List of deaths

In the canon of the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, (much like many other manga series) there have been a number of significant character deaths along the course of the plot. Unlike other "battle" manga/anime, the number of character deaths is kept few and far between in keeping with Takahashi's original vision of a battle series where the heroes didn't have to use violence to fight. However, in the American version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime, many of these deaths were edited out or stylized to make them less horrific, using the Shadow Realm as a euphemism. The following is a full list of all deaths that take place in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise.

Yu-Gi-Oh!

 * Millennium Ring thief: Failed the Millennium Ring's trial, causing flames to burst out of his eyes and mouth.
 * Amane Bakura: Car accident.
 * Escaped prisoner: Incinerated. This was changed to an illusion in the anime.
 * Curator Kanekura: Soul devoured by Ammit. This was changed to a heart attack in the anime.
 * Chopman: Incinerated.
 * Bakura Ryou: Sacrificed his soul to stop Dark Bakura from winning in the monster world. He was revived seconds later by the magic of White Wizard Bakura (manga and first series). Died as a Penalty Game by Yami Marik, along with Yami Bakura and the good Marik, because Yami Bakura lost a Duel. Sent to the Shadow Realm in the English dub. Came back when Marik undid all of Yami Marik's Penalty Games (late manga and second series).
 * Anubis: Killed by Yami Yugi in the past. Revived when Yugi Muto solved the Millenium Puzzle. Killed by Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon. (non-canon; Pyramid of Light)
 * Cecelia Pegasus: Died as a result of an illness before the events of the manga and anime.
 * Keith Howard: Shot himself as a result of Maximillion Pegasus' Penalty Game, but brought back to life by Yako Tenma; only happened in the manga.
 * Maximillion J. Pegasus: Killed by Dark Bakura in the manga only. Killed in Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D Bonds Beyond Time by Paradox. This timeline was erased when the Crimson Dragon sent Yugi, Jaden and Yusei back in time.
 * Arkana: Manipulated into committing suicide by Marik Ishtar, only happened in the manga.
 * Solomon Muto: Killed in Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D Bonds Beyond Time. This timeline was erased when the Crimson Dragon sent Yugi, Jaden and Yusei back 30 minutes before the event occured.
 * Bonz, Sid, and Zygor: In the original, they were pulled into Hell by hands reaching out of the ground. In the dub, they were sent to the Shadow Realm. In the manga, Bonz was killed on losing (Sid and Zygor were not present).
 * Gozaburo Kaiba: Committed suicide in the manga. This did not happen in the second series anime; he instead uploaded his mind into his Virtual World, and was killed when its servers were destroyed.
 * Mr. Ishtar: Stabbed to death in the anime, skinned alive in the manga. He was sent to the Shadow Realm in the English dub.
 * Unknown doctor: Stabbed to death by Dark Marik before the latter attempts to murder Rishid. Happened only in the manga.
 * Yami Bakura: Died as a Penalty Game by Yami Marik, along with Bakura and the good Marik Ishtar, due to losing a Shadow Game Duel. Sent to the Shadow Realm in the English dub. Part of him lived on in the Millennium Puzzle. Came back when Marik undid all of Yami Marik's Penalty Games. Later killed when Zorc was destroyed by the Creator of Light, as he was merged with Zorc at the time and losing Dark RPG. In the manga, he died by losing the Dark RPG, in the final arc.
 * Marik Ishtar: Died as a Penalty Game by Yami Marik, along with Bakura and Yami Bakura, because Bakura lost a Shadow Game Duel. Sent to the Shadow Realm in the English dub. The part of him he planted in Téa Gardner still lived. Came back for Yami Marik's Shadow Game.
 * Noah Kaiba: Fatally injured and had his mind uploaded into the Virtual World. He was presumably killed when its servers were destroyed.
