Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 183 The Reason for Dueling

I can guarantee you that it was better than Andrew Jackson's reason for dueling. He just did it because he was a thin-skinned douchebag who had nothing better to do than commit literal genocide. In fact, he probably should have done a bit MORE dueling for the sole purpose of taking time away from killing Native Americans and implementing economic policies that led to full-scale monetary panic. Since his dueling was the old-fashioned kind carried out with a gun, and the only person he actually managed to win against was because he cheated, I don't feel like it would have been too much of a problem for everyone to keep him good and busy with daily duels.

Hey, it works for Kaiba. I can't even IMAGINE the horrible atrocities he would commit if he couldn't be preoccupied with his deck.

By contrast, this guy doesn't even seem like much of a threat to the fish he wants to eat at this point. Probably lost his appetite.

Anzu and Sugoroku jump up from their seats, cheering Jonouchi's win. Sugoroku states with elation that Jonouchi can move on to the finals now, and does his best impression of George Takei's 'oh my!' quote. Anzu ceases her merry-making when she looks down at Jonouchi, who looks dead serious, wondering what's wrong. He certainly doesn't LOOK like he just won his way into the tournament finals.

Jonouchi is glaring at Ryota when he asks what he did back there. After a short pause, Ryota laughs and congratulates Jonouchi on a job well done, supposing Jonouchi isn't so bad at this card game after all. Jonouchi isn't placated, and asks Ryota why he didn't bring back Fortress Whale with his card instead, since he wouldn't have lost if he had. Ryota hangs his head and smiles, claiming that it doesn't matter, but Jonouchi insists that it does. Ryota says the only thing that matters now is that Jonouchi won by getting his opponent's life points down to zero, asking if that isn't enough for him. Jonouchi demands that Ryota not talk to him like that, because he's a duelist, and if Ryota threw the match, he's going to want to play him again fair this time.

Ryota half-scoffs and mentally complains that there are some real fools in the world, but then he smiles at the true duelist eyes this fool in front of him has. He says Jonouchi's name and when Jonouchi gives him a quizzical look, Ryota explains (really slowly, if I had to guess) the fact that the Legendary Fisherman was his trump card. Jonouchi still doesn't really understand the phrase, but Ryota tells him that this is the reason he didn't want to prolong the match, given that the Legendary Fisherman was the very SOUL of his deck. Jonouchi appears to be finally gaining a little perspective on this concept, looking intently at Ryota.

Ryota looks at the card with affection, and Jonouchi can help but question why THAT card in particular was so important to him. Ryota explains that he's been using a sea deck with this card in particular for a long time, winning fighting and winning, acting as a companion that looks like his dad.

Awwww, it's his woobie! As far as coping mechanisms go, it could be a lot worse, and it's a little endearing.

Jonouchi describes the card as Ryota's dad's "alter ego", which isn't a very accurate term to use here, but I guess the translators were having a hard time thinking up a better phrase to use. This, by the way, is our official translation, striking again. Jonouchi begins to elaborate in his mind on the concept he's trying to get across; when Ryota's dad didn't come back from that fatal fishing trip, Ryota put his feelings for his father into the card, simulating the act of them fighting together in the duels.

Ryota says that he believes his father is still alive out there, and it's essentially why he couldn't leave the stand-in at the graveyard, even if it meant he would lose. He tilts his head back and reveals tears streaming down his face. Jonouchi looks subdued, watching this guy cry as he does. It doesn't last long, though. Before Ryota gets too blubbery, he rubs at his eyes to rid himself of those troublesome tears, putting back on his grin. He heads off any mockery with his own, claiming it's silly of him to be so sentimental and call himself a duelist at the same time, given that winning is the only objective he should care about.

Now don't you go all Kaiba on us, Ryota. ONE asshole with an obsessive need to win is quite enough for me, thanks.

