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Yo-kai Watch users interacting with various Yo-kai in the human world.

Yo-kai (Japanese: 妖怪 Yōkai) are supernatural beings that appear throughout the Yo-kai Watch series. They are usually responsible for most of the natural occurrences that happen in everyday life, the vast majority of time appearing invisible to humans, but with a Yo-kai Watch searchlight, they can be found and be dealt with.

They come in many different forms, with most of them being based on Japanese folklore or mythology that have several design liberties applied to them usually based on wordplay. Yo-kai also come in different types, such as Classic Yo-kai, which are entirely designed off original Japanese youkai, and 'Merican Yo-kai, which have American-inspired designs.

Just like humans, Yo-kai are known to have lives of their own. They're usually created from the death of a living being or the loss of an object, and gets their own Yo-kai Medal or Keystone when they become one. Certain Yo-kai usually lasts for centuries such as Komasan, and little is known how a Yo-kai dies of old age. They also have Spirits that are left behind if they abruptly die, but can come back to life once it is returned.

Overview[]

Origins[]

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Amy's ancestor holding a scroll with Classic Yo-kai and Shogunyan from centuries ago in the IDW Yo-kai Watch comic series.

Very little is known when Yo-kai first came into existence, but several of them have been around for centuries, dating back to the Sengoku period and Edo period. One example is Whispocrates, a Yo-kai which served as a partner towards Shogun Waitington during that time.

A group of older Yo-kai, known as the Classic Yo-kai, existed at least centuries prior the start of the series, along with other types which can also be found in the present, with others being encountered only in certain time periods. Likewise, 'Merican Yo-kai can be found in St. Peanutsburg, BBQ, implying that other areas of the world have their own individual Yo-kai, in akin to western mythologies.

Creation[]

Almost all Yo-kai are created from animals, objects, or humans that have experienced death.

In most instances, their spirits rise up into the heavens, as a transportation method to the Yo-kai World. They line up to be named before their spirit turns into the appearance of a Yo-kai, sometimes via test tubes and get their photo taken for their Yo-kai Medal. After they go through the process, they're sent back into the real world to inspirit humans.

Biology[]

Yo-kai are spiritual beings whose influences are responsible for almost every one of the strange and paranormal events in the human world. Most of these influences range from sudden changes in the behavior of people or abnormal weather in otherwise normal days, as well as unexpected landscape changes or control over a different force of nature. Yo-kai tend not to change their behavior whatsoever and stick to their own different personalities.

Yo-kai are in no way related to ghosts (which is more strongly stated in the manga adaptation), a person or animal can die and be reborn as a Yo-kai too. However, this can only happen if they had a strong reason to become one such as Jibanyan who wanted to defeat trucks to prove himself worthy to see Amy again. It was once stated by Whisper that it is very rare for a human to become a Yo-kai in Yo-kai Watch: The Movie, making humanoid Yo-kai like Blizzaria uncommon. The only Yo-kai known to be a ghost is Shogunyan, though only in the manga.

All Yo-kai are able to eat, sleep and exist in the physical realm just like humans, and almost all of them are capable of talking with the exception of Sighborg Y. Some of them speak in an almost-undecipherable language, like Koalanyan and Blobgoblin, while others prefer to talk their own way like Blazion and Tattletell.

They come from a realm called the Yo-kai World, which is a surreal counterpart of the real world that can only be accessed by special means. Some Yo-kai use a special pass that will make them board a spiritual train in the viewpoint of Yo-kai, allowing them to cross dimensions while some usually use the Yo-kai Elevator located inside the Great Sacred Tree at Mt. Wildwood. Another form and the most common access is via Mirapo, which is done by going to the person's desired location.

Each Yo-kai has their own Yo-kai Medal and/or Keystone, which is instantly given to them after they first become a Yo-kai. They are given multiple copies of almost all of each type, though the exact reason for it is unknown. For medals this would be to signify a type of Yo-kai (Classic or 'Merican) and when the Yo-kai was introduced (Gray medals for Yo-kai from the first game and green medals for Yo-kai introduced in Yo-kai Watch 2 and 3). They are usually given to human Yo-kai Watch wielders as a sign of friendship or fulfilling their needs, that allows them to summon the Yo-kai at their own will with it.

Though some Yo-kai cannot die in the strictest sense of the word, they can have their Soul Gems forcefully removed, leaving an empty shell behind or be exorcised and sent to the other side. The "death" can be reversed by returning their souls, however. Those who can or are able to die simply have a supernaturally long life span. Some Yo-kai do have the ability to die, but it depends on who and the circumstances. When a Yo-kai dies, they have the possibility of reincarnating as a human.

Appearance[]

Yo-kai are known to come in varying shapes and sizes. Many are based on actual yōkai, and other mythological entities from traditional folklore, while some are based from Japanese wordplay, puns or other inspirations usually related to an inspirit.

