Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL - Episode 145

"My Name is Astral" - The Strongest Duelist!!" is the one hundred and forty-fifth episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL anime. It first aired in Japan on March 16, 2014.

Summary
Yuma recalls what is at stake in this Duel. If Astral wins, he'll annihilate the Barian World. Yuma had vowed not to let him Duel that, wagering the Numeron Code on one more Duel. Astral has told him that if he wins he'll also erase all memories Yuma had of Astral in addition to destroying the Barian World. In the present, Astral asks if Yuma has already lost the will to fight. He muses it was a hundred years too early to challenge him to a Duel. He activates "Xyz Treasure", letting him draw a card for each Xyz Monster on the field. There are five, so he draws five cards, Sets three and ends his turn. Trey remarks that with 5 forms of "Utopia" on the field and Astral armed with all the "Numbers", Yuma is still surviving. Quattro agrees, saying he's still doing pretty well. Quinton tells them Astral is playing seriously, as the Numeron Code is on the line. Dextra says she expected this of Astral, while Nistro is surprised at such overwhelming power. Caswell says its a lop-sided Duel and Anna believes Astral has gone overboard. Bronk tells them that though this is their first Duel, it will be their last and they've been waiting ages for it. Cathy closes her eyes and says she can't watch anymore. Tori recalls Yuma telling her what Astral will do if she wins and she mutters Yuma's name. Astral tells him its his turn now, but wonders if he's already broken his heart and soul to pieces. Yuma starts laughing hysterically and gets to his feet. He remarks how cool "Utopia" and its other forms are. Astral seems confused, but Yuma explains that until now, he's only ever seen "Utopia" from the back, as he was the one using it. Now he gets a front-row set to see five forms side-by-side. He admits its way cooler than he'd though tit would be. He muses that its annoying not to be the one using them, but adds that they fit Astral like a glove. Calming himself, he tells Astral he won't pull any punches now. Quattro says he's getting fired up now and Trey remarks he hasn't given up yet. Quinton adds that that's just like him. Nistro remarks in the same fashion and Dextra tells him that Yuma's not changed a bit. Anna wonders if he can really fight against this, with Nelson saying this is ridiculous. Bronk reminds them that "Numbers" can't be destroyed by anything other than another "Number". Cathy wonders what he could do against that. Tori seems to realize what Yuma is planning and urges his on.

Yuma draws, while Astral mentally urges him to get fired up - otherwise, he'll be unable to get back what he lost. Yuma activates "Xyz Treasure", drawing five cards. He Normal Summons "Gagaga Mancer", revealing that once per turn, this monster can Special Summon a "Gagaga" monster from his Graveyard. "Mance" throws its staff into the ground, where it glows before vanishing as "Gagaga Magician" rises from the Graveyard portal. Astral remarks he has two Level 4 monsters and wonders what he's planning. Yuma tells him not to get ahead of himself and activates his face-down "Gagagamirage". This will let him treat a "Gagaga" monster on the field as two monsters for an Xyz Summon, while also letting him ignore Attribute and Type conditions for an Xyz Summon once per turn. Yuma overlays "Gagaga Mancer" to Xyz Summon "Gagaga Cowboy", then does the same with "Gagaga Magician" to Xyz Summon "Gagaga Samurai". Yuma activates the effect of "Gagaga Samurai", detaching an Overlay Unit to let "Gagaga" monsters attack twice this turn. "Samurai" slices its Overlay Unit and blue light covers both monsters. Yuma then activates the effect of "Gagaga Cowboy", detaching an Overlay Unit to increase its ATK by 1000 and reduce the ATK of the monster it battles by 500. Astral reminds him that the effect of "Number 39: Beyond the Hope" protects his monsters from being affected by card effects, so "Cowboy" cannot destroy any of Astral's monsters. Yuma says he's wrong, prompting Astral to yell "what!?" Yuma activates the effect of the "Gagaga Mancer" in his Graveyard, banishing it to increase the ATK of a "Gagaga" monster he controls by 500. The ATK of "Cowboy" rises to 3000 total. Cathy excitely yells that its ATK rose again and Yuma orders "Cowboy" to attack "Number C39: Utopia Ray". "Utopia Ray" explodes in a hail of bullets, reducing Astral to 4750. Anna says a "Number" was destroyed by a non-"Number". Yuma orders "Cowboy" to attack again and "Number C39: Utopia Ray V" is riddled with bullets and Astral's Life Points fall to 4350. Trey is shocked Yuma managed to destroy two forms of "Utopia". Quinton remarks that Yuma is keeping his cool and that since "Utopia Ray" and "Utopia Ray V" were Summoned via Quick-Play Spell Cards that negated their effects, a non-"Number" was able to destroy them. Quattro seems quite impressed by Yuma's play.

