Quote:Yu-Gi-Oh! is a strange beast, really. (and I can track back my association with it through a friend several years before it became popular here). On one hand, it has a seriously deep history tracing back to Ancient Egypt, and features beings being called forth that are, essentially, Gods(and lesser beings of Power, as well, but the three primary ones are GODS, not god-monsters, god-beasts or whatever inanity the dub is trying to inflict on the unsuspecting public, serving the will of the Pharaoh. On the other, a lot of it is couched within a marketing ploy for the card game. That same lot of it, coincidentally, is where the story really deepens and expands into something really spectacular. Above all, it is a story about a boy growing up. IN peculiar circumstances, to be sure. (I mean, he's the reincarnation of a millenia-dead pharaoh, who just happens to be bonded to the soul of that same Pharaoh.)
I've tried to watch Yu-Gi-Oh! and quite honestly, I couldn't. It affects me much like Pokemon does -- which is to say, I'd rather switch to Jerry Springer or Dr. Phil. (Bleccch.) Now, the manga may be radically different, and not bug the hell out of me, but I have no idea. I suppose I ought to look for it next time I'm in Borders or Kinokuniya, as I seem to recall spotting an English-language version.
As for the dub. Bleh. I'm not surprised you weren't able to watch it for long, Bob. THat is an atrocious nightmare. One of the few televised anime where they do their damnedest to keep the plot as complete as possible while cutting out any and all references to death of any sort. (despite the utter improbablity of some of their contrivances).
Example:
Original: Yami no Yuugi duels Pandora, a stage magician. The two of them are shackled at the legs, and every time the life point count goes down, a buzzsaw comes closer to cutting them off at the ankles.
Dub: Yugi duels Arkana, a stage magician. And, instead of a buzzsaw, it is a Dark Energy Disc that will send their mind to the shadow realm.
Original: Yami no Yuugi & Seto Kaiba duel Mask of Light and Mask of Darkness. When each life counter hits zero, the glass platform they are standing on will shatter, sending whoever down thirty stories to their death.
Dub: Yugi & Kaiba duel Umbra & Lumis, and if they lose, their 'Shadow Boxes' will send them spiralling into the shadow realm.
(note: Umbra loses, and somehow is saved from being lost in the 'Shadow Realm' forever by a PARACHUTE. Yes, friends, parachutes can save you from damnation in a nebulous mystical realm. For only nine easy payments of 9999.99.)
The Shadow Realm business is a creation of the dub. Pure and simple. Only those holding Sennen Items can invoke a Game of Darkness(and that only serves to make the game have higher stakes. Generally some punishment is enacted by the wielder of the sennen item when he wins.)
Ranting aside, it would be an interesting world to see Doug in. The game literally is -widespread- in this world. Damn near everyone plays Duel Monsters(some with a better degree of skill than others). And later, when the Battle City arc gets into full swing(arguably the best part of the entire show/manga), situations arise that Doug would be uniquely suited to dealing with. (armies of mind-controlled goons, all targeting Yuugi because Malik wants to Kill the Pharaoh. It would be interesting to see how he reacts to these people and the utter intricacies of the game. (for a relatively straightforward game, it is also very complex, but easy to grasp, unlike, say, Magic or Vampire).
As for theme decks. I don't know that Doug would really like that method of combat. It tends to be very hands off, as things go. You order them around, and they do the fighting for you.
The important thing to note, though, is that in certain instances, they become more than just holograms. Any Game of Darkness means the monsters are REAL. (including God Cards, who come with whole sets of special abilities(though these are only applicable in the anime/manga, as the God Cards are just for show in the game).
That aside, as I said, there's a lot of interesting backstory to what is going on, but it often gets smooshed behind the merchandising, sadly.
"This hand of mine glows with an awesome power. Its burning grip tells me to defeat you....
Shining FINGER!" -Domon Kashuu, Mobile Fighter G Gundam