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This page contains a full text walkthrough for the J-RPG game, The World Ends With You. This guide contains a breakdown of the important points of each day for all three weeks, as well as tips and strategies for the Bosses. Use the table of contents to jump to a particular day of the week.
Titled It's a Wonderful World in Japan, The World Ends With You, was developed by Square Enix and Jupiter Corporation exclusively for the Nintendo DS.
Game Features
- The main character, Neku Sakuraba, has the ability to read the minds of those around him
- "Stride Cross Battle System", the game's combat system
- Unique partnering system in which Neku can use one of three different characters, each one part of a new chapter. The characters are interchangeable once the game has been successfully completed
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Introduction
- Controlling the game is simple, and the first few days of game-time will be spend explaining it all to you. Everything from walking to combat to the menu screens are toured and explained before you use them, helping a wide spectrum of gamers ease into this new franchise.
- The World Ends With You introduces a new battle system, the "Stride Cross Battle System," which allows the player to control characters on the top and bottom screens simultaneously using different input methods, but interaction between screens in a key elements for combos and high damage.
- The psych pins that Neku, the main character, uses in combat can evolve one of four ways using PP (pin points): through combat, through rest-time (PP gained when the DS is off), Tin Pin Slammer, and mingling with other DS systems or even WiFi noise. Some Pins can only evolve through one of those means, so be creative in gaining PP.
- As soon as you can buy a bigger wallet, do it. This will help buying the better items in the game.
- Scarletites are extremely valuable, only available for purchase after you beat the game. Save them for fusion level boosts for each of your characters, as level 3 fusion techniques can erase most noise, even on the Ultimate difficulty.
- Tip: Since this game revolves around music, using earphones will give you an optimal auditory experience.
Exploring
- You, as the player, are in a replica of Tokyo's Shibuya district, a fashion-centric metropolis of youth and culture. Just as the real-life Shibuya is large, so is the in-game version. There is a helpful map in the back of the instruction manual that will come as tremendous help when you need to navigate the streets, until you know your way around.
- Every new day offers new items, food, and pins in shops and new people to talk to. Take the opportunity to do so, before you complete the day's mission. Some things are only available on that day.
- Realize that certain areas are going to be blocked off on certain days for storytelling purposes.
Combat
- For new or casual gamers, the new "Stride Cross Battle System" might seem overwhelming. Luckily, your partner on the top screen can be selected to auto-play if you are having trouble. Spend some time mastering the bottom screen's combat system before taking on the task of simultaneously controlling both.
- Psych pins that Neku uses have a wide range of controls to activate them, or even restrictions on use. Becoming familiar with the basic elements are important, because there are over 350 pins. But again, there are explanations for each on the pins themselves.
- Each of the three partners you form pacts with have different styles of control, both to attack/defend, and to gain fusion stars. You are given the opportunity with each to practice before venturing forth into the game. Mastering all three becomes crucial for success in boss battles.
Week 1, Day 1
- Cutscene: Follow the on screen directions to learn about the scanning pin and your situation.
- Battle: Pause the game and choose "Gotta Bounce" to get out. Enjoy the opening introduction.
- Battle: Making small dragging motions across the Noise, use your Pyrokinesis to eliminate the enemy. Once the solitary Noise is beaten, beat the pair.
- Move east to the Scramble Crossing, and move north to the exit.
- Tip: Scan at regular intervals and read the thoughts to pick up on memes and thoughts that will become important later.
- Three battle tutorial: Focus on the Noise on the bottom screen, as Shiki will attack on her own if you don't control her. Next battle, focus on the screen where the green puck is located to strengthen the combo. Last battle, use tactics just learned to defeat solitary the Noise.
- Tip: When focusing on Neku's combo, either allow Shiki to Auto-attack or occasionally tap in the direction of the enemy on the D-pad (or lettered buttons) to keep Noise at bay.
- YouTube: The World Ends With You - Story - Chapter 1 - (1 of 2) (Time: 9:02)
Week 1, Day 2
- Walk close to the Red Hooded guy and talk to him.
- Move west, and then try scanning the Red Hood when you are blocked.
- Scan for Noise, defeating each one.
