The original Yu-Gi-Oh! series. Known in Japan as Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters and is an anime based on the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga (minus the early parts). Produced by Studio Gallop and Nihon Ad Systems. Written by Takahashi Kazuki.
The series began its 224-episode run in Japan on April 18, 2000 and ended on September 29, 2004. In the United States, it began airing on September 29, 2001 and ended on June 10, 2006.
After the positive reception following the release of the official card game by Konami in 1999, the series marked the point where it transitioned from a dark fantasy to almost exclusively revolving around the "Duel Monsters" card game. The series' "Duelist Kingdom" arc is also (in)famously known within the community for retaining the RPG-like elements from the early part of the manga, resulting in several unconventional uses of the cards (such as the notorious "attack the moon" scene and fusing a zombie monster to an opponent's monster and causing it to rot).