Astral says he'll give Yuma credit for his move, but points out that "Cowboy" can no longer attack, so they've reached a deadlock. Yuma claims only Astral is deadlocked. He activates the Quick-Play Spell Card, "Gagaga Style - Slash of Clarity". This lets him target a "Gagaga" monster and change its name and ATK to the same as the monster it battles, while preventing it from being destroyed by battle and inflicting damage to the opponent equal to the ATK of any monsters it destroyed. Astral yells "What!", while Yuma specifies he's targeting "Samurai". Yuma orders "Samurai" to attack "Beyond the Hope". "Samurai" reverts to an energy form and streams towards its target, its energy form shifting into that of "Beyond the Hope" and its ATK rising to 3000. Yuma declares "Hope Sword Beyond the Slash" and "Beyond the Hope" explodes. Yuma reminds Astral tht "Slash of Clarity" will inflict damage to Astral equal to the destroyed monster's ATK now. Astral is thrown onto his back, his Life Points at 1350. Yuma orders his next attack and "Samurai" takes the form of "Utopia Ray Victory", its ATK becoming 2800. Bronk, Flip and Tori remark that if the attack goes through, Astral will lose. Astral activates his face-down "Heat & Heal", which lets him gain Lift Points equal to the ATK of the "Number" with the lowest Rank on the field. That monster is "Utopia", so he gains 2500 Life Points, bringing him back to 3850. Yuma declares "Hope Sword Double Victory Slash" and "Victory" explodes. Astral screams as his Life Points fall to 1050. As he hits the ground, Astral begins to fade in and out. Yuma yells his name, but reveals that "Heat & Heal" then attachs to "Utopia" as a Overlay Unit. Yuma asks if he's alright. Astral admits he was a bit careless, and muses that when he was looking at the five forms, he should have noticed - Yuma wasn't just staring at them talking about how cool they were. Yuma says he caught him, then. Astral remarks that Yuma was putting on a act, being surprised at Astral bringing out all the forms of "Utopia". Yuma tells him he did the brainstorming of his life to build his Deck for this Duel. He did so while remembering all the times they fought together and says its thanks to Astral he's become as strong as he is. He tells Astral that it was him to that gave him the confidence to overcome everything - that and "kattobingu". He believes he and Astral are like one mind and body now - if Yuma can believe in others, Astral should be able to as well. Yuma vows to make Astral believe in others again, so they can create a better tomorrow. There is no way he'll give up. Yuma says that even if Astral is the strongest Duelist in the universe, Yuma will gamble on the 1 in 10,000 chance he has to win. Astral tells Yuma to come at him them and says he's fighting with everything he has, as a denizen of the Astral World. He tells Yuma to show him everything he has. Quattro remarks that they're at odds with one another. Trey seems surprised, but Quinton seems to see something else. He realizes that Astral's mission is to erase the Astral World with the Numeron Code - he must be refusing to budge on that matter. Trey says Yuma would never let that happen. Quinton tells him that's why Yuma is Dueling then. Trey wonders why Astral would do this though - he knows Yuma best. Quinton agrees, believing there is something off about this Duel.

Yuma Sets three cards and the ATK of "Cowboy" returns to 1500. Astral draws and Yuma tells him to bring it on. Astral orders "Utopia" to attack "Cowboy", but Yuma activates his face-down "Half Unbreak", halving the battle damage and preventing the destruction of "Cowboy" by battle. Astral says he'll activate a Trap as well then - "Absolute Buster". This card negates any effects that would protect a monster from being destroyed. Yuma says Astral read his move and "Absolute Buster" fires a beam which dissipates the bubble shield generated by "Half Unbreak". Astral declares "Hope Sword Slash" and "Utopia" destroys "Cowboy". Yuma's Life Points fall to 900 as he's blasted backwards. Cathy closes her eyes and Tori yells Yuma's name. Astral tells Yuma that they both know everything about one another - and that is why he cannot give a single inch in this Duel. Astral Sets three cards to end is turn and tells Yuma to come at him. Seeing Astral and "Utopia" before him, Yuma thinks to himself that meeting Astral was the first time he ever had an Xyz Monster - and that monster was "Utopia". Knowing he hasn't forgotten the feelings he had when he Xyz Summoned the first time, he vowed to continue fighting - "Utopia" truly was his hope. Yuma yells "kattobingu" and draws, with Astral mentally urging him on. Yuma activates "Gagagarevenge", letting him Special Summon a "Gagaga" monster from his Graveyard and equip "Gagagarevenge" to it. He revives "Gagaga Cowboy" and tells Astral he's coming with everything he has now. He orders "Cowboy" to attack "Utopia". Astral is incredulous. Anna says "Cowboy" has less ATK and Trey adds that "Cowboy" has no Overlay Units either. Seeing the ATK difference of 1000 and Yuma's Life Points at only 900, two Set cards and a card still in his hand, Astral realizes something must be going on with this attack. He activates the effect of "Utopia", detaching an Overlay Unit to negate the attack. He declares "Moon Barrier" and the fist of "Cowboy" rebounds off the shield. Yuma says he took the bait. Astral mutters "what?" and Yuma activates his face-down "Moon Bumper". When an attack is negated with a monster effect, that monster loses 800 ATK. The ATK of "Utopia" falls to 1700. Astral is shocked. He muses that Yuma knew he would negate the attack, then. Yuma says he figured he could get Astral to flinch at the last minute that way. Yuma orders "Samurai" to attack "Utopia". Astral's Life Points fall to 850 as "Utopia" detonates. Yuma does several backflips, cheering.

Astral compliments him, saying he wagered victory or defeat on a bluff. He thinks only Yuma could pull off a Duel like this. Bronk cheers that Yuma actually defeated all fives forms of "Utopia". Cathy says he did a good job and Nistro is impressed as well. Dextra remarks that he even pulled this off with Astral as his opponent. Quattro says he had him nervous there for a second, with Trey telling him that's how Yuma is, though. Yuma tells Astral that Dueling against him is even more awesome than he could have imagined. But it would be better if the threat wasn't hanging over his head. Remembering Astral's vow to destroy the Barian World, Yuma is somber. He asks Astral if he forgot something though. When Yuma defeated Eliphas, they agreed that the Astral World doesn't have to Rank-Up anymore. - that wasn't the future they aimed for, to throw people aside without considering their feelings. Yuma says he found a future where you don't need to Rank-Up and asks if Eliphas didn't entrust that very future to them. Yuma tells him that they can start over no matter what, so long as they understand each other. Astral vows he'll never forgot Yuma's words or the times they spent together for even an instant. Yuma mutters, Astral's name, while Astral says he will fulfill the pact they signed together. Yuma asks what pact he means and Astral responds that there is an answer in every Duel. Astral activates his face-down "Rank-Down-Magic Hope Fall", prompting Yuma to yell "RANK-DOWN-MAGIC?!" Astral reveals that when a "Number" he controls is destroyed, this card will let him Xyz Summon and Xyz Monster of a lower Rank and attach the destroyed monster to it as an Overlay Unit. He declares "Rank-Down Xyz Change!" and Xyz Summons "Number 39: Utopia Roots" in Attack Position. Yuma is shocked that Astral Ranked-Down and mutters "Utopia Roots...".

Yuma Sets a card and ends his turn, with Astral telling him its time to get back what he lost. Yuma asks what he means, but Astral's response is to start his turn. He activates "Number Frame", which he can equip to a "Hope" monster to increase its ATK by 1500. Then he can attach two "Numbers" from his Extra Deck to it as Overlay Units. Its ATK rises to 2000 and Astral attaches "Number 32: Shark Drake" and "Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon" to it as Overlay Units. The two monsters appear to the right and left of "Roots" before becoming Overlay Units. Yuma asks why he attached Shark and Kite Tenjo's cards as Overlay Units. Astral says he will never forget fighting alongside them - or alongside Yuma. He says that fate has placed hardships on Yuma's soldiers. Even with his heart, body and soul smashed to tatters, Yuma survived and the two of them won. Astral tells him he's unaware of the most important thing that has been stolen from him, though, but that Astral remembers. Astral orders "Utopia Roots" to attack "Gagaga Cowboy", but Yuma activates the effect of "Gagaga Samurai". When a "Gagaga" monster is attacked, he can redirect the attack target to "Samurai" and change it to Defense Position. "Samurai" vaults in front of "Cowboy" and crosses its swords as it switches positions. Astral activates his face-down "Rank Revolution". If he controls only one Xyz Monster, this card will negate the effects of all Xyz Monsters with higher Ranks. Thus, "Samurai" is blown away from "Cowboy" and Astral declares "Hope Sword Roots Slash", destroying "Cowboy" and reducing Yuma's Life Points to 400. Tori gasps, while Astral activates a Continuous Trap Card called "Overlay Accel". When a Xyz Monster destroys a monster by battle, this card will let it detach an Overlay Unit to attack again. Yuma asks "wh..what?!" and Astral says "Utopia Roots" has three Overlay Units. Anna says that if this goes on, Yuma will lose here. Astral detaches "Shark Drake", prompting its spectral form to join in on the attack against "Samurai", who explodes. Astral yells that Yuma must take back what is most important to him - the thing that was stolen from him. As rubble flies and Yuma falls backwards, he wonders what that could be.

Featured Duel: Yuma Tsukumo vs. Astral
Duel continues from the previous episode.

'''Turn 2: Astral

Astral activates "Xyz Treasure", letting him draw cards equal to the number of Xyz Monsters on the field. There are currently five, so Astral draws five cards. Astral Sets three cards.

'''Turn 3: Yuma

Yuma also activates "Xyz Treasure", letting him draw five cards as there are still five Xyz Monsters on the field. He Normal Summons "Gagaga Mancer" (100/100). Yuma activates the effect of "Gagaga Mancer", letting him Special Summon a "Gagaga" monster from his Graveyard. Yuma Special Summons "Gagaga Magician" in Attack Position (1500/1000). Yuma activates his face-down "Gagagamirage", allowing him to treat "Gagaga" monsters he controls as 2 Overlay Units for the Xyz Summon of an Xyz Monster, while also allowing Yuma to ignore any Type and Attribute requirements needed to Summon one of the monsters Xyz Summoned this way this turn. He overlays his "Gagaga Mancer", treated as two monsters, to Xyz Summon "Gagaga Cowboy" in Attack Position (1500/2400). He then overlays his "Gagaga Magician" treated as two monsters to Xyz Summon "Gagaga Samurai" in Attack Position (1900/1600). Yuma activates the effect of "Samurai", detaching an Overlay Unit to allow all "Gagaga" monsters to attack twice this turn. Yuma then activates the effect of "Gagaga Cowboy", detaching an Overlay Unit increase its ATK by 1000 (1500 → 2500) and decrease one of Astral's monster's ATK by 500. However, due to the effect of "Number 39: Beyond the Hope", his cards are unaffected by card effects, so the ATK of his monsters cannot be lowered. Yuma activates the effect of the "Gagaga Mancer" in his Graveyard, banishing it to increase the ATK of a "Gagaga" monster he controls by 500. He targets "Cowboy" (2500 → 3000).

"Cowboy" attacks and destroys "Number C39: Utopia Ray" (Astral 5250 → 4750), despite not being a "Number" monster, as the effects of "Utopia Ray" were negated as it was Summoned via "Necro Chaos". "Cowboy" attacks and destroys "Utopia Ray V" (4750 → 4350) despite not being a "Number" monster, as the effects of "Utopia Ray V" were negated as it was Summoned with "Rank-Up-Magic Dark Force". Yuma activates "Gagaga Style - Slash of Clarity", letting a "Gagaga" monster he controls be unable to be destroyed by battle, and also, when it attacks, it takes on the same ATK and name as the target. "Samurai" attacks "Beyond the Hope", whose ATK changes to the ATK of "Beyond the Hope" (1900 → 3000) and name changes to "Number 39: Beyond the Hope". "Beyond the Hope" is destroyed, and due to the second effect of "Slash of Clarity", Astral takes damage equal to the ATK of "Beyond the Hope" (Astral 4350 → 1350). "Samurai" attacks "Utopia Ray Victory", whose ATK changes to the ATK of "Utopia Ray Victory" (3000 → 2800) and name changes to "Number C39: Utopia Ray Victory". Astral activates his face-down "Heat & Heal", which lets Astral target the "Number" monster with the lowest Rank on his field, in this case "Number 39: Utopia", and gain Life Points equal to its ATK (Astral 1350 → 3850). The attack continues and "Utopia Ray Victory" is destroyed, making Astral take damage equal to the ATK of "Utopia Ray Victory" (Astral 3850 → 1050). Due to the effect of "Heat & Heal", it is attached to "Utopia" as an Overlay Unit. Yuma Sets three cards. At the end of the turn, the ATK of "Cowboy" returns to normal ("Cowboy" 3000 → 1500).

'''Turn 4: Astral

"Utopia" attacks "Cowboy", but Yuma activates his face-down "Half Unbreak", preventing the destruction of "Cowboy" by battle and halving the battle damage. Astral activates his face-down "Absolute Buster", negating the effects of all cards that prevents a card's destruction or negate an attack during this turn. "Gagaga Cowboy" is destroyed, however Yuma still receives the halved battle damage from the attack (Yuma 1400 → 900). Astral Sets three cards.

'''Turn 5: Yuma

Yuma activates "Gagagarevenge", letting him Special Summon a "Gagaga" monster from his Graveyard and equip it with "Gagagarevenge". He Special Summons "Cowboy" (1500/2400) in Attack Position. "Cowboy" attacks "Utopia", but Astral activates the effect of "Utopia", detaching an Overlay Unit to negate the attack. Yuma activates his face-down "Moon Bumper", which, since the attack of a monster was negated, negates the effect of "Utopia" and decreases its ATK by 800 (2500 → 1700). "Samurai" attacks and destroys "Utopia" (Astral 1050 → 850). As a "Number" monster he controls was destroyed, Astral activates his face-down "Rank-Down-Magic Hope Fall", letting him Special Summon an Xyz Monster from his Extra Deck whose Rank is lower than the destroyed "Number", using the "Number" as an Overlay Unit. Astral Special Summons "Number 39: Utopia Roots" (500/100) in Attack Position, attaching "Utopia" to it an Overlay Unit. Yuma Sets a card.

'''Turn 6: Astral

Astral equips "Utopia Roots" with "Number Frame", increasing the ATK of "Utopia Roots" by 1500 (500 → 2000/100) and attaching two "Number" monsters from the Extra Deck to "Utopia Roots" as Overlay Units. Astral attaches "Number 32: Shark Drake" and "Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon". "Utopia Roots" attacks "Cowboy", but Yuma activates the effect of "Samurai", switching itself to Defense Position and switching the attack target to itself. Astral activates his face-down "Rank Revolution", negating the effects of monsters whose Rank or Level is higher than the Rank of a target Xyz Monster Astral controls. Astral targets "Utopia Roots", negating the effects of all Level/Rank 2 and higher monsters. As such, the effect of "Samurai" is negated, and attack continues and "Cowboy" is destroyed (Yuma 900 → 400). Astral activates his face-down "Overlay Accel", allowing him to detach an Overlay Unit from "Utopia Roots" so that it may attack again after it destroys a monster by battle. Astral detaches the overlaid "Shark Drake" and Utopia Roots" attacks and destroys "Gagaga Samurai" (Yuma 400 → 300).

Duel continues in the next episode.

Featured cards
The following cards appeared in this episode. Cards in italics debuted here.

Mistakes
Several scenes show the old card backings.