It’s hard to believe that Yu-Gi-Oh! is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary. It feels like only yesterday that this manga, anime, and gaming juggernaut first appeared. The franchise originally debuted in 1996, at a time when Japanese pop culture hadn't yet entered the global mainstream the way it has today. And yet, Yu-Gi-Oh! hasn’t just endured — it has thrived. Fans around the world are now celebrating a remarkable 25 years of dueling action.

As part of the festivities, Japan has released a new promotional video that takes viewers on a journey through the entire Yu-Gi-Oh! anime timeline. The anniversary video looks back at iconic scenes from the eight Yu-Gi-Oh! TV series and two movies, featuring memorable music and showcasing the intense duels between the different main characters throughout the years.

From Manga Pages to Global Phenomenon

Gaming the System: Yu-Gi-Oh! in Video Games

Originally debuting as a manga in Shōnen Jump magazine, Yu-Gi-Oh! was created by Kazuki Takahashi. The anime adaptation, which ran from 2000 to 2004, achieved worldwide popularity, bolstered by the success of the Yu-Gi-Oh! trading card game. Over the years, the franchise has continued to thrive with sequels and feature films.

Building upon its initial success, the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise expanded its reach with video game adaptations that let fans experience the series interactively. Notably, titles like Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories for the PlayStation and Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Duel Stories for the Game Boy Color was released in the U.S. in March 2002, boosting the franchise’s global popularity.

A Time of Celebration For Yu-Gi-Oh! Fans

Here’s to the Next 25 Years

In 2025, Yu-Gi-Oh! celebrates its 25th anniversary with a variety of special projects and events. The latest anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush!!, continues to air, while a new short anime series, Yu-Gi-Oh! CARD GAME THE CHRONICLES, produced by KONAMI, will begin monthly releases in April, exploring the world of the card game. A live event, “25th Duelist Live Kingdom,” will be held on July 12 in Tokyo, featuring theme song performances and cast appearances from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. The year will also see the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship 2025 takes place in Paris from August 30–31.

In the meantime, the new 25th-anniversary promo video is a great reminder of just how awesome Yu-Gi-Oh! has been over the years. From epic duels to unforgettable characters, it brings back all the memories that made us fall in love with the series in the first place. Whether you’ve been a fan since the beginning or just got into it recently, it’s clear Yu-Gi-Oh! still has plenty of heart. Here’s to 25 amazing years — and hopefully many more to come!

Source: Anime! Anime!