 * The Big Five: In the manga they do not die. In the anime, their physical bodies were destroyed and their minds trapped in cyberspace after losing a duel to Yami Yugi and Seto Kaiba. In the Japanese anime, Noah deleted/killed their minds when he ran out of patience with their Dueling failures. In the dub, they were presumably killed when the virtual world's servers were destroyed.
 * Yami Marik: The majority of his body was destroyed when "The Winged Dragon of Ra" was destroyed when he was merged with it. The remaining of his body was killed by Marik Ishtar after he surrendered during a Duel against Yami Yugi. (In the dub, he is sent to the Shadow Realm.)
 * Mikey: Killed by a tank by a soldier who worked for Gozaburo Kaiba who was actually Dartz. In the dub, Mikey was kidnapped by the soldiers working for Gozaburo/Dartz.
 * Julian: Killed during a sunken ship that Dartz was the captain of (in the dub, Julian survived, but he forgot about Rafael).
 * Sonia: Killed during a sunken ship that Dartz was the captain of (in the dub, Sonia survived, but she forgot about Rafael).
 * Rafael's parents: Killed during a sunken ship that Dartz was the captain of (in the dub, they survived, but they forgot about Rafael).
 * The Great Leviathan: Destroyed by Yami Yugi, which releases Dartz from its control.
 * Yami Alexander: Destroyed by Yami Yugi with the "Armor of Unity" (non-canon; Capsule Monsters).
 * Ahmet: Was judged as not being pure enough by a statue, which transformed into a monster and ate him.
 * Mushara: Fell to his death. In the dub, he fell into a Shadow Pit and became trapped in the Shadow Realm
 * Mahad: Killed by Bakura with a trap in Pharaoh Aknamkanon's tomb. Merged his soul with his spirit, "Illusion Magician", to become "Dark Magician" to continue to serve his Pharaoh.
 * Shadi: Dark Bakura killed him before the events of the show, and became a wandering ghost. He was destroyed later when he possessed Hasan and took a hit from Zorc Necrophades.
 * Bandit King Bakura: Had two deaths; his first death happened when he was reduced to sand by Yami Bakura, then Yami Bakura revived him. Later sacrificed to Summon Zorc Necrophades. In the manga, he only died by being reduced to sand, although this is only a part of the Dark RPG, in the actual past he simply expired from his wounds.
 * Zorc Necrophades: Destroyed by the light from Holactie.
 * Karim: In the manga, he is killed by Thief Bakura and Diabound. In the anime, he died from loss of energy as he gave up all his energy to Shada. In the English anime, his soul was trapped in the Shadow Realm.
 * Aknadin/Shadow Magus: Destroyed by the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon". In the dub, his soul was trapped in the Shadow Realm.
 * Kisara: She is killed by Aknadin and her soul becomes the "Blue-Eyes White Dragon". In the manga, she is simply killed, while in the anime, she sacrifices herself by taking a blow intended for Seto.
 * Hasan: Took a hit from Zorc to protect the guards in the anime. In the manga, Hasan is Shadi's alter-ego and is destroyed while shielding Atem.
 * Shada: Diadankh energy depleted when he jumped in front of the Pharaoh and took a hit from Zorc. In the dub his soul went to the Shadow Realm.
 * Isis: Diadankh energy depleted when Zorc destroyed her "Winged Dragon Guardian of the Fortress", and as she fell. Died only in the anime. In the dub her soul was trapped in the Shadow Realm. In the manga, she eventually died of old age.
 * Shimon: Diadankh energy depleted when Zorc destroyed his "Exodia". In the dub, his soul went to the Shadow Realm.
 * Priest Seto: Eventually died by old age.
 * Iona: Killed by Dartz.
 * Ironheart: Passed on to the afterlife.
 * Chris: Passed on to the afterlife.
 * Dartz: Passed on to the afterlife.
 * Pharaoh Atem/Yami Yugi: Died after sealing himself and Zorc inside the Millennium Puzzle. Later revived in Yugi Muto's body and eventually passed on to the afterlife.

The Dark Side of Dimensions

 * Scud: Incinerated by Aigami's Quantum Cube.
 * Scud's gang: Incinerated by Aigami's Quantam Cube.
 * KaibaCorp employee: Incinerated by Aigami's Quantum Cube.
 * Mani: Incinerated by the Millennium Ring. Later revived when Aigami was defeated.

Yu-Gi-Oh! GX

 * Camula: Soul lost after losing to Jaden Yuki due to "Illusion Gate", body crumbles to dust.
 * Titan: Body devoured by Shadow monsters after losing a Duel to Alexis Rhodes.
 * Lyman Banner: His body decomposed after his Duel with Jaden Yuki as Amnael; his soul remained in the body of his cat, Pharaoh.
 * Mr. Phoenix: Killed by The D so that the latter could acquire "Destiny Hero - Plasma", which had actually absorbed his soul. He was kidnapped in the English version, but in both he is only seen afterwards when he speaks to Aster through Plasma.
 * Dr. Collector: Died from the fire caused by the Ultimate Destiny Card in his Duel with The D, though the latter believed it was fatal shock from being defeated. In the dub, his whereabouts after the Duel are unexplained.
 * The D: Killed after being abandoned by The Light of Destruction when he lost in a Duel against Aster Phoenix.
 * Mr. Stein: Duel energy was drained and he fell into nowhere, not heard from again.
 * Trapper: Seemingly devoured by vengeful Duel Spirits.
 * Pierce: Killed by getting ran over a truck to get his Duel Monster cards. In the dub, that scene was cut and changed it to him dying from an illness.
 * Thelonious Viper: In the dub, Viper seemed to be destroyed by Yubel. In the Japanese version, he saw a vision of his adopted son Rick and fell off the Dueling platform to his death.
 * Sky Scout: Killed in a Duel against Jaden.
 * Scarr, Scout of Dark World: Killed in a Duel against Jaden.
 * Larz: Died from his injuries at the hands of the Dark World Army.
 * Zure, Knight of Dark World: Killed in a Duel against Jaden.
 * Freed the Brave Wanderer: Sacrificed himself to help defeat Zure.
 * Brron, Mad King of Dark World: Killed in a Duel against Jaden.
 * Burgundy: Killed by The Supreme King.
 * Kozaky: Killed in a Duel against Jim Crocodile Cook.
 * Goblin Elite Attack Force: Members killed in Duels against Zane Truesdale and Aster Phoenix.
 * Skull Knight: Killed in a Duel against Axel Brodie.
 * Guardian of the Labyrinth: Shield killed by Chaos Sorcerer.
 * Chaos Sorcerer: Killed in a Duel against Zane.
 * Skilled White Magician: Killed in a Duel against Aster.
 * Skilled Dark Magician: Killed in a Duel against Aster.
 * Echo: Sacrificed by Adrian to unseal "Exodius the Ultimate Forbidden Lord". Her spirit later vanished as "Exodius" was destroyed in a Duel.
 * Guardian Baou: Killed in a Duel against Jaden.
 * Trueman clones: Destroyed by "Rainbow Neos" after Yusuke Fujiwara lost to Jaden Yuki.
 * Nightshroud: Destroyed after he lost to Jaden Yuki for the final time.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's

