Let’s start by going over some of the Yu-Gi-Oh basics. There are significant differences between the rules of Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic, though both have become increasingly complex over the years. Play with Fire | Illustration by Svetlin Velinov

Yu-Gi-Oh has a large competitive player base, just like Magic, so let’s explore this TCG to discover its crossover appeal! The TCG, published by Konami, launched in Japan in 1999 and in North America and Europe in 2002. The game proved popular with audiences and became the basis for the rest of the manga series, the anime, and the TCG that followed it. One of these was a fantasy card game called “Duel Monsters” about battling with monsters and magic. It’s not only what inspired my love of anime, it’s also what sparked my love of trading card games (TCGs). I’m still a big fan of the anime today and have watched nearly every season of it (apart from that total crap, Zexal).

I thought the adverts looked dumb and goofy at first, but I gave it a try and absolutely loved it. The anime first came on TV when I was 12 years old and firmly in its target audience.

It’s time to duel! Yu-Gi-Oh (literally, “King of Games” in Japanese) is one of my favorite childhood memories. Eliminate the Competition | Illustration by Joseph Meehan

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