Yugioh Duel Monsters was probably the one time the first installment of a franchise was my first exposure to a franchise that I'm very into and I can see why because this show is actually really good.
This is an instance where I don't know where to start. Let's start with the animation. The animation for the franchise will be done by the same people until Sevens happens and I have to say that it's really good animation. I can see why this style stuck with the franchise for so many years.
The character's look like actual people and it's really detailed. I'm not usually fond of facial expressions for humor, but this is an exception, because of how it animates the faces.
The story is one that develops a lot of interest. A young boy named Yugi Muto solves a puzzle that releases a pharaoh, named Yami or Atem, and they go on adventures to find the pharaoh's memories. It's not the most original idea ever, but I think they do it very well.
They established the Millennium Items and their connection to Yami very well. The eye symbol is synonymous with the franchise and I can see why, it's a really cool symbol.
The actual plot of the overall series is interesting. The filler arcs are meh at best. They take away from the experience. I guess the cyberworld stuff was cool, but everything else was meh.
Skip season four entirely. It is pointless and the writing on that one is bad. Also the first half of season five. That was just lame.
Series: Hey should I get back to the plot after a bad season?
Series: Nah. Just add more filler that'll fix it.
My advice is to stick to season one, two, second half of three, and second half of five.
There were twists and turns that were very good to watch develop.
Let's talk about the villains.
Pegasus was a fun villain. Had a good personality and an enjoyable deck. He was fun and memorable. Helps that he had a good backstory and motive.
Marik was competent. He always had more complex plans and relied on his brainwashing to carry them out. His evil side felt a bit contrived, but I think they did well with his redemption since he did go through hell and he did go off to make amends. I think the only reason anyone cares about Dartz is his concept. He is so bland and forgettable.
Bakura was a good villain. He had a plan and went through with it. His backstory was interesting and he was fun through the whole thing. Him turning into Zorc felt like a good climax for the main plot.
Also I'm using the dub names, because I watched the dub. I love America and our jelly filled donuts that look like rice, our evil pizzas that are no match for a simple stop light, and our average fighters, but brilliant scientists.
Two guys broke into a room, "Finger guns!"
Let's talk about the characters. They were simple, but very effective.
Yugi was a timid kid at the start. He became more confident over the course of the show and him beating Yami in the final duel was to show that he didn't need him anymore and that he could stand on his own two feet.
Yami searching for his memories is essentially the main plot of the show. He had drive and was willing to do what was needed. One of the few cool things about S4 is that he got to shine as a character on his own.
Joey was a treat to watch. His character was the escentric best friend, but his positive qualities were a joy.
Tea and Tristan….were there. They were the supportive friends that I think worked well for they're best friends, but they were mostly superfluous. Tea and her friendship speeches are up there with Fairy Tail and One Piece friendship speeches.
Kaiba was the asshole, but I think he was a more realistic asshole. A rich guy who looks down on others. However he also cares for his little brother, hates bullies, and has a soft spot for kids. Something I'd like to talk about is how seriously he treats Duel Monsters.
As a child, he and Mokuba were given the crap stick. He had basically nothing but his brother and games. I like to think that his obsession with DM is him caring about something that was with him for most of his life, through all the ups and downs. (If that sounds unhealthy, it's the Batman brand of unhealthy.)
There are some side characters like Rex and Weevil. They're alright. Also Mai. Mai was cool.
Also, Yugi lives with his Grandfather. I guess his parents were murdered in what I like to call 'The Great Disney Parental Genocide.' Where Disney killed every main character's parents, so they won't have parents for some drama that might get brought up at some point.
Yugi's parents were driving in a car, when out of nowhere a missile hit the car. A man on a rooftop with a rocket launcher talked into a wire, "Mr. Mouse. Targets eliminated."
Mickey Mouse was sitting in a chair looking at monitors with various adults getting killed, "Good."
(Yes, I know Yugi's mom appears somewhere, but as far as I can tell that wasn't canon.)
I just realized that Yugioh as a whole kinda hates parents. I don't think a single show doesn't have someone with parent issues. Weird.
Another thing I want to talk about is the 'Heart of the Cards' thing. It's often said that this show brings it up everywhere and never shuts up about, but rewatching the show for this retrospective, I don't think they say once during a duel after season one. They do bring it up during season five, but that's it and it wasn't said during a duel for an autowin.
Also, anyone who says that a single draw of a card can't completely turn a duel around, they haven't been in a situation where that happens. It happens to me all the time.
Overall, Duel Monsters is a great series. It's a very good show with a great story, good characters, and fun duels.
Next time, we'll get our game on with Yu Gi Oh GX.