Yo-kai Watch is a big deal in Japan. Like, a really big deal. I think most analysts would agree that despite its novelty, the franchise has taken off with an unstoppable momentum rivaled only (if even) by Pokemon. Whether it be manga, anime, games, or toys, Yo-kai Watch is everywhere in Japan, and fans can’t seem to get enough of it. Yo-kai Watch has recently launched here in the West with moderate success, but Level-5 and Hasbro think it could be huge. Part of the meta experience that fans enjoy in Japan are the “Gashapon” machines. These are capsule machines (gashapon is an onomatopoeia based on the noise that the machines make when spewing out a prize) that distribute tokens used to play Yo-kai Watch games across arcades. In the U.S., though, you won’t find many arcades.
Enter Yo-kai Watch Land. This is a free app for iOS and Android meant to replicate the meta-experience offered by the Gashapon. Hasbro has started selling Yo-kai Watch medals, which you can find in packs of three. Using your app, you can scan the front of the medals to see which Yo-kai they hold. If you purchase the medals and scan the backs, you’ll unlock those Yo-kai in what looks to be a Pokedex-esque device. You’ll be able to look up stats and bios, and you’ll also be able to play some fun, arcade-style games with the Yo-kai that you’ve unlocked. It looks pretty slick, but I’m not convinced that this is the answer to fully realizing a life-invading obsession with Yo-kai in the west. If the concept sounds a little confusing, here’s a promo video for the app:
Source: Polygon