I feel like the smile was Kaiba realizing his rival wasn't gone, that Yugi was still there and he still had a goal to strive for. He didn't have to go his whole life without the chance to surpass the pharaoh, because Yugi had become the duelist that the Pharaoh allowed him to be before.

I personally think that Kiaba’s smiling because he finally considered Yugi a worthy rival.

Something I find neat about this duel is that little Yugi has a deck focused around Magician Girls, and DMG is seen as the apprentice and successor to Dark Magician, in much the same way that Little Yugi is the apprentice and successor to Yami Yugi.

If only Kaiba had Pot of Greed. It's mysterious power may have allowed him to win the duel, so long as he managed to learn its effect.

I always interpret that smile as Kaiba being happy for losing, he has a challenge at last, not needing the Pharaoh and recognizing little Yugi as a worthy duelist.

"You fight me with fruit?! Don't mock me."

"You fight me with fruit?! Dont mock me!!!" Best Kaiba line ever in this movie in my opinion

It’s actually really cool how well thought out this duel is. The fact that you can look at it and see a real strategy from both players is top notch.

Fun fact this is the only time Yugi and Kaiba duel.

A lot of people shit on Kaiba for threatening to jump off the castle, but they always forget that he was willing to go all the way to save his brother

I always thought that smile meant that even though the pharaoh is gone, Kaiba realised that Yugi is still there to give him a challenge. Not just the Atem.

I like how confident yugi grew in his skills by that point. Truly living up to the king of games title and battle city champion. He no longer needs god cards or atem to body people

Not even Kaiba can scape the blue eyes white brick 😢

I like to point out that in GX Kaibaman (the monster spirit and arguably the reflection of kaiba himself) dueled jaden to teach him that losing is okay. Which makes me think kaiba learned to accept defeat after that duel with yugi... well...and after breaking the laws of reality to get a rematch with a dead pharaoh... THEN he learned to accept. Thats what I like to think anyway.

I interpreted the smile as Kiba realising that Yugi really was the king of games, and that he was just as much of his rival as the Atem was. The reason he goes to face Atem still at the end was for his own personal goodbye, however he realised that his rival was still alive and kicking all along.

I'm just here to appreciate how the movie embraced the fact that Special Summoning changed YGO into a faster-paced game. When Battle City was live, it took 15+ turns for the board to have a face-off between Dark Magician and Blue Eyes. Now it took them only until turn 3 with quick and efficient effects.

I must admit that before watching this video, I always thought that Seto Kaiba had one trick up his sleeve that might have prevented him from losing, but I do admit that Yugi actually managing to beat Seto on his own makes sense to his own personal character arc throughout the original yugioh series. The best way to compare Yugi's dueling style with Seto's is to see how they both dueled Aigami. For Seto, he almost lost to Aigami, and with the most bullshit draw in yugioh history, Seto summoned Obelisk the tormentor to save himself from defeat, and the duel was still left unfinished. As for Yugi, Aigami underestimated him throughout the entire duel, while Yugi planned his moves, reduced the damage he received, and ultimately used a combination of cards that defeated Aigami, without using an Egyptian god card. You would think that seeing Yugi defeat an opponent he had trouble with would be enough for Seto to gain some respect for Yugi, but he was still obsessed with Atem. At the end of the day, Atem was really Seto's rival, not Yugi, but during their duel, I do think that Seto gained a lot of respect for Yugi as a duelist.

His smile really ment "this is ok. I'm gonna invent the shit outta time travel." Jk lol

Since the movie was more about resolving characters than the duels, I prefer to interpret it as “It seems Little Yugi has outgrown the pharaoh after all.”

He's probably smiling because he's actually having fun

That smile could be also means he accepted defeat or thinking the good times on a wild rollercoaster he went through with Yugi who knows maybe he may had on Yugi or not.

It’s like the opposite of his first duel where he was screaming but in his last one he didn’t do anything

Kaiba was actually about to lose. We can count out his cards exactly. We know what his facedown was. Starts the duel with 5 cards. Does no searching. 4 draws over 4 turns. That’s 9 cards total. Let’s count them out 1. Assault Wyvern 2. Blue-Eyes 3. Dragon fighting spirit 4. High speed aria (set) 5. Polymirazation (seen in hand) 6. Chaos Form 7. Another Blue-Eyes in hand 8. Chaos Max Dragon 9. Deep Eyes So Kaibas last card was a bluff Polymirazation. There’s literally no other option. And a poly is not going to stop a direct attack. Yugi won. The smile was Kaiba accepting defeat. Which is why we find out he was willing to work with Yugi later

That smile from Kaiba, i believe to myself that it personally was one that finally acknowledged Yugi as a duelist. It was more of a test to see if Yugi was worthy of being his rival. So, i'm sure that smile was also showing a mark of respect. Yugi did earn that respect from him.

