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.