Almost all fans know that the Yu-Gi-Oh!’s cast has some of the most iconic and beloved heroes in anime history. From the titular protagonist of the original Duel Monsters show to the determined Joey Wheeler, there have been several characters who have helped keep the franchise interesting over the years.

Nonetheless, none of these cherished heroes have been able to utilize the full potential that the anime has to offer. The only character whose story and evolution perfectly embody what being a player is like is the often-overlooked rival of the GX anime, Chazz Princeton. His story and changes over the years are the prime example of what the game created by Kazuki Takahashi is truly like.

Chazz Is the Only Character Whose Deck Evolves Alongside Him

The Student Used Over 7 Strategies in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX

As most Yu-Gi-Oh! fans might be aware, the anime series has been known for giving its main characters a single deck to use throughout their journey. While the best duelists in the series, like Yugi or Kaiba, alter their original deck as they acquire new cards, the idea behind their strategies rarely changes. For example, Seto was recognized as the most prominent Blue-Eyes White Dragon in the franchise. But few characters have abandoned their previous strategies entirely in favor of a more fitting archetype.

The biggest example of this phenomenon is best explored through one of Yu-Gi-Oh!'s best and most iconic rivals, Chazz Princeton. When the student was first introduced, he was the wielder of the Chthonian monsters, a strategy focused on dealing effective damage to the opponent. His strategy was feared by most of his peers, as he had become one of the best duelists of his age before entering Duel Academy. His defeat at the hands of Jaden prompted him to abandon his original strategy and instead pilot a VWXYZ deck to flaunt his money and power.

Chazz lost his deck while traveling to the North Academy, being forced to use random cards to create an impromptu deck that could be used to enter the school. This would mark the end of his search for identity, allowing him to commence looking for what his ultimate deck would be. The teenager attempted to play with both Ojama and Armed Dragon decks before deciding to combine the two. His story falls in line with what most fans experience, trying several decks through the years before finding one that aligns with their play style.

Chazz’s Decks Demonstrated His Character Development and Growth Over Time

The Boy Went Through Many Phases in Search of His Identity

Besides showing a wide variety of strategies that viewers could become interested in, Chazz's continuous search for a deck coincides with his evolution as a character. His first cards, the Chthonian, were all about overwhelming the opponent with strong monsters and damaging them if they managed to destroy them. This strategy mirrored Chazz’s idea of power, always trying to destroy and humiliate his opponents in and out of the arena. His next deck, the VWXYZ combo, had a similar meaning, but it also embodied his belief in being superior for having more money and influence than others.

After losing several times against Jaden, the boy began to search for who he truly was, leaving behind his family’s toxic behaviors. His Ojama deck signified Chazz accepting himself as a duelist who loved the game instead of the ruthless conqueror his brothers made him. By the time he obtained his final deck, the fusion between Ojamas and Armed Dragon, the boy had discovered his true self, a confident, arrogant, righteous player who would fight for his friends if needed. Chazz might not have been among the best duelists in the franchise, but he had one of the most amazing developments.

Chazz Progression Was a Perfect Marketing Opportunity

His Decks Allowed Fans To See How Many Strategies They Could Play

Despite being among the best kids' anime ever created, Yu-Gi-Oh! is also known for being an effective commercial for the homonymous card game. Some of the show's beloved characters did this effectively by utilizing their signature strategy continuously. Yugi was able to take his iconic signature monster, the Dark Magician, and transform it into one of the most recognizable creatures in anime. Yet, the fact that the characters were only able to use one strategy made it so that only certain archetypes became popular.

Chazz’s journey was the perfect opportunity for the franchise to demonstrate its full potential, allowing a main character to wield several strategies. Each time the boy altered his strategy, viewers would be introduced to an entirely new deck they could buy and play in real life. Even though most of his archetypes tended to fall behind quickly, as none of them achieved the level of competitive success that other anime decks had, they were still popular among fans. Chazz might often be overlooked, but his story and evolution cannot be discounted.