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{{Quoteredirect|Yusaku Fujiki<ref name="ep12"/>Playmaker|Thatthe ''Yu-Gi-Oh! ZEXAL's right. I am the emissary of revenge. I'll crush the [[Knights of Hanoi]].card|""Playmaker"" (card)}}
{{Infobox character
| headers = true
| romaji_name = Fujiki Yūsaku
| other_names =
* Playmaker(プレイメーカー, ''Pureimēkā'')* Unknown(アンノウン, ''Announ'', Japanese version only)<ref name="ep64">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|64|ref}}</ref>
| age = 16
| gender = Male
| anime_deck = [[Cyberse]]
| appears_in_anime = ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS]]''
| en_voice = {{voice actors|en|[[Jake Paque]]}}<ref name="Yusaku English VA">[https://twitter.com/jakepaque/status/1033444031815196672 Jake Paque's Twitter]</ref>
| ja_voice = {{voice actors|ja|Shouya Ishige|Kana Omuro|e2=(younger)}}
| anime_debut = {{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1|ref}}
}}
'''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 = The Organization {{!}} <nowiki>The Organization | [Jump Festa 2017] </nowiki> 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 [[Cal Kolter]] and the [[Ignis]] that he has captured, [[Ai]]. He is the Origin of Ai. In the second season, Yusaku becomes entangled in the kidnapping of [[Jin Kolter]]'s soul and the hunt for the people who destroyed the [[Cyberse (world)|Cyberse]], teaming up with fellow Hanoi Project victim [[Theodore Hamilton]] and Theodore's own Ignis, [[Flame (character)|Flame]].
==Design==
===Appearance===
{{double image|left
|Yusaku_Normal.png|150177|Yusaku_VR_duel.png|150200|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. In the dub, his skinny arms are the source of much mockery, usually from [[Ai]]. 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. His casual clothes consist of simple dark clothing; he conceals his identity with a hoodie prior to teaming up with [[Cal Kolter]], and he later wears an apron when manning [[Café Nom]].
[[File:YoungYusaku.png|thumb|100px|Young Yusaku.]]
When he was a child, Yusaku wore a brown jacket with a green shirt. He wore blue pants, brown boots, and didn't have pink accents on his light blue bangs yet.
===Personality===
{{Quote|That's right. I am the emissary of revenge. I'll crush the [[Knights of Hanoi]].|author=Yusaku Fujiki<ref name="ep12"/>}}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 incidentthe trauma of the Lost Incident, he generally tries to avoid contact with others and only seems to trust [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]]. HoweverYusaku is calm and collected most of the time. Outside of Duels he is shown to be intelligent and clever, he gets drawn into encounters 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 Shima with his observations, then didn't react to Shima 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 Shima assumed he wanted to join the Duel Club and Skye assumed he tries out Dueling for oncewanted new equipment from SOL. Despite his aloof and calm demeanor Yusaku can be quite sullen when it comes to dealing with Ai's antics. In the dub, Yusaku is substantially snarkier, particularly when it comes to dealing with Ai.<ref name="jumpfesta" />
Despite his introverted and cold nature, Yusaku is calm both noble and collected most of the timegolden-hearted deep down. Outside of Duels he He is shown to be intelligent and clever, but also calculating, standoffish, reservedon well terms with his best friend, Kolter and somewhat anti-social. He prefers to distance himself from shows sympathy or care for others and doesn't usually interact with people, not even remembering his classmates' names after a month in school. When situations like when he discovers that everything [[Naoki ShimaGeorge Gore|Gore]] tried to be friendly with him, Yusaku casually admitted to being a loner and inadvertently irritated Naoki with does is for his observationsorphanage, then didn't react but he refuses to Naoki storming off. In public, Yusaku comes off as rather awkward and often doesn't know how to answer questions, leading let others get close to assume things about him, such as when Naoki assumed he wanted to and join his fight against 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 anticsHanoi out of concern that they may get hurt.
Following the events of the first season, Yusaku slowly begins to change, and this is largely due to his interactions with Ai and Varis, who he discovered to be the Ignis based on him and the person who kept up his spirits respectively. He also has and Ai gradually build up a rocky, but trusting relationship, and after learning Varis's true identity, Yusaku casts aside his desire for revenge and attempts to save Varis from himself, expressing a desire to have a habit of listing out three reasons friend for his observationsthe first time. In the dub, this is taken even further, something as Yusaku openly declares that he learned from an unknown individual while is also fighting for his fallen allies and impresses upon Roken the damage that his actions would cause both to the world and to himself. As he was states in captivity when he was younger. his final Duel with Bohman, Yusaku does this comes to order believe that his thoughts better allies expanded his views and clear his mind when confused or feeling discouragedthat there are experiences one can only learn by accepting one's friends. Oddly enoughThough still quiet and anti-social, he becomes far more willing to work with other people; teaming up with [[Theodore Hamilton]] and [[VarisFlame (character)|Flame]] shares , and later even extending an offer to Gore to work together again despite Gore's negative feelings towards him. When his closest friends fall in the war with the Ignis, Yusaku is heartbroken; he is further traumatized after being forced to defeat Kolter, though this habitis eased by Kolter anticipating the scenario and asking him to do so, and infuriated by Soulburner's defeat at Bohman's hands.
===Abilities===
Yusaku is said to be an intelligent hacker who possesses considerable ability and who solves mysteries in a cool manner. Cool-headed and extremely clever, Yusaku's real skill is in his hacking and cracking abilities. He was able to hack into SOL Technologies' systems to find Ai, which both SOL and the Knights of Hanoi had been hunting, within a few minutes and in the middle of a security scan, and managed to capture it into his Duel Disk while leaving the AI Ignis with no means to escape. He has been fighting the Knights of Hanoi for some time without leaving any trace of his actions as "Playmaker", and keeps a dummy deck to mislead others when in public. Yusaku combines his high intellect with his hacking abilities to quickly come up with plans and think on his feet. An observant individual, he is good at reading people. When Dueling, Yusaku keeps a close eye on his opponent's body language and expressions to know when they're planning something, and as such, he usually isn't surprised when something unexpected happens.
===Etymology===
Like the protagonists of the previous five series ([[Yugi Muto]], [[Jaden Yuki]], [[Yusei Fudo]], [[Yuma Tsukumo]], and [[Yuya Sakaki]]), his name contains the character「遊」(Yu). In a break from tradition, however, his first name contains three syllables instead of the usual two.
His given name contains the characters "game" (''Yu'' 遊), and "work" (''Saku'' 作). His surname, '''Fujiki''', means "[[wikipedia:wisteria|wisteria]] tree", the blue-and-pink coloring of which matches that of his hair. The kanji of his given name can also be translated as "playing" and "making", which is most likely the pun of his VR name "The Playmaker".
