Convention Highlights- Anime Expo '23, SDCC+More

As a man I knew once said, and now for something completely different. With in-person events gradually returning alongside an endemic state; I thought I would talk about some anime highlights from some conventions this month. Might not have been my exact plan, but let's give it a go anyway.

Let's start with this year's Anime Expo. I am quite pleased to see more details on the upcoming stop-motion series Pokémon Concierge; which follows a young woman named Haru and her Psyduck as they work at the Pokémon Resort. As someone who has had very mixed feelings towards the 2023 anime (more on that in a bit), I am liking the more relaxed tone and style of animation; and I look forward to seeing more when the series streams on Netflix later this year.

On that note, Studio Trigger has announced new entries in two landmark series: Gurren Lagann and Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. I have made no secret of the fact the former is my favorite anime ever (even saw the episode 5.5 OVA that came as a bonus with that game); and I think it's the right time for the latter to reappear. I am very eager to see the return of an anime that is every bit as hilarious as it is inappropriate. Fitting, as its creation came about after the people in charge spent a night drinking and watching Drawn Together. ... No, I am not making that up.

Now, let's talk about San Diego Comic-Con; which has grown from merely focusing on comic books to being something of a mecca for all forms of pop culture fandom. Though the first dual strike for the WGA and SAG-AFTRA since the 1960s has altered if not outright canceled several planned events, the first-ever presentation for The Pokémon Company International was spared. I may remain a skeptic on the long-term prospects of Pokémon Horizons (especially as the EN release date has changed from "2023 and beyond" to a much more vague "coming soon"); but the dub footage doesn't look like the worst thing ever. All the same, I have no plans to formally review it before it gets an official release in the states. I do plan to formally review the EN dub of the Distant Blue Sky special; and I'm exploring options for a full review of the "To Be a Master" miniseries as well.

One highlight is the 25th anniversary exhibit for Cowboy Bebop. With its influence on both sides of the Pacific still clear a quarter of a century, its impact is definitely worthy of this journey from subculture to pop culture to pop art. I'm nearing a decision on my 700th post; and the movie is one of the candidates. I'm very glad to know the impact of this anime is still being felt,

To wrap up, the interactive experience set up for the Dragon Ball franchise is definitely a treat from Bandai Namco. From scale models of familiar locations to giant balloons of beloved characters; it is an utter joy to observe. 

I may not have planned to post about this, but then again, I didn't expect to be so eager to drop the "Barbenheimer" this weekend either. That will be all for now, take care everyone.

Level-5 announces new Yo-Kai Watch game, Yo-Kai Watch 4 Localization Still in Limbo?

Well- I wasn't planning on addressing this; but here we are. To help celebrate the 10th anniversary of the franchise, a new Yo-Kai Watch game has been informally announced for release in the near future. Though details still remain scarce; this is is quite significant as it's been just over four years since the last main game released in Japan... which brings me to my next topic.

Yo-Kai Watch 4 has still yet to receive any updates surrounding an international release; nor have the anime films key to its plot (any review of Forever Friends will be dependent on a release of the game in the US officially). Though I am keeping an eye on both the new Professor Layton and Fantasy Life; and the new IP Deca Police; there is still a sense of limbo in the game many want to see from Level-5 the most. Unless there's something said or their other games sell well enough to justify it; it's still unlikely; though not impossible that we will see it happen.

As for the next game, that's another story. I will give the developers some leeway for factors out of their hands (the pandemic being a big example); but I honestly hope that Level-5 and the "blogosphere" (some of my younger readers may have to check the Urban Dictionary for that one) have learned from the mistakes made before, not that it hasn't stopped others from making them again.

At this stage, I'm not even sure whether the plan entails a fifth main game or another spinoff (since they're being deliberately cryptic once again). Whatever it entails, I intend to keep an eye on the prospect as well as one of finally seeing the oft-delayed localization of Yo-Kai Watch 4. That will be all for now, and I will see you all again soon.

P.S.- Go see Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, it really is that good.

Will Yo-Kai Watch 4 Still Be Localized?

Well, it's that time again. As today marks four years since the announcement of Yo-Kai Watch 4 being localized outside Japan; not much else has been said on the matter. Even as Level-5 is attempting to re-enter international markets; what's arguably the most sought-after title from them by many is conspicuous by its absence. It didn't even show up in this past June's Nintendo direct. With little to no word since the initial reveal at Anime Expo in 2019, I think it's officially time to raise this question- will Yo-Kai Watch 4 still be localized?

Courtesy: Level-5

Since Level-5 announced their localization of the game, not much has been said on the matter (I'm not counting the rumored localization of Y School Heroes) over the last few years. As always, I will be going over the last few years since then to set the proper timeline. 

Let's start with the year 2018, when the game was first announced for release on Nintendo Switch. As the console was still relatively new; the game showed promise in a new ecosystem. The first teaser was shown on June 23 of that year; and despite some rough edges and objections from series purists over the shift in gameplay, it definitely had potential. Then, that October, things took a turn. It was announced the game would be delayed to the next year; which should make a good segue into my next point.

The year 2019 was an interesting one for the game. After the initial push to June 6, the game was delayed ever so slightly to June 20. Although there were technical performance issues, actual reception to the game itself was quite positive. That July also saw the game get informally announced for localization at Anime Expo, alongside the films "Shadowside: Return of the Oni King" and "Forever Friends." 

Unfortunately, the game launched eight days before Super Mario Maker 2, which sold more in its first three days than YW4 did in its first five months. That November, a certain other monster-collector also conquered the sales of that holiday season. Not even a PS4 port of the game and an expansion could save it from being the lowest-selling main installment to date. So, we're already not on the best ground for what comes next.

The year 2020 was tumultuous to say the least. Outside the disappointing reception and sales of Snack World, accusations of mismanagement and the pandemic contributed to the closure of Level-5 Abby. The shutdown functionally decimated the work done up to then, and the ensuing years would get even more uncertain for the game.

As the year 2021 progressed, not much was heard from the series apart from a compilation film and another reboot of the anime. That's also when Level-5 was doing some rather dubious things as a business, which will become quite apparent in my next two bullet points.

The year 2022 saw continued silence on the localization front. Outside hints in some mobile app collabs and a trademark registry for the Jam Project under the Y School Heroes imprint; not a whole lot was announced.

Then, earlier in 2023; something happened- Level-5 actually started making plans to re-enter Western markets. Three titles would be part of this initiative- a new Professor Layton, a new Fantasy Life and a new IP known as Deca Police.

All of this should help answer the question I raised previously- will Yo-Kai Watch 4 still be localized? Though the doubt around this possibility has been understandable, given the silence over the last four years; I will say it's similar to how I addressed the third game in the past: unlikely, but not impossible.

I would argue that trying to shotgun the franchise into the next big thing was a mistake that shouldn't be repeated. Instead, the game should be released much more modestly on eShop and PSN; especially as Griffin Burns is the latest cast member to state he's not returning for the game's voice cast. I also would suggest that making the rollout a soft reboot of the brand outside Japan would be the way to go, as the attempts to Americanize the series backfired hard (especially as the likes of Persona and Like a Dragon have wholeheartedly embraced their exotic aspects to great success). Lastly, I still think selling the rights of the movies key to the fourth game's plot to a streaming service is the way to go. There's no way I could see further anime releases happening for the series besides that, whether I decide to review the fifth movie or not (haven't found much material to work with).

I still have plenty I want to address, whether anything comes of the series' tenth anniversary or not. That will be all for now, take care everyone.