Story [4.0]
Although the idea is an interesting one, I think it was poorly executed. It reminds me of a little-know Nickelodeon show called Chalk Zone. I thought it was a neat idea, but the way it was put together was just…odd. However, that is something for another day. The first few episodes I thought were neat, because the game that Yugi’s alter-ego set up for the antagonist of the particular episode were actually rather clever. However, it quickly goes downhill from there. Most of the time, the characters are involved with typical and sometimes odd situations in school that eventually lead to the game at the end. However, the game become so quick, it’s rather hard to enjoy it. Around the middle of the series, Yugi’s friend Anzu discovers Yugi’s secret in an episode that presents a clear danger, a clever game, and more time dedicated to it. That way, it was much better to get into. Some of the challenges in between are also a bit interesting, but there are too many flat, quick ones, and others just leave your head scratching as to how the challenge could have been accomplished. Things pick up at the end, where the final battles against Kaiba and Bakura each span a number of episodes, so it does have a bit of suspense to it, even though it’s entirely predictable. In fact, the final battle against Kaiba will look very familiar if you’ve watched the newer series. Almost to the point where you’ll be utterly bored. The Bakura battle also has similarities to its counterpart, where the main characters are put into the role of combatants with both spirits battling against each other and Bakura’s pure heart being the deciding factor. So, in conclusion. Interesting idea but inconsistent with its highs and lows throughout the series.
Art [4.0]
Well, this is an old show, so you can’t really expect much in the art department. Nothing too dazzling, nothing too spectacular. Just your basic animation. They try to make it dark at times, but nothing ominous comes out of it. Crazy hair is included, of course.
Sound [3.0]
Well…the music just doesn’t work for me. Nothing catchy, nothing stand out. It’s very repetitive. The OP and ED are underwhelming. All synthesized, as far as I can tell.
Character [4.0]
Not much to say about characters, either, except the following points. The decision to make Miho a main character was a bad idea. Far too ditzy and with that whiny/cute image that I find more annoying than cute. Yet, of course, she manages to be quite useful and extremely lucky near the end. Kaiba is a good villain, but it seems like he is just too power-hungry and willing to prove his own greatness. His younger brother Mokuba probably could have had more screen, but he spends pretty much all his time gloating about how he’s going to defeat Yugi that his worries about how his brother had become ruthless in his endeavors seems so…awkward. The Egyptian guy at the very beginning (didn’t care enough to know his name) should have been used more instead of having Kaiba every three or four episodes. And Bakura appears a bit too late. It’s more like he arrives, disappears, and reappears at the very end of the series to confront the protagonists. However, I did enjoy how we got to know more about the character and how he turned from the innocent person into the possessed monster. Something that I haven’t seen in the other series. Then again, that starts pretty much after this one…ish.
Oh, yeah. More Miho rant. Maybe it’s just me, but how do you fall in love with a guy after only seeing him for one freakin’ second and completely changing plans because of that. I’m willing to bet that girls really aren’t that way.
Enjoyment [3.0]
If you watch the Duel Monsters part of this series, this one is going to be very much less enjoyable. For those who are new, you can probably only watch the first few and last six episodes and get pretty much the backstory that you need to take into Duel Monsters. There are few interesting moments, and those usually come at either end, with a few exceptions in the middle. Most of the time, I began to zone out, as the story was not deep enough to get me interested. No touching, emotional movements, either. Also, you may have heard people spoofing Yu-Gi-Oh!’s use of friendship as a major factor in plot advancement. While the end is interesting, the use of this friendship gets used to such a cheesy level, you may begin to appreciate those efforts from Duel Monsters. Oh, and mentioning things that happen after the next episode…not a good idea, especially if mentioned more than once on the way there.
Overall
If you’ve begun to watch ahead of this series, don’t look back at this. You will not need it to understand everything. If you must watch it, you’re in for a long and droning saga, even though it’s only 27 episodes. In short, pass if you can and/or don’t care.