Jonouchi appears to agree with me, and tells Ryota that he's not silly. Each duelist fights for something special in their hearts, and if he were in Ryota's shoes he would have done the same. Ryota looks taken aback by Jonouchi's understanding for a panel, and in the next one, he's looking back at his Legendary Fisherman card fondly. He says that the rule in Battle City is to give the winner your rarest card, and even though the Legendary Fisherman isn't all that rare and only has four stars, it's the most important one he's got. So, he holds it out to Jonouchi, wanting him to have it instead. Jonouchi is blown away by this gift.

You look like he's offering you a lung or something, Jonouchi, calm your shit.

Ryota tells Jonouchi that he realized something during their duel, and it's that if his father were here right now, he'd chastise him for being too reliant on a card that resembles him. He'd say that he should believe in his own heart first and foremost. Oh and he'd probably steal someone else's boat just for good measure to go fishing in a storm. After all, Ryota's out of the running for that prize money now.

Jonouchi says Ryota's name tentatively, but Ryota eases his conscience by stating that even without the card, his dad will always be fighting by his side. Jonouchi grins, convinced, and Ryota happily hands over his precious woobie. They grow up so fast.

After the sportsman-like handshake for the crowd, sweetie.

Well done, boys.

Marik's Rare Hunters are watching this without the enthusiasm the rest of the crowd shows. One of them contacts Marik with glowing Eye of Horus telepathy, asking if he wants them to capture Jonouchi now that his duel is done. Marik tells them to hold off on that, because a new ally means a change of plans. He's leaning on his motorcycle outside, with a sweating, bleeding and unconscious Bakura draped over the back of the bike. He chuckles, lifting Bakura's head by the hair and telling him to wakey wakey. He wants to be prepared, I guess, now that Jonouchi and pals are leaving the aquarium.

They saunter out of the aquarium, Anzu telling Jonouchi that he rules and Sugoroku informing him that he's gaining quite the rep. He agrees, but says that his real battle is just beginning. Seems awfully excited about it too, walking in that strange bow-legged way he does. Anzu reminds him that he has six puzzle cards and should be able to find out the location of the finals now, and Jonouchi laughs and confirms this, as though he wouldn't have done it sooner had he remembered himself. He fans the puzzle cards out in his hand above his Duel Disk, informing the audience Anzu that once they're all put together, the Duel Disk will produce a holographic beam pointing the way. Jonouchi is certain Yami must already be waiting there, and sends a mental message to Yami that his promise is kept and a plea to wait up.

Why does every character in this comic like to pretend they have psychic powers??

And now, for something completely different:

Boy is this going to be an interesting story to tell. Hey Bakura, are you wishing you had left your fucking Millennium Ring at home yet?

Jonouchi shouts Bakura's name right next to his ear when he runs to his side to help support him, and Marik dribbles empty platitudes about how Bakura can move. Bakura gurgles in response to the concern, both real and fake, his eyes sporting dark bags beneath. Marik asks if Jonouchi and company are his friends, because he found this kid lying in the street. Anzu is nothing if not indignant, demanding to know what happened to Bakura, seeing as how he's been sliced up. Jonouchi's eyes practically bug out of his skull as he starts demanding his own answers, such as who did this, and who did this to him??!

Marik lowers Bakura down to the sidewalk, claiming he treated the wound as best he could, which I'm sure is true. He does say that Bakura needs a hospital, though, which would beg the question why Marik brought him to a fucking AQUARIUM instead. But, these kids are denser than the inside of a black hole, which is why no one berates Marik for taking him on the detour to visit his buddies first. Jonouchi kneels next to Bakura, bidding he listen, and for him to rat out whoever did this to him. After a moment of hazy speechlessness, Bakura says he doesn't remember, and just sort of woke up like this.

Another huge red flag that Marik attempts to distract from by acting like a reasonable bystander a bit too late and offering to call an ambulance. Anzu assures him with a glare that they'll take care of him from now on and that Marik has their thanks. She doesn't appear too keen on him, though. Jonouchi asks Bakura if he can stand, even as Bakura attempts to do so, and as a couple of kids behind him shout that he's the punk who stole their Duel Disk. Oh yeah, good to know that guy he knocked upside the head wasn't damaged permanently.

