Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 339 Yuugi vs. Atem!!

The "how" of this upcoming match is still blowing my mind a bit, because it occurs to me that the solidification of a split shadow is an interesting way to manifest another body for one of these souls. In the beginning of the story, Atem as the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle was aligned with the dark, doling out punishments and judgments against wrong-doers in a distinctly spooky/shady manner. He even seemed to take pleasure in some disturbing retributions really early on. As the story progressed, his orientation shifted more toward the light side of the spectrum, the traditional alignment for a "good" guy in most fiction. The polarity was pretty fully flipped, but now, with the split shadow, Atem seems to have been identified by the "shadows" again. So, the question is: could all the references to light of the heart and casting of shadows in the painful metaphorical discourse between Atem and Zorc have had another layer? Was Atem REALLY ever the "light" side that was being talked about, or was it actually YUUGI, whose shadow he's been living as for the vast majority of the story?

Or am I thinking too hard about all this and should I just accept my whiplash with grace?

Either way, we get a recap of the ritual instructions over the image of the Millennium Tablet complete with all the items and a light emanating from the cracks around them, and the Door to the Afterlife. It might be a little like putting together Ikea furniture, folks - insert Millennium Item into corresponding slot, say the name of the pharaoh, and the door will open to welcome him, AFTER the Wadjet Eye judges the pharaoh's worth and someone takes the pharaoh's sword to quiet his soul. Not complicated, but still somewhat... challenging.

I'm feeling SO weird about this. 

While he's inserting the deck he just made into his clone Duel Disk (or is Yuugi's the clone? *shrug*), Atem silently thanks his partner for accepting this challenge, but since he's a duelist, it's his pride to put EVERYTHING he has into beating his opponent no matter the cost. Clearly he's not planning on just handing this one to Yuugi. Yuugi too is inserting his newly-made deck into his Duel Disk, thinking at his "other him" that he has to be strong, because otherwise Atem will never be free from his heart. He vows once more to defeat his "other him". 

How funny would it be if they accidentally chose each other's decks? I mean, I know there's no chance of that, since Yuugi's was in the puzzle box and everything, but it might break the tension a little if there was a silly little mix-up. Or it might just make everyone more upset, now that I think about it...

While Yuugi and Atem stand to face off against each other, the peanut gallery is very anxious. Jonouchi and Honda are clenching their teeth and their fists are raised, the former complaining that he doesn't know who to root for. He reiterates that if Yuugi wins, the OTHER Yuugi will leave them, and if the OTHER Yuugi wins, then nothing changes and they all get to stay together. Put that way, it sounds like a no-brainer, but Jonouchi adds that the second outcome would also mean Yuugi never gets to stand alone. No doubt that adventure in the Memory World was a one-off deal and Yuugi won't get another chance at independence like that again, so, fair.

Anzu frets silently, correcting her brain when it also tries to call Atem the OTHER Yuugi, and just wanting him to stay with them. She's coming down firmly on the side of wanting him to win it seems, just because she would HATE to see him go. Ishizu dispassionately explains that this trial will decide both their fates, since their souls have been joined in one heart for so long and they're the only ones who can find the answer. 

Atem shouts at Yuugi an invitation to get this thing going, and Yuugi nods in agreement. 

Are they doing that d-d-d-d-d-duel thing? That thing I hear all the time on YouTube?

Atem declares he's taking the lead, choosing a card from his hand to put in the graveyard with the accompanying explanation, and uses it to special summon something called "The Tricky" in attack position. It's got question marks on both its blank head topped with a jester's hat, and its torso, which reinforces the mystery of how its card doesn't appear to have any other tidbits about what it does than how to summon it. Atem then plays a card face down and ends his turn. 

As Yuugi carefully considers how Atem immediately special summoned a 2000-point monster, he announces his own turn and then slaps down Swords of Revealing Light, which appear all around The Tricky in order to hold it in place. Jonouchi marvels at how Yuugi used Swords of Revealing Light on his first turn and he's not messing around, and at last, Atem cracks a smile at Yuugi, appearing pretty impressed himself. 

Man, they're just CRUISING right along, aren't they? I guess these can go fairly fast absent the trash-talk.

After Atem says it's his turn again, he does some thinking about the basic strategy Yuugi is using - protecting himself from Atem's monsters until he has enough monsters out there to sacrifice for something high-level. But Atem, without any kind of mirth, thinks at Yuugi that he should know Swords of Revealing Light can't block ALL attacks. He holds out a card he's plucked from his hand, announcing it's a spell card he's playing. Yuugi seems astounded that Atem has THAT card: "Rebellion", which makes Green Gadget whirl around and prepare to attack Yuugi himself, per the text on the card and Atem's statement to as much. His own monster lunges for Yuugi, eliciting a worried, uneasy response from Marik. 

But Yuugi smiles and says he knew Atem would do that. Atem looks on in shock and disbelief as Yuugi reveals the trap he laid, "Stronghold", and it rises behind Yuugi like a cross between a massive server machine, a power plant, and kin to the exposed gear creature he summoned before. Atem leans forward as if he has to get a better look to really accept the "hidden fort trap" that Yuugi has played. Yuugi confidently awaits Green Gadget's molasses approach.

Not quite so BASIC as you thought, huh Atem?

Sugoroku acknowledges Yuugi's good move, narrating how Rebellion was negated and Yuugi's points remain intact, and the still conflicted Jonouchi mumbles good luck to BOTH the players. Fair, because after what we've seen both of them do, Atem's certainty that this will be his toughest challenge is probably an understatement. 

Atem ends his turn, straight-faced and serious. No other moves or ANYTHING. Yuugi declares his turn and draw, looks at the new card critically, and silently warns his "other him" that he's already got all the cards for a special combo in his hand, so he'd better be ready. Yuugi first plays a spell card with a price of 1000 of his points, called "Ties of the Brethren" which allows him to special summon a couple of monsters of the same type as the one he already has out there. He pulls the ones he wants from his deck, Atem looking on in alarm again. Yuugi calls for the gadgets to come to him, overly dramatic, but effective. 

No blue gadget? I guess primary colors can't ALWAYS be included in everything.

At last, Atem actually SPEAKS to Yuugi about what he's doing, and his assessment isn't very generous. He points out that the three monsters Yuugi has managed to get out there cannot be used for attack or sacrifice, and advises his partner that he can't be defeated through puny defensive tactics like Stronghold or his defense monsters. Uh, Atem seems to have traded the memory of certain game aspects for the memory of his name and past, because he's forgetting that a lot of these mech/robot monsters like to COMBINE. 

Indeed, Yuugi tells him his monsters AREN'T for defense, and are actually different steps to a whole attack strategy. Atem gapes again in disbelief while Yuugi shouts that they're doing this, and commands his gadgets to become the gears in that big fort behind him. They fly up to the empty slots on the Stronghold and rings of flowing air surround them as they get into position, which just seems to confuse the shit out of Atem, because he's perplexed as hell about what's going on here. So Yuugi explains that the three gears on the gadgets' backs fit into the Stronghold, and they turn, all while precisely this is happening.

Seriously, THIS should not be blowing your mind, Atem. 

Although it IS pretty massive, and Atem has to lean his head way far back to look up at the fusion attack he's identified. Yuugi asks if Atem is GETTING now that the usual field-card Stronghold can join with the gadgets and become Stronghold the Fort Monster at 3000 points of attack. I don't know, Atem is being awfully dense at the moment. Might not sink in until that walking fortress whaps him upside his cloudy head. Jonouchi, Honda, and Anzu all gape in various degrees of distress, but the dialog is more of awe that Yuugi's got this game going now. 

Yuugi demands that his Stronghold get Atem. 

Oh good, it's not that he's being DENSE, it's that he was using that IMPOSSIBLE poker face mind of his again. 

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? On the one hand, I appreciate the effort to show Atem's transition from mild skepticism of Yuugi's efforts at the beginning of the duel to his amazement at them. It makes more than enough sense that while he's proud of Yuugi for stepping up to take on this responsibility of his duel to end all duels, he might doubt that Yuugi can bring himself to put all his effort into the duel. Looking at this from Atem's perspective, I can see how Yuugi's moves for a minute MIGHT have come across as overly shy or like he was holding back, so his mini lecture about how Yuugi can't beat him with defensive moves is understandable. 

But, on the other hand, Atem being repeatedly taken-aback by the mechanics of these cards that he really should have predicted was a little grating. It didn't convey that his awe was in regards to Yuugi showing concerted effort, or being a little more in the game than he had assumed at first - it just made him look ridiculously dense. And the about-face at the end of the chapter where Atem shows he was in control all along just comes across as an over-correction for how stupid Atem was being written before. I've commented before on how Atem appears in both face AND thought to be on the ropes in a match, and then the next panel he's confident again when it's revealed that he had a countermeasure for whatever move he was reacting to in the first place. It seems disingenuous and like there's an effort to have it both ways: having tension built into the narrative while ALSO having your cool main character never REALLY be vulnerable or uncertain. In this particular case, there's also the impression KT might have pushed Atem's awe a little too far, and had to swing him back to a place where he's still in the competition. It's not great.

Otherwise, there's just a general melancholy to the start of this duel. The characters are expressing confusion at the situation, perplexity at how their friends ended up being on OPPOSITE sides of duel, and discomfort at what BOTH outcomes could mean. It is no wonder to me that, whenever Jonouchi in particular is depicted, he's got this sort of... lost expression, like he's totally unfamiliar with where he's at and he's failing to get his bearings. It's a little unsettling, but rich in emotion. 

And of course I can't deny that I'm feeling the impending ending a little more intensely with every subsequent chapter I recap/review here. It's getting WEIRD, and I don't even have a clever little countermove to the discomfort written for me like Atem does. I just have to DEAL.

Inuyasha Manga: 280 True Objective

Control and power. Full stop. Forgive me, but I'm a little sick of hearing well-meaning perpetually shocked folks always asking the rhetorical question, "Why are they doing this??" The answer is always that they want power and control over the rest of us, and if you look at any of their actions through that simple truth, you'll find it makes sense. Working ridiculously hard to take away necessary and popular health care procedures? Control and power. Permeating weapons of war throughout society's streets despite their proliferation meaning near constant death and destruction? Control and power. Ousting elected public officials from legislature because they had a mind to actually speak for their constituents instead of rich lobbyists? Control and power.

Holing up in a mountain that you eventually make a subset of your ridiculously complicated body so you can trap your enemies inside and absorb one of their friends after your hired assassins fail miserably to kill ANY of them? Control and power. Even if it's only over himself.

Sango and Miroku fly by on Kirara, dodging all the clumps of weird flesh falling from the ceiling that they were wading through before, and telling Inuyasha and Kagome that they need to get out of there before the miasma kicks their sorry asses. Inuyasha curses, then calls to Shippou, who pops up on his shoulder asking what it is. Inuyasha orders him to transform and take Kagome out of there first, and questions if he can manage it, to which Shippou responds with another perplexed noise. Kagome leans over Inuyasha's other shoulder and demands to know what will become of HIM in the meantime, and he asks if she WANTS him to save the wimpy wolf or not. He asserts that there's no way he can carry ALL of them and move freely, then repeats his command to go already. 

At least there aren't any drawn-out arguments about it. 

Inuyasha dives downward among the falling fleshy debris, curling his arm up by his nose and complaining that the miasma is nasty. No need to state redundancies to no one, dude. He spots the falling bubble containing Kouga, cracks his knuckles, and slashes down at the sack with a Sankon Tessou. It bursts and no sooner is Kouga free then Inuyash looks up to see a MASSIVE hunk of flesh descending on them at speed. Kouga doesn't appear to be conscious, so with another curse, Inuyasha pulls Kouga's arm over his shoulders and leaps him out of the way. 

He notes with alarm that the sack Kouga was in appears to have been melting him, now that he's got a feel of the chemical-looking burns on his hand and arm. Inuyasha supposes that the bastard Naraku was really trying to absorb Kouga, along with his Shikon shards. I guess Naraku just didn't want to take the time to poke and prod through Kouga's legs with his little tentacles to retrieve the fragments. He was in a bit of a hurry after a minute, after all.

Kouga coughs and a lot of fluid is expelled from his mouth - stuff that was presumably BURNING his insides. Inuyasha welcomes him to consciousness with a caustic observation that the wimpy wolf is awake, and Kouga answers with Inuyasha's WAY better nickname (Dog Turd) in a little bit of a daze. Then he starts freaking out about where Naraku is and what happened to their mutual enemy. Inuyasha yells at him to leave the details for later, since they've got to get out of there. Like, YESTERDAY. Inuyasha pushes off from another flesh ball to begin their ascent. 

From her safe-ish distance, Kikyou now observes that Mt. Hakurei is collapsing. Really sucks for the people living there, huh? It turns out that Kikyou's distance is not even as safe-ISH as I thought, though, because cracks start forming around her feet, branching out like a lightning strike. Another object is flying through the sky above her, but unlike Kagura, this one is descending rapidly right on top of her. 

Between the two, I would have preferred Kagura as a visitor. 

Kikyou says Naraku's name by way of disgusted and disdainful greeting, and Naraku chuckles at Kikyou that it's been a long while since they've interacted face to face. By Kikyou's expression, I'd say she's wishing it had been a LOT longer. 

Now THAT'S what I call collapsing. Volume 36.

Sango repeats the assessment that the big mountain is on its way down, and Miroku wonders if this means that Mt. Hakurei is no longer necessary to Naraku. Oh, I think its period of usefulness was just about as brief as anything else the guy uses and throws away. Kagome and Shippou stand at a distance from the mountain, just like Kikyou, and though the ground around them is rumbling ominously, Shippou worries aloud that Inuyasha is awfully late. Kagome just holds onto that fire-rat coat the way she was on the edge of the burning river a few chapters ago, once again terrified for Inuyasha's safety.

I don't know HOW, but she's able to make out a couple of figures emerging from the debris and dust, hugging Shippou to her as she identifies Inuyasha. Shippou adds happily that Kouga is there too. AMAZING eyes, these kids. A massive rock is coming up fast at Inuyasha and Kouga's backs, and Sango calls for them to watch out, like they didn't notice. Kouga's foot pushes off the ground in a hurry.

Kouga is just as fast at healing from traumatic burns as he is on his feet.

As Kouga touches down on the ground, Inuyasha presumably right behind him, and Kagome runs toward him thanking goodness that they're okay, he mopes about failing at what he INTENDED to do. He then grabs Kagome's hands and apologizes for their earlier separation in the cave, saying she must have been scared. Before Kagome can confirm that it was indeed pretty fucking scary watching him get swallowed up by the ground, Inuyasha punches Kouga on the back of his head, cursing him for acting like he got out all by his lonesome. 

Shippou chirps at Kouga that he could AT LEAST express some gratitude, and Kagome reveals that Inuyasha went to save Kouga even before she ASKED him to do it. Kouga actually looks a little humbled by this information, but when Inuyasha barks at him not to misunderstand, that he just didn't want Naraku to get the shards in Kouga's legs through complete inaction, Kouga says he sees and refuses to thank him. Still, Inuyasha encourages him (in a rather threatening, in-your-face manner) to say thank you, and Kouga asks which Inuyasha wants, because an expression of gratitude and surly refusal to acknowledge help are apparently on the same footing in his mind. Shippou dryly says Kouga KNOWS Inuyasha wants Kouga to say thank you. Kagome just closes her eyes in exasperation. Probably counting to ten in her head, these boys are just too annoying.

"So, I see the Youkai Haute Couture project is in full swing."

No, seriously, Kikyou asks Naraku what the deal is with his new form with a less-than-impressed expression. Clearly, she and I agree that he's looking pretty iffy right now. Naraku asks if she can't tell by looking that this is his new body, but Kikyou AIN'T buying it. She tells him not to make her laugh (though she looks the furthest thing from that reaction), and assures him that she's not blind. DEAD, but not blind. Kikyou says that this new body of his is flashy, but for show, and asked him what he sent out of Mt. Hakurei after spending so long holed up in there until the holy barrier came down. 

Naraku smirks, calls Kikyou as sharp as ever for noticing that, and Kikyou confirms that she spotted Kagura fleeing the mountain's impending collapse cradling something in her arms. She then lifts her bow, arrow nocked, asking what his true objective is. With a creepy glare, Naraku promises to tell her, if she really wants to know. Something tells me this was going to become apparent to her whether or not she even asked. Naraku lifts his forearm so that that horn on his bone armor lengthens, stating that he has something he really needs to get done no matter what. 

And it's not changing into an outfit that doesn't make his head look like it shrunk in the wash.

An almost imperceptible flash later...

Elsewhere, Inuyasha suddenly whirls around from Kagome, a panic in his face as he wonders what this foreboding feeling is.

Contrivance, perhaps?

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? Things felt like they accelerated quite a bit in this chapter, in a good way. Since the collapsing mountain wasn't waiting for them to argue about what was going to be done and who was going to do it, there was very little deliberation over most of them escaping the mountain while Inuyasha stayed behind to rescue Kouga. And as Kagome noted to Kouga later, Inuyasha didn't wait for Kagome to suggest that he should save his "rival", it was an automatic impulse. And Kouga pretty much immediately showed the SAME impulse when he sped them away from a falling boulder later. Their unique bond may be built on their scraps over Kagome, but it's becoming more and more apparent that it's not really about Kagome at all - it's about them getting a rise out of the other one and enjoying the goofy mock fights they have because of their generally low stakes. They have some of their most ridiculous arguments after escaping the most intense life-or-death situations, which speaks volumes about how effective they are at releasing that tension. And if the characters can take a moment to relax with a humorous moment, the audience is given a small breather too.

Even though, at the same time, the tension between Naraku and Kikyou is mounting just a short distance away. We've seen them chatting before, and while it's been dripping with disdain on both ends, the danger to either of them has been minimal. Neither has made any true attempt to kill the other one, despite the clear distrust between them. So that's why it comes as something of a surprise that, after all this time, Naraku has finally struck Kikyou. Obviously it was a long time coming, and it's not all that shocking that it happened at ALL, but because it took so long to get to this point, I think I had become complacent in my expectations that the moment would eventually come around. I supposed they would just continue to lurk around each other's periphery and try to manipulate the result they wanted less directly. I believe Kikyou would still like to do that, considering her plan was to let the guy put back together the whole Shikon no Tama in order to purify them together. 

I'm kind of glad that there's some consequence to her waiting around for that moment, honestly. Despite my respect for her as a VERY interesting character and a general badass, I still think it is a VERY unsound plan.

Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 338 The Rite of the Duel!!

Exciting as this and its stakes sound, I am DESPAIRING of sitting inside reading about "the Rite of the Duel" at the moment. It's been raining nonstop since yesterday with more rain on the way, I haven't gotten out to get the rest of the stone for my herb spiral yet, and I didn't get to ride my bike this week like I'd grown accustomed. I'm feeling a little bit of cabin fever, and despite having plenty to do indoors (including this review), I can't help but feel a bit bored and bummed by it all. Normally the rain feels cozy here, so I don't know what's changed. Perhaps I'm longing for summer and sunshine more than I've ever done before. Perhaps I just need a little vacation.

But if Yuugi can keep truckin' with his somewhat painful duties to Atem at this bummer of a time for him, then my task of reviewing them is relatively small in comparison. 

He sits back in his chair, surrounded by piles of odd cards that didn't make the cut for the deck he just finished, some of them trailing out of his back haphazardly. He starts looking through his chosen cards again, mumbling that the balance isn't quite right, considering out loud some more traps, and saying that there's too many monsters. He thinks about how before now he always built his deck with "his other self" (except for that one time where he had his dream deck in the Memory World RPG, but perhaps he doesn't count that as "building" per se) as he makes the changes he was muttering about before, eventually giving his choices more notes of approval. He acknowledges that this time is different, though: this is his OWN deck, to duel the "other him" specifically. Can't let him have the advantage of seeing what he's up against beforehand, after all.

Over an image of the ship moving along the Nile, Yuugi also notes that they'll be arriving in the Valley of the Kings in just a few more hours, where the Shrine of the Underworld is, the arena for their duel against one another. At last, Yuugi decides to stop fussing over the deck and says that's it, stashing it away in the Millennium Puzzle box until the duel. Once Yuugi has closed the box and has taken it off the table, possibly to put it in his bag, Atem appears in spectral form beside him, asking if he's finished up building that deck yet. Yuugi responds to his "other him" in slight alarm, asking where he's been this whole time, saying everyone was worried about him.

Atem apologizes, claiming that he had to sleep to minimize the risk of seeing Yuugi build the deck for his duel with him. Yuugi assumes Atem must have heard the news then, to which Atem responds that he indeed was at least around to hear Marik's explanation about the Rite of the Duel, and he in turn assumes that Yuugi's accepted the responsibility of giving him his final test. Yuugi kind of hangs his head in morose silence, Atem waiting patiently for Yuugi to look up again and affirm that he'll use all his skills to duel him. Atem says he knows, so Yuugi launches into an excited declaration that it's his turn to build his own deck, urging him not to forget that he knows all the weaknesses of the current deck, his new deck has ways to beat the classic Atem strategies, and he shouldn't be underestimated. 

Atem doesn't respond. Yuugi hangs his head again and repeats that it's his turn.

Does their shared BODY ever get to rest? 

Inside, Yuugi is no less obviously unhappy about the course things have taken. He's got his spectral fists all balled up, his head inclined, his shoulder tensed up around his ears. He states in no uncertain terms that he doesn't really want to fight his "other him", as if he's talking straight to him. But he acknowledges that if he doesn't Atem won't ever be free, and will always be trapped in his heart. Heart-prisons have become something of a recurring idea, haven't they? Yuugi again looks back up with determination and insists that it's his duty to beat Atem, that he HAS to. 

Since they don't have much time, Yuugi would REALLY like to spend what they have left talking to Atem, but he's made the decision to fight as a duelist, so he resolves to keep silent. Toxic positivity switched out for a little of the toxic masculinity, I see. Although, I do agree that Yuugi should probz show Atem the same courtesy shown to himself and NOT interrupt him while he's building a new deck.

Would hate to break THAT intense concentration.

Thinking on Kaiba, Marik, and Pegasus, Atem acknowledges how he's fought many enemies on his journey, but he's convinced this Rite of the Duel will be his hardest challenge yet. He considers how willingly Yuugi took on this duty to fight to determine his fate. As he sifts through the cards from Yuugi's bag, it's clear to him that the trial isn't just his, looking at the puzzle box with Yuugi's deck sitting inside as a vessel for his hopes and dreams. He asserts to Yuugi (hypothetically, since Yuugi's removed himself from any possibility of conversation) that he also has hopes and dreams, and he'll put them ALL into his new deck. 

Over a panel of some ruins that we can assume the ship is passing at the moment, Atem thinks about how the stone slabs of 3000 years before have been reborn as cards in the modern day, and the cards he's choosing hold his soul as a duelist. A succinct summary, I like it. And the boat continues to chug along the river.

With the certainty that this duel will determine where he spends ETERNITY, staying in the modern day if he wins, and going on to the next life if he loses, there's no pressure or anything. Yuugi's image is superimposed on the puzzle box as Atem issues his challenge to his trusty partner. I would be looking a little sick, but Atem looks as composed and determined as ever. 

The ship approaches a mooring cleat at the edge of the river, and Atem sees from the window, supposing that they've arrived. He stashes the puzzle box with Yuugi's deck inside into the backpack, Presumably doing the same with his own deck, but I don't know how - there are SEVERAL stacks of cards in there otherwise, and I hope the damn thing doesn't get jostled and lost. 

The gangplank is lowered to the dock that where it lands and Atem arrives with the backpack slung up on one shoulder, and alone. He looks a bit shocked when he sees what's waiting for him. 

He was taking his sweet time in there, I guess.

Atem smiles at all of them warmly, and the ever impatient Jonouchi suggests that they all get going. Not that he's looking at all irritated about it - he seems to be rather gentle in his expression and tone right now. Atem inclines his head in agreement and they all take a walk among the rocky outcrops in the Valley of the Kings. At some point they descend a set of stairs, and once more Atem widens his eyes at the view at the bottom.

Everyone looks around in curious wonder, Jonouchi muttering about THIS being the Shrine of the Underworld. Ishizu gestures the folks standing at the head of the shrine to Atem, who approach him and kneel with the final two Millennium Items presented on a tray and dark altar cloth, telling him how they've been waiting for him. The man raising the tray makes the unnecessary comment that they have the last two items right here, and while Ishizu silently takes the tray off him, Atem turns silently to look at the tablet with all its very specifically-shaped indents. He opens up the backpack where the rest of the items are stashed. 

Ishizu instructs him to insert the items in their slots. Anzu watches Atem do so, addressing him silently in her increasing misery. The puzzle is the final item he puts in the tablet, right at the top in the chest of the pharaoh figure that the tablet is fashioned after. Atem stands back while light starts to shine out of the edges of the slots, and the Door to the Afterlife beyond shines from the eye set in the center top. Jonouchi observes this with alarm, and Ishizu explains how the Wadjet Eye will be judging the truth here, and this is how the Rite of the Duel begins. 

Atem raises his arm, Duel Disk clacking into shape, and behind him, Jonouchi points and makes an unneeded bid for them to look, Honda looking pretty stressed with his clenched jaw and sweatdrop next to him. 

That's something you don't see every day.

They're like twins, standing next to each other in a similar battle stance, though Yuugi appears just a bit more perplexed than the stoic Atem. Relatable, especially considering even the DUEL DISK has been cloned up. Jonouchi is astonished by Yuugi being split in two like a frickin' amoeba, but Honda blurts that their duel is about to start, as if THAT'S the most amazing part of this whole deal. Weird comment, dude. 

With Atem asking if his partner can surpass him, Yuugi determined not to lose to his "other him", and the onlookers running the gamut between anxiety, gaping, and stone-cold concentration, they're ready to face off. 

This is some Twilight Zone shit.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? There are a lot of emotions here, and a part of me is almost grateful that it's a little rushed, because I think KT could have gotten LOST in how many there are throughout many chapters. I certainly would have. As it stands, half to three-quarters of a chapter was a good amount of time to scratch the surface of the massive OCEAN that is these two trying to distance themselves preemptively. It's downright heartbreaking that Yuugi is struggling with sacrificing the goodbye he WANTS for the goodbye he thinks both he and Atem NEED in order to properly challenge each other. The fact that he feels his urge to communicate with Atem is incompatible with their trial is a bit of a tragedy, especially since Atem isn't exactly contradicting that perception. His wordless response to Yuugi's attempts to express excitement and encouragement came off as ice-cold, so it's not really a surprise that Yuugi came away with the conclusion that he had to try to be just as expressionless.

That's not to say I'm not sympathetic to Atem's reaction to this ordeal. It's not out of the ordinary to have an emotional deep freeze in stressful situations, where one tenses and clams up, unable to find the proper enthusiasm to match what's being expressed by others. Atem's certainty that this will be his biggest challenge speaks volumes about why he couldn't join in Yuugi's attempt at manufactured happiness. This one duel determines his future, and both outcomes could be a tad bit of a bummer, no matter how bubbly Yuugi tries to paint it.

These are just two different reactions to the same stressful stimuli, and unfortunately they clash pretty hard when they come in contact with one another. It highlights HOW different Yuugi and Atem are as people, despite how well they've worked together over the majority of the story, and the friction that can cause when they're FORCED to be opponents. It's... fucking weird. 

Not as weird as them splitting in two so they can make this whole thing physically WORK, of course. But on second thought, it's not all THAT surprising that the onlookers weren't too hung up about it. Marik, Rishid, and Ishizu have literally been preparing for this moment their entire lives, Ryoji was well acquainted with the Millennium Puzzle and primed for the weirdness before he even MET Yuugi, Sugoroku experienced his own weirdness when he first got the thing, and the main friend group has just been through a ridiculously bizarre adventure that is at least somewhat on par with watching Yuugi's body replicate itself before their very eyes. When dealing with the Millennium Items, one comes to expect every level of fuckery, I'm sure.

Inuyasha Manga: 279 Swirl of Youki

Is it weird that this title sounds DELICIOUS to me? Springtime is here, the sun is coming out more often, the weather is getting warmer, and I've been having a little hankering for ice cream cones lately. It's still just a tad too cold for me to partake without getting the shivers, but I can't help it, my mouth is watering at the thought of a chocolate and vanilla swirl cup, or maybe strawberry... I'll tell you, the moment I can go a whole day without putting on a sweater, I'm heading into town and getting ALL the ice cream.

It's such a strange craving to have in the midst of... THIS.

Naraku scoffs and holds up his arm, from which one of his bone spike armor thingies grows into an even bigger bone spike armor thingy. I'm bringing the technical terms today, as you can see. He slashes his arm at the oncoming blast, and it bounces back from his barrier bubble. Inuyasha is in horrified disbelief that it seems Naraku has knocked his signature attack back. 

Kaze no Kizu's jagged path carves through the tentacles restraining Miroku and Sango, who can only yell in terrified alarm. A couple of branches of the attack saw across the one holding Kagome and Shippou too, the latter calling out to the former in distress. Inuyasha hears this and yells for Kagome too.

He's able to snatch her (and presumably Shippou too) from danger just in time with a grunt, but he notices that Kaze no Kizu doesn't seem to be dissipating at all like it normally would. Kagome says Inuyasha's name, and he asks her if she's hurt - little Shippou is just kind of staring up at Inuyasha, nothing of his own to say. Sango and Miroku fend off the ricocheting blasts by Sango's use of Hiraikotsu as a shield, but she's already starting to consider it too damaged to keep up the task for much longer. All Miroku can do is ask what in the actual HELL is going on right now. 

Somehow, through the cacophony, Naraku's nefarious chuckle carries to Inuyasha, who glares as he's told that his Kaze no Kizu got itself all caught in the flow of Naraku youki. Naraku says that it will continue to circle around in here until Inuyasha and company are cut to ribbons. Dude, the only thing that's getting all ribbonized here is you, in case you haven't noticed. Although, his ability to play it cool when he's essentially got knives stabbing at every inch of him from the INSIDE is kind of impressive in a weird way. Total Black Knight energy.

Outside, Kikyou looks up at the mountain critically.

Oooh, so close to getting the spoken title accolades again! Missed it by a hair though.

Up over a jagged rock outcrop, Kikyou spots something flying, peering at it with even more concentration. She's able to make out "Naraku's offspring Kagura" atop her giant feather, and that she's carrying something wrapped in a furry little bundle after further squinting. Kikyou nocks an arrow and aims it at Kagura, shooting without any deliberation. 

Turns out poor Kikyou is missing a LOT of things by a hair, huh? How's she picking up Inuyasha's bad aim when they haven't even hung out all that much this arc? 

Kagura notes that it's Kikyou while she starts to open her fan for a fight, but a voice from the bundle she's holding tells her to stop, that Kikyou isn't hers to finish off. Kagura is a little stunned by how whatever is in there can talk, but doesn't ask questions. She just speeds off beyond the reach of Kikyou's arrows, much to Kikyou's irritation, given her glare after the fleeing enemy. She wonders furiously just what it is that Naraku is letting escape. 

A narrow mist transition panel with a rumble sound effect over it later, we see Naraku glaring into his periphery, thinking on Kikyou. Just a coincidence, I'm sure. Meanwhile, Inuyasha is guarding Kagome from the continually ricocheting Kaze no Kizu by keeping her behind his back while he and Tessaiga act as shields against the bombardment. He shouts over his should a question about if she's okay, and she stutters an affirmative, but she knows they've got to DO something about this, since it just keeps relentlessly returning. You'd think that would be the person with a BOOMERANG'S deal, but Naraku made sure to keep his ripoff legally distinct.

