By now, Yu-Gi-Oh! has grown into a massive franchise – with multiple anime series and several movies. Keeping track of everything can be a bit tricky. So, what’s the correct order to watch it all?
It all started back in 1996 with the original manga. Since then, Yu-Gi-Oh! has become one of the most iconic media franchises in the world. Besides the hugely popular trading card game, there’s also a long-running anime universe that includes numerous series and films – some of which are connected, while others follow their own storylines. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the watch order for the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Series & Movies – This Order Makes Sense
Unlike other big anime like Dragon Ball or Naruto, the Yu-Gi-Oh! series and movies don’t follow one clear chronological timeline. Many of the installments can stand alone and be watched independently. Still, many fans prefer to watch everything in the order it was released – to better understand how the franchise has evolved over time.
Shows
- Yu-Gi-Oh! (1998)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (2000)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (2004)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters (2006)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s (2008)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal (2011)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V (2014)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS (2017)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Sevens (2020)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush!! (2022)
Movies
- Yu-Gi-Oh! (1999)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie (2004)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time (2010)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions (2016)
How It All Began
If you want to get into Yu-Gi-Oh! from the very beginning, the best place to start is with the first series from 1998. Here we meet Yugi, a 16-year-old student who solves an ancient Egyptian puzzle – unleashing the spirit of a mysterious Pharaoh, who then becomes his companion.
Together, they take on powerful opponents in high-stakes card duels. Yugi is supported by his loyal friends Joey, Tristan, and Tea, as well as his grandfather, who plays an important role in his life.
So if you’re ready to dive into Yu-Gi-Oh! or revisit it, watching the series and movies in release order is a solid way to go – even if you don’t follow it strictly from start to finish.
