Yo-kai Watch and AKB48 Collaborate Again With a New Anime Song Remake
Yo-kai Watch and AKB48 Reunite for a New Anime Ending MV
More than a decade after its explosive debut, Yo-kai Watch has once again teamed up with AKB48 to remake one of the franchise’s most memorable anime ending themes. The collaboration marks a nostalgic return while introducing the song to a new generation of fans.
Back in 2015, Yo-kai Watch stood at the peak of its popularity as a cross-media phenomenon spanning games, anime, and manga. Developed by Level-5, the series even sparked friendly comparisons with other monster-collecting giants of the era. During the first anime season, AKB48 performed the ending theme “Idol wa Uunyanya no Ken,” creating a collaboration that quickly became iconic.
From NyaAKB to a New Generation
The original performance featured a special unit known as NyaAKB, which included several prominent members of that era. Over time, many of them moved on to successful careers in acting and music, making the song a nostalgic time capsule for longtime fans. The track also found a second life through promotions tied to rhythm games, further cementing its popularity.
This time, the remake casts an entirely new lineup of AKB48 members. The production carefully recreates the original camera angles and choreography, staying faithful to the classic MV. At the same time, it adds modern polish and energy that reflects the group’s current era.
A Celebration With Familiar Faces
The updated music video brings back Yo-kai Watch’s beloved mascot, Jibanyan, who joins the idols on screen for playful dance sequences. The result feels both fresh and familiar, blending nostalgia with renewed charm. For fans who followed the franchise from its early days, the remake delivers a strong emotional callback. For newer viewers, it serves as an inviting entry point into Yo-kai Watch’s playful world.
About the Yo-kai Watch Series
Yo-kai Watch is a monster-collecting RPG that follows a young protagonist who discovers a mysterious watch capable of revealing hidden spirits known as Yo-kai. Alongside quirky companions like Whisper and the ever-popular Jibanyan, players solve everyday problems that turn out to have supernatural causes. The series first launched on handheld consoles before expanding to modern platforms and mobile devices, growing into a long-running multimedia franchise.
By revisiting its AKB48 collaboration, Yo-kai Watch proves that its cultural impact still resonates. The remade MV stands as a reminder of how deeply the series once shaped pop culture, while also showing that its playful spirit continues to evolve.
