Review: Yo-Kai Watch

Courtesy: Nintendo/Level-5

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Level-5

Platform: Nintendo 3DS

Starring the Voices of Johnny Yong Bosch, Brent Pendergrass and Alicyn Packard

Network: Disney XD (Check your local cable or satellite listings)

ESRB Rating: E10+

Game Rating: ***/5

TV Show Rating: *½:5

“Yo-Kai Watch” is yet another multimedia franchise from Japan, based on the concept of mythological creatures known as “yokai.” While many are hailing the series as “the next Pokémon,” the result leaves much to be desired.

The series consists of many facets, two of which are a video game for the Nintendo 3DS and an anime series currently airing on Disney XD. The game may not be bad, but it’s also not a great game like a Pokémon game can be, or the previous role playing game (RPG) from developer Level-5; “Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.” The anime series, however, while not the worst of its kind, is highly insufferable because of its wasted potential.

The premise of the series is as follows: mythical creatures known as “yokai” are often held responsible for life’s foibles. Essentially, if something happens to your internet connection or you forget your phone someplace; a yokai may be the cause. While these creatures may be invisible to the naked eye, a device known as the titular Yo-Kai Watch will enable the wearer to see them. While not a bad premise, the execution haphazardly tries to blend slice-of-life tropes

with collecting these creatures and having them fight, with mixed results.

The premise of the anime and the game are largely the same, but the execution differs significantly depending on the medium. Even though the game isn’t an outright copy of the formula established by the Pokémon series, it lacks the complexity that’s been an increasing draw among older fans. Barring a few special moves and the occasional need to heal your yokai, the combat is almost entirely on autopilot. There have been times where battles have been won with absolutely no input from the player at all.

Sadly, the anime suffers from poor voice acting and corny writing in dealing with its subject matter. The cast seems to be made up of mostly unknown voice actors, many of whom

are making their debut here. Even the normally lively Johnny Yong Bosch seems stilted as Nathan Adams. To call the cast’s performances wooden would be an affront to a useful building material. Even though the animation is slick and colorful, the show’s focus on life lessons isn’t well-implemented and is rife with bad jokes and dated pop-culture references. It ultimately lacks

the same level of quality that Disney XD has delivered with series such as “Gravity Falls,” “Star Wars Rebels” and “Star VS The Forces of Evil.”

Even though Level-5 is making long-term plans for the series in the U.S., including the localization of the sequels “Yo-Kai Watch 2: Bony Spirits and Fleshy Souls,” it may not be viable

to try to shotgun the series into “the next Pokémon.” In fact, that comparison ended up alienating many longtime Pokémon fans and has caused the game and anime to underperform despite surprisingly positive reception among critics.

If you’re looking for an alternative style of RPG, then “Yo-Kai Watch” might be worth considering. If you’re looking for a more engaging experience; however, it would be best to play “Pokémon Sun and Moon” and wait for the planned Playstation 4 sequel to “Ni No Kuni.” As for the anime: the writing has much more in common with the likes of “Barney and Friends” than Hayao Miyazaki’s epic “Spirited Away.” It’s enough to make the “Pokémon” anime look like “Akira” by comparison, and Nathan is so ineffectual as a protagonist that he makes Ash Ketchum look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Although the animation is beautiful, it doesn’t really mean anything without a compelling script to bolster it. A small child might like it; but with better fare like “Gravity Falls,” “Star Wars Rebels” and “Star VS The Forces of Evil” available on Disney XD, it’s definitely not recommended.