Man the DSOD continuity just made me more thirsty for good old DM content. I miss Takashi's influence in Yu-Gi-Oh!

Kaiba accepting defeat and smiling as well when his life points only hit 100 I feel like the makers of the movie paused it there since they wanted Aigaimi to come into the scene so I think if Aigaimi didn’t come we could’ve seen the rest of Kaiba’s life points hit zero and accepting his defeat.

Here’s the thing that people forget. If the duel wasn’t stopped, the attack from DM would take him to 0 LP. There wasn’t a trap card like Magic Cylinder or anything Kaiba could’ve use to inflict effect damage, as he would have to activate that before Dark Magicians attack happened, not after, but he didn’t activate anything to stop the attack, clearly showing he planted a bluff.

I love this started as a "hey let's analyze the duel to see if we can figure out the mystery card" to one of my favorite parts of this channel. I love just going through with knowledge I have now and seeing different plays.

I actually use the bluff trick multiple times, and worked.

It was so cool that they started with 8000 life points. I think Kaiba’s smile was reassurance that Yugi is really the king of games. So i agree with you in that sentiment that Kaiba had.

Well, what did we learn today? *YUGI REALLY HATES DRAGONS.*

Over a year late, but I feel like Kaiba's smile was because he was impressed by Yugi. He surpassed his expectations and considers Yugi a true duelist and a worthy opponent, or even an equal. I'd also like to note that when it comes to Yugi's relationship with those around him, he has had a profound impact on everyone he has made a connection with, but prior to this film, he never really did have a connection with Kaiba, Atem did. But now that Kaiba sees Yugi for who he really is, he would never say or admit they're friends, but Yugi has earned his respect. This is furthered by Takahashi releasing an art piece that depicted Yugi playing the game he created with Kaiba as Kaiba Corp is helping with the development of that game, something that Kaiba wouldn't do for just anyone, regardless of if the idea was good. I think the ending of this movie, is the start of a proper dynamic between Yugi Muto and Kaiba, and while it isn't your typical friendship, it's the closest example of friendship one can get when it involves Kaiba. After all, the only other comparable relationship he really has is with Atem.

7:57 You fight me with fruit?! Don't mock me.

"You fight me with fruit? Don't mock me!" Haha I always loved that line

Yes, that face-down card is most probably just the Polymerization... finally, someone else said it. Face-down cards don't always have to be trap cards or quick-spells. Kaiba smiled because he was defeated by a duelist who fought him with fruit in the duel.

Okay you've convinced me to watch the movie just for Kaiba's arc. Also i love the idea that Yugi is just playing two levels higher everyone. He's awesome.

Kaiba my man is the real reason why I love yu-gi-oh so much

The real question is what happens in the afterlife duel We do know that Kaiba returns from the afterlife but we do not know how the duel ends. It would be interesting if the duel ended in a draw. Symbolizing Kaiba wanting to return to defeat Atem. not for vengeance but to grow as a character just as Yugi grows as a character after defeating Atem

Just something to consider , Yugi was already a kind of strategist before antems influence just less confident..

I love this video! I never thought of keeping track of Kaiba's hand to try and know what his set card would be. But I do understand Kaiba's smile in a similar way than you do. I think it meant that Yuugi surprised him in a good way and that he acknowledges Yuugi as a strong duellist.

He was gonna say screw the rules so he never lost

That smile is definitely Kaiba showing Yugi respect, but also possibly acknowledging him as a friend and rival. And I think if not for Aigami achieving in bringing back Atem, Kaiba would have accepted that he was gone and that Yugi was indeed his rival now

Really great video, and good analysis! I never noticed the Monster Reborn layer to this. Brilliantly written and good on you for pointing it out. Little Yugi grew into his own.

