Yugioh! GX is a follow on show from the original Yugioh! series which follows Jaden Yuki and his classmates studying at the Duel Academy. It was first shown in Japan on October 2004. The first scene shows Jaden running for the Duel Academy entrance exams, in the rush he bumps into duel master Yugi Muto who hands Jaden the ‘Winged Kuribo’ card, one which has saved Yugi many times and will no doubt come in useful during Jaden’s time at school. There is a special bond between the duellists and the cards, and Yugi feels Jaden should own this particular one.

The Duel Academy was created by the infamous Seto Kaiba and is located on an island with a volcano, a beach and a lake. The boarding school is split up into 3 different dorms; named after the all powerful Egyptian God cards – Obelisk the Tormentor, The Winged Dragon of Ra and Slifer the Sky Dragon. The top duellists stay in Obelisk Blue, whereas the average players stay in Ra Yellow. Jaden, unfortunately, begins his adventure where the low level players reside – Slifer Red. The Duel Academy swaps pen and paper for monsters and duelling whilst testing its students on monster card effects, magic cards and trap cards.

The duels themselves are full of magic, and are referred to ask the shadow games as very dark magic is involved. You have to summon monsters and use magic and traps to defeat your opponent. The game is all about outwitting your opponent, playing cards face down that can be activated when a certain action happens. Jaden’s aim is to become the best duellist since Yugi Muto himself.

Throughout the year, the series follows Jaden and his school friends progress through the academic year and face many different challenges such as getting involved with some of the most notorious duellers and fighting for his life. Friendship and destiny are the main points of focus in the series, can Jaden harness the ancient power contained within the cards?