5 Yu-Gi-Oh! Series Anime Fans Owe It To Themselves to Watch ASAP

The Yu-Gi-Oh! anime franchise has remained iconic among fans for over two decades, with new shows released periodically. With each series, new protagonists, monsters, cards, and enticing plotlines have been introduced, creating a complex and beloved universe that fans love dearly. While not all the entries in the franchise have been as well received, each holds an incredible amount of value.

Nonetheless, certain seasons are undoubtedly the most significant for the series, whether because they are important to the franchise or simply because they are delightful to watch. Anime fans who are thinking about giving Yu-Gi-Oh! a chance should start with these, as they will give them the best overall experience.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal

An Underdog Story That Fans Learned To Love

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal In this animated series, aspiring duelist Yuma teams up with Astral, a mysterious entity from another universe, to improve his dueling skills. Their partnership involves recovering Astral’s lost memories while navigating the challenges of intense card battles and uncovering hidden truths in their intertwined destinies. Release Date April 11, 2011 Main Genre Animation

Zexal, the fourth entry in the franchise, follows the story of Yuma, a novice duelist with a desire to become the best duelist in the world. Despite his determination and unwillingness to give up, the protagonist struggled to win most of his duels, due to his reckless playing style. His life turned for the better when he met an alien entity known as Astral, sent to Earth with the task of capturing the enigmatic and dangerous Number Monsters. These cards possess ancient cosmic powers that corrupt the hearts of humans, making them cruel and greedy.

With Astral’s help, Yuma sets out on a journey to recover these harmful creatures, learning how to become a better and more collected duelist. Nonetheless, his adventure will not be without peril, as besides the Numbers themselves, many ominous groups will try to stop him from succeeding. Moreover, evil creatures from the same corner of space where Astral was born have arrived at Earth, intent on using the cosmic power that resides on Earth to commence an intergalactic war that could threaten existence itself.

At first, Zexal was not well received among fans of the franchise, due to its inexperienced protagonist. Nonetheless, once Yuma learns how to be a competent duelist, the series becomes outstandingly better. The introduction of alien worlds, cosmic threats, and the fun-to-play strategies present in the series make it worth the time investment. Yuma’s adventure is one of the most dramatic and complex in the franchise and serves as the introduction to some of the most overpowered monsters of all time.

Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS

Embark In A Virtual Quest To Save Humanity

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In this series, the virtual world has become a second home to millions of duelists around the world. Every day, aspiring pros log into Link VRAINS to try and rise to the top of the charts. Yet, lately, a strange group of hackers known as the Knights of Hanoi have been causing mayhem. Yusaku, the protagonist of the series and one of the best players in the world, enters the game under the disguise of Playmaker, a legendary duelist who fights against the injustices of the system. His investigation becomes harder when he encounters an artificial intelligence known as AI.

While the virtual creature might not be the best partner he could have asked for, he serves as the first clue to uncover the goals of the Knights of Hanoi, as well as the secrets of Yusaku’s past. As the protagonist fights against his sworn enemies, new villains join the fray, complicating the mission to save Link VRAINS. This entry is filled with mystery, betrayal, and philosophical questions about what it means to have sentience. Yusaku’s presence also greatly helps the anime, as he is considered one of the best heroes in the franchise.

Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS was the last season to revolve around the original game, making it a perfect opportunity for new fans to learn how to play. The introduction of the versatile and powerful Link Monsters, the latest of the eight main summoning mechanics, also helps understand how Duel Monsters has evolved over the years. The show is far more serious than other entries, depicting themes like trauma, the dangers of artificial intelligence, and how the advancement of technology can harm humanity.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX

A Slice-Of-Life Turned Fight For Survivial

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Yu-Gi-Oh! GX follows Jaden Yuki, a talented young duelist, as he enrolls in Duel Academy, a prestigious institution where students train to become expert duelists. Release Date October 6, 2004 Main Genre Animation Creator(s) Kazuki Takahashi , Naoyuki Kageyama

Several years after Pharaoh Atem returned to the afterlife during the original series’ epilogue, Seto Kaiba opened a school where aspiring duelists could learn how to become professional players. Jaden Yuki, a cheerful and carefree student, is about to begin his journey to obtain the title of New King of Games, with the blessing of his predecessor. Through his first year as a member of Duel Academy’s Slifer Red Dorm, the protagonist meets various other students who will push him to the limit, forcing him to become a better player.

