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| The Yu-Gi-Oh franchise has since grown to incorporate the ] featured in the anime and manga, a series of ] by ], toys and many other products. | The Yu-Gi-Oh franchise has since grown to incorporate the ] featured in the anime and manga, a series of ] by ], toys and many other products. | ||
| == Characters == | == Important Characters and Terms == | ||
| (In order of appearance, when applicable) | |||
| ''(Japanese names are listed first. The names that ] changed them to are listed second when applicable.)'' | |||
| * '''Yugi Mutou''' ''(Yugi Moto)'' - Yugi is the ] of the show and is an expert at playing all sorts of games ("Yugi" means "game" in Japanese). He is especially deft at playing Duel Monsters. He carries the ], one of the seven ancient Millenium Items, around his neck, which is an ancient ]ian artifact that carries the ] of the late ] inside. When under duress or for playing a game, the spirit inside the Millennium Puzzle takes over and Yugi becomes "Yami Yugi" or "Dark Yugi" and is a very powerful opponent. | * '''Yugi Mutou''' ''(Yugi Moto)'' - Yugi is the ] of the show and is an expert at playing all sorts of games ("Yugi" means "game" in Japanese). He is especially deft at playing Duel Monsters. He carries the ], one of the seven ancient Millenium Items, around his neck, which is an ancient ]ian artifact that carries the ] of the late ] inside. When under duress or for playing a game, the spirit inside the Millennium Puzzle takes over and Yugi becomes "Yami Yugi" or "Dark Yugi" and is a very powerful opponent. | ||
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| * '''Katsuya Jonouchi''' ''(Joey Wheeler)'' - Jonouchi (or Joey) becomes Yugi's best friend. Jonouchi is initially nothing better than a street ], but Yugi manages to melt some of his tough-guy exterior. Likes playing games too, but is nowhere near as good as Yugi. Something of a hothead, he lets his mouth get him in trouble, more often than not. | * '''Katsuya Jonouchi''' ''(Joey Wheeler)'' - Jonouchi (or Joey) becomes Yugi's best friend. Jonouchi is initially nothing better than a street ], but Yugi manages to melt some of his tough-guy exterior. Likes playing games too, but is nowhere near as good as Yugi. Something of a hothead, he lets his mouth get him in trouble, more often than not. | ||
| * '''Hiroto Honda''' ''(Tristan Taylor)'' - Honda (or Tristan) is another thug who ends up coming around to be Yugi's friend. He doesn't really play Duel Monsters or any of the other games Yugi plays. | * '''Hiroto Honda''' ''(Tristan Taylor)'' - Honda (or Tristan) is another thug who ends up coming around to be Yugi's friend. He doesn't really play Duel Monsters or any of the other games Yugi plays. Not very important to the overall story. | ||
| * '''Anzu Mazaki''' ''(Tea Gardner)'' - Anzu is Yugi's childhood friend. Also not a game-player, she's sweet and supportive for Yugi, Jonouchi and everyone else. | * '''Anzu Mazaki''' ''(Tea Gardner)'' - Anzu is Yugi's childhood friend. Also not a game-player, she's sweet and supportive for Yugi, Jonouchi and everyone else. Not very important to the overall story. She and Hiroto are basically cheerleaders for Yugi and Jonouchi. | ||
| * '''Seto Kaiba''' - Kaiba is one of the first "]s," of sorts, to appear in Yu-Gi-Oh. He considers himself the best gamer in the world and sees Yugi as a threat to his position. Despite his young age, he also is the President of Kaiba Corporation, the biggest game company in the world. Not afraid to flaunt his wealth at all. | * '''Seto Kaiba''' - Kaiba is one of the first "]s," of sorts, to appear in Yu-Gi-Oh. He considers himself the best gamer in the world and sees Yugi as a threat to his position. Despite his young age, he also is the President of Kaiba Corporation, the biggest game company in the world. Not afraid to flaunt his wealth at all. | ||
| * '''Mokuba Kaiba''' - Seto Kaiba's younger brother. Something of a spoiled ], he is always trying to trick Yugi to get back at him for defeating his older brother. Another good game player, but not as good as his brother. | * '''Mokuba Kaiba''' - Seto Kaiba's younger brother. Something of a spoiled ], he is always trying to trick Yugi to get back at him for defeating his older brother. Another good game player, but not as good as his brother. | ||
| * '''Maximillion Pegasus''' - The creator of the game of Duel Monsters. He is another early antagonist. He posseses the Milleium Eye, and is trying to posess all seven items, because he believes that will ressurect his lost love. | |||
| * '''Malik (Marik in English) Ishtar''' - A later antagonist. Marik's family has gaurded the tomb of the pharoah for generations. Marik holds the Millenium Rod and wishes to steal the power of the pharoah for himself. He is brother to Ishizu Ishtar. | * '''Malik (Marik in English) Ishtar''' - A later antagonist. Marik's family has gaurded the tomb of the pharoah for generations. Marik holds the Millenium Rod and wishes to steal the power of the pharoah for himself. He is brother to Ishizu Ishtar. | ||
| * '''Millenium Items''' - Seven magical items originating in ancient ]. The items includethe Millenium: Puzzle, Eye, Ring, Key, Rod, Necklace, and Scale. Each one has it's own special powers, but some (which are more important to the storyline) are known for one or two powers. | |||
| * '''Egyptian God Cards''' - Three all-powerful Duel Monsters cards created by Maximillion Pegasus. They are "Obelisk the Tormenter", "Slifer the Sky Dragon", and "The Winged Dragon of Ra". These become a focal point later in the series. | |||
| == Criticism of Yu-Gi-Oh == | == Criticism of Yu-Gi-Oh == | ||
Revision as of 02:35, 28 September 2003
Yu-Gi-Oh is a popular Japanese anime and manga franchise that involves characters who play a card game called "Duel Monsters," wherein each player purchases and assembles a deck of "monsters" in order to defeat one another.
