If I were to classify the genre of Yu-Gi-Oh!, there are three main classifications I would give it. The first should come as no surprise: Fantasy. This is evident in the ancient Egyptian shadow magic that is presented throughout the series. The second is a bit less obvious, but should still make sense: Science Fiction. These elements are indicated by Seto Kaiba’s invention of holograms, and how they are used to enhance their gaming experience. The third genre is the one that might be overlooked, and that one is: Slice of Life. In grade school, this genre might have been called “Realistic Fiction.” If you’re thinking to yourself that Yu-Gi-Oh! can’t be realistic because of all the Millennium Item magic and advanced technology, then you’re right. Setting all of those fantasy and sci-fi elements aside, Yu-Gi-Oh! is really a story about a group of teenagers trying to find their way in life. Whether it be a boy trying to find his confidence, a guy trying to get into less fights, or a girl working hard to fulfill her dreams; all of these characters face very realistic challenges and respond with very realistic (or semi-realistic) ways to resolve them.

For example, in Chapter 6, we begin with our main characters working to resolve a very realistic problem–trying to decide what kind of event they should organize for their school carnival.

Defend the Carnival Booth!

At the beginning of Chapter 6, all of Yugi’s classmates have gathered in their classroom to discuss what they should do for their upcoming school festival. One student suggests a Haunted House, but Honda says another class is already doing that and suggests they make Yaki Soba instead. Jonouchi says they should get all the girls to wear costumes that fit every guy’s fantasy and call it “The Real High School Girl Cabaret.” That idea quickly got shot down by every girl in the class. Other ideas include Student Pro Wrestling, a Costume Contest, and Takoyaki. Anzu asks Hanasaki what his idea is. He says Gag Manga, but regrets it after the room falls silent.

(They literally do this meme.)

Anzu writes all of the ideas on the board, then she turns to Yugi and asks what his idea is.

“Well, I guess I’d have to say…Carnival Games! You know, like at an amusement park.”

(Of course he would suggest games.)

The other students are hesitant, but they eventually decide that games is a good idea and that they should go with that. (Score 1 for the protagonist.) They come up with three games to assemble: Bluebeard’s Attack, Bottle Toss, and Shooting Gallery.

Anzu announces she managed to pull the most popular spot from the placement lottery–right next to the entrance.

Three days before the start of the carnival, they begin assembling their booth. Yugi makes a Bluebeard Mask and Jonouchi builds the barrel for the Bluebeard’s Attack game. This is a toy that Yugi was seen playing with when he was first introduced in Chapter 1.

It is based on a real-life game made made by Tomy called Pop-up Pirate, or One Shot Blackbeared in Japan. They don’t tell him until now, but Yugi made the mask to fit Jonouchi’s head, because they already decided that he will be Bluebeard.

While Yugi’s class is busy assembling their carnival booth, another class approaches. Goro Inogashira, the other class’s festival officer, asks them what they are doing.

“We’re getting ready for the school festival,” says Anzu.

“Don’t be ridiculous!” responds Goro, “This is where we traditionally make okonomiyaki each year! Get rid of these rotten carnival games.

Jonouchi tells them to get lost and tries to climb out of the barrel, but his foot gets stuck and he gets clobbered by Goro. Then, Goro orders his class to break down the carnival games with their big stone grill, using it like a battering ram. Yugi tries to stop them, standing between them and the carnival booth, but he ends up getting hit in the face.

Yugi wakes up in the infirmary where he asks Anzu what happened to the carnival games.

“Well, let’s try again next year,” says Anzu, but Yugi notices the tear streaming down her cheek.

Seeing Anzu cry causes Yugi to transform into his alter ego.

When Anzu turns back to Yugi, he has disappeared, and the window has been left open.

Ice Hockey of Death

Yami-Yugi has called Goro to come to the school grounds in the middle of the night. (This seems faintly familiar.)

“You have trespassed in the souls of each member of my class!” says Yugi, “For that, you must play a game with me!”

“What kind of game are you talking about?” responds Goro.

“We’ll play a game with this! The grill that you brought here!”

Yugi and Goro are now standing on either side of the heated grill. Presumably off screen, Yugi has placed bricks around the edge, except for a small section in front of Yugi and Goro.

Next, Yugi presents a cylindrical block of ice with a test tube in the center.

“The test tube is filled with explosives,” explains Yugi, “If it touches the grill, one or both of us will be blown sky high! I call it Griddle Ice Hockey.”

Yep, this game is basically air hockey, but with a heated griddle as a rink and a block of ice as a puck. And since that’s not dangerous enough, the block of ice has a tube of explosives in the middle, and whoever has the puck near them when it melts…well, let’s just say it won’t end well for them. We’ve had some dark Shadow Games before, one of which ended in death, but I think this is the first one where the stakes are to-the-death right from the beginning.

The Game Begins.

Goro, being bigger and bulkier, uses his immense strength and speed to overwhelm Yugi. This is the first time we have seen Yugi struggle to win a Shadow Game. In all the others, Yugi always remains calm and confident, but this is the first time Yugi starts to wonder if he is actually going to lose. Just like we talked about in the review of Chapter 4, Yugi will unleash his inner Bugs Bunny and use his wits instead of his strength to win this battle.

Yugi rotates his paddles, so the edge is facing away from him. He hits the ice puck with the edge, instead of the flat side, of his paddle. This creates a small crack in the ice. When the puck returns to Goro, he uses his full strength to send the puck back, but he inadvertently splits the puck in two. The tube of explosives breaks free, makes contact with the heated stone grill, and KABOOM!

(Kind of a dark ending for someone who just stole a carnival booth.)

Thanks to Yugi defeating Goro, and his classmates pulling an all-nighter, Yugi’s class was able to restore their booth. And their carnival games turned out to be a bit hit!

Thoughts

So, you see, even though this chapter featured a boy using magic to transform into a dark alter-ego, and an unrealistic fight-to-the-death over a carnival booth, this was really a story about a group of high schoolers organizing a carnival booth and standing up to bullies. Still not convinced? Well, I guess I’ll have to chronicle all of the moments that show why Yu-Gi-Oh! is also a Slice-of-Life story. Be sure to follow my blog to follow along!

Do you think Yu-Gi-Oh! is a Slice-of-Life story? Let me know in the comments below!