Nonetheless, classes and exams will be the least of Jaden’s troubles, as Duel Academy will soon become the main stage of several threats to the human and Duel Monsters Spirit worlds. From ancient deities controlled by a megalomaniac to Jaden’s former best friend coming back to haunt him, the promising duelist will find himself fighting for his life throughout the entire series. Accompanied by his friends, his teachers, and his extremely powerful Hero deck, Yuki will try and become the savior he was always destined to be.

GX is undoubtedly one of the best shows in the franchise, taking most of the positive aspects from the original anime and harnessing its full potential. This series is iconic for Yu-Gi-Oh! fans for more than just its incredible coming-of-age story, as many of the decks introduced during this era have found success in competitive games over the years. Jaden’s journey will shock and entertain fans, giving them hours of fun. Still, viewers who wish to enjoy the series will need to know that the fourth season was never brought to the West, making its ending much darker.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's

A Thrilling Futuristic Adventure

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's is the third main spin-off series in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. This anime follows Yusei Fudo, a duelist participating in the new Turbo Duels, in a futuristic world known as New Domino City. Set in a dystopian society, the show introduces a new form of dueling with motorcycle-like vehicles called Duel Runners, and explores themes of social disparity and personal growth. Release Date September 13, 2008 Main Genre Animation Creator(s) Kazuki Takahashi Seasons 5

Set several decades in the future, Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's is the tale of Yusei Fudo, a stoic and resourceful duelist who lives on the outskirts of New Domino City. When he was a baby, the city where the original show took place was destroyed in an unfortunate accident, with the survivors having to start anew. The city was divided into two sections, the opulent center, where technology has made life easier, and the Satellite, a desolate place where the poor have been forced to find refuge.

Yusei is an incredibly talented duelist and mechanic, dreaming of proving his worth in the New Domino Arena, as well as finding his former best friend Jack Atlas, who betrayed him years ago. While the show might seem like a simple revenge story at first, it quickly becomes much more complex, as Yusei finds himself in the middle of an ancient war to control the world. By joining forces with former enemies, old friends, and new allies, the protagonist will fight against the evil minds behind the destruction of his home, while uncovering the truth of his birth.

5D's is a dramatic and exhilarating story about friendship, destiny, and responsibility that many fans consider as one of the best. When it was released, it was a refreshing take on this beloved franchise, focusing on a more mature hero and darker themes. Yusei himself is one of the best heroes in the franchise, capable of making the most of any monster he comes across. His deck also has some of the most powerful cards in the game, which have remained iconic for over a decade.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters

The Original Series That Remains Iconic

Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 9.4/10 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000) Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters follows the story of Yugi Mutou, a high school student who solves an ancient Egyptian puzzle and awakens a powerful alter ego. This mysterious persona, known as the "Pharaoh," helps Yugi navigate complex card game duels that determine his fate and that of his friends. The series blends modern-day and ancient Egyptian themes, focusing on strategic battles within the world of Duel Monsters. Release Date April 18, 2000 Main Genre Animation Franchise(s) Yu-Gi-Oh! Writers Junki Takegami , Atsushi Maekawa , Shin Yoshida , Akemi Omode Streaming Service(s) Crunchyroll , Plex

The one that started it all and one of the most beloved anime series from the 90s, Duel Monsters, is the story of Yugi Muto, a high school student who loved games and strategy. After he solves the ominous Millennium Puzzle, one of the most powerful items in the worlds of the series, he releases the soul of an ancient Pharaoh, said to have banished evil centuries ago. Despite being a novice to the game of Duel Monsters, Yugi rises to fame after defeating the champion Kaiba in one of the best duels of the entire franchise.

His popularity causes those who look to get their hands on their Millennium Item to try and take it from him, by any means necessary. By working together with the Pharaoh, Yugi will fight against some of the most powerful and evil villains in the world, to prevent them from destroying humanity. As the show progresses, the protagonist and his trusted companion begin to unravel the enigmatic past of the spirit, who needs to remember his origins to find peace and leave the mortal world.

The original anime is undoubtedly an emblematic show, which marked the lives of many children and adults alike who were fortunate enough to watch it as it aired. Its plot might not be as complex as the following seasons’, but it is still amazingly entertaining. Given that this is the series that ignited the franchise, anime fans wishing to start their Yu-Gi-Oh! journey is recommended to begin with this one. Not only will it help explain the game in a more detailed manner, but it will also give them a taste of the exciting adventures that await them in future seasons.