In both the anime and the trading card game, there are three types of cards: Monster, Magic, now known as Spell, and Trap. Thousands of cards have featured in the many incarnations of Yu-Gi-Oh!, but, much like first generation Pokémon, none stand out quite like those from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. Among the countless cards seen in seasons 1-5, a select few outshine the rest.

10 Kuriboh

A Little Furball with Lots of Potential

Kuriboh may be one of the weakest Monsters in the game, but it brings a lot to the table. When attacked, a Duelist can discard Kuriboh to avoid losing any Life Points. This little guy can also be used in various defensive and misdirection strategies. Yugi makes excellent use of this card throughout the series and certainly has a soft spot for it.

During the season 3 “Virtual World” arc, the mechanic of “Deck Masters” is introduced. A duelist must choose a Monster to serve as their Deck Master, which grants the Monster special abilities. Kuriboh makes itself Yugi’s Deck Master and is able to multiply itself into a protective wall to protect Yugi’s Life Points at a crucial moment.

9 Exodia The Forbidden One

The OG of Powerful Rare Cards

Exodia is a powerful and unique Duel Monster that consists of five cards: the head, right arm, left arm, right leg, and left leg. In a game, when a Duelist draws all five pieces, they automatically win the duel. In the anime, Exodia delivers a powerful final attack to cap off a victory.

Exodia is introduced in episode #1 during Yugi’s Duel against Seto Kaiba and seems like he’ll be Yugi’s juggernaut moving forward. However, a few episodes later, Weevil Underwood, known as Insector Haga in the Japanese version, throws the cards into the ocean on the voyage to Duelist Kingdom. Joey Wheeler, whose Japanese name is Katsuya Jonouchi, dives in after them but can only rescue two, thus ending Exodia’s run as one of Yugi’s Monsters.

8 Time Wizard

A Literal Time Machine that Benefits Lucky Duelists

While the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG simplifies this card’s ability to destroy Monsters with a coin toss, the anime makes Time Wizard’s effect far more interesting. On a successful spin of its arrow, Time Wizard accelerates time, typically destroying an opponent’s Monsters from advanced age. On a failed spin, Time Wizard and the Duelist’s own Monsters are destroyed, and the Duelist loses Life Points equal to half of their combined Attack Points.

After receiving this card from Yugi in episode #3, Time Wizard quickly becomes one of Joey’s most played cards. In episode #12, it wins him another of his favorites, the Red-Eyes Black Dragon, from Rex Raptor, named Dinosaur Ryuzaki in the original Japanese dub. Joey uses Time Wizard against several other notable Duelists, including Mai Valentine and Seto Kaiba.

7 Monster Reborn

A Revival Card Formerly Known as "Reborn the Monster"

This Magic Card has featured in countless duels throughout Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters’ five seasons. Most Duelists have at least one copy in their deck. As its name suggests, Monster Reborn can bring one Monster back from the graveyard. Most notably, it can revive Monsters from either Duelists’ graveyard regardless of who activates it, making this card especially useful.

While most Duels utilize Monster Reborn to bring back a Duelist’s own fallen Monsters, some showcase instances of the opposite. Yugi in particular uses Monster Reborn to turn his opponent’s Monster against them on several occasions. Season 3 episode #40 even features a double revival of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Joey destroys and brings back Kaiba’s card, only for Kaiba to then destroy it and revive Blue-Eyes back under his control.

6 Red Eyes Black Dragon

Joey's Trademark Dragon Monster

The Red-Eyes Black Dragon is one of Joey Wheeler’s signature cards. After winning it from Rex Raptor, Joey uses Red-Eyes throughout the Duelist Kingdom arc to secure his place in the finals. Unfortunately, he loses the card early on in season 2 to a Rare Hunter. After learning of Joey’s loss, Yugi challenges the Rare Hunter and wins Red-Eyes back.

When Yugi tries to return the card, Joey refuses, stating that Yugi rightfully won it and would need it for the Battle City Tournament. He also notes that now he and Yugi have a part of each other in their decks, since Yugi previously gave Joey the Time Wizard. Yugi and Joey later Duel off-screen in the finale of season 3, and Red-Eye reappears in Joey’s deck in season 4, implying that he won.

