s2e09-10 "Espa Roba: The ESP Duelist"

After a streak of great episodes we're delivered the crushing reminder that this show is, after all, sometimes only about playing card games. Oh well. Listen in to hear us talk about Yami saying "hmm" on a roof, Honda being incredibly frustrating, and why we hate Jinzo. Plus, media recs including highly relevant card game content, and a round of the ship guessing game.

s2e07-08 "Yugi vs. the Rare Hunter"

Yugi faces off with a wielder of Exodia in the first actual proper official duel, for real, of Battle City. Listen in as we discuss Exodia strategies, discover a rare 4Kids Improvement, and are completely baffled by KaibaCorp's hiring practices. Plus an anecdote about when it's appropriate to whip out your Blue-Eyes in real life (not a euphemism)

SHOW NOTES:

- A really good tweet about the card Bubonic Vermin

s2e06 "Stalked by the Rare Hunters"

The streak of episodes we've loved in the leadup to Battle City hasn't stopped yet, as this week Jonouchi has a run-in with the Rare Hunters that brings some fascinating family drama. Listen to hear us deep dive on Yami's awkward yearbook photos, a scene 4kids really didn't have to cut, and what's going on in Jonouchi's mom's head. Plus, a shipping tangent (what else is new) and some mutually endorsed media recommendations.

s2e05 "Obelisk the Tormentor"

Yami discovers a secret of his past. Kaiba announces the Battle City tournament. We loved this episode and had so much to say. Listen in for some dissection of Kaiba's outfit, more complaining about how Yami's name isn't Yami, and a True ROFLcopter Moment™. Plus some analysis of Kaiba's feelings about ancient Egyptian "hocus pocus" magic and a tale of how Viz's manga betrayed me.

SHOW NOTES:

- The method we use to get audio clips from the dub was having issues on this episode, so there is a moment in here where you'll hear Jenny request an clip and it's not provided. Sorry, use your imagination I guess

s2e04 "Steppin' Out"

Yugi invents a brand new social situation, and Anzu helps Yami process his identity crisis through the power of Dance Dance Revolution. We are a little bit obsessed (and can't stop talking about everyone's outfits, either). Listen in to hear about a normal name for an arcade, an oddly specific childhood memory, and why Jenny is secretly a fake gamer.

s2e03 "The Past is Present"

Oh boy there's so much going on in this episode... the introduction of our new favorite girlboss, an emotional scene which convinced many a fan that Puzzleshipping Is Real, and Kaiba getting his mind freaked by ancient rock carvings. Plus we debate Reincarnation Lore, and an anecdote about an interesting concert experience.

s2e02 "The Mystery Duelist (part 2)"

Season 2 continues its strong start with the resolution of the possessed Bandit Keith duel. Tune in for a very powerful entrance from Bakura, yet another debate about what various Millennium Items can actually do, and the return of Fire Peril. Plus, we talked about all the fun stuff we got to do while spending time together In Person (!).

SHOW NOTES:

- For visual aid, here is a photograph of the very strange shirt I found at Goodwill

- The artist whose work we went to a museum exhibition of is Piotr Szyhalski, and you can see his website here to look at some of the posters we saw.

s2e01 "The Mystery Duelist (Part 1)"

A milestone episode, this one: the Battle City Broads finally reach Battle City, and your hosts are even in the same place for the first time! Listen in as we discuss the setup for our new mind-controlling villain, a foolproof plan to confuse teenagers with arrow signs, and all of our excitement for the new season. Plus a round of the ship guessing game and possibly too much Pegasus talk considering he is no longer in the show.

Season One Wrapup

In our overview of the Duelist Kingdom season, we give a very loosely organized ranking of best & worst episodes, answer some discussion questions about lore & our favorite characters, and spin off into plenty of other talk about this show as a whole. Stick around to the end to learn our podcast's secret other names and the true meaning of Joey's Brooklyn accent. We'll see you in Battle City!

Unadapted Manga Chapters: Dungeon Dice Monsters

(Content warning: abusive parent character)

If the anime version of DDM didn't impress you, you might like to know the original manga was a very different affair. Recapping this whole volume has us debating what's up with Yami Bakura again, whether clown dad stole a baby, and how much Joey knows about Greek mythology; then once again conclude that what this series needs is more Grandpa Backstory Lore. Plus some life updates on recent adventures and Renaissance Faires, and a little manga trivia.

SHOW NOTES:

- The chapters we covered in this episode are 134-145 in the original, or Yugioh Duelist chapters 75-86 in the version where "Duelist" is a separate thing.