Yu-Gi-Oh! Theory: Where are the Previous Protagonists in Arc V? 

me: I wonder what's going on with Yu-Gi-Oh these days *watches video* me: I wonder what's going on with Yu-Gi-Oh these days

Kaiba got tired of their BS, and he had them all kidnapped into a dungeon. He duels each of them every day. He has yet to win.

So basically Rey knew of these Legendary Duelists and knew their public persona and thought it would be a good idea to fuse them into the fragments of the guy she sealed away without doing any background checks? I'm surprised it only back fired with ONE of them.

Honestly, I feel really old now that the whole yugioh franchise has advanced so much. Anyone else agree?

Other anime: *fuses two people* Yu-Gi-Oh: Pathetic.

This is probably the most horrifyingly realistic theory I have seen to explain the Yugi world timeline.

Yugi started pro dueling to save his Grandfather. Yusei started pro dueling the save himself and his friends from the satellite. Yuma started pro dueling for his dad and Aster. Yuya started pro dueling for his career. Jaden started pro dueling purely because he loved dueling. That's it. No world domination, no saving trapped souls, no visions of the future. Zip. Zilch. Nada. FUN. That's all she wrote. Everyone else had some semblance in their mind that they were going to face trials- Jaden just suddenly had his world turned upside down with no warning and was thrust headfirst into things no kid should have to experience.

You know, the second you suggested the idea that Jaden was integrated into Yuri, the pieces all kinda fell into place. Cause Jaden definitely has an interesting relationship with his darkness.

I do love that the fun loving Jaden is by far the darkest of Yu-Gi-OH's heros.

Splitting dimensions with the power of a children's card game.

Another similarity between Yusei and Yugo: in a match, yugo draws an important tuner card and he sees a connected arc path exactly like yusei. That was really interesting since no one (If I recall correctly) in 5ds and arc V had that "vision path"

Remember when Jaden interrogated his ghost teacher by trapping him in a bag and threatening to flush him down the toilet if he didn't talk? It was in season 4 after the whole Yubel fusion thing and probably meant for comic relief, but still a pretty hardcore thing to do considering how if the ghost was trapped in a bag he probably cannot go through solid walls. So the teacher really could have gotten stuck in the dark sewer for a long time at least till he made his way to the surface somewhere.

damn this girl played trading cards so good, that she split the universe

Yugi stuck in grandpa card shop Jaden asleep af in dorm room Yusei going at it with Akiza Yuma straight up got lost

I remember hearing a theory that ZARC, because he was still a god-tier being, exerted some influence over this. He couldn't stop the split, but he could tweak it a little. So, the first thing he did was remove the four big threats to him trying to resurrect. He then poured as much influence as he could into Yuri with the goal being to have one that would find a way to reunite with it's component parts.

Remember when this shit was about ancient Egyptians and that was where the magic came from? Pepperidge Farm remembers

Jaden is my favourite out of all the protagonists but I guess I forget how scary he can be too

Season 1: some ancient card game kids play Season 5: people becoming god, splitting dimensons and wiping out humanity

One thing that supports the Jaiden and Yuri theory is that Yuri actually has the most fun when actually dueling people, even though it's in a sick, demented way. Jaiden always had the time of his life when dueling, and clearly loved it more than any other protagonist, as time and again, he was having fun even when his or even his friends lives were on the line

So one thing that needs clarification. The Supreme king and his power of the gentle darkness were originally there to counter the light of destruction and yubel was supposed to be his guardian. But each were corrupted and turned into something twisted. Yubel was effected by the light of destruction and the Supreme King was corrupted because he was forcefully awakened while Jaiden was in a very stressful situation thinking his friends had died. Since Jaiden and the Supreme King are one in the same it warped the Supreme King into the cruel being we meet

Spellcommander91: makes an arc V theory Everyone: your about 5 years too late Still a good theory though

Imagine if Konami makes a statement saying they were all just dead

I feel like Arc V just wanted to make a 'Yuya directly learns from the previous series protagonists' dimension-hopping adventure, akin to 'Spiderverse', but had a mountain of trouble getting the majority of the actors to reprise their old roles. So, they settled for the actual 'worlds' they inhabited, instead.

Being from a dimension where Fusion, XYZ, Synchro and now Links exist, I can agree that separating them was the greatest choice to limit how strong people can get. Dudes be tripping in my dimension. Luckily, YGO is just a card game here and we ca't kill each other.

Spellcommander91: Sorry, this makes him the new king of games. Atem in the spirit world: Somebody pass me my Dark Magician and God Cards!!!

She should've used Joey Wheeler to seal Zarc instead of Jaden. Even if there was malicious intent, what would he do? He's Joey!

To quote Jaden, “you can never beat Yugi” He is and always will be the strongest duelist and the king of games.

Actually I think there are more similarities between Yuma's & Yuto's personalities. Remember that during Zexal, Yuma was forced to duel for survival for both himself and his friends. You see that by the end of the Baryon arc, Yuma forgot how to enjoy dueling and became much more serious. He was even about to quit dueling as he stated himself. I think Yuto is very similar to Baryon arc Yuma because he also maintains that drive for survival and protecting his friends. He also goes about it in a very similar manner to Yuma, being reckless and irrational and wanting to go it alone to not endanger anyone else.

Jaden was the reincarnation of the supreme king. And Zarc's card is called "Supreme King Dragon Zarc"

Yugi's reaction to action duels would have been: "Action What"

By this theory when zarc reunited he had all of the protagonists spirits in him? That explains why he is THAT much more powerful than everyone else

I don't think its just Jaden's influence that made Yuri who he is, unlike the other fragments of Z-Arc Yuri was never raised to become like the other fragments where he was raised to be the opposite of them, not to mention he never grew a bond with Celina unlike the others too, Leo Akeba basically made the dark influence in Yuri grew over the years.

I mean, Jaden was always a bit of a sociopath. Has he ever demonstrated an interest in anything other than Card Games or Sandwiches?

Me, a simple person who has only watched the original Yu-Gi-Oh: *uhhhhhhhh*

The moment I heard that Zark was getting a chunk of himself merged with Jaden, I thought "Huh...that's, like, three whole Hitlers in one body at this point. There's no way that's a good idea." And, yeah. Totally not a good idea. Now he's Hitler^3 and an inter-dimensional threat...again. Anyways I guess I need to watch Arc V now. Also that one with Xyz summoning. Basically I need to catch up on everything past 5Ds.

Out of all the theories I’ve seen about where the others YUGIOH protagonists are in Arc - V, yours is the one who makes the most sense

*DM* Ray: Hey Yugi, you want to transform into another person who is part of an evil being? Yugi: I transform regulary, but no. Unless I get to keep the God Cards. Ray: No. But you know you don't have a choice. Yugi: Wait. Can I at least be the protagonist again? Ray: Sure, I can also be your new love interest. Yugi: Wait pleas... Ray: Cool, this is taking too long. *5D* Ray: Hey Yusei, do you want to become a new person? Yusei: Can I ride a motorcycle? Ray: Wha- Okay, sure. Yusei: Can I keep the Signer Dragons? Ray: Nope. Yusei: Why would I wan... Ray: Right, you don't have a choice. *Zexal* Ray: Hey Yuma, you want to become a darker duelist? Yuma: Why would I want that? Ray: Because you get some cool friends. Yuma: But I like my... Ray: Right, you don't have a... Yuma: Woah, wait. Can I at least keep the Numbers. Ray: Nope. *GX* Ray: Hey Jaden, do you want to become another being. Jaden: What? No, I have demons living inside of me, that could make me crazy. Ray: Come on. Jaden: Why the heck would I want that? Ray: You get to keep Super-Poly. Jaden: Okay sure, but I don't want... Ray: Yeah, I don't care. *all previous series* All protagonists except for Jaden: Wait, so Jaden gets to keep his overpowered card? Ray: Yes.

