Yuma Tsukumo ( manga ) Yuma Tsukumo ( " Tsukumo Yūma " ) is the main protagonist of the " Yu - Gi - Oh ! ZEXAL " manga . He is a hot - blooded young boy who is determined to become Duel Champion , despite his own amateur skills , and is partnered with the amnesiac spirit Astral to collect the " Number " cards . According to his father Kazumo Tsukumo , he is the Duelist who has the soul that governs the light of the Astral World . Biography . Yuma is introduced in the middle of having a recurring nightmare , in which demonic door beckons him , but as always , he wakes up before he can open it . He then notices that he is late for school , and rushes off . Yuma asks his sister Akari Tsukumo why didn ' t she wake him up , and she says that she is too busy in the morning with news delivery . While leaving home , her grandmother , Haru Tsukumo , stops him , ordering him to eat his breakfast . Then , at school , he meets his friends Tetsuo Takeda and Kotori Mizuki as always . During the P . E . class , Yuma tries to jump over 20 blocks , " kattobingu " , but he fails . Later , at swimming class , he tries to swim a high distance in little time , again " kattobingu " , but fails as well . At launch , Kotori asks why he tries to do those impossible things , and he answers saying that the important thing is to challenge , and that when he is with the pendant his parents gave him , he feels like he could do anything . However , later , they find Tetsuo has been forced to Duel a guy nicknamed Shark , and after being defeated , he takes Tetsuo ' s Deck . Yuma confronts him , but Shark takes his pendant and breaks it . Enraged , Yuma challenges him in a Duel . Shark accepts it , and says that they will Duel on Sunday , in the train station . Later , Yuma keeps searching for the other half of his broken pendant until late , and Kotori stays with him all the time . Tetsuo then appears and tells Yuma not to go , as he would never be able to win , and that it was a problem of his . But Yuma declines , saying that that ' s already a problem of his as well , as Shark broke his most important thing . Tetsuo then gives Yuma the other half of the pendant , saying that he found it accidentally . However , it can be clearly seen that Tetsuo was searching for it as well , judging by its hands . Sunday , when Yuma goes to Duel Shark , Kotori and Tetsuo go to watch the Duel and cheer Yuma up . Shark overpowers Yuma during the Duel , but when Yuma decides to believe in himself , his broken pendant restores itself , and Yuma uses it to open The door of his dreams . When he does so , a dark card , called a " Number " , possesses Shark , making him even stronger . However , at the same time , a mysterious entity , called Astral appears before Yuma , and tells him to " stand up and win " . Astral says that he is a Duelist , but that he lost his memories . Also , Yuma notices that nobody else can see Astral besides him . Later , seeing Shark ' s " " , Astral remembers the " Numbers " are fragments of his memories , and that he shall collect all " Numbers " in order to retrieve his memories . Also , he says " Numbers " battle to absorb each other - so , if he and Yuma lose , he will disappear . Astral gives Yuma advice during the Duel , and Yuma appears to begin a comeback . However , he flubs another move , forgetting to activate his " Bye Bye Damage " Trap Card , which could have saved him Life Points . When Shark reduces Yuma ' s Life Points to 500 and puts him in a corner , Kotori tells him not to give up , and he stands , betting everything in his draw . Yuma draws " Monster Reborn " and decides to counterattack Shark ; however , Yuma accidentally makes a misplay . Astral says that Yuma is pathetic , but that his feelings are strong , and that they will win if Yuma trusts him . Suddenly , a black card is revealed in Yuma ' s Extra Deck - Astral gave him a " Number " card , " " , which was formed through Yuma ' s and Astral ' s hope ( Note : The original name of " Utopia " is " Hope " ) . Then , using the " Number " and " Double Up Chance " , Yuma and Astral were able to win . After that , Astral absorbs Shark ' s " Number " , and Yuma tells him the Duel was fun . Shark then leaves saying that he wouldn ' t forget that . From that on , Astral becomes Yuma ' s partner . Later , Yuma is deceived by a boy named Tokunosuke