Level-5

Background
Level-5 is a Japanese video game developer that was founded in October 1998 by Akihiro Hino after his departure of Riverhillsoft. The company began enjoying a close relationship with Sony Computer Entertainment, and then took on a relationship with Nintendo to develop games, while beginning to self-publish games in Japan. Among their popular franchises include Dark Cloud, Professor Layton, Ni no Kuni, Inazuma Eleven, and Yokai Watch.

1st Logo (December 14, 2000-September 12, 2003)
Logo: On a black background, we pan up to see a tubed "5" with a curve on the top left. As it zooms out, the text "LEVEL-5" flips in below the logo, and then the logo turns to color, with the curve becoming, the top right of "5" became yellow and the bottom part of "5" became. The text "HIGH-QUALITY GAMES" fades below.

Variant: A still version exists on a black background.

Technique: CGI. None for still variant.

Music/Sounds: An ascending synth theme, ending in a guitar theme. The still version is silent.

Availability: Seen on Dark Cloud 2 for the PS2. The still variant appears on Dark Cloud for the same console.

2nd Logo (November 27, 2004-November 22, 2006)
Logo: On a black background, we see a water that ripples to form a crystalized "5". On the right is the text "LEVEL 5" in a blocky font.

Technique: CGI.

Music/Sounds: A sound of a water rippling.

Availability: Seen on Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King and Rogue Galaxy for the PS2. Also seen on Japanese release of PSP game of Jeanne d'Arc.

3rd Logo (February 15, 2007-)
Logo: On a black or white background, we see a rectangle with a "V" in it flips in. Below it is the text "LEVEL-5" in a futuristic font, which wipes in from the bottom.

Variant: A still version exists.

Technique: CGI.

Music/Sounds: Two beeping sounds.

Availability: Seen on many Nintendo DS and PlayStation 2 games from the period, like the Professor Layton games and Dragon Quest IX. The normal logo is seen on the American PSP release of Jeanne d'Arc.

4th Logo (2011-2015)
Logo: On a background, with a white glow, we see the Level-5 logo from the previous logo zooms out and form pieces. Then the Level-5 logo zooms out quickly, revealing that on a white background, the Level-5 logo fades in.

Variant: There is a movie variant where the logo doesn't end, instead the letters from the last logo zooms out.

Technique: CGI.

Music/Sounds: A long synth held-out, followed by a ding.

Availability: Can be seen on many games, like Little Battlers eXperience W, Inazuma Eleven Strikes and Danball Senki. The movie version was seen on Yo-Kai Watch: The Movie.

5th Logo (2011- )
Logo: On a black background, we see white outlines drawing in, to form the Level-5 logo from the previous logos. Then the background turns white and the logo turns black.

Variant: In later games, the logo appeared horizontally.

Technique: 2D animation.

Music/Sounds: A short synth, followed by a ding.

Availability: Seen on recent Level-5 games, like Yo-Kai Watch, Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch and Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom.