“Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” is definitely continuing to be an exciting, action-packed manga series and volume 5 focuses on those trying to get their 12 star points but the battles featured are among the best featured in the manga series so far! Recommended!
Image courtesy of © 2009 by Masahiro Hikokubo, Masashi Sato. All Rights Reserved.
MANGA TITLE: Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s Vol. 5
STORY AND ART BY: Masahiro Hikokubo and Masashi Sato
FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.
PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga
RATED: T for Teen
RELEASE DATE: November 5, 2013
Yusei has defeated the twins Luna and Leo, but they promise him a rematch in Satellite city. On the way to Satellite, Yusei meets Rex Goodwin, who wants Yusei’s help defeating the Skeleton Knight, and although Yusei doesn’t trust this new ally.
As the second round of the Grand Prix opens, the sinister Lazar presents the Duelists with a new challenge: face the 12 “Duel Zodiacs” and open the Duel Gate to advance to the final round!
The second stage of the D1 Grand Prix has begun, the group of 12 Turbo Duelists that they must win a total of 12 “Star Ticket” levels in order to pass through the Duel Gate and the winner will become the Turbo Duel Emperor.
Yusei Fudo has managed to win a total of 4 star tickets but Lazar has sent Leo & Luna to take him on. Meanwhile, two old friends and rivals, “The Handless Demon” Kalin Kessler takes on “The King” Jack Atlas and a backstory of both individuals are featured. But also, Goodwin’s motivation for this tournament.
But as Yusei will do anything to save his friend Sect, what will happen when the rematch between Leo & Luna shows a different side of the group than what he previously fought before?
Find out who wins in “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” Vol. 5!
What is “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s”?
In 1996, Kazuki Takahashi would create a manga series about card games known as “Yu-Gi-Oh!”. Wanting to create a battle manga that was unique and not about fighting and a fan of tabletop role-playing games, Takahashi did not imagine how popular the series would be among fans worldwide.
With the original manga serialized in Sept. 1996 through 2004, the games have been popular among anime, manga and of course, the card gaming fans in America and also around the world. The series would spawn off various series (featuring manga adaptations by other artists/writers) such as “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX” (2005-2011), “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” (2008-2011) and most recently with “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal” (2011-2012).
In America, both “Yu-Gi-Oh! Zexal”and “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” are being released concurrently on manga. It’s important to note that the storyline of the manga version of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” is different from the anime series. The primary characters of Yusei Fudo, Jack Atlas and Akiza Izinski from the anime series are in the manga but the circumstances are much different, especially how the manga series includes the character, Sect.
After “Yu-Gi-Oh! GX” was shown as an anime series in Japan, “Yu-gi-Oh! 5D’s” was released.
Like previous series which featured characters playing a game of “Duel Monsters”, the series takes place in New Domino City in the year 20xx. Turbo Duels are fought from the seats of Motorcycle-shaped duel disks called “Duel Runners” and is the hottest game in the city. While the upper class population lives in New Domino City, the lower class live in a remote island where Domino’s sewage is transported, called Satellite.
We are introduced to the main protagonist, Yusei Fudo, who lives in Satellite and the 18-year-old is considered the toughest duelist in the Satellite District. His younger friend Sect is like a brother to him but he knows that Sect’s goal is to one day beat him in a Turbo Duel.
In volume 5 of ” , the second stage of the D1 Grand Prix has begun and so far Andre, Yusei Fudo, Adolf Mueller, Admire Derby have been successful in their early matchups. But as we see Kalin Kessler take on his old friend and rival, Jack, we also find out how both were former test subjects. But for what and why? We finally get some answers!
Also, answers to what Goodwin’s motivation for the tournament truly is.
But also getting to see a rematch between Yusei Fudo versus Leo and Luna. But this time, it’s a much different matchup as somehow Luna is possessed with the dark miasma. Does he have any chance of beating them a second time?
The characters of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s”:
- Yusei Fudo – The main protagonist and an older teen who lives in the poor area of Satellite. Considered the toughest Turbo Duelist of the area, he hopes to have a one-on-one battle with Jack Atlas again. He is a guy who values his friend and his Duel Runner.
- Jack Atlas – The “King of Riding Duels” that is arrogant and feared by other duelists.
- Akiza Izinski – The “Queen of Queens” and an excellent Turbo Duelist who has lost only once and that is to Jack Atlas.
- Sect Ijuin – Sect is a young Turbo Duelist who looks up to Yusei like an older brother but also a rival.
- Crow Hogan – A skilled duelist who uses super quick synchro who is amazed by Yusei’s Dueling skills.
- Kalin Kessler – A Mysterious and powerful opponent who is known as “The Handless Demon”. He also has a bond with Jack Atlas that has yet to be revealed.
- Leo & Luna – Twin Turbo Duelists working for Goodwin in search of one who may be powerful enough to control the Dual Dragon.
- Goodwin – The main antagonist of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” and the D1 Grand Prix Host.
The Second Stage of the D1 Grand Prix continues in volume 5 of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” as Yusei Fudo needs 12 star points in order to save Sect, who has been possessed and changed by the Skeleton King.
And as this volume focuses on Kalin Kessler taking on Jack, we get to see more of their past as test subjects for Goodwin and to also find out what is Jack’s true motivation of competing in the tournament, along with what D1 Grand Prix host, Goodwin is hoping to achieve.
Meanwhile, as Yusei tries to do all he can to save Sect, his journey of getting 12 star points includes taking on Jean but also the twins, Leo and Luna. Meanwhile, Crow Hogan ends up going to a tower and finding a beaten Kodou Kinomiya, who is the deadly foe waiting in the mountainside?
Another Action-packed volume which continues the action of Stage 2 of the D1 Grand Prix competitions, volume 4 of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” features the most intense card battles featured in a volume so far!
For those not familiar with “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s”, the concept still focuses on card battles and top competitors going against each other. But in the case of 5D’s, they compete in card battles while racing in Duel Runner vehicles at the same time. So, the three ways of winning a matchup in the D1 Grand Prix are not done by tournament brackets, opponents are announced before each duel. Victories are when opponent’s lifepoints are zero, one beats the other opponent in the designated race or if one renders the opponent’s Duel Runner immobile.
So, the sport is Turbo Dueling which brings out large audiences watching in a stadium as the Turbo Duelist race while they are competing in a card match, so not only does one have to keep their eyes on the race, they also must plan their strategies effectively during their card battle.
For fans of “Yu-Gi-Oh!”, the card battles featured in volume 5 is exciting and almost non-stop, as you go through several battles in this single volume alone! It’s also important to note that there are characters exclusive to the manga series and this is not the same storyline that that was featured in the anime series.
Also, another fun aspect of the manga series is seeing both writer Masahiro Hikokubo and artist Masashi Sato sharing their experiences as newbies in the industry through a single-page manga panel. Definitely fun to see and read!
It’s important to note that with each volume purchased of “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” an exclusive card is featured. In this case, an ultra rare card “Stardust Spark Dragon Card” is included with volume 5.
Overall, “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” is definitely continuing to be an exciting, action-packed manga series and focuses on those trying to get their 12 star points but the battles featured are among the best featured in the manga series so far!
If you are a fan of “Yu-Gi-Oh!”, “Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s” is recommended!