Yu-Gi-Oh! (series)

is a popular Japanese manga created by Kazuki Takahashi and originally serialized on the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. The original story focuses on Yugi Muto and his alter ego, Yami Yugi, with most of the conflicts being solved in the form of various gambling games. The series would spawn various anime and video game adaptations, all of which focus exclusively on the Duel Monsters game (originally called Magic & Wizards in the manga), a trading card game in which each player assembles a deck of cards depicting fantasy monsters, consisting on three types of cards: Monster, Spell and Trap, with which they challenge other –similarly equipped– opponents with the objective of defeating them and obtain the victory, as well as some of their own cards.
The series began as a manga in Japan in 1996, and since then it has grown to an immensely successful global brand, spawning various manga and anime series, video games, toys, and many other products. Most importantly, a real trading card game named Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, based on the Duel Monsters game from the story, was later developed and published by Konami, featuring cards based on the monsters from the manga and anime series. Konami also created their own cards, some of which are based on various Konami properties, which later made their way into the anime and video game adaptations. Many of these cards are based on Konami's various shoot 'em up titles, with an entire set dedicated to the Gradius series. Castlevania and Ganbare Goemon are no exception, and cards based on both franchises have also appeared in certain releases.
==References to the Castlevania series==
===Vampire cards===
The Vampire archetype is heavily based on the vampires of the Castlevania franchise, with some Yu-Gi-Oh! monsters bearing a direct resemblance to them:
*Vampire Lord is based on Dracula.
*Vampire Genesis resembles Dracula's monstrous second form in most titles.
*Vampire Lady is based on Carmilla.
*Vampire Vamp is based on the Succubus.
*Dhampir Vampire Sheridan is most likely based on Alucard.
*Vampire Hunter depicts a warrior wielding a whip, resembling a generic member of the Belmont Clan. The design of the hunter is possibly based on Leon Belmont, with what appears to be Dracula's Castle seen in the background. Furthermore, the original Japanese name of this card is Vanpaia Kirā (Vampire Killer).
**Additionally, this is the only Vampire card that is not a Zombie type card, like the rest of the cards in the archetype are.
*Vampire Voivode is based on Vlad III, a Voivode of Wallachia. Vlad III is said to be one of the primary inspirations of Count Dracula. The card's artwork bears a strong resemblance to many character designs from the Castlevania series.
*Vampire Kingdom appears based on the villages of Transylvania, with the old Dracula's Castle in the background.
*Patrician of Darkness, a card related to the Vampire archetype, resembles Dracula's early design.
*Although Vampire Grimson is based on the Grim Reaper, Spirit Reaper, a card related to the Vampire archetype, bears more of a resemblance to Death from various Castlevania games.
Coincidentally, if Vampire Hunter battles an opponent's Vampire Lord, the latter will be destroyed, but will return to the field by its own effect. This mimics how Dracula always returns to face the Belmont Clan after every defeat. Since Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game was developed by Konami, it is quite possible this card design reference was intentional.Card Trivia: Vampire Lord
===Other cards===
*Skull Servant bears a resemblance to Zombie enemies, with its Japanese name being Wight, a related enemy from some Castlevania games. The card's artwork depicts the creature wearing a purple cloth, highly similar to the Zombie's artwork from Castlevania.
*Lesser Fiend bears a strong resemblance to Lesser Demon, even having a similar name.
**In the original Japanese print of the card, the artwork depicts the creature with horns and demonic wings, the latter of which further resembles the Castlevania creature. Its name also matches the creature's: Lesser Daemon (Demon).
==Gallery==
Yu-Gi-Oh! - Vampire Hunter - 01.png|Vampire Hunter
Yu-Gi-Oh! - Spirit Reaper - 01.png|Spirit Reaper
Yu-Gi-Oh! - Vampire Voivode - 01.png|Vampire Voivode
Yu-Gi-Oh! - Skull Servant - 01.png|Skull Servant
Yu-G-Oh! Lesser Fiend 5D's Video Game Artwork.jpg|Lesser Fiend(Japanese artwork)
==References==
==External links==
*Yu-Gi-Oh! at the Yu-Gi-Oh! Wiki
Category:Cameo Games