Out of all the amazing seasons of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime franchise, GX has always stood as one of the most unique, whether it was due to the silly jokes voiced by the English dub or the new mechanics that were added to separate it from its predecessor. Despite being a direct sequel to the beloved Duel Monsters show, this series distinguished itself by trying a different formula focused on a specific summoning mechanic: Fusion Summon.

As with most shows that go on to have sequels, Yu-Gi-Oh! GX had a gimmick to the previously established card system that would help it elevate the playing style while remaining faithful to the original's rules. The success of these spins with each new iteration marked the start of a new era for the franchise, with each subsequent show revolving around a new type of monster, a vital trait for Yu-Gi-Oh! nowadays. Yet, this beloved idea was almost not included, as revealed by Hikokubo Masashiro in an interview about the origin of the show.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Gx Was Not Centered Around Fusions

The Series Had a Completely Different Idea

For most Yu-Gi-Oh! fans, the GX era is iconic for its emphasis on one of the most beloved Extra Deck summoning types in the game, Fusions. This fascinating concept relied on the characters using the Polymerization spell to combine two of their creatures, resulting in the creature being a much more powerful tool. This concept was briefly explored during the original Duel Monsters anime, with Kaiba being its primary . Many of his most powerful and useful cards, such as the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, were born from the merging of his other monsters.

For many decades, fans have hailed GX’s focus on Fusion Summoning as one of the best decisions the franchise has ever made. Jaden’s powerful and surprisingly successful Hero deck is still loved by millions of fans, who love its versatility and amazing designs. However, according to one of the most important screenwriters in the franchise, Hikokubo Masahiro, this cherished concept was almost not included in the show. The writer confirmed in an interview given to the Japanese website Natalie in 2022 that he was the one who proposed Fusions as the focus of the series.

The series was supposedly going to follow a similar concept to that of its predecessor, with the characters using all sorts of monsters and summoning mechanics without any preference. Masahiro, who was disappointed at how overlooked the Fusion mechanic was in the original, decided to talk with the producers and the creator of the series, Kasuki Takahashi. The latter became enchanted with the idea and approved of it almost instantaneously. His desire to see more Fusions in the series helped GX stand out among its peers and become one of the Yu-Gi-Oh! series in history.

Gx’s Formula Revolutionized the Franchise

Following Shows Adopted Its Focus

One of the most interesting developments in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise over the years has been the introduction of a new Summoning Mechanic each time a new show is introduced. 5Ds relied heavily on Synchros, with most of Yusei’s best cards being monsters summoned via this technique. Zexal saw the birth and rise of the XYZ mechanic, while Arc-V brought these themes together and introduced Pendulum Summoning. While some have seen these changes as a burden for the franchise, as the game and rules have become significantly more complicated over the years, it is nonetheless a pillar of the series.

It is difficult for fans to imagine Jaden not using his spells to summon powerful and iconic Fusions such as Flame Wingman or God Neos. Yusei’s story would not be the same without the introduction of the mighty Stardust Dragon, who quickly became a staple of the game even outside the anime. Listening to Hikokubo and differentiating each new show via their unique summoning mechanics was one of the best decisions Konami could have taken. The screenwriter saw a major opportunity and decided to share it with the world, helping create the shining legacy Yu-Gi-Oh! is known for.

Hikokubo’s Team Is Responsible for Many Beloved Cards

The Screenwriter Was in Charge of Creating Strategies for the Characters

Another important distinction between Duel Monsters and its successor is that, according to Masahiro, the cards in the anime were created each week. Unlike the original anime, which was based on one of the best and most popular manga in existence, GX had no blueprint to follow. The most iconic cards and monsters in Yugi’s adventure, like the Dark Magician or Exodia, were all created by the brilliant Takahashi long before the anime series was released to the public.

While the original author did help create the main characters and creatures of the sequel, he did not work on the rest of the cast. It was up to Masahiro and his team to create the cards and monsters that the rest of the cast would use each week. The interview also reveals that the tools envisioned by the screenwriters would then become a part of the official trading card game. This means that a significant number of the beloved cards released during the GX era were created by the talented team behind the show.

Masahiro’s Work Embodied the Heart of the Franchise

The Screenwriter Knows Exactly What Makes Yu-Gi-Oh! So Special

After discussing the work behind the scenes that Masahiro and his team did to create Yu-Gi-Oh!, the screenwriter shared what he believes makes the series so fun and iconic. He explained that one of his biggest joys in life is to create and incorporate fun, unique cards into the story. These tools can make what many would consider boring duels into exciting and memorable battles. While many fans have complained about how unrealistic the competitions in the series tend to be, there is no doubt that the best duels are considered as such thanks to the heroes’ outlandish strategies.

Masahiro also believes that fans have fallen in love with the card game because they can recreate their favorite moments from the anime, something that toys from other shows do not allow. Although it is unlikely that decks like Yugi’s would ever be successful in real life, due to their abysmal consistency, there is no denying that playing them can be extremely entertaining. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a show that managed to transform the concept of card games into epic fights for the sake of the universe, and fans will always love this aspect of the series.

Source: Natalie