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The Best Episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1

Every episode of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1!

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Bullies often target someone frail and weak—someone exactly like Yûgi Muto. He treasures his Millennium Puzzle, an ancient Egyptian artifact that was brought into his grandfather's game shop. Believing that solving the puzzle will grant

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 1 - The Heart of the Cards
    7.7/10(518 votes)

    #1 - The Heart of the Cards

    S1:E1

    Yugi and his friends are in awe over Grandpa’s collection of Duel Monsters cards, but when #1 ranked duelist and ruthless tycoon, Kaiba, kidnaps Grandpa to get the rare Blue-Eyes White Dragon card, Yugi must face Kaiba in the ultimate Duel Monsters showdown and avenge his Gramps!

    Director:Yukihiro Shino
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  2. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 2 - The Gauntlet is Thrown
    7.4/10(228 votes)

    #2 - The Gauntlet is Thrown

    S1:E2

    When Yugi opens a package from Duel Monsters creator, Pegasus J. Crawford, Yugi is forced to face him in the mysterious Shadow Realm where all the monsters and magic are real.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  3. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 3 - Journey to the Duelist Kingdom
    7.2/10(213 votes)

    #3 - Journey to the Duelist Kingdom

    S1:E3

    When word spreads that Yugi was the one who defeated World Champion Kaiba, the cheat Haga tires to cripple Yugi’s deck by tossing his best cards overboard just as they reach the island!

    Director:Toru Yamada
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  4. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 4 - Into the Hornet's Nest
    7.3/10(205 votes)

    #4 - Into the Hornet's Nest

    S1:E4

    Once Yugi and his friends reach Duelist Kingdom, Pegasus announces that there are many strange secrets on the island which will make his ultimate tournament unlike any they’ve ever had. But when Haga begins to use these mysterious new rules against Yugi in a duel, Yugi must not only figure the rules out, but master them if he’s to survive!

    Director:Masaki Kitamura
    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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  5. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 5 - The Ultimate Great Moth
    7.3/10(200 votes)

    #5 - The Ultimate Great Moth

    S1:E5

    Yugi continues to battle Weevil Underwood, whose cheating and lying seem to be giving him the advantage when he is able to summon a gigantic moth.

    Director:Hiroaki Shimura
    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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  6. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 6 - First Duel
    7.3/10(190 votes)

    #6 - First Duel

    S1:E6

    Joey undergoes his first duel on the island against Mai Valentine, a professional duelist with an uncanny ability to predict the cards she will draw.

    Director:Kenichi Kasai
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  7. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 7 - Attack from the Deep
    7.2/10(186 votes)

    #7 - Attack from the Deep

    S1:E7

    The hungry friends help themselves to some fish, only to discover that they have been lured into a trap by Mako Tsunami, the master of the Sea Deck/.

    Director:Aki Tsunaki
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  8. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 8 - Everything's Relative
    6.8/10(102 votes)

    #8 - Everything's Relative

    S1:E8

    If Yugi is eliminated from the tournament, Kaiba Corporation's crooked Board of Directors will transfer control of the company from Kaiba to Pegasus!

    Director:Yasuhiro Minami
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  9. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 9 - Duel with a Ghoul
    7.9/10(94 votes)

    #9 - Duel with a Ghoul

    S1:E9

    Yugi must duel a magical doppelganger of Kaiba, created from the greed and power lust Yugi wiped from Kaiba's soul.

    Director:Katsumi Ono
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  10. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 10 - Give Up the Ghost
    7.8/10(90 votes)

    #10 - Give Up the Ghost

    S1:E10

    Yugi defeats the Blue Eyes White Dragon, but there are two more waiting in the wings! Will the real Kaiba reach Yugi in time to help beat this impersonator?

    Director:Masaki Kitamura
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  11. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 11 - The Dueling Monkey
    7.6/10(92 votes)

    #11 - The Dueling Monkey

    S1:E11

    Joey decides to battle Rex Raptor without his friends' help to prove that he is man enough to take care of Serenity on his own.

    Director:Hiroaki Shimura
    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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  12. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 12 - Trial by Red Eyes
    7.8/10(92 votes)

    #12 - Trial by Red Eyes

    S1:E12

    Joey duels valiantly, but Rex Raptor has unleashed his secret weapon - the Red Eyes Black Dragon! Joey must figure out the secret of the card Yugi's gift, the Time Wizard card, without Yugi's help or he's taking the next boat out of the Duelist Kingdom!