Hyori , who gets interested in him as he was able to defeat Shark . He asks Yuma for his autograph , and gives Yuma " Baby Tragon " , saying that would represent their friendship . At home , Astral asks who the two people in the picture Yuma has on his desk are . He tells him that those are his parents and who never returned from their adventure . Astral recalls Yuma mentioning that his parents gave him the Emperor ' s Key and wonders if they are related to its powers . Yuma tells him to forget about that and shows him his new " Baby Tragon " card - his very own Xyz Monster . Yuma hears someone coming . His sister , Akari , enters the room and asks when he ' s planning to go to bed - she ' s trying to write a news article and Yuma won ' t be quiet . He apologizes and says he ' ll go to bed now . Seeing the card in his hand , she asks if he ' s been playing Duel Monsters . He says that of course he hasn ' t , as his sister previously forbade him to do so . Their grandmother muses that Yuma is a poor kid to be picked on like that . Akari believes that for Yuma , Dueling is more than just a game , and that it can ' t be helped . Astral is surprised to learn that Yuma isn ' t allowed to Duel and Yuma responds that his sister doesn ' t wish him to , as she believes something bad may happen . Astral thinks that perhaps Akari is aware of the relationship between Yuma and The Emperor ' s Key . Then , during the next day , Yuma Duels Tokunosuke at school . However , Tokunosuke uses " Baby Tragon " to take control of Yuma ' s " Numbers " , and reveals that the paper which Yuma signed was an agreement to bet on their best cards for the Duel . But Yuma uses " Baby Tragon " together with " Needle Swordsman " and manages to win . After the Duel , Yuma offers Tokunosuke " Baby Tragon " back , but Tokunosuke lets Yuma keep it and they become friends . After a Numbers holder attempts to rob a shopping mall , Kaito Tenjo . a Numbers Hunter , defeats him and absorbs his " Number " , alongside with his soul . Akari was investigating about the incident and asked Yuma if he knew anything about a " Numbers Hunter " . Surprised , Yuma asked why she knew about the " Numbers " . Akari asked if he knew something , but Yuma awkwardly denied . She then explained that the bandit kept muttering " Numbers Hunter " , but that she didn ' t know what that means , and that it seems to be related with Duel Monsters . Yuma then said that he couldn ' t know anything , since he is forbidden from Dueling . Akari noticed something wrong , but didn ' t say anything . Yuma then went to bed , while she kept working on the news . Later , at school , Astral discussed with Yuma about that " Numbers Hunter " , worried about what is his goal and if he would come after Yuma . However , Yuma didn ' t worry about that . As it was raining , everybody was in the class , wanting to go out and Duel . One of Yuma ' s classmates than suggests going to the gymnasium , and all rushed out towards there . In the way , it started raining more , and Kotori was getting behind . Yuma then told her to run , but when she was crossing the street , a truck was passing on it . Yuma immediately ran and pushed her out of the way , but now the truck was going to hit him . Yuma then notices he wasn ' t hit , and Astral finds the time has been stopped . Then , Kaito , the Numbers Hunter , appears . Kaito explains his servant robot , Orbital 7 , has caused the time freeze , and then , forces Yuma to a Duel , betting his " Numbers " and his soul . With no option , Yuma Duels him . However , even with his " kattobingu " spirit , he wasn ' t a challenge to Kaito , who dominated the Duel . When Kaito was about to win , Orbital 7 warns him his brother Haruto is in bad conditions , and Kaito immediately cancels the Duel and goes after him . With that , time goes back to normal , and Yuma falls on his knees , shocked on noticing how weak he is . Upon his loss to Kaito , Yuma ' s spirit is totally broken . Seeing that , Kotori tries in many ways to cheer him up , but it doesn ' t work , and she even ends up being hospitalized . Then , in order to help Yuma , his friends form the Numbers Club , with the intention of helping him collecting the " Numbers " . Then , after many research , Tokunosuke finds an information that " Numbers " exist in the Heartland Theme Park . By