Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie

Synopsis

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie, released in 2004 and featuring the voice talents of Dan Green, brings to life the popular anime and trading card game franchise in a full-length animated feature. The story centers on Yugi Mutou and his friends as they face off against a mysterious new villain threatening the world with an ancient and powerful artifact called the Shadow Game. Incorporating elements of fantasy and suspense, the movie showcases intense card battles and the strategic gameplay that fans of the series cherish. While primarily aimed at younger audiences and fans of the franchise, the film delivers a mix of action, friendship, and teamwork set within the rich Yu-Gi-Oh! universe.

Cast

• Dan Green

  Yugi Mutou / Yami Yugi (voice)

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  Eric Stuart

  Seto Kaiba (voice)

• Scott Rayow

  Anubis (voice)

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  Wayne Grayson

  Joey Wheeler (voice)

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  Gregory Abbey

  Tristan Taylor (voice)

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  Amy Birnbaum

  Téa Gardner (voice)

Reviews

Critical reception for Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie was largely unfavorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a very low approval rating of just 6%, reflecting a predominantly negative consensus among critics. Metacritic also assigns a score of 15 out of 100, indicating overwhelming dislike. Many reviewers criticized the movie for its thin plot and heavy reliance on fan service rather than storytelling depth. For example, some noted that "the movie feels more like an extended commercial for the card game," which may alienate viewers unfamiliar with the franchise. IMDb users show a split audience reaction with a middling average rating of 5.0/10, suggesting that while hardcore fans may appreciate the familiar characters and card battles, casual viewers find the pacing and exposition lacking. Despite the criticism, some praise was directed towards the animation quality and faithful depiction of the trading card game mechanics. Overall, Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie is seen as a niche product mainly appealing to existing fans rather than a broad cinematic audience.