They usually have unusual body compositions, such as having a single or multiple amount of eyes, or having many different limbs. Others may be based on inanimate objects, which are known under a sub-category of Yo-kai known as tsukumogami or even food, also ranging from being based on animals like mammals, birds, fish or insects and even more traditional demons or mythical creatures.

As stated by Jibanyan in Yo-kai Watch 2, Yo-kai wear accessories to keep themselves fashionable which appear as soon as the Yo-kai is created in most cases. It's further explored in the Hapyon Detective Agency segments in the Yo-kai Watch anime series that involve important accessories that go missing from a Yo-kai such as Mirapo's mirror or Blazion's mane.

They can change appearance in the future and past (though only specific Yo-kai from the past), form-wise at any time as stated by Sly (Formerly Slimamander) in SS025, as he wanted to bear a humanoid hero-like look because he thought his original form looked too villainous, making his former friend Mitsumata Mizuchi disagree with the idea. Though, the exact process for changing the form of a Yo-kai is currently unknown.

Yo-kai Special Power[]

Yo-kai Special Power (Japanese: ヨーカイ・スペシャル・パワー Yokai supeshyaru pawa), or commonly abbreviated as YSP (Japanese: YSP Wai esu pii) for short is a type of genetic found inside humans who have the ability to see, control and summon Yo-kai, Onryo and other spiritual beings. Humans who have such power can also transform into a Yo-kai Hero via the YSP Watch, or use other select Yo-kai to transform into a Maijin Hero, most notably those of Classic Yo-kai.

This power also gives the user superhuman characteristics, as Jinpei and Koma are able to effortlessly do exercises and manipulate energy without transforming.

If a Yo-kai loses their life, their spirit flies out of the body, and goes into a human whom are instantly born with an appearance reminiscent of their original Yo-kai self. It usually goes into an unborn human relative to whom has developed a bond with the Yo-kai during their life, such as Miho where her mother Amy had a strong friendship with Rudy before the latter's death. In other instances, it can be born from an alternate-universe counterpart, such as Kinya Daiouji who is the reincarnation of the late Ancient Enma's daughter Emma Daiouji having the power of Lord Enma.

Communication with Humans[]

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An example of the Yo-kai being seen by a human in the reflection, in comparison to the viewer looking at the Yo-kai's original form in the Yo-kai Watch anime series.

Most Yo-kai are invisible to most humans without the usage of a Yo-kai Watch. They are found using the searchlight of it, either appearing next to the human or around the object being inspirited. When the Yo-kai is found, their appearance is revealed to the human eye, but it's not known if it disappears after being found with the searchlight.

An alternative to making Yo-kai temporarily appear in front of humans without the ability to see any is done by pouring some oil all over their surroundings.

They're usually shown causing mischief in some cases, not realizing what they're doing to humans around them. Worst case scenario, they may even kill humans.

Very few people have been given the ability to see Yo-kai, which is usually passed down from their relatives. Though the ability tends to fade away when the human ages (in the case of Jane in Yo-kai Watch 3 and Nate in Yo-kai Watch Shadowside), older characters like Fiona and Diana Gately still have the abilities.

In some cases, Yo-kai can join human societies by putting a magical leaf on their heads, appearing as a human to blend in, shape-shifting, inspiriting others or even choosing to manifest themselves at will in a certain way. In the anime, some Yo-kai are made permanently visible due to the circumstances of their death or the origins of their Yo-kai conversion.

Many Yo-kai used to be either humans, such as Hungramps and Venoct, animals, such as Jibanyan and Usapyon; or even inanimate objects, such as Wazzat, Dummkap and Brokenbrella. Though the process for becoming a Yo-kai is largely unknown, most Yo-kai develop an attachment to an important place or part of their previous lives, with some having unsettled business to fulfil; however, doing so does not make them pass to the other side.

Human Relations[]

Humans communicating with Yo-kai is known to be rare in both the human and Yo-kai World. Very few humans have been given the ability to see it, or to an extent, visit the Yo-kai World. While they're accidental in most cases, other characters like Nate usually help out Yo-kai that are troubled.

Despite Yo-kai and humans generally working together to overcome major problems, there are several Yo-kai that are strongly against the relations. The older generation of the Enma Clan, namely Ancient Enma (who passes on his wish to Zazel in the events of M02) looks at humans in a way of corrupting Yo-kai, with an example of Rinne's human friend losing her life in trying to fix the bonds causing the former to develop a hatred towards them.

There are also Yo-kai who see humans as "pets" to them, such as McKraken, who threatens to unleash a war on the human world during the events of the Yo-kai Watch video game. Dame Dedtime also has a hatred for humans, coming from her revenge after being left to die in prison for being falsely accused of a crime, unlike the reasoning of everyone else.

Tribes[]

Main article: Yo-kai Tribes

Each Yo-kai are assigned a specific Tribe after they become one, which is judged on their personality and abilities. The Tribe cannot be changed, unless their evolution has a different Tribe or can be changed freely with Originyan in the Build-a-Nyan application.

They are divided into eight different tribes, which are the Brave, Mysterious, Tough, Charming, Heartful, Shady, Eerie and Slippery tribes. Over time, additional tribes have appeared through other uses such as Wicked, which is created from the forces of the Wicked Executives, Enma, which applies exclusively to Yo-kai that hails from those affiliated with Lord Enma, and Wandroid, with the only member being Sighborg Yo-kai.

A secondary Tribe that applies to Yo-kai in possession of Arks is also known to exist. Unlike the original Tribes, they are mostly based on the Yo-kai's mythological background. Six different ones that apply to regular Yo-kai are Onnen, Goriki, Omamori, Mononoke, Tsukumono and Uwanosora. An additional six Tribes exist for a select amount, depending on what they are, which are Mikado, Izana, Oni, Kaima, Shinma and Mikakunin.

In the video games, each of the tribes has their own strengths and rarities, and if two or more Yo-kai of the same tribe are adjacent to each other, they will receive a Tribe Unity bonus.

Yo-kai Types[]

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Yo-kai are divided into different types that are applied to their appearance and personality. Depending on the type, the design of their Yo-kai Medal can vary.



Regular Types[]

Boss Yo-kai[]

  • Boss Yo-kai (Japanese: ボス妖怪 Bosu Yōkai): Yo-kai are powerful enemy Yo-kai which the player cannot befriend or recruit, and are typically stronger than most Yo-kai the player has met up to that point.

Legendary Yo-kai[]

  • Legendary Yo-kai (Japanese: レジェンド妖怪 Rejendo Yōkai, Legend Yo-kai): A group of powerful Yo-kai that can only be befriended after filling out the Legend Pages in the Yo-kai Medallium, which is done by collecting certain sets of Yo-kai Medals to break the seal surrounding a specific Legendary Yo-kai, with each seal requiring a different set of Yo-kai. Like every Yo-kai, a Legendary Yo-kai falls under one of the tribes. Unlike every other kind of Yo-kai that from their respective tribes, Legendary Yo-kai's summoning chant are very unique, bombastic and grandiose.

'Merican Legendary Yo-kai[]

  • 'Merican Legendary Yo-kai (Japanese: メリケンレジェンド妖怪 Meriken Rejendo Yōkai, Merican Legend Yo-kai): A group of Legendary Yo-kai from BBQ, like 'Merican Yo-kai, introduced in Yo-kai Watch 3.

Legendary VIP Yo-kai[]

  • Legendary Pioneer Yo-kai (Japanese: 偉人レジェンド妖怪 Ijin Rejendo Yōkai, Great Legend Yo-kai): A special group of Legendary Yo-kai in Yo-kai Watch 3, who were originally famous people before their death. Notably, all of them sport a five-pointed sheriff-like star with the kana イ, meaning "I", which stands for "Ijin" (偉人, kanji for "Great Man").

Commander Legendary Yo-kai[]

  • Commander Legendary Yo-kai (Japanese: 武将レジェンド妖怪 Bushō Rejendo Yōkai)

Mystery Legendary Yo-kai[]

  • Mystery Legendary Yo-kai (Japanese: ミステリーレジェンド妖怪 Misuterī Rejendo Yōkai, Mystery Legend Yo-kai) are a special class of Legendary Yo-kai debuting in Yo-kai Watch 3. Many of the Yo-kai in this group are based on ancient civilizations, with a large number of Mystery Legendary Yo-kai having Egyptian themes.

Crystal Legendary Yo-kai[]

Yo-Criminals[]

  • Yo-Criminals (Japanese: 指名手配妖怪 Shimeitehai Yōkai): also known as Wanted Yo-kai, are a group of Yo-kai which cannot be befriended, and instead must be fought and captured for a crime they committed, which mostly all revolve around vandalism and disrupting the peace. They are notable for all being color variations of normal Yo-kai.

Present Yo-kai[]

  • Present Yo-kai (Japanese: イマドキ妖怪 Imadoki Yōkai): is an unofficial name giving to Yo-kai who hail from the present day of Japan in time within the Yo-kai Watch series, given this name retroactively following the release of Yo-kai Watch 2 and the Classic Yo-kai.

Rare Yo-kai[]

  • Rare Yo-kai (Japanese: レア妖怪 Rea Yōkai): are a select group of Yo-kai that are typically difficult to encounter and befriend, and some can (additionally or exclusively) be freed from the Crank-a-kai, while others need an item pulled from the Crank-a-kai to make them appear in the overworld. A good number of Rare Yo-kai, especially those of which that originated in Yo-kai Watch, are color-swapped versions of other, more commonly found Yo-kai.

