Plot Summary:
After the duel of Dark Yugi against Insector Haga, Dark Yugi is now with 3 stars and Jounouchi with only one star, so next is Jounouchi's time to duel, Dark Yugi reminds him the rules and to make it work to his advantage and the gang advise him to fight a weaker contestant but then they hear a voice and laugh from a area close to them and recognising as Mai's laugh, Mai just won a duel and she already has four stars, Honda and Jounouchi are impressed by her progress in the tournament, the others more quietly impressed (specially Dark Yugi, Anzu and Ryou), she comes to them and have a small talk and challenges Jounouchi, everyone is surprised, Jounouchi was hesitant at first but willingly accepts and has Dark Yugi's encouragement as well.
The duel starts with Mai taking the lead and using her "psychic" tactics which distracts Jounouchi to be focused on the duel, when Jounouchi figures out her trick, he starts performing better during the duel, there is a bit back and forth, while showing Mai being the more experienced player, the duel ends with Jounouchi winning and leaving Mai with a riddle.
Key Points:
So Yugi/Dark Yugi has 3 stars chips and Jounouchi has only one, since he still hasn't duelled yet in the tournament,Ryou, Honda and Anzu are worried about Jounouchi that maybe he will not reach the finals for his sister because most participants in the tournament are strong, so it's harder to find someone to the same level as him, it's amusing the friends being more worrywarts than Jounouchi, Dark Yugi is just chilling, Jounouchi is focused but energetic (that's the way he is), they taking Jounouchi and his sister a little too pitifully and putting that kind of weight to Dark Yugi to help him, specially Anzu, but treat it as going blind is the end of world from their friends side (it's terrible and very scary the idea of going blind, if she did go blind, at the beginning would be very rough in getting used to it, the difference is that there 50% chance of preventing happening if the family has the necessary funds for it) , Dark Yugi and Jounouchi are dealing with it fairly better, because is have a fighting chance, better having it than none at all.
I like the cool reference from Jounouchi of the field spell card "Sogen", it's a pretty well known card and one of the classics when Yu-Gi-Oh! card games started being available to everyone, even in it's video games, for someone who is familiar with Yu-Gi-Oh! gets the reference right away...
On topic about their the exchange between Jounouchi and his friends is interesting, we see his growth that Yugi have been teaching him quite thoroughly recently that Jounouchi understood the rules at a good pace, even his friends are understanding the rules and give good advices and Dark Yugi reminds that by now the other contestants probably know the new rules, after all many duelists watched Dark Yugi VS Haga...
Despite Honda advise to pick a weak one, even though in the previous key point stated all contestants being personally invited to attend the tournament must be strong, for himself thinks to pick a participant that Jounouchi's current level is closest to (beginner against a intermediate would be wisest).
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In two hours, Mai Kujaku now has four stars, since each participant starts originally with two stars, means during two hours she gained two more, which makes having played already two duels and won both of them, which is very impressive and fast, Jounouchi very impressed, he kinda knew she was experienced from her commentary on her duel.
The other interesting part and bugs me a lot that we see often...starting with the boy who just lost to Mai:
"I went easy on you because you're a girl...serves me right... But that wasn't all! I couldn't pay attention because of that thing you did with the cards! How'd you do it? How could you read your cards when they were still face down?"
I will start with what bugs me, it's in the underline, there is some occasions like these, the timeline in YGO is in late 90s, treatments like these in a woman and girls back then was uncommon, nowadays is not as much because of the constant discussion about it, you can tell when the boy said this, Mai was with her back turned to him, it didn't show her expression and was mostly quiet, the only words she spoke after those words were after the boy asking about the "card trick" she did and replies "that...is my secret. ❤️" and the expression of her eyes changed a little in comparison to the panels ensemble on the left and being 24 years old, there is a lot of life experience behind those eyes, which means she doesn't like being looked down.
I find interesting this small talk between them because of Dark Yugi's expression being on guard with her but is he blushing a little? he is not swan by her looks per say, not the way Honda, Jounouchi and Yugi are, that's for sure, I would say somewhere between Yugi and Ryou Bakura (pretty grey), also to remind ourselves that he is Mr.awkward and is only one girl he talks with is Anzu, there is mix feelings impressed by her progress in the tournament too.
I think this the scene of Dark Yugi and Mai after their small talk to be very funny (I laugh so hard everytime I read it), Dark Yugi always looking carefully, while Mai is thinking what is the best option for the time being, best strategy to get closer to the castle, it's so noticeable the personality trait of the spirit of the millennium puzzle have a big ego and also he doesn't really take the initiative, even if he wants or interested to duel against a certain duelist, he prefers the certain duelist take the initiative of challenging him instead, from how he reacts in thought:
"Come on, say it! Do you want to duel with me?"