that way , they take Yuma to the park . However , the owner of the park , Mr . Heartland , hired three Numbers Hunters , who work in the park , collecting " Numbers " secretly disguised as employees . Yuma and his friends than go to the park , and have fun in many attractions . After trying many of them , they go to a roller coaster attraction called " Nature Crooz " , owned by a popular character from the Theme Park , Captain Corn . However , Captain Corn is one of the Numbers Hunters from the park , and as soon as Yuma enters in the roller coaster , he splits the wagons , separating Yuma from his friends , and challenging him to a Duel betting the " Numbers " . While Yuma and Corn Duel , Kotori , Tetsuo , Cathy and Tokunosuke notice Yuma ' s missing , and try to leave to look for him . But Captain Corn traps and almost kills them . However , Cathy ' s agility saved the group , while Yuma managed to defeat Captain Corn . Yuma and his friends then meet back up , and eat Captain Corn , who exploded into a pile of popcorn due the explosion of Yuma ' s " Hope Buster " . When Astral absorbs Captain Corn ' s " Number " , Mr . Heartland appears and reveals he is hunting the " Numbers " to destroy Astral ' s home , the Astral World , because it is evil , and Astral is the " messenger " . Yuma defends Astral , which makes the others do as well , but Mr . Heartland clicks his fingers , and a kind of door opens in the floor , making them fall in the " Speed Field " , another attraction in the Theme Park . There , they find another Numbers Hunter from the Park , Thunder Spark , who challenges Yuma to a " Speed Duel " in the " Speed Field " . He also gives Yuma ' s friends a helicopter , so that they can watch the Duel . However , as Yuma couldn ' t concentrate in the Duel and in the ride at the same time , Astral offered himself to instruct him what cards to play while he rides , and said Yuma to trust him . In response to Astral ' s feelings , Yuma gets very spirited and begins riding . During the Duel , Thunder Spark showed himself as a valuable opponent , but that wasn ' t Yuma ' s only problem : the " Speed Field " contains a large variety of fields , each one with different obstacles , and while Astral Dueled , Yuma had big problems driving through them . When arriving at the water field , Yuma falls in the large and deep river located in there , and almost dies . Kotori and Cathy even jumped from the helicopter trying to save him . However , as Yuma sinks , he listens to his father ' s voice , and " jets " . With Astral ' s help , Yuma manages to go back to the Duel , bringing out Captain Corn ' s " " , which together with his " Utopia " , allows him to reach victory . After a hard Duel , Astral finally reaches victory with Yuma . After Thunder Spark is defeated , Yuma thanks Astral , and they try to shake hands , but Astral ' s hand goes directly through Yuma ' s , and they just laugh on that . Yuma then goes to where Spark is , when Spark asks Yuma to shake hands , as he " did " with Astral . Yuma accepts it , but gets electrocuted with Spark ' s touch . Spark explains he could never shake hands with anyone , because he wasn ' t a human , and would electrify anyone he touched . However , happy for being able to touch a person , Spark now says his last words to Yuma , and quietly disappears in peace , letting his " Number " to Yuma . Yuma and Astral take the " Number " , as they lament Spark ' s " death " . After jumping into the Speed Field ' s river field in order to save Yuma , Kotori and Cathy were soaked . They then find a room with some female clothes , and borrow a dress for each . There , Yuma and his friends find a big door after a staircase , which they pass by , entering a dark room , decorated with lots of dolls , and featuring a big stairway leading to a Doll House . Suddenly , Cologne , another popular character from the Heartland Theme Park , comes down the stairs , holding a candlestick . She initially greets them , but when Cathy replies , she notices Kotori and Cathy are using clothes from hers . The girls try to excuse themselves , but Cologne doesn ' t listen to them , and enraged , throws the candlestick , which surrounds them with flames , and challenges Yuma to a Duel . Cologne quickly Summons her " Number " , " " ( called " Frankie " by her ) , totally overpowering Yuma . However , at a certain point of the Duel , Yuma asks her why is she so obsessed in winning and serving Mr . Heartland , and if she had any personal reasons like the previous assassin . She then tells Yuma and his friends about her past , and crying , yells that she doesn ' t want to be a miserable doll anymore . This feeling strike Yuma and the others , making Yuma hesitate about the Duel . At that time Cathy notes she was the girl who abandoned Cologne . She gets awkward and confused about what to do , but when she decides to tell the truth , Kotori says that she was the one who abandoned her , and apologizes . She did this so that Cologne soothed her anger , and that Yuma could concentrate in the Duel , but Cologne knows she is lying , and gets even angrier , throwing oil in the fire surrounding them so that it gets higher , almost hitting them . Yuma and Astral continue the Duel . However , due to involving her " Number " and Yuma ' s " Gagaga Girl " , she loses the Duel . The impact of the attack of " " throws Cologne to inside the Doll House , which was in fire . At that time , Cathy dives into the flames and tries to save her , saying that she was the one who abandoned Cologne , and had to save her . Cathy ' s noble attitude makes Yuma , Tetsuo and Tokunosuke get shocked , but in the hurry , Cathy Mix - Ups and gets out of the fire carrying one of Cologne ' s doll . This time , Yuma decides to go save Cologne , but , who comes out of the Doll House carrying her in his arms is Grandpa Demetto . Cologne ' s soul was supposed to leave her body , but Demetto gave her his own soul , which allowed her to keep alive . While he sends Cologne out of the fire towards Yuma , he is engulfed by the flames together with the field . Cologne mourns the death of Demetto , who she loved . As she had nowhere to go now , Yuma invites her to live with him in his house . Cologne asks him why he is doing that , and he answers saying that everybody that Duels him becomes his friend . Cologne accepts Yuma ' s invitation , becoming friends with him and the rest of the gang . Yuma , the Numbers Club and Cologne then run towards an iron bridge in order to escape from the Heartland Theme Park , but the exit locks , and Kaito and Orbital 7 appear . Kaito challenges Yuma to a Duel in order to obtain his " Numbers " , but Mr . Heartland shows up from the upper stairs , interrupting them . Mr . Heartland smiles and orders Kaito to defeat the messenger from the Astral World in front of him . However , Kaito says that he didn ' t become a Numbers Hunter because of his orders , and triggers Orbital 7 ' s self - explode mechanism , kicking him towards Yuma ' s gang , which destroys part of the bridge . This makes Yuma and his friends fall in the water under them , which allows them to escape . Cologne explains that Kaito has became a Numbers Hunter to protect his little brother , who is ill . Astral tells Yuma that even if Kaito ' s reasons are noble , as long as he continues being a Numbers Hunter , someday they ' ll have to fight each other . Yuma replies saying that he knows that , and when that happens , he will not lose . Later , Yuma and the members of the Numbers Club gather in Cathy ' s house . Everyone get impressed at her mansion . Astral comments that it is much better than Yuma ' s house . Cathy then tells Yuma that if he marries her , all that would be his , and Kotori doesn ' t believe she said that and yells at her . Cathy apologies with Cologne , and tells her that she can live there if she wants to . However , she just turns around and says that she likes Yuma ' s house better , and that she prefers love to money . Tetsuo then asks Cathy what she wanted to show them . She then presses a cat paw - like button , which opens a door leading to a big room , with many researchers and big computers . Cathy explains that as an apology for the trouble she caused , the Numbers Club ' s headquarters would be established there , where they can look up mysterious phenomenons happening throughout the world , and therefore , locate the " Numbers " . While the guys get amazed on the technology and say how Cathy is really put into it , Kotori sarcastically says Cathy is letting her money do the talking , while she replies saying asking if Kotori could do that . Yuma says that finding the " Numbers " is not a game , to which Astral replies saying that yet it was heartening , and advising Yuma to tell the others about the previous day . Yuma then tells them that Astral told him that now he got three " Numbers " , some of his memories have returned . Yuma asked what he remember , and Astral says his enemy is Dr . Faker , who plans on using the hidden powers of the " Numbers " to destroy the Astral World ; However , it is linked to this world . So , if the Astral World dies , this one will die as well . Kotori asks if that ' s for real , and Yuma answers saying that Astral doesn ' t lie - in fact , he can ' t lie . Cathy asks what is that hidden power of the " Numbers " , but Astral haven ' t regained that much memory yet . Takashi asks if Dr . Faker knows both worlds are connected , and Cologne says that he brought her to life , but that he is a really scary scientist , and that she wouldn ' t put it past him . Takashi and Tokunosuke get scared on how he knows about that fact but still wants to destroy the Astral World , and on how a man like that is collecting the " Numbers " . Yuma says that they have to get the " Numbers " first to stop Dr . Faker ' s plans , and Tetsuo then deduces the fate of the world is riding on this . Then , everyone , except for Tokunosuke , gets spirited up and say that they will keep on collecting the " Numbers " , and that the Numbers Club will protect the world . Astral then says to himself that thanks to Yuma , it looks as though his destiny is on the move . Non - canon appearances . In the special chapter " Destined Meeting ! ! " , Yuma sees a demonic door in a dream , and wakes up . In the next day , he meets Kotori and Tetsuo at school . Later , Yuma and Tetsuo Duel , but apparently Tetsuo defeats Yuma with ease . At night , Tetsuo searches for Yuma , as he forgot his pendant , which attracts the attention of Kaito Tenjo . When Yuma and Kotori find them , Tetsuo is down in the ground , soulless , and Kaito is standing in front of him . In order to retrieve Tetsuo ' s soul , Yuma is forced to Duel Kaito . Kaito quickly Summons " Photon Wyvern " and makes Yuma defenseless , but The Door appeared before Yuma and told Yuma to open it and he will gain new strength in return . Yuma does so and Astral appears before him and tells Yuma to active " Monster Reborn " and bring back " Ganbara Knight " , then Overlay the two Level 4 monsters to Summon " " . When " Utopia " appears , it causes Kaito ' s D - Pad to malfunction and he retreats , giving Tetsuo ' s soul back . Afterwards Astral introduces himself and ask Yuma to fight alongside him and save the Astral World . Number Hunting . Yuma received " " from Astral when the latter first appeared from the Emperor ' s Key . The card aided him in defeating Ryoga Kamishiro , winning him " " . At Heartland Theme Park , Yuma won " " from Captain Corn , " " from Thunder Spark and " " from Cologne . Other Number Hunters continue to target Yuma , resulting in him procuring " " from Eviluder . Shadow targeted him next , but Yuma gained " " , " " , " " and an upgrade for " Utopia " in the form of " " from the conflict . " Utopia " saw a second upgraded form via the use of " Rank - Up - Magic Shining Force " when Yuma Dueled Kaito Tenjo , resulting in " " . Upon defeating Kaito , Yuma obtained " " . During the Duel against E ' Rah , Yuma received a blank " Number " , previously " " , from Kyoji Yagumo . Yuma , whilst merged with Astral as Zexal , later creates " " from it . After defeating E ' Rah and returning to Earth , Astral absorbs all " Numbers " held by Yuma , expect for " Utopia " , which Yuma refuses to return to him . Yuma and Astral then Duel for " Utopia " ; although Yuma wins , Astral manages to gain control of " Utopia " with a card effect , thus finally procuring it from Yuma . Deck . Like his anime counterpart , Yuma uses a Syllable / " Number " Deck largely focused around his " " and around gathering monster to Summon it , though he makes use of other " Numbers " as well . In addition , he also has Warrior support cards such as " Oopsword " as well of cards which able to stall such as " Swords of Revealing Light " and " Negate Attack " . Yuma originally played a different Deck , but he decided to use his father ' s Deck in his Duel against Ryoga Kamishiro . Afterwards , he keeps using this Deck instead of his original one .