Yu-Gi-Oh Zexal

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal (遊☆戯☆王ZEXAL, Yūgiō Zearu, pronounced "Ze-al"), stylized as Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL, is a Japanese manga and anime series and the third spin-off of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, after the preceding Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's. The manga began serialization in Shueisha's V Jump magazine from December 2010 to June 2015 and is licensed in North America by Viz Media.

The anime series was produced by Nihon Ad Systems and TV Tokyo, and its animation was done by Gallop. It aired on TV Tokyo from April 2011 to September 2012, with an English-language version airing in North America between October 2011 and August 2013. A second series, titled Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II (遊☆戯☆王ZEXAL II, Yūgiō Zearu Sekando, pronounced "Ze-al Second"), aired in Japan From October 2012 to March 2014 and in North America from June 2013 to January 2016. The series was succeeded by Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.

The series aired on The CW's Saturday morning cartoon block, Toonzai, and continued to air on its successor, Vortexx. The series was later broadcast on Nicktoons starting April 12, 2013. After Vortexx ended, new episodes were streamed to Hulu beginning July 14, 2014. In Canada, the series aired on YTV starting June 2, 2012, while new episodes of Zexal II moved to Teletoon on May 4, 2014.

## Plot and setting

Taking place in the near future in a place called Heartland City, the story focuses on Yuma Tsukumo, a young duelist who strives to become the Duel Monsters champion, despite being an amateur. One day, during a duel with a rival named Shark, a mysterious spirit called Astral appears before him, and helps him to win. Astral explains to Yuma he is searching for his lost memories, which have been transformed into 100 Template:Nihongo cards called Template:Nihongo, which have been scattered across the globe. The Numbers have the ability to possess the duelists who own them, and bring out their darkest desires. In order to recover his memories, Astral teams up with Yuma to recover the Number cards. After coming up against a boy named Kite Tenjo, who is hunting the Numbers, Yuma and Astral gain the ability to combine their forces using the power of Template:Nihongo. Entering the World Duel Carnival tournament, Yuma finds himself up against various rivals, including the vengeance-seeking Vetrix and the maniacal Dr. Faker, who wants the Numbers for their own gain.

*Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II* takes place right after the end of the first series. In this new story, as the curtain falls on the World Duel Carnival, peace has finally returned to Heartland City. But now, forces from Barian World, a world hostile to Astral's World, are aiming at taking the "Numbers" and Astral for themselves. In order to protect Astral, Yuma, Kite, and Shark stand together to combat the Barian threat.

## Media

### Manga

A manga series written by Shin Yoshida and illustrated by Naohito Miyoshi began serialization in the extended February 2011 issue of Shueisha's *V Jump* magazine, released on December 18, 2010. The first bound volume was released in Japan on June 3, 2011. Viz Media licensed the manga in North America and began releasing the series from June 5, 2012. The manga also began serialization on the digital *Shonen Jump Alpha* from July 9, 2012. A spin-off manga written by Akihiro Tomonaga and illustrated by Wedge Holdings, titled Template:Nihongo, was serialized in Shueisha's *Saikyō Jump* magazine from April 2012 to April 2014.

### Anime

Main articles: List of Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal episodes and Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II episodes
The anime was first teased on December 9, 2010, revealing details would be unveiled at the Japanese encore screening of *Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time* on February 20, 2011. The series' name was revealed on December 13, 2010, via a leak from the February 2011 issue of *V Jump*. It was revealed that Satoshi Kuwahara would be the director, that scripts would be supervised by Shin Yoshida, that Masahiro Hikokubo would choreograph the duels, and that Hirotoshi Takaya would adapt the character designs for the anime. A one-minute promotional video was released on December 17, 2010. The anime aired on TV Tokyo between April 11, 2011 and September 24, 2012. A second series titled *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II* aired between October 7, 2012 and March 23, 2014 in a different time slot. Overall with both seasons, the total number of episodes are 146, plus 2 specials.

