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 solving the Millennium Puzzle. This series loosely adapts the first 59 chapters of the manga while adding several original events and characters; fans commonly refer to it as "Season 0" to distinguish it from the later Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. The series was broadcast on TV Asahi from April 4, 1998 to October 10, 1998 and was followed by a theatrical short film released on March 6, 1999. The opening theme is "A Dry Yell" (渇いた叫び) by FIELD OF VIEW while the ending theme is "Even If You Were to Break Tomorrow" (明日もし君が壊れても) by WANDS.

Characters

The Toei series made Miho Nosaka, a minor character in the manga, into a main character.

Episode list

Home video releases

Reception

Timothy Donohoo of Comic Book Resources characterized the series as "noticeably darker" compared to other Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Some stories from the original manga are expanded, while others were not covered in this series. Some violence was reduced compared to the original work. Compared to ''Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, the Duel Monsters'' card game is less of a focal point in this series, which was adapted from the earlier chapters. The Toei series has a different visual style than ''Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters'', as it was referenced from 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". Seto Kaiba has green hair in this show, although the sequel film associated with this series uses brown hair for Kaiba.