5 Pot of Greed

A Magic Card So Handy It's Forbidden

While famously banned from official Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG tournaments due to its lack of restrictive properties, Pot of Greed makes regular appearances in the original Yu-Gi-Oh! series. This Magic Card allows the Duelist to draw two cards when activated. In the anime, Pot of Greed is often utilized to give characters cards they need at pivotal moments, but will sometimes be used to add suspense when lackluster cards are drawn instead.

In season 4 episode #10, Pot of Greed shows up in a unique way. At Pegasus's request, Yugi and his friends travel to Industrial Illusions headquarters to discuss a new threat to the world. Upon their arrival, his soul has already been captured, but prior to this, Pegasus managed to hide a vital card for Yugi within a Pot of Greed statue.

4 Toon World

The Manifestation of Pegasus's Inner Child

Toon World is a truly unique Magic Card inspired by Pegasus’s love of cartoons. He owns the only copy in existence. In the trading card game, this Magic Card permits Toon Monsters to be summoned. In the anime, it allows Pegasus to turn Monsters on his side of the field into Toon versions of themselves and also protects them.

Toon World nearly caused the ultimate downfall of two of the series' greatest Duelists. In episode #27, Pegasus makes a mockery of Kaiba’s Blue-Eyes White Dragons by transforming it into a Toon. Toon World proves too powerful for Kaiba, and he loses the Duel and, temporarily, his soul. Pegasus nearly defeats Yugi in the Duelist Kingdom Finals using similar tactics, but Yami Yugi and Yugi turn the tables on him with a multi-card strategy.

3 The Egyptian God Cards

A Powerful Trio Destined to Serve the Pharaoh

Obelisk the Tormentor, Slifer the Sky Dragon, and The Winged Dragon of Ra are the most significant cards to the series’ overall plot. In season 2, it’s revealed that the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle, Yami, is that of an ancient Pharaoh and the Egyptian God cards are needed to restore his lost memories. Only one of each God Card exists.

Yugi wins all three by the end of season 3, only for them to be stolen by Dartz’s henchmen in season 4 episode #1. Yugi later wins them back from Dartz and uses them to defeat The Leviathan. In season 5, after learning his true name is Atem, Yami Yugi fuses the Egyptian God Cards into “Holactie the Creator of Light” and defeats Zorc, the final villain of the series.

2 Blue-Eyes White Dragon

Seto Kaiba's Most Beloved Card

Long before the Red-Eyes Black Dragon or God Cards entered the picture, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon dominated center stage as Yu-Gi-Oh!’s most iconic dragon. It’s an absolute staple of Seto Kaiba’s deck, having appeared countless times throughout the original series, and has a bittersweet origin. Season 5 reveals that many modern-day Duel Monsters share connections with ancient figures whose souls merged with Shadow Creatures, also known as Ka or Spirit Monsters.

The Blue-Eyes White Dragon was born from Kisara, a white-haired, blue-eyed woman who Kaiba’s ancient Egyptian counterpart, High Priest (or Sacred Guardian) Seto, saved from slave traders when they were children. Years later, they reunited, but she died protecting him and bestowed him her power. Kaiba’s deep love for the card in modern times echos Kisara’s and Priest Seth’s bygone friendship.

1 Dark Magician

The Modern Echo of an Ancient Friend

The Dark Magician is practically Yu-Gi-Oh!’s mascot. He is Yugi’s premier Monster Card and appears in almost all of Yugi’s duels. He can be played in tandem with many Magic Cards, Trap Cards, and Summons, making him a highly strategic Duel Monster. Yugi’s and Yami Yugi’s attachment to the Dark Magician, however, goes beyond his versatility.

The Dark Magician was created back in ancient times when Mahad, Pharaoh Atem’s close friend and High Priest, merged his soul with the Spirit Monster “Illusion Magician.” He then vowed to continue serving Atem in his new form. In episode #1, Yugi’s injured grandfather gives Yugi the card to help him defeat Kaiba. Since Yugi is the Pharaoh’s modern-day counterpart, having this card in his deck brings its ancient connections full circle.