==Biography==
===History===
[[File:Young Yusaku loses.png|thumb|left|Young 250px|Yusaku loses in an unknown location with losing a VR mask on.Duel during the Hanoi Project]][[File:Young Yusaku found in a forest.png|thumb|Young 250px|Yusaku is rescued from the Hanoi Project.]]Yusaku was once ran into [[Roken Kogami]], knocking his Deck over. As he picked up the cards, Yusaku and Roken asked one of another if they played ''Duel Monsters'', and Roken offered to show Yusaku his Deck at his house.<ref name="ep58">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|58|ref}}</ref> But once Yusaku arrived at the six [[Kogami family's house]], he was kidnapped children, who were used for as part of the [[Hanoi Project]]. He and he woke up in a white, empty room, with VR goggles. He placed them on, and Yusaku was forced to [[Duel]]continuously for six months, and was penalized for losing with the penalties being electrocuted electrocution and having nothing to eat if he lost. This repeated on for months, as he tried to Duel onstarvation. After six months passed During Yusaku collapsed's imprisonment, a voice told him he should not to 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 After six months, the system was disbanded, and while Yusaku was rescued, the incident Incident was covered up and not mentioned in the media. Yusaku developed PTSD after due to the incident torture he suffered during the Incident, and though he received treatment for it and went was treated normally by society, he found himself unable to recover from the tragedies he'd suffered.<ref name="ep19">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|19|ref}}</ref> Eventually, Yusaku decided to take action and face his own destiny by taking revenge on those who had wronged him, though he still kept the advice to think of three reasons to continue fighting to his heart.<ref name="ep11" /> He learned that the "Lost Incident" that he had been put through was called the "Hanoi Project", and he decided to hunt down the hacker group the [[Knights of Hanoi]], believing them to be responsible for the "Hanoi Project". He worked alone under treatments the alias "Unknown" (in the dub, he simply did not use an alias at all), rescuing another Duelist from the Knights of Hanoi, [[Cal Kolter|Unnamed]]. Unnamed tried to cure it ask if Unknown knew anything about the Lost Incident, but Unknown simply told him to log out. Unknown later rescued Unnamed again, asking why he kept logging in. Unnamed explained that he was fighting for yearshis little brother's sake, but failed and continuously faced Unknown distracted the tragedies Knights of Hanoi to allow Unnamed to get beyond their field that befell prevented himfrom logging out. InsteadUnknown then challenged one of the Knights to a Duel, he took countering his "[[Limiter Removal (anime)|Limiter Removal]]" with "[[Forbidden Lance (anime)|Forbidden Lance]]" and his own "Limiter Removal" to power up "[[Main DeckGaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow (anime)|DeckGaia Saber, the Lightning Shadow]]" and defeat the Knight in a single attack. As he fled from the other Knights, a portal appeared above him and the voice of Unnamed told him to jump into it. The portal logged Unknown out, and Unnamed told him to come to [[Café Nom]] .<ref name="ep64">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|64|ref}}</ref> Yusaku visited the hotdog stand and met with Cal Kolter, who was shocked to confront learn that he was so young and asked if he was a victim of the Lost Incident. He explained that his traumabrother, promising [[Jin Kolter|Jin]], had also been a victim and had been significantly changed by the experience. Kolter offered to team up with Yusaku, describing him as the ultimate spear, while Kolter could act as the ultimate shield, and Yusaku agreed.<ref name="face his destinyep64"/> Yusaku and Kolter quickly became a strong team, defeating several Knights of Hanoi, but making little progress in their goals for revenge. While Yusaku refused wondered if the Knights were hunting the [[Cyberse]] monsters because they were scared of them, and he decided to believe investigate an urban legend of a Cyberse Deck in a secret dungeon. As he and Unnamed explored the dungeon, Unknown had to save Unnamed from a booby trap, and he noted that if one lost their [[Duel Disk]] in LINK VRAINS, they couldn't log out. They managed to find the Deck, but the way was rescued from this projectblocked by a Duel Puzzle that a Knight of Hanoi undertook. Unknown observed the Ancient Ghost's [[Extra Link]] and watched as the Knight of Hanoi attempted to win by attacking with the [[Megamorph (anime)|powered-up]] "[[Update Jammer (anime)|Update Jammer]]", named but was defeated by "[[Chaos Burst (anime)|Chaos Burst]]"and logged out by being devoured by a monster. Unknown then undertook the challenge himself, cautiously observing his cards in his [[Graveyard]] and [[Extra Deck]] as well as in his hand and on his field at Unnamed's suggestion. Another Knight of Hanoi Projectarrived as Unknown realized the solution, and Unnamed chained the Knight up to buy Unknown time. They deduced that destroying five monsters with "[[Thunder Crash (anime)|Thunder Crash]]" and then reviving them with "[[Torrential Reborn (later anime)|Torrential Reborn]]"would inflict enough damage to win,but they controlled a [[Token monster]], as the Knight pointed out, which would not be revived. Unknown was able to assemble the necessary field to trigger the combo, defeating the Ancient Ghost. They sprinted to the sarcophagus, but it was empty, and the Knight mocked them before logging out.<ref name="ep19ep65">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|1965|ref}}</ref> though Yusaku realized that the layout of the field had been a map of Den City, which depicted the location of the Cyberse Deck in the real world. Sure enough, when he still took and Kolter went to the unfinished first bridge of the advice city, they found a room with arrows leading to think it and the "[[Secure Gardna (anime)|Secure Gardna]]" card on the door, with the Cyberse Deck inside the real sarcophagus. Kolter declared that the power of three reasons the Deck would allow them to continue fightingcombat the Knights of Hanoi.<ref name="ep11ep65" />
===Knights of Hanoi===
At school, Yusaku met [[Naoki Shima]], who started bragging to him about his new [[Duel Disk]]. Yusaku attempted to leave, but Shima offered to teach him how to Duel. Yusaku rejected his offer saying Shima did not seem very strong, but probably not a bad person either. Yusaku's remarks annoyed Shima, but he didn't think much of it. Before leaving, he wondered about a rule set where there were only three Main Monster Zones.<ref name="ep1" />
[[File:Yusaku and Kusanagi disccussing.png|thumb|left|250px|Yusaku and Kolter talking about the A.I.]][[File:Playmaker Saves The Blue Angel.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker saves Blue Angel.]]Yusaku later met up with [[Cal 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 logged into 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 and stirred up [[Data Storm]] in Link 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|250px|Playmaker being overwhelmed by the Data Storm.]]
As Playmaker rode the Data Storm, the A.I. explained how Speed Duels differed from [[Master Duel]]s; including that there were only three Main Monster Zones, causing Playmaker to wonder if he already knew about Speed Duels. Ai offered to help Playmaker Duel the Knight, but Playmaker refused, reminding Ai that he was his hostage. The Knight took the first turn and swiftly Summoned "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". Playmaker counterattacked with "[[Cyberse Wizard (anime)|Cyberse Wizard]]", using its effect to change "Cracking Dragon" to [[Defense Position]] and inflict damage to the Knight. He failed to destroy "Cracking Dragon", something Playmaker had expected due to the Knight's confidence.<ref name="ep2">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|2|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker Storm Access.png|thumb|250px|Playmaker uses the "Storm Access " Skill.]]The Knight activated a [[Skill]], which the A.I. hadn't mentioned, irritating Playmaker. The Knight managed to knock Playmaker off his [[Duel Board]], but Blue Angel saved Playmaker by using her whip to throw the Duel Board back at him. The Knight reduced Playmaker's LP to 400, and he was sucked into the Data Storm. Playmaker realized that this was part of the A.I's calculations. Ai revealed that powerful monsters resided within the Data Storm, and that Playmaker's skill "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]" allowed him to obtain those monsters when his LP was below 1000. Playmaker obtained "[[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]", which he used to win the Duel. As the Knight fell off his Duel Board, Yusaku declared that the Knight had no right to call himself a Duelist.<ref name="ep2" />
Playmaker attempted to interrogate the Knight, only for the Knight to attempt to kill him by self-destructing. The A.I. saved his life by devouring the Knight's avatar. [[George Gore|The Gore]] and Blue Angel appeared and challenged Playmaker, but he simply said he wasn't interested and logged out. Yusaku and Kolter spent the next few days trying to figure out the A.I's programming, giving him the nickname "Ai". Yusaku discovered some video logs that were actually Ai's memories. Ai claimed that he didn't understand those memories because they were damaged when he was reduced to an eye, but he did recognize the Knights of Hanoi's [[VarisRoken Kogami|leader]]. Later that night, messing with Ai caused the Knight's leader to sense their location and travel there; Yusaku asked Kolter to shut down [[Café Nom]]'s power to prevent them from being found, though he caught a glimpse of the Knight's leader and his [[Borreload Dragon (anime)|dragon]].<ref name="ep3">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|3|ref}}</ref>
[[File:VRAINS log in.png|thumb|left|250px|Yusaku logs in to into the network.]]
