The universe introduced to fans in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise is home to some of the most popular and beloved characters in anime history. With a plethora of incredibly skilled and powerful duelists, from the regal Atem to the stoic Yusei, the series has no shortage of cast members who have won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.
Yet, among the hundreds of duelists shown over the years, some have never been shown the admiration and respect they deserve. Despite their importance to the series or the amazing feats they accomplished, these characters are overshadowed by their more popular cast members, which is a major shame.
10
Grandpa Solomon Is the Reason Why Duel Monsters Takes Place
It is no secret among Yu-Gi-Oh! fans that the original Duel Monsters anime is, to this day, the most famous and cherished anime by the fandom. Most followers of this amazing story grew up enjoying the epic duels between Kaiba and Atem, two of the franchise’s most iconic players. Yet, there is a man whose existence was key to the future of the story and is still disregarded as nothing but a side character: Grandpa.
Although most remember him simply as Yugi’s motivation during the Duelist Kingdom Arc, Solomon is the one who ignited the events of the anime. It was he who gave the protagonist the Millennium Puzzle, as well as taught him everything he knew about Duel Monsters. Grandpa was also an extremely competent duelist, a fact that fans often overlook when talking about him.
9
Arc-V’s Moon Shadow Is a Refreshing Take on Anime Ninjas
Yu-Gi-Oh! characters are known for having amazing designs that catch audiences’ attention immediately. More often than not, the clothes and style of a character are used as a means to convey their skills or motivations to fans, and the loyal ninja known as Moon Shadow is a perfect example. Fierce and determined, this warrior was introduced as one of the Akaba family’s servants.
As his style and profession would suggest, he follows the rules of a typical ninja archetype, being a serious and skillful character who does not give up until his mission is completed. Nonetheless, Moon Shadow surprised fans on several occasions, with a tragic backstory that helped him stand out from the rest of the cast, as well as a wide range of emotions not usually seen in anime ninjas.
8
Vellian Crowler Grew Into One of GX’s Best Characters.
First introduced as one of Jaden’s main antagonists, Dr. Crowler is a character who slowly gained a special place in audiences’ hearts. His early days as a villain were both hilarious and petty, as he never intended any serious damage to Jaden. Yet, as the series progressed, fans were able to see a completely different side of Duel Academy’s Vice-Principal.
Crowler demonstrated genuine care and affection toward his students, to the point that the idea of them graduating was unbearable. Despite having a mediocre dueling record, with almost only losses, he was always able to inspire his students. Dr. Crowler became much more than just comic relief; he became an icon of the GX era.
7
Tetsu Trudge Went From Yugi’s Bully to a Respectful Officer in 5Ds
A character that most fans won’t remember from the Duel Monsters era, but definitely adored in 5Ds, Tetsu Trudge is a former bully turned officer of the law. When he was first introduced, he was a cruel and sadistic boy who tormented Yugi and Joey during their time at school. He managed to outgrow this behavior and become an outstanding citizen, if a bit close-minded.
Officer Trudge was a temporary obstacle for Yusei, as he was tasked with protecting New Domino City from Satellite intruders. When he opened his eyes to the true horrors of the system he enforced, he became a loyal and honorable ally for the heroes, aiding them greatly during their battle against the Dark Signers.
6
Camula Made GX’s Shadow Riders Arc Worth It
Even though the Shadow Rider Arc of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime is an iconic part of Jaden’s journey, it’s one of the most divisive among fans. Unlike the following storylines, which included some of the most powerful villains in the entire franchise, this arc introduced several subpar antagonists who were not memorable or impactful.
The only character who made this arc worth it was the vampire Camula, a cunning and skillful villain who caused fear and chaos during her brief appearance. Unlike most other members of the Shadow Riders, this creature of the night was a genuine threat to the heroes, both because of her outstanding dueling skills and her devious tricks, which were more than enough to defeat several top-notch duelists.
5
Chojiro Tokumatsu Was Beyond Helpful to the Arc-V Heroes
During his journey through the Synchro Dimension, Yuya met several intriguing characters that helped him not only advance in his mission, but grow as a duelist. One of the most important ones was Chojiro Tokumatsu, the former leader of New Domino City’s underworld. After losing his enjoyment of duels after witnessing the corruption and inequality of his world, the once beloved Pro Duelist became a pariah and a criminal.
It was not until the protagonist helped him remember the warmth that dueling for others brought him that he managed to revert to his joyful and kind self. From that point on, Chojiro became a key part of Yuya’s team, helping the heroes during their stay in the Synchro Dimension and fighting by their side against Academia and their military forces.
4
Emma Besho Is One of VRAINS’ Most Interesting Characters
Known throughout the cyber world as the fearsome hacker Ghist Gal, Emma Besho is a confident and proficient duelist who quickly became a fan favorite. She was first introduced as a woman whose only motivation was money and recognition, caring little for the safety and well-being of others.
Yet, as the series progressed, fans began to discover a whole new side to this charismatic mercenary, as she displayed care and worry about those working closely with her. She went as far as to protect Playmaker, who had previously risked his life for her, and joined the efforts to protect Link VRAINS from destruction.
3
Seven’s Saburamen is a Reminder of the Franchise’s Whimsical Nature
While it is true that the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime franchise is best known for its epic battles and complex moral dilemmas, there is no denying how whimsical and joyful it can be. Saburamen, one of Sevens’ most interesting duelists, is the perfect example of this phenomenon. Unlike other characters, who grew in popularity for being ruthless, cold, or intimidating, this ramen fanatic stole the hearts of fans by being a genuinely entertaining cast member.
Saburamen combines his deep love for Japanese food with his dueling, resulting in games that remind audiences of why they fell in love with the franchise. He is also a kind and respectful duelist who would never look down on or insult an opponent, no matter who they were.
2
Asaka Mutsuba Holds the Responsibility of an Entire Town in Go Rush!!
Commanding a company that is responsible for the well-being of an entire town is no easy task, which is why fans have so much respect for Asaka Mutsuba, president of Mutsuba Heavy Machinery. At first glance, she might seem like a stubborn and serious girl, with no time for fun or nonsense. However, her role as the leader of Mutsuba Town explains this behavior, as she carries a massive burden on her shoulders.
Her dueling style is as dominant as her business practices, focused on summoning powerful monsters that can easily overwhelm the opponent. Behind her seemingly abrasive personality, fans know that Asaka is a caring person who will do anything in her power to keep those under her care safe.
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1
Yugi Muto Lives Under the Shadow of Atem and Kaiba
When thinking about the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, most fans will remember beloved characters like Atem, Kaiba, or even Joey, who played vital roles in most of the best duels in the series. Lamentably, this means that more often than not, the protagonist of the Duel Monsters anime, Yugi Muto, will be forgotten. This is due to the fact that, for most of the story, the hero takes the backseat, giving all the spotlight to the Pharaoh.
It was not until the end of the series, during the battle against Bakura, that Yugi was given a chance to prove himself as the real King of Games. The Dark Side of Dimensions movie helped fans understand just how powerful and talented Yugi is on his own, but even then, he is still overshadowed by Atem, who is undoubtedly the true face of the franchise.