Yu☆Gi☆Oh! Zexal, Sarazanmai Recommendations
Okay I'll be honest I just want to do this because my brain made the connection and I find it incredibly funny.
Despite many obvious difference, I think there's a surprising amount of similarities between the core character dynamics of Zexal and Sarazanmai. In particular, I think Yuma's relationships with Shark and then Kite are very similar to Kazuki's relations with Toi, I think Kazuki's backstory and Shark/Kite's backstories share some strong similarities, and I think Kite's relationship with Hart is rather similar to Kazuki's relationship with Haruka. Without spoilers, I think there's similar issues of betrayal that eventually pop up in both shows, and of
the main character(s) fighting to save/redeem their friend(s). We even have a strange mystical advisor in both (Astral/Keppi). Finally, the topic of family and getting corrupted/torn apart for the sake of your family or someone you love comes up in both (Toi/Chikai or Reo/Mabu, and Kite/Hart/Dr. Faker or Vetrix and his sons)
Sarazanmai's core theme of connections also reminds me of the way Yuma believes in connecting to people through duels, and how he grows closer and befriends the many people he duels against in the show. Plus, there's also a similar concept of collecting things through repeated fights -- in Sarazanmai, it's collecting dishes, while in Zexal it's collecting number cards.
I also think both shows have some very charismatic/memorable villain, antagonist, or antihero characters that end up stealing the spotlight at times. Finally, I think both shows build up to really cool/intense final arcs but don't quite manage to pull it off and (without spoiling anything) conclude on similar notes in regards to character death/sacrifices and general tone/emotion.
...yeah I really just wrote all that.
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