Level-5 CEO talks about expanding Yo-Kai Watch in the west
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Nikkei Trendy recently conducted an extensive interview with Akihiro Hino, CEO of Level-5. There was plenty of discussion about various topics, but some of Hino’s more interesting comments came about when he was asked about plans Level-5 has for Yo-Kai Watch aside from developing new installments.
Hino said:
Opening up to global market is a thing that is left to do. We are already refining the strategy of Yo-Kai Watch for global expansion. North America is the biggest market and we are starting to create a system which is required to realize the same cross media strategy (games, anime, toys etc.) as in Japan. When targeting overseas market for a big title like Yo-Kai Watch, we commit to that title 100% and create a powerful system which manages the brand and maximizes business opportunities.
Hino was next asked if North America is the main target of overseas expansion. To this, he responded:
We are spreading out to North America and Europe at the same time. About Asia, we have already started expansion in Korea. Toys have sold very well and the TV anime has higher ratings than other anime programs. As they have been a hit, we would like to bring a movie and other things, too. We are also steadily progressing in reaching out to other parts of Asia.
The first Yo-Kai Watch game launched in Japan back in July 2013. A sequel came out in July of last year. We’re still waiting on a Yo-Kai Watch title to arrive overseas… which hopefully will happen sooner rather than later!
More: Akihiro Hino, interview, Level-5, top, Yo-kai Watch, Youkai Watch
Youkai Watch anime confirmed for overseas territories, big new Level-5 franchise teased
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 6 Comments
The Youkai Watch anime is heading overseas, Level-5 president Akihiro Hino confirmed to Wedge Infinity. Some character names will be changed, but popular names like Whisper and Jibanyan will be kept in tact. The anime will air in the United States, Europe, and other regions.
Also while speaking with Wedge Infinity, Hino teased a new franchise coming next year that will be even bigger than Youkai Watch:
“It takes a lot of time to craft new installments of Yokai Watch, but on some weeks, we’re actually spending more time on our ‘new title.’ Around this time next year, I think we’ll have something out that’s different not just from Yokai Watch, but anything else we’ve ever done before. 2015 is going to be yet another big year of change for us. 2015 will be a year where we usher in a hit bigger than Yokai Watch.”
With Level-5’s unannounced franchise, Hino wants it to resemble the things he enjoyed as a kid, but more modernized. It will consist of games, anime, and manga.
Last but not least, Hino mentioned that Level-5 will not be moved to Tokyo since he wants to foster its current location of Fukuoka to be the ‘Hollywood’ of games.
More: Akihiro Hino, anime, Level-5, top, Youkai Watch
Level-5 CEO wants the company to become like Disney
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 4 Comments
Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino has some pretty ambitious plans for the company.
In a recent interview, Hino stated that he hopes to transform Level-5 into something like Disney. The company would focus on worldwide entertainment as opposed to just games.
Hino mentioned that he hopes to accomplish this within five years.
More: Akihiro Hino, interview, Level-5, top
Youkai Watch getting western release next year
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 6 Comments
According to Level-5 president Akihiro Hino, Youkai Watch is seeing a western release next year. The company already has a toy company in place to support the series. Hino also believes that the success of Youkai Watch is guaranteed.
Hino said:
“In regards too foreign markets, we have been taking a look at it in regards to Yokai Watch. We think it has a big appeal as a very Japanese-ish fantasy story. We already have support from a foreign toy maker company saying that it will be a definite success.”
More: Akihiro Hino, Level-5, top, Youkai Watch
Level-5 on the creation of Youkai Watch, anime, international expansion “in consideration in a big way”
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 4 Comments
In the latest issue of Famitsu, Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino commented on a wide array of topics pertaining to the Youkai Watch franchise. This includes the creation of the actual IP, the anime, Youkai Watch 2, and more.
Head past the break for Hino’s comments.
“We’ve created a lot of different IPs, and I figured it was about time that we made something like Doraemon, that could be loved by many people over a long period of time. That was the start of it. I researched what would give something appeal and longevity, and pondered what would be relatable to people and developed the open world RPG that children could play, Yokai Watch. I think title’s popularity is the fruits of trial and error.”
“Anime is content that is offered for free, and I strongly promote its use. The [Yokai Watch] anime focuses on problems that modern children face and is made so that the audience can laugh off such problems and be entertained as well.”
“Keita isn’t a child who always does the right thing, but has his own flaws as well, like trying to watch naughty TV shows late at night or making fun of people. Keita’s actions are depicting what is ‘normal’ for modern children. He’s not a good boy, but someone who says what he thinks. I believe that character setting made him very relatable to people.”
“I’m working on bringing out a third yokai that is different from those 2. It’s like with a variety show – you don’t continue with the same members all the time, but switch them out every now and then to change the atmosphere. That’s what makes a show last longer. I believe that Yokai Watch needs such a device.”
“When planning the first Yokai Watch, I already thought to release the sequel as 2 different versions. Children like having things that other people don’t have, so from a marketing perspective, having 2 versions is a good idea. Also, a lot of people play Yokai Watch with their parents. Where people would have some hesitation about getting 2 copies of the same game, if you have different versions, it’s a lot easier for them to buy both.”
“The key for a long-lasting hit piece of entertainment is whether the business side like merchandise, games, and movies is successful. That’s why you develop commercial goods necessary for cutting edge entertainment and include the latest features in your games.”
On another important note, international expansion for Youkai Watch is “in consideration in a big way.”
More: Akihiro Hino, Famitsu, interview, Level-5, top, Youkai Watch
Level-5 CEO surprised by Youkai Watch’s success
Posted on 9 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 3 Comments
Youkai Watch has been an unexpected success for Level-5. It started off slowly on the Japanese sales charts, but quickly picked up when the game’s anime debuted in January.
Level-5 president and CEO Akihiro Hino spoke with Famitsu about Youkai’s Watch surprising success in a recent interview. You can find his comments below, as translated by Siliconera.
“For something that was originally a cross-media project, I thought it would be something equal to Inazuma Eleven, but since beginning of the year, its popularity has gone much higher than I had expected.”
“The anime started in January, which was followed by the toys, and that’s when we got all the cross-media content together. From there, the Yo-kai Watch craze practically exploded, which was even surprising for us.”
More: Akihiro Hino, Level-5, Youkai Watch
Level-5 talks Professor Layton’s origins, determined to keep series going
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, DS, General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
Eurogamer has put up a new piece detailing the origins of Professor Layton. The site spoke with Level-5 CEO and president Akihiro Hino, who also briefly touched on the series’ future.
Head past the break for the rundown of what Hino shared. You can also find comments from Professor Layton’s voice actor here.
More: Akihiro Hino, Level-5, Professor Layton
Level-5 teases future plans, CEO wants to make a game that surprises fans
Posted on 10 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 0 comments
Two significant Level-5 developers shared teases about what lies ahead for the company as part of a feature on Japanese publication 4Gamer.
Director Atsushi Sugano first told the site:
“In 2013, we released Fantasy Life Link!, which corresponded to our ‘connecting’ network theme. That was our answer to those from our development staff and players who voiced ‘I want to play more,’ and I’m grateful we were able to meet those expectations.”
“Again, while I can’t say more, there’s one more approach through which we’re currently challenging ourselves. I believe that ‘even if we go against predictions, expectations must be met’ when it comes to creativity.”
“We’re all currently working at our best to prepare something, so please wait just a little longer.”
Level-5 CEO Akihiro Hino was next. He stated the following:
“In the midst of a rather sluggish consumer game industry at the moment, I believe that the industry needs a ‘new game’. We’ll try our best to make a new title that’ll surprise all of you, so please look forward to that.”
