Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that Yu-Gi-Oh! not only started as a comic series, but as part of the Shonen Jump library. It shared real estate with the likes of Dragon Ball, Naruto, and One Piece. But Jump Force is reminding us all in a big way, as main character Yugi, of course in the Yami Yugi form, has been confirmed as a playable member of the roster.
Yami Yugi previously appeared in the Jump Superstars series, which never made its way out of Japan officially. Yu-Gi-Oh, while having several of its own video game adaptations, often misses out on crossover stuff, notably being absent from J-Stars Victory VS.
In a press release, Bandai Namco provided a recap of who Yami Yugi is:
Joining the roster of Jump Force is Yugi Muto, the hero of Yu-Gi-Oh! Jump Force brings together the greatest heroes and villains from over the 50-year history of Shueisha’s influential Japanese manga Weekly Shonen Jump to fight for the fate of their world and ours.
Yu-Gi-Oh!’s story takes place in a world where a card game: Duel Monsters, is one of the largest aspects of everyday life. The game can bring fortune and fame to its champions, or demise to those less fortunate.
The main protagonist, Yugi Muto, is a lonely boy who loves playing the game but was never blessed with talent. After finding and solving the Millennium Puzzle, an ancient and powerful artefact, Yugi unknowingly became host to Dark Yugi, the spirit of the long deceased Pharaoh Atem. The Pharaoh’s spirit possess and takes control of Yugi in times of danger, he is able to become one of the greatest Duel Monsters players in the world.
Jump Force will make its debut in 2019.
