Thread: Timeline of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Series

Originally Posted by Groun_Mole

The original manga and anime have a different time setting, akin to how the Harry Potter books and movies have a different one, so I don't think you should include the DM manga dates when factoring in GX and 5D's dates, but rather the Anime one (which is a couple years ahead to coincide with when the anime aired about, while the manga is when it started).

So the Duel Monsters anime was moved up by a few years? Just like how the entire Death Note anime takes place 3 years later than the same events occurred in the manga. Making the day Light dies January 28, 2013 instead of 2010.

Hmm.

Are there any proof for the anime dates? I don't recall the anime showing dates, ever. That's why I resorted to the manga's dates, so I have some kind of a starting point. But seeing how the current date set-up got Jossed by the manga nonetheless, we could resort to 1996-97 for both versions? Although I'm holding back on the change until Kaiba's statement gets confirmed from the original Japanese manga, somehow.

Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by Groun_Mole

The original manga and anime have a different time setting, akin to how the Harry Potter books and movies have a different one, so I don't think you should include the DM manga dates when factoring in GX and 5D's dates, but rather the Anime one (which is a couple years ahead to coincide with when the anime aired about, while the manga is when it started).

The only problem with that is that the DM-anime timeline, discounting Toei, begins in 1999 (the same year it started to air), which means GX would start almost IMMEDIATELY after DM ended, timeline-wise (if I recall correctly DM is two years and begins at the beginning-ish of the school year so roughly May 1999-May 2000-May 2001, with Amon Garam indicating that Jyuudai's third and senior year takes place in 2006 and therefore his first year beginning October of 2003). It's indicated in GX that it takes place ten years after DM, although after its beginning or end is in question (hence the possibility of the 1996 manga start date being the correct one).


. . . actually, has anybody CHECKED Toei? I know it's technically not part of the Konami/YGO "canon," but it's supposed to run very close to the manga, so unless any dates in there indicate the present-day to be 1998 (when it aired), it might be of some help.

If I can add something, according to Rishid story, he was found by the Ishtars 25 years before the Battle City finals (in his flashback in the manga he says "25 years ago"). He heard their conversation about the Millenium Items and the fact they needed a son to take on the Gravekeepers duty when he was four, and that one year after that Isis was born. He also states that Malik was born four years after his sister, and I noticed this is already in the timeline.

Originally Posted by remaner

If I can add something, according to Rishid story, he was found by the Ishtars 25 years before the Battle City finals (in his flashback in the manga he says "25 years ago"). He heard their conversation about the Millenium Items and the fact they needed a son to take on the Gravekeepers duty when he was four, and that one year after that Isis was born. He also states that Malik was born four years after his sister, and I noticed this is already in the timeline.

Hmm, that is interesting. We could add that later on to the timeline.

And alas, it was in the timeline. I talked with Ryusaki tonight and we concluded that DM may take place in 1996, after all. The series also features things such as Tamagotchi and Pokemon Capmon which were both created in 1996. If the series took place in 1992, this would make it quite an Anachronism Stew. And Magic: The Gathering was created in 1993, if that helps anything (as we know Takahashi based Duel Monsters off it). And there's Kaiba's comment, as mentioned before.

I have decided to pull most of the content from the timeline page, because DM's date could be still debatable. There are strong reasons for 1996, but 1992 makes sense with Sugoroku being 40 in 1960 and being 72 years old (according to Gospel of Truth) in 1992. So until we can come to a clear decision on 1992 vs 1996, DM's dates are labelled as ambiguous for the time being.

Apart from the content pull, I changed the ==Timeline== header to a =Timeline= header, so ===(Date)=== can be used for dates and ==(eg. Timeline 1)== could be used to label multiple timelines were the movie to toss any implications of that in.

If anyone has to say anything on the matter, please do so! (: I believe the fandom would greatly benefit from this project, and the more feedback, the better!

Originally Posted by Arynis

Hmm, that is interesting. We could add that later on to the timeline.

And alas, it was in the timeline. I talked with Ryusaki tonight and we concluded that DM may take place in 1996, after all. The series also features things such as Tamagotchi and Pokemon Capmon which were both created in 1996. If the series took place in 1992, this would make it quite an Anachronism Stew. And Magic: The Gathering was created in 1993, if that helps anything (as we know Takahashi based Duel Monsters off it). And there's Kaiba's comment, as mentioned before.