The next day a Knight of Hanoi appeared in LINK VRAINS while Ai was at [[Yusaku Fujiki's house|Yusaku's house]], so Yusaku skipped school to get his Duel Disk and face the Knight. On his way there, Kolter gave him the "Decode Talker" card which he had materialized. Upon arriving in LINK VRAINS, Playmaker quickly figured out that the Knight was an impostor. The Knight revealed himself to be The Gore, who wanted to defeat Playmaker and recover his title as "VRAINS' hero". Playmaker rejected his challenged, but SOL Technologies triggered a program that stopped him from logging out until he defeated Gore. With no choice, Playmaker started the Duel. When Gore made an intentional misplay and took damage, Ai questioned why he would make such an illogical move; Playmaker replied that humans' hearts make them do illogical things. Ai was confused by that statement, but Playmaker didn't explain what he meant, claiming that Ai's algorithm-based thinking wouldn't comprehend it.<ref name="ep4">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|4|ref}}</ref>
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" />
Playmaker was quickly at the mercy of Blue Angel's [[Trickstar]] Deck, which repeatedly dealt him [[effect damage]] while powering up the [[ATK]] of her ace monster, "[[Trickstar Holly Angel (anime)|Trickstar Holly Angel]]", and he noted that the offensive strategy was very efficient. He Summoned "Decode Talker" and attacked "Holly Angel", but the attack failed and "Decode Talker" was destroyed instead. Ai commented that Blue Angel was putting pressure on them, but Playmaker noticed that Hanoi's presence was getting stronger as Blue Angel drew [[Dark Angel (anime)|her next card]]. Playmaker was reduced to less than 1000 LP, allowing him to use his Skill and gain access to "[[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode Talker]]", which he promptly Link Summoned. Blue Angel realized that Playmaker was taking advantage of the damage that she was inflicting to him, and tried to end the Duel by using her Skill, but failed because Playmaker was protected by "[[Defect Compiler (anime)|Defect Compiler]]". In response, she played Hanoi's card, "Dark Angel", and immediately fell under their influence. She flew into a berserk rage and started screaming, much to Playmaker's and Ai's concern. He ended the Duel as quickly as possible by destroying "Holly Angel" with "Encode Talker", defeating Blue Angel in one hit, but not before she succumbed to mental damage from "Dark Angel" and fell unconscious.<ref name="ep7">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|7|ref}}</ref>
[[File:VRAINSChurch.png|thumb|250px|Yusaku is caught in "Blue Angel's" trap.]]Playmaker found Blue Angel unconscious while Ai devoured the "Dark Angel" card. He was forced to log out when security bots approached them, and he found Skye comatose on the roof of the school. He answered Skye's phone when Zaizen called, and took Skye to the hospital. There, he met Zaizen in person, who thanked him and asked about his relationship with Skye; Yusaku claimed that they were just classmates. Yusaku, Kolter, and Ai later discussed Skye's condition and a possible cure. Ai explained that he detected that Skye's brain must be infected by a virus when he devoured Hanoi's card, and that the only ones with the appropriate anti-virus would be Hanoi themselves. [[Emma Bessho|"Blue Angel"]] then appeared on the [[Den City|city]]'s]] screens challenging Playmaker to a rematch. Despite knowing that it was an impostor and most likely a trap, Yusaku claimed that it was his responsibility to rescue Skye; if the impostor was a Knight of Hanoi he could get the anti-virus; if it was a SOL agent he could explain them what happened to Skye. After logging in, he identified Blue Angel as a fake, but he was trapped by her as she revealed herself to be "Ghost Gal". Zaizen then logging into LINK VRAINS, and proceeded to torture Playmaker, believing him to be responsible for Skye's condition, despite Playmaker and Ai's claims of innocence. [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] appeared and claimed that he would challenge Playmaker for Ai, threatening that Skye would never wake up unless Playmaker defeated him in a Duel. Zaizen released Playmaker, and Varis departed. Before Playmaker took his leave, Zaizen pleaded with him to save Skye, despite his brutal treatment towards him. Playmaker replied that he didn't hate Akira; he only hated the Knights of Hanoi.<ref name="ep8">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|8|ref}}</ref>
As Playmaker and Varis rode the Data Storm, Playmaker expressed his desire to battle the Knights of Hanoi and uncover their true identities. Varis replied that he didn't care about Playmaker's identity and stated that his only goal was to retrieve the [[Ignis]]; a term that surprised Playmaker. Both sides agreed on the conditions for their Duel: if Playmaker won, they would get the anti-virus, while if Varis won, he would claim Ai. Varis declared his hatred for AIs and his belief that the Ignis would lead everyone to destruction. Varis blamed Playmaker for assisting Ai and swore to eliminate him. Varis then engulfed LINK VRAINS in flames to provide a fitting setting for their Duel.<ref name="ep9">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|9|ref}}</ref> As the Speed Duel progressed, Playmaker defeated Varis's "Cracking Dragon" with "Decode Talker" once more. Varis revealed that he had the same Skill as Playmaker's and Ai's: "[[Storm Access(anime)|Storm Access]]". With it, Varis summoned "[[Topologic Bomber Dragon (anime)|Topologic Bomber Dragon]]", and began to gain the upper hand.<ref name="ep9" /> Fearing they might lose, Ai led Playmaker to another Data Storm, where the two obtained [[Firewall Dragon (anime)|a dragon]]. However, Varis activated the Trap Card, "[[Remote Rebirth (anime)|Remote Rebirth]]", and combined it with the effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon" by reviving "Capacitor Stalker", ending the Speed Duel in a [[DRAW]].