The Yu-Gi-Oh manga, created in 1996 by Kazuki Takahashi, was one of the most popular titles featured in Japan's Weekly Shonen Jump and is still running today. The anime was broadcast beginning in 1998 and still runs in Japan. In recent years, both the manga and anime have also been brought to the United States. The manga runs in Viz's Shonen Jump and the anime is broadcast as part of Kids WB, on Cartoon Network and in syndication in many other places.
The Yu-Gi-Oh franchise has since grown to incorporate the trading card game featured in the anime and manga, a series of video games by Konami, toys and many other products.
Important Characters and Terms
(In order of appearance, when applicable)
- Yugi Mutou (Yugi Moto) - Yugi is the protagonist of the show and is an expert at playing all sorts of games ("Yugi" means "game" in Japanese). He is especially deft at playing Duel Monsters. He carries the Millennium Puzzle, one of the seven ancient Millenium Items, around his neck, which is an ancient Egyptian artifact that carries the spirit of the late pharaoh inside. When under duress or for playing a game, the spirit inside the Millennium Puzzle takes over and Yugi becomes "Yami Yugi" or "Dark Yugi" and is a very powerful opponent.
- Katsuya Jonouchi (Joey Wheeler) - Jonouchi (or Joey) becomes Yugi's best friend. Jonouchi is initially nothing better than a street thug, but Yugi manages to melt some of his tough-guy exterior. Likes playing games too, but is nowhere near as good as Yugi. Something of a hothead, he lets his mouth get him in trouble, more often than not.
- Hiroto Honda (Tristan Taylor) - Honda (or Tristan) is another thug who ends up coming around to be Yugi's friend. He doesn't really play Duel Monsters or any of the other games Yugi plays. Not very important to the overall story.
- Anzu Mazaki (Tea Gardner) - Anzu is Yugi's childhood friend. Also not a game-player, she's sweet and supportive for Yugi, Jonouchi and everyone else. Not very important to the overall story. She and Hiroto are basically cheerleaders for Yugi and Jonouchi.
- Seto Kaiba - Kaiba is one of the first "villains," of sorts, to appear in Yu-Gi-Oh. He considers himself the best gamer in the world and sees Yugi as a threat to his position. Despite his young age, he also is the President of Kaiba Corporation, the biggest game company in the world. Not afraid to flaunt his wealth at all.
- Mokuba Kaiba - Seto Kaiba's younger brother. Something of a spoiled brat, he is always trying to trick Yugi to get back at him for defeating his older brother. Another good game player, but not as good as his brother.
- Maximillion Pegasus - The creator of the game of Duel Monsters. He is another early antagonist. He posseses the Milleium Eye, and is trying to posess all seven items, because he believes that will ressurect his lost love.
- Malik (Marik in English) Ishtar - A later antagonist. Marik's family has gaurded the tomb of the pharoah for generations. Marik holds the Millenium Rod and wishes to steal the power of the pharoah for himself. He is brother to Ishizu Ishtar.
- Millenium Items - Seven magical items originating in ancient Egypt. The items includethe Millenium: Puzzle, Eye, Ring, Key, Rod, Necklace, and Scale. Each one has it's own special powers, but some (which are more important to the storyline) are known for one or two powers.
- Egyptian God Cards - Three all-powerful Duel Monsters cards created by Maximillion Pegasus. They are "Obelisk the Tormenter", "Slifer the Sky Dragon", and "The Winged Dragon of Ra". These become a focal point later in the series.
Criticism of Yu-Gi-Oh
Yu-Gi-Oh runs into two distinct sets of criticism depending on the audience. The first concerns the changes that 4Kids, the American distributor, made to Yu-Gi-Oh for its American release. The names were changed, but there have also been many edits, some of which are obvious even without having seen the unedited version. These include removing all instances of weapons (like guns and knives, which are often prevalent) and assorted sexual innuendo. However, these changes are mostly attributed to the differences in sensibilities between the U.S. and Japan.
The second major criticism of Yu-Gi-Oh comes from adults and anime fans at large who see Yu-Gi-Oh as nothing more than a vehicle to sell their game cards and other products. However, this criticism is usually levelled by people who have not read the manga. In the original manga, Yu-Gi-Oh did not even include Duel Monsters as a regular plot vehicle for quite a long time (the American manga release in Shonen Jump is currently up to #26, which is half a year in the Japanese version - and there has only been one instance of the game Duel Monsters). Only after Yu-Gi-Oh become popular, was Kazuki Takahashi asked to modify Yu-Gi-Oh to feature more of Duel Monsters.