Very good point ! I thought about other thing when I read volume 22: Anzu has a cell phone.

According the History of the mobile phone, it started to be use by only certain people in the beginning of 90's years (1990-1991). The GMS (Global System for Mobile Communication) is created in 1991.

The cell phone starts to be used by "normal persons" in the middle of 90's years. So, 1995 or 1996 are a lot of sense according the history of mobile phone. I read several sites about this topic and in 1992, the utilisation of the mobile phone wasn't somethnig normal like today. During these years, the first phone was use but NOT the mobile phone, It's impossible: the structure to do it wasn't created completly at theses years. And there the price also to buy a mobile phone during the beginning of 90's years: it was rised because it was a rare thing.

So, 1996 is a correct date for the timeline according the use of the mobile phone by everyone.

Originally Posted by Arynis

I have decided to pull most of the content from the timeline page, because DM's date could be still debatable. There are strong reasons for 1996, but 1992 makes sense with Sugoroku being 40 in 1960 and being 72 years old (according to Gospel of Truth) in 1992. So until we can come to a clear decision on 1992 vs 1996, DM's dates are labelled as ambiguous for the time being.

Apart from the content pull, I changed the ==Timeline== header to a =Timeline= header, so ===(Date)=== can be used for dates and ==(eg. Timeline 1)== could be used to label multiple timelines were the movie to toss any implications of that in.

If anyone has to say anything on the matter, please do so! (: I believe the fandom would greatly benefit from this project, and the more feedback, the better!

I thought also that Takahashi had mentionned that Sugoroku had 40 years old in a interview. It isn't in the manga.

Originally Posted by Allana

Very good point ! I thought about other thing when I read volume 22: Anzu has a cell phone.

According the History of the mobile phone, it started to be use by only certain people in the beginning of 90's years (1990-1991). The GMS (Global System for Mobile Communication) is created in 1991.

The cell phone starts to be used by "normal persons" in the middle of 90's years. So, 1995 or 1996 are a lot of sense according the history of mobile phone. I read several sites about this topic and in 1992, the utilisation of the mobile phone wasn't somethnig normal like today. During these years, the first phone was use but NOT the mobile phone, It's impossible: the structure to do it wasn't created completly at theses years. And there the price also to buy a mobile phone during the beginning of 90's years: it was rised because it was a rare thing.

So, 1996 is a correct date for the timeline according the use of the mobile phone by everyone.

I thought also that Takahashi had mentionned that Sugoroku had 40 years old in a interview. It isn't in the manga.

Ah, yes. Ryusaki mentioned there might be technology in the story pointing to to 1996, like a stray iPod. Good job on pointing out the cell phone! :]

And yeah, but he mentioned it in an interview in Gospel of Truth, of all things, which is like the information source on Yugioh canon... He could have just mentioned it without thinking how it fits in with the timeline, though.

On EvaGeeks, there's a system on "Canon hierarchy", meaning which sources are prioritized over which when needing to clarify something. From their Wiki article What Is Canon? :

1. The anime itself and its scripts and storyboards. The Director's Cuts are the final or official version and take precedence over the On Air version in the event of any theoretical contradiction.
2. Statements made by the show's creators, principally Hideaki Anno.
3. Official supplemental sources such as theatrical programs, Newtype Filmbooks, and Cardass Cards.
4. The Manga, which is actually its own continuity. At best it can be used to support the anime when they are in explicit agreement; it should never be used to contradict the anime.
5. Statements made by those responsible for adapting Evangelion for release outside of Japan. In the English speaking speaking world this would be representatives of ADV or Manga Entertainment.

Lower tiers are canon only if they do not contradict the evidence presented in higher tiers. Info from lower tiers should also be treated with somewhat more skepticism than higher tiers.

Going by this, the manga would be #1 for Yugioh, followed by Takahashi's interviews. There are several evidences pointing towards 1996 (higher tier), which contradicts 1992 (lower tier), therefore 1996 would be the canon date, after all.

