Yu-Gi-Oh! 1998

Shy boy Shōgo Aoyama visits a local card shop and walks away with the legendary Red-Eyes Black Dragon, a card that seems to carry a promise of power to whoever duels bravely with it. Although he has never won a game of Duel Monsters, Shōgo proudly proclaims that simply owning the dragon will tilt battles in his favor before any card is drawn.

Seto Kaiba [Hikaru Midorikawa] spots Shōgo’s new prize and extends invitations to him and to Yugi Mutou for a high-stakes tournament, eager to test the limits of the mysterious card. When Shōgo refuses the challenge, Kaiba sends one of his enforcers to compel attendance, drawing the attention of Yugi and Shōgo’s friend, Katsuya Jonouchi. As Jonouchi tries to keep them safe, another guard intervenes, steals Shōgo’s Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and also takes Yugi’s treasured Millennium Puzzle, setting off a tense chase.

With Jonouchi holding the pursuers at bay, Shōgo’s resolve is shaken, and Yugi steps in to duel in his place. Yugi retrieves his Millennium Puzzle and taps into his alter ego as the duel begins, while Kaiba unveils a new holographic Duel Disk system to showcase his roster, including his fearsome Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Although Yugi gains the early advantage, Kaiba counters with overwhelming force, even summoning another Blue-Eyes White Dragon and threatening a crushing finish.

Jonouchi reveals that he had secretly slipped Shōgo’s Red-Eyes Black Dragon into Yugi’s deck, but Yugi refuses to summon it until Shōgo finds real courage. Inspired by Jonouchi’s loyalty and Yugi’s unwavering determination, Shōgo musters the nerve to reveal his card’s true potential. He calls upon Red-Eyes Black Dragon, and, in a pivotal moment, fuses it with Meteor Dragon to unleash Meteor Black Dragon.

The duel reaches a dramatic climax as Yugi’s strategy, Shōgo’s courage, and Kaiba’s stubborn defenses collide, culminating in a hard-fought victory over Kaiba. The duel’s resolution marks a turning point for Shōgo, who gains belief in his own bravery and the power of choosing to fight for what he loves. The credits roll with a closing image of Shōgo playing Duel Monsters with others, hinting at a future where the dragon’s legend continues to echo in the world of the game.