 * Roman Goodwin: Died during the Zero Reverse incident. He was reborn as a Dark Signer and died again after losing to Yusei Fudo.
 * Dr. Fudo, Mrs. Fudo, Crow Hogan's parents, Jack Atlas' parents, Ginga's mother, and thousands of Domino City citizens: Died during the Zero Reverse (in the dub, Yusei's parents were never heard from again). Dr. Fudo's spirit remained in the old Ener-D and occasionally appeared to Yusei and supported him. During his final appearance, he said that it would be the last time he could talk to Yusei.
 * Devack: Unknown. He was reborn as a Dark Signer and died again after losing to Leo and Luna. Restored to life after Rex Goodwin's defeat.
 * Kalin Kessler: Starved to death in Prison and was reborn as a Dark Signer, but died again after losing to Yusei. Restored to life after Rex Goodwin's defeat.
 * Toby Tredwell: Killed during Sayer's experiments (in the dub, he was sent to an unknown facility due to being "weak" according to Sayer).
 * Misty Tredwell: Car accident. She was revived as a Dark Signer, but died again after losing to Akiza Izinski. Restored to life after Rex Goodwin's defeat.
 * Carly Carmine: Pushed out of a window of the Arcadia Movement building by Sayer and crashed into the ground (in the dub, Carly fell into a shadowy portal before crashing). Revived as a Dark Signer, but died again after losing to Jack Atlas. Restored to life after Rex Goodwin's defeat.
 * Greiger: Hanged by Roman in the original version (in the dub, Greiger was dropped into the Netherworld) and brought back as a Dark Signer. Died again after losing to Crow Hogan. Restored to life after Rex Goodwin's defeat.
 * Sayer: Eaten by "Earthbound Immortal Ccarayhua" (in the dub, "Ccarayhua" absorbed Sayer). Brought back and was arrested, and taken to the Facility according to the Yu-Gi-Oh! 10th Anniversary Animation Book.
 * Familiar of Red Nova: Crushed by Crimson Devil statue.
 * Rex Goodwin: Deliberately lost in a Shadow Duel with Roman in order to be reborn as a Dark Signer, but died again after losing to Yusei, Jack and Crow.
 * Claire and Haley: Unknown disease (In the dub, they're a victim of a "wicked spirit").
 * Dr. LeBlanc and Mrs. LeBlanc: Killed by a group hired by Iliaster (in the dub, they disappeared).
 * Sergio: Fell to his death to save Nico, West, and Kalin (in the dub, this was removed).
 * Daichi's father: Zero Reverse.
 * Robert Pearson: Killed in a fire caused by the card "Crimson Mefist" (in the dub, "Crimson Mefist" sent Pearson to the Netherworld).
 * Clark: Erased from existence by Iliaster changing the past and thus was never born.
 * Aporia's father, Aporia's mother, and Eurea: Killed by "Meklord Emperors" (original future).
 * Paradox: Old age (original future) (in the dub, Paradox died of an illness). A mechanical reconstruction was later made. The reconstruction was destroyed after losing a Duel to Yugi, Jaden and Yusei in Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D Bonds Beyond Time.
 * Antinomy/Bruno: Old age (original future) (in the dub, Antinomy died of an illness). A mechanical reconstruction was later made. The reconstruction was destroyed by getting sucked into the black hole on the Death Course after helping Yusei escape.
 * Aporia: Old age (original future) (in the dub, Aporia died of an illness). Three mechanical reconstructions (Lester, Primo and Jakob) were later made. Primo was destroyed in his Duel against Yusei, but was revived by Z-one. They eventually fused back into Aporia. The combined reconstruction was destroyed from Dueling Jack, Leo and Luna, but repaired by Z-one. The reconstruction died after losing a Duel to Z-one while heavily injured.
 * Leo: Sacrificed his Life Points to give Luna and Jack a chance against Aporia. Revived by the Crimson Dragon's power and "Morphtronic Lantron", and gaining the Heart Birthmark.
 * Z-one: Sacrificed himself by flying into an Ener-D reactor to use his body to reverse the rotation (changing future).

Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL

 * Dr. Faker (manga): Died in a mysterious illness prior to the events in manga.
 * Number 16's holder: Soul taken by Fortuno when he lost the Duel.
 * Fortuno: Soul was taken after losing a Duel to Kite Tenjo.
 * Number 56's holder: Soul taken by Kite Tenjo after losing a Duel.
 * Hart Tenjo: Lost his soul during Vetrix's ritual. Released when Vetrix lost to Yuma Tsukumo.
 * Astral: Destroyed by Trey. Revived by Trey and Yuma Tsukumo. Shot with an energy beam by Number 96. Later revived in Astral World by Yuma.
 * Trey: Lost his soul due to losing a Duel with Yuma Tsukumo while using a "Number". Released when Vetrix lost to Yuma Tsukumo. Lost to Mizar and sacrficed to the Barian World. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Dextra: Lost her soul to Vetrix's crest. Released when Vetrix lost to Yuma Tsukumo. Sacrificed to Barian World after losing to Dumon. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Quinton: Lost his soul due to losing to Kite Tenjo while using a "Number". Released when Vetrix lost to Yuma Tsukumo. Lost to Mizar and sacrficed to the Barian World. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Quattro: Lost his soul due to losing a Duel with Reginald Kastle while using a "Number". Released when Vetrix lost to Yuma Tsukumo. Lost to Nash and sacrificed to the Barian World. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Kite Tenjo: Lost his soul to Vetrix's crest. Released when Vetrix lost to Yuma Tsukumo. Died from lost oxygen/exhaustion on the moon. Revived by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Captain Corn: Died of unknown causes in the manga. Revived by Dr. Faker as a Number Hunter. After losing to Yuma, he lost his soul, and died.
 * Thunder Spark: Lost his soul after losing to Yuma in the manga.
 * Grandpa Demetto: Engulfed in flames after saving Cologne in the manga.
 * Vetrix: Sacrificed himself into the Sphere Field when he lost to Yuma Tsukumo. Resurrected by using the crest.
 * Orbital 7: Destroyed while trying to shut down the Litterbots. Came back online. Shutdown after Kite's Duel with Mizar on the moon. Came back online again.
 * Mr. Heartland: Fell into the portal to the Astral World with the Litterbots. Revived by Vector as a fly and Barian by using the power of Don Thousand. Incinerated by "Barian Numbers 1-4" after losing to Yuma Tsukumo.
 * Dumon: Killed by his former comrades in his past life. Reborn as a Barian. Died by losing against Vector. Remaining power absorbed by Marin. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Mach: Killed by his former comrades. Reborn as a Number's Guardian.
 * Vector: Committed suicide in his past life. Reborn as a Barian. Later absorbed by Don Thousand. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Alito: Executed by the people who framed him in his past life (in the dub, Alito was banished). Reborn as a Barian. Sacrificed himself when dueling Girag. Remaining power absorbed by Girag. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Mizar: Killed by an army in his past life (in the dub, this is removed). Reborn as a Barian. Later absorbed by Don Thousand. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Jinlon: Killed by a shaman (in the dub, Mizar and his villagers killed Jinlon). Reborn as a Number's Guardian.
 * Girag: killed by rebelling vassals in his past life. Reborn as a Barian. Killed by Number C43. Remaining power absorbed by Vector. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Ponta: Died of unknown causes. Reborn as a Number Guardian and sealed within a statue of Girag's past life. Absorbed by Vector. Revived by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Nash: Died of unknown causes in his past life. Reborn as a Barian. Later killed by Vector. Later reborn back on Earth as a human under the name Reginald Kastle. Soul taken by Kite Tenjo. Released by Kite Tenjo after his draw with Yuma Tsukumo. Died after losing to Yuma Tsukumo. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Marin: Offered herself as a sacrifice afterwards to revive Number 94 to purify Abyss in her past life. Reborn as a Barian. Later killed by Vector. Later reborn back on Earth as a human under the name Rio Kastle. Died after losing to Vector. Remaining power absorbed by Vector. Revived as a human by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Erazor: Died of unknown causes. Revived by Don Thousand as a Barian. Died again after losing to Yuma Tsukumo and Trey.
 * Chironex: Car accident. Revived by Don Thousand as a Barian. Died again after losing to Shark and Quattro.
 * Mr. Kastle, Mrs. Kastle, Reginald Kastle (original), and Rio Kastle (original): Car accident.
 * Scritch: Died of unknown causes. Revived by Don Thousand as a Barian. Died again after losing to Kite Tenjo and Quinton.
 * Flip Turner and many unknown Number holders: Sacrificed to the Barian World. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Kaze: Sacrificed to the Barian World after losing to Girag. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Roku: Sacrificed to the Barian World after losing to Girag. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Anna Kaboom: Sacrificed to the Barian World after losing to Mizar. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Nelson Andrews: Sacrificed to the Barian World after losing to Mizar. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Nistro: Sacrificed to the Barian World after losing to Alito. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Bronk Stone: Sacrificed to the Barian World after losing to Marin. Returned to life after Yuma defeated Nash.
 * Eliphas: Sacrificed himself in Astral's place to help destroy "Numeron Network". Revived by the power of the Numeron Code.
 * Don Thousand: Destroyed after losing to Yuma and Nash.

Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V

 * Yuto: Soul absorbed by Yuya Sakaki after losing to Yugo. His spirit was revived within Yuya.
 * Sergey Volkov: Implied to have been killed by a group of Commons after falling off the Duel Course after he lost to Jack Atlas.
 * Leo Akaba (manga): Implied to have died during the World Illusion incident.
 * Original Dimension Residents: Killed by Supreme King Z-ARC.
 * Ray Akaba: Split into four incarnations after she defeated Zarc. Revived by Leo Akaba and possessed Riley's body. Revived as Zuzu.
 * Zarc: Split into four incarnations after he was defeated by Ray Akaba. Revived after absorbing his reincarnations, but was defeated and his soul was absorbed into Riley's body. Revived as Yuya.
 * Supreme King Z-ARC: Split back into the Four Dimension Dragons and Zarc after he was defeated by Ray. Revived after Zarc fused with the Four Dimension Dragons again, but was defeated by Ray and Riley and splitting up again.
 * Zuzu Boyle: Transferred into ARC-V by Leo Akaba to fuse her dimensional counterparts into Ray Akaba. Revived by Ray.
 * Lulu Obsidian: Transferred into ARC-V by Leo Akaba to fuse her dimensional counterparts into Ray Akaba. Her spirit was revived within Zuzu.
 * Yugo: Absorbed by Yuri after losing to him. His spirit was revived within Yuya.
 * Rin: Transferred into ARC-V by Leo Akaba to fuse her dimensional counterparts into Ray Akaba. Her spirit was revived within Zuzu.
 * Celina: Transferred into ARC-V by Leo Akaba to fuse her dimensional counterparts into Ray Akaba. Her spirit was revived within Zuzu.
 * Yuri: Absorbed by Yuya Sakaki after losing to him. His spirit was revived within Yuya.
 * Yuya Sakaki: Taken over by Zarc after absorbing all of his counterparts. Revived after Ray and Riley defeated Zarc and removed his soul from Yuya's body.
 * Ren: Died from a crash after being seriously injured. Revived by Genesis Omega Dragon.

Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS

 * Den City Residents: Killed by Cracking Dragon.
 * A Knights of Hanoi: Eaten by Ai after being defeated by Playmaker.
 * Aoi and Akira Zaizen's parents: Car accident.
 * Kiyoshi Kogami: Fell comatose seven years before the series premiered after being infected by a computer virus. His consciousness remained inside LINK VRAINS while his body was kept in life support. His heart stopped beating after he helped Revolver activate his Skill during his third Duel against Playmaker.
 * Emma Bessho: Defeated by Revolver and became part of Hanoi's foundation tower. Returned to life after Playmaker defeated Revolver.
 * Kitamura: Defeated by Spectre and became part of Hanoi's foundation tower. Returned to life after Playmaker defeated Revolver.
 * Aoi Zaizen: Defeated by Spectre and became part of Hanoi's foundation tower. Returned to life after Playmaker defeated Revolver.
 * Akira Zaizen: Sacrificed himself to allow Playmaker to keep dueling and became part of Hanoi's Foundation tower. Returned to life after Playmaker defeated Revolver.
 * Gore: Defeated by Revolver and became part of Hanoi's foundation tower. Returned to life after Playmaker defeated Revolver.