Yu-Gi-Oh originally started as a manga that ran from 1998 to 2004, but was eventually adapted into a television series and trading card game (TCG). The first iteration of the show only ran for one season in 1998, but a new anime titled Yu-Gi-Oh (known as Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Monsters in Japan) came out in 2000 and ran until 2004. During the airing of the show and publication of the manga, the Yu-Gi-Oh TCG was also created and released to the public, based on the game Duel Monsters from the franchise. The TCG is still going strong today, having sold about 35 billion cards so far.
The Yu-Gi-Oh anime has also seen quite a few spinoffs, with the most recent one being Yu-Gi-Oh Sevens, which has only been released in Japan so far and seen delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fans of the show will remember the characters, which can now be collected thanks to Funko Inc.’s adorable Funko Pop Vinyl creations. Not every character from the original series has a Funko figure yet, but some fan favorites have already been created. Each price point listed is based on PPG (Pop Price Guide) and may be subject to change.
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The spirit of the Millenium Puzzle assembled by Yugi Muto is known as Yami Yugi, and he was one of the first Yu-Gi-Oh Funko Pops released in 2018. He typically takes over duels in place of Yugi, noted by his more pronounced eyes and three signature streaks of yellow in his hair. Not to mention the Sailor Moon-esque transformation where the Millenium Puzzle rattles and spurts out light. He’s currently still available and has an estimated value of $19.
Arguably the main protagonist of the original series (even though his body is often taken over by Yami Yugi), Yugi first made his Funko Pop debut last year in 2020. Yugi doesn’t get to duel as often as his counterpart Yami, but he’s still a skilled duelist. His figure is relatively new and still readily available, with an estimated value of $13.
Seto Kaiba isn’t always a villain, but he is a rich kid with too much time on his hands. Kaiba is obsessed with beating Yugi in Duel Monsters, and often tries to take him down with the Blue-Eyes White Dragon or Blue Eyes Ultimate Dragon. Kaiba was another of the original Yu-Gi-Oh Pops released in 2018, and he’s still available. His figure has an estimated value of $14.
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Joey Wheeler is Yugi’s best friend throughout the series, and his signature Duel Monster is the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. Though there are some instances of Joey messing up during duels, he’s still a fairly strong duelist throughout the course of the show. His Funko Pop was released in 2020, is still available, and has an estimated value of $9.
Also known as Pegasus J. Crawford in the Japanese iteration of the show, Maximillion Pegasus was the main villain throughout the first season of the show. He was the owner of the Millenium Eye and also credited as the creator of Duel Monsters within the show. Though he was the villain of the Duelist Kingdom arc, he later becomes an ally to Yugi and his friends. His Funko Pop figure shows off the Millenium Eye as well as his flair for the dramatic. It was released in 2020, is currently available, and has an estimated value of $13.
Marik Ishtar is the antagonist of the Battle City arc, though his resentment toward the Pharaoh Atem/ Yami Yugi is kind of justified. Yami Marik is his much more sinister alter-ego, who eventually takes over Marik’s body in the show. Yami Marik is noticeably more sinister looking and is differentiated from regular Marik because his hair sticks up and he wears a purple cape. Yami Marik is still available, though the figure is a Chalice Collectibles Inc exclusive. The figure was released in 2020 and is valued at $28.
As a TCG, show, and manga, Yu-Gi-Oh has made its mark on popular culture. If Funko continues creating more Yu-Gi-Oh Pops, it would be nice to see Mai Valentine or Yami Bakura make an appearance. Fans who enjoy collectible chibi-style figures might consider investing in these Funko Pop Vinyl figures of some well-known Yu-Gi-Oh characters.
Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links is available for mobile and PC.
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