An English adaptation by 4Kids Entertainment premiered on October 15, 2011 on Toonzai. Although, TV Tokyo and Nihon Ad Systems filed a lawsuit against 4Kids Entertainment and demanded the termination of the *Yu-Gi-Oh!* licensing agreement with them in March 2011, a stay of proceedings was ordered preventing the termination of the contract or the resale of the franchise until a ruling was decided. Following the bankruptcy of 4Kids, all *Yu-Gi-Oh!* assets were acquired by Konami's subsidiary, Konami Cross Media NY (which at the time was named 4K Media Inc.). The series aired on Saban Brands' Vortexx block until it dissolved on September 27, 2014 and aired on Nicktoons from April 12, 2013. Episodes from #114 onwards were streamed on Hulu. Ultra Kidz premiered the series in the United States with Latin American Spanish dubbing on June 1, 2018.

### Music

There are five official soundtrack CDs, all released by Marvelous Entertainment.

* The first, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 1*, was released on September 28, 2011.
* The second, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 2*, was released on September 19, 2012.
* The third, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 3*, was released on May 15, 2013.
* The fourth, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 4*, was released on November 13, 2013.
* The fifth, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 5*, was released on November 19, 2014.

Opening Themes
* Template:Nihongo by mihimaru GT (Eps 1–25, Ep 146 ending)
* Template:Nihongo by Kanan (Eps 26–49)
* Template:Nihongo by Color Bottle (Eps 50–73)

Second season
* Template:Nihongo by Hideaki Takatori (Eps 74–98)
* Template:Nihongo by Petit Milady (Aoi Yuki and Ayana Taketatsu) (Eps 99–123)
* Template:Nihongo by Diamond☆Yukai (Eps 124–145)

Ending Themes
* Template:Nihongo by Golden Bomber (Eps 1–25)
* Template:Nihongo by DaizyStripper (Eps 26–49)
* Template:Nihongo by Moumoon (Eps 50–73)

Second season
* Template:Nihongo by Vistlip (Eps 74–98)
* Template:Nihongo by FoZZtone (Eps 99–123)
* Template:Nihongo by REDMAN (Eps 124–145)

English Opening Theme
* "Take a Chance" by Michael Brady, Shane Guenego, Arthur Murakami, & Surefire Music Group (Eps 1–73)
* "Halfway to Forever" by Michael Brady, Shane Guenego, Arthur Murakami, Jonathan Lattif, & Surefire Music Group (Eps 74–146)

### Trading Card Game

See also: Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game
Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal added new gameplay elements to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game by introducing the black Xyz monsters to the game. Xyz Monsters do not have levels, but instead are categorized by Ranks, which are located on the left side of the Card as opposed to the right. To Xyz Summon, the player must have a number of monsters on the field whose individual levels are equal to the Rank of the desired Xyz Monster. The monsters then become "Xyz Materials" by stacking together and the Xyz Monster is placed on top of the stack, which the Xyz Monster can use to trigger its effects. The removed Xyz Materials are sent to the graveyard.

### Video game

A video game based on the series titled Template:Nihongo was developed by Konami and released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS on December 5, 2013. It was released as *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal: World Duel Carnival* in North America on September 25, 2014.

## Media

### Manga

A manga series written by Shin Yoshida and illustrated by Naohito Miyoshi began serialization in the extended February 2011 issue of Shueisha's *V Jump* magazine, released on December 18, 2010. The first bound volume was released in Japan on June 3, 2011. Viz Media licensed the manga in North America and began releasing the series from June 5, 2012. The manga also began serialization on the digital *Shonen Jump Alpha* from July 9, 2012. A spin-off manga written by Akihiro Tomonaga and illustrated by Wedge Holdings, titled Template:Nihongo, was serialized in Shueisha's *Saikyō Jump* magazine from April 2012 to April 2014.

### Anime

Main articles: List of Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal episodes and Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II episodes
The anime was first teased on December 9, 2010, revealing details would be unveiled at the Japanese encore screening of *Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time* on February 20, 2011. The series' name was revealed on December 13, 2010, via a leak from the February 2011 issue of *V Jump*. It was revealed that Satoshi Kuwahara would be the director, that scripts would be supervised by Shin Yoshida, that Masahiro Hikokubo would choreograph the duels, and that Hirotoshi Takaya would adapt the character designs for the anime. A one-minute promotional video was released on December 17, 2010. The anime aired on TV Tokyo between April 11, 2011 and September 24, 2012. A second series titled *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II* aired between October 7, 2012 and March 23, 2014 in a different time slot. Overall with both seasons, the total number of episodes are 146, plus 2 specials.

