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Kagemaru ( (かげ) (まる) ), formally as Chairman Kagemaru ( (かげ) (まる) () () (ちょう) ), is the main antagonist of the first season of the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime, as well as founder (in the Japanese version) and former chairman of Duel Academy. He is the renown user of the three Sacred Beasts.

Design[]

Appearance[]

Young Kagemaru

Youthful Kagemaru ①, from the power of 2 Sacred Beasts.

Kagemaru is a fit, but extremely elderly fragile man with sharp facial features, a top bald head and thick white hair and beard flowing down past his shoulders. During the temporary recovery of his youth, Kagemaru possessed an extremely muscular and burly body with his thick, long black hair and sideburns while his beard mystically disappears. His youth state appears as two stages: ① 2 and then ② 3 Sacred Beasts absorbing Duel Monster Spirits. With ①, he recovers his musculature, rough skin and wild hair during his late 50's. With ②, he recovers his luscious sharp hair and smooth skin during his 30's. During that period, he is also mostly naked and wears a cloth strip-like fundoshi.

At stage ①, Kagemaru's hair temporarily attains aspects that defied physics: floating slightly static in the air.

Later in Jaden Yuki's graduation year, he as an elder wears a suit and sits in a wheelchair with external aid.

KagemaruMD

Youthful Kagemaru ②, from the power of the 3 Sacred Beasts.

Voice/Mannerisms[]

In the Japanese version, Kagemaru speaks in an unruly manner in his youthful state, while his aged state exhibits patience and deep wisdom.

In the English version, Kagemaru speaks in a bombastic manner with confidence towards the Sacred Beasts.

Personality[]

His fallacy is youth and the fulfilled strength it brings like a domineering company president. In his aged state, he was very patient as a ruthless wise man and waited years after founding Duel Academy, Central Academy to revive the Sacred Beasts he personally sealed there.

Abilities[]

As the former chairman and one of the founders of Duel Academy, Kagemaru possesses the experience, monetary resources and charisma to establish the internationally renown dueling education alongside KaibaCorp.

He possesses a deep understanding of Shadow Charms and Shadow Games, leaving the Spirit Keys after retirement. He lacks the ability to see Duel Monster Spirits. In his youth state ①, he has the strength to lift and toss his heavily weighted mobile life-support system several feet away during his duel at the Spirit Gates.

Etymology[]

The "Kage" portion of his name is derived from the Japanese word "kage", meaning "shadow," while the "maru" portion means "circle" or "perfection". Therefore, this character's name could mean "perfect shadow". Another interpretation is "shadow of perfection," perhaps referring to his failed attempt at becoming immortal, or perfect one. It also refers to himself as the perfect hidden antagonist of the first season. "Maru" is also a common suffix for male Japanese names.

Biography[]

History[]

Kagemaru was the leader of the Shadow Riders and provided their Shadow Charms. At some point, in the past, he was the former chairman and founder of Duel Academy. His Shadow Charm was a small ring. In horrible health, he hoped to attain eternal youth by sacrificing Duel Monster Spirits across the entire world to the Sacred Beasts, gathering the Seven Stars of the Shadow Riders to help him accomplish that purpose.

Shadow Riders[]

Kagemaru Tube

Kagemaru's withered old body, inside a tube.

Kagemaru was first involved in the series as an unseen figure talking to Professor Banner through his computer screen, telling him that it was an appropriate time to test Jaden in the Gravekeepers' world. Banner argued Jaden might not be ready, but Kagemaru said it mattered not, and he simply would have no use if he failed.

He is next seen with the Shadow Riders, asking which one would make the first move, with Nightshroud revealing he would act. After Vellian Crowler and Zane Truesdale lose to Camula, he appears on a screen in Chancellor Sheppard's office, taunting him that two keys have already been lost, and wondering if anymore students would fall to the vampire.

In Titan's flashback in how he escaped the World of Darkness, Kagemaru was shown reaching out to him giving him his Shadow Charm, and promising him freedom if he would serve him and defeat the key holders.

After the seventh Rider, Amnael falls, he finally makes his existence known to Jaden and the others, being air-lifted in via helicopter, in his stasis tube. In the original, he said that he created Duel Academy to have a space full of the fighting spirits of duelists to revive the 3 Sacred Beasts. Zane Truesdale, Chazz Princeton, and Atticus Rhodes challenge him to a fight, however he only accepts a Duel with one student - Jaden. During the Duel, He Summons all three Sacred Beasts, and they gradually absorb duel spirits which eventually restores him to a muscular much younger form. Jaden struggles against the Sacred Beasts, but ultimately manages to come out on top.

After being defeated, he returned to his aged state, and promised to renounce his former ways and asked for forgiveness, which Jaden was happy to give. Kagemaru was then carried to the hospital via helicopter after Jaden accidentally crushed his spine with a bear hug.

Darkness[]

Kagemaru Saiou

Kagemaru and Sartorius warning Jaden.

Kagemaru returns to Duel Academy with Sartorius to tell Jaden that they have both had some sort of premonition, feeling that Duel Academy might be in grave danger, theorizing that the Sacred Beasts, Light of Destruction, and Yubel incidents might be related. They also convince Jaden (who is planning to leave Duel Academy) that he should not leave the island because they sense the interdimensional energy that builds up and is released in the area around Duel Academy being the cause of all the odd incidents. Both Kagemaru and Sartorius are later present at Jaden's graduation ceremony after Nightshroud's defeat alongside Sartorius and Sarina.

Relationships[]

Shadow Riders/Seven Stars[]

For his plan to revive the Sacred Beasts, Kagemaru did not care what happened to the duelists as long as they conduct duels to provide him duel energy.

Jaden Yuki[]

Out of all duelists selected to participate in his plan, Kagemaru specifically chose Jaden as the duelist on Duel Academy island to tests, nurture and secure victory over in order to obtain the lordship over the Sacred Beasts.

Non-canon appearances[]

In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Tag Force he serves as the final boss of the game, and the player is forced to duel him twice in a row, once in his older, machine-bound form and again in his youthful form. After completing the game, he can also be found during part 1 on the cliff after 10:00 PM. Upon acquiring his Deck Recipes, he also gifts the player with a "Phantasmal Martyrs" card.

He also serves as a duelist opponents in Legacy of the Duelist, Millennium Duels and Spirit Caller.

He is featured on the Skill Cards "Unlocking the Power" and "Victory of the Shadow Riders" from the Speed Duel GX: Duelists of Shadows.

Deck[]

Kagemaru plays a Sacred Beast Deck revolved around successfully summoning them then using the Sacred Beasts' effects with Fallen Paradise to overwhelm the opponent during the pre-Synchro era. It is unknown what deck he played before acquiring the Sacred Beasts.

Duels[]

Opponent(s) Episode(s) Outcome
Jaden Yuki 48-49 Lose

Trivia[]

  • Kagemaru is the "founder" of the Sacred Beast series, but Yubel improved it to become a worthy Fusion era deck. His Sacred Beasts received their support cards later.


References[]

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