I was expecting him to say "but that's just a theory"

... I thought I’d finished GX as a kid... I remember seeing Yubel once or twice, but everything else you said about Jaden was news to me... it’s been so many years that I’d probably have to start from the beginning of GX to understand the story at all, I thought it was just a light hearted story about working your way up through the somewhat unfair system of a gambling school.

I actually think this is a REALLY GOOD hypothesis on the whole ARC-V storyline and really does make totally sense. In fact that’s how I’m viewing the show now because it really does fit so perfectly especially since ARC-V is an alternate reality. However I don’t believe their spirits or souls exist in the ARC-V protagonists, but rather Ray took the qualities of each of the hero’s when she made the new personalities. A “piece” of them exists in the sense that they were the template for which they were built but their actual souls, no. I always felt like after GX there’s a spilt, half goes of the timeline goes into the 5Ds timeline aka the main timeline and ZEXAL & ARC-V the other timeline aka alternate reality after the ARC-V split. But the souls of the past heroes definitely do NOT reside in Yuya. They were the template that is all. I don’t believe someone can “write” someone out of existence especially those of such importance. When Paradox tried to, the Crimson Dragon protected Yusei, and that was all about time jumping. So I believe their original souls belong to themselves just like everyone, however she may have used their likeness and personalities as a BASIS for what they would become. That’s all. Yuya became complete when all the pieces of his (Zarc’s) soul were put back together. And as a last side note, no one beats Yugi just saying except Atem and they kinda are the same so that’s moot lol.

I'm sorry. WHAT. This is still about a card game right? Wtf happened while I was away??

Here's a quick thing you missed, Yuri wasn't always sadistic cause he turned evil and sadistic when he was being treated badly for his talent for fusion

I love how you play the main themes behind talking about the different protagonists. Nice touch

What an incredibly thought out and explained theory. I haven’t paid much attention to the anime since 5ds ended, but this video makes want to continue onto the later series

Conclusion: Fusion users are 100% evil. I can accept that.

Saw an ad for this and was pleasantly surprised at the quality

Imo, love the theory, it’s my headcanon now. Though, when Zarc was reformed, I think the four protagonists should have been free and the only ones who remember what life was supposed to be like. Then you proceed to get the four of them meeting and taking on Zarc like they did Paradox. Because that would have been awesome.

Another similarity between the yuma and yuto is that they're both willing to lose a duel in order to help people. In zexal, yuma duels and almost loses to shark in order to get shark to lose the hate in his heart. Yugo did something similar with sora in arc-v.

I do like the theory, though I still can't imagine Yuma becoming Yuto the edgelord

Whoever is the most powerful of all of them, they still get the door of darkness opened on them by season 0 Yami Yugi.

Honestly, this is an amazing idea. And you built up to this perfectly. Got me hooked. Hell, it’s probably true. You’re telling a very impressive story and can back it up without failure. This is insane.

I’d also like to briefly add that influence from Akaba in the fusion dimension tampered with Yuri and Serena’s relationship/ life. Yuri was kinda bred to be a ruthless soldier. But I still very much like this theory and agree with it.

"Yuto doesn't have Yuma's innate stupidity" Yuto isn't thirteen, so maybe Yuma just grows out of it?

Yuya Sakaki : So powerful, that Konami had to nerf him into the dirt with master rule 4.

Solid theory. The twist with Super Polymerization is a great one. When I first saw that as a kid (mind you, this was before 5D's even came out), I seriously thought it was the ultimate card, so, lot of nostalgia there.

I feel like this actually explains a lot. I remember watching some of ARC-V, and I was always wondering where Yusei was since I saw his childhood friend, Crow, show up. Now I have a good explanation as to where he was

The piece of evidence that decided it for me was pointing out that Yuri uses Super Polymerization when nobody but Jaden should have that card. Initially, I wrote that off as the writers not caring about how they use legacy cards, but what if they were actually paying closer attention than we realized?

When Kaiba’s done losing to the Pharaoh, I’m sure he’ll make sure none of that shit happens.