Originally Posted by Arynis

Ah, yes. Ryusaki mentioned there might be technology in the story pointing to to 1996, like a stray iPod. Good job on pointing out the cell phone! :]

And yeah, but he mentioned it in an interview in Gospel of Truth, of all things, which is like the information source on Yugioh canon... He could have just mentioned it without thinking how it fits in with the timeline, though.

On EvaGeeks, there's a system on "Canon hierarchy", meaning which sources are prioritized over which when needing to clarify something. From their Wiki article What Is Canon? :



Going by this, the manga would be #1 for Yugioh, followed by Takahashi's interviews. There are several evidences pointing towards 1996 (higher tier), which contradicts 1992 (lower tier), therefore 1996 would be the canon date, after all.

I think 1996 and 1997 are the good date. The Tamagochi was created the 23 November 1996 by Bandai.

So, our hierarchy would be:

1. Manga
2. Takahashi's interviews
3. Anime
4. Other sources
5. ???
6. PROFIT!

Talking about problems with the timeline, DDR was released in Japan in 1998. As you know Anzu defeats the guy from the arcade more or less at the same time when Isis invites Seto to the Museum and explains him about the God Cards and pushes him to set up the Battle City tournament. So, according to this, Battle City would take place in 1998 or later.

Originally Posted by remaner

So, our hierarchy would be:

1. Manga
2. Takahashi's interviews
3. Anime
4. Other sources
5. ???
6. PROFIT!

Talking about problems with the timeline, DDR was released in Japan in 1998. As you know Anzu defeats the guy from the arcade more or less at the same time when Isis invites Seto to the Museum and explains him about the God Cards and pushes him to set up the Battle City tournament. So, according to this, Battle City would take place in 1998 or later.

Very good ! Congratulations !

It was created the November, 21 1998. So, the timeline is 1998-1999 except If Takahashi is clairvoyant. We know there 6 months between Death-T and Duelist Kingdom. Because DDR is realesed in November, maybe Battle City take place at the end of year, November or December. If Battle City starts at the end of November, It's enough to Ceremonial Battle take place at the end of December. But Battle City can also start in the beginning of year 1999.

Someone has others references at the time in Volume 32 and post in the manga ?

About the age of Sugoroku during his trip in Egypt, I was checking again the volumes and noticed that the 1960 date is not actually given as precise. In the Japanese version it says "1960 年代" (nendai), which would translate as "the sixties". This would solve our problem about his age, since the timeline can be moved on to 1996 without problems.

On the other side, in the copy I have (the Italian version) there are no mentions about how much time passed from the end of the Battle City finals to the moment Yugi and his friends go to the museum with the God Cards.

EDIT: The biggest version I could find of the kanjis. Thanks to Darkmaster too.

If we choose 1996 like the starting of the timeline, Sugoroku went to Egyp in 1964. If we choose 1998, It's in 1966.

I think 1998 because the D.D.R. which was created at this date so 1966 for Sugoroku's travel in Egypt. The manga is based on reality concerning technology. Except for Duel Monsters of course.

1996 is the minimum, not before.

Originally Posted by remaner

About the age of Sugoroku during his trip in Egypt, I was checking again the volumes and noticed that the 1960 date is not actually given as precise. In the Japanese version it says "1960 年代" (nendai), which would translate as "the sixties". This would solve our problem about his age, since the timeline can be moved on to 1996 without problems.

I see. That's excellent. Who'd have thought the timeline problem would clear up so easily?

Here a bit better picture of that X).

http://www.janime.info/images/mangagallery/279_01.jpg

Originally Posted by DARKMASTER

Here a bit better picture of that X).

http://www.janime.info/images/mangagallery/279_01.jpg

Thanks a lot DARKMASTER ! The Kanji and 1960 appears clearly.

I notice episode 199 of the anime has the kanji too.

Originally Posted by Allana

If we choose 1996 like the starting of the timeline, Sugoroku went to Egyp in 1964. If we choose 1998, It's in 1966.

I think 1998 because the D.D.R. which was created at this date so 1966 for Sugoroku's travel in Egypt. The manga is based on reality concerning technology. Except for Duel Monsters of course.

1996 is the minimum, not before.

Yes. If we want to consider the fact that the story took place in two years, counting also the fact that during the timeline they say they advance one year at school, the beginning might also be set in 1997 (my crazy hypotesis).

