Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL - Episode 146

"Forever ZEXAL" known as "Our Bonds Are Forever... Let's All Kattobingu!!" in the Japanese version, is the one hundred and forty-sixth and final episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL anime. It first aired in Japan on March 23, 2014.

Summary
Yuma sits on the roof of his house, Astral floating beside him. Yuma tells Astral that it doesn't matter what world he is in or what his opponent says, he can always Duel them and make a new friend. He says this enables him to understand them and when that happens, his heart beats faster. Yuma asks him what will happen when they finally obtain all the "Numbers". Astral responds that he'll complete his mission and return to the Astral World. Yuma asks "and then what?" Astral responds that he never really thought about that. Yuma urges him to do so, hopping up and saying he's been thinking about their future - he believes it will be a bright one. He vows to show Astral his future some day, but wonders if Astral will be around when the time comes. Astral tells him that's a good idea. Yuma calls him a jerk, thinking that he'd be lonely. He tells Astral that when the time comes, he'll Duel him with everything he's got. He'll win and then laugh about it afterwards. This is his promise to Astral.

In the present, Yuma flies backwards after Astral's attack, now recalling the promise he made. Tori comments that Yuma has only 300 Life Points left, while Bronk points out that his field is even worse news, with Anna adding that he has no monsters. Nistro says Astral still has "Number 39: Utopia Roots" though, with Dextra adding that it still has two Overlay Units as well. Trey reminds his brothers that with "Overlay Accel", Astral can attack again. Quattro says Yuma will lose if the next attack hits. Yuma is back on his feet and remembers he promised Astral that he would show him his future a long time ago and had forgotten, but Astral remembered it. Astral activates the effect of "Overlay Accel" now, detaching an Overlay Unit from "Utopia Roots" to let it attack again. A spectral form of "Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon" appears behind his monster. Yuma thinks that he told Astral that he would laugh during their Duel, but he isn't laughing now. Astral orders a direct attack. "Utopia Roots" points at Yuma with its sword, while the spectral "Prime Photon Dragon" roars. Yuma thinks to himself that Dueling is the best, most heart-pounding, most fun thing in the world, yet he's been crying quite a lot because of it. He wonders if what he lost is the ability to laugh from the bottom of his heart - is that what Astral wants to remind him of?

Yuma activates his face-down "Mustdie Draw", explaining that when Astral attacks using a monster that has more ATK than Yuma's Life Points, he can draw a card. If it's a Trap Card, he can negate the attack and activate that card immediately. Yuma tells Astral he remembers the promise he made now and thanks him for reminding him. Yuma wonders why Astral had to remind him in such a serious and awkward way, though. Astral mutters Yuma's name, but Yuma says he remembers the promise and that he'll beat Astral now and laugh from the bottom of his heart. He vows to show Astral his future right now and raises his fist, light shining out from it. Everyone gasps and Tori says this can't be, but Yuma chants "In a Duel between the strongest Duelists, everything is inevitable. A Duelist can create the very cards they draw! Shining Draw!" Astral muses that this confirms what he had believed as he recalls his battle with Don Thousand - Yuma is a piece of Astral that he lost during that battle - his other self. Yuma announces that he's drawn a Trap Card, so the battle is canceled. The spectral "Prime Photon Dragon" vanishes and Yuma activates "Master Piece". This lets him overlay the "Gagaga Cowboy" and "Gagaga Samurai" in his Graveyard. He chants "Pegasus, be unleashed here and now, and run free as the wind into the future. This is my creation of Heaven and Earth. My Future, kattobingu".

He Xyz Summons "Number F0: Future King Hope" in Attack Position. Trey is shocked to see a Rank zero monster, while Bronk calls it the King of the Future. Tori points out that it looks sort of like Yuma. Astral says it truly is his future. Yuma tells them his future is something that has yet to be decided - like the possibilities that a Rank 0 monster could have. Astral calls it a fitting "Number" for him. Yuma agrees and vows to enjoy this final Duel until the very last second. Astral urges him to come at him then and ends his turn. Yuma draws and orders "Future King Hope" to attack "Utopia Roots". Astral asks why he'd attack when his monster has 0 ATK and wonders what Yuma is planning. He asks if it's another bluff, but activates the effect of "Utopia Roots". When it battles an Xyz Monster, he can attach one of the Overlay Units from "Utopia Roots" and change the ATK of "Utopia Roots" to the number of Overlay Units the other monster has more of times 100. "Utopia Roots" bats its Overlay Unit at "Future King Hope" and because the former now has no Units and the latter has three, the ATK of "Utopia Roots" falls to 300 - the same value as Yuma's Life Points.

Yuma activates the effect of "Future King Hope", revealing that it cannot be destroyed by battle and he will take no battle damage from battles involving it. After the battle, he can take control of the opponent's monster. "Future King Hope" flaps its wings, pelting "Utopia Roots" with feathers. Astral yells, "What!?", but Yuma declares "Hope Sword Future Slash". "Utopia Roots" vanishes from Astral's field and reappears on Yuma's. Yuma orders a direct attack with "Utopia Roots", reducing Astral to 550 Life Points. Astral says he hasn't won yet, while Yuma Sets a card an ends his turn, thus returning "Utopia Roots" to Astral's control and its ATK rising back to 2000.

Astral says the attack wasn't a bluff, then. Yuma says he's right and adds that he managed to lower the ATK of "Utopia Roots". Astral muses that if Yuma could find new possibilities and a new future, it couldn't be a bluff. Yuma tells him that this Duel is super intense and urges Astral to come at him with everything he has. Nistro remarks that this is turning out to be a great Duel, with Dextra agreeing. Anna says neither is budging an inch, but Tori comments that they're both enjoying themselves too. Astral's hand begins to glow and he says that if Rank 0 is the representation of infinite possibilities, then he'll have to keep climbing higher and higher in response. He chants "the light...the power of everything! They dwell in my right hand, leading the way to hope! To dreams! Shining Draw!". Astral says it has come and activates "Hyper-Rank-Up-Magic Ultimate Force". He explains that this lets him Rank-Up a "Hope" monster into a Rank 10 monster, then attach "Hyper Ultimate Force" to it as an Overlay Unit. He declares "Rank-Up Hyper Xyz Change". He chants "the memories of my soul were scattered! Now, the become a single star, they become the resounding thunder that is the will of God! This is the apex and the end of the Numbers". Both base "Numbers" and various "Number C" forms are seen as Astral chants, until it finally ends at the six form of "Utopia".

Astral Xyz Summons "Number 99: Utopic Dragon" in Attack Position. Yuma is shocked to see this "Number". Astral activates its effect, which lets him Special Summon a "Number" from his Graveyard with its effects negated. "Utopic Dragon" breathes fire into the air and from the resulting explosion emerges "Number 39: Utopia Beyond". Yuma says he still has the effects of "Future King Hope" and Astral asks if he's really sure. He orders "Utopic Dragon" to attack, but Yuma activates the effect of "Future King Hope", so he takes no battle damage, neither monster is destroyed and he'll take control of "Utopic Dragon". "Future King Hope" flaps its wings, but Astral declares that he won't let that happen and activates the effect of "Utopic Dragon", detaching an Overlay Unit when "Utopic Dragon" would leave his side of the field for any reason. It will negate that effect and destroy all monsters besides "Utopic Dragon". A storm brews overhead via the effect, even hitting the spectators. As the storm hits Yuma, he responds that he won't let that happen either and activates the other effect of "Future King Hope" - he can detach an Overlay Unit to prevent its destruction. A lightning bolt rebounds off of "Future King Hope", but Astral claims he wasn't aiming for that - he wanted to destroy "Utopia Beyond". A bolt promptly does so and Astral reveals that the destroyed monster's ATK shall be dealt to Yuma as damage.

Trey says it had 3000 ATK and wonders if it's over. "Utopic Dragon" fires a blast at Yuma and his Life Points fall to 0. Tori screams "NO!", but Yuma hits the ground and raises his arm, activating the effect of "Future King Hope", detaching an Overlay Unit to reduce the damage to 0. "Future King Hope" fires a blast from its sword at Yuma and his Life Points return to 300. Astral ends his turn. Astral urges Yuma not to lose here. Yuma gets to his feet, laughing. He says there's no way he'd let this Duel end like that. Nistro remarks that he envies them, with Dextra agreeing, saying she's enjoyed watching this from the bottom of her heart. Quinton says talking isn't really needed here. Trey agrees, musing that their hearts are in sync, so they can "talk that way". Quinton is an awe of the Duel, while Anna compares Yuma and Astral to two peas in a pod. Bronk agrees and Cathy adds that the two are shining like the cat's meows.

