Yo-Kai Watch 4 Five Years Later- The Curious Case of the Elusive English Localization.

I know this is later than I expected, but I just got back from Lihue earlier this month, and I'm prepping myself for a trip to see my father in CA as well. In the meantime, here is a belated post on Yo-Kai Watch 4 five years (and change) later; and the curious case of its elusive English localization.

I have talked about this before, so let's do a quick recap of the journey so far. After being delayed from its intended release in late 2018; the game saw release on Nintendo Switch on June 20, 2019. Later that summer at Anime Expo in July, the game was announced for English localization alongside two anime films key to its plot- Shadowside: The Return of the Oni King, and Forever Friends.

As you may recall, none of that played out as expected. Eight days after release, the game was eclipsed by Super Mario Maker 2. Later that year, a multitude of other games took that release quarter by storm- Death Stranding, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order, and most relevant to our case here; Pokémon Sword and Shield; all of which sold gangbusters and I enjoyed. Yet, that was only the start of the trouble.

In the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many businesses to close; many of which were permanently shut down. The Level-5 Abby was among them. Combined with the failure of The Snack World outside Japan, it took three full years for Level-5 to even attempt localizing games overseas again. Though multiple IP were announced as part of this initiative in 2023 (both new and existing IP), Yo-Kai Watch 4 was conspicuous by its absence. Apart from an official release in China, the game has yet to see any update on official localization. It's nearing the threshold of a smaller-scale Mother 3 or Beyond Good and Evil 2.

Now, in the year of our Lisan Al Gaib 2024; we still await an update on the game. Even as a whole new console generation is in effect (talk persists of a new upgraded version of the Switch) and there is increasing proof of a market for anime where not everything needs to be Westernized. Not saying it's a given, but I think it's time to finally localize the game and the anime films it's connected to; if only to provide closure before Ghost Craft comes out.

Still, short of any official word from those in charge; this mystery will take more time to be solved. I will come back to this after I see my father (likely after the Level-5 Vision); and I will see you again in July. Take care.

P.S.: Go see Inside Out 2, it really is that good.

Sakamoto Days Anime Coming January 2025.

Hey everyone- I have some good news and bad news. My flight got delayed till a week from today and my traveling companion is recovering from a stomach virus. The good news is that things were able to be rescheduled, and I will be going to enjoy myself. Moreover, a manga I have been reading extensively since it began is finally getting an anime adaptation.

That would be Sakamoto Days by Suzuki Yuto, coming in January 2025. For those unfamiliar, the story follows a retired hitman named Sakamoto Taro; who is now working at a convenience store when enemies both old and new come into the fold. Their hope is that with Sakamoto putting on both years and weight, that he will be an easy target. As they find out the hard way, appearances deceive. TMS, who has extensive credits on both sides on the pacific, will be handling the adaptation; and Netflix has picked up the international rights.

As someone who has been a regular reader of the manga since it started publication in Shonen Jump Weekly; this news makes me immensely happy. I believe it has all the ingredients to be a great anime on its own and has plenty to work with for a good adaptation. That's all for now, and I will see you all again soon.