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. Weirdly though, 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.
Plot
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. (There is significantly less emphasis on class in the
4Kids adaptation.) 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.
The Crimson Dragon, as seen during Yusei and Jack's Turbo Duel.
Two years later, Yusei has built another Duel Runner, and sets out to win back his Dragon and regain the bonds he once had with his friend. Jack, now known as the Duel King (King of the Riding Duel in the Japanese version), has made a name for himself and his monster, the Red Dragon Archfiend (Red Demon's Dragon in the Japanese version), in New Domino City. Yusei and Jack face each other in a Turbo Duel, and during the duel Yusei is able to regain control of Stardust Dragon. As Stardust and Red Dragon Archfiend battle, a third dragon appears and brings an abrupt end to the fight. This attracts the attention of Rex Goodwin, who reveals to Jack a thousand year old secret, involving the "People of the Stars"
(星の民 Hoshi no Tami?), a pre-Incan civilization, the "Crimson Dragon"
(赤き竜 Akaki Ryū?), and "Signers"
(シグナー Shigunā?). He also reveals to Jack that him, along with Yusei are descendants of them and are destined to face the Dark Signers. Yusei, along with Jack, Akiza Izinski (Aki Izayoi in the Japanese version), and Luna (Luca in the Japanese version) head to the Satellite to face these foes, with the help of Leo (Lua in the Japanese version) and Crow Hogan (just Crow in the Japanese version) who becomes the fifth Signer.
After defeating the Dark Signers, Yusei and his friends get ready for the upcoming WRGP tournament, whilst facing off against a new threat with the power to seal 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.
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.
Duel Runner
Yusei riding his Red Duel Runner during a Turbo Duel.
As well as the normal standing duels, the latest Yu-Gi-Oh! series features the "Turbo Duels", an all-new style of duel in which the players ride "Duel Runners" (or simply "Runners" for short), motorcycles with Duel equipment. Compared to the previous series, dueling with Runners contain some special rules. First, the duel is entirely played using the field spell "Speed World", which is activated by both players when the duel begins; it is possible to force a duel with someone on a Duel Runner by playing the card (a tactic generally used by Security when pursuing someone). Second, only spell cards designed to work into this field, known as Speed Spells, are allowed in the duel. Each spell needs a number of "Speed Counters" to be activated. Each duelist starts with zero Speed Counters and its number increase by one in each standby phase(there are two of these in one turn), up to a maximum of 12. The number of speed counters also affects the actual speed of the Duel Runner. A player's Speed Counters are reduced by one for every 1000 points of damage done to their Life Points. When a winner is decided, the Duel Runner of the defeated duelist shuts down automatically. Normally, Turbo Duels are played with the Duel Runners on auto-pilot. However, they may be switched to manual mode for a more risky duel, or if more maneuverability is required, and a race to pass a corner first often decides who starts. In the manga, Speed World and Speed Spells are not used.
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. 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 has 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 third season, Turbo Duels use an upgraded version of Speed World, called Speed World 2. On top of using Speed Spells, Speed Counters can be traded in for effects such as damaging the opponent or drawing an extra card. Also, counters are no longer lost when taking damage. New Domino City has built specific lanes dedicated to Turbo Duels, that separate themselves from the regular traffic when a duel is activated. The duel is called off if the lanes become damaged.
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.
/* 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' (JP: 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). Yusei Fudo (JP: Yuusei Fudou, 不動 遊星, Fudō Yūsei): Initially has the Crimson Dragon Tail Birthmark. He gains Roman's Crimson Dragon Head Birthmark after defeating Rex. Jack Atlas (JP: Jack Atlus ジャック・アトラス, Jyakku Atorasu): Crimson Dragon Wings Birthmark Akiza Izinski (JP: Aki Izayoi 十六夜 アキ, Izayoi Aki): Crimson Dragon Foreclaw Birthmark Luna (JP: Luca 龍可, Ruka) Crimson Dragon Hindclaw Birthmark. Crow Hogan [His last name is not given until the third ending theme of the Japanese version, and he doesn't appear to have a last name in the American dub] (クロウ, Kurou): He inherits Yusei's Crimson Dragon Head Birthmark during the team duel against Goodwin. Their rivals are the Dark Signers. There are two kinds, those who are true Dark Signers after being resurrected from death, and those that are temporarily possessed into becoming one (called Shadow Drones in the dub). Dark Spiders land on people and attach themselves onto their neck, giving a person a spider shaped birthmark and infusing him/her temporarily with dark powers, and giving them Dark Tuner and Dark Synchro monsters. They can initiate Shadow Duels, in which a fiery barrier is formed around their opponent, and monsters cause real-life damage with their attacks. However, once a possessed Dark Signer is defeated, the person has no memory of being a Dark Signer and all influence by the spider birthmark is removed. As of Episode 27 they have taken over Dick Pitt, a Satellite Street Fighter whom Carly identified, as well as Officer Trudge. 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 (JP: 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 (JP: 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 Yuusei, with Kalin as the leader), with Ccapac Apu, the Giant Nazca Line Birthmark (defeated by Yusei). Devack (JP: Demak) a member who strongly detests Signers, with Cusillu, the Monkey Nazca Line Birthmark (defeated by Leo and Luna) Misty Tredwell (JP: 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 (JP: 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 (JP: 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) Duels involving Dark Signers invoke physical damage, similar to Psychic Duelists' duels, but to a greater extent. In addition, both the Dark Signer and the opponent can cause such damage (in Psychic duels, only the psychic duelists themselves have this power). Unlike duels against possessed Dark Signers, losing a true Shadow Duel causes the losers to turn to dust. When a Dark Signer loses a duel, all the souls used for the summoning of their Earthbound Immortal, as well as non-Dark Signers who have lost in Shadow Duels, are freed. The Dark Signers also have the ability to swap out with one of their captives. Unlike possessed Dark Signers, the hostages are fully conscious and have to duel in order to survive. After Yusei defeats Rex, he and his brother, Roman, pass on to the afterlife while the other Dark Signers are revived and restored to their normal selve.
Media
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 bagan airing in the
United States in September 2008.
[2] It began airing on
The CW4Kids, starting from September 13, 2008. Like the previous two series, changes have been made to the plot, cards, localized character names, as well as edits to violent scenes.
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 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.
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Stardust Accelerator for the
Nintendo DS is more representative of the trading card game. 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. Both games were released in Japan on March 26, 2009 and North America on May 19, 2009 and are published by
Konami.
[4].
A third 5D's video game,
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Tag Force 4, is for the
PSP and
PSP Go systems, which 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]Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's Duel Transer has also been confirmed to be 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.
[7] The latest Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's game to be announced is World Championships 2010 - Reverse of Arcadia. Not much has been announced about this game as of yet. It will have several new characters like Sayer, Crow Hogan, Kalin Kessler and Carly Carmine. It is also expected to follow the Dark Signers Arc of the anime judging by several in-game screen shots. Some of the screen shots also showed that you will be able to use the Duel Runner like Stardust Accelerator before it. The Release Date for the US is February 23, 2010.
[edit]Opening & ending themes
[edit]Japanese
OP1 : Kizuna- (絆 - キズナ -)" by
Kra (Episode 1-26)
OP2 : Last Train - Brand New Morning -
(LAST TRAIN -新しい朝- Rasuto Torainu -Atarashii Asa-?) by
Knotlamp (Episode 27-64)
[8] OP3 : "FREEDOM" by
La-Vie (Episode 65 onwards)
ED1 : "START" by Masataka Nakagauchi (Episode 1-26)
ED3 : "-Ozone-" by
vistlip (Episode 65 onwards)
Insert Song: "You Say - Towards Tommorow"
(YOU SAY - 明日へ -?) by
La-Vie (Episode 72, 91, 93)
[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)
