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| romaji_name = Fujiki Yūsaku
| other_names =
* Playmaker(プレイメーカー, ''Pureimēkā'')* Unknown(アンノウン, ''An'noun'')<ref name="ep64">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|64|ref}}</ref>
| age = 16
| gender = Male
}}
'''Yusaku Fujiki''' ({{Ruby|藤|ふじ}}{{Ruby|木|き}} {{Ruby|遊|ゆう}}{{Ruby|作|さく}}, ''Fujiki Yūsaku''), known as '''Playmaker''' (プレイメーカー, ''Pureimēkā'') in [[LINK VRAINS]], is the protagonist of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS]]''.<ref name="jumpfesta">{{cite web | url = https://ygorganization.com/jump-festa-2017-latest-information-stage/ | title = <nowiki>The Organization | [Jump Festa 2017] Latest Information Stage: 6th Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime</nowiki> | publisher = YGOrganization | date = December 17, 2016 | accessdate = December 17, 2016}}</ref> A victim of the [[Hanoi Project]], he battles against the [[Knights of Hanoi]] in order to avenge his past with the aid of his friend [[Kal Kolter]] and the [[Ignis]] that he has captured, [[Ai]]. He is the Origin of Ai.
==Design==
|Yusaku_Normal.png|150
|Yusaku_VR_duel.png|150
|Yusaku's normal in his school uniform, and VR clothinghis Avatar Playmaker.
}}
Yusaku is a rangy teenage boy with fair skin, green eyes, and dark blue hair that spikes outward in the back and contains light blue bangs with pink accents. His standard attire consists of a slate-colored jacket with light blue trim over a white dress shirt with a blue tie and a pair of black pants and black and white shoes.
[[File:YoungYusaku.png|thumb|100px|Young Yusaku.]]
===Personality===
Yusaku may be the first Yu-Gi-Oh protagonist who is an anti-hero. He is not a bad person, but he can appear cold and apathetic. Yusaku is described as a boy who doesn't like standing out at school, not that he's timid or shy but because he is a hacker. Due to a certain incident, he generally tries to avoid contact with others and only seems to trust [[Kal Kolter|Kolter]]. However, he gets drawn into encounters with people as he tries out Dueling for once.<ref name="jumpfesta" />
Yusaku is calm and collected most of the time. Outside of Duels he is shown to be intelligent and clever, but also calculating, standoffish, reserved, and somewhat anti-social. He prefers to distance himself from others and doesn't usually interact with people, not even remembering his classmates' names after a month in school. When [[Naoki Shima]] tried to be friendly with him, Yusaku casually admitted to being a loner and inadvertently irritated Naoki with his observations, then didn't react to Naoki storming off. In public, Yusaku comes off as rather awkward and often doesn't know how to answer questions, leading others to assume things about him, such as when Naoki assumed he wanted to join the Duel Club and Skye assumed he wanted new equipment from SOL. Despite his aloof and calm demeanor Yusaku can be quite sullen when it comes to dealing with Ai's antics.
Yusaku was one of the six kidnapped children, who were used for the [[Hanoi Project]]. He woke up in a white, empty room, with VR goggles. He placed them on, and was forced to [[Duel]], with the penalties being electrocuted and having nothing to eat if he lost. This repeated on for months, as he tried to Duel on. After six months passed Yusaku collapsed, a voice told him he should not give up, and advised him to think of three reasons why to continue fighting. Yusaku asked who the voice was, but the voice told him he'd soon go home. The system was disbanded, and while Yusaku was rescued, the incident was covered up and not mentioned in the media. Yusaku developed PTSD after the incident and went under treatments to cure it for years, but failed and continuously faced the tragedies that befell him. Instead, he took his [[Main Deck|Deck]] to confront his trauma, promising to "face his destiny". While Yusaku refused to believe he was rescued from this project, named "Hanoi Project",<ref name="ep19">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|19|ref}}</ref> though he still took the advice to think of three reasons to continue fighting.<ref name="ep11" />
Yusaku decided to hunt down the [[Knights of Hanoi]], whom he believed to be responsible for the "Hanoi Project", under the alias "Playmaker" with [[Kolter]]'s help. "Playmaker" soon became a famous [[Duelist]] within LINK VRAINS, with no one knowing what his real identity is because he always deleted his activity logs.<ref name="ep1">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1|ref}}</ref>
===Hanoi===
[[File:Yusaku and Kusanagi disccussing.png|thumb|left|Yusaku and Kolter talking about the A.I.]]
[[File:Playmaker Saves The Blue Angel.png|thumb|Playmaker saves Blue Angel.]]
Yusaku later met up with [[Kal Kolter|Kolter]] and they discussed how both [[SOL Technologies]] and their enemies, the [[Knights of Hanoi]], were chasing after [[Ai|an A.I. program]] in [[LINK VRAINS]]. Upon learning that SOL Technologies had scheduled a full scan of Link VRAINS that evening to try and find the A.I., they quickly started working on a trap to catch the A.I. themselves. Although Yusaku successfully captured the reluctant A.I. in his Duel Disk, one of [[Number 10 (character)|the Knights of Hanoi]] threatened to destroy LINK VRAINS. Yusaku quickly entered LINK VRAINS as Playmaker and saved [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]] from the Knight's "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". He then challenged the Knight to a Duel, putting the A.I. at stake. The A.I. voiced his doubts that Yusaku's Deck could beat "Cracking Dragon", then stirred up [[Data Storm]] in Link VRAINS, starting a [[Speed Duel (VRAINS)|Speed Duel]] between Yusaku and the Knight.<ref name="ep1" />
[[File:Knight of Hanoi laughs at Playmaker.png|thumb|left|Playmaker being overwhelmed by the Data Storm.]]
Gore [[Link Summon]]ed "[[Gouki The Great Ogre (anime)|Gouki The Great Ogre]]"<ref name="ep4" /> and reduced Playmaker's LP to 100. Playmaker could've reduced the damage he took but chose not to, and refused to use the escape route that Kolter had built, confusing Ai again. Playmaker stated that Gore's Duel was meant to entertain the audience and his opponent and that he wouldn't quit the Duel. Playmaker proceeded to win by Link Summoning four times in a row and attacking "Great Ogre" [[Link Bumper (anime)|three times]] with "Decode Talker". After the Duel, Kolter suggested they should recruit The Gore for their fight against Hanoi, but Yusaku rejected the idea, saying that he didn't to drag Gore into their fight.<ref name="ep5">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|5|ref}}</ref>
Kolter uncovered Skye Zaizen's identity as Blue Angel, and Yusaku realized that Skye was his classmate. Kolter suggested meeting her in order to find out if her brother [[Akira Zaizen]], the Security Manager at SOL Technologies, knew anything about Yusaku's past or [[Jin KusanagiKolter|Kolter's brother]]. However, he then started teasing Yusaku that talking to Skye would be impossible because of his lack of social skills. Nevertheless, Yusaku managed to track her down with Ai's help, and he followed her to the [[Duel Club]], where Shima caught up to him. He feigned ignorance when Shima inferred that he wanted to join the club, and when [[Hosoda]] invited him in, he nervously tried to opt out until Ai said thanks on his behalf, which upset him. Yusaku introduced himself to the rest of the club, and the other members introduced themselves as well, including Skye. [[Sato]] showed him his Duel Disk, and Yusaku pretended to be interested, commenting on the fact that it was the latest model. Skye remarked that he knew a lot, but he claimed that it was only because Shima had bragged about it earlier. Skye noticed that Yusaku's Duel Disk was a card-loading model, the same as Playmaker's. When she asked to see his Deck, he obliged, but he handed her his dummy Deck instead. Ai later complimented him for doing so, but Yusaku told him to be quiet, as a meeting was in progress.<ref name="ep6">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|6|ref}}</ref>
That evening, he watched Blue Angel issue a public challenge for Playmaker to Duel her. Ai suggested that he should accept, but he refused, since he only approached Skye attempting to acquire a lead on his stolen memories, and he only Dueled against the Knights of Hanoi. Despite this, he was visibly embarrassed when the MC declared that Playmaker wasn't a man if he didn't accept. The next morning, Ai read various posts on social media making fun of Playmaker for not accepting. He soon bumped into Skye again, and they greeted each other. As they walked to class, Skye asked him why he wanted to join the Duel Club, not believing it was because he loved Dueling. Yusaku tried to ask about her brother, she replied that people only ever approached her to ask if her brother could give them a new Duel Disk or a job at SOL after graduation. She lamented that her brother didn't trust her, and ran off. Ai tried to warn Yusaku about a problem he'd noticed with Skye's Duel Disk, but Yusaku wouldn't hear of it.<ref name="ep6" />
[[File:Playmaker in the mother computer.png|thumb|left|Playmaker infiltrates the mother computer system.]]
Kolter showed Yusaku the maze-like schematics to the data bank, and they wondered how skilled Ghost Gal was to have managed to hack into SOL Technologies' data bank, and Kolter promised he would finish by the time school was over. While at school, Yusaku wondered where Skye was, and he and Ai deduced that her brother forbade her from entering LINK VRAINS to protect her. Ai commented that Yusaku actually cared about her; Yusaku replied
that one should not give up on Dueling this way. After school, Kolter showed Yusaku the path to the data bank, but warned him a lot of traps were set to stop anyone. Yusaku hesitantly noted that Ghost Gal also wanted something if she gave him the program, even if the information Yusaku could find there may not be that important. Regardless, he logged into LINK VRAINS to enter the mother computer system. To protect himself, Playmaker used a device to navigate himself, and a rope to disguise him from security programs. Once the security programs started to go after Playmaker, he launched three "[[Sphere Kuriboh (anime)|Sphere Kuriboh]]" to shatter them without alerting anyone. Passing the first corridor, Playmaker arrived in the second, where a Data Storm was located that drew Playmaker it, breaking his rope and triggering two prototype AI to hunt him down. Playmaker attempted to evade them, but [[Prototype Green-A|one of the AIs]] caught up with him, and initiated a Speed Duel. The AI brought out "[[Tentacluster Nautilus]]", and Tributed his "[[Tentacluster Drillworm]]" to discard Playmaker's hand. [[Prototype Red-B|The other AI prototype]] arrived and started attacking Playmaker, intent on grabbing his Duel Disk. Much to his surprise Blue Angel arrived, using her whip to prevent the AI from grabbing his Duel Disk, and she claimed that she would be the one to defeat Playmaker and started a Speed Duel with the other AI.<ref name="ep16">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|16|ref}}</ref> Blue Angel explained that she had come to repay him for curing her. Playmaker claimed he never indebted her; regardless, Blue Angel started her Duel with the other AI prototype. Playmaker was able to use the cards in his Graveyard to Special Summon several monsters and reduce his LP to 1000 LP, allowing him to use Storm Access to acquire and Link Summon "[[Vector Square Scare Archfiend (anime)|Vector Square Scare Archfiend]]", while also summoning "Cyberse Wizard". Using the effect of "Vector Square Scare Archfiend", he attacked several times, defeating the AI. Playmaker entered the Data Bank, and was surprised to find Zaizen and Ghost Gal waiting for him.<ref name="ep17">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|17|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker at data bank.png|thumb|Playmaker reaches the data bank.]]
===Tower of Hanoi===
Playmaker and [[Ai]] watched an eclipse blocking the virtual sun in [[LINK VRAINS]]. Ai remembered people in the ancient past were scared of such events, and was surprised people, even today, were still afraid. Playmaker replied people remain the same, unlike technology that advances. The latter proclaimed the light was blocked by darkness, and confirmed to Ai he meant about the Lost Incident. He would not let the incident be buried in darkness, and would uncover the truth. Later, Yusaku was at school, and remembered how someone spoke to him during the Lost Incident project. [[Naoki Shima|Naoki]] called out to Yusaku, reminding him the class was over, and thought he was one of the "Athnoers". Yusaku walked away, and Naoki told him "Athnoers" were people trapped in LINK VRAINS, noting a lot of students haven't attended the school. He believed it was due to cursed [[Duel Disk]]s, which, at midnight, emit white hands that drag people into LINK VRAINS, leaving the people's bodies "hollow". He thought no person would return back to their old-selves, even if they were taken to the hospital. Ai thought this had relations to [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Angel]], but Yusaku shushed him, since Naoki could hear him. Naoki doubted Yusaku would become a victim, since they were usually people with promising Dueling future. Yusaku advised him to stay away from the Duel Disk and walked away from Naoki, who wished Playmaker would set things straight. Before leaving, Yusaku corrected him the term was "[[Deleted]]s", not "Athnoers", which made Naoki furious, since Yusaku knew everything already. Inside the van, [[Kal Kolter|Kolter]] showed Ai and Yusaku the footage of a camera, when a person turned into an Deleted, which happened six minutes before midnight. Ai noted there were no white hands taking the person into LINK VRAINS. Kolter told them the person had not recovered yet, and showed pictures of more Deleted patients in the hospitals. Ai and Yusaku knew this was the same accident with Blue Angel, who was infected by a virus.<ref name="ep22">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|22|ref}}</ref>