Yuma thinks this will be his last turn. He does several back flips, landing each of them. Running forward, he draws and yells "kattobingu". He urges Astral to take everything he has, with Astral telling him to come at him. Yuma orders "Future King Hope" to attack "Utopic Dragon", aiming to take control of it again. Astral says it's useless and activates the effect of "Utopic Dragon", detaching an Overlay Unit to destroy "Future King Hope". Yuma counters with the effect of "Future King Hope", detaching an Overlay Unit to prevent its destruction. He then claims that this is where the Duel will be decided. He activates his face-down "High Five the Sky", which will let him negate the effect of an Xyz Monster that has battled and allow it to attack again. Bronk yells "NO WAY!", with Yuma declaring he's negating the effect of "Future King Hope". Cathy points out that it can be destroyed by battle now. Yuma activates another Trap Card - "Braving Memory".

When two "Numbers" battle, the ATK of his monster increases by the total number of "Number" monsters in their Graveyards times 500. There are eight: "Shark Drake", "Prime Photon Dragon", "Utopia", "Utopia Ray", "Utopia Ray V, "Utopia Ray Victory", "Utopia Roots" and "Utopia Beyond". The spirit of each appears alongside "Future King Hope", increasing its ATK to 4000. Tori is pleased to see all the "Utopia" monsters alongside Shark and Kite's "Numbers". Anna points out that the two monsters have the same ATK now, with Nelson wondering if Yuma plans to destroy them both. As the spirits vanish and "Future King Hope" charges, Yuma reveals that "Braving Memory" has another effect - his monster can't be destroyed by battle and if he destroys the opponent's monster and inflicts no damage, he can attack again. "Future King Hope" flies around "Utopic Dragon", slashing as the dragon counters with bites. Eventually, a hit lands and "Utopic Dragon" is destroyed. Yuma believes the next attack will decide everything. He orders a direct attack, but Astral claims it's not over yet. He activates his face-down "The Door of Destiny". Light flashes and Yuma finds the Door standing before Astral with 0 ATK.

Astral explains that this card negates a direct attack and then Special Summons itself. During his next turn, he can banish "Number" monsters from his Graveyard to inflict 500 damage to Yuma for each one banished. He adds that this means Yuma will lose if he does not destroy the Door right now. Yuma muses that the Door is where he first met Astral - everything began right here. He recalls his meeting with it, with the Door saying "whomever opens this door shall receive a new power...but the price is that the one who does so will give up that which is most important to them". Yuma says he understands now - the most important thing to him is Astral. Astral urges him not to be afraid. He tells Yuma there is one card left in his hand - and that card can cut through the chains to the future. He tells Yuma not to be afraid of the future. Yuma wonders why Astral would try to give him courage now. Astral goes on to claim Yuma was still a hundred years too early to challenge him.

Yuma mutters Astral's name and activates "Double or Nothing!". As an attack was negated, that monster's attack is doubled and it can attack again. Yuma orders the "final attack", with Astral urging him on with "kattobingu". Yuma becomes a beam of light and he merges with his monster. The Emperor's Key appears on the chest of "Future King Hope" and Yuma declares he's coming now and that he'll never forgot their fighting together, laughing together and crying together. Astral was always by his side - but now he must "kattobingu" himself. He claims he'll cut open this door to the future and declares "Hope Sword Future Slash". The chains binding the door shatter first, then the Door itself explodes. Astral's Life Points fall to 0 and he hits the ground, hard. Everyone simply stares in awe.

Astral pushes himself to his knees and finds Yuma offering him a hand up. Astral accepts it and actually stands on the ground instead of floating. Astral tells Yuma he Dueled magnificently. Blue light shines above them and the Numeron Code floats there. Astral says it's time for them to go their separate ways, then. Yuma tells him to go and swears not to cry, smiling. Astral tells him he always loved seeing Yuma smile, adding that he'll never forgot that smile. As he floats towards the Code, Astral claims he'll "kattobingu" now. Yuma tells him to do just that. He reminds him never to give up and challenge every hardship. Tori mutters "thank you, Astral", while Yuma lowers his head, tears in his eyes. He says he'll never forget Astral, with Astral responding in kind. Astral touches the Code and the card stops changing form, finally connecting its parts into a completed card. Tears stream from Yuma's eyes and he cries out Astral's name twice.