Originally Posted by remaner

About the age of Sugoroku during his trip in Egypt, I was checking again the volumes and noticed that the 1960 date is not actually given as precise. In the Japanese version it says "1960 年代" (nendai), which would translate as "the sixties". This would solve our problem about his age, since the timeline can be moved on to 1996 without problems.

On the other side, in the copy I have (the Italian version) there are no mentions about how much time passed from the end of the Battle City finals to the moment Yugi and his friends go to the museum with the God Cards.

EDIT: The biggest version I could find of the kanjis. Thanks to Darkmaster too.

Oh, is that so? ...Oh. Well, that makes things easier and it doesn't contradict Takahashi's statement, so we can safely say he went to Egypt when he was 40. That's what I get for not looking kanjis up and just going along with what I see. (I never paid attention to the Kanji, I always thought it said "In 1960", so... yeah. orz) Thank you for clearing it up, Rem!

As Allana noted, that leaves the DDR as the only issue now. However, this may have been a little "mistake" on Takahashi's part, since it took him months to get to the point in the story which may have occurred in a few days in-universe. Duelist Kingdom lasted for three days, yet it took him a good while in real time to wrap that arc up. Unless Kaiba indeed took a long break after Duelist Kingdom...

Originally Posted by remaner

Yes. If we want to consider the fact that the story took place in two years, counting also the fact that during the timeline they say they advance one year at school, the beginning might also be set in 1997 (my crazy hypotesis).

It's possible: in Volume 1, (Ushio), there leafs who falls of the trees: the season is autumn. It start at the end of September and end at the end of December.

Originally Posted by Ryusaki

I notice episode 199 of the anime has the kanji too.

Here is it. That translation probably tricked many people in thinking that 1960 was the exact year, I guess.

Originally Posted by remaner

Here is it. That translation probably tricked many people in thinking that 1960 was the exact year, I guess.

The sub say "During 1960" not "During 1960 years" where the mistake.

Originally Posted by Arynis

As Allana noted, that leaves the DDR as the only issue now. However, this may have been a little "mistake" on Takahashi's part, since it took him months to get to the point in the story which may have occurred in a few days in-universe. Duelist Kingdom lasted for three days, yet it took him a good while in real time to wrap that arc up. Unless Kaiba indeed took a long break after Duelist Kingdom...

I'm not sure: characters states there in second year school pratically in same time than D.D.R. Takahashi seems had stated a chronology at least for himself. When Duelist Kigdom end, they were always in first year school.

When the Japanese school year start ? It could be an indication on the moment when Yugi starts his second year school and can maybe definite the year of the timeline more accuracy.

Originally Posted by Allana

The sub say "During 1960" not "During 1960 years" where the mistake.

"During 1960" could be taken as "During the year 1960", that means the precise year, not the decade.


Talking about schools in Japan, the scholastic year begins in April and ends around the last days of March of the following year. There must be at least 228 days of lessons, and the main holidays are Christmas (usually from 25 December to 5 January), Summer (usually from 20 July to 31 August) and the Golden Week. So the fact it's Autumn doesn't mark the begin of the scholastic year, Yugi and co. were in the middle of it.

Thanks a lot remaner !

So the timeline can be:

- 1996 - 1997

But If we considers D.D.R.:

- 1997 (first year), 1998 (second year + DDR + (?) Ceremonial Battle) ?

- 1997 (first year), 1998 (second year + DDR in November), 1999 (Ceremonial Battle) ?

On that matter, allow me to try a personal recontruction of the timeline, feel free to rip it if you notice something totally incongruent.
Basically we take 1996 as the beginning date because it's the date when the manga was published. I noticed how in chapter 45 we have a reference to the summer holiday (personally I think that chapter 41 is a reference to Valentine's day, it was surely due to be published on Shonen Jump during that period), so, if at the beginning of the manga they were in Autumn, that would mean that a scholastic year has passed. This wouldn't affect the timeline, and also the DK story would take place in 1997 without any anachronism.

It make sense. I think 1996 like start in the best solution: no mistake is possible.

