Yu-Gi-Oh!

That's pretty hilarious actually, lol

Paradox said:

I'm pretty sure no one has seen this, but Kazuki Takahashi's Studio Dice website is up, and has some really cool artwork and images on there. As Horoko over at janime explained:



You can check out the site here. It's pretty interesting. Especially the gallery.

If anyone knows how to rip flash files from a website, specifically the gallery images, you'll be my bestest friend forever. I'm trying to figure it out but I can't. T_T

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Great artwork, I especially like the 5DX one.

And you'd have to do a lot to save the image. It's saved as .swf though, so unless you have a .swf converter, it'd be impossible to save the image off from the site. Like Trainer Red said though, I'm pretty sure most of them have already been featured in his mangas.

I've been screencapping the images instead, but I've only gotten two done. I'll post the rest later:

That's Shizuka, Jounouchi's sister. He seems to be trying to show her something cool about his Millennium Ring.

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Do they even converse in the anime/manga?

I personally prefer Atem when he's not batshit crazy. Maybe all those years spent trapped inside a Puzzle caused him to be so unforgiving in the beginning?

Yami said:

By the way, your cards are shitty

AND SO IS YOUR SHOW.

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ROFLed hard.

Re-reading the movie duel summary (I know, on topic!), there's one thing they didn't do that I'm glad they didn't - some lame three-way fusion between Dark Magician, Neos and Stardust. Would have been a "What Do You Mean Its Not Cool" moment. But we *do* get the gang combining their cards together which is cool.

YGO Wiki Movie Summary said:

He then attacks "Dark Magician Girl" with "Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon", but Jaden activates Yugi's "De-Fusion", sending "Elemental Hero Neos Knight" back to the Extra Deck and summoning "Elemental Hero Neos" and Yusei's "Junk Gardna." He then uses "Junk Gardna's" effect to switch "Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon" to defense position, thus canceling its attack.

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Too bad the duel only lasted one round, they could have done more creative combos like that.

Yeah, Kaiba was very surprised. And then when everyone thought Jou was gonna die he was all, "with your death, I acknowledge you as a true duelist."

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*fangirl squeal*

You know, it's amazing how much Takahashi's art style evolved so much through the years. I really wish we could've seen more of his awesome artwork for YGO while it was still going on, instead of it being. Not saying his artwork was bad, but the style he has now is just incredible.

DrakeClawfang said:

Re-reading the movie duel summary (I know, on topic!), there's one thing they didn't do that I'm glad they didn't - some lame three-way fusion between Dark Magician, Neos and Stardust. Would have been a "What Do You Mean Its Not Cool" moment. But we *do* get the gang combining their cards together which is cool.

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You should've saw the fake spoilers where someone posted a pic of a card that was a three-way fusion of the three. There was so much nerdrage at how ugly it was, it was hilarious.

Instead of a three-way fusion, we get E-Hero Neos Knight. Which looks like it should be a fusion of E-Hero Neos and Chaos Soldier but instead is somehow a fusion of Junk Gardna and E-Hero Neos. LOL Konami, you just love trolling the fans, don't you?

Paradox said:

LOL Konami, you just love trolling the fans, don't you?

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I suspect this is the real explanation behind hiring 4Kids to dub the series.

You should probably blame NAS for that, to be honest. And I think it was probably a matter of "highest bidder" at the time. Back in the day, when anime was still getting its heels dug into the ground, a lot of distributors probably didn't see YGO lasting along the likes of Pokemon, Digimion, Monster Rancher, etc. There was an oversaturation of those types of shows. And the other distributors, who were much smaller at the time, probably didn't want to bite off more than they could chew.

4Kids rolled in and yeah. They captured the golden goose.

Paradox said:

4Kids rolled in and yeah. They captured the golden goose.

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You know, once I didn't get the problem with their dubbing. Some of the stuff I get, like censoring the buzzsaws with Arkana, footage of security guards firing at the characters, covering up the many, many nude duel monsters, some of the stuff *is* a bit much for a cartoon show. But other stuff like randomly making weapons and attacks glowy to obscure them, removing the Japanese text instead of just replacing it with English, randomly altering existing characterization...I just don't get it. Not to mention the plot holes all over the place due to poor dubbing and plot translation.

Some of their changes are justifiable due to the cultural differences and legal differences between Japan and the US. Others are just plain stupid. I am so glad they loosened up with 5Ds and kept in the footage of Yusei punching out Goodwin's goons and the security force firing at the giant spider. Changed up the sound effects a bit but they kept it in.

giant spider

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giant spider

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This show.

You know, it's amazing how much Takahashi's art style evolved so much through the years. I really wish we could've seen more of his awesome artwork for YGO while it was still going on, instead of it being. Not saying his artwork was bad, but the style he has now is just incredible.

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The artwork featured on his site was probably taken into a lot more consideration and detail than the manga; and wasn't his work was featured in Weekly Shonen Jump? That would explain why his promotional art looks better than what's featured in the manga. But yeah, I definitely agree that his art style has improved. It looks a lot more sleek and well, sexy, in my opinion. His earlier character designs have definitely taken improved as well. I mean, hell, Yugi's hands were bigger than his face.

And speaking of his art, was he involved in the anime as well? Because the animation took a huge tumble after Season 3.

Cid Raines said:

This show.

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at least it's not on a dick.

Shizuo Heiwajima said:

at least it's not on a dick.

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My script for "Spiders On A Dick" will be the biggest thing since Snakes On A Plane. And 10 times scarier.

Paradox said:

As Al Kahn has stated, kids don't like to read too much.

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Wonder what he thinks of Fucking Crow learning to read by playing Duel Monsters...

DrakeClawfang said:

You know, once I didn't get the problem with their dubbing. Some of the stuff I get, like censoring the buzzsaws with Arkana, footage of security guards firing at the characters, covering up the many, many nude duel monsters, some of the stuff *is* a bit much for a cartoon show. But other stuff like randomly making weapons and attacks glowy to obscure them, removing the Japanese text instead of just replacing it with English, randomly altering existing characterization...I just don't get it. Not to mention the plot holes all over the place due to poor dubbing and plot translation.

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The reason they remove Japanese text from the cards, is their stupid cultural appropriation of an obviously Japanese themed show, and their bizarre need to "westernize" it, because if its not westernized, kids won't "get it." Which is utterly stupid.

However, the reason they don't replace the text with english text is because YGO is shown on broadcast television, not just cable. The FCC has rules that say that children's programming cannot be aimed at marketing any sort of real life product towards them during the program. Any possible hint at advertising will get their show pulled off the air, and they see characters playing cards that kids could buy from toy stores as a form of advertisement. So in order to get around that, they just make the cards have no text or anything. That's why they do that.

The other bullshit in terms of removing all forms of violence, language text, and the like is them wanting to make the show as watered down for the lowest common denominator for kids as possible. As Al Kahn has stated, kids don't like to read too much.

Some of their changes are justifiable due to the cultural differences and legal differences between Japan and the US. Others are just plain stupid. I am so glad they loosened up with 5Ds and kept in the footage of Yusei punching out Goodwin's goons and the security force firing at the giant spider. Changed up the sound effects a bit but they kept it in.

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Yeah, they've loosened up, but 4kids is going through a very rough financial time all due to their own stupid marketing strategy. They had to loosen up because they know their business model is failing. Hell, Kahn had to eat his own words when he said "anime is dead in the US"...sure enough, they're going back to their roots and licensing anime again, because their failtastic original programming tanked.

Shizuo Heiwajima said:

The artwork featured on his site was probably taken into a lot more consideration and detail than the manga; and wasn't his work was featured in Weekly Shonen Jump? That would explain why his promotional art looks better than what's featured in the manga. But yeah, I definitely agree that his art style has improved. It looks a lot more sleek and well, sexy, in my opinion. His earlier character designs have definitely taken improved as well. I mean, hell, Yugi's hands were bigger than his face.

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I don't think Shonen Jump would've constricted his art style. I think he just...well...evolved through the years.

And speaking of his art, was he involved in the anime as well? Because the animation took a huge tumble after Season 3.

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Well he did the designs for the characters, but he wasn't an animator. In terms of who was responsible for the animation you should look at Kenichi Hara, and Takahiro Kagami. They are the lead animation directors for DM. And a lot of their styles influenced how YGO looked between various episodes. In terms of Season 3's change in quality...it really is due to the directors changing and stuff. These two videos really help you see the differences between the two directors.

Personally I'm...more partial to Kagami, but then again, Hara does some really good, sexy animation. But Kagami seems to capture the original style that was Takahashi. Hara is his own style, which is good, but...sometimes a bit too over the top.



Here's a look at Hara's animation throughout the entire series of YGO.

EDIT: Found a better video that showcases the animation quality and styles for Hara, that lists the episodes he worked on.




This is Kagami's. Kagami definitely captures the original look and feel of DM, to me. And its one of the reasons I'm so fucking glad they brought Kagami back to do the animation for the 10th Anniversary movie.



Hiriyama is another, and he has a very nice style too. I love it. Very beautiful, refined, and in line with the manga's. Everyone looks good, and just...awesome.



This guy..seems to be the problem that was with Season 3 and beyond. Yoshikatsu Inoue. Umm....yeah. He likes really pointy chins, apparently. He was the art director that gave us our most loveable, and memorable narf episode of YGO. Episode 200.



Beautiful, isn't it?

Hara was the one who did the animation for the YGO: Pyramid of Light movie, I believe.

Wow, thanks for all the great information Wikipedia Mako.

I don't think Shonen Jump would've constricted his art style. I think he just...well...evolved through the years.

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But I thought he had to release a new chapter weekly?

Yeah, Hara's animation is decent, but like you said, over the top at times. But Kagami, damn, he definitely captures the original style of Takahashi. And I can't even bother commenting on the last two videos... it makes me wonder why the hell would you switch with an animation director like that? You probably know the answer to that though.

EDIT:

Saw 5Ds 108...I guess having Jean throw the match and let Yusei win isn't enough, now they make his ultimate gambit fail by having the villain *bring up his daddy issues*.

Seriously writers, WTF?

It was more like he broke Yusei's Clear Mind, bringing up the Zero Reverse incident, one of Yusei's one weaknesses and thoughts that bring to mind all his insecurity and guilt. I don't see how that doesn't make sense at all.

@Crack

Thank you so much for sharing these rips from the site. God, I love that image of Seto Kaiba with the Blue Eyes behind him. That just is fucking perfect.

And Yugi and Atem right there is one of my favorite bunkoban covers, ever. Perfect.

I never knew anything about the different animators, thanks Mako. From those videos, I think Hiriyama is my favorite.

But let me get this straight, the worst animator is the Japanese favorite? Why am I not surprised?

No, the worst animator is not the favorite. He's hated. Yeah, he has his fans, but if you saw some of the annotation comments other fans refer to him as the Terrible Inou. And credit him for making the "episode of legend" 200. No, he is certainly not the favorite.

The one that's most liked actually is Kenichi Hara, if one goes by what most fans think, and how often he has continued to animate. He did a majority of GX and 5Ds, you know. Inoue is basically gone.

Paradox said:

It was more like he broke Yusei's Clear Mind, bringing up the Zero Reverse incident, one of Yusei's one weaknesses and thoughts that bring to mind all his insecurity and guilt. I don't see how that doesn't make sense at all.

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It makes sense that bringing up a guy's father makes him physically unable to make his move and use his card effects? I know the in-universe explanation, but that just gets kinda hokey, that the villain can defeat the hero by taunting him.

"And he is most loved Yugioh fan of Japan."

What does that mean then?

DrakeClawfang said:

It makes sense that bringing up a guy's father makes him physically unable to make his move and use his card effects?

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In order to Accel Synchro, you have to have a clear mind, focused on speed and surpassing your limits. As seen in the last episode, Yusei had to focus and get into a clear frame of mind in order to unlock the potential of his Momentum and finally be given a "new possibility" by Zone. That lead to him being given a Accel Synchro monster in the form of that huge stone tablet from space, just like the Yilaster Trio have.

You have to have a Clear Mind in order to Accel Synchro summon, otherwise it fails. It's not just about synchro summoning, it's about taking control of the Momentum with your heart and unlocking its true potential. If it were just that simple, Dark Glass wouldn't have explained and given Yusei that whole speech in the first place.

Atem said:

"And he is most loved Yugioh fan of Japan."

What does that mean then?

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That's engrish of some kind. It sounds like they're saying he's the most loved YGO fan of Japan. Sounds like apparently his fannish nature for YGO has made him the most loved YGO fan in Japan in terms of working for the show, or something.

Paradox said:

In order to Accel Synchro, you have to have a clear mind, focused on speed and surpassing your limits. As seen in the last episode, Yusei had to focus and get into a clear frame of mind in order to unlock the potential of his Momentum and finally be given a "new possibility" by Zone. That lead to him being given a Accel Synchro monster in the form of that huge stone tablet from space, just like the Yilaster Trio have.

You have to have a Clear Mind in order to Accel Synchro summon, otherwise it fails. It's not just about synchro summoning, it's about taking control of the Momentum with your heart and unlocking its true potential. If it were just that simple, Dark Glass wouldn't have explained and given Yusei that whole speech in the first place.

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See revised post. So it boils down to the opponent being able to win if they can taunt the other player well enough?

Well, that's just the consequence of Placido being an underhanded bastard, and Accel Synchro summoning requiring focus, which Yusei sometimes does not have.

Placido is willing to go against his own group's orders, create a broken form of Riding Dueling called "Battle Royale" to give his Ghost army an unfair advantage, use his army of robots to interrupt Dark Glass trying to Accel Synchro, steal his own teammate's cards...

I'm not seeing that much of a surprise he'd try to make Yusei lose his focus. It's not like the duel's even over, considering the next episode preview confirms Yusei brings out Shooting Star Dragon for the win.

GDI I started cracking up at tsutaya's annotations on Inoue:

VERY NICE AGO