Another day, Yuma is running to school, saying he's very late again. Bronk passes him on his skateboard, taunting that he'll see Yuma later. Yuma asks him to wait and pops some Duel rice into his mouth. Yuma narrates that his battles have finally ended and his life has returned to how it used to be - or close to it. When he reaches school, Rio tells him that since he's late, he'll have to clean toilets for a week as punishment. On her arm is the band of the Student Council President. Behind her stand Cathy and Trey and behind them, Anna, Alito, Girag (with Ponta on his shoulder), Tori, Summer, Jen, Spencer, the former Student Council President, Lotus Hanazoe, Yata-Garasu, Mizar, Dumon and Art Stanley. All are dressed in school uniforms. Yuma calls Rio "Shark's sister" and wonders if that punishment isn't a bit harsh. Rio responds that she's decided it's two weeks now. Yuma explains that Astral used the Numeron Code, returning the Seven Barian Emperors to Earth. On a nearby walkway, Shark muses that Yuma is the same idiot as always. Yuma continues, saying that his his dad returned from the Astral World, with his mom beside him. The two seem to be off on a new adventure. Meanwhile, Quattro has returned to the professional circuit and Yuma explains that Kite and Orbital 7 returned as well. They're working with Dr. Faker, Hart, Quinton and Vetrix, continuing their research on parallel dimensions. Kite orders Orbital to analyze the new data immediately. Orbital says "understood" and is echoed by Lillybot and two smaller robots. Yuma remarks that things have returned to normal (scenes taken from the various opening and ending themes are played over this portion of his narration, but with Astral edited out and cards flipped to show the backs).

Besides Astral being gone, everything is the same. That night, he and Tori sit in the grass, silent. The Emperor's Key begins to glow and Shark calls out to him. Yuma turns and sees all of the Barian Emperors besides Vector, Kite, Orbital and the entire Vetrix Family. Yuma asks what's happened and Shark asks if Yuma is going to mope around forever - they have to go now. Kite explains that a new threat is approaching the Astral World. On the balcony of the Astral Tower, Eliphas stands with Ena. Ena points out the storm before them, saying that the power of Chaos is gathering. Eliphas remarks that with the power of the Numeron Code, the Astral and Barian Worlds were merged back together, but this resulted in Chaos returning. Ena states a new battle has begun now and Eliphas turns around, asking Astral if he'll go. Astral simply says "yes". Back on Earth, Yuma flies through the sky, holding Tori's hand as the others gather around them (during this scene, the first opening theme, Masterpiece plays in the background in the original Japanese; in the English dub, Take a Chance starts playing). Tori asks him to wait, but the others pay her no mind. Shark says they all owe Yuma and Astral a huge debt and Rio adds they should pay them back by helping. Kite asks if they're all ready for the journey to another world. Orbital responds that they'll all "kattobingu". Quinton says it's either now or never, with Quattro saying he'll show everyone his "fanservice" and Trey saying he'll fight by Yuma's side no matter what. Vetrix adds that they'll unleash the power of their familial bonds. Dumon explains that the power of the Seven Emperors has revived and this time they'll use it to help Astral. Mizar claims he'll let their foes taste the Duel of the true dragon tamer. Alito agrees, saying he's getting fired up, with Girag adding he'll knock some heads together for the first time in a long time.

Yuma is happy his friends are with him. "Jyan, jyan, jyan" rings out behind them and suddenly Vector is floating among them. He says he figured he'd lend them a hand, with the best of intentions. Rio says it's been a while since they've seen him. Vector agrees, but claims he couldn't let them have all the fun. Yuma is ecstatic that everyone is together. As Astral flies from the Astral Tower, he muses that everyone has a good side and a bad side, which are always at war with each other. He believes that as long as they don't run away and learn to understand each other, everything will turn out alright. The group flies towards a hole ripped in the sky and Astral says he'll keep fighting until everyone understands each other. Tori blushes and tells Yuma she loves to see him smile. Yuma turns bright red, but Tori clasps his hand harder and asks if he'll get his most important thing back. Astral reaches the cloud formation, which is now shaped like a giant hand and crackling with electricity. He yells "kattobingu". Yuma tells Astral to wait for him and urges his friends on. Everyone yells "kattobingu" at once.

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

'''Turn 6: Astral

Astral activates the effect of "Overlay Accel", detaching an Overlay Unit from "Number 39: Utopia Roots" to allow it to attack again. Astral detaches "Number 62: Galaxy-Eyes Prime Photon Dragon" and attacks directly with "Utopia Roots". As an opponent's monster that has more ATK than Yuma has Life Points is attacking directly, Yuma activates his face-down "Mustdie Draw". This lets him draw a card and reveal it, and if it is a Trap Card, he can negate the attack and activate the Trap Card from his hand. Yuma performs a Shining Draw and draws the Trap Card "Master Piece", thus negating the attack.

Yuma activates "Master Piece", letting him Xyz Summon an Xyz Monster using two monsters that were destroyed by battle this turn in his Graveyard as the Overlay Units. He overlays his "Gagaga Cowboy" and "Gagaga Samurai" in the Graveyard to Xyz Summon "Number F0: Future King Hope" (0/0) in Attack Position. Since "Utopia Roots" did not destroy a monster with its last attack, the effect of "Overlay Accel" cannot be activated again.

'''Turn 7: Yuma

"Future King Hope" attacks "Utopia Roots". Astral activates the effect of "Utopia Roots", detaching an Overlay Unit and attaching it to "Future King Hope", then making the ATK of "Utopia Roots" equal to the difference in their Ranks multiplied by the number of Overlay Units attached to "Future King Hope" ("Utopia Roots" 2000 → 300). The effect of "Future King Hope" prevents its destruction by battle and prevents the battle damage. Yuma then activates the effect "Future King Hope", taking control of Astral's "Utopia Roots" until the end of the Battle Phase. "Utopia Roots" attacks directly (Astral 850 → 550). Yuma Sets a card. "Utopia Roots" returns to Astral's control, and its ATK returns to normal (300 → 2000).

'''Turn 8: Astral

Astral performs a Shining Draw and draws "Hyper-Rank-Up-Magic Ultimate Force", and subsequently activates it, letting him use a "Hope" monster he controls as an Overlay Unit to Summon a Rank 10 "Number" monster. He overlays "Utopia Roots" to Xyz Summon "Number 99: Utopic Dragon" (4000/2000) in Attack Position. The effect of "Ultimate Force" also attaches itself to the Summoned monster as an Overlay Unit. Astral activates the effect of "Utopic Dragon", letting him Special Summon a "Number" Xyz Monster from the Graveyard with its effect negated. Astral Special Summons "Number 39: Utopia Beyond" (3000/2500) in Attack Position. "Utopic Dragon" attacks "Future King Hope", but its effect prevents its destruction by battle and allows Yuma to take no battle damage. Yuma activates the effect of "Future King Hope", which would take control of "Utopic Dragon", but as a card effect was activated that would make "Utopic Dragon" leave Astral's side of the field, Astral activates the effect of "Utopic Dragon", detaching an Overlay Unit to negate that effect and destroy all other monsters on the field. Yuma activates the effect of "Future King Hope", detaching an Overlay Unit to prevent it from being destroyed by card effects. Therefore, only "Utopia Beyond" is destroyed. The effect of "Utopic Dragon" would also inflict damage to Yuma equal to the combined ATK of the destroyed monsters, but Yuma activates the effect of "Future King Hope", detaching an Overlay Unit to allow him to take no effect damage (for dramatic effect, Yuma's Life Points are shown dropping from 300 to 0 from the damage and then recovering back to 300 after the effect of "Future King Hope" activates).

'''Turn 9: Yuma

"Future King Hope" attacks "Utopic Dragon", with Yuma activating the effect of "Future King Hope" to take control of "Utopic Dragon", but Astral activates the effect of "Utopic Dragon", detaching an Overlay Unit to negate an effect that would make it leave Astral's side of the field and destroy all other monsters on the field. Yuma activates the effect of "Future King Hope", detaching an Overlay Unit to prevent it from being destroyed by card effects. Yuma then activates his face-down "High Five the Sky", negating the effects of "Future King Hope" and allowing it to make a second attack in a row. Yuma activates his face-down "Braving Memory" as a "Number" Xyz Monster he controls with no Overlay Units battled an opponent's "Number" Xyz Monster with no Overlay Units. Now his monster gains 500 ATK for each "Number" monster in either player's Graveyard ("Future King Hope" 0 → 4000).

The effect of "Braving Memory" also prevents "Future King Hope" from being destroyed by battle. "Future King Hope" attacks and destroys "Utopic Dragon". As no Battle Damage was inflicted, the effect of "Braving Memory" lets "Future King Hope" attack once again in a row. "Future King Hope" attacks directly, but Astral activates his face-down "The Door of Destiny", which is then Summoned as a monster (0/0) and negates the attack. As the attack of a monster was negated, Yuma activates "Double or Nothing!", doubling the ATK of "Future King Hope" (4000 → 8000) and allowing it to attack again. "Future King Hope" attacks and destroys "The Door of Destiny" (Astral 550 → 0).

Yuma Tsukumo vs. Cathy Katherine
Duel is shown from an unspecified turn. Yuma controls "Gagaga Girl" (1000/800), while Cathy controls "Cat Girl" (1200/1600) and "Cat Girl Magician" (2000/1800).

The rest of the Duel is not shown.

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