watch Games Get Film in December|date=June 10, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} The first trailer was released in August{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-08-28/yo-kai-watch-film-trailer-teases-origin-of-magical-watch/.78081|last=Nelkin|first=Sarah|title=Yo-kai Watch Film's Trailer Teases Origin of Magical Watch|date=August 28, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} and another trailer was released in October.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-17/yo-kai-watch-anime-film-trailer-reveals-time-traveling-story/.80030|last=Mahoney|first=Rachel|title=Yo-kai Watch Anime Film's Trailer Reveals Time-Traveling Story|date=October 17, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} A second film was announced in November.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-11-02/yo-kai-watch-gets-2nd-film-next-winter/.80599|last=Loo|first=Ego|title=Yo-kai Watch Gets 2nd Film Next Winter|date=November 2, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} A story tie-in to the film was included in the video game Yo-kai Watch 2: Shinuchi, released on December 13.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-10-10/yo-kai-watch-2-game-gets-3rd-version-on-december-13/.79801|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Yo-kai Watch 2 Game Gets 3rd Version on December 13|date=October 10, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} A manga of the film, illustrated by Noriyuki Konishi, was released in December, reaching the 30th place on the weekly chart with 32,561 copies sold on its first week,{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-24/japanese-comic-ranking-december-15-21/.82589|last=Ressler|first=Karen|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, December 15–21|date=December 24, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} and selling 261,145 copies by its fifth week.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-21/japanese-comic-ranking-january-12-18/.83552|last=Ressler|first=Karen|title=Japanese Comic Ranking, January 12–18|date=January 21, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}}
=Home media=
The Blu-ray and DVD were released on July 8, 2015, with both reaching the number-one place on the animation rankings, with 14,090 and 84,932 copies sold, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-14/japan-animation-blu-ray-disc-ranking-july-6-12/.90434|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Japan's Animation Blu-ray Disc Ranking, July 6–12|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}}{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-14/japan-animation-dvd-ranking-july-5-12/.90435|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, July 5–12|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} By its 13th week, the DVD had sold 128,810 copies.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-06/japan-animation-dvd-ranking-september-28-october-4/.93863|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Japan's Animation DVD Ranking, September 28-October 4|date=October 6, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}}
=Western release=
In September 2016, it was revealed via the Fathom Events website that the movie would be screened one time only on October 15, in select cinemas across the United States. Attendees received an exclusive Hovernyan medal at the screening.{{cite web|url=https://www.fathomevents.com/events/yo-kai-watch-the-movie-event|title=YO-KAI WATCH: THE MOVIE EVENT | Fathom Events|date=September 4, 2016|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Fathom Events}} It was released on Netflix on December 1, 2016 in the United States before leaving the service on March 3, 2021.{{cite web|last=Whritenour|first=Jacob|title=Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie Now Streaming on Netflix|url=https://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/12/01/yo-kai-watch-the-movie-now-streaming-on-netflix/237805/|website=Hardcore Gamer|date=December 1, 2016|access-date=October 16, 2022}} Its DVD was released on May 19, 2020, nearly four years after its theatrical release. the film was distributed by Wild Bunch in France, 01 Distribution In Italy, Buena Vista International in Turkey, Selecta Vision in Spain and Universal Pictures in some countries.
Reception
=Box office=
The film set a new record for Toho for advance ticket sales, with 721,422 sold by October 26, reaching 840,000 by late November{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2014-11-27/yokai-watch-film-sets-toho-record-with-840000-advance-tickets-sold/.81527|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Yokai Watch Film Sets Toho Record with 840,000 Advance Tickets Sold|date=November 27, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work= Anime News Network}} and more than 1 million by mid-December.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2014-12-14/yokai-watch-film-sets-new-toho-record-with-1-million-advance-tickets/.82141|last=Nelkin|first=Sarah|title=Yokai Watch Film Sets New Toho Record with 1 Million Advance Tickets|date=December 14, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}}
The film was number-one on its opening weekend, with {{JPY|1.629 billion}},{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-12-22/yo-kai-watch-film-beats-out-disney-big-hero-6-at-japanese-box-office/.82528|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|title=Yo-kai Watch Film Beats Out Disney's Big Hero 6 at Japanese Box Office|date=December 22, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} a record for a Japanese film, previously held by Howl's Moving Castle.{{cite web|url=https://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"|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|website=www.crunchyroll.com|date=December 24, 2014|access-date=October 16, 2022}} reached {{JPY|5 billion}} by its third weekend,{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-05/yo-kai-watch-film-tops-5-billion-yen-but-big-hero-6-rises-to-no.1/.82928|last=Ressler|first=Karen|title=Yo-kai Watch Film Tops 5 Billion Yen, But Big Hero 6 Rises to #1|date=January 5, 2015|work=Anime News Network|access-date=October 16, 2022}} {{JPY|6.54 billion}} by the fourth weekend{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-01-13/yo-kai-watch-film-tops-6.5-billion-yen-psycho-pass-earns-248-million/.83198|last=Nelkin|first=Sarah|title=Yo-kai Watch Film Tops 6.5 Billion Yen, Psycho-Pass Earns 248 Million|date=January 13, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} and {{JPY|7 billion}} by the sixth weekend.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2015-01-26/big-hero-6-tops-yo-kai-watch-for-4th-straight-weekend/.83725|title=Big Hero 6 Tops Yo-kai Watch for 4th Straight Weekend|last=Ressler|first=Karen|date=January 26, 2015|access-date=October 16, 2022|work=Anime News Network}} The film grossed {{JPY|7.8 billion}} ({{US$|{{To USD|7800000000|JPN|year=2014|round=yes}}|long=no}}) at the Japanese box office, where it was the highest-grossing domestic film of 2015.{{cite web|title=2015|url=http://www.eiren.org/boxoffice_e/2015.html|website=Eiren|publisher=Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan|access-date=February 27, 2019}}
Overseas, the film grossed {{KRW|1.98 billion}} ({{US$|1.69 million|long=no}}) upon its opening in South Korea,{{cite web|url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/assassination-slays-competition-in-south-korea|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829061626/www.filmbiz.asia/news/assassination-slays-competition-in-south-korea|archive-date=August 29, 2015|title=Assassination slays competition in South Korea|author=Kevin Ma|date=July 27, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2015|work=Film Business Asia}} and went on to gross {{KRW|3,888,698,100}} ({{US$|{{To USD|3888698100|KOR|year=2015|round=yes}}|long=no}}) there.{{cite web |title=영화정보|url=http://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/business/mast/mvie/searchMovieList.do|website=KOFIC|publisher=Korean Film Council|quote=Yokai Watch|access-date=October 16, 2022}} The film also grossed $257,343 in the United States and Canada, and $1,715,393 in France, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. The film grossed a total of {{US$|99.5 million|long=no}} worldwide.
=Critical reception=
Kotaku{{'}}s Mike Fahey described the movie as keeping the humor of the TV show even in its highest dramatic stakes.{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/yo-kai-watch-the-movie-is-as-whimsical-as-saving-the-w-1787815651|last=Fahey|first=Mark|title=Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie Is As Whimsical As Saving The World From Evil Spirits Gets|website=Kotaku|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
Anime News Network reviewer James Beckett liked the humor, but was bothered by the pacing issues. He gave it a B grading.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yo-kai-watch/the-movie/.107664|title=Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie|last=Beckett|first=James|website=Anime News Network|date=October 14, 2016|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an 80% with average rating of 6.6/10 based on 5 critics reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/yo_kai_watch_the_movie|title=Yo-kai Watch: The Movie Event (2014)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Flixster|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Anime News Network|anime|16650}}
- {{IMDb title|4168022}}
{{Yo-kai Watch}}
{{OLM films}}
Category:2010s fantasy adventure films
Category:Adventure anime and manga
Category:Anime films based on video games
Category:Japanese animated adventure films
Category:Japanese fantasy adventure films
Category:Japanese animated fantasy films
Category:OLM, Inc. animated films
Category:Animated films about time travel
Category:Animated films about size change