White Yo-kai[]

  • White Yo-kai: are a type of Yo-kai found in Yo-kai Watch. They are regular or hard-to-find Yo-kai under the influence of McKraken. They appear in both the Yo-kai World and Springdale but cannot be befriended due to being controlled by McKraken's anti-human propaganda.

Classic Yo-kai[]

  • Classic Yo-kai (Japanese: 古典妖怪 Koten Yōkai): Yo-kai introduced in Yo-kai Watch 2 which are wholly based on the youkai of classic Japanese folklore. They can only be found in the past.

Local Yo-kai[]

  • Local Yo-kai (Japanese: ご当地妖怪 Gotochi Yōkai): are a group of Rare Yo-kai which debuted in Yo-kai Watch 2.
    • Gotochinyan (Japanese: ご当地ニャン Gotōji nyan): are a group of Local Yo-kai exclusive in Yo-kai Watch World.

Commander Yo-kai[]

'Merican Yo-kai[]

  • 'Merican Yo-kai (Japanese: メリケン妖怪 Meriken Yōkai): Yo-kai introduced in Yo-kai Watch 3. As the name implies, they are from America, or BBQ in English localizations. They are considered a subgroup of Present-Day Yo-kai.

Deva Yo-kai[]

  • Deva Yo-kai (Japanese: 神妖怪 Kami Yōkai): are a select group of powerful Yo-kai that are introduced in Yo-kai Watch 3, following the 2.0 Update and the release of Sukiyaki.

Kuroi Yo-kai[]

  • Kuroi Yo-kai (Japanese: 黒い妖怪 Kuroi Yōkai)

Goku Yo-kai[]

  • Goku Yo-kai (Japanese: 極妖怪 Goku Yōkai): are a set of 5 Yo-kai introduced in Yo-kai Watch: Wibble Wobble. They are SSS Rank Yo-kai of various tribes under the control of Rinne. They all seem to be criminals and fugitives of the law of sorts.

Treasure Yo-kai[]

  • Treasure Yo-kai (Japanese: 秘宝妖怪 Hihō Yōkai): are a select group of powerful Yo-kai that are introduced in Yo-kai Watch 3, following the 4.0 Update. Much like the Mystery Legendary Yo-kai, the Treasure Yo-kai are powerful Yo-kai that are based on civilizations in antiquity.

Shadowside Yo-kai[]

Progenitor Yo-kai[]

  • Progenitor (Japanese: 幻魔 Genma) Yo-kai: are Yo-kai summoned by the Yo-kai Watch Ogre.

Sword Bearer Yo-kai[]

Celestial Yo-kai[]

  • Celestial (Japanese: 幻獣 Genjuu) Yo-kai: are Yo-kai introduced in Yo-kai Watch Shadowside. They're of the same status as the Sword Bearers.

Onechanside Yo-kai[]

Onryo[]

  • Onryo (Japanese: 怨霊 Onryou) are a type of Yo-kai introduced in the Yo-kai Watch Jam series, notably the 6th movie and the TV series.

Yo-kai Hero[]

Trivia[]

  • Most promotional outlets usually type out the English spelling as "Yo-Kai", which is the incorrect way to spell out the word.
    • Though, some of the Japanese products sometimes spell it as "Yokai Watch" or "Youkai Watch".
    • Ironically in the Yo-kai Watch Blasters video game, some instances incorrectly spell "Yo-Kai" with an uppercase K. That can be especially said for the opening cutscene of BLASTERS WAR in Moon Rabbit Crew.
  • In the Yo-kai Watch anime series, Komasan can only be seen by select humans or mostly more via using the human leaf. The logic would erroneously be abandoned by EP152 and the entire Komasan and Komajiro's Japanese Whole Country Journey segments, where it is shown that multiple humans can see Komasan and Komajiro without the leaf.

In other languages[]

Language Name Meaning
Flag of Japan Japanese 妖怪 Yōkai Demon
Flag of France French Yo-kai
Flag of Spain Spanish Yo-kai
Flag of Germany German Yo-kai
Flag of Italy Italian Yo-kai
Flag of the Netherlands Dutch Yo-kai
Flag of Russia Russian Йо-кай Yo-kai
Flag of South Korea Korean 요괴 Yogoe
More Languages
Flag of Hong Kong Chinese (Cantonese)* 妖怪 Yāoguài
Flag of the Republic of China
Flag of the People's Republic of China
Chinese (Mandarin)*
妖怪 Yāoguài
Flag of Portugal Portuguese (European) Yo-kai
Flag of Brazil Portuguese (Brazilian) Yo-kai
Flag of Turkey Turkish Yo-kai
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