We can say he respects her as a duelist to think this and is aware of her and interested to have a duel with her (since many of her comments during his duel against Insector Haga coincided with the process, proving she was a skilled and experienced duelist) and he also senses she wants to have a duel with him.
When Mai expresses that she decided to have a duel but she challenges Jounouchi, Jounouchi was super surprised and Dark Yugi kinda surprised and worried about Jounouchi.
Mai explains the reason why she challenges Jounouchi, in terms of skill and experience, Jounouchi is between the weakest duelists, Dark Yugi is pissed because she is right from how the island works being a battle royale style (I think is kinda funny of Mai's choice "she is right (...). What a..." bitch, right? xDD), you can't really grow if you always fight the same person (your friend in this case), you have to fight against different opponents whether they are strong(even if they are stronger than you) or weak, but this duel will take start of Jounouchi growth as duelist, we have to remember we start as 0 and with the struggles and obstacles creates real strength.
From a strategic standpoint, she is right, if you take down the strongest early, you have huge risks in getting out of the tournament very early, specially being a "battle royale" style of tournament, this is isn't a tournament when contestants are picked at random through lottery, you chose your first opponents, you have to chose wisely with whom you want to duel in the beginning, so she is leaving Dark Yugi for last, so she can properly focus on him when the time comes and have more chances in watching his duels, even Dark Yugi admits to himself she is right for these same reasons.
Lastly, I'm bothered by the gang lack of faith in Jounouchi, sure he is a beginner, but he has to start somewhere, it would take forever to find the right contestant for him where he could have better chances but also shows that they think Mai is on a different level from what they learned through her commentary about the duel, which says something, Anzu asks Dark Yugi to tell him that would be best for Jounouchi not accept her challenge, he is considering...
Dark Yugi decides to encourage him instead, I guess he was bothered by the lack of faith, they should have some faith in him at least and also it has to do with his own principles to not ever refuse a challenge.
But what Jounouchi says bugs me again, in the beginning sounds nice talking about as he was admiring the scenery and thinks he would remember himself as coward for refusing a challenge, the part that bothers me is the following:
"I don't want to be a wimp! Yeah, there's a part of me that's afraid...But if there's another me inside of me, the I want to be someone really cool! Right, Yugi?!"
I get that he wishes to be confident and skilled like Dark Yugi but the implications behind it is what irritates me, it's this constant habit of Jounouchi underestimating Yugi as the most duelists and enemies do, it baffles me sometimes 😦, the very person who taught him and helps in where to improve, gives him constructive feedback, Honda, Anzu and Ryou are the ones who least underestimate him but treats him like their cinnamon roll, Jounouchi too, I understand Yugi needs to work on his confidence but even by this time, you can tell he have been improving, as for self-esteem is where he needs to work on most though, but skill, come on, it's pretty much the same level, sometimes Jounouchi infuriates me😠.
Dark Yugi curiously doesn't nod neither says a yes or no, it's just a smile but more of faint smile, he was a little bothered by these words because of what would imply in a position of his host, even though Dark Yugi does underestimate Yugi to an extent because Yugi is more timid and has a softer approach due his kindness as shows sometimes later (since Dark Yugi has more ruthless approach but is a softie on the inside), but not to the point of discarding him and neither looking down on Yugi like most do.
Remember when I mention in the previous post that sometimes the gang can be a bit arrogant (except Yugi, he never is), not arrogant in character but in their righteousness, that sometimes unintentionally kinda look down, just because they think have better reason being not selfish, it's true that the reason of Jounouchi is stronger while Mai is weaker, Jounouchi is for noble and admirable reasons and Mai is for selfish reasons, but we have to remember Mai isn't in Jounouchi shoes, if she was, I'm sure she would do the same, it's unfair to judge someone like this by comparing the reasons which is stronger, I'm pretty sure we don't wish anyone to be in our shoes if someone we care about is about to lose his life or suffering, some humility doesn't hurt, if we notice Mai was impressed with his answer (if was others like Haga and Ryuzaki would react differently), so it means she is deep down could be a good person and also she has her own reasons to be selfish (I do consider strong reasons too).
So the duel starts, Mai puts her hand cards face down behind the field because she already knows her hand, everyone is mostly shocked, Dark Yugi is more towards surprise than shock, looking at the "...!", he must have understood her trick but was impressed by what she can do for what is necessary to do this trick, I will approach a little more ahead as to why.
Mai being arrogant, even though of what about she said that the supporters shouting feelings for who they support doesn't make someone win because the duelist has to depend on himself alone, she has a few points right, all you do in the duel is up to you, depends on our choices whether there is people supporting you or not, even in life, there are things you have to do on our own, but votes of inspiration and confidence and support is different, sure the "hearing our feelings" is very cliché and corny way to explain it, but these kind of votes of emotional support gives incentive for the person going through difficulties to go on, to not stop, at the same time relies on the person who is being supported have the choice of willing to listen and take to heart these "cheers", so it can work both ways, while Mai treated as black-white matter, it's true that sounds corny and cliché, but thinking through there is more to it than to what's on the surface.
