Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains (2017–2019) User Reviews

Quite good

[iulifilomencu · 8/10 · 1 January 2019]

Personally, I place this title 2nd after the original. I can get over a few hilarious designs, the Data-Storm-Access skill during the duels wich doesn't make much sense and a few other minor details, because what i find the most interesting is the sory. There is a good balance between duels and plot progression with an interesting turn of events and for the first time some support characters have a back-story behind them and are quite interesting.

I personally prefer a good story with interesting characters rather than perfect attention to every detail of the game. I say you should give it a chance

A Dull and Confusing Addition to the Franchise

[lipnusis · 1/10 · 2 June 2023]

Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains is a lackluster addition to the long-running Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise, failing to capture the excitement and appeal of its predecessors. With its convoluted plot, uninteresting characters, and lack of strategic depth, this series disappoints on multiple fronts.

One of the major issues with Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains is its confusing and poorly executed storytelling. The plot is convoluted and difficult to follow, with an overreliance on technobabble and nonsensical explanations. The attempts at creating a virtual reality setting feel forced and lack the immersive world-building that made previous iterations of the franchise captivating. The narrative lacks coherence, leaving viewers frustrated and disengaged.

The characters in Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains are uninteresting and poorly developed. The protagonist, Yusaku Fujiki, lacks the charisma and relatability of past Yu-Gi-Oh! Protagonists. The supporting cast fares no better, with shallow personalities and unremarkable character arcs. The lack of compelling characters hampers any emotional investment in the series, leaving viewers indifferent to their fates.

The duels in Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains lack the strategic depth and excitement that the franchise is known for. The card battles feel repetitive and uninspired, relying on predictable strategies and lackluster card effects. The animation during duels is lackluster, lacking the dynamic and visually engaging style that fans have come to expect. The duels lack intensity and fail to generate the excitement that made previous Yu-Gi-Oh! Series so captivating.

Furthermore, the dialogue and writing in Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains are subpar. The dialogue often feels stilted and unnatural, lacking the wit and cleverness that characterized earlier iterations of the franchise. The attempts at humor fall flat, relying on tired jokes and uninspired banter. The writing fails to deliver engaging and memorable lines, further diminishing the overall impact of the series.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains also suffers from a lack of meaningful themes or messages. The series fails to explore deeper themes beyond the surface level conflict of good versus evil. The missed opportunity to address complex moral dilemmas or delve into the consequences of actions leaves the narrative shallow and uninteresting.

In conclusion, Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains is a dull and confusing addition to the Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise. Its convoluted plot, uninteresting characters, lackluster duels, and subpar writing make for an underwhelming viewing experience. The series lacks the strategic depth, engaging storytelling, and memorable characters that defined the franchise's earlier iterations. Fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! Would be better off revisiting the classic series rather than wasting their time on this lackluster entry.

Truly Something Special

[cjohnson-15051 · 10/10 · 27 August 2019]

I know there are a lot of critiques about this show, and it may be because it's not like the original or like GX. However, I have to say that Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains is one of the all-time best animes I have had the pleasure to watch. I've also been a fan of the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise since its beginning and what sets this series apart from the others is its character. It has elements of friendship and humor from the original while also taking some darker elements from the series like 5D's.

Viewers who don't like a darker more complex feel for a show like Yu-Gi-Oh probably won't like it. Others like me, however, have been waiting to have a protagonist like Yusaku who has a more believable personality and a backstory that makes you feel and care about him. His duel style is something very reminiscent of what you can expect to see in the real-life game, while also having that anime spin with the Storm Access. Also, his relationship with the rival Revolver/Varis is very enjoyable to watch and gives some nostalgia to the Yugi and Kaiba days. The theme of the show deals with virtual reality and the concept of AI programs with free will. This is an interesting concept which as the show developed started to make fans reflect on the real world. This concept really attracts those who are interested in a show that reflects the modern world but may not to those who prefer the more magical elements of previous shows like Duel Monsters and Zexal.

The show also does a good job of targeting more mature audiences. Even though the targeted audience may have been younger, the themes and concepts explored throughout have definitely been ones that all ages can use to reflect on their lives. The following behind the show and those in the Yu-Gi-Oh Community has been amazing. Also, for those trying to compare Vrains to other shows like 5D's do to the mature and darker nature, I ask that you consider each as their own. Even though the show-runner is the same both shows have been able to tell vastly different stories and develop interesting characters that will have fans for a long time.

There may be reviews out there that are negative and that's fine, cause like I said it's not for everyone. However, I do think that Yu-Gi-Oh Vrains is truly special and a show that is worth watching, even if it takes a few episodes to get into. Anything truly worth watching usually is.

Card Games on Hoverboards

[FlamingHalo212 · 8/10 · 23 October 2022]

If you're reading this, then you're probably someone who has watched Yu-Gi-Oh back in the day and wants to know how VRAINS holds up. Well, you have already seen my rating for this show. I think that it's great, but still has some minor issues. But, if you're willing to look past its flaws, then it really is better than the previous sequels (specifically two) that came before it. That being said, as someone who has given up on the series for a while, I have no right to give VRAINS so much praise. However, I still feel like I'm entitled to express my opinion now that I have finished binge-watching the entire show myself.

First of all, if you were expecting VRAINS to be another run-of-the-mill, kid-friendly show, then you'd be wrong. VRAINS actually delves into to some pretty deep subject matter, such as industrialism, humanism, and psychology. Not to mention, they explore the various concepts of Sci-Fi and virtual worlds. Which may sound like too complex of a show at first, but it's actually quite interesting and well-executed.

The characters are also very unique and well-developed, even if there are a few stereotypes here and there. A lot of these characters definitely have stories to tell. So check them out for yourselves if you're interested.

A large majority of duels in this show take place in a virtual-reality network system called Link VRAINS. A setting like this leads to a lot of cool, action set pieces and dangerous situations you would normally not find in a typical standing duel. They also have Speed Dueling, which is reminiscent of Turbo Dueling from 5D's, except it's on hoverboards instead of Motorbikes. It's pretty much the same gimmick, but still makes dueling feel more fast-paced and exciting.

While I do believe that VRAINS is underrated, it still has those narrative issues that I mentioned earlier. As the show progresses, there a ton of unanswered questions, missed opportunities, and plot holes that I'm pretty sure all animated shows go through. The main setback for me was the constant inclusion of recap episodes. They were major pace-breakers within the story, but you could just skip them and nothing would change. So, while they get in the way at times, they're not too annoying.

In conclusion, even though there is still plenty more to this show than everything I just mentioned, I won't explain further. Additionally, if you're going to watch this show, I recommend watching it in Japanese with subtitles. If you're a fan of the Yu-Gi-Oh anime, then I don't need to explain why you should probably avoid the English dub at all costs. That is all. Thank you for your time! Into the VRAINS!