Yami Yugi may appear benevolent most of the time, but a particular scene in Yu-Gi-Oh! unveils the spirit's brutal nature. It is worth noting that in the manga, the character initially possessed a murderous personality, which was omitted in the well-known anime adaptation, making this scene all the more shocking.
Adding to its shocking nature, this scene occurs within a filler arc called "Waking the Dragons" in the fourth season of Yu-Gi-Oh!. This arc is exclusive to the anime and revolves around Yugi and his friends battling the ancient Cult of Orichalcos. This cult consists of duelists who seize the souls of their defeated opponents. After Yami Yugi loses a duel against one of the cult members named Rafael, the regular Yugi selflessly sacrifices himself to protect the Pharaoh. The devastating loss results in an immense amount of grief for Yami Yugi, setting the stage for the most brutal scene he has ever encountered.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Shows How Dark It Can Be Through Yami Yugi's Brutality
After losing Yugi, the Pharaoh faces off against Weevil Underwood, an incredibly annoying duelist who is now part of the Cult of Orichalcos. Weevil incessantly taunts the Pharaoh about Yugi's soul being trapped by the cult, provoking his anger and intensifying his frustration over the loss. Despite Weevil's psychological tactics, Yami Yugi manages to defeat him. However, the anger stirred by Weevil's actions influences the Pharaoh's victory. Utilizing the spell Berserker Soul, Yami Yugi relentlessly attacks Weevil with his monster by continuously drawing from his deck. Even after depleting Weevil's life points, the Pharaoh continues to assail him in a release of his pent-up grief and anguish, although this method is ruthless.
The duelists are both in genuine pain at this moment, which amplifies the brutality of the situation. Weevil's use of the Seal of Orichalcos inflicts actual damage upon the duelists, making them experience the monster attacks as if they were real. Though Yami Yugi does not feel physical pain, the emotional pain from his previous loss is sharply felt. His voice resonates with anguish and frustration as he recognizes that no matter how many times he attacks Weevil, it won't bring Yugi back. Fortunately, Tea intervenes to prevent Yami Yugi from going further. However, the fact that he would have continued without her reveals the extent of his brutality when consumed by grief and rage.
Yami Yugi Reminded Everyone About How Dark The Series Originally Was
Following the duel, Yami Yugi acquires the ability to cope with his sorrow in a more constructive manner and refrains from achieving a excessively violent triumph ever again. This particular occurrence serves as a poignant reminder that the Pharaoh's original demeanor was significantly darker than how the anime typically depicts him, despite the franchise later presenting even bleaker iterations of Yami Yugi. Furthermore, it underscores the fact that despite its focus on a card game targeted towards children, Yu-Gi-Oh! can encompass exceedingly somber and ruthless moments.