An English adaptation by 4Kids Entertainment premiered on October 15, 2011 on Toonzai. Although, TV Tokyo and Nihon Ad Systems filed a lawsuit against 4Kids Entertainment and demanded the termination of the *Yu-Gi-Oh!* licensing agreement with them in March 2011, a stay of proceedings was ordered preventing the termination of the contract or the resale of the franchise until a ruling was decided. Following the bankruptcy of 4Kids, all *Yu-Gi-Oh!* assets were acquired by Konami's subsidiary, Konami Cross Media NY (which at the time was named 4K Media Inc.). The series aired on Saban Brands' Vortexx block until it dissolved on September 27, 2014 and aired on Nicktoons from April 12, 2013. Episodes from #114 onwards were streamed on Hulu. Ultra Kidz premiered the series in the United States with Latin American Spanish dubbing on June 1, 2018.

### Music

There are five official soundtrack CDs, all released by Marvelous Entertainment.

* The first, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 1*, was released on September 28, 2011.
* The second, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 2*, was released on September 19, 2012.
* The third, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 3*, was released on May 15, 2013.
* The fourth, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 4*, was released on November 13, 2013.
* The fifth, *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Sound Duel 5*, was released on November 19, 2014.

Opening Themes
* Template:Nihongo by mihimaru GT (Eps 1–25, Ep 146 ending)
* Template:Nihongo by Kanan (Eps 26–49)
* Template:Nihongo by Color Bottle (Eps 50–73)

Second season
* Template:Nihongo by Hideaki Takatori (Eps 74–98)
* Template:Nihongo by Petit Milady (Aoi Yuki and Ayana Taketatsu) (Eps 99–123)
* Template:Nihongo by Diamond☆Yukai (Eps 124–145)

Ending Themes
* Template:Nihongo by Golden Bomber (Eps 1–25)
* Template:Nihongo by DaizyStripper (Eps 26–49)
* Template:Nihongo by Moumoon (Eps 50–73)

Second season
* Template:Nihongo by Vistlip (Eps 74–98)
* Template:Nihongo by FoZZtone (Eps 99–123)
* Template:Nihongo by REDMAN (Eps 124–145)

English Opening Theme
* "Take a Chance" by Michael Brady, Shane Guenego, Arthur Murakami, & Surefire Music Group (Eps 1–73)
* "Halfway to Forever" by Michael Brady, Shane Guenego, Arthur Murakami, Jonathan Lattif, & Surefire Music Group (Eps 74–146)

### Trading Card Game

Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal added new gameplay elements to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game by introducing the black Xyz monsters to the game. Xyz Monsters do not have levels, but instead are categorized by Ranks, which are located on the left side of the Card as opposed to the right. To Xyz Summon, the player must have a number of monsters on the field whose individual levels are equal to the Rank of the desired Xyz Monster. The monsters then become "Xyz Materials" by stacking together and the Xyz Monster is placed on top of the stack, which the Xyz Monster can use to trigger its effects. The removed Xyz Materials are sent to the graveyard.

### Video game

A video game based on the series titled Template:Nihongo was developed by Konami and released in Japan for the Nintendo 3DS on December 5, 2013. It was released as *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal: World Duel Carnival* in North America on September 25, 2014.

