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13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
 Exceeded my ExpectationsMay 18, 2007
By Brendan Collins
Try, for a moment, to put aside all you think you know about Yu-Gi-Oh! and imagine something completely unexpected. Forget about the children's TV series. Don't give the card games another thought. And try to get past the tons of merchandise featuring Yugi's image. Let's begin to reconceptualize the character of Yugi.
That is, essentially, all that is needed in order to more fully enjoy Kazuki Tanahashi's creation, Yu-Gi-Oh! In the Manga, Yugi isn't the tough-talking little Goth boy you might expect. Instead, Yugi seems to be the polar opposite of this characterization - and deliberately so. A comparatively small teen with awkwardly-proportioned hands and feet, the slightly-effeminate Yugi struggles daily with schoolyard bullies, cruel adults, and even the doldrums which epitomize teenage life. While everything seems stacked against him from the get-go, Yugi finds himself optimistic, enjoying life whereas other similarly-affected kids would be beaten down by these oppressive forces.
And this is because he has a mind which is constantly stimulated by the games his grandfather provides him with. You see, Yugi loves puzzles more than anything, and can make a game out of anything. This is the quality that both alienates him from his peers, and gives him limitless courage to face each trial of the schoolyard. In this sense, there's some degree of all of us - after all, who doesn't love a good game? Who among us hasn't daydreamed about getting lost in some fancy labyrinth, or of solving a particularly challenging mind game?
As a result of his passion for puzzles, Yugi becomes someone different from time to time - a personality over which he has no conscious recollection or knowledge. This Yugi is a sadist, one who has no qualms over hurting those who tread upon the weak as a means of poetic justice. This Yugi plays games of a different sort, ones which torture the players unfortunate enough to lose ("Penalty Games," dished out to those who seemingly deserve such extreme punishments - blindness, insanity, death by fire, etc.), but only those who have manipulated others and exploited their helplessness. This Yugi later becomes known as "Yama Yugi" (or, "Dark Yugi").
In creating this series, creator Mr. Tanahashi explains that he had no concept of how popular his little character would become in the marketplace and in the media. Having met with no prior success, Mr. Tanahashi had no way of anticipating what would become of his little "strange story... that centered around 'The Mysterious' in everyday life." The first appearance of the ubiquitous card game based on the Manga does not even make an appearance in this first volume (a 7-issue series which spins off into Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist and nearly concurrently, Yu-Gi-Oh! Millennium World, and today's hot property Yu-Gi-Oh! GX).
While this book is - as one might expect - very popular with the kids, it certainly isn't the average American-written "kids' book." Inside these pages are tales of abuse, murder, torture... and, sometimes, even some bawdy humour ("Never play basketball in a skirt," says Anzu, the book's female protagnist). Certainly, it is filled with goofy stories light on the plot and occasionally, heavy on the characterizations - so it's a nice, light read. It's a children's title by way of Suzuki Koji, much the same way Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro was almost a grown-up movie disguised as kids' fare.
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a fun ride, packed with calculated fear and excitement, and endowed heavily with humanizing imagery (especially poignant is the image of Yugi reaching into a box, having nearly completed the 3-D puzzle he had kept with him for eight years, his clumsy hand searching for the final puzzle piece... only to discover it was missing, for all his pains. After watching him get beaten and extorted by a much larger classmate, knowing that the puzzle was what gave poor Yugi the most enjoyment out of life... This painful little scene is almost too much for dry eyes to absorb). It may not be the best of the genre, but it does deserve the attention it has received.
It also deserves a little more respect as well, but with marketing ever the ceaseless beast, this probably isn't too likely.
