Yu-Gi-Oh!

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Card game-turned-TV show for gradeschoolers.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although kids in the show play "Duel Monsters," the monsters don't engage in much hand-to-hand combat, fighting instead in a virtual, video game style with fire and laser effects. Some of the creatures shown could frighten viewers 5 and under. The series' universe is surreal -- even adults collect cards and "duel."

  • Characters value playing the game fairly and with heart and strongly support their friends and family. Some have Asian names (but don't necessarily look Asian).
  • Duels involve ferocious-looking creatures and attacks, but without pain or blood. Rather than die, characters lose "life points." Weapons are fanciful rather than realistic, e.g., "millennium shields" and "swords of revealing light."
  • Not applicable.

What's the story?

The Pokémon genre gets a millennium-style update in YU-GI-OH! The card-hunting kids in this popular WB cartoon are clean-living urban youths with attitude and hip hairdos. Yu-Gi-Oh! is also a superhero story of sorts: The main character, Yugi, was just a puny high school freshman until he solved the millennium puzzle his grandfather gave him and bonded with the spirit inside. Now he can be Yami Yugi -- confident, brave, and a master card player.


Is it any good?

 

When they play Duel Monsters, characters spend much time explaining the rationale of every move and the function of every card. The narrative becomes even more complicated as characters' thoughts are revealed in voice over. Constant -- and often simplistic and repetitive -- dialogue transitioning to internal commentary pushes the limits of how much exposition a show can handle and how many layers kids can follow. But as the point-of-view shifts around revealing each character's uncertainties, fears, and motives, the show taps into teenage self-consciousness. Young viewers can relate to the struggles that go on inside as they grow up and try to act bravely in the world.

And in Yu-Gi-Oh!, we're talking fantasy world. Few parental figures are present; instead, close friendships and sibling relationships take center stage. Evil forces sometimes threaten the lives kids' lives. But many episodes emphasize loyalty and honorable behavior, partly offsetting the violence at the core of the show.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how this show is connected to its companion card game. Do you think there would be a show without the game, and vice versa? Do you have to know how to play the game to enjoy the show?

  • Parents may also want to point out that the series' take on Egyptian history is total make-believe.


This review was written by Betsy Wallace
Adult
February 5, 2010
 
This show's time has come and gone.
People claimed this would be the next Pokemon. It actually never once exceeded Pokemon in popularity. Now that Kazuki Takahashi is gutting the franchise and killing off its remaining fanbase, the only joy I find is in the YouTube abridged version by LittleKuriboh.

Flag as inappropriate 
Parent of 7 year old
February 27, 2009
 
The Blatant Commercialism is Disgusting, PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN!!
This whole show targets young boys into buying cards and other merchandise. It's just brainwashing, purely and simply. What's worse is that it promotes 'nerdy' and 'geeky' behavior that doesn't just limit itself to children, I've seen delusional teenagers obsess over 'dueling' in a digusting fashion, it wouldn't be a proplem, but it's the extent that they obsess, in a money-wasting hobby that accomplishes absolutely nothing, thus they will become unsucessful adults (I'm not blaming this show entirely, but it's a contributing factor.) Mother's Review; Stop it before it starts, instead read a worthwhile book with your child :] (Also the art is unbearable to look at, terrible animation, with unrealistic, flat characters that talk in 'dorky' terms.)

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Parent of 3 year old
July 16, 2011
 
Research before reviewing
This show is quite good. It came out long before the card game and i wish that the people who write reviews on this site would have their facts strait before posting on this website

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Teen, 16 years old
November 4, 2009
 
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The series was excellent and awesome and should have gone to the End.

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Teen, 18 years old
June 5, 2010
 
4kids is very bad at dubbing
4kids messed Yu-Gi-Oh! up very bad. The Japanese version is better and more adult (but barely). Even so, it makes more sense than the 4kids garbage.

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
Unhappy monsters
My review of Yu-Gi-Oh TV is slanted by the artwork I find on the cards. Although I permit my son Jack, age 6, to own Pokemon and a number of other cards of this type, I am very concerned at the tone of the artwork found in Yu-Gi-Oh, and I don't let him watch the show. Most of the monsters are simply evil and repulsive, and shockingly so compared to other game cards in the marketplace. They just seem to me to have been created by a depraved mind, and I won't allow my son to play with them. I am interested in hearing from other parents who feel the same (or differently!) Give me a reality check: have I over-reacted? Lane Kintigh, a parent in Chicago area.

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Teen, 18 years old
June 1, 2011
 
Really people
Okay since every is hatting on my favorite shows I just feel the need to point several things out about this show. First the Dark Magician Girl and Mai Valentine, any one every wonder why they both wear very little clothing??? Next the 'scary' monsters are fake and that is clearly explained in the first episode. The only time they are real is then Dartz makes his appearance and in the shadow realm. And finally the product placement, well what did you expect the show has almost no plot and 4kids took all the real violent scenes out (expect for Joey punching Yami and a scene where Mokuba is in chains) So they have to make some money off the show. Now i do like this show but i like the original Japanese version or the abridged series better. (Note both of those aren't recommended for children.) So yes there are skimpy outfits, so called scary monsters and product placement but what did you expect a show about fluffy bunnies that play cards to pass the time?

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Teen, 15 years old
May 21, 2011
 
Painstakingly Amazing
I admit, I was in love with this series. I practically grew up with it and I was horribly dismayed to find that it had not been listed in ANY "Top [animes, TV shows]...." I read! The outstanding storylines, grounding character depth and overall awesomeness blew me away, but it seems that the brilliant anime did not get the proper recognition it deserved! I checked the trailers and advertising, which seemed fine, so I guess people just don't like the idea of epic card games with a dangerous Egyptian twist. :(. However, even I admit the constant ramblings of the characters as they explain (to the audience) the entire game gets a little tiresome. Very, very minor violence and blood (due to 4kids' strict dubbing). Then there are the follow ons, GX, 5Ds, and the new Zexal. GX was very nearly as epic as the original, and I really did try to love 5Ds, but I couldn't get over the whole "card games on motorcycles" theme. Zexal? So far, Zexal has honestly just been one big, screwed up "WTF?!".

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Kid, 12 years old
May 1, 2011
 
a anime,but bad
DONT WATCH THIS (yes its anime but its terrible!)watch Hikaru No Go insted!its much better!

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Kid, 12 years old
January 23, 2011
 
YUGIOH! ROCKS!
I am 11 and i love Yugioh but there is some blood in the the 10th season and Mokuba gets kidnapped a lot i love him and Yugi is so hot! soul are taken and its awesome!!!!!!!!!!! people this is for kids that act over their age like me. i watch M and MA anime and i love yugioh! plus i am Rebbecca i am smart i love yugi and i am a fan girl. kids 9-10-11-12. Highlights: hot guys, great fun, and funny characters. PS i watch a lot of anime and i home school.

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This review was written by Betsy Wallace
Topics:magic and fantasy, adventures
TV rating:TV-Y7
Network:WB
Genre:Kids' Animation

This review was written by Betsy Wallace
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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