Kolter believed someone wanted people to be turned into mindless people, but has not find out what happened to their LINK VRAINS' avatars. Kolter showed more data, and Yusaku analyzed all of the Deleted were great Duelists with old-type Duel Disks, and all of them were hackers, too. The trio realized Playmaker, or Ai, were the targets. Yusaku reminded the importance of uncovering the truth behind Lost Incident, and as noted by Ai, they had to stop people from becoming Deleted. Ai noted Yusaku was a cool hero of justice, even if the latter claimed that was unnecessary. Kolter showed a list of possible targets, from which the first was [[McKendrick Kellenbocker]]. Yusaku traced the person to his house, and saw lights at his window. Yusaku broke through into his room, and saw he became a victim. In addition, he and Ai watched McKendrick's avatar inside LINK VRAINS being confronted by [[Dr. Genome|a person]], who wished to know if he was Playmaker and had [[Ignis]]. Yusaku and Ai saw the person casted some glitter, causing McKendrick to fall asleep and fall off the cliff, but was saved by [[George Gore|the Gore]]. Playmaker watched as the Gore confronted the person, Dr. Genome, who placed the virus into McKendrick, only to draw Playmaker out. Yusaku came to the hospital, where he heard Gore swear to defeat Dr. Genome. Gore saw Yusaku and realized he was also concerned about McKendrick, who attended the same school. Yusaku gave his name to Gore, and left. At the van, Kolter and Yusaku watched the [[Knights of Hanoi]] Dueling people, and turning them into Deleted. Yusaku decided to go into LINK VRAINS, even if Kolter believed he would be at a disadvantage, and Ai wished to feel secure. Surprisingly, they saw "Playmaker" battling the Knights of Hanoi, by stopping their programs and tossing them away from their [[Duel Board]]s. Dr. Genome confronted "Playmaker", who revealed himself to be Gore. The latter stated he came to save McKendrick, and knew Playmaker's identity, which displeased Yusaku and Kolter. Yusaku did not know if Gore really knew his identity, but was still frustrated. The group watched as Dr. Genome activated the [[Data Gale]], conjuring black tornadoes for the [[Speed Duel]].<ref name="ep22"/>
At the van, Kolter analyzed that if the Knights of Hanoi took over LINK VRAINS, they'd soon find Playmaker. Yusaku believed they could prevent that by looking into the origins of Deleted virus. The next day, at the van, Kolter woke Yusaku up, reminding he had to go to school, and promised he'd continue working. After Yusaku returned, Kolter found nothing new. Yusaku let Kolter rest, who went to cook some fries and cheese dogs. Yusaku and Kolter ate the food, and watched Blue Angel confronting Baira. Ai noted Blue Angel was cornered, but Yusaku shushed him, since they were still working. Kolter and Yusaku analyzed the videos, and the latter saw Baira behind one of the Deleteds victims.<ref name="ep25">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|25|ref}}</ref> Yusaku and Kolter then hacked into Baira's profile and found out her real identity as [[Kyoko Taki]], a doctor who works at [[Den Hospital]] and they were able to find out her home address. Yusaku then went into her apartment and Ai warned him it could be Hanoi's headquarter as he went inside he was greeted by a security guard robot, who asked him who does he want to visit. But, Yusaku remained silent as Ai told him to say something before anything get suspicious the robot then threatened him if he doesn't answer he would be held under suspicion. When Kolter took control of the guard and guided him to Kyoto's room, Yusaku found her in LINK VRAINS and watched Blue Angel defeat her. He and Kolter also witnessed the victims of Deleted getting cured and logging out of LINK VRAINS. As Baira suddenly disappeared, they thought she logged out and decided to interrogate her about the removal program but witness her getting purged by Varis.<ref name="ep26">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|26|ref}}</ref>
Despite Deleted victims being purged from the virus, Yusaku was still worried, since he only fought the Knights of Hanoi inside LINK VRAINS, and Kolter confirmed one last mastermind left to be fought against. The next day, Yusaku spoke with Naoki, who wished to battle the Knights of Hanoi alongside Playmaker and Blue Angel. Naoki pointed out the [[Duel Club]] forbade entering LINK VRAINS. Yusaku warned him there was a website with the list of Deleted, and since Naoki had no plan, he would instantly fail. Yusaku also sensed fear inside Naoki and felt he'd ask Yusaku to join him. Naoki was furious and stormed out, and Ai noted Yusaku went too far on him. When Yusaku came to the van, Kolter showed him someone has played his "[[Cyberse Wizard (anime)|Cyberse Wizard]]". Kolter identified him as Lonely The BraveBattler, which Ai thought as a cool name. When Yusaku showed his "Cyberse Wizard", Ai touched it and sensed the data from the card was missing. Ai thought Lonely The Brave Battler was the mastermind, and defeated the Knight of Hanoi to lure Playmaker out. They soon found Naoki was Lonely The BraveBattler, who changed the name to "The Brave MaxBattler". Despite this, Yusaku feared Naoki was in danger, should the mastermind find out he used the [[Cyberse]] card. Not long after, Yusaku and Kolter found The Brave MaxBattler, with [[Faust]], the mastermind, who called out to Playmaker to come and Duel him. The former claimed he received "Cyberse Wizard" from Playmaker, which surprised Yusaku. Yusaku went to grab his [[Duel Disk]], but saw it was gone. Ai logged on the screen, and showed he was on the Duel Disk, which [[Roboppy]] modified it with a drone. While Yusaku noted the device felt heavier, Ai explained he was searching for Naoki, though the data of "Cyberse Wizard". Yusaku realized Ai even knew this would happen, which offended Ai, seeing Yusaku was even accusing him. Regardless, Ai showed the location, where Naoki was captured. Yusaku called out to him, and Ai returned to the van. Yusaku grabbed the Duel Disk and left Kolter to rescue Naoki, while Yusaku logged in to LINK VRAINS.<ref name="ep27">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|27|ref}}</ref>