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal TV Anime's Promo Video Streamed. Anime News Network (December 17, 2010).
2. ↑ 遊・戯・王ZEXAL 1 (ja). Shueisha. Retrieved on July 24, 2011.
3. ↑ Template:Cite book
4. ↑ Template:Cite book
5. ↑ NEW SERIES: YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL. Viz Media (July 2, 2012). Retrieved on July 3, 2012.
6. ↑ New Yu-Gi-Oh! Series to Be Announced in February. Anime News Network (December 9, 2010).
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cite error: Invalid `<ref>` tag; no text was provided for refs named `zexalreveal`
8. ↑ *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal* TV Anime Scheduled for April 11. Anime News Network (February 21, 2011). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.
9. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II to Debut on October 7 in New Timeslot. Anime News Network (September 2, 2012). Retrieved on September 27, 2012.
10. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal to Premiere on Toonzai on October 15. Anime News Network (September 27, 2011). Retrieved on September 27, 2011.
11. ↑ Eriq Gardner (March 29, 2011). 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' Creator Terminates U.S. Deal and Sues for Millions of Dollars (Exclusive). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved on June 23, 2011.
12. ↑ Judge Orders Hold on U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime License (Updated). Anime News Network (June 2, 2011). Retrieved on June 23, 2011.
13. ↑ The 4Kids 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' Transition. ICv2 (July 30, 2012). Retrieved on September 27, 2012.
14. ↑ Watch Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL Online - at Hulu. *Hulu*. Retrieved on August 1, 2015.
15. ↑ Ultra Kidz Gets Decked with the Premiere of Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL. MultiChannel (May 31, 2018). Retrieved on May 31, 2018.
16. ↑ 遊☆戯☆王 Zexal　Sound Duel　１ (ja). Oricon. Retrieved on October 1, 2011.
17. ↑ Aoi Yuki & Ayana Taketatsu Form petit milady Singing Unit. Anime News Network (March 22, 2013). Retrieved on February 2, 2014.
18. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Gekitotsu! Duel Carnival 3DS Game Revealed. Anime News Network (July 16, 2013). Retrieved on February 2, 2014.
19. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal World Duel Carnival's English 3DS Trailer Posted.
20. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal World Duel Carnival's English 3DS Trailer Posted. Anime News Network (June 9, 2014). Retrieved on February 27, 2017.
21. ↑ 遊・戯・王ZEXAL 1 (ja). Shueisha. Retrieved on July 24, 2011.
22. ↑ Template:Cite book
23. ↑ Template:Cite book
24. ↑ NEW SERIES: YU-GI-OH! ZEXAL. Viz Media (July 2, 2012). Retrieved on July 3, 2012.
25. ↑ New Yu-Gi-Oh! Series to Be Announced in February. Anime News Network (December 9, 2010).
26. ↑ *Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal* TV Anime Scheduled for April 11. Anime News Network (February 21, 2011). Retrieved on March 11, 2011.
27. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal II to Debut on October 7 in New Timeslot. Anime News Network (September 2, 2012). Retrieved on September 27, 2012.
28. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal to Premiere on Toonzai on October 15. Anime News Network (September 27, 2011). Retrieved on September 27, 2011.
29. ↑ Eriq Gardner (March 29, 2011). 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' Creator Terminates U.S. Deal and Sues for Millions of Dollars (Exclusive). *The Hollywood Reporter*. Retrieved on June 23, 2011.
30. ↑ Judge Orders Hold on U.S. Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime License (Updated). Anime News Network (June 2, 2011). Retrieved on June 23, 2011.
31. ↑ The 4Kids 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' Transition. ICv2 (July 30, 2012). Retrieved on September 27, 2012.
32. ↑ Watch Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL Online - at Hulu. *Hulu*. Retrieved on August 1, 2015.
33. ↑ Ultra Kidz Gets Decked with the Premiere of Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL. MultiChannel (May 31, 2018). Retrieved on May 31, 2018.
34. ↑ 遊☆戯☆王 Zexal　Sound Duel　１ (ja). Oricon. Retrieved on October 1, 2011.
35. ↑ Aoi Yuki & Ayana Taketatsu Form petit milady Singing Unit. Anime News Network (March 22, 2013). Retrieved on February 2, 2014.
36. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal Gekitotsu! Duel Carnival 3DS Game Revealed. Anime News Network (July 16, 2013). Retrieved on February 2, 2014.
37. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal World Duel Carnival's English 3DS Trailer Posted.
38. ↑ Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal World Duel Carnival's English 3DS Trailer Posted. Anime News Network (June 9, 2014). Retrieved on February 27, 2017.