Yu-Gi-Oh! Chapter 342 Discussion
- Thread starter Galanteo
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This story progressed through many different phases, from Yugi putting together the Millennium Puzzle and playing mind games with criminals to him entering duelist Kingdom and playing through Duel Monsters to their travels through the Millennium World of past Egypt. The Millennium World Arc took some getting use to, but so did the transition to Duel Monsters, and I still don't know how I feel after the reveal that the Millenium World was just an RPG, but it all worked together. This story progresses and evolves from start to end with such a constrast in flow and feeling, but tells a great story with amazing characters. I actually felt sad when I finished the story (mostly due to the ending) but partially due to the fact that I won't be joining the group (Yugi, Jounouchi, Honda, Anzu, and Bakura) on their travels anymore. But it was well worth the journey and I look forward to rewatching the series, and exploring the continuation of the story through GX, 5Ds, R, etc.
I also really liked what the author wrote at the end since it was very touching and summed up the series really well.
Author's Note:
For seven long years, I've traveled with Yu-Gi-Oh. I think I've been able to draw the themes I've wanted to express, but as I end the series, my main concern is whether I've transmitted my message to my readers.
From the moment Yugi put together the Millennium Puzzle, the "other self" appeared in his heart. The time needed to explore two main characters turned this into a long series.
In our daily life, we never get to see ourselves except by standing in front of a mirror. But even a mirrior won't reflect our hearts. The main characters of this work won the courage and strength of will to face each others' hearts.
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As we go about our lives, we touch people, we see people, and interact with them; and in doing so we feel and think many things. Sometimes we make others happy, sometimes we hurt them, we sympathize, and we disagree. In the midst of this, we learn that people's thoughts and feelings are not a one-way street. You may say that's something very basic and natural, but what I wanted to draw and write in this work was just that interaction between people, and in order to do that, I used "games".
The games that the charactesr played were not played facing monitors, but facing other people. The opponents they played were the mirrors that reflected their hearts. In a basic sense, they fought each other's spirits. Because this was a manga, it was deeply colored by the battle between good and evil, but I think the basis of the "game" was to clarify what lies between people. I think this was the reason that the Yu-Gi-Oh card game became so successful all over the world.
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In my mind, Yu-Gi-Oh has been completed. But throughout the world, many people are taking my work and the cards in their hands. In gratitude for that, I would like to prolong the world of Yu-Gi-Oh for just a little while longer.
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I borrow the end of this book to thank all of those who have participated in this world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Kazuki Takahashi April 14, 2004