Hello there, koutou! There’s a strong likelihood that if you enjoy Yu-Gi-Oh!, you’ve seen the original anime. You know, the one that was released in Japan under the title Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters to set it apart from the Toei Animation-produced Yu-Gi-Oh!, which is referred to as “Season Zero” by fans.
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It’s also quite possible that you haven’t seen any other Yu-Gi-Oh! anime! However, since the first Yu-Gi-Oh! (which I’ll shorten to DM for the purpose of readability) seven additional spin-off series have been produced, each with its own cast of characters, storylines, and themes.
Based on Kazuki Takahashi’s Yu-Gi-Oh! manga, the DM anime is and will probably always be the best in the series. However, each of the seven spin-offs has unique qualities of its own. The tone of most spin-off series is less serious, which is the biggest deterrent for most viewers who are intrigued about the other shows. If that describes you, there are two reasons you shouldn’t be concerned. Firstly, the majority of spin-off shows aren’t all sunshine and butterflies; they may still be dark and depressing. Second, this franchise revolves around a card game that may be used as a weapon. That’s one of the reasons we enjoy Yu-Gi-Oh! so much—it takes itself seriously enough to function despite its already absurd tone.
I’ll provide a quick rundown of every Yu-Gi-Oh! anime released after DM today, as well as DM in case you haven’t watched it. I’ll discuss the anime’s effectiveness in expressing the ideas, tone, and characters. I’ll try not to give away too much information so you can still enjoy viewing them without being spoiled.
You-Gi-Oh!
It is worth mentioning again that Yu-Gi-Oh! is by far the most popular series in the franchise. The story’s presentation allows even the smallest children to defeat adults, thanks to the card game fights and the notion of shy little Yugi evolving an incredible and confident alter ego. With character objectives and cards driving the story, it’s also the series that most convincingly argues for the usage of cards in battle.
Beyond that, the series’ underlying concepts and context are excellent. The foundation of the story is formed by the friendships Yugi makes as a result of his wish on the Millennium Puzzle, and the Egyptian mythology is thoroughly researched and really awesome. All of it compels you to support these characters. The drama stays tremendously true to its theme and characters throughout, striking a mix between hilarious and heartfelt moments and amazing and eerie Shadow magic.
Having said that, because DM was stretched out over a longer manga run and had filler arcs, it is by far the longest series. All of them are fun, but they’re not as good as the arcs that were adapted from the original manga, which I also heartily suggest.
If you haven’t seen the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series, you’re in for a charming and touching ride. The games are peculiar and much slower paced, and the filler throws the rhythm off. Nevertheless, you’ll most likely like it through to the end. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a fantastic story that still serves as inspiration for television shows.
You-Gi-Oh! GX
Yu-Gi-Oh! For most fans, GX is the first spin-off they will be aware of. The difficult task of pursuing the adored DM and laying the groundwork for upcoming spin-offs fell to GX. It thus has a rough beginning that gradually gets better during the anime.
jovial duelist The more somber Yugi is purposefully contrasted with the more skilled duelist Jaden Yuki, and the Duel Academy environment allows for a supporting cast that is more than just cheerleaders. The first season has a weird blend of DM mythology and Harry Potter that doesn’t quite work, but the second season really focuses on the series’ central themes and doubles down on the two primary ideas it most heavily borrows: Fusion Summoning and Duel Monster Spirits.
Even with its upbeat and often aimless direction, GX doesn’t hesitate to explore dark territory or pose probing issues to its characters. As the characters advance through Duel Academy, the idea of what lies ahead in their chosen lives and careers is frequently raised. This culminates in the conclusion of numerous character arcs in the fourth season, which is only available in Japanese, and the theme of its final antagonist (it should be noted that GX features some of the best antagonists in the franchise).
Though it had a rocky start, GX comes together strongly in the end when given enough time.
You-Gi-Oh! 5Ds
Fans turned off by the lighter series will be captivated by 5D’s return to a darker and more serious storyline—possibly the only other series as beloved as DM. More than ten years have passed since GX, when a terrible accident split Domino City in two. Those who are imprisoned in the “Satellite” endure extreme poverty and long for freedom. Yusei Fudo, the primary protagonist, and Jack Atlas, his opponent, are motivated by a simple idea, and the first season’s past skillfully connects the characters to the tale.
Naturally, the biggest issue is the Duel Runners, sometimes referred to as “card games on motorcycles”. The Turbo Duels fought from Duel Runners, albeit a unique idea, immediately distinguished 5D’s from all previous Yu-Gi-Oh! series. The iconography of 5D’s is another distinctive feature; apart from the Millennium Items, the Dragon and Shadow Marks provide the most identifiable emblems in the game. The adversaries all have sad backstories that motivate them, and both give 5D’s a distinct visual identity supported by the darker tone and the growth of the main characters—who are undoubtedly among the greatest casts in the genre.
Though the second season picks up once Yusei acquires Shooting Star Dragon in a moment that changed Yu-Gi-Oh! forever, and it ends on an epic note, the first and second seasons are as different as night and day, with the familiar Shadow magic of the first season replaced by a more sci-fi vibe in the second, and a less focused plotline as the World Racing Grand Prix draws near.