Duel Masters

Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
2004

Duel Masters

By Eric
28th Jun 04

Unlike some anime purists, I don't mind watching dubs. As far as I'm concerned, I'll watch dubs as long as they're generally faithful to the original dialogue. However, the dub version of Duel Masters is completely unforgivable. In fact, it may just be the worst localization of all time.

Like Yu-gi-oh, the main purpose of this show is to sell the card game that it's based on. However, the difference is that Yu-gi-oh at least TRIES to make interesting characters and a plot that doesn't completely insult your intelligence. No suck luck with Duel Masters. While I can't speak for the sub version, the dubbed episodes I watched had absolutely horrid characters, including one of the most annoying sidekicks that has ever been created. There's no motivation whatsoever for the main character, Shobu, to play the card game. He just wants to be the best.

Not only are the characters completely idiotic, but so is the writing. There are ridiculous pop-culture references to things that most of us anime fans are trying to forget, and the humor is so lame that I almost induced vomiting. I seriously caught my finger moving toward my mouth. Plus, the characters constantly breach the fourth wall, making all sorts of comments about the fact that they're animated characters in a television show. But the most unforgivable thing is that the characters actually have the audacity to make fun of the anime art style that they're drawn in! Not only is this insulting, but some serious anime fans such as myself may find it downright offensive to see the anime style being given such shabby treatment.

All the other factors are terrible, too. Sound is awful, voices are ridiculous, but the worst part has to be the visuals. I'm very suspicious that most of the episodes don't have much actual animation. It looks like they just pasted moving mouth graphics onto still cels of a character's face most of the time. And if you look closely, you can see how some genius decided to actually add Flash animation to some of the cels in order to assist with the complete anal-raping of the original series. Obviously, whoever localized Duel Masters just didn't care. It is one of the worst sins against anime, and has moved the anime fan's quest to see anime respected as an art form back for about three decades. Woe unto the poor soul who is damned to hell for his sins and forced to forever watch this show while strapped to a chair with his eyes being held open by the demon goat clan!!!!

Score: 0/10

-- Eric 28th Jun 04

Duel Masters Images