Playmaker arrived to LINK VRAINS, and assured The Brave Max Battler he'd face Faust. Before he did, The Brave Max Battler returned "Cyberse Wizard" to Playmaker. Playmaker placed the card in his Deck, and noted Faust was the final Deleted mastermind, who stole the data of "Cyberse Wizard" and gave it to The Brave MaxBattler, to lure him out. Faust did not know what Playmaker was talking about, since he did not do that. Ai assured Playmaker that wasn't important, and only had to defeat Faust. Faust declared his mission was to retrieve Ignis, and used the Data Gale to conjure a stage for their battle. Playmaker noted it was just like during Blue Angel and Gore's Duels, and Ai noted this prevented them from returning home. Playmaker raced with Faust and jumped on their Duel Boards to start their Speed Duel. Faust started the Speed Duel with summoning three "[[Motor Worm Token]]s", and Ai sensed Faust was going all-out from the start. Playmaker went to confront Faust's "[[Motor Worm Spreader Queen]]", by Link Summoning "[[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]". Faust smirked, and protected his queen by destroying the "Motor Worm Token", using "[[Wormhole Defense]]". Since the token was destroyed, the queen's ATK fell down, allowing "Cyberse Wizard". Faust was inflicted additional damage, yet revived his queen with "[[Worm Revival]]". Playmaker found out Faust wanted him to destroy the queen, as Faust used "[[Egg Clutch]]" to turn "Cyberse Wizard" into an [[Insect]] monster, thus boosting the queen's ATK. Ai wondered if there was nothing they could do, and repeated this to Playmaker when he ended his turn. Faust played "[[Motor Worm Gate]]", to allow his queen to attack directly if Playmaker only controlled Insect monsters. Ai pointed out they still had [[Cyberse]] "Decode Talker", which his queen destroyed, inflicting 1700 damage to Playmaker. Faust used his Skill, [[Skill#Double Bite|Double Bite]], to have the queen attack once more and finish Playmaker off.<ref name="ep28">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|28|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker takes out Powercode Talker.png|thumb|Playmaker goes through the Data Gale, using Storm Access Skill.]]
Playmaker barely survived with 50 LP and crashing into a building, by halving the damage with "[[Urgent Link]]". Despite this, Playmaker told Ai it was still enough to battle. He also went to Link Summon, but Faust's "Wormhole Defense" prevented the Insect tokens to be used as Link Material. Faust declared he would obtain Ignis on his next turn, but Playmaker hoped there was still a way to turn things around. He used "[[Cybersal Cyclone (anime)|Cybersal Cyclone]]" to banish "Decode Talker" to destroy the queen, though Faust had a token destroyed in her stead. Playmaker smiled, since the card he played allowed him to destroy "Wormhole Defense". Faust declared he still wouldn't lose, though Playmaker made him doubt his words when he went into the black Data Storm to use [[Skill#Storm Access|Storm Access]] skill, and Link Summoned that monster, "[[Powercode Talker (anime)|Powercode Talker]]". Reviving his "[[Space Insulator (anime)|Space Insulator]]", Playmaker also negated the queen's effects, thus making her ATK return to 1000. Before Playmaker went to attack, Faust tried to warn him of Ignis being a threat. Ai told Playmaker to ignore Faust - "Powercode Talker", who doubled its ATK by tributing "Space Insulator", destroyed "Motor Worm Spreader Queen", and defeated Faust. Before vanishing, Faust tried to warn Playmaker he may have just doomed the humanity's future. Playmaker repeated Faust's final words, though Ai didn't know anything of that. Before logging out, Playmaker told "The Brave MaxBattler" he should seek his own path out, if he was brave enough. Yusaku, who logged out, came to Naoki, who was actually released when Faust lost the Duel, at the warehouse district. Naoki was glad to see Yusaku came to rescue him, and told about Playmaker's ordeals. While Naoki continued talking, Yusaku concluded Faust didn't want Naoki to be turned into an Deleted. He also thought Ai could've been the one that sent "Cyberse Wizard" to Naoki, believing the Ignis put him in danger.<ref name="ep28" />
Since Yusaku felt uneasy, he could not sleep and went to Kolter's van. Ai smiled at Yusaku, thinking how cute he was, but Yusaku ordered him to be quiet. Regardless, he also agreed with Yusaku something bad would soon begin, as Yusaku believed Varis would make his move soon.<ref name="ep28"/> Yusaku and Ai, in real life, sensed something wrong in LINK VRAINS. Later, after Kolter served a customer, Yusaku noted that the Knights of Hanoi have been purged from LINK VRAINS. Kolter noted Deleted' incident has been resolved, but also reminded Varis was still out there. Ai thought Varis had retreated, but Yusaku doubted that. Instead, Yusaku questioned why Varis didn't make an appearance, thinking he had a reason to do so. Suddenly, Yusaku and Ai felt a pulse within LINK VRAINS, and the latter noted Yusaku had [[Link Sense]]. Yusaku asked Kolter to scan through the network. Kolter worked on scanning, and just as Yusaku and Ai sensed another pulse, Kolter saw the LINK VRAINS infrastructure was changing. Yusaku decided to visit LINK VRAINS, even if Ai felt a bad omen ahead. Yusaku noted Varis acted always in public, but this wasn't the case recently. Yusaku promised to find him, and sensed something big would happen soon. Inside LINK VRAINS, Playmaker rode the Data Wind. Ai tried to convince Playmaker things would go bad and they should return home, but Playmaker was focused on finding the cause. Once again, they sensed the pulse coming from the network. Finding some data fireflies, Playmaker traced them to a spot. As the data fireflies stopped, Ai thought they were taking a break. The two were visited by [[Emma Bessho|Ghost Gal]], who wasn't particularly pleased Ai and Playmaker were present, too.<ref name="ep30">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|30|ref}}</ref>
Spectre confirmed he did defeat Blue Angel, but he remembered she spoke something about "blue love", which Ai did not understand about. Spectre showed them bits of data of Blue Angel, stating she had no power to save him, and promised the same fate would befall Playmaker. When the Duel started, Spectre again began by using "Sunseed Genus Loci" to Link Summon "Sunavalon Dryas", and setting a card. Playmaker remembered Blue Angel's tactics were about burning [[effect damage]], and knowing he defeated her quickly, Ai proclaimed he was very dangerous, too. However, Ai noticed Spectre's monster did not look very offensive. Playmaker asked Spectre why does he fight, but Spectre claimed he fought for Varis. Playmaker tried to persuade Spectre to step down, if he did not know about Varis's mastermind plan. Spectre replied he knew that the data around the world would be destroyed, but he nevertheless would stand by Varis. Playmaker claimed Spectre did not understand Varis, whose plans have been continuing since ten years ago, in an incident many people were harmed. He claimed an outsider like Spectre had no reason to be involved in this. Spectre claimed he understood the Lost Incident, and was one of the six children that were involved in that event, just like Playmaker was.<ref name="ep35"/>
Playmaker was surprised, and pointed out the atrocity of the Lost Incident that befell Spectre. Spectre did not understand, and explained the incident actually entertained him, since he never felt livelier. He explained if one had a happy life before the Lost Incident, the event must've been hard for them. Spectre explained he was found by Varis at the site of the Lost Incident, and he gave Spectre a place where he could belong, among the Knights of Hanoi. Spectre wondered if he was weird, but thought Playmaker was even stranger for his sense of justice. Playmaker reminded due to that incident, time stopped moving for him, but Spectre replied it started moving for him since then. Ai noticed Playmaker was distant, and reminded he was nothing alike Spectre, and pointed out the tower would continue growing as long as they waste time. Playmaker understood, while Spectre dared Playmaker to defeat him. Playmaker Link Summoned "[[Link Disciple (anime)|Link Disciple]]" and "[[Link Devotee (anime)|Link Devotee]]" by linking them. Playmaker tributed "Link Devotee" to draw a card and swap one into his Deck, then Special Summoned two "[[Link Token]]s" and Normal Summoning "Cyberse Gadget", whose effect revived "[[Latency (anime)|Latency]]" from his GY. Using these monsters, Playmaker made three Link Summons: "[[Binary Sorceress (anime)|Binary Sorceress]]", "[[Multi Sledgehammer]]" and "[[Binary Blader (anime)|Binary Blader]]". Since his tree could not be attacked, Spectre took the attack of "Binary Sorceress", only to replenish his LP by Special Summoning "Sunvine Gardna". Spectre explained the tree protected him when he was a baby, and when the tree was cut down, he began distrusting society, and now served Varis.<ref name="ep35"/>
Spectre proclaimed as long as the tree was on the field, nobody could defeat him. He anticipated Ignis would be erased, along with LINK VRAINS. Playmaker reminded him Spectre would be erased, too. Spectre counted on that, since he merely wished to fulfill Varis's goal. Playmaker's noted that Spectre woukd would sacrifice himself for Varis. Spectre merely replied Playmaker would never understand their goals, as long as he chased after revenge. Since Playmaker's attack failed, he had "Binary Sorceress" share half her attack to "Binary Blader", who could attack twice per [[Battle Phase]], as Ai noted Spectre would take 2000 LP damage. Spectre's "Sunvine Gardna" protected him by reducing that damage by 800, and that damage healed Playmaker, due to "Binary Sorceress'" effect. To speed things up, Spectre used "[[Sunavalon Glorious Growth]]" to summon a Sunvine Token, and use it with "Sunvine Gardna" to make his tree evolve into "Sunavalon Dryanome", even in the middle of Playmaker's battle. Ai sensed they could be in big trouble, unless Playmaker tried harder. In addition, Spectre neutralized Playmaker's efforts by returning the LP count to 4000. Playmaker noticed that is a defense-oriented deck, and Blue Angel must've fallen to Spectre's tricks. Spectre announced the tree could not be attacked, and Ai knew Spectre anticipated these attacks. "Binary Blader" made its second attack, giving Spectre 2600 LP damage and replenishing Playmaker's LP by the same amount. Spectre repeated his combo, summoning another "Sunvine Gardna", and "Sunavalon Glorious Growth" raised his LP back and lowered Playmaker's LP back to 4000. In an attempt to finish this, Playmaker removed all of the Counters "Multi Sledgehammer" received when other monsters attacked, raising its ATK to 4000.<ref name="ep36">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|36|ref}}</ref>
Ai praised Playmaker, while Spectre noted all of these insignificant attacks were just to power up "Multi Sledgehammer" for a final strike. Ai claimed it was a brilliant strategy, but Spectre told it was not perfect; "Sunavalon Glorious Growth" redirected the attack to "Sunvine Gardna", who reduced the damage. Once more, Spectre summoned a "Sunvine Gardna", regained the LP and made Playmaker's LP back to 4000. Ai realized Spectre has the advantage in here, who confirmed these words, for Playmaker was walking towards his defeat. Spectre smirked, showing that his tree had no weaknesses. Spectre explained they both experienced the Lost Incident. However, Playmaker was obsessed with revenge, while Spectre helped Varis in saving the world. The latter pointed the battle was decided from the start. Playmaker doubted that, while Spectre told it were moments before Playmaker's defeat. Spectre went on offense, reviving "Sunseed Genius Loci" with "[[Sunvine Shrine]]" and using it to Link Summon "Sunvine Thrasher". "Sunvine Thrasher", with 3200 ATK, attacked "Binary Blader", who absorbed half the ATK of "Multi Sledgehammer". Spectre repeated his combo, just like with Blue Angel's "friends", by taking "Binary Blader" and have it attack Playmaker's monsters. Ai warned Playmaker he was losing, but Playmaker was glad that Spectre could no longer use the effect of "Sunavalon Dryanome", for all of the zones its Link Markers were pointing to were occupied, and believed to have a chance at winning the next turn. Ai noted that's why Playmaker has that name.<ref name="ep36"/>
* [[Lockout Gardna (anime)|Lockout Gardna]]
* [[Protection Wizard]]
* [[Rescue Interlacer (anime)|Rescue Interlacer]]
* [[ROM Cloudia (anime)|ROM Cloudia]]
* [[Salvagent Driver (anime)|Salvagent Driver]]
* [[Swap Cleric (anime)|Swap Cleric]]
| link monsters =
* [[Binary Blader (anime)|Binary Blader]]
* [[Binary Sorceress (anime)|Binary Sorceress]]
* [[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="decode">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 002|episode 2]].</ref>
* [[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="transcode">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 042|episode 42]].</ref>
* [[Underclock Taker (anime)|Underclock Taker]]
* [[Vector Square Scare Archfiend (anime)|Vector Square Scare Archfiend]]<ref group=Notes name="vector">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 017|episode 17]].</ref>
| spells =
* [[Alert Lancer]]
====New LINK VRAINS====
Prior to the events of this season, Yusaku added other support for Summoning methods to his Deck, including [[Ritual Monster]]s , [[Fusion Monster]]s, [[Synchro Monster]]s, and [[Fusion Xyz Monster]]s to his Deck, in addition to support cards like "[[Cyberse Witch (anime)|Cyberse Witch]]". He also acquires "[[Linkuriboh (anime)|Linkuriboh]]", and continues to acquire new Link Monsters like "[[Clock Spartoi (anime)|Clock Spartoi]]" through Storm Access. His Skill later evolves, becoming "Neo Storm Access", which not only allows him to add other Extra Deck monsters to his Deck from the Data Storm, but can be used again if it was unsuccessful and he has 100 or less LP. He focuses less on his "[[Code Talker (archetype)|Code Talker]]" monsters and more on other Link Monsters and his new Summoning methods.
{{Decklist
| normal monsters =
* [[Bitron (anime)|Bitron]]
* [[Digitron (anime)|Digitron]]<ref group=Notes name="clockdragon67">This card is [[sent]] from the top of his [[Main Deck|Deck]] to the [[GY]] via the [[card effect|effect]] of "[[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]" in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 067|episode 67]].</ref>
* [[Protron (anime)|Protron]]
| effect monsters =
* [[Backup Secretary (anime)|Backup Secretary]]
* [[Bitrooper (anime)|Bitrooper]]
* [[Boot Staggered (anime)|Boot Staggered]]
* [[Catche Eve L2 (anime)|Catche Eve L2]]
* [[Clock Wyvern (anime)|Clock Wyvern]]
* [[Code Generator (anime)|Code Generator]]
* [[Cross Debug (anime)|Cross Debug]]
* [[Cyberse Gadget (anime)|Cyberse Gadget]]
* [[Cyberse White Hat (anime)|Cyberse White Hat]]
* [[Dotscaper (anime)|Dotscaper]]
* [[Dual Assembwurm (anime)|Dual Assembwurm]]
* [[Firewall Guardian (anime)|Firewall Guardian]]
* [[Flame Bufferlo (anime)|Flame Bufferlo]]
* [[Flick Clown (anime)|Flick Clown]]<ref group=Notes name="linkback">This card is [[sent]] from the top of his [[Main Deck|Deck]] to the [[GY]] via the [[card effect|effect]] of "[[Link Back (anime)|Link Back]]" in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 067|episode 67]].</ref>* [[Grid Sweeper (anime)|Grid Sweeper]]* [[Launcher Commander (anime)|Launcher Commander]]<ref group=Notes name="clockdragon67" >This card is [[sent]] from the top of his [[Main Deck|Deck]] to the [[GY]] via the [[card effect|effect]] of "[[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]" in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 067|episode 67]].</ref>
* [[Link Infra-Flier (anime)|Link Infra-Flier]]
* [[Linkslayer (anime)|Linkslayer]]
* [[Micro Coder (anime)|Micro Coder]]
* [[Poisoning Blocker]]
* [[RAM Clouder (anime)|RAM Clouder]]
* [[SIMM Tablir (later anime)|SIMM Tablir]]
* [[Stack Reviver (anime)|Stack Reviver]]
* [[Storm Cipher (anime)|Storm Cipher]]
* [[Threshold Borg (anime)|Threshold Borg]]
* [[Trash Hacker]]
* [[Widget Kid (anime)|Widget Kid]]
* [[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]
| synchro monsters =
* [[Cyberse Quantum Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Quantum Dragon]]<ref group=Notes name="monarchneoaccess1">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Neo Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 073|episode 73]].</ref>|xyz monsters =* [[Firewall eXceed Dragon (anime)|Firewall eXceed Dragon]]<ref group=Notes name ="neoaccess2">This card is obatined via [[Skill|Neo Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 082|episode 82]].</ref>
| link monsters =
* [[Clock Lizard (anime)|Clock Lizard]]
* [[Clock Spartoi (anime)|Clock Spartoi]] <ref group=Notes name="spartoi">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 054|episode 54]].</ref>
* [[Code Talker (anime)|Code Talker]]
* [[Cyberse Wicckid (anime)|Cyberse Wicckid]]
* [[Cyberse Witch (anime)|Cyberse Witch]]
* [[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]
* [[Detonate Deleter (anime)|Detonate Deleter]]
* [[Elphase (anime)|Elphase]]
* [[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode Talker]]
* [[Extended Decode Talker (anime)|Extended Decode Talker]]
* [[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]
* [[Firewall Dragon Darkfluid (anime)|Firewall Dragon Darkfluid]]
* [[Flame Administrator (anime)|Flame Administrator]]
* [[Link Devotee (anime)|Link Devotee]]
* [[Linkuriboh (anime)|Linkuriboh]]
* [[Pentestag (anime)|Pentestag]]
* [[Protocol Gardna]]
* [[Recovery Sorcerer (later anime)|Recovery Sorcerer]]
* [[Security Dragon (anime)|Security Dragon]]
* [[Shootingcode Talker (anime)|Shootingcode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="shootingcode">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 048|episode 48]].</ref>
* [[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]
* [[Update Jammer (anime)|Update Jammer]]
* [[Zombie Prosaber]]
* [[Cyberse Annihilation]]
* [[Cyberse Bridge]]
* [[Cyberse Pride]]
* [[Cynet Codec (anime)|Cynet Codec]]
* [[Cynet Fusion (anime)|Cynet Fusion]]
* [[Cynet Mining(anime)|Cynet Mining]]* [[Cynet Optimization (anime)|Cynet Optimization]]
* [[Cynet Ritual (anime)|Cynet Ritual]]
* [[Decode Destruction (anime)|Decode Destruction]]
* [[Dimension Link]]
* [[Grid Rod (anime)|Grid Rod]]* [[Link Back (anime)|Link Back]]
* [[Link Bound (anime)|Link Bound]]<ref group=Notes name="AI">This card is shown when he adds "[[Linkuriboh (anime)|Linkuriboh]]" to his Deck in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 047|episode 47]].</ref>
* [[Link Drive]]
* [[Link Satellite]]
* [[One-Time Passcode (anime)|One-Time Passcode]]
* [[Resume Mace]]
* [[Spool Code (anime)|Spool Code]]
* [[Suspend Wand]]
| traps =
* [[Arrow Break]]
* [[Break & ReverseReuse]]
* [[Cure Conversion]]
* [[Draw Discharge (anime)|Draw Discharge]]
* [[Excess Lesser Linker]]
* [[Link Cancel]]
* [[Link Ration]]
* [[Link Rush]]
* [[Packet Link (anime)|Packet Link]]<ref group=Notes name="AI" />
* [[Return Risk Reservoir]]
}}
| Unknown Duelist || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 019|19]] || Lose (flashback)
|-
| [[Knights of Hanoi|Knight of Hanoi]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 064|64]] || Win(flashback)
|-
| [[Knights of Hanoi|Knight of Hanoi]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 001|1]] || Win
| [[Earth (character)|Earth]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 066|66]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 067|67]] || Win
|-
| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 072|72]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 073|73]] || DRAW|-| [[George Gore|George Gore/The Gore]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 081|81]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 082|82]] || Win|-| [[Bit]][[Boot]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 086|86]] || Win|-| [[Kal Kolter]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 092|92]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 093|93]] || Win|-| [[DRAWBohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 099|99]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 102|102]] || Win|-| [[Ai]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 106|106]]-??? || TBD
|}