Anzu hating the idea of admitting Mai is mostly right almost about to cry (you can cry of anger...I know I did...it's very embarrassing and awkward...), Anzu has few points right but not expressed clearly as Mai does, when Mai says that a duelist can't trust anyone but themself and take the lesson to heart, just these words alone implies that it bases from her own life experiences and is a piece of advice, Dark Yugi got angry too but more because of seeing Anzu almost crying of anger then tries to help a little with a piece of advice to Jounouchi with one word (it's not even one word by the way, if he said in one sentence, that would be different, must be a typo), but is curious why, he was cheering normally until he sees this reaction, for the most part he thinks that in the end is up to the player for the reasons stated above but not the same way as Mai, for Dark Yugi respond like that to Anzu's response to the words of Mai, he must have noticed she was almost about to cry of anger, I guess his sense of justice kicks in when sees someone about to cry, which shows he is sensitive about other people's emotions.
Dark Yugi given a little hand to Jounouchi but in a way so Jounouchi could find on his own the answer...
This riddle is a constant theme along the series and as the reader learns that it can get different answers depending on the individual and the situation (I think I will make a post dedicated to this theme in the future), he said it would be one word but is a sentence instead but is probably a typo from the person in charge of editing.
As for Mai, as I stated during this time she had black-white view about card game but even about life to an extent for very defining reasons that shaped her character.
Jounouchi has also self-esteem issues, which is more severe, I would say Yugi because Jounouchi usually recovers fast from these problems, Yugi takes time by baby steps (baby steps to giant strides), Jounouchi also has similar tendencies to underestimate himself but again, he does recovers fast, I think some of the reasons he is like this, starting from the panels ensemble on the right, he closes his eyes and thought of how it would be in Shizuka's shoes if she goes blind...from that moment he started to realise something...
I find cute how he found of his own by imagining when he closes his eyes and putting into perspective as if being blind about his sister, not only that, it's relatable too, because there are things that you usually only notice if you close your eyes, even delving into your own thoughts.
Now we have the explanation of the "psychic tactics", which is technically called "aroma-tactics", but it shows Jounouchi can be pretty smart when he puts effort.
Another thing I want to remind others and even most characters may not notice, Dark Yugi probably did (the fact he was more surprised than shocked), for you to be able to do these tactics, you would need a very good memory and high naturalist intelligence (how sensitive a person is to nature and the world), she has memorised every single cards she has by each distinct smell she has given to her deck, that alone is insanely impressive, she is almost like a mentalist in a way, it also goes to show Jounouchi also has good naturalist intelligence but not as high as Mai.
Over the course of the duel, you see Jounouchi doesn't notice this critical weakness as Dark Yugi did, but he is with the assumption that she has only Harpy Lady because the only card she constantly uses is always the same, except being powered up and multiplied during this duel, but there is another monster she has but haven't shown and is not only one Harpy Lady...and will be revealed in a very important duel...
The backstory moment from before they go to Duelist Kingdom (it's in Yugi's room), there is a detail isn't mentioned here, Dark Yugi did remembered of this moment, which means Dark Yugi watches them rather often, including their practices while learning more about the TCG through Yugi.
Jounouchi prepared himself to see if he could draw the card he needs the most and Dark Yugi cheats a little to help Jounouchi...I won't lie I was a bit bothered by it, even though Mai's aroma-tactics is morally questionable but she didn't really cheat, she knew the order of the cards but only of her own deck but didn't ever changed and play like normally someone would but cards face down, but this is different, helping the card to come to the player when they need it most...but is little because this "power" of the puzzle that can be called "destiny draw" was used at a very critical time.
He plays the Time Wizard and Mai with a wonder reaction, TIME MAGIC, Baby Dragon transforms into Thousand Dragon and Harpy Ladies become old, it's so funny how Mai and Jounouchi (the player who played Time Wizard) was also surprised that the Harpy Ladies got old, however Dark Yugi thought, I found very intriguing his reaction and thought, even though was full of ego and presumption:
"Poor Mai Kujaku...not only losing, but losing your beauty, may have been too cruel..."
Did he had some pity for her of how she lost even though it was the only way at the moment and maybe shows he has respect for her as a duelist and maybe took some observations about maybe she isn't really mean but actually nice deep down, she is very provocative and competitive, similar to how he himself address his opponents.
Even Jounouchi felt a bit bad about it, he was very surprised that time wizard could do that.
Jounouchi wins, Mai kinda heart-broken for losing and a very important lesson that Mai will take to heart with what Jounouchi says to her "it's Something you can show but you can't see", this phrase is pretty much the main theme that can be seen from many perspectives. Jounouchi has his own answer being friendship while Mai will have her own which will be in future posts about the Semi Finals.
See Ya Next Post!
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