Why hasn't there been more hype for one of Japan's largest games of the past five years?

[TK14]

This is just my opinion, but:

Unlike Pokemon, which launched with a traditional, but strategic turn-based RPG battle system (which has expanded with a lot of hidden depth over the years), Yokai Watch's battle system is passive and not particularly fun. That's a core gameplay element, so for it to be so hands-off is problematic.

Along with that, most of the Yokai seem to be based on Japanese spirits and folklore, and Eastern sensibilities, or are just plain weird (Cheeksqueak? Really? An old lady you can "battle"? Smh) which don't translate well here and are honestly just largely unappealing. Compare that to Pokemon, where the three Gen 1 starters and the mascot are all very animalistic: a dinosaur with a plant on its back, a fire-lizard, a water-turtle, and an electric-mouse. Animals are universal among cultures, and were easily translated from Japan to the West. The starters and Pikachu are "color-coded" with their elemental typing, which is also easily understood. Plus, they're all cute. And then when they evolve...they're cool.

Don't get me wrong. I think Yokai Watch is interesting and has a lot of potential, and it's obviously been a HUGE hit in Japan. I just think it might be a little TOO Japanese in its design/style to fully appeal to Western audiences as much as Pokemon has.