Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time

Movie review by Brian Costello, Common Sense Media
Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Essentially an hour-long commercial for the card game.

NR 2011 60 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 13+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 1 review

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Yu-Gi-Oh!: Bonds Beyond Time is a 2010 movie that is part of the Japanese Manga series. The movie itself essentially feels like an hour-long infomercial for the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game, in which the action on the cards (even used by the characters themselves as they do battle) comes to life in a series of battles involving explosions, fighting with demonic-looking monsters, and fights with swords and lasers. The story itself is incredibly difficult to follow and needlessly complicated; that said, anyone who isn't a superfan of the series won't find much to enjoy. And for parents wary of commercials masquerading as children's entertainment, the needless complexity coupled with the crass commercialism involved make this one to avoid.

Community Reviews

Beyblade Girlfriend
Beyblade Girlfriend Adult
March 4, 2023
age 17+
Holly R.
Holly R. Adult
July 7, 2018
age 8+

Movie is too short

Pretty good movie but too short. I seen it in subtitles and it does have mild language if you watch it in subtitles Japanese language. It's really only for serious fans of the the franchise as a whole. It's better than the first one but inferior to the most recent one.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In YU-GI-OH! BONDS BEYOND TIME, Yugi, Jaden, and Yusei must join forces to fight against Paradox, a time-traveling turbo duelist determined to destroy the history of the Duel Monsters. Because of this time travel, the future (and present) of New Domino City are threatened, and if Paradox succeeds, what awaits is a future world in ruins. When the trio confronts Paradox, he claims that he comes from the ruins of the future and that the only way to rescue the world is by going back in time to stop the Duel Monsters. Paradox refuses to listen when the trio tells him that if the Duel Monsters are destroyed, all future events and people will be destroyed as well. Having reached an impasse, the only thing left to do is for Yugi, Jaden, and Yusei to break out their trading cards and fight Paradox, defeat him, and do what they can to save New Domino City, and the world.

Is It Any Good?

This is essentially an hour-long commerical for the trading card game. The story itself is needlessly confusing and nearly impossible to follow, unless you're a superfan aware of all the many details of the characters and of the game itself. Even the battle scenes feel less like a story and more like directions on how to play the game. That said, only the most diehard fans of the Manga series will find much to appreciate in this one.

Characters have accents (British, West Coast surfer) for no clear reason. Voiceovers attempting to provide context and clarity only muddle the already muddled storyline even further. For families wary of commercials masquerading as children's entertainment, the infomercial feel of Yu-Gi-Oh!: Bonds Beyond Time coupled with the confusing storyline make it difficult to enjoy on any level.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the ways in which toys and games are marketed to kids. Is this a concern in your family? Why or why not? Do you think Yu-Gi-Oh!: Bonds Beyond Time is effective marketing?

  • Did the violence seem necessary to the story, or did it seem gratuitous?

  • How is this movie similar to and different from other Japanese animated films?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon magic wand on orange background
    Magic and Fantasy
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of luggage and a map
    Adventures
    See all
  • Cartoon hands high fiving
    Friendship
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a ghost and vampire
    Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate