| Native Name: |
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| Country: | Japan | ||||||||||
| Num Seasons: | 1 | ||||||||||
| Num Episodes: | 27 | ||||||||||
| Company: | Toei Animation | ||||||||||
| Network: | TV Asahi |
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a 1998 Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation, based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi. It is the first animated adaptation of the manga and was directed by Hiroyuki Kakudō. Like the manga, this series is centered on Yugi Mutou, who becomes host to an ancient gambling spirit after solviing the Millennium Puzzle. This series loosely adapts the first 59 chapters of the manga while adding several original events and characters.
The series was broadcast on TV Asahi from April 4, 1998 to October 10, 1998 and was followed by a theatrical movie released on March 6, 1999. The opening theme is by FIELD OF VIEW while the ending theme is by WANDS.
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See main article: article and List of Yu-Gi-Oh! characters. The Toei series made Miho Nosaka, a minor character in the manga, into a main character.[1]
| VHS volume | Content | Release date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episodes 1–3 | December 10, 1999 | |
| 2 | Episodes 4–7 | December 10, 1999 | |
| 3 | Episodes 8–11 | December 10, 1999 | |
| 4 | Episodes 12–15 | January 21, 2000[2] | |
| 5 | Episodes 16–19 | January 21, 2000 | |
| 6 | Episodes 20–23 | February 21, 2000 | |
| 7 | Episodes 24–27 | February 21, 2000 |
Timothy Donohoo of Comic Book Resources characterized the series as "noticeably darker" compared to later Yu-Gi-Oh! series.[1] Some violence was reduced compared to the original work.
The Toei series has a visual appearance that references the earlier manga volumes. Laura Thornton, also of CBR, described the art style as "extremely saturated and bright" although background imagery has a "notably muted palette with dull colors".[3] Seto Kaiba has green hair in this show, although the sequel film associated with this series uses brown hair for Kaiba.[3]