So, if you're an anime fan looking to enter the world of Yu-Gi-Oh!,whether to relive the nostalgia or start your journey for the first time, you've come to the right place! With its action-packed plot, epic duels, and memorable characters, Yu-Gi-Oh! has won over a legion of fans over the years. But the big question that always arises is: How to watch the saga and its movies in order?
Chronological order to watch Yu-Gi-Oh!
Ideally, the best way to watch the series is primarily in release order. While there are occasional instances where things might change, most of the time, if you simply follow the order in which the episodes and films are released, you should have the ideal experience.
So, if you're just looking for a brief overview, here's what we suggest for watching Yu-Gi-Oh! from beginning to end:
Main series timeline
- Yu-Gi-Oh (1998)
- Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters (Seasons 1 to 3)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light (Film)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Season 4 to Season 5 Episode 14)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters (Season 5 Episode 15 to the END)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Dark Side of Dimensions (Movie)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (Season 1)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's: Evolutionary Duel! Stardust VS Red Daemon's (OVA)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (Season 2 to Season 3 Episode 20)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Bonds Beyond Time (Film)
- Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (Season 3 Episode 21 to the END)
On the other hand, we also have another timeline prepared for you, since the work also includes some alternative timelines that may confuse those who are not familiar with everything:
Timeline separate from the main series
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal 2
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V
- Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Seven
- Yu-Gi-Oh! Run!!
Now, let's explore some of the most famous works among the many seasons, films, and alternative storylines available for you to watch:
Yu-Gi-Oh! Release 1998
To provide a more authentic introduction to the franchise, the game was originally released in 1998. This version was not released in the US because it was considered too violent, making it quite difficult to find on legitimate streaming services.
Saga Duel Monsters
This version, however, is the one that most fans who grew up watching the episodes on Saturday mornings will remember: the Duel Monsters series from the 2000s, which is usually abbreviated simply as Yu-Gi-Oh! in the US.
Film: The Dark Side of Dimensions
This film was released in 2016 in Japan and in early 2017 internationally. The Dark Side of Dimensions follows the events of the anime with a new storyline that sometimes contradicts the anime's canon. However, it continues the stories of Yugi and his friends, as well as Seto Kaiba, and is a must-see for fans trying to enjoy the complete series.
Saga GX
At this point, the story shifts from Yugi and his friends to a new generation of Duelists, although it is a continuation of the original series and introduces Kaiba, Yugi, and other main characters.
ZEXAL Saga
You could theoretically watch the newest series first if you prefer something more modern, but we suggest you stick with the originals to start your marathon, as they are by far the best. In any case, ZEXAL story. Yu-Gi-Oh!
Saga Sevens
This series was released in Japan in 2020 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Duel Monsters saga. The English version was released in 2021 and has a few fewer episodes than the original. It's more of a new standalone story, so technically it can be enjoyed at any time.
Saga Rush!!
Finally, Rush!! is the most recent series in the franchise, and its events technically precede those of Sevens. However, the Rush!! saga may be difficult to find outside of Japan, but an English version is supposedly being released in 2025 via Disney.
So guys, what did you think of the list? Let us know if you think it will make you want to watch Yu-Gi-Oh!