Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (遊☆戯☆王5D's（ファイブディーズ） Yūgiō Faibu Dīzu, lit. "Game King: 5D's") is a Yu-Gi-Oh! series which began to air in Japan from April 2, 2008, and replaces Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (broadcast as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX in Japan). 5D's is also the first Yu-Gi-Oh! series to be broadcast in Widescreen.
Much like the previous series, it focuses around characters playing the card game, Duel Monsters, despite the fact the 'Duel Monsters' tagline has been dropped from the Japanese title. This series introduces new types of cards such as Synchro Monsters, that are reflected in the Official Trading Card Game. During the series, in addition to regular duels using Duel Disks, a new type of Duel Disk, motorcycle-like vehicles, called "Duel Runners" ("D-Wheel" in the Japanese version) is used, and the duelists engage in games called "Turbo Duels" ("Riding Duels" in the Japanese version).[1] Yusei Fudo, the 18 year-old main protagonist, has "Stardust Dragon" as his main card, which is the cover card for the Duelist Genesis trading card set.
As with the previous two series (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters and Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters GX), this series has been acquired by 4Kids Entertainment for broadcasting in the United States in September 2008.[2] It began airing on The CW4Kids, starting from September 13, 2008. The English language dub premiered on July 24 at San Diego Comic-Con 2008[3], where the first English dubbed episode was previewed. Like the previous two series, changes have been made to the plot, cards, localized character names. On June 1, 2009 Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's started airing 5 days a week on Cartoon Network. It did not air any episode on October 8. [1][2] A manga based on the show is being serialized in V-Jump Monthly Magazine. It started on August 2009.
| Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's | |
|---|---|
 Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Japanese Logo | |
| 遊☆戯☆王: 5D's (Yu-Gi-Oh: 5D's) | |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy |
| TV anime | |
| Director | Katsumi Ono |
| Writer | Naoyuki Kageyama |
| Studio | Studio Gallop |
| Network | TV Tokyo |
| English network |  The CW4Kids & Cartoon Network Network Ten CITV & Sky One (only the first 14 EP) RTE Two YTV |
| Original run | April 2, 2008 – ongoing |
| Episodes | 107 |
| Manga | |
| Author | Satou Masashi |
| Publisher | Shueisha |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Magazine | V-Jump |
| Original run | August 2009 – ongoing |
Plot
Main article: List of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's takes place decades after the events of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. Unlike GX, however, it does not follow on the story from the previous series, and almost all of the cards used are brand new.The game of Duel Monsters has changed; a new addition has been introduced to the future of dueling as seen in 5D's: "Turbo Duels". These duels are played in giant stadiums, and duelists ride motorcycles with built-in duel equipment known as "Duel Runners". Domino City has also changed, under the guidance of the head of its public maintenance bureau, Rex Goodwin ("Rex Godwin" in the Japanese version). Rich and powerful people live in what is now known as "New Domino City" ("Neo Domino City" in the Japanese version), while the poorer class are shunned and live mostly in the slums area, known as "the Satellite". They are referred to in the Japanese version as "Satellite scum" by the inhabitants of New Domino City. An aspiring duelist from Satellite, Yusei Fudo, builds his own Duel Runner, but is betrayed by his best friend, Jack Atlas ("Jack Atlus" in the Japanese ), who steals his Runner and his most precious monster, the Stardust Dragon.
After defeating the Dark Signers, Yusei and his friends get ready for the upcoming WPRG tournament, whilst facing off against a new threat with the power to repeal Synchro Monsters. During this time, Yusei encounters a mysterious man who teaches him about Accel Synchro, a super mechanic named Bruno who had lost his memory and a girl named Sherry Leblanc, who is investigating Ylliaster who are reportedly responsible for her parents' deaths. Yusei also goes to a place called Crash Town to save his friend and former Dark Signer, Kalin. The WRGP soon begins, with Team 5D's facing up against tough opponents.
[edit] Synchro Summon
A prominent new feature of the Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's series, is the use of "Tuner Monsters" and "Synchro Monsters". These new cards also update the rules of the Trading Card Game, renaming the Fusion Deck as the Extra Deck.A "Synchro Summon" is activated when a player summons a Tuner Monster and tunes it with one or more non-tuner monsters on the field. Based on the sum of the levels of each monster, a Synchro Monster of that level can be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck. For example, when a Lv3 Junk Synchron tunes itself with a Lv2 Speed Warrior, the Lv5 Junk Warrior can be summoned. These monsters can also be tuned once again in order to summon higher level Synchro Monsters such as the Lv8 Stardust Dragon. These monsters may also contain additional attributes based on the monsters that were used as material for the summon. For example, a monster's ability to not be destroyed during battle is passed onto the Synchro Monster.
In the second season, there are "Dark Synchro Monsters" that can only be Synchro Summoned by subtracting the level of a non-tuner monster with a "Dark Tuner Monster", thus creating a negative Level. For example, a Lv8 Dark Tuner Monster can be tuned with a Lv3 Monster to summon a Lv -5 Dark Synchro Monster. Dark Synchro and Dark Tuner cards are exclusive to the anime, though can be used in Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4. Dark Synchro Monsters featured in the anime are released as regular Synchro Monsters.
In the third season, a new type of Synchro Summon, known as Accel Synchro, is shown, that uses Synchro Monsters that are also Tuners with other Synchro Monsters to summon Accel Synchro Monsters during an opponent's turn.
[edit] Duel Runner
The Duel Runner features the card platform, sitting in front of the duelist, a stand for the cards in hand, which allows the duelist to ride with one hand while using the cards with the other, and a compartment for the deck located in the player's wrist. Cards sent to graveyard are inserted in a slot also located in front of the duelist. In some Duel Runner models (called hybrid models), the card platform can be detached from the bike and function as a standard Duel Disk for old-fashioned duels. An example of a hybrid model is Yusei's red Duel Runner. Other models such as Crow's Blackbird have been modified to include different formations such as a flight mode. Normally, Turbo Duels are played with the Duel Runners on auto-pilot, though more recent instances, such as Shadow Duels and tournaments, have players drive manually. In the third season, Leo and Luna use Duel Boards, Energy powered skate-boards that connect to their Duel Disks and allow them to Turbo Duel. Unlike normal Duel Runners which automatically have Speed World and Speed World 2 integrated, they must insert the raw card into their Field Spell Card Zone. Because of how the Duel Board is designed, it is significantly slower than the motorcycle based Duel Runner.
In the original Japanese language version, Duel Runners are called "D-Wheels", and Turbo Duels are known as "Riding Duels". Previews for an episode where a Turbo Duel would take place often ends with the phrase, "Riding Duel, Acceleration!" This phrase is also often used at the beginning of a Turbo Duel in the third season.
[edit] Signers and Dark Signers
A Dragon birthmark is a special mark that indicates that a person is a Signer, each birthmark represents a part of the Crimson Dragon. The five marks of the Crimson Dragon are the Head, Wings, Foreclaw, Hindclaw, and the Tail. These birthmarks react when a Dark Signer is near, or has initiated a duel nearby. Some Signers have abilities or powers that may or may not be related to the marks; for example, Akiza believes the "wretched mark" is why damage from her Duel Monsters becomes actual physical damage, despite other psychic duelists' lack of such a mark. Luna is able to travel to the Realm of Duel Monster Spirits, where her Dragon, Ancient Fairy Dragon, rules. All Signers can produce a barrier that can protect people from occurrences such as the mass soul sacrifice of an Earthbound Immortal summon. When strong emotions run through a Signer during a duel, the power of all the birthmarks is temporarily transferred to the Signer, and the tuner monster 'Majestic Dragon' (Japanese Version: Savior Dragon) appears in their deck, allowing them to make their Dragon more powerful. So far, Yusei and Jack are the only two Signers confirmed to be able to use Majestic Dragon. Furthermore, whenever the five Signers are gathered together, it is possible for the Crimson Dragon to appear. It may also appear under other extenuating circumstances, such as two Signers dueling each other even when the other Signers are not present (e.g., Jack and Yusei somehow summon the Crimson Dragon in Episode 5, in spite of their being the only two Signers in the immediate vicinity).The 5 Signers (English Version: Sign-er; Japanese Version: Sig-ner)
- Yusei Fudo (不動 遊星 Fudō Yūsei): Initially has the Crimson Dragon Tail Birthmark. He gains Rex (originally Roman's) Goodwin's Crimson Dragon Head Birthmark after defeating Rex.
- Jack Atlas (ジャック・アトラス Jakku Atorasu, Jack Atlus): Crimson Dragon Wings Birthmark
- Akiza Izinski (Aki Izayoi (十六夜 アキ Izayoi Aki)): Crimson Dragon Foreclaw Birthmark
- Luna (Luca (龍可 Ruka)) Crimson Dragon Hindclaw Birthmark.
- Crow Hogan (Crow (クロウ Kurō)): Received the mark when he teamed with Yusei to defeat Goodwin.
A true Dark Signer possesses much stronger powers than the temporary ones, with a specific birthmark based on the Nazca lines.The marks are the Condor, Spider, Giant, Lizard, Hummingbird, Whale, and Monkey.They become Dark Signers after being revived from the brink of death by an evil spirit, and they are recognizable by their black eyes, dark markings on their face and their dark clothes, though it is possible for them to change their appearance to hide their identity. While possessed Dark Signers can form a small barrier around their opponent, a true Dark Signer can produce a huge geoglyph of their respective birthmark, big enough to have a Turbo Duel in. As well as Dark Synchro Monsters, the Dark Signers possess powerful monsters known as the Earthbound Immortals (Earthbound Gods or jibakushin in the Japanese), that require the sacrifice of many human souls to summon and are based on their respective birthmarks. They either gather these from inside the Geoglyph, or from areas where they have previously sealed spirits, but the spirits return when they are defeated. Each Earthbound Immortal is at level 10.
There are currently 7 Dark Signers:
- Roman Goodwin (Rudger Godwin (ルドガー・ゴドウィン Rudogā Godowin)), the leader of the Dark Signers, with Uru, the Spider Nazca Line Birthmark and original owner of the Crimson Dragon Head Birthmark (defeated by Yusei).
- Kalin Kessler (Kyosuke Kiryu (鬼柳 京介 Kiryū Kyōsuke)), a member who was once a friend and a big brother figure to Yusei and leader of The Enforcers ("Team Satisfaction" in the Japanese; made up of Crow, Jack, and Yusei, with Kalin as the leader), with Ccapac Apu, the "Giant" Nazca Line Birthmark (defeated by Yusei).
- Devack (Demak (ディマク Dimaku)) a member who strongly detests Signers, with Cusillu, the Monkey Nazca Line Birthmark (defeated by Leo and Luna).
- Misty Tredwell (Misty Lola (ミスティ・ローラ Misuti Rōra)), a member who holds a grudge against the Black Rose for the disappearance of her brother, with Ccarayhua, the Lizard Nazca Line Birthmark (defeated by Akiza).
- Carly Carmine (Carly Nagisa (カーリー渚 Kārī Nagisa)), who was killed when psychic duelist Sayer threw her out a window in a psychic duel. Carley was revived as a Dark Signer with Aslla Piscu, the Hummingbird Nazca Line Birthmark and shares a mutual attraction to Jack (defeated by Jack).
- Greiger (Bommer (ボマー Bomā)), who became a Dark Signer after Devack was defeated. Greiger's motive is revenge against Rex, whom he believes to have destroyed his village. Greiger possesses Chacu Challhua the Whale Nazca Line Birthmark (defeated by Crow).
- Rex Goodwin (レクス・ゴドウィン Rekusu Godowin), threw the match against Roman in order to become "the ultimate god," calling on the power of the Earthbound Immortals to possess him. Rex possesses Wiraqocha Rasca, the Condor Nazca Line Birthmark. He also controls the full birthmark of the Crimson Dragon (defeated by Crow, Jack, and Yusei, with Yusei dealing the final blow).
[edit] Cast
| Character | Japanese voice actor (Seiyū) | English voice actor |
|---|---|---|
| Yusei Fudo | Yuya Miyashita | Frank Frankson |
| Jack Atlas (Jack Atlus) | Takanori Hoshino | Ted Lewis |
| Luna (Ruka) | Yuka Terasaki | Kether Donahue |
| Leo (Rua) | Ai Horanai | Tara Sands |
| Akiza Izinski (Aki Izayoi) | Ayumi Kinoshita | Bella Hudson |
| Crow Hogan | Shintaro Asanuma | Jason Griffith |
| Rex Goodwin (Rex Godwin) | Shinya Kote | Pete Zarustica |
| Tetsu Ushio (Officer Trudge) | Kouji Ochiai | Dan Green |
| Rally Dawson | Mika Itou | Bella Hudson |
| Nerve | Kensuke Fujita | Jamie McGonnigal |
| Blitz | Takahiro Hirano | Tom Wayland |
| Taka | Tomohiro Oumura | Dave Wills |
| Mikage Sagiri (Mina Simmington) | Aiko Aihashi | Rebecca Soler |
| Jeager (Lazar) | Tetsuya Yanagihara | Marc Thompson |
| Yanagi Tenzen | Bummei Tobayama | Marc Thompson |
| Jin Himuro (Bolt Tanner) | Taiten Kusunoki | Wayne Grayson |
| Divine (Sayer) | Matsukaze Masaya | |
| Bommer (Greiger) | Keiji Hirai | Sean Schemmel |
| Carly Nagisa (Carly Carmine) | Li-Mei Chiang | Veronica Taylor |
| Roman Goodwin (Rudger Godwin) | Tora Take | Marc Thompson |
| Kyōsuke Kiryū (Kalin Kessler) | Yuki Ono | Marc Diraison |
| Misty Lola (Misty Tredwell) | Junko Minagawa | Rebecca Soler |
| Demak (Devack) | Kenji Nomura | Scottie Ray |
| Placido | Nemoto Masakazu | Tom Wayland |
| Luciano | Hitomi Yoshida | Jimmy Zoppi |
| Jose | Sugou Takayuki | |
| Mysterious man of Yliaster | Jonathan Todd Ross | |
| Sherry Leblanc | Erika Nakagawa | |
| Dark Glass | Hiroki Tanaka |
[edit] Media
[edit] Anime
Main article: List of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's episodes
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's began airing on TV Tokyo from April 2, 2008, following the end of the previous series, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. As with the previous two series (Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters and Yu-Gi-Oh! GX), this series has been acquired by 4Kids Entertainment for broadcasting and began airing in the United States in September 2008.[2] It began airing on The CW4Kids, starting from September 13, 2008 and was later moved to Cartoon Network. Like the previous two series, changes have been made to the plot, cards, localized character names, as well as edits to violent scenes.[edit] Manga
A manga series based on the show written by Satou Masashi began serialization in V-Jump Monthly Magazine from August 2009. Like the manga adaptation of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the adaptation features an original storyline, different monsters, and various differences from the anime version.[edit] Video games
There are several videogames developed by Konami based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's franchise.Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Wheelie Breakers is a racing game for the Wii console in which players can use cards to lower other people's life points and overtake them. Unlike the card game, monsters use Speed Counters in order to attack their opponents, and players don't lose if their life points hits zero, rather they spin out before they can continue racing. Characters ride in Duel Runners, whilst those without them use holographic versions. The Promotional cards are Skull Flame, Burning Skull Head and Supersonic Skull Flame. The game was released in Japan on March 26, 2009, North America on May 19, 2009 and Europe on September 18, 2009.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator for the Nintendo DS is more representative of the trading card game, continuing the World Championship series of games. The game uses World Championship 2009 software, and also features a story mode, in which a duelist tries to get his memory back, though it more or less follows a similar plot to the first season. The Promotional Cards are Infernity Archfiend, Infernity Dwarf and Infernity Guardian. The game was released in Japan on March 26, 2009, Europe on May 15, 2009 and North America on May 19, 2009.[4]. This is followed by Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Reverse of Arcadia, also for the DS. Set during the Dark Signers arc, the player controls a former member of the Enforcers who has been brainwashed by the Arcadia movement. The promotional cards are Stygian Security, Samurai Sword Baron and Stygian Sergeants. It was released in Japan on February 18, 2010, North America on February 23, 2010 and Europe on March 26, 2010.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4, for the PSP and PSP Go systems, is the fourth game in the Tag Force series. The game also features the Dark Synchro and Dark Tuner monsters from the 2nd season of the anime. The game was released on September 17, 2009 in Japan[5] and will be released in North America and Europe in November 2009. The Promotional Cards are Warm Worm, Worm Bait, Regret Reborn.[6] GameZone's Louis Bedigian gave it a 7.5/10 saying "Another fun addition to the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Just don't expect anything you haven't seen before."[7]
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Duel Transer is currently in production for the Nintendo Wii system. Over 3,900 cards will be included in the game, and the game will feature Wi-Fi to enable the dueling with players around the world. No release date has been set.[8]
[edit] Movie
A 3D movie, Yu-Gi-Oh! Movie: Super Fusion! Bonds that Transcend Time, was released in Japanese theatres on January 23, 2010. It features Yusei travelling back in time and teaming up with Yugi Muto and Jaden Yuki to defeat a new enemy named Paradox. An English version is currently being developed by 4Kids Entertainment.[edit] Opening & ending themes
[edit] Japanese
- Opening themes
- "Kizuna" (絆-キズナ-, "Bonds") by Kra (Episode 1-26)
- "LAST TRAIN -Atarashii Asa- (LAST TRAIN -新しい朝- Rasuto Torein -Atarashii Asa-, "Last Train (Brand New Day)") by Knotlamp (Episode 27-64)
- "FREEDOM" by La-Vie (Episode 65 onwards)
- Ending themes
- "START" by Masataka Nakagauchi (Episode 1-26)
- "CROSS GAME" by Alice Nine (Episode 27-64)
- "-OZONE-" by vistlip (Episode 65 onwards)
- Insert songs
- "You say... Asu e" (You say…明日へ Yūsei... Asu e, "You say... To Tomorow") by La-Vie (Episode 72, 90, 92)
[edit] English
4Kids held a poll on its website allowing viewers to vote for their favorite out of several potential theme songs for the dub. At certain intervals, songs were eliminated from the competition. In the end, Hyper Drive received the most votes."Hyper Drive" (All Episodes)
[edit] Title misinterpretation
Though "5D's" stands for "5 Dragons", it has been incorrectly quoted as standing for "5 Duel Scoop." V-Jump magazine printed a feature in its "Yu-Gi-Oh! Ōkoku" (Yu-Gi-Oh! Kingdom) series in which "5DS" (without the apostrophe) was labeled as "5 Duel Scoop," with "scoop" referring to the information within the feature itself. Merchandise, television commercials, the logo itself, and other references all state the name as "Faibu Diizu". ICv2 News also has the name "5 Duel Scoop" incorrectly listed in its 4Kids article.[2] In the 4Kids version, 5D's stands for 5 Dimensions, and is labeled when televised in the UK as such. The real meaning of the title is revealed when the signers and their friends take part in the World Turbo Duel Grand Prix as "Team 5D's" in allusion to the five marks of the dragon they possess.[edit] References
- ^ Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Game Anime Sequel Confirmed - Anime News Network
- ^ a b c ICv2 News - 4Kids to Launch 'Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's'
- ^ Comic-Con 2008 :: Programming for Thursday, July 24
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5160711/nintendos-120-game-line+up-punch-out-excitebots-dated
- ^ V Jump October 2009 issue p.159-166, The Newest Tag Duel Bible p.01
- ^ http://shriek.twoday.net/stories/5707065
- ^ http://psp.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r39045.htm
- ^ V Jump October 2009 issue p.13-14, Yu-Gi-Oh-Koku World of Duelist p.14
[edit] External links
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'S at TV Tokyo (Japanese)
- NASinc. (Japanese)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'S Konami (Japanese)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's at 4Kids (English)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's at Wikia (English)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