- Tip: Test each pin out for yourself and find out which on suits your personal style. While some work better on some enemies than others, pins you've master and can use effortlessly are more effective than not. But be careful, some pins' effects can be negated by some enemies.
- Exit west.
- Talk to the Red Hood in the north west corner.
- Scan for Noise, and your objective is the two orange symbols. The other noise is avoidable, but good for training and leveling up.
- Move north and investigate the Hachiko statue.
- Travel back to the bus terminal and talk to the guy standing next to the Moyai statue.
- Travel back north and polish the statue, and prepare for your first boss battle.
- Boss Battle: 2 Garage Wolf (HP: 350) and a Metal Corehog (HP: 600). Use close combat on the Wolves, as they move fast and can avoid projectiles. Use long range on the Porcupine, as it has no projectile attacks but devastating close-quarters assaults.
Week 1, Day 3
- Immediately move south to reunite with Shiki.
- Head west to find the exit.
- Move south and talk with the Red Hood, then train to use the fusion technique. Continue south through the exit.
- Head east to the Ramen Don shop, and enter.
- After the conversation, exit and talk to the Tech guy.
- Beat the Noise attached to the Tech.
- Return to the entrance to A-east and listen to the conversation between 777 and the Tech.
- Go north.
- Talk to the Red Hood and complete his task to release the wall, and continue north.
- Meet up with Beat and Rhyme, learning more about the Game.
- G to the businessman and imprint him with the meme.
- Use the same ability on the Tech guy a little north.
- Head into the A-east concert stage.
- In the north-eastern corner, scan the guy beyond the fence.
- Implant the "Fuse" meme into the tech guy, who is where you last met him.
- Then travel far south to the store next to the Ramen shop, where the Tech guy will buy the fuse and rush back to 777.
- Follow the Tech to 777 and talk to them.
- Do not enter the Stadium yet; travel south and talk to a random civilian outside the shop and acquire the "Cough drop" meme.
- Prepare for a boss battle; Return the stadium, and scan the same guy in the NE corner again.
- Boss Battle: Shiki will be preoccupied with a horde of Gabba Bat Noise (HP: 250). Neku will deal with the Vespertilio Canor Noise (HP: 800). The Noise Bats will occasionally fly down and attack Neku temporarily, leaving Shiki twiddling her thumbs. The Giant Bat has a green wave attack that will stun Neku, so dash out of harm's way. Defeat them with your pins and fuse techniques.
- Tip: Take the first few moments, when Neku is alone, to focus on Shiki and getting the card combo, setting you up with an easy Fuse tech when you get desperate. Also do this when the area is black, as the Boss is invulnerable during this time.
- YouTube: The World Ends With You - Story - Chapter 1 - (2 of 2) (Time: 6:29)
Week 1, Day 4
- Talk with Beat and Rhyme about the day's mission.
- Head west and enter the store along the top section.
- Proceed south to Scramble Crossing.
- East, complete the Red Hood's requirements of handing over two 1000 yen pins.
- Proceed to the Shibu Dept. Store.
- East is a Red Hood that requires five 500 yen pins. Complete objective and continue through the exit to Cadoi City.
- Head east and meet up with Beat and Rhyme.
- Go through the exit north east to enter Towa Records, and prepare for a Boss Battle.
- Boss Battle: This is a chain fight, starting you out with a bunch of Dixiefrog and Bigbanfrog Noise. The second fight is with some Frog Noise, as well as a Swing Shark Noise (HP: 1200). Defeat the Frogs first, all while avoiding the Shark, since the Shark can eat other Noise to heal itself. Then attack the fin and exposed head afterwards.
- Tip: If you see the fin dip under the surface, start moving. The head will eventually try and pop up below you to bite you, dishing out lots of damage.
Week 1, Day 5
- Head west and talk to the businessman there. Move the coin slowly to whichever circle you want.
- Move to the exit far east to enter AMX.
- Remove the Noise from the young business man.
- Return to Tipsy Toe Hall.
- Complete the Red Hood's objective of defeating two of the large Noise in the area.
- Head through the exit to Spain Hill.
- Scan immediately and defeat the Noise that appear within the screen.
- Move east and talk to the two school girls, then defeat the noise around them. Talk to them again to play a game of Reaper Creeper. The first answer should be black or red, and the second, white, for the best results.