12 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Hands down, one of the greatest novels I've ever read !Oct 08, 2003
By Craig Juan
When I first bought the US version of the Shonen Jump magazine in High School, I was amazed at all the stories, cept for DBZ, which I already seen like a million times on TV. Yu-Gi-Oh is one of those stories that cannot be ignored !Believe it or not, this is a manga based on the first season of the Yu-Gi-Oh series in Japan. What you saw on TV was actually the 2nd season known as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. The reason why the WB didn't take the original first season of the series was because Yami Yugi was an extremely violent character, and bringing it was out of the question...however, they accepted the 2nd season, which didn't appear to be violent at all. Before all those countless duel monster matchups and the seemingly fun Dungeon Dice Monsters, there were deadly shadow games. And if you ever wondered how Yugi first had the ability to transform into his darker self, all answers are right here on the first volume on this Shonen Jump graphic novel. As for the names of the characters. Longtime fans won't be very fond with the Japanese names, seeing as they were only used to the US names. Here they are: Yugi Mutou - Same name
Surugoku Mutou - Solomon Mutou (Yugi's Grandfather)
Katsuya Jonouchi - Joey Wheeler
Hiroto Honda - Tristan Taylor
Anzu Mazaki - Tea Gardener I applaud Shonen Jump and Viz for staying true to the original. After all, it's what the author originally intended. Unlike the Yu-Gi-Oh you've been seeing, this shows Yami Yugi's true colors. Although kind hearted and willing to protect his friends, he would challenge his enemies to a shadow game. If his opponent loses, Yugi would set a penalty game, using his dark powers. In a penalty game, the loser would either hallucinate and go crazy, get severly injured, or worse...get killed. How cool is that ? Well I can't spoil any more surprises since this IS a manga ! You'll have to figure it out on your own. My suggestion ? Rush down to your local bookstore and pick up this one-of-a-kind graphic novel. Yu-Gi-Oh fan or not, this is worth picking up, and believe me, it'll be impossible to stop reading ! Every volume of Yu-Gi-Oh just gets exciting every time. Throw out the cards and lose the dungeon dice board...because it's time to experience Kazuki Takahashi's masterpiece, the way it was meant to be ! If not...PENALTY GAME !!!!
16 of 18 found the following review helpful:
The Origin of Yu-gi-ohJun 06, 2003
Well, they have finally published the long-awaited Yu-gi-oh manga saga (one of the best manga hits in Japan). This book has spectacular art (all though odd for those who know Yu-gi-oh-- but the art concept is just early), and the stories are astounding as well as entertaining. Such as my favorite-- the one when Yami-Yugi (dark Yugi) battles with the serial killer in the hamburger restaurant.
All the stories are from the magazine called, "Shonun Jump" which contains Dragon Ball Z, Yu-Yu-Hageshou and others (for these stories, purchase other manga).
Yu-gi-oh fans will love it, and even those who just love anime will also enjoy its art, story and beloved characters such as Yugi(Yugi), Jounichi(Joey), Honda(Tristan) and Anzu(Tea). WARNING: All though the popular anime serries is rated Y-7 (for seven and up) the book eceeds that barriar by up to PG-13 (or higher-- no, not R or NC-17). Children under twelve should not read it, while kids above thirteen will love it and read it over and over again.
9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
The Yu-gi-oh OriginJun 06, 2003
~A Review from Yamiko~ This is how the whole franchaise of Yu-gi-oh cards, anime serries, toys ect. started out as. A simple manga. Although the characters's art devolpment is primary (or EARLY), and it has yet to evolve. One thing for certain is, all thought the Yu-gi-oh anmie serries is rated Y-7, this book eceeds that boundries up until PG-13 or higher (not R or NC-17). Children under the age of ten should not read it. not However, Yu-gi-oh fans of 13 years or older will love the book, and all its unique features.
The stories come straight from the high selling magazine "Shonun Jump" which contains not only Yu-gi-oh, bu Dragon Ball Z, and Yu-Yu-Hageshou (for these stories, please look at other books).
Exciting tales and wonderful art, this book is a must for any Yu-gi-oh fans.
9 of 10 found the following review helpful:
a must-have for older Yu-Gi-Oh! fansAug 29, 2003
It's great that English-translated volumes are finally being released. The Japanese volumes are way ahead of us, of course. This volume is very different from the anime that's currently airing in the U.S. (2nd Series). It begins with the 1st Series anime - though I should say reverse since the manga came out before the anime. It's even different from the 1st Series anime because Yami Yugi seems a bit more sadistic to me in the manga. This volume has 7 stories which correspond to 1st Series episodes 1 (but a different game, more vicious), 2 (a little different), 10 (a little different), and 13 (game a little different). The rest of the stories weren't in the 1st Series anime. As others have said, it isn't suitable for children. It's geared more towards teens and adults. An additional side-note - this book is read right to left like Shonen Jump. It might take a little getting used to but it preserves the way the manga is supposed to be seen/read.
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