And who could make it out of this deathtrap to take him to court over it anyway? He's free and clear.

All right, so his thoughts are just A LITTLE different than I joked above. He's convinced that Inuyasha and company will die here in his mountain gut, and he's got a new body for himself, so there's just ONE fairly obvious thing left to take care of.  Naraku's bubble starts to float upwards, something Inuyasha notices right off the bat despite the utter chaos of Kaze no Kizu bouncing off the walls all around him. He yells at Naraku, accusing him of trying to escape, but Naraku likely can't hear him over the sheer NOISE in the place. 

Kagome encourages Inuyasha to go after Naraku from over his shoulder, causing Inuyasha some shock. Recalling what Naraku said about Inuyasha's Kaze no Kizu getting caught in the flow of his youki, Kagome suggests that she may be able to extinguish the flow that Naraku was talking about, since it's his evil energy, after all. She also tells Inuyasha that she can see something at Naraku's feet, two Shikon shards glowing there. Inuyasha takes no time at all to pick up what she's implying - this might very well be Kouga. Kagome agrees that this is most likely, given that Kouga is a full youkai and Naraku would have no compunctions about absorbing him. She declares that they have to save him, and Inuyasha scoffs that this only applies if the guy is still alive, of course.

Still, in the next panel, Naraku perceives out of his periphery the shape of Inuyasha leaping up toward him with Kagome on his back. At first Naraku thinks Inuyasha's lost it, to jump right into the middle of his own ricocheting attack like that. 

Well, what do you expect when you put someone in a position where they've got nothing to lose?

Kagome fires a purifying arrow that arcs upward in a wide arc, dissipating the bouncing wind attack on its way. Miroku and Sango are able to lower the Hiraikotsu when they note that the Kaze no Kizu is finally quitting. The arrow makes landing right where Kagome indicated before, making the portion of Naraku's bubble at his feet ripple with the impact. Kagome seems... surprised that she hit it, even though it was a fairly broad target.

... Gross. 

Kagome shouts to the unresponsive Kouga as Inuyasha makes a beeline for the descending, ahem, sac that he's be put in. Naraku chuckles about them being worried about their friends, even at a time like this, raising his hand. This seems to be some sort of self-destruct command, because suddenly lumps of the fleshy interior of the mountain start falling, chunks of innards collapsing on top of the Inuyasha gang. Kagome states this fact aloud in a panic, while Sango and Miroku cringe up on their ledge at another observation of miasma gushing from the sloughing walls of the cavern. 

There's a saying that you never accept a gift from an economist, but even THEY have to be better at presents than Naraku.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? Frankly, I'm not sure how much of the implications and statement that Mt. Hakurei is part of Naraku's body I should really trust. He is reacting shockingly little to it getting torn to pieces by his own mechanism in this chapter, and his interaction with Inuyasha and company is happening mainly from a conventional form. It's also worth noting that he starts making off with Kouga fully UNassimilated, even though the walls of the cave absorbed Kouga into it a couple of chapters ago. I don't know why he wouldn't just take in Kouga from there, unless he's already separated himself completely from the flesh around him and was leaving it behind as a decoy - but he still has plenty of control over it, so he's not WHOLLY separate? It's a little confusing, but no matter to what degree Naraku IS the mountain now, I have to conclude that it's only a superficial one.

Because Naraku, and more importantly RT, HAS to remember that Kagome has more than enough power to fuck his shit up, right? She's totally owned his ass before, and no matter how much mass he accumulates, he has to realize that Kagome is always going to have the ability to purify his youki. It would be SUPREMELY dumb for him not to take this into account while planning for Inuyasha's crew to be trapped inside his mountain body, especially when the trick he's relying on would just be using his purifiable aura to move around/redirect Inuyasha's attack. It does seem a little like this consideration went by the wayside, and now there's a contradictory effort to indicate heavily that Naraku actually ISN'T attached to Mt. Hakurei that much, because otherwise it doesn't make sense that he's not in bigger pain, OR that his plan didn't include a contingency for Kagome doing what Kagome does.

Also, did RT start getting some criticism for Kagome's ability to shoot a bow? To be honest, I always thought it was just a LITTLE convenient that she learned how to shoot so well so fast, but I always chalked it up to necessity, combined with her past life being a bit of an expert and some that talent passing between lifetimes. But now it appears there's some attention being drawn to her shots actually HITTING, like this is something new. Is this another lampshade or something? 

We getting a tad uncomfortable that the reincarnate-girls' aim has been consistently better than our titular hero's?

Yu-Gi-Oh Manga: 337 Over the Nile!!

Okay, I have officially reached the final couple of episodes of a show I REALLY liked as a kid, and I'm kind of regretting buying it? I had the urge to watch it again, out of that nostalgic urge to recapture some greater sense of magic, and I couldn't find it on any of my subscription streaming services, so I ordered the series online. Thing is, it's kind of long, and I've spent weeks in my time by myself during work putting on the episodes in the background. I haven't really been paying all THAT close attention, and even if I could, I don't really want to. Whenever I've sat down to actually watch the thing, I've had a LOT of unflattering questions about how things worked in the story's universe, what happened to previously established facts that had been retroactively glossed over, and WHO WROTE THIS CRAP. I mean, I get I was a kid when I got into the show, but was my taste really THAT bad? 

I guess I'm over denying it (ahem). I must have been a bit of a dumb kiddo. XD

To be fair, I might very well still be.

Yuugi ponders the reason they came to Egypt in the first place, and because of that, isn't able to quite get into the "tourist" spirit. They're just kind of sitting there on some dunes or standing looking into the distance, too, so that might be part of it. Although, in the next panel, Jonouchi is on a camel with a guide on either side, his legs flailing out on either side as he tells one of the guys to beat it for telling him that he has to PAY to get down. This doesn't SEEM like much fun from my view, but it's over this image that Yuugi suggests that at least his friends are having a good time. The best indication that no matter how he's grown and changed over the course of this story, he's still a LITTLE WEIRD. 

As he watches some dudes pass by on camels, Yuugi thinks about his "other him", knowing that though it's not Atem's real name or anything, he's still going to call him that. Yuugi cradles the Millennium Puzzle in his hands, asserting that, for now, they're still two souls in a single body. He thinks about how Atem used to live in this land 3000 years before, and soon he'll be leaving. He wants to keep calling Atem his "other him" until that time, however.

I doubt Atem would be too annoyed by that.

Somewhat of a contrast to the more stereotypical imagery we were getting before, lol.