I must definitely agree with everything you said except for your analysis of yuto being unlike yuma, his personality is reminiscent of zexal but everything else was so spot on! You did a phenomenal job breaking everything down... Man I love Yugioh, you made my morning.

8:06 Yuya and Yugi also both wear a belt around their necks and both have a necklace with a special object that sometimes glows on the end. 11:09 in this shot yuto similarly to Yuma has a two tone sweatshirt and a shirt with one solid color with lines going through it. Just in a different pattern than Yuma’s.

Digimon Frontier: *fused 4 people and 10 spirits* Yu-gi-oh arc-V: *fuses 1 person and 4 dragons*

Now I imagine all the different duelists just vibing in reincarnated yuya

12:47 I also think we can blame Leo akaba on this one since lets be honest he made yuris life a living hell

Just watched an hr of your vids bro. That's a tall order for me. Thanks for the education and theories! You gained a sub!

"But hey: That's just a theory, a yu-gi-oh theory! Thanks for watching"

Pendulum,xyz,fusion,synchron. Long ago the 4 dimensions live to get her in harmony then everything change when the fusion dimension attack. Only Yuya master of all 4 styles could stop them but when the 4 dimensions needed him most he didn't go. A few months pass and he finally goes to help the 4 dimensions. Although is pendulum skills were great he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But his friends believe he can save the world

I had been leaning toward this for a while, but I think you just made Arc V my favorite

In gx the gentle darkness is actually supposed to be the good guy as the light was shown to be evil and while the supreme king did commit atrocities it is notable that Jaden was not in the correct mindset at the time also while the supreme king does play an evil hero deck the important thing to note is that they are still HERO monsters but still this video was amazing

So not sure why this showed up on my suggested, but I've watched through 5ds and as soon as you got to the explanation about Zarc being sealed within the protagonists my brain went: "Oh...she fucked uuuuuuuuuuup with Jayden"

So we just going to act like ritual summoning doesn't exist

YOU HAVE A LIKE MY FRIEND! 2. Years after this video and I LOVE IT!

Yep Yugi, Jaden, Yusei and Yuma are all inside Yuya. He's such a talented boy!

Here's a cool similarity between yuto and Yuma that you missed. In the time before the fusion invasion, yuto's goal was to become the heartland city champion, a title that kite was favored to win. Yuma's goal in early Zexal was becoming the world duel carnival champion, a title that kite was favored to win. They were both rivals to kite in a sense.

what ever happen to duel monsters being Egyptian

This actually seems to tie into a bit of duel links lore we got with Trey's event.He mentions the scattering of Yuma's numbers and the appearance of chrononamlies mean that the game is tied to their respective dimensions.He also mentions the other legendary duelists from other parts of the series and how despite how powerful they are,he cant find records of them or Kaibacorp and even Quattro who's more familiar with Earth hasnt heard of it.Trey then goes on to say that these legendary duelists are really memories saved by the Duel links system.Which means that Kaiba was able to access the dimensions(or timelines) where Yugi/Atem,Jayden,Yusei and Yuma still existed or rather werent reborn into the hosts of Zarc by Ray to Duel Links.Most likely after Dark Side of Dimensions using the Quantum Cube.With Arc V about to release for Duel Links I wonder if that's the path the lore is gonna go.Mind you if your theory is correct Ray probably had to reshape the worlds to prevent the events that needed their original protagonist.The Millenium items cant be active less Evil Bakura and Yami Marik destroy the standard dimension,same with the Orichalchos,etc.The Immortal Earth Bounds couldnt try to consume the world and the 5(6)Ds and Signers wouldnt been needed,heck Crow wouldnt have even been a signer if not for Yusei so hes pretty integral for that event.Ray also probably cut off Barain and Astral Worlds connections to XYZ Earth returning the emperor key so Astral couldn't be brought there.Stopping all that stuff the two worlds dragged Earth into.As for Jayden I dont think she could stopped the Supreme King's reincarnation due to either the Gentle Darkness being more powerful than she was ,not being able to rewrite the events of light and Darkness creating the Fusion World or Ray was not aware of Jayden being the reincarnation of the Supreme King or his fusion with Yubel.After all knowledge of the Millennium items leaked out after Battle City and people witnessed the singer's marks and the Crimson Dragon.Same with Yuma and the power of Zexal.But I dont think it anyone outside of those who where directly involved in the incident with the Supreme King that knew the truth about him.

