With Yu-Gi-Oh’s success and the massive growth of card game anime fandom, numerous series followed that were directly influenced by the Yu-Gi-Oh series; some of these series rose to be just as well known as Yu-Gi-Oh while others faltered or were overlooked by fans. While each anime in the card game anime genre is unique, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Here are some anime influenced by Takahashi’s masterpiece.
6 Future Card Buddyfight
Future Card Buddyfight is an anime series created by OLM Inc. The show is set in a world where players summon and team up with powerful monsters from other dimensions and compete against other players in the Buddyfight game.
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Mikado is the main character of the story, and viewers follow his adventures along with his partner, Drum Bunker Dragon. While Mikado is a novice in the game, he has high aspirations as he begins to engage in the Buddyfight competitive scene. However, things take a turn for the worse as the fights become more serious, and more than just winning or losing is at stake.
5 Bakugan Battle Brawlers
Bakugan Battle Brawlers debuted not too long after the original Yu-Gi-Oh series. The show was an exciting take on children’s competitive games that incorporated marble-like figures that can transform into various different monsters such as dragons and dinosaurs.
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In addition, these Bakugans could be empowered and modified using unique cards that could change the state of the playing field, increase Bakugan strength, and give them additional special abilities to gain an edge in battle. Bakugan Battle Brawlers lasted fifty-two episodes in its western release, but continues to have a dedicated community in Japan.
4 Duel Masters
Duel Masters is an anime series that immediately followed the original Yu-Gi-Oh series. The show followed Shobu on his journey to filling his father’s shoes and becoming a powerful duelist in the Duel Masters card game.
The Duel Masters card game possesses immensely powerful monsters that come to life during a duel. Shobu controls the legendary Bolshack Dragon and takes on some of the most talented duelists in the game, becoming stronger with every battle. The Duel Masters franchise consists of an ongoing manga, anime, and video games. The manga was widely popular and sold over four million copies and only recently ended.
3 Cardfight! Vanguard
Cardfight! Vanguard has gained significant popularity since its release and has received several anime adaptations. The first series in the franchise was released in 2011 with sixty-five episodes by TMS Entertainment. Cardfight! Vanguard revolved around a highly competitive card game, much like Yu-Gi-Oh, where players summoned monsters they could then empower with other cards and additional monsters. However, the sequels evolved the gameplay style drastically, with one iteration allowing players to embody their monsters they summoned and take place in the duel themselves.
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Cardfight! Vanguard is owned by Bushiroad, a company that produces numerous card games. The manga and anime adaptations were direct creations to promote their new toy line instead of being adapted from a pre-existing IP. Bushiroad is also responsible for Future Card fight Buddyfight series and a laundry list of others.
2 Live On Cardliver Kakeru
Live On Cardliver Kakeru is a unique member of the card game genre. The story is more focused on the development of the main character, Kakeru, who is an avid fan of the card game of the series, Live On. Unfortunately, Kakeru is more than inadequate at the game, and has never won a single match since he started playing.
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It’s not until Kakeru encounters a strange beast from another world that his life changes forever. After saving the beast, Kakeru is gifted with a one-of-a-kind card that elevates his skill in the Live On card game. However, it also gets him trapped in a dangerous scenario of global proportions.
1 Battle Spirits
Battle Spirits was an anime series spearheaded by industry juggernauts Bandai and Sunrise Entertainment. The show focused on the popular card game called Battle Spirits, which had become a global sensation and the dominant card game in the world of the show. The game sparked an international competition that became a vicious battle between nations where duels between players were extremely cut-throat.
Players possess unique materials that allow them to transport themselves to another world where the monsters they summon in their respective collections come to life. The series’ main character is a bright-eyed and charismatic young boy who gets in over his head attempting to become the best battle spirits duelist in the world.
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