Just outside, the kiddos are looking at an open guidebook and a map, a spot on which Jonouchi points to and affirms that they'll be taking a plane to this place called Luxor, and Yuugi agrees, telling them that's where the Valley of the Kings is located. Ryoji is looking at the guidebook in Jonouchi's hands and looking a little perplexed, which is how I feel about his presence here. Not that I don't think he doesn't DESERVE to be with the gang or anything, but it's a little baffling to me that he'd have too many stakes in their little errand. Then again, that whole debacle with his dice game and almost burning Yuugi alive was fundamentally due to his clown!dad's vested interest in the puzzle, so...

They stand all grouped under an awning, opining about how late someone is, and Sugoroku asks Yuugi if he's sure this is really where they're supposed to wait. Yuugi holds up a letter to his grandfather and says this is the place they told him to wait in it, pulling out a photo they also sent in the envelope. Apparently this is the first time Sugoroku is seeing this picture of a stone with hieroglyphics carved all around an upper central carving of an eye, split right down the middle like it's a door, which it probably is. Seriously, Yuugi didn't show this cryptic photo to his granfather when he got the letter, on the plane, or anything? Really? I find that one hard to believe.

Sugoroku peers at the picture and says it's all hieroglyphs, and Anzu leans in for a look too, asking what it means. Yuugi says he's been thinking about it, but a boisterous Jonouchi complains loudly about how long he's being made to wait, and says he would have done more sightseeing if he'd known it would be so long. They'd only seen the pyramids, according to him. Bakura points off to the side and says they could see the Cairo Museum, something he'd LOVE to check out. Huh, not a little OVER museums for the time being since your recent experiences, Bakura? Oh well, can't change a kid's core interests, I suppose. 

Jonouchi and he start to walk off, but Sugoroku shakes his fist at them and yells not to wander, Yuugi saying his grandfather is right, given that they're on an important mission and can't be distracted. On his way to fetch the meandering kids, Sugoroku steps over Honda, who's laying on the ground with some sort of bedroll under his head. He groans, asking if they could all keep it down, as he has the runs from drinking the water here. I'm not familiar with the kind of diarrhea that's sound-activated, but okay Honda. 

We're shown a wheel VROOM VROOMING up at the curb, getting all their attentions. 

Cool bike, I assume you're not there to pick them up. And if you guys were all flying together then you'd have parked before coming over...

Yuugi gives Marik a friendly wave, but Jonouchi makes a gesture that suggests he REALLY wants to punch Marik, yelling that he's late. Marik pays no mind to Jonouchi's threatening demeanor, apologizing through an amiable grin. It doesn't really matter; Jonouchi drops it once he gets to Rishid and just pulls a fake play punch on his shoulder, asking how he and Marik are doing. Rishid responds that they're all good and were really excited to see them all. It's an overall friendly reunion between them, and very heart-warming. Almost makes you forget all the almost murder Marik and Rishid committed on these guys during Battle City.

Ahem.

Marik tells them there's been a change in plans, because the Luxor airport is closed due to a sandstorm, and there's no telling when it'll be running again. He assures them all that Ishizu is off using her government contacts to get them a ship, and it shouldn't be too much longer. A fair reason for being late, but Jonouchi might get pissy again if he has to wait much more. Thankfully, we skip the part where he's throwing more conniption fits to where they're at a river dock, where Ishizu is standing with two soldiers at attention behind her, a middling cruise vessel in the background. She wishes them a good day, saying she and hers were waiting for THEM, which has to be some sort of joke at Jonouchi's impatient expense, lol.

Someone calls to her affectionately, and Ishizu smiles, welcoming them to Egypt. She gets straight down to business, turning to Yuugi and suggesting that he must have the rest of the Millennium Items if he's here. He confirms this and tells her he got her message about the other two being here already. Ishizu says that some members of their Tomb Guardian clan have taken the Tablet of the Pharaoh's Memories back from the museum and returned it to the Temple of the Underworld. All VERY cool and important-sounding things. Anzu hangs her head a little at the mention of the Temple of the Underworld, thinking that this is where the pharaoh's soul needs to go. 

Yuugi reaches into his pocket to pull out the picture Ishizu sent him and ask her about it, but Marik is already at the top of the gangway plank to the ship and is urging everyone to come aboard so they can talk on the way. Wouldn't want to have to wait any LONGER, after all. The kids rush to do as he says, shouting in excitement about a cruise on the Nile. Jonouchi, of course, heads the pack with his fist pumping in the air. 

The boat gets going and they stand at the bow of the ship looking over the railing. Anzu has her arms raised with a declaration that this is great, Jonouchi is pointing of one side of their line and Bakura is waving on the opposite. Once they're all settled down, there's a sentiment shared that perhaps the sandstorm had a purpose, because ancient Egyptians believed that ships carried kings or people back to the gods from the land of the living to that of the dead. Remarkably not a particularly unique belief from a lot of other cultures. Again, Anzu is moody as she looks at Ishizu, who had expressed this information, not wanting to think about that despite knowing what she means. 

Once more, Ishizu turns to Yuugi and encourages his question about the picture. Remembering, he pulls it out and holds it up, where Ishizu tells him that what he sees are the Hieroglyphics inscribed on the door to the afterlife. Yuugi asks what they say, and Marik attempts a simple explanation:

Yuugi says he thinks he already knows what he needs to do - put the Millennium Items in the tablet and say the pharaoh's name. Marik is shocked that they found the pharaoh's lost name, and Jonouchi affirms that they did indeed, and I THINK he's the one who says it over the gaping faces of Marik and Ishizu in the next panel, but I can't be TOTALLY certain. In any case, when he recovers from the disbelief, Marik tells Yuugi that this isn't the ONLY think written on the door. It's now Yuugi's turn to be a little shocked.

Shit, does EVERYTHING have to have a duel incorporated into it???

Marik says that the pharaoh isn't able to make his homeward journey into eternal rest still holding his sword, and this statement is so cryptic that Jonouchi has to ask after a moment of pause just what in the hell Marik is talking about. So, Marik elaborates that the "sword" is a symbol for a tool to fight in this current world, which for duelists like them, would be their cards. He asks if they're picking up what he's putting down, and Yuugi hangs his head much like Anzu has been doing, thinking that Atem must have to put down his "sword" in order to find peace. With a somewhat concerned expression, he says that someone will have to fight his "other him"'s soul and win. 

As Yuugi's friends look at him with shock, Marik says that he interprets this particular part of the instruction manual on the door the same way. The ship continues along its way, the sun sinking on the horizon, and Ishizu philosophizes about the Land of the Dead being in the west where the sun sets, and how the pharaoh's soul needs the rise of a new sun. We get it, his opponent needs to take up his weird card-game mantle, the symbolism is a little on the nose there. Yuugi looks at the sunset with his poop-face on. Shit has once again gotten real, despite the woo-woo talk going on at the moment.

When night has fallen, it seems their cruise has taken on a decidedly somber tone. 

But this one's nerves just got turned up to eleven.

His cabin door is slightly ajar and Anzu is outside it, asking if she can come in. He just acknowledges her by name as she walks inside, informing him that they tell her they'll arrive at the Valley of the Kings in the morning. Yuugi just gives her a generic, short response, but Anzu doesn't really see this as a hesitation to talk, inquiring if he was thinking about the Rite of the Duel. He answers that he was actually thinking about the "other him" and how many duels he's fought, and Anzu remarks on how he's calling Atem his "other him", suggesting that it's easier to keep calling him that. Not as easy as NOT being having to engage in forced tense conversation when emotional turmoil is running high, if I had to guess.

But Anzu keeps pushing a discussion, asking if Atem has SAID anything for himself recently. Yuugi says that no, in fact, Atem hasn't shown himself from the depths of his heart. Anzu pauses and meekly says she sees, a pained look on her face. Then she stands, saying Yuugi's name once more in further question, to which he hums. Anzu looks all the more unsteady and devastated, leaning on the table for support for a moment, until she chippers up and claims she was looking for medicine for Honda's diarrhea and all. She tells him to never mind, making rapidly for the door again with the spoken assumption that he probz doesn't have any. She shuts the door behind her with a jaunty good night, slamming the damn thing by the sound effect, actually. Yuugi looks at the door in stunned silence once she's gone, and she leans on the other side in a very deflated mood.

It is all PROFOUNDLY awkward.

A brooding misery here, by contrast.

Yuugi walks through the door behind Jonouchi onto the deck, asking if he ALSO can't sleep. After a moment of mild surprise at the company, Jonouchi affirms this. They stand at the railing for a time silently, looking out onto the water, Jonouchi addresses Yuugi curiously. He confesses that sailing along under the stars like this reminds him a bit of when they went to Duelist Kingdom. Yuugi actually smiles at this memory, agreeing that this does feel a lot like that. Jonouchi talks about how WEAK he was back then, and how he's gotten just a little stronger since he met HIM. No need to guess who he's talking about here, despite the lack of a name.

Jonouchi asks Yuugi for a favor, and Yuugi looks at him askance.

Speaking of remembering their trip to Duelist Kingdom and all, lol.

Yuugi hugs the backpack he was wearing before to his chest, looking frazzled and sweatdropping MAJORLY. Jonouchi laughs that it was a joke, but Yuugi looks a bit resentful to be reminded of Haga. Totally with him on that one, I almost had blissfully forgotten that little twerp existed. 

They quiet down again and even when Jonouchi utters a request for confirmation that it's all going down tomorrow, Yuugi just quietly continues looking at the water. When he does speak again, he hesitantly confesses to Jonouchi that there's something he hasn't yet told his "other him". But Jonouchi smiles, taking on a sure tone when he says that "he" won't be able to rest until Yuugi shows him. Yuugi agrees, declaring he has to fight "him", and there can't be any holding back. Jonouchi's smile is turned to Yuugi in encouragement. He doesn't say anything more.

Dueling against a person sharing your body SHOULD be a pretty big challenge, for sure.

So, what did I think of this chapter overall? The fact that Atem's true name was only uttered ONCE and then everyone avoids saying it afterward like the plague really gut-punches me. No doubt this is partly due to nervousness over Atem's name being the key to his entry into the afterlife - despite the other steps involved in the ritual, I can see how these kids might not want to say it before they have to just in case it opens that door too early. But a much bigger part is the avoidance of identifying Atem as wholly separate from them just yet. Yuugi has been thinking of Atem as part of him for so long, his friends also defining Atem in terms of Yuugi's identity, that the two of them aren't just difficult to untangle, but PAINFUL. Though it's obvious that Atem WILL always be a part of them in some way, right now the notion that Atem is in fact a whole person in his own right is tied to his leaving them, and that's really hard to come to grips with. All of them just want to hold onto him and his entwined identity with them just a little longer, especially Yuugi, who still clings so tightly to Atem as his "other him". Calling Atem by his name would break the illusion that they are inextricable from one another, and he can in some way "keep" Atem.

I'm reminded of a while back, just before Battle City, when Atem was trying to convince himself it would be OKAY to just share Yuugi's identity forever. That he didn't need memories, that it was fine going halves on a body with another soul, and he could be at least somewhat happy with that. The suggestion of stagnation had a tinge of depressive defeatism in it; Atem was nervous to learn who he actually was, so he considered the relative comfort of the status quo. Now from the other side, we see a depressive anxiety around the proactive movement Atem ultimately chose to pursue, because while stagnation is unsatisfying, saying goodbye and parting is sorrowful.

Man, where is Priest Seto when you need him, talking about his "heart prison" concept? 

Still, Yuugi is preparing in earnest to do what needs to be done to give Atem peace regardless. Heroes aren't heroes because they lack selfish impulses, but because they do the right thing to help everyone involved. Yuugi's sadness at the upcoming duel between himself and Atem is palpable, but he's also shown actively getting ready, going through his deck, keeping the Millennium Items safe and close by, declaring that he's going to win this fight because he has to, for his friend's sake. Just when you think he can't look any stronger, this kid shows ever greater emotional competency and fortitude. Yuugi is a BEAST. Of the cinnamon roll variety.

Jonouchi and Anzu's pain can't be overlooked either, and it's clear that they're really suffering here. But it's clear that they won't have to be the ones who are strongest throughout this ordeal, so I won't be surprised if we see some resistance to Yuugi winning during the duel from them - Anzu in particular. I think Jonouchi might get by with his sense of humor alone, but Anzu is bound to object at some point to Atem's inevitable departure. After all, she's been holding her tongue on this subject for quite some time, longer than any of them, save Yuugi himself. I'm anticipating a really big emotional outburst when she just can't take it any more. She'll be okay in the end, though. Girl's got chops.

I REALLY hope Honda is able to get over the diarrhea before the next chapter. Imagine missing the last duel - Atem vs. Yuugi - because you had to stay glued to the toilet. That would be the WORST.