Following the DRAW, Varis dragged Playmaker and Ai inside the Data Storm, where they began a [[Master Duel]]. Varis played defensively with "[[Fire Prison (anime)|Fire Prison]]" and "[[Linkbelt Wall Dragon (anime)|Linkbelt Wall Dragon]]", limiting Playmaker's moves. He brought out "Encode Talker", but failed to destroy Varis's monsters, and instead set up to Link Summon "Decode Talker" the next turn. However, as soon as he Summoned "Decode Talker", Varis used the effect of "Fire Prison" to eliminate all [[Cyberse]] cards from the field, as well as causing Ai to vanish.<ref name="ep10">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|10|ref}}</ref> Varis explained the Ignis to Playmaker; they were A.I. with free will that he believed would attempt to conquer the world. Playmaker refused to believe him, so Varis Link Summoned "[[Borreload Dragon (anime)|Borreload Dragon]]", the monster Yusaku had seen when Varis had been looking for him, and attacked Playmaker directly. Despite his situation, Playmaker remembered the words someone had told him long ago: three reasons to live and win Duels. Playmaker called out to Ai, asking him to lend him his power, as he proceeded to [[Link Summon]] "[[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]", and ultimately destroyed "Fire Prison," returning Ai to consciousness. The two of them shared friendly banter, until Varis used the effect of "Borreload Dragon" to take control of "Firewall Dragon". Playmaker countered the attack with "[[Cynet Refresh (anime)|Cynet Refresh]]", destroying and then reviving "Firewall Dragon", before re-Summoning "Encode Talker" as well, declaring that their real battle was just beginning.<ref name="ep11">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|11|ref}}</ref>
Playmaker quickly met up with Ghost Gal, and she showed him the backdoor program she'd set as her stake for the Duel. Playmaker wondered why she wouldn't she access the data bank, and she explained that she wanted Ai so she could sell him to SOL Technologies. She admitted she grew more interested in Playmaker after his latest Duel, and wanted to battle him as a cyber treasure hunter. Despite Ai's warnings, Playmaker accepted her Duel. Ghost Gal blocked Playmaker's attacks with her "[[Altergeist]]" [[Trap Card]]s and "[[Altergeist Kunquery (anime)|Altergeist Kunquery]], and then Link Summoned "[[Altergeist Primebanshee (anime)|Altergeist Primebanshee]]", aiming to defeat Playmaker before he could use his Skill.<ref name="ep14" /> Playmaker was able to block the attack with "[[Lockout Gardna (anime)|Lockout Gardna]]", and Ai attempted to fool Ghost Gal into attacking so that they would be able to use Storm Access, but Ghost Gal refused to attack. Ai was in shock, and Playmaker told him his acting was horrible. On Playmaker's turn, Playmaker attempted to destroy "Primebanshee" with "[[Backlinker (anime)|Backlinker]]", but [[Altergeist Protocol (anime)|Ghost Gal blocked]] his move. Ghost Gal claimed she could anticipate their every move, and prevented Playmaker from [[Striping Partner (anime)|reviving]] "Backlinker". Playmaker Link Summoned "[[Underclock Taker (anime)|Underclock Taker]]" and tried to weaken "Primebanshee", but Ghost Gal countered with "[[Altergeist Camouflage (anime)|Altergeist Camouflage]]", protecting "Primebanshee" from attacks, claiming that Playmaker had reached his limits. Playmaker paid 1000 LP to activate the effect of "Balancer Lord", lowering his LP enough to use Storm Access, but Ghost Gal refused to let him activate the Skill and used her own Skill, Secret Cure to increase both players' LP. Despite this, was able to lower his LP enough with "[[Scan Doll]]", while also copying Ghost Gal's "Altergeist Protocol" to camouflage his "[[Altergeist Silquitous (anime)|Altergeist Silquitous]]". Playmaker used Storm Access, and Ghost Gal pursued him into the Data Storm, but she lost control of her Duel Board and fell off it. Playmaker saved her and reminded her their Duel was not over yet and let her go back on the Duel Board. Playmaker Link Summoned his newly-acquired "[[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]", whose effect rendered two of Ghost Gal's Main Monster Zones unusable, and Tributed "Scan Doll" to allow "Excode Talker" attack twice. As all of Ghost Gal's monsters could not be attacked, "Excode Talker" could attack Ghost Gal directly, winning Playmaker the Duel. Ghost Gal gave Playmaker the program to enter SOL Technologies' data bank, and left. Yusaku logged out, and Kolter started to analyze the program as Yusaku fell asleep.<ref name="ep15">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|15|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker in the mother computer.png|thumb|left|250px|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|250px|Playmaker reaches the data bank.]]
Playmaker asked Ghost Gal and Zaizen why they were in the data bank. Ghost Gal explained that they were after the data, and Playmaker realized that he was just used as a decoy for them to enter the data bank. He ordered Zaizen to move aside, but Zaizen refused and informed him that he had learned what happened to Playmaker ten years previously. Zaizen claimed he had the right to know about the Incident and Playmaker asked him to hand the data over. Zaizen instead asked Playmaker to hand over the Ignis and leave, wanting to shed some light over the Incident, but Playmaker claimed that he would be the one to reveal the truth since it didn't personally involve Zaizen. He challenged Zaizen to a Master Duel, betting Ai for the data, and Zaizen accepted, seeing this as the only way to defeat Playmaker.<ref name="ep18">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|18|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Yusaku furious.png|thumb|left|250px|Yusaku becoming furious at Zaizen]]
Playmaker quickly Link Summoned "Decode Talker", but as he prepared his offence, Zaizen brought out "[[Tindangle Hound (anime)|Tindangle Hound]]" to weaken his linked monsters and used "[[Lemoine Point]]" to prevent Playmaker from attacking face-down monsters. Playmaker countered by Link Summoning "[[Flame Administrator (anime)|Flame Administrator]]", whose effect increased the ATK of "Decode Talker" past that of "Tindangle Hound". Akira flipped "[[Tindangle Angel (anime)|Tindangle Angel]]", reviving "Tindangle Hound" face-down and ending Playmaker's Battle Phase. Zaizen spoke about his and Skye's past, claiming that he knew their pain and asking them to leave fighting the Hanoi to him. Kolter and Playmaker became furious, claiming that Zaizen understood nothing about them. Zaizen [[Flip Summon]]ed "Tindangle Hound", and Set "Tindangle Angel", weakening Playmaker's monsters again and destroying "Flame Administrator". Playmaker used "[[Limit Code (anime)|Limit Code]]" to bring out "Encode Talker", and then he used it to Link Summon "Firewall Dragon".<ref name="ep18" />
With the food truck positioned at the coast, Yusaku was doing research. Kolter invited him for a break, and gazed upon the ocean. Yusaku pointed out Kolter won't get many customers at that place, but Kolter assured him the famous coast was named [[Stardust Road]], known for the luminous plankton that rarely gather at night, and thought the person living near the coast may have seen that. Kolter failed to gather new info from SOL Technologies' data, and Yusaku saw that data from ten years ago was actually deleted. Still, they knew the company was involved, even if Akira knew nothing about the incident before. Kolter felt a bit relieved that Dr. Kogami passed away, thinking their revenge was over. Yusaku reminded him they still didn't know about the goal of the incident, and Kolter still wanted to rescue his brother from darkness, even if they had no clue where to continue. Yusaku still remembered Varis knew some things. Kolter stated Varis was not seen recently, but Yusaku believed he was not the type that would simply disappear.