With how the episode ended last week, it was hard to determine just how they would transition to the Master Duel. It was a pleasant surprise to see that Revolver’s fight against Yuusaku/Ignis was all about baiting them into a trap that would result their ultimate demise. So far, everything is going according to Revolver’s plans.
The first stage of the trap was the Speed Duel. He pushed Yuusaku into a corner, forcing Ignis to summon a a far more powerful Data Storm of his own, and made sure that there was no breathing room for Yuusaku to summon his brand new monster. The matched ended as a draw, just as he had carefully planned to ensure that Yuusaku has a reason to continue fighting him. And frankly speaking, I am quite relieved to see Revolver’s plans are much deeper and far more thorough than meets the eye.
The second stage is of course the Master Duel. Of course it’s not your typical master duel when he receives the card from the man we saw last week who he calls his father. Yuusaku suspected the Fire Prison (Field Spell) was the one he had just received. Boy, this Fire Prison is causing all sorts of problems. It allows Revolver’s Dragons to gain 300 DEF, puts a restriction on which Link Monsters can be summoned (Link Number must be equal or great than the highest monster on the field), only Link Monsters can attack, AND this card can’t be destroyed by other cards’ effects.
Although Revolver’s plans were far more predictable this stage (baiting out Encode Talker and Decode Talker), it was still quite nerve-wracking to watch since Yuusaku and Ignis couldn’t figure out the plan until it already hit them. During this stage, his purpose was to force Yuusaku to summon Encode and Decode Talker. Once he done so, Revolver then activated the Fire Prison’s effect, rendering Cyverse Monsters (including Ignis) absolutely useless and ultimately start to vanish from the field.
With Ignis being affected as well (I’m actually happy because it shuts him up for a bit – he is like a chatty-cathy), it now feels like Revolver’s plan was eliminate Ignis within the duel. This way regardless of who wins, so as long as Ignis is gone, they removed their prime target. Of course now I wonder what’s going to happen. The preview shows us someone (I am assuming is Kusanagi) pressing a key button, and this could potentially be Yuusaku’s only way out of this alive (and possibly Ignis as well should they figure something out). But should Yuusaku be forced to retreat, what becomes of Aoi? Heck, his concern about both Aoi’s and Ignis’s fate might even stop Yuusaku from aborting the mission (if they are even capable of doing that without the Hanoi Knight’s interference). Kusanagi had provided him an opportunity before, but he has shown us that he won’t necessarily be willing to take it.
Aside from all the chaos, I think we did get a confirmation for was the man who had said destroying Ignis is equivalent to killing his own child. One, it is implied that he is potentially an ex-employee from SOL Technologies (explaining why the higher ups were concerned), and may be the one who either discovered or created Ignis. He is also the one who appears to have developed the Fire Prison, the trap exclusively made to combat Ignis and Cyverse.
Man I wonder how this is going to turn out! Looking forward to the next episode!
there is one major flaw in fire prison and that is: If all the Cyberse-Type monsters were to be removed from the field when that effect of making Cyberse-Types cease existing like it did is active, that card is destroyed. So Playmaker will only need to use a card to destroy his own monsters to get rid of Fire Prison
*GASP* Cynet Backdoor! Of course!
Wow, I never would’ve thought that Revolver would purposely aim for a draw so he could lure Playmaker into a Master Duel, where Link Monsters truly shine (funny how, after making everyone treat them as the newest, coolest thing, Speed Duels end up being majorly downplayed, if not outright ridiculed). Clearly, I just can’t comprehend his genius.
Also, I wonder if Dr. Kogami’s real life self the man in the hospital bed Revolver’s real self was with (thereby making Kogami Revolver’s father). Even if he wasn’t though, he had to have been closely associated with the father.
It’s a good start to see the villains are actually smart and are making their every move count! It’s even better seeing how Yuusaku, despite how sharp is he as an individual is not able to see through his plans. It only makes Revolver appear far more superior.
LOL Speed Duels are so over-rated. 😛
I did consider Dr. Kogami potentially being the man who was bedridden, but unless he has a different skin tone in Link VRAINS, it doesn’t look like he’s the same guy. But as of right now, it seems more likely to be considered as a father figure to Revolver.
I have officially become hooked. This episode actually made me care more for Yusaku. Everyone in this series in the previous episodes felt so disconnected which in turn made me feel disconnected to the characters. This is the first instance I have felt something other than general apathy or intrigue. Might also be because Vrains has been given a change of scenery with the centre of the data storm, up until now it’s just been buildings which is rather boring.
The thing that kept me watching was my interest in the plot and Ignis (he’s hilarious!). The duelling in the series has been a little bit well… dull up until this stage. With the exception of Aoi’s dueling which was pretty creative and fun. Now Revolver has upped the ante and made me worried and tense for Yusaku.
Please don’t make Aoi comatose for a whole arc! I’m already annoyed that she’s got a brother complex… speaking as the youngest girl with 2 elder brothers, it doesn’t make me happy when I see female characters who rely on their elder brother and is the protected little sister character… I would HATE to see that happen to her because she truly does have talent and her breaking away a bit can be good for her character to shine.
Also, the data storm is such an obvious asspull that i have officially named it the Deus-ex-machina storm. But I like how it’s not just a Yusaku thing. Also why on earth doesn’t he try using a different skill? Or can one player only use one skill for their logged in life?