I don't think I could have put it any better myself..... mostly because you took the time to go over the entire duel. Nice work. :)

Another duel worth mentioning since you brought up that DSOD is based in manga canon, the Exodia duel was originally a rematch in the Death-T arc, set up by Kaiba to get revenge for their initial encounter at school, and the entire reason that hologram technology exists at all in the manga continuity is because Kaiba invented it for Death-T to replicate the horror inflicted on him by Yami's Shadow Game in their first duel.

To add to what you stated: That smile was Kaiba thinking that he was going to be able to let go of his quest to face the Pharaoh... because Yugi defeated him and proved it was HIM, not Atem, that was his rival. That meant Seto didn't have to risk his life going into the afterlife to face the Pharaoh. Didn't need to leave Mokuba. His rival was standing before him. He would just need to learn and get better. But then Aigaimi stole that from him... and the Pharaoh DID return. Meaning that Kaiba couldn't accept Yugi as his rival... it WAS the Pharaoh. Because Aigaimi stole Yugi's chance to cement himself as Kaiba's rival. Of course it does all end up okay for Kaiba in the end. We know that by the time of GX Seto DID return from the afterlife... which to me means he did beat Atem. And since we never really hear about him taking on Yugi again and he seems happy enough running his company and turning Domino into Neo Domino... I honestly believe that when Seto defeated Atem that was it. For him, mentally, he was the King of Games. Yugi no longer mattered.

Just found your channel and I'm binge watching all of these videos. Really enjoying them and hope to see more soon

Love this series! And all the details of it. Great work. 👌👌

I know this is a very niche pick for a future Yugioh Trivia, but could you do the Darkness archetype from GX? Specifically, the cards that Nightshroud/Darkness used in season 4 of the anime, the one that was never dubbed into English.

The way they played out the scene was so precise and well managed because kaiba is such a strong character so if his lp would want to hit zero it’s such a big deal and they actually made it so it doesn’t by having the evil diva intrude because there was no face down card for kaiba to protect himself from little yugis counterattack so it’s like kind of kaiba lost but at the same time didn’t because of that intrusion and the way they crafted that scene was awesome

Love ya broh! thanks for the video, KEEP IT GOING with this series!... is the best BROH! and I have to say it as you prepare the whole video is incredible... thanks a lot for every content you have done in this channel I really apprciate it ! REALLY THANKS!!

Just wanted to say I love your videos! Your takes on this amazing game are awesome!

Kaiba was probably afraid he would miss timing on the Aria cuz he didnt know what Yugi's face down was. It happens to all of us :D

Now this, this is the type of content I love, great video as always.

Great eye. I've always wondered about this duel and that face-down. Appreciate this video.

Kaiba's smile was because he finally saw Yugi as a worthy opponent.

Ngl, kinda wish we would've gotten a Kaiba spinoff where he's the MC and he continues the legacy of dueling while Yugi does his own thing with the game he invents

It was then manga Kaiba knew...Yugi was more than just a vessel.

Love this video , can’t wait for the new year video I’ve been waiting for Atem and Yugi

That was some deep analysis. Good job pickin up on the hidden gems wifin that duel.

facts about Yugi: "Yugi can't be defeated. Even when he's defeated, the truth is he won, and everything will be explained in the next episode."

Next episode: Did kaiba win against yugi on afterlife?

Thank you for this amazing and deep explanation. I never Actually thought of it the way you did, and I totally agree with what you said.

Thank you. Really wanted someone to analyze the scene. You made it clear now.

What I find interesting about Yugi's MR play is that since Kaiba didn't watch the final duel, he doesn't know that Yugi used this same strategy to defeat the Pharaoh. Makes even more sense that Kaiba would fall for it Also, MR plays a crucial role in their duel in Battle City. I think that factors into Kaiba's reaction at being given it in this duel.

I think he was about lose imo there is a bit more evidence to support this as said in the video the facedown card can only be polymerization also the smile can be interpreted as him acknowledged yugis skills

These what if vs videos are so fun to watch, wish I knew about them sooner

I love everything about this video! Great Job! 💪🏼

The dynamic between Yugi and Atem always seemed interesting to me, at least in the Anime's English Dub. While we usually saw Atem dueling, whenever it revealed his thoughts, it was always in Yugi's voice, as far as I can remember. Couple that with Yugi being a difficult opponent in some of the games I played, regardless of what form he's in, and it came across to me that Yugi was always a talented duelist.