<ref name="ep21">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|21|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Yusaku and Ai logged into LINK VRAINS and Playmaker motivated Kolter meet Roken.png|thumb|250px|Yusaku meets Roken Kogami - Varis - in real life.]]Yusaku realized that Varis was near the Gore in a sarcastic mannerStardust Road due to his comments about it, which made him and he and Kolter drove to defeat Genomethe house on the cliff. After Gore defeated GenomeThere they found Roken Kogami with his father's body, he then approached Playmaker and realize Roken told them that Playmaker didn't come Dr. Kogami had just passed away. Yusaku asked Roken to mock himtell them the truth, and Roken explained why the Hanoi Project had been undertaken and revealed that he had been the one who alerted the authorities. InsteadHowever, he came had regretted this decision due to what happened to motivate his father; he was infected with a virus by SOL Technologies that left him comatose, but Playmaker didn't give a straight answerrevived in the network. Gore then told him that he wanted The Ignis had created the Cyberse and the Cyberse monsters, in addition to team up with Playmaker Data Material and defeat HanoiData Storms. Dr. They saw Blue AngelKogami had then determined through simulations that the Ignis would eventually turn on humanity, and Gore also offered her which was why the Knights of Hanoi were trying to join forces with destroy them. The next day Yusaku didn't go attempted to persuade Roken to school and teamed up with Gore, defeating various Knights stop the Tower of Hanoi. After defeating another Knight, Playmaker and Ai then interrogated him about the removal program protesting that can cure Kogami's results were only simulations (in the victims of Deleted. Howeverdub, before he claimed that they were no better than Roken said the Knight Ignis were if they were willing to destroy them) and that they could explaintake a different path, as Roken - who he was erased by [[Kyoko Taki|someone]]realized had been the one who told him to think of three reasons to fight during his captivity - had taught him. Gore Roken then asked him about Blue Angelrevealed that he had known Yusaku's whereaboutsidentity since their first Master Duel when Playmaker spoke of "three reasons", but Playmaker didn't know where she denied that he was, a good person and remembered she left all of a sudden. The two then discussed about still refused to end the creator of removal programTower. Sometime later He challenged Yusakuto a final Duel, Ai and Kolter then watch [[Kitamura]] making a public announcement that he developed an army of AI Duelists to confront the Knights of HanoiYusaku accepted his challenge.<ref name="ep24ep43">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|2443|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker smiles.png|thumb|250px|left|Despite Deleted victims being purged from the virussituation, Yusaku Playmaker enjoys the Duel with Varis.]]Playmaker was still worriedable to survive, since he only fought quartering the Knights of Hanoi inside LINK VRAINS, and Kolter confirmed one last mastermind left to be fought against. The next day, Yusaku spoke damage with Naoki, who wished to battle the Knights of Hanoi alongside Playmaker and Blue Angel. Naoki pointed out the "[[Duel ClubDrop Frame Wedge]] forbade entering LINK VRAINS" and preventing Varis from attacking for two turns. Yusaku warned him there was a website with the list of DeletedVaris gave Playmaker three reasons to feel despair, and since Naoki had no plan, he would instantly fail. Yusaku also sensed fear inside Naoki and felt he'd ask Yusaku Playmaker found himself struggling to join himstand. Naoki was furious and stormed out, and Ai noted Yusaku went too far on begged him. When Yusaku came to keep going for the van, Kolter showed him someone has played sake of his "[[friends in the Cyberse Wizard (animein the dub he also reminded him about Blue Angel and Gore)|Cyberse Wizard]]". Kolter identified him as Lonely Brave, which and Playmaker asked Ai thought as a cool name. When Yusaku showed his "what the Cyberse Wizard", Ai touched it and sensed the data from the card was missinglike. Ai thought Lonely Brave told him that it was the masterminda paradise, and defeated that the Knight of Hanoi Ignis had no interest in attacking humans when they had their own world. He managed to lure Playmaker out. They soon found Naoki was Lonely Bravecontinue, who changed the name but Varis continued to "Brave Max"restrict every move they made. Despite thistheir situation, Playmaker actually smiled, Yusaku feared Naoki telling Ai that it was the only thing they could do in dangerthis situation. Although they couldn't keep cards in their hand due to the effect of "Topologic Gumblar Dragon" , should the mastermind find out he used the Playmaker managed to draw "[[CyberseArrow Charge]] card" and drew two cards that he could use. Not long after, Yusaku and Kolter found Brave Max, He set up a defense with "[[FaustSecure Gardna (anime)|Secure Gardna]]", and then the mastermindeffect of "Drop Frame Wedge" ended, who called out allowing Varis to attack them. Even though Varis had seven monsters on the field, Playmaker told him to come bring it on.<ref name="ep45"/> Varis attacked on his next turn, using the effects of "Borreload" and Duel him. The former claimed he received "Cyberse WizardBorrelsword" to prevent Playmaker from stopping their attacks, but Playmaker, which surprised Yusaku. Yusaku went was able to use the effects of the cards in his Graveyard to grab swarm his field with "[[Duel DiskCongester Token (anime)|Congester Token]]s", but saw it was goneallowing him to endure until he could activate card effects in response to Varis's attacks. Ai logged on the screen, and showed he was on the Duel Disk, which He used his "[[RoboppyTransaction Rollback (anime)|Transaction Rollback]] modified it with a drone. While Yusaku noted the device felt heavier" to copy "Mirror Force", Ai explained he was searching for Naokiattempting to destroy Varis's Extra Link, though but the data effect of "Cyberse WizardTopologic Gumblar Dragon". 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 himprevented Varis's Extra Linked monsters from being destroyed by card effects, and Ai returned to the van. Yusaku grabbed the Duel Disk and left Kolter to rescue Naoki, while Yusaku logged in to LINK VRAINSVaris destroyed all of Playmaker's Tokens.<ref name="ep27ep46">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|2746|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker arrived to LINK VRAINS, and assured Brave Max he'd face Faustdeclares three reasons - including that his revenge is over. Before he didpng|thumb|250px|Playmaker ends his quest for revenge, Brave Max returned "Cyberse Wizard" desiring to Playmakersave Varis. ]]Varis told Playmaker placed that the outcome of the card Duel was decided, and Playmaker in turn told Varis about his Deckcurrent state of being, and noted Faust was the final Deleted mastermind, who stole the data that he couldn't escape from his current path of "Cyberse Wizard" and gave it loneliness even if he wanted to Brave Max, but that Varis had crossed that abyss to lure help him out. Faust did not know what He vowed to save Varis as Varis had Playmaker. Varis believed Playmaker was talking aboutbegging for his life, since he did not do that. Ai assured but Playmaker insisted that he wasn't important, and only had nor was he trying to defeat Faustshow mercy, but show Varis that there was another path. Faust declared He listed three reasons; his mission revenge was to retrieve Ignisover, he'd overcome the abyss of destiny in this Duel, and used they'd seize a new future together (in the Data Gale dub, if Varis really agreed with his father's plans, he wouldn't have tried to conjure a stage for their battle. save Playmaker noted it was just like during Blue Angel and Gore's Duelsten years ago, knowing that, and Ai noted this prevented them from returning home. Playmaker raced with Faust could no longer justify his desire for revenge, so if he could change, so could Varis, and jumped on if they were both no longer tied down by their Duel Boards past, the future was wide open for them to start their Speed Duelcreate). Faust started He began his counterattack with the Speed Duel with summoning three second effect of "[[Motor Worm Token]]sTransaction Rollback", and Ai sensed Faust was going all-out from copying the start. Playmaker went to confront Faust's "[[Motor Worm Spreader Queen]]", by Link Summoning effect of "[[Decode Talker Recoded Alive (anime)|Decode TalkerRecoded Alive]]". Faust smirked, and protected in his queen by destroying the Graveyard to bring out "Motor Worm Token", using "[[Wormhole Defense]]Encode Talker". Since the token was destroyed, triggering the queen's ATK fell down, allowing effect of "Cyberse WizardTopologic Gumblar Dragon". Faust was inflicted additional damage, yet revived to destroy their hands and activating his queen with own "[[Worm RevivalSpam Mail]]". Playmaker found out Faust wanted him card to destroy the queen, as Faust used draw and Summon "[[Egg ClutchSwap Cleric (anime)|Swap Cleric]]" . The second effect of "Recoded Alive" then allowed him to turn revive "Cyberse WizardTranscode Talker" into an [[Insect]] monster, thus boosting the queen's ATK. Ai wondered if there was nothing they could dowho revived "Powercode Talker", and repeated this to then Playmaker when he ended Link Summoned his turn. Faust played own ace monster, "[[Motor Worm Gate]]Firewall Dragon", to allow completing an Extra Link of his queen own with Varis's monsters, and allowing him to attack directly if Playmaker only controlled Insect monsters. Ai pointed out they still had [[Cyberse]] use the effect of "Decode TalkerSwap Cleric", 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 offdraw one final card.<ref name="ep28ep46">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|28|ref}}</ref>
[[File:Playmaker takes out Powercode TalkerYusaku sets Ai free at last.png|thumb|Playmaker goes through the Data Gale, using Storm Access Skill250px|left|Yusaku sets Ai free.]]Playmaker barely survived with 50 LP and crashing into a building, by halving the damage with With "[[Urgent Zero Extra 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 CycloneZero Extra Link]]" to banish , Playmaker boosted the ATK of "Decode Transcode Talker" to destroy the queen, though Faust had a token destroyed in her stead9200. Varis prevented Playmaker smiled, since the card he played allowed him to destroy "Wormhole Defense's co-linked monsters form attacking with ". 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 InsulatorShort]]", but Playmaker also negated the queen's effects, thus making her ATK return set his three monsters to 1000. Before Playmaker went to attack, Faust tried to warn him of Ignis being a threat. Ai told Playmaker to ignore Faust - Link Summon "Powercode Decode Talker", who doubled its ATK by tributing inherited the boost from "Space InsulatorZero Extra Link", and attacked and destroyed "Motor Worm Spreader QueenBorreload Dragon", and defeated Faustdefeating Varis at last. Before vanishing, Faust tried to warn Playmaker Although he may have just doomed the humanity's future. Playmaker repeated Faust's final wordswas defeated, though Ai didn't know anything of Varis vowed that. Before logging out, Playmaker told "Brave Max" he should seek his own path outwould return as long as the Ignis were a threat, if and he was brave enough. Yusaku, who logged out, came to Naoki, who was actually released when Faust lost ending the Duel, at the warehouse districtTower of Hanoi as he'd promised. Naoki was glad to see Yusaku came to rescue himThe absorbed Duelists were released, and told about Playmaker's ordeals. While Naoki continued talking, Yusaku concluded Faust didn't want Naoki logged out 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 see Roken fleeing in dangera speedboat.<ref name="ep28ep46" />
=== Ignis ===[[File:Much to Playmaker runs in sewers's shock Ai has returned to him.png|thumb|left250px|Ai returns to Playmaker runs away from the data giantas he pursues Jin's kidnapper.]]Ghost Gal admitted Playmaker became hailed as a hero for stopping the data fireflies lead her to treasure[[Knights of Hanoi]], but Yusaku didn't log into [[LINK VRAINS]] for three months, and were reliable[[SOL Technologies]] placed a bounty on his head. While [[Cal Kolter|Kolter]] visited [[Jin Kolter|Jin]], too. Playmaker warned her the path ahead Yusaku manned [[Café Nom]], and he was dangerousvisited by [[Skye Zaizen|Skye]], who teased him that his expression would scare the customers away and advised thanked him for saving her to log outwhen she was [[Deleted]]. Ghost Gal thought Playmaker would steal her treasureYusaku suddenly received a call from Kolter, explaining telling him that [[Bohman|someone]] had stolen Jin's consciousness data and escaped into the greater the dangernew LINK VRAINS. Yusaku quickly logged in, boarding his new [[Duel Board]], the greater the reward. but was accosted by [[The data fireflies opened Shepherd|a pathbounty hunter]]. Playmaker told him that he didn't have an [[Ignis]] anymore and had no reason to be hunted, though which Ghost Gal enteredbut to his shock, and Playmaker joined in[[Ai]] had chosen that moment to return, tooalong with "[[Linkuriboh (character)|Linkuriboh]]". The two walked in Ai summoned a data sewer[[Data Storm]] to force the bounty hunter to log out, through which many unimportant data flew to a reprocessing plant. and then Playmaker was surprised Ghost Gal knew of this, challenged the unknown figure who explained she was had stolen Jin's consciousness to a treasure hunter that visited many virtual worlds[[Speed Duel]]. Finding The figure only Set a fork in the pathsingle card on his first turn, Ghost Gal saw her data fireflies went allowing Playmaker to the path on the rightdeplete over half his LP. Ai thought they could settle this with a gameOn his next turn, which amused Ghost Gal, who credited the AI. Ai explained figure revealed that he had a name[[Cyberse]] monsters, and Ghost Gal thought his name Ai suggested that he might have something to do with the destruction of the [[Cyberse (world)|Cyberse]]. Playmaker was just a pun. Finding a fork in shocked to learn that the Cyberse had been destroyed, but then the pathfigure used his [[Skill]], Ghost Gal saw her data fireflies went "[[Marker's Portal]]" to the path on the right. Ai thought they could settle this with activate a game[[Link Spell Card]] "[[Judgment Arrows]]", which amused Ghost Gal, who credited doubled the [[ATK]] of the AI. Since Ai chose a wrong cardfigure's "[[Flow Hydradrive]]s" to 2000, Ghost Gal declared herself as the victor and let their effects allowed them to attack Playmaker go on directly due to the left path. Ai was displeased he chose [[WIND]] "[[Fake Trap Elphase (anime)|Fake TrapElphase]]", but he controlled.<ref name="ep47">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|47|ref}}</ref> Playmaker knew that Ghost Gal cheated, by using a Deck filled was able to survive with bad cards. Ai was even more depressed he was cheated off once more, but Playmaker reminded the importance effect of their mission, "[[Linkuriboh (anime)|Linkuriboh]]" and continued he counterattacked on. They were ambushed his next turn by a data giant[[Ritual Summon]]ing "[[Cyberse Magician (anime)|Cyberse Magician]]", who went after them, making Ai even panicbut his opponent used his "[[Property Spray]]" [[Trap Card|Trap]] to increase his [[LP]] and survive the attack.<ref name="ep30ep48">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|48|ref}}</ref>
Yusaku and Ai praised Playmakerwondered why the gate had vanished and if something had happened to Windy. Kolter then sent them a message, while Spectre noted all of these insignificant attacks were just and they rushed to Café Nom to power up "Multi Sledgehammer" for a final strikelearn that [[Baira|Klarissa Turner]] had escaped from prison. Ai claimed it Yusaku realized immediately that Varis was responsible, and reflected that this would be a brilliant strategydifficult battle now that they were fighting Bohman, but Spectre told it was not perfect; "Sunavalon Glorious Growth" redirected The Gore, The Shepherd and the attack to Knights of Hanoi.<ref name="Sunvine Gardnaep59">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|59|ref}}</ref> Later, who reduced the damage. Once morehe explained to Kolter, Spectre summoned a "Sunvine Gardna"Theodore, regained and Flame that Bohman had the LP same memories as him, and made Playmakerdismissed their concerns as he stated that they needed to find Bohman to get Jin's LP data back . He apologized to 4000. Ai realized Spectre has the advantage in here, who confirmed these words, Kolter for Playmaker was walking towards his defeat. Spectre smirkedfailure, showing that his tree but Kolter reassured him it was fine and he was just happy Yusaku and Theodore had no weaknessesreturned safely. Spectre explained they both experienced the Lost Incident. HoweverKolter revealed that he'd added a room for Theodore to log in from, Playmaker was obsessed with revenge, while Spectre helped Varis in saving the world. The latter pointed and noted that since the battle gate was decided from the start. Playmaker doubted thatclosed, while Spectre told it were moments before Playmakerthey's defeat. Spectre went on offense, reviving "Sunseed Genius Loci" with "[[Sunvine Shrine]]" and using d have to wait for it to Link Summon "Sunvine Thrasher"open again. "Sunvine Thrasher"At school the next day, they met with 3200 ATKSkye and politely greeted one another, attacked "Binary Blader", who absorbed half the ATK of "Multi Sledgehammer". Spectre repeated Theodore introducing himself and later gushing about his combo, just like Duel with Blue Angelher. Yusaku reminded him that he couldn's "friends"t talk about it, and Theodore reassured him that he knew. [[Naoki Shima|Shima]] then approached them, by taking "Binary Blader" telling Skye off for not being at Duel club and have it attack boasting about being Playmaker's monsters. Ai warned Playmaker he was losingbest friend, but Playmaker was glad that Spectre could no longer use the effect reminding Yusaku of "Sunavalon Dryanome"when they battled, for all of the zones its Link Markers were pointing though Yusaku tied to were occupied, and believed to have a chance at winning the next turn. Ai noted that's why Playmaker has that namebrush it off.<ref name="ep36ep60">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|60|ref}}</ref>
The Earth Ignis, who Ai pointed at Spectre for cheating and dirty playnicknamed "Earth", who took those words as them to another world to talk. He challenged Playmaker to a complimentDuel, claiming that he wanted to verify the true nature of humanity. Spectre After they decided to name the Water Ignis "Aqua", Earth asked Ai why he was with Playmaker, and though Ai claimed it was happybecause they were friends, considering this foul play let Playmaker did not acknowledge his claim and asked if Earth knew anything about Bohman. Earth told them to Duel him gain the advantageif they wanted their answer. Playmaker set Earth created an avatar out of a cardlog to Duel with, despite and Playmaker realized that Earth's partner was [[Spectre daring him ]]. Earth took a while to attackannounce that he was going second, and stated that humans had likely destroyed the Cyberse and asked why Ai still sided with them. Playmaker noted that Earth's partner was likely Spectre , and Ai wondered if this was slightly disappointedwhy Earth hated humans. Playmaker asked Ai how Earth Dueled, and Ai admitted he didn't remember as was AiEarth hadn't really stood out. Spectre had Earth Link Summoned "Sunvine Thrasher[[G Golem Invalid Dolmen (anime)|G Golem Invalid Dolmen]]" attack and destroyed Playmaker's defending "Excode Talker[[Poisoning Blocker]]", who inflicting piercing damage, and Ai chose that point to remember that Earth was protected by a great Duelist. Playmaker's attempted to counter with "[[Overload AnchorZombie Prosaber]]". Ai claimed they were just getting startedto take control of "Invalid Dolmen", so Spectre let his opponent do whatever they wanted. Ai reminded Playmaker about but the other effect of "Overload AnchorInvalid Dolmen", which could decrease negated the ATK effect of "Sunvine ThrasherZombie Prosaber" to mount an attackonce it was destroyed. Playmaker remained silentended his turn there, which Spectre noted despite Ai protesting he truly was a champion of justiceknew lots about Earth. Ai Playmaker reminded Playmaker if they lose, the tower would be completedhim that he'd struggled to remember anything about him, prompting Ai to borrow Earth's catchphrase and everyone would be erasedclaim he was socially awkward himself. Spectre continued mocking Playmaker, who activated Earth then Link Summoned "[[Link Processing FailureG Golem Crystal Heart (anime)|G Golem Crystal Heart]]" , which filled the area with vibrant life, something Playmaker observed to stop Spectrebe more than a monster effect. Ai told him it was one of Aqua's Link Monsters from monsters, and wondered why Earth had it.<ref name="ep66" /> Earth revived "Invalid Dolem" with "Crystal Heart" and boosted its ATK, destroying "Zombie Prosaber". Playmaker counterattacked with "Cyberse Clock Dragon", attempting to end the Duel in one attack by attacking"Crystal Heart", but the effect of "Invalid Dolmen" redirected the attack to it, then negated the effect of "Clock Dragon" once it was destroyed. Spectre claimed Ai then told Playmaker that Earth hadn't liked how close he was nevertheless a pointless moveto Aqua, and had claimed he would protect them himself. Playmaker could not do anythingasked why he needed to hear this, unless he attacked. and Ai voiced Spectreexplained that this meant that Earth's wordsDeck was full of his feelings for Aqua. Earth revived "Invalid Dolmen" again and destroyed "Clock Dragon", telling him reducing Playmaker to forget Akira100 LP, else the world would be plunged into chaosbut Playmaker [[Spool Code (anime)|blocked his second attack]]. Earth then revealed that he was aware that Ai was overacting, much to Ai named Playmaker as the world's last hopeembarrassment. Spectre did not want Earth then asked Playmaker why he was with Ai, as Ai seemed to watch hold him back, and Ai and claimed that they were partners. Playmaker quarrelclaimed he'd never thought of Ai as such, but stated three reasons why; that they shared goals, enemies, and were willfully with one another, so he Link Summoned the Link-4 didn't mind being labeled as partners, much to Ai's joy. Playmaker brought out "[[Sunavalon DryatrentiayClock Lizard (anime)|Clock Lizard]]". He tributed and "Security Dragon" and attempted to return "Sunavalon DaphneInvalid Dolmen" to destroy PlaymakerEarth's Spell hand, but Earth revealed that "Invalid Dolmen" was unaffected by monster effects while it was co-linked. Playmaker and Ai claimed they were just getting warmed up, and Trap Cardsre-Fusion Summoned "Cyberse Clock Dragon" using the effect of "Clock Lizard". Next, he revived Earth countered by destroying "Invalid Dolmen" himself to negate the effect of "Sunseed Genius LociClock Dragon" and used then revived it to bring out another protect "Sunvine ThrasherCrystal Heart", whose but Playmaker had predicted his move, and he was able to reduce its ATK became 4000. Ai became worriedto zero with the effect of "Clock Lizard", but sighed, hearing that Spectre's monsters allowing "Clock Dragon" to destroy it and defeat Earth in Main Monster Zones could not attack the turn same manner as he used his tree's effectd defeated Spectre. Playmaker doubted thatAs promised Earth revealed what he knew about Bohman, since Spectre had a reason which turned out to summon that high ATK monsterbe nothing. Spectre commended Playmaker for that observationHe returned them to LINK VRAINS, and as his tree attacked and gained ATKAi complained over Dueling Earth for nothing, equal to Playmaker wondered what Aqua had meant by the ATK of the monsters Cyberse breaking apart, as it pointed totroubled him.<ref name="ep37ep67">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|67|ref}}</ref>
Playmaker told Jin that he'd save him, but Lightning explained that Jin was trapped deep within his own consciousness and couldn't respond. He revealed that he had kidnapped Jin to prevent him from affecting him as Ai and Playmaker did for one another with their Link Sense, and that he had been responsible for the destruction of the Cyberse. Lightning claimed that he had done so to clarify where the Ignis stood after the Knights of Hanoi attacked them, despite the existence of "error codes" that still wanted to coexist with humanity. Varis accused Lightning of not trying to solve matters peacefully, and Lightning claimed that he had, though Playmaker snapped that there was nothing peaceful about kidnapping Jin. Lightning then declared war on humanity, and he fled with Bohman, Harlin, and Windy to save his fellow Ignis from the Hanoi's virus. Playmaker, Ai, Soulburner and Flame pursued them, and Soulburner tossed them a program that Kolter had made to allow him to check on them. As they chased Lightning, he revealed that he had been the one controlling the Data Storm that saved them after their Duel with [[Spectre]], as Lightning had needed them to defeat Varis while Lightning destroyed the Cyberse. The Shepherd and Gore's fellow Hunters arrived, and Lightning summoned a swarm of Bits and Boots to deal with them before unleashing a Data Storm at them from Windy. Bohman suddenly approached them and challenged Playmaker to a Speed Duel. Ai asked if Bohman remembered who he was today, and Bohman declared that he did. Ai was pleased for Bohman, but then Bohman revealed that he was an A.I. created by Lightning to unite the Ignis and serve as their successor. Although he accepted Playmaker and Ai, he refused to coexist with humanity, likening it to the relationship between humans and animals. Playmaker found himself unable to answer, so Bohman challenged him to a Duel with himself and Ai on the line.<ref name="ep71">{{Incompleteepisode|Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|71|ref}}</ref>
==Relationships==
===Cal Kolter===Kolter is one of the very few people Yusaku actively interacts with. The two are close friends and work together to fight The the Knights of Hanoi. Yusaku shows trust in Kolter's hacking abilities and even gave a brief smile when talking to him. Likewise, Kolter hopes Yusaku can one day enjoy Dueling again. Kolter also teases Yusaku about his poor social skills.
===Naoki Shima (The Brave MaxBattler)===When they met, Naoki Shima tried to befriend Yusaku and Duel him, but Yusaku showed little interest and irritated Naoki Shima by criticizing his Dueling and analyzing him, despite Yusaku saying Naoki Shima isn't a bad person. Despite their initial encounter, Naoki Shima continues his attempts to befriend Yusaku and he often sits with Yusaku during class, much to the latter's annoyance. Naoki Shima is a big fan of "Playmaker", unaware that he's Yusaku. Yusaku has a tendency to forget NaokiShima's name repeatedly and keeps ignoring Naoki Shima due to his belief that he doesn't need friends. However, when Naoki Shima was kidnapped by [[Faust]], Yusaku showed genuine concern for him.
===Knights of Hanoi===
Yusaku holds a deep grudge against the Knights of Hanoi and believes they're the culprits of the Hanoi Project. He swears revenge against the Hanoi and fights them whenever they make an attack. The Hanoi consider "Playmaker" to be a threat and plan to defeat him in order to retrieve Ai which "Playmaker" had captured.
===Ai===
[[Ai]] sees Yusaku as a partner, but Yusaku considers initially considered Ai to be nothing more than an object he needs to gain the upper hand against the Knights of Hanoi. He threatened to delete Ai in order to challenge a Knight, and ignored his pleas not to go back to VRAINS. Yusaku has little patience for Ai's antics and often doesn't let him talk. Nevertheless, Ai supports Yusaku in his Duels, though he claims to do so out of a desire for survival. Ai also seems to enjoy teasing Yusaku, but knows when things get serious. Likewise, Yusaku follows Ai's advice when needed. Despite being rude to Ai most of the time Yusaku slowly grows to care about him to some extent; this was seen when Ai was affected by [[Roken Kogami|Varis]]'s "[[Fire Prison (anime)|Fire Prison]]". Ai seems to have gradually warmed up to Yusaku and is keen on treating him like a friend, though the feeling is not mutual. In the dub, Yusaku is less harsh to Ai, denying his claims less coldly and often snarking gently at him rather than outright insulting him. When Yusaku learns that Ai was based on him and that he had been lying to him, he coldly claims that Ai isn't his friend and that he never cared about him. (In the dub, Yusaku implies that he claims this for Varis's benefit, though he is still angry with Ai.) Despite this, Ai still saves Yusaku during their Speed Duel with Varis, and Yusaku continues to oppose the destruction of the Ignis. During his Master Duel with Varis, he and Ai have a heart-to-heart talk, and Yusaku directly asks Ai what the Cyberse is like. Despite this, he claims that he doesn't have a friend to Varis (despite Ai's clear irritation at such a claim) and Yusaku and Ai do not agree on the topic of Roken. Once he defeated Varis and the Knights of Hanoi, Yusaku released Ai, lightly joking with him before he left and seeming regretful that Ai had. Once they reunite in the second season, Yusaku and Ai's relationship is far more positive and they work together better. Yusaku no longer insults or demeans Ai as he previously did, though he still rebukes him when needed. The two of them continue to grow closer in the ensuring Ignis War. Following their victory over Bohman, Ai parted ways with Yusaku again, grief-stricken over losing his fellow Ignis By the third season, their relationship has become strained due to Ai's defection and agenda against SOL Tech. Yusaku is emotionally hurt by Ai's apparent betrayal, and is conflicted about whether or not to trust Ai or fight him. He ultmately decides to oppose Ai in the hopes of stopping him and saving him. Yusaku also displays sympathy for Ai as he could understand how hurt Ai felt over the loss of his Ignis friends. Yusaku and Ai serve as foils to each other as while both started out as happy individuals, both were subjected to an immense emotional trauma that hurt them severely, while Yusaku started out as cold and anti-social, Ai was a happy and friendly individual with friends he cared deeply for. As the series progresses, Yusaku begins opening up and is able to make friends with others, while Ai loses his Ignis friends in the Ignis War and turned against humanity. During his duel against the Zaizens, Ai echoed Yusaku's statement from Season 1 during his duel against Akira, claiming that time has stopped moving for him and that he can't move forward unless he defeats all who stand in his way.
===Skye Zaizen (Blue Angel)===
Skye and Yusaku are classmates, though Skye is not aware of his alter-ego but she seems be suspicious of his identity as Playmaker after noticing he has the same duel disk Duel Disk as him and asked to see his deck Deck in order to confirm his identity. As "Blue Angel", Skye is shown to develop an interest in Yusaku's alter-ego, "Playmaker", after he saved her from a "[[Cracking Dragon (anime)|Cracking Dragon]]". She is shown to be grateful for "Playmaker" for saving her and she even saved him in return after he fell from his Duel Board.
After Kolter figured out that Skye is "Blue Angel", Yusaku tried to get close to her in order to get a lead on [[Akira Zaizen]] and SOL Technologies regarding his past memories. Skye on the other hand believed Yusaku wanted her for her connections to SOL Technologies as many others had tried (which is technically correct, though not for the reasons she assumed), so she quickly dismissed him.
Yusaku is shown to deeply care for Skye after he logged out following his duel with Varis he asked to Kolter if Skye is alright and after she recovered from her coma Yusaku is shown to be worried about her safety and well being that she doesn't attend school regularly and since her duel with him she stopped coming to LINK VRAINS. Ai also teases him for being worried about her or being linked with her which causes him to dodge the subject.
===George Gore (The Gore)===
At first, Yusaku was indifferent to Gore who considers his alter-ego, "Playmaker", to be his rival. Gore was mad at Playmaker for stealing his spotlight and this grew worse when the children at the city orphanage, which he volunteered and donated to, started seeing Playmaker as a hero instead of him. After defeating him, Yusaku acknowledged Gore as a worthy opponent and started to respect his Dueling style, and even admitting to have enjoyed Dueling him. When Kolter suggested recruiting Gore for their fight against Hanoi, Yusaku objected by saying that he did not want Gore to face this kind of danger.After Gore defeated [[Dr. Genome]], Yusaku became more willing to let Gore fight against Hanoi in the wake of the [[Deleted]] crisis and they formed an alliance. After his defeat at Varis's hands in the dub, Yusaku goes as far as to claim that he is also fighting for Gore's sake when he confronts Varis during their Speed Duel. By Season 2, Gore developed a grudge against Playmaker for being the one to defeat Varis and save LINK VRAINS, and became a SOL Tech bounty hunter in order to duel and defeat Yusaku. Yusaku had no interest in fighting Gore, instead believing they could still be allies. After Gore implanted the AI chip into his