- Prepare for a Boss Battle, then defeat the final orange Noise.
- Boss Battle: Circle Pin Grizzly Noise (HP: 3500). There is only one, so controlling both screens simultaneously is both easy and essential, so don't ever break from attacking. The Noise is only knocked back by combos, and will attack you in the middle of a melee, with heavy damage to boot.
- Tip: If you are having trouble simultaneously controlling both screens, continuously tap down on the D-pad to have Shiki block while you focus on the bottom. This work most of the time, so keep an eye on your HP.
Week 1, Day 6
- Move east and talk with the young Businessman.
- Go north and answer the Red Hood's questions with answers C, A, C.
- Move north and give the Red Hood three Rare Metal pins, which can be found by defeating the Crows at Normal difficulty.
- In Cadoi City, the Red Hood will ask you to defeat the Pig Noise. Make sure to be quick, or else they will walk off screen and remain undefeated.
- Return to Scramble Crossing, and defeat the Young Businessman's orange Noise. #Listen to the conversation and imprint "Totally Gnarly" when he is confronted by the intimidating boyfriend.
- Follow him through Center St. Entrance, and imprint "Unreal Bro" when he talks to the Tin Pin Slammer enthusiast.
- Follow him again to Spain Hill, and imprint the last meme, "Come get some hot stuff", when he talks with the Tech from Day 3.
- Return to Scramble Crossing, and find Shiki each time she runs off.
- Find and scan the Young Businessman, getting the hint to wear the Red Player Pin in battle until the trend shifts, or at most 4 battles.
- See the fruits of your efforts.
Week 1, Day 7
- Final Day Tip: The objective is waiting at the Station Underpass, but there are a lot of extras that can be found around Shibuya. Going to the shops, completing the Red Hood's objective, defeating Pig Noise, and defeating regular Noise will bear good presents. Use this time to gain experience and PP, eat food, and level up for the final Boss.
- Move west to the Statue of Hachiko, completing the Red Hood's objective of winning a 3-chain battle.
- Move north to west Exit Bus Terminal.
- In the center of the area is a Black Hood Reaper. Prepare for a battle and talk with him.
- Mini-Boss: Cornix Canor (HP: 800). This giant vulture Noise is only on the battlefield for seconds before flying away. When it swoops onto Neku's screen, dash to safety and unleash whatever you can. When on Shiki's, the only way to block the damage is to complete a combo at the right time, or pushing down to block. Canor will also pick up items from the battlefield and either drag them into you or drop them from great heights (use the shadow as an indicator of where it will land). Destroy as many Decadraven Noise to get your Combo at max and to deal damage to the boss also, as it will release more at the sacrifice of its own HP.
- Move to the Station Underground.
- Prepare for the final boss, and move east.
- Final Boss: Ovis Cantus (HP: 8000), Higashizawa's Noise form. Unleash your best attacks and combos when he is standing still, but when he says "time for a taste test" and creates a black hole around his mouth, stop all attacks. He will absorb them, and after a few rounds will unleash balls of concentrated energy back at you, with strength derived from your own attacks. After an amount of damage is dealt, he will begin to swipe at Neku and grab Shiki. The former can be read and dodged by dashing (or reduced by standing in one of the far bottom corners), and the latter should be dodged via jumping or blocking. Attack during this assault as well, but keep an eye out for the absorption as well. This is a straightforward battle, using whatever techniques you want.
Week 2, Day 1
- Walk west to Hachiko statue and meet your new partner.
- Win the ensuing battle.
- Scan Joshua.
- Head east, back to Scramble Crossing.
- Prepare for a Boss battle, then go north to the 104.
- Tip: Joshua fights much differently than Shiki, so take some time in the Scramble and practice.
- Boss: Dub Rhino (HP: 800). Beat it, finishing out the day.
- Tip: The rhino is easy to dodge for both parties, once you see the signal that it will attack. The key is to attack it from behind, as attacks from the front are nearly nullified.
- YouTube: The World Ends With You - Story - Chapter 2 - (1 of 2) (Time: 5:52)
Week 2, Day 2
- Scan Joshua.
- Head east to the Shibu Dept. Store
- Complete the Red Hood's task of erasing the two yellow Noise in the area.
