So two updates:
I've just beaten Shishkebaboo (it's still a fun fight!). The game's actually getting EASIER: the edicts and beans mean that all my citizens have a minimum of five health now, so I can (and do) take more risks. Which is good, because the cooldown time on a lot of enemies has declined in Tyrant Mode: you have to be more aggressive or you'll spend all day on a single sidequest "boss." The only issue now is my king's health; I've lost track of how many times a Yvonne killed me by spawning directly on top of Corobo. At least it ends quickly...
Second, an NPD insider leaked figures for this game's July American performance: about 12k. 'Tis a bomb, alright. On the other hand, it's approaching Klonoa's LTD...