I never thought I’d actually comment on this but… I actually like Yusaku’s school uniform blazer. He’s got a sailor collar as well *squeal*!. I find Yusaku’s hair to be the most ridiculous out of all the yutagonists (yes even the original), but going past that since nearly all of them have the most ridiculous hair, he is SUCH A CUTIE!! (It’s mainly his eyes… Like Yusei’s… so beautiful…) I really wish we could see him duel more in the real world rather than just in the virtual world as the playmaker. His virtual look has too much of a Zexal and super saiyan vibe to it. Also pretty sick of red hair considering the last two yutagonists had it. But I get why he only duels in the virtual world. Maybe later in the series if he opens up more…
but yeah episode 10 promises some good things.
I think one of the big improvements right now is the fact we have very small and contained cast. Yuusaku is more of a lone-wolf so he isn’t surrounded by friends like the previous protagonists had, so more time can be devoted to the plot, him and characters that matters.
I’m hoping we will see Yuusaku start using different skills in the future, especially if he were to lose Ignis who is the key to summoning Data storms in the first place. Considering how the first round of his fight against Revolver has gone, Yuusaku seems to be the type who would look to hold more cards up his sleeve.
LOL, I actually like his hair a lot, both as Yuusaku and Playmaker (though the later took me a bit to grow on me, but i like it nonetheless). He is such a cutie, and I love how his character already has several layers to him, adding that much needed depth we have been missing.
every player can only have one skill of his own and can only usw it once in a dual
I never said I didnt like his hair. XD Just that by comparison it looks the most silly compared to the others… *looks at Yuma again* actually I retract that statement Yusaku has only the second silliest hairstyle. However, the designers make it work with how they compliment his face, clothes and… *sigh* green lovely eyes…
Playmaker’s hair has grown on me, but i prefer Yusaku’s blue hair because the last 2 yutagonists had red parts in their hair as well and it’s kind of boring… and it looks good!
The only problem I had with him as a character initially was his disconnection which sadly made me feel disconnected to him as a character and the only intrigue I had was the plot in him finding out his memories.
In comparison Yuya was playful and full of energy that I wanted to see him progress both as a person and a duelist.
Yusaku is just now gaining that from me. Hair and all! And his eyes… I prefer Yuya’s eyeshape personally but Yusaku still looks adorable and handsome!
Yuma definitely has the worst haircut of all time! LMAO!!!!
I actually have to agree. Yusaku’s character design is amazing. He’s so handsome. And in my opinion, we haven’t had a good-looking Yugioh protagonist since Yusei.
I personally really like Yusaku and his motivations, although some might say they’re too simple. “I only hate the Knights of Hanoi.” I’m kind of wondering what happened in the past to make him hate the Knights of Hanoi so much though. That’s something that interests me about this series. What happened, why do the Knights of Hanoi want to destroy the Cyberse, etc.
It was great to see a Master Duel for the first time in VRAINS. As for Yusaku’s character, I initially didn’t really like his attitude towards other people when I watched the first episode. It was a refreshing personality for a Yugioh protagonist, but the way how he was insensitive to people was something I didn’t like. But now after two months, I feel like he’s gained my sympathy, especially how he looked after Ignis disappeared in this episode. It proves how he actually has grown to care for Ignis despite having to put up with Ignis’ antics. I hope Yusaku begins to see Ignis as a friend and partner rather than a hostage needed to get the Knights of Hanoi to pay attention to him. However, with this episode, I can already see that happening as their relationship seems to have taken a big step in improvement, especially if you consider episode 2. I’m looking forward to seeing how Yusaku opens up by the end of the series.
LOL Who thought the Speed Duel was a ruse? Shame that we didn’t get to see Firewall Dragon because the first duel was abruptly ended in a draw, but Yusaku is now officially the FIRST Yugioh protagonist ever to NEVER lose within the first ten episodes of his series. (Even Yusei lost to Jack in an episode 2 flashback) But TBH Fire Prison might serve to stifle Cyberse monsters, but upon reading its effects on the wikia that card will be destroyed if all the Cyberse-Type monsters were to be removed from the field when that effect of making Cyberse-Types cease existing like it did is active… So Playmaker will likely use a card to destroy his own monsters to get rid of Fire Prison and make a comeback.
Overall not much happened in this episodes, but deep down in my heart I really DON’T want Playmaker to win. Please make it happen…
My gosh this episode was a ride. So first Yusaku got his true ace monster (that being firewall dragon) at the tail end of the speed duel. I’m actually curious as to how Revolver got his hands on “Storm Access” as well as how both he and Yusaku are able to sense just how strong the monsters in the data storms are. Probably something to do with Yusaku’s missing memories but I’m more interested in the actual process that led to it.
Also, with Revolver admitting that he enjoys ‘using poison against poison’ why do Ai and Yusaku believe that he would continue to use Topologic bomber after it fulfilled its purpose of luring them to the master duel?
Next up, probably a minor complaint but still something that matters to me. I really don’t like those new cloud duel disks. With Yusaku vs Blue angel they actually had her use it and handle them like physical cards. But now… When they just stand there with all of the cards floating in front of them, it’s kind of dull.
Finally… the pacing. My god these duels are slow. Yes they’re filled with each party doing a large amount of mental acrobatics by trying to outthink the other, but the pacing of the duels themselves are kind of dull. I truly do hope that this is just a matter of “needing time to get going” but when you compare this duel to the duel against blue angel… it’s almost sad.
But hey. Revolver is one upping Yusaku in every way possible, so that’s an upside and making him all the more threatening.
Can’t wait for next week’s episode to see how Yusaku saves his cyberse monsters and Ai from that field spell. Sidenote: I might not be completely right on this but I think ignis might be the specific braind of A.I. that Ai is. So all of the ones that were captured and/or sealed in episode were Ignis, and the one (our lovable, snarky bastard) that Yusaku has in his duel disk is Ai, as our main character so eloquently named him.