- Head to Moloco via Cadoi City. Before entering the former, prepare to fight some Taboo Noise.
- Mini-Boss: Eurobeat Boomer (HP:910). Kangaroo noise that act just like their weaker brethren, so dodge and attack accordingly.
- Tip: Use this time to explore Shibuya, fighting battles, collecting pins, and shopping. Remember, each new day offers new items and challenges the previous ones did not.
- Head to Moloco for the Tin Pin Slammer tournament.
- Win the tournament, for best results and better swag.
- After the cutscene subsides, head back Scramble Crossing.
Week 2, Day 3
- Head to Cat Street, via Shibu Dept. Store. Along the way, two Red Hoods will stop you to beat 3 of a specific noise symbol and give him a Pop Pendulum, respectively.
- Get to Cat Street and talk to Mr. H.
- Try returning to the Scramble.
- Run into Beat; Fight him, but it is nigh impossible to win, so just stay alive as long as you can.
- Tip: In Miyashita Park, there is a blue Noise icon, or a Boss Noise. These, as the name suggest, are much tougher than common noise, but drop better pins. Proceed with caution, saving before you engage.
- In the Scramble, the answer to the Black Hood's review are; A, C, B.
- Head to Dogenzaka's Ramen Don.
- Travel back and forth between the Ramen Don and Shadow Ramen, completing the assigned tasks along the way.
- When you need to imprint on Ken Doi (the Ramen Don owner), use "simple" as your word of choice, which can be found outside of concert hall in A-east.
Week 2, Day 4
- Clear the Red Hood's objective to enter Center St.
- Clear that area's Red Hood to gain access to Tipsy Toe Hall.
- Converse with the Reapers and learn about their situation; You'll talk with the singer a total of three times.
- Once the Reapers spread out, find them in Spain Hill and Scramble Crossing. Converse with each of them.
- Head to Moloco and inspect the phone booth.
- Return to Tipsy Toe Hall where the reapers have gathered again.
- All three of the multiple choice questions you are presented with use the last answer as the correct one.
- Head north, and face-off against Beat once again. Just as last time, it is purely a survival battle.
- Continue on to Udagawa Backstreet.
- Head to the mural and talk to Joshua.
- Scan Joshua.
- Tip: Take your time before talking to Joshua. Explore these new shops, since you don't know when you'll return here.
- YouTube The World Ends With You - Story - Chapter 2 - (2 of 2) (Time: 6:18)
Week 2, Day 5
- Clear the Red Hood's goal of turning D+B into the top brand in the Scramble.
- In the next area, another Red Hood wants some ramen.
- A Reaper Review will test you, but the answers are A, C, A.
- Heading toward Towa records, clear the wall by dressing in Mus Rattus.
- Next area, win the challenge from the Red Hood in Tin Pin Slammer.
- In Miyashita Park, you are going to be forced fight noise with pins chosen for you by the Red Hood issuing the challenge. Win.
- Tip: Since you most likely have no idea how to use the pins, keep Neku moving and dodging while you focus on using Joshua to attack.
- Continue to Cat Street.
- Go to Wild Catn Cafe and talk to Mr. H.
- Head back to the Scramble.
- Prepare for another survival battle with Beat in the Miyashita Park Underpass.
- Arrive at Scramble Crossing.
- Make your way to the end of the Station Underpass. Prepare for another boss battle, but one you cannot win.
- Tip: Just like Beat's clashes, this is a survival battle.
Week 2, Day 6
- Head to Udagawa Backstreet via Center St. Entrance.
- Along the way, you will fight a lot of taboo noise, so be prepared.
- Tip: When faced with the decision to help or not, choosing to help out anyone will result in free pins and money if you succeed.
- Once at the mural, scan and fight the Taboo Noise there.
Week 2, Day 7
- Head to Dogenzaka the only way you can, as the other routes are walled off.
- Go east, and enter Pork City.
- Converse with the Reapers, and complete the challenge.
- Repeat on the next floor.
- Tip: Both of these floors have pin restrictions you can see in your menu. The first floor restricts all the brands except Mut Rattus, while the second only allows D+B (hence the "Have cow and mouse at hand" PS you received.)
