"The Last Duel of Destiny"
 9-8-04
"The Final Duel (Part 1 of 4)" 5-20-06

This episode is monumental: it ushers in the final duel of the Yuugiou saga.  Henceforth, the Japanese version includes some very touching music.  Quite unfortunately, 4Kids sticks with the same old fare, and this is very disappointing.  If they can keep a piece or two of Japanese music in an episode of Pocket Monsters, can't they do it to close out the final saga of Yuugiou? 

As a side note (I hope this is no longer a spoiler as this aired almost two months ago on Kids WB as of this writing), I think it is very unbelievable that Atemu managed to get out all three Gods in just one episode.  Seriously, couldn't the writers have stretched this out to make the battle even more epic?  After Yuugi defeats them (in the next episode), it's basically an endless uninteresting barrage of traps and monsters.  Luckily, the grand music and dialogue in the Japanese version saves this battle from being as drab as some of the ones in Noa Saga. 


Isis is a lot more tact and to the point in the Japanese version.  Instead of comforting Tea on possibly losing the one she truly loves in the dub, she says that a Ceremonial Battle requires two duelists at the peak of their strength.  Isis then says that now, after Zorc Necrophades was defeated, is the best time.  If they wait too long, the Pharaoh may be required to wander in the soulless existence of the void.  Isis then says (cut from the dub), is that what Anzu wants?.

(Cut: 7 Seconds)

The soulless existence of the void dialogue is cut short in the dub, for some reason.  Couldn't they have kept this?  It's not like the Japanese dialogue said explicitly that Pharaoh was going to be killed either way, and that's usually what 4Kids likes- dialogue that dances around the mention of death.  I don't get their reasoning here... then again, I don't think even the seven year olds get it some of the time.

(Cut: 4 Seconds)

Cut is a group shot of Yuugi-tachi.  Seriously, was this cut really necessary?  It had to have been time-related.

"If these dorks start holding each other's hands, I'm out of here..." - Dub Kaiba

Ok, call the presses, I am officially sick and tired when I consider how out of the way 4Kids is going to make Kaiba seem like the soulless monster he is in Episode One of Duelist Kingdom!  Come on, 4Kids, Kaiba has changed.  He is much more compassionate after going through so many adventures with Yuugi-tachi than he ever was in DK.  Guys, let's get serious here.  Yuugi has saved Kaiba from certain death after DK, saved his sorry butt many times from the Big 4, Sigfried, Gozaboru, et, al.  Couldn't you guys make him just a wee bit compassionate?  That's all I'm asking.  In the Japanese version, in case anyone's interested, he said that as long as he is here, the Ceremonial Battle will not be cancelled or postponed.

(Cut: 10 Seconds)

Cut is a scene of dialogue where Isis tells Yuugi that he must release the Pharaoh's name to free him.  In the dub, this is all screwed up by calling him "Yawmee" all through plus revealing his real name, Atem, way before the Japanese version did.  This was cut to somewhat cover this up, but it truly does make the Ceremonial Battle that much less ceremonial.

"I've gotta duel with everything I've got!" - Dub Yugi

Another piece of dialogue to cover the screw-up 4Kids made by releasing the Pharaoh's name way too early.  Really, he said that if he isn't strong enough, the Pharaoh won't be released from his heart, therefore he must win this duel.  4Kids makes it seem more and more like he's just doing it to duel Atem for no reason at all.

The battle begins!  In both versions, the Pharaoh wonders if Yuugi has what it takes to destroy the three Gods, especially when Jounouchi and others couldn't even destroy one.

Obelisk has been summoned by Yami no Yuugi and the shot of his fist (Fist of Fate in the dub) going through the Stronghold's chest has been obscured, to protect the innocent.

When Yuugi smiles after the riveting duel begins, Yami no Yuugi's face has been altered by a little digital paint to make it look like he's not as shocked by the smile.  Come on, guys, is it really that hard to show compassion and humanity in people?  First Kaiba, now Atemu himself?  Throw these characters a bone here and let them evolve!  I guess it's too late to say this as the series is almost over, but it just makes it that much easier to do these comparisons.

"May the Heart of the Cards guide you", says Dub Pharaoh.

For the love of God, stop this, 4Kids!  Even though this really was said in early DK in the Japanese version, they haven't said it since then.  It's like 4Kids believes the cards have magical powers or something, so they say this stuff to impress the kiddies.  Honestly, it's just annoying.  Really what Atemu says is that both of them have to do their best in this duel, and he will bring it all to the table against Yuugi.  Can he catch up?  Yuugi says, I will use all of my power to defeat the other me!

The Pharaoh is chanting to bring out God of Sun Dragon Ra, leading Yuugi to shout, "Mo hitori no boku", or the Other Me, in Japanese.  The shot of Yuugi talking was given some digital paint so Yuugi remained silent while Yami no Yuugi brought out the fabled Ra.  In my opinion, this was probably the one time I approved a digital paint edit.  Yuugi talking while Yami no Yuugi chants to bring out one of the most powerful creatures in all of Duel Monsters is a little tacky, in my opinion.  I praise 4Kids, for once, in making this decision.  Arigato.

English Episode 219 Ends

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