I really love this theory. It's solidly built. Good job.

I really like this theory, if Arc v was rewritten this would be a great backstory for the Yu boys in their past lives

I've only seen the first version with Yugi, so watching this was a roller coaster.

what a video well done so interesting haven't watched this video in a year

Kind of a stretch but good evidence and well-argued. Keep up these videos, it's fun to ponder.

this makes me even angrier about the wasted potential of arc-v . imagine the protagonists teaming up against zarc instead of that bs we actually got.

Oh shii- when you talked about yuri I started questioning why does he became corrupted, but then I remembered Jaden literally fuse himself with yubel so that's actually makes sense

Oh my God I never thought of it like that and now that I think of it you're so right! Amazing job and theory!

Can we just go back to the simple days when shadow duels were the main threat and your soul was on the line in every major duel?

Remember when this series was about a kid trying to save his kidnapped Grandfather?

Man this channel is underrated, a RU-vid video ad took me here.

I always kinda figured each piece of Zark embodied certain aspects of his personality Yuri his evil Yuto his intensity Yugo his need for speed and Yuya his entertaining side

I'm surprised you didn't mention how Jaden and Zarc (the card) literally share the "Supreme King" title.

Gotta take into consideration of how they were brought up, Yuri especially. While 3 of them lived relatively normal lives before the war. Yuri was trained as a duel soldier, which Zarc could easily take advantage of. If it wasn't the Professor, Yuri could of ended up as a kinder boy. Though if your theory was right. It would of been cool if, instead of facing of against the Lancers. Yuya had to duel the previous protagonists. Still would be kinda cheap but, it would still be pretty cool. Having Yuya stick to his style and have face duellists he doesn't know with powerful decks.

So Arc V is basically part 6 of JoJo's?

It’s good to see this video back online!

Me and my friends made the same theory long time ago. It made so much sense, we got confused with jaden but then we remembered about the supreme king and yubel.

bruh i just finished the first yu-gi-oh and im hearing maths equations

Yugo is a reincarnated Yusei? With Yugo’s losses, I don’t buy it

I swear this is the most accurate Yu-Gi-Oh vid I've seen, just, just take my like my guy, yiu deserve it, along with others' likes

Loved this theory. Very well thought of & described well.

I just always assumed Arc-V was a parallel dimension story hence why none of the other protagonists appeared.

Thats why i like GX, Jaiden is just special

I completely agree, i never thought about it like that but it makes total sense now that you broke it down. i love your videos so far by the way.

Hay un Fanfic de Yu-Gi-Oh! llamado "The Power of Four" donde se dice que Yugi, Jaden y Yusei vienen del mismo mundo pero de diferentes épocas(como se vió en "Lazos más allá del Tiempo"), Yuma vive en otro universo que está separado del de ellos y el de Yuya por una barrera invisible que que es más poderosa que la que separa las 4 dimensiones del mundo de Yuya, también se dice que cuando el mundo original se dividió en las cuatro dimensiones en ARC-V... un fragmento de energía poderosa fue expulsado de cada dimensión recién creada. Esos fragmentos viajaron a través del espacio y el tiempo y eventualmente impactaron en los mundos y tiempos de Jaden, Yusei y Yuma en algún pasado distante. Esos fragmentos se convirtieron en la base de los lugares y ciertas personas que terminaron conociendo durante las respectivas vidas de Jaden, Yusei y Yuma, pero debido a que eran piezas de un todo más grande, esos lugares e individuos que fueron copiados se volvieron diferentes a cómo lucían en sus propios mundos(es por eso que hay versiones diferentes de Alexis, Astro, Jack, Cuervo, Kite y otro Heartland)