- Prepare for the Game Master on the Third Floor.
- Boss: Sho Minamimoto (human)/Leo Cantus (noise) (HP:3141). First, fight off a series of Taboo Noise. Then Minamimoto will join the fight, alternating between the top and bottom screen. Within those alternations, he will shift between him human and noise form, with the former being the weaker, both defensively and offensively. The screen not containing Minamimoto will have Taboo to handle. When in Noise form, quickly pick up his attack patterns and dodge. Attack as frequently as you can. Save the fusions for when they are maxed out.
Week 3, Day 1
- Head to Hachiko Statue to try and find your new partner.
- When you enter the fight against the noise without one, "Bounce" outta there ASAP.
- Make a pact with Beat, and win the ensuing fight.
- Head to the Station Underground.
- Traverse the entire space, realizing you are blocked.
- Reverse your direction back to the Scramble.
- Accept the Red Hood's objective to fight, and win.
- Tip: As with your previous partners, use this time to practice since his fighting style is unique. Get used to it, cloth and feed him, and explore.
- Enter the 104 Building area to finish the day.
- YouTube: The World Ends With You - Story - Chapter 3 - (1 of 2) (Time: 6:08)
Week 3, Day 2
- Head north to the 104 Building.
- Go on to Dogenzaka, where you will be confronted with your first Black Hood battle.
- Head up to A-east.
- Prepare to fight 777, and talk to him.
- Enter the concert stage, and prepare for a boss battle.
- Boss: Pteropus Canor (HP:4000). A more power version of the first bat boss you faced in Week 1. He works the same, so focus on Beat taking out the bats to light up the arena. This bat has a few different attacks, so stay sharp.
Week 3, Day 3
- Head to the 104.
- Eavesdrop on the younger businessman.
- Return to the Scramble.
- Go talk to the older businessman to the east.
- Follow him up Center St. Entrance to Tipsy Toe Hall.
- Talk with the two gentlemen. You can choose either option presented to you, but you get better swag by choosing "I can't decide this for him."
- Tip:Once you talk to the gentlemen, you won't be able to leave the area, so do your exploring and shopping beforehand.
- Try and leave Tipsy Toe Hall.
- Face Uzuki Yashiro, the pink-haired reaper.
- Boss: Uzuki Yashiro (HP: 5500). Be relentless in your attacks, because she recovers HP during the battle. Neku will have to deal with her constant teleporting, then strong barrage of attacks. The pattern for each attack and how to avoid are easy to pick up. Beat deals with teleportation also, and takes the brunt of her attacks. Focus on Beat when Yashiro is teleporting around Neku.
Week 3, Day 4
- Try and exit west, and be faced with the three-tier puzzle.
- In the current area, find the clue that corresponds with the row of orange Noise. Where there are black outlined Noise, defeat those same Noise.
- Push the button on the box, then head west.
- In the park, defeat all the giant elephant Noise.
- Push the button, then head east.
- Defeat the correct Noise in both areas (should be the middle Noise of each bunch).
- Push the button.
- Head west to Towa Records.
- Prepare for a boss, and scan the area without facing any Noise.
- Boss: Koki Kariya (HP: 6000). Do not let up in your attacks. If given time, Kariya will unleash a devastating fire attack. The rest of his attacks are much weaker.
- 2nd Boss: Kariya and Yashiro. Each screen will be occupied with one of the Reapers, each maintaining their respective HP. They will not switch screens, but the tactics you faced in the separate battles will be implemented on their respective screens.
- Tip: Beat will most likely take more damage from Yashiro than Neku will take from Kariya, so your focus should be on the top screen, using the block and jump tactics to avoid damage.
- YouTube: The World Ends With You - Story - Chapter 3 - (2 of 2) (Time: 5:47)
Week 3, Day 5
- Feel free and explore the areas you can reach to shop, fight, and converse, but the day is progressed when you reach Tipsy Toe Hall. Fight the reaper that is blocking your way to Shibu-Q Heads.
- Continue west, but before you reach the other side, a mob of Reapers will attack you. Defeat them all.
- Try and cross the wall again, facing another group of Reapers and Noise.
- Investigate the middle of Udagawa Street, and take a picture of it 4 days ago. #Leave, but face Kariya and Yashiro again.