The Chapter 42 mentions Jono-Uchi had 16 years old. Because he is born the 25 January, Yugi, Honda and Anzu should be have logically 15 years old at the beginning so in 1996 then 16 years old during the year and in 1997. If we count Chapter 45, Yugi's birthday (16 yaers old) arrives during this period so in 1997 because the automn (then winter even If not shown) arrives at the begining.

I will see in the manga If I find other thing.

EDIT: In Volume 16, Honda says they doesn't know everyone in the class since they moved to the second year school. So they moved in second year school since little time.

Jono-Uchi, when he talking about the Duelist Kingdom to Ry�ji, say "there some weeks". Battle City seems starts something like 1 month and maybe even little less after Duelist Kingdom.

EDIT 2: Volume 17 is realeased in Japan in 1997 ! Maybe DDR was already introduced in Japan ?

Originally Posted by Allana

Jono-Uchi, when he talking about the Duelist Kingdom to Ry�ji, say "there some weeks". Battle City seems starts something like 1 month and maybe even little less after Duelist Kingdom.

In the Viz volume Jonouchi says it's been a 'long time' since he saw Ryota.

EDIT 2: Volume 17 is realeased in Japan in 1997 ! Maybe DDR was already introduce in Japan.

How could Volume 17 be released in 1997? Yugioh only started in 1996. I believe it was released in 2000, and the chapter in Weekly Jump must've been some months earlier.

Originally Posted by Ryusaki

In the Viz volume Jonouchi says it's been a 'long time' since he saw Ryota.How could Volume 17 be released in 1997? Yugioh only started in 1996. I believe it was released in 2000, and the chapter in Weekly Jump must've been some months earlier.

I saw 1997 on several sites like as the first publication in Japan for Volume 17. Maybe they refered to the first publication at origin ? They mentionned also the manga was published each week in Weekly Jump.

Viz's translation say "Long time" ? French translation said "some weeks", I supposed the tranlation was the same in English. I see French and English translations are not agree each other again.

Sorry for the mistake.

Originally Posted by Allana

I saw 1997 on several sites like as the first publication in Japan for Volume 17. Maybe they refered to the first publication at origin ? They mentionned also the manga was published each week in Weekly Jump.

I just don't see how it's possible.

Originally Posted by Allana

Viz's translation say "Long time" ? French translation said "some weeks", I supposed the tranlation was the same in English. I see French and English translations are not agree each other again.

The Viz translation might not be right. But whichever side is wrong is very wrong, unless 'some weeks' is a French term that means a long time.

Originally Posted by Ryusaki

I just don't see how it's possible.The Viz translation might not be right. But whichever side is wrong is very wrong, unless 'some weeks' is a French term that means a long time.

So, the sites did a mistake in common. I will be more careful the next time. DDR is a anachronism ?

"Quelques" in French correspond with the words "Some" and "A few" in English. "Some weeks" is a period relatively short but not a too long period in the time. "Some" designate a relatively limited period in time. Maybe I'm wrong but "some weeks" seems me to be more accuracy: "Long time" gives no indication in time: it can be two months like two century because it depends that the person hear by "Long time".

Originally Posted by Allana

So, the sites did a mistake in common. I will be more careful the next time. DDR is a anachronism ?

"Quelques" in French correspond with the words "Some" and "A few" in English. "Some weeks" is a period relatively short but not a too long period in the time. "Some" designate a relatively limited period in time. Maybe I'm wrong but "some weeks" seems me to be more accuracy: "Long time" gives no indication in time: it can be two months like two century because it depends that the person hear by "Long time".

In the end it doesn't matter which is right; what matters is what the Japanese volume says. But I hope the French volume is correct (and they usually seem to be). It would give us a much more solid timeline.

Originally Posted by Allana

It make sense. I think 1996 like start in the best solution: no mistake is possible.

The Chapter 42 mentions Jono-Uchi had 16 years old. Because he is born the 25 January, Yugi, Honda and Anzu should be have logically 15 years old at the beginning so in 1996 then 16 years old during the year and in 1997. If we count Chapter 45, Yugi's birthday (16 yaers old) arrives during this period so in 1997 because the automn (then winter even If not shown) arrives at the begining.

I will see in the manga If I find other thing.

EDIT: In Volume 16, Honda says they doesn't know everyone in the class since they moved to the second year school. So they moved in second year school since little time.

Jono-Uchi, when he talking about the Duelist Kingdom to Ry�ji, say "there some weeks". Battle City seems starts something like 1 month and maybe even little less after Duelist Kingdom.

EDIT 2: Volume 17 is realeased in 1997 ! Maybe DDR was already introduced ?

Wait, Jonouchi's age is mentioned in the manga? I assumed everyone is 15 years old in the beginning of the series (High School First Year) and everyone turns 16 sometime during the second year (that is, 1997) of the series (High School Second Year). I didn't know that.

Originally Posted by Ryusaki

In the end it doesn't matter which is right; what matters is what the Japanese volume says. But I hope the French volume is correct (and they usually seem to be). It would give us a much more solid timeline.

I think the line in Japanese Version is the best solution.

I noticed Mai own a beautiful car in Volume 22. It seems there a icone on it like something who ressemle at a leo at little. Someone who know cars can say what is it and say when this type of car is appeared for the first time ? I don't know If It's possible. I know absolutely nothing in cars.

EDIT: You understand correctly Arynis. I said Jono-Uchi has already 16 year in first year school because he is born the 25 January. So others had 15 years old in first year school because they born later in the year. And they get 16 year old during the first school year (Chapter 45, the Summer)

Originally Posted by Allana

I think the line in Japanese Version is the best solution.

I noticed Mai own a beautiful car in Volume 22. It seems there a icone on it like something who ressemle at a leo at little. Someone who know cars can say what is it and say when this type of car is appeared for the first time ? I don't know If It's possible. I know absolutely nothing in cars.

EDIT: You understand correctly Arynis. I said Jono-Uchi has already 16 year in first year school because he is born the 25 January. So others had 15 years old in first year school because they born later in the year. And they get 16 year old during the first school year (Chapter 45, the Summer)

Wait, are you saying that you already made the calculations based on the time passed in the series and thus come to the conclusion that Jonouchi is 16 years old by that point, or was it actually said in the manga that Jonouchi is 16 years old? I'm confused here.

Originally Posted by Arynis

Wait, are you saying that you already made the calculations based on the time passed in the series and thus come to the conclusion that Jonouchi is 16 years old by that point, or was it actually said in the manga that Jonouchi is 16 years old? I'm confused here.

Chapter 42 mentions that Jono-Uchi has 16 years old. He is born the 25 January and he is in first year school with Yugi. The first Chapter starts in autonm so toward the end of year. So Jono-Uchi has 15 years old at this time.

New year start: he get 16 years old the January, 25. The summer arrives and Yugi, Anzu and Honda get 16 years old because except Honda they are born during the summer. June and August for Yugi and Anzu respectively.

EDIT: Wait ! If the school year end in March, and we see the summer, they are already in 2nd year school when Bakura arrives in class and when the Duelist Kingdom starts ? But It changes nothing at the timeline.

Originally Posted by Allana

Chapter 42 mentions that Jono-Uchi has 16 years old. He is born the 25 January and he is in first year school with Yugi. The first Chapter starts in autonm so toward the end of year. So Jono-Uchi has 15 years old at this time.

New year start: he get 16 years old the January, 25. The summer arrives and Yugi, Anzu and Honda get 16 years old because except Honda they are born during the summer. June and August for Yugi and Anzu respectively.

EDIT: Wait ! If the school year end in March, and we see the summer, they are already in 2nd year school when Bakura arrives in class and when the Duelist Kingdom starts ? But It changes nothing at the timeline.

Oh, it mentions Jonouchi's age in that chapter right there. My bad.

Hmm. Going by your theory, the second year started when Bakura arrived, but they don't address the new schoolyear until they have returned from Duelist Kingdom? But that's weird.

Originally Posted by Arynis

Oh, it mentions Jonouchi's age in that chapter right there. My bad.

Hmm. Going by your theory, the second year started when Bakura arrived, but they don't address the new schoolyear until they have returned from Duelist Kingdom? But that's weird.

No problem Arynis.

The second year school when Bakura arrives is logical according the seasons seen in the manga and the Japanese year school time. Maybe Takahashi had forgot to mention it before ?

I will try to search for Mai's car but I'm not sure to find something.

Talking about Volume 17, it was released in Japan in 2000 (click on the pic to enlarge it).

Thanks a lot remaner ! 1997 is definitively a mistake of sites I read.

Talking about that panel of the manga where Seto is supposed to say the date of the creation of M&W ("Duel Monsters was invented in the mid-90's! There's no way it's 3,000 years old!"), apparently it's a thing added by Viz Comics in the English translation.
Here's the original panel. Seto is saying in the first panel "Idiotic! Idiotic! Idiotic!! That's antiscientific!", and, in the second "Would you make me believe that Monsters Magic and Wizards' original form can be traced back to 3,000 years ago?" (my translation, the syntaxis is surely wrong). There is no mention of the fact that it was created in a certain period.

Originally Posted by remaner

Talking about that panel of the manga where Seto is supposed to say the date of the creation of M&W ("Duel Monsters was invented in the mid-90's! There's no way it's 3,000 years old!"), apparently it's a thing added by Viz Comics in the English translation.
Here's the original panel. Seto is saying in the first panel "Idiotic! Idiotic! Idiotic!! That's antiscientific!", and, in the second "Would you make me believe that Monsters and Wizards' original form can be traced back to 3,000 years ago?" (my translation, the syntaxis is surely wrong). There is no mention of the fact that it was created in a certain period.

You rock, Rem!

That's good to know. Besides, even if DM began in 1996, the Viz quote would make no sense - Cyndia's death would be in 1989 in that case, meaning that Pegasus presumably created the game in 1990. Cyndia died shortly after Pegasus' birthday, which is in October. Pegasus says he stared at the white canvas of his heart for months. January must have surely rolled by the time he got interested in the Egyptian afterlife. Therefore, we could say that Duel Monsters was created during 1990. That's no mid 90's!

Sorry if I'm making this thread longer and longer. I also checked Kajiki phrase, here's the panel. He's saying "It's been since Duelist Kingdom!" (the other balloon says "You too are participating in Battle City!"). Again, no precise time references.

Pegasus say at Yugi in Voume 15, when he starts his confession: "There 7 years ago, I created Magic and Wizard..." If Pegasus creates Duel Monsters in 1990, Duelist Kingdom is in 1997. So the series starts in 1996.

French Version do no mention about middle 90's years thing. By middle 90's years maybe Viz Media did reference to the creation of Solid Vision by Kaiba ? But they did a mistake, It's in 1996 not 1995 in that case.

Originally Posted by Allana

Pegasus say at Yugi in Voume 15, when he starts his confession: "There 7 years ago, I created Magic and Wizard..." If Pegasus creates Duel Monsters in 1990, Duelist Kingdom is in 1997. So the series starts in 1996.

Looked for that quote in the original version. There are no references to the date of the birth of M&W, he actually talks about him and Cyndia, here the first and second panel. Here's my translation (I'm not very fluent yet, if you have a better translation you're welcome to post it):

1st panel:
Seven years ago...
I had just became 17, around that period my beloved [koibito] passed away...

2nd panel (only the part on the white background):
I met that girl for the first time 14 years ago.

Again, the original version is less "card game centric" than the Viz translation.
So, that would make Pegasus around 24/25 years old, and he and Cyndia met when they were 10.

This version is confirmed by the Japanese version of the anime too (they met 14 years before and she died when he was 17). In the 4Kids version, when Yugi and co. read Pegasus diary, the flashback tells about how they fell in love at first sight and how he was happy when she agreed to get married, but soon after the marriage the illness hit her and she died, while in the original version Pegasus' diary says that they were attracted by each other and talked about their dreams: Pegasus wanted to travel the world and become a painter, and his favorite subject was her (synopsis of the anime taken from yu-jyo).

Originally Posted by remaner

Looked for that quote in the original version. There are no references to the date of the birth of M&W, he actually talks about him and Cyndia, here the first and second panel. Here's my translation (I'm not very fluent yet, if you have a better translation you're welcome to post it):

Again, the original version is less "card game centric" than the Viz translation.
So, that would make Pegasus around 24/25 years old, and he and Cyndia met when they were 10.