    Director:Kenichi Kasai
    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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  13. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 13 - Evil Spirit of the Ring
    8.8/10(98 votes)

    #13 - Evil Spirit of the Ring

    S1:E13

    Yugi's classmate Bakura, possessed by his Millennium Ring's dark powers, traps Yugi and his friends in a Shadow Game where they become the cards themselves!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Junki Takegami

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  14. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 14 - The Light at the End of the Tunnel
    7.9/10(86 votes)

    #14 - The Light at the End of the Tunnel

    S1:E14

    Pegasus's hired duelist Panik cheats Mai of all her star chips, and Yugi vows to defeat him and win them back. But when Panik's Castle of Dark Illusions enshrouds his monsters in a black mist, how can Yugi defeat an enemy he cannot see?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  15. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 15 - Winning Through Intimidation
    7.7/10(86 votes)

    #15 - Winning Through Intimidation

    S1:E15

    Despite his astonishing disadvantage, Yugi boldly provokes Panik- 'I'll finish you in three turns.' Is Yugi bluffing, or does he have the advantage in this battle of wits?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  16. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 16 - The Scars of Defeat
    7.7/10(83 votes)

    #16 - The Scars of Defeat

    S1:E16

    Kaiba descends to the kingdom to face Pegasus. Has Kaiba changed since his battle with Yugi, or is he still the same merciless duelist? A battle between Kaiba's Blue Eyes Whire Dragon and Joey's Red Eyes Black Dragon holds the answers!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 17 - Arena of Lost Souls (1)
    7.9/10(81 votes)

    #17 - Arena of Lost Souls (1)

    S1:E17

    The #1 American duelist Bandit Keith's gang kidnaps Joey to a secret cave with a Graveyard playing field. As Yugi and friends search for him, Joey faces Bandit Keith's zombie monsters which become stronger as they return from the grave.

    Director:Naoki Hishikawa
    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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  18. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 18 - Arena of Lost Souls (2)
    7.9/10(83 votes)

    #18 - Arena of Lost Souls (2)

    S1:E18

    Joey's last ditch effort, his lucky Time Wizard card, fails against Bandit Keith's zombie monsters. But as his lucky streak comes to an end, will his improving skills as a duelist and his love for his sister inspire him to victory?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Shin Yoshida

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  19. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 19 - Double Trouble Duel (1)
    8.0/10(87 votes)

    #19 - Double Trouble Duel (1)

    S1:E19

    Trapped in the labyrinth cave, Yugi and friends find an alternate exit, but the door is guarded by Pegasus’s Labyrinth Brothers. Yugi and Jonouchi will no longer be battling solo; they band together in a team battle against the Labyrinth Brothers! The battle for all the Star Chips and entrance to Pegasus’s castle is on the line!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  20. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 20 - Double Trouble Duel (2)
    7.9/10(85 votes)

    #20 - Double Trouble Duel (2)

    S1:E20

    Yugi and Jonouchi pool their strengths and manage to fend off their opponents’ monsters, but things are about to change as the Labyrinth Brothers summon the almighty Gate Guardian, a monster that reflects all attacks! Is Jonouchi helping Yugi in this duel, or his lack of experience sealing their fate for defeat?

    Director:Koji Yoshikawa
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  21. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 21 - Double Trouble Duel (3)
    8.2/10(84 votes)

    #21 - Double Trouble Duel (3)

    S1:E21

    Yugi and Jonouchi each unleash their strongest monster, Summoned Skull and Red-Eyes B. Dragon, but their strength pales in comparison to the tremendous power of Gate Guardian. Individually, our heroes have no chance, but they will unleash the greatest power of all: teamwork!

    Director:Naoki Hishikawa
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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  22. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 22 - Face Off (1)
    8.6/10(85 votes)

    #22 - Face Off (1)

    S1:E22

    Using the magic of the Millennium Eye, Pegasus traps Mokuba’s soul inside a card right before Kaiba’s eyes! In order to earn the right to challenge Pegasus, Kaiba must first beat Yugi and take his Star Chips. The rematch between Yugi and Kaiba is about to begin!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 23 - Face Off (2)
    8.7/10(83 votes)

    #23 - Face Off (2)

    S1:E23

    Kaiba summons Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, the strongest monster in the game fused from three Blue-Eyes White Dragons! Yugi has lost all his powerful Duel Monsters, but a true duelist never gives up!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 24 - Face Off (3)
    8.6/10(82 votes)

    #24 - Face Off (3)

    S1:E24

    Yugi begins spinning a strategy to put Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon to rest, but he must decide whether to claim victory or spare Kaiba his life. Yugi’s heart is split in two!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  25. Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Season 1 Episode 25 - Shining Friendship
    6.7/10(84 votes)

    #25 - Shining Friendship

    S1:E25

    Having lost his Star Chips to Kaiba and his only opportunity to save Grandpa, Yugi is in a state of shock. Can Anzu bring Yugi back to consciousness by defeating Mai for her extra Star Chips and teach Yugi the heart of the duelist?

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masashi Sogo

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"The Heart of the Cards" is the best rated episode of "Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters" season 1. It scored 7.7/10 based on 518 votes. Directed by Yukihiro Shino and written by Junki Takegami, it aired on 4/18/2000. This episode is rated 0.3 points higher than the second-best, "The Gauntlet is Thrown".