- Boss: Kariya and Yashiro, Berserk (HP:7000 each). Same battle as before, use the tactics that lead to victory. These Reapers each have higher HP and higher attack as well, so adjust tactics for such.
Week 3, Day 6
- Find your way to Cat Street.
- Enter the Wildkat cafe.
- Head back to the Cadoi City, but prepare to fight before you reach it.
- Boss: Sho Minamimoto (Taboo) (HP: 5926): Minamimoto is much quicker this time, often dodging any direct attacks made by Neku. To start making combos, use an attack that does area damage and then move in for an assault. Beat will be able to consistently be able to land hits, but Minamimoto will constantly switch sides of the battlefield, so keep an eye out. Avoid any attack he makes, as he is more than twice as strong this time around.
- Tip: Whether you win or lose this fight, the story will continue. If you win, you get a better prize, and his new data in your Noise bestiary.
Week 3, Day 7
- Your objective awaits you at Shibuya River. Equip yourself, and head forth.
- Once you reach the river entrance, there are multiple sections with Noise within.
- Proceed through each section (there is one path, so you cannot get lost).
- Tip: Save the game before you talk to Megumi Kitaniji, the Conductor. Once you fight him, there will be no place to save the game till after the final boss. There will be a chance to change pins though.
- 1st Boss: Tigris Cantus (HP: 4444). Konishi's Noise form. There are three phases to this boss. The first, only one of the screens will contain the actual Konishi, the other with shadow puppets; focus on the real one. And don't let Neku get sucked into the whole on the bottom left of the screen. Let the Noise get absorbed, don't fight them. When she is on both screens, make Neku stand on her shadow. This is the only way to hurt her with him. Beat can still attack as normal. The final time the background is all white and there are shadow Tigris standing around. Beat cannot attack them, so block when they attack. Neku is only equipped with Rhyme's pin; touch the floating orb of light to attack Konishi (you can find it by moving toward the source of light making Neku's shadow. Once she is revealed, attack her on both screens.
- 2nd Boss: Megumi Kitaniji (HP: 10,000). On Beat's screen, just attack and dodge Shiki; nothing complicated. For Neku, Kitaniji has three attacks, each of which can be easily dodged once you see hoe they work: one is a radial spray of energy (just move away and a space will open up), another is a semi-direct spray of energy, and the last is a stream of lightning with follows a set path that is flashed before released. Kitaniji's main threat comes from his ability to stop time and launch two of these attacks simultaneously. The attacks won't start till after time is continued, so use the dead time to plan where to move.
- 3rd Boss: Anguis Cantus (HP:10,000). Kitaniji's Noise form, a giant cobra. This fight is two stages, one with Shiki and one with Beat, but each fight is the same tactics. Focusing on your partner and allowing them to build up their fusion stars will let you unleash very powerful attacks, while Neku should attack any part of the body that is visible on the screen. Beware the head, which will spit out energy balls, or snap at you if you get too close.
- Tip: The stars you collect with Shiki will transfer over to Beat once she is done fighting, so adjust your tactics for which ever has the 3rd level fusion technique.
- Final Boss: Draco Cantus (HP:25,000) Kitaniji's Noise form when fused with Joshua, a giant multi-headed dragon. You are alone in this fight, so focus all your attacks on the five heads, but stay as far away from the top middle head as possible, as it's bite attack is incredibly powerful. The four main attacks the dragon has are: a spread of energy balls, an exploding sword, a powerful energy blast, and a bubble. The bubble is the primary attack to avoid, as it will trap you and drag you to the main head for a bite attack. The only way to escape is to do a certain amount of damage to the enemy, or get bitten. At certain intervals, your friends will offer their help, increasing the power of the green puck. To gain this power, keep an eye out for the spheres they are trapped in on the top screen, and push the corresponding direction on the d-pad to activate it. Once the puck's power increases, Kitaniji's health starts dropping much faster, as it barely moves when you start out. Once his HP is depleted, touch the four-star pin that appears on the bottom screen to finish the job.
- Tip: Unless you are a master at dodging attacks that span the entire screen, you will need healing pins. A combination of Psych Support and Blown Kiss seems to work the best with massive and instantaneous healing.