I could write a completely separate review around the post Dark Signers arc challenges the writing staff faced with Arcadia and how under-utilized Aki's character was in the second half of the show as a result. Season 3 also set up several interesting plot devices that could have led to whole character arcs in season 4. Season 3 is also often criticized for similar issues with neglecting characters and being stuffed with filler, but I actually preferred most of season 3's filler to season 4's main plot because most of the cast have stronger involvement in season 3. Season 4 pretty much ended up as the 'Yusei show', who thankfully is still a fantastic character with an interesting deck.

The duels themselves were still great, but the 3-person format really shafted some of the show's strongest characters and didn't really leave them with anything to do (Aki, Rua, Bruno, and Sherry all especially). This is mostly due to the 3-person structure of all of the duels in the tournament. In my opinion, the weakest point of the show was the WRGP (season 4). That being said, 5D's isn't perfect and really pivoted in direction after season 2 due to internal production issues. I have nothing but good things to say here. Highlights include Jack stealing Stardust and his season 1 interactions/duels with Yusei, everything involving Izayoi Aki (who is the best female lead character I've ever seen with one of the most heart-wrenching and relatable backstories), team satisfaction and the Yusei/Kiryu duel, the Crow/Bommer duel, the Yusei/Rutger duel and Yusei's powerful reluctance surrounding Zero Reverse, the Antimony subplot, all of the Arc Cradle duels, and the coming of age story in the final arc centered around the final Yusei/Jack duel.

The characterization and development in this series is far beyond expectations: This anime about a children's card game has one of the most unforgettable casts in any television show I've ever watched, period. The premise sounds completely over the top, but the execution is excellent and it all slots together cohesively into an unforgettable story. The main cast are initially forced together by an extremely manipulative dictator and later use the strength of their bonds to both conquer their internal issues and save the world multiple times. It is set in a post-apocalyptic world centered around high-intensity riding duels starring several characters that are each fighting against their own internal struggles. It separates itself by utilizing setting, theming, and plot that are much more mature than past entries and targeted at an older age group. Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's is leagues ahead of all of the other entries in the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise. TL DR: If you haven't seen this series yet and are thinking of watching it, you are in for a real treat and will not regret it.

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