This version is confirmed by the Japanese version of the anime too (they met 14 years before and she died when he was 17). In the 4Kids version, when Yugi and co. read Pegasus diary, the flashback tells about how they fell in love at first sight and how he was happy when she agreed to get married, but soon after the marriage the illness hit her and she died, while in the original version Pegasus' diary says that they were attracted by each other and talked about their dreams: Pegasus wanted to travel the world and become a painter, and his favorite subject was her (synopsis of the anime taken from yu-jyo).

The quote isn't placed at this passage. It's a little before, when Pegasus activate the Game of Darkness with his Millenium Eye against Yugi. Just before to do it, he explains at Yugi he created Magic and Wizard, 7 years ago immediatly after have visited Egypt. After explains that, he say Yugi is chosen by a Millenary object, like him and he activate the Game of Darkness

Pegasus has 24 years old in Duelist Kingdom. You're right, he met Cyndia when he had 10 years old.

Originally Posted by Allana

The quote isn't placed at this passage. It's a little before, when Pegasus activate the Game of Darkness with his Millenium Eye against Yugi. Just before to do it, he explains at Yugi he created Magic and Wizard, 7 years ago immediatly after have visited Egypt. After explains that, he say Yugi is chosen by a Millenary object, like him and he activate the Game of Darkness

For what it's worth, the Viz volume says that he got the idea for Magic and Wizards seven years ago, when he went to Egypt, but not that he created it that year.

Originally Posted by Ryusaki

For what it's worth, the Viz volume says that he got the idea for Magic and Wizards seven years ago, when he went to Egypt, but not that he created it that year.

In French Version, the idea in the passage is a little different of Viz Media's version. Here my translation of the French in English:

"I invented Magic and Wizard there 7 years ago, at return to a travel in Valley of the Kings in Egypt."

Here, Pegasus had created Magic and Wizard 7 years ago immedialtly after have visited Egypt. There no mistake possible in interpretation of the sentence in French version: It's an affirmation.

Thanks for the precisation, Allana. Here's the panel. What Pegasus is saying is "watashi ga kono M&W wo umi no dashita no wa shichi nenmae", which means "I gave birth to M&W seven years ago". I'm very unsure about the construction of the phrase, but it think it's correct.

Originally Posted by Allana

In French Version, the idea in the passage is a little different of Viz Media's version. Here my translation of the French in English:

"I invented Magic and Wizard there 7 years ago, at return to a travel in Valley of the Kings in Egypt."

Here, Pegasus had created Magic and Wizard 7 years ago immedialtly after have visited Egypt. There no mistake possible in interpretation of the sentence in French version: It's an affirmation.

Originally Posted by remaner

Thanks for the precisation, Allana. Here's the panel. What Pegasus is saying is "watashi ga kono M&W wo umi no dashita no wa shichi nenmae", which means "I gave birth to M&W seven years ago". I'm very unsure about the construction of the phrase, but it think it's correct.

Hmm. Well, according to Takahashi, Pegasus was brainwashed by the Eye to create Duel Monsters. The Eye had been manipulating his heart the very moment he received it, starting with Cyndia's illusion. Then, making use of Pegasus' skills as an artist, the Eye used him as a tool in order to resurrect Duel Monsters so the Items can be assembled once again. So it's not hard to imagine Pegasus created the game right after he went to Egypt because of this.

We must also take the amount of time into consideration which passed since the beginning of the series. You already pointed out Jonouchi turning 16, meaning that January has already passed. Going by Pegasus' "few months have passed" statement, he could have gone to Egypt in January. His birthday and the creation of Duel Monsters don't have to occur in the same time period, meaning there could be months between them. So when he talks about Duel Monsters, it's possible seven years have passed since its creation, but not enough time has passed since, so it's not yet his 25th birthday. This way, he can make that statement while still being only 24 years old.

EDIT:

Regarding exactly when Pegasus went to Egypt, this could be a little tricky. We know a few months passed after Cyndia's death (possibly sometime in October), so it must be December/January at least, going by the definition of "few" (more than one but not too many). Now, in winter, it's not too warm in Egypt (see this site), but Pegasus went there in his usual attire (even with sleeves rolled up, unless it's a shirt with shorter sleeves). This means either the weather was nice that day, or he didn't go in winter (but that means he grieved for a long time), or he's one of those people who can withstand colder weather.

(Overanalysis go go go!)