The two guys approach him, offering sarcastic thanks for the theft, and Bakura looks down at his arm to find a Duel Disk, the origins of which he's just mystified about. The two dudes lunge for him, not really inclined to believe his amnesia, and insisting he give the stolen item back. Marik jumps in between Bakura and the two boys, telling them to stop because Bakura's hurt, but this only earns him a punch in the face and another sarcastic remark that Bakura is GOING to be hurt.

Jonouchi is alarmed by the injury to... the guy whose name he doesn't know (exactly how Jonouchi refers to Marik, by the way), and ask Anzu asks Marik if he's alright, he cracks his knuckles in anticipation of a brawl to deal with these nameless jerks.

Yeah, the time it takes me to look at the next page is just WAY too long, bro. Slowpoke!

Sugoroku supports Bakura, promising to get him to the hospital by cab. Ambulances are expensive, kiddos. Jonouchi thanks Sugoroku, then turns to Marik to apologize for all the trouble finding Bakura in the street must have caused him. Geez, Bakura is so inconsiderate... Marik says it's okay, though.

Jonouchi spies the Duel Disk on Marik's arm and observes that he must be a duelist too. Marik confirms this, but doesn't want to duel because he says he's not very good. Didn't Kaiba set up his tournament to only involve people he deemed worthy of the title it would give them? Jonouchi ignores red flag #3 to brag that he's already qualified for the finals. Marik acts super impressed with this, then introduces himself as "Namu". Jonouchi and Anzu parrot their names at him in turn, and he says they seem like good guys he'd like to be friends with, internally chuckling at his own evil sarcasm.

While Jonouchi and Anzu talk between the two of them, Marik gets a radio call in his head. It's an emergency transmission informing him that Kaiba and Yami have teamed up with one god card each. The minion contacting him is currently hunched over as Kaiba and Yami walk away in the background, and said minion is convinced that he and the others can no longer stand up to them. Marik doesn't look happy at first.

The only way these goons are going to defeat Yami and Kaiba is if you're making them sit through your extended production of Phantom of the Opera. Twice the phantom for twice the snooze!

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? The first part was cute, and it really put Ryota's plays into perspective in retrospect. The fact that he structured his entire stealth strategy around the card that represented his dad to him brings all his other moves and the emotions he displayed into sharp focus. For most of the match, I was a little perplexed by what I thought was some severe mood swings, but it makes more sense now. And it gives us a nice little bookend on Ryota's story. I'll be surprised if he shows up again after this.

Goodness GRACIOUS but is the plan Marik and assole!Bakura came up with all kinds of stupid. They should have at LEAST come up with a better cover story for Marik. Sure, Jonouchi doesn't know that HE wasn't even ranked high enough to participate at first, but he at least was aware that each duelist in the tournament had to be given a certain amount of cred before being given a Duel Disk and entry. Marik claiming to be a novice strikes me as a flub on KT's part in remembering the conditions for the tournament in the first place.

And was asshole!Bakura absolutely SURE he couldn't have come up with a much better idea than stabbing himself and leaving his host without memory of what happened? I mean, the fact that he has a Duel Disk that he apparently stole from a couple of tournament participants without having any idea how is bad enough, but being injured so badly and not being able to point out someone who did it? Doubly suspicious. Bakura's friends KNOW what's been happening when he loses his memory.

Don't they? They SHOULD, because this has happened multiple times throughout the series thus far, and his pals should be able to identify the warning signs at this point. I guess you could chalk it up to concern for his injury coming before everything else, but if THAT were the case, you'd think they'd be questioning why Marik or "Namu" didn't bring him straight to the hospital instead of dragging his ass all around Domino first.

It's a good thing that KT has long established that these kids are all morons LOOOOONG before this point. And I never thought I'd say that.