The symbolism of Monster Reborn gets way more poignant when you remember the original Japanese name for it is literally "Resurrection of the Dead." Yugi gives it to Kaiba as sort of a wake-up call. He's trying to resurrect the Pharaoh, but he has to accept that the Pharaoh is gone.

Excellent dissection of this duel. I enjoyed it, quite a bit. 👊

Thanks for the video. I love this movie and will rewatch it now in a whole new light!

Dang Yugi out there just baiting people with Monster Reborn

yugi out here giving out monster reborns to everyone buy jaden only got a kuriboh from him

Great work. Love your analysis videos!

I've been asking myself this for 4 years now. Thank you, good sir

Kinda unrelated comment but, I like how in the beginning of the movie they show kaiba beating the “perfect” pharaoh hologram and then kaiba loses to Yugi in the actual duel. It just confirms the Yugi is really the king of games

What i find interesting is that Yugi would have lost every duel if they started with just four thousand lp. Its an interesting decision, to say the least.

Am I the only one that noticed the music for the last part of the video is the same those guys that build water parks and pools in the wild byu hand here on youtube? Lol. Great video btw.

Neat analysis video! Thanks for uploading!

I don't know if this is me being too sensitive, but this movie made me cry. I just love the evolution of little Yugi and Kaiba...

I was thinking Yugi giving Kaiba monster reborn was just his way of saying: "get a life Kaiba"

I hope you look at your comments. I honestly never got to witness many of these duels. Yugi Vs Atem, Yugi Vs Kaiba, I haven't gotten to Arc V or Vrains yet... And I appreciate these videos because then, in some way, I get to see those duels transpire, and get to see a competitive player's analysis on how they played their matches.

finally. I have been waiting years for this answer. I should have gone back into to the duel in details.

I've thought about this since watching the movie and after watching this, everything you said makes sense and the fact of Kaiba smiling to acknowledge Yugi is the better duelist makes this duel even better

one thing about kaiba's smile, 1.he doesn't want to duel yugi but he wants to duel atem/the pharaoh 2.the god cards didn't appear before duel ends 3.related to the god cards atem seems to always finds a way to summon slifer and not yugi (check out yugi vs jaden, in there atem makes appearance only to summon slifer) which is appear to be atem's boss card 4.speaking of boss monster yugi boss monster is gandora and he summons him, but what about kaiba is deep eyes a boss monster or chaos max or obelisk? i'll say obelisk but many people will say it was chaos max or even deep eyes 5. the fact that gandora is yugi's boss monster but was destroyed and kaiba can still bring back deep eyes, so yugi has to use his ace dark magician (one thing i learn from watching yugioh is that ace is good for clutch, but not boss monster, boss monster is a yugioh anime way of flexing mucles, and if that's gone you can only use your ace to bring out shenanigans) so i'll say that even though kaiba was defeated by yugi, kaiba smiles indicates that he doesn't feel the same way he duel atem with yugi, because if you watch the anime atem tends to flex much more than yugi, yugi already acknowledge kaiba, but only atem could push kaiba to up his game, so what i think kaiba smile means he's happy about yugi becoming stronger but also sad that yugi can't bring out the duel the same way as atem

When you look at the simulation duel in DSOD where Kaiba duels virtual Pharaoh, it ends by Kaiba saying "I knew you'd set me up." meaning he was prepared for his trap card. He didn't know that little Yugi would set him up, and yet he lost. Maybe he realized that a piece of Atem is still in Yugi, but in a different way. Yugi reminded him of Atem by winning a duel with a set trap.

I love that Kaiba tried the classic bluff of face down polymerization

That Ghandorah became super popular at the end of that show. That card is definitely clutch!

Ive already claimed my early gang ticket no need to worry

Great video! You always make the best yugioh videos!

I like this type of analysis in anime duels. More of these please.

I always interpreted the smile as a pharaoh-less Yugi finally earning Kaiba's respect.

"you fight me with fruit? Don't mocl me!" is one of my favourite kaiba lines.

Oh so that what happened. Or could've happened, ect. Thanks for explaining that. The dsod movie scoreboard and track records are a little tricky to keep along with. Nice vid by the way!

This was super fun to watch. Might you think about breaking down duels between other characters the same way?

This is what I have been waiting for

I believe that choosing not to use "Monster Reborn" since the last season symbolizes that he never intends to use it ever again. He however has it in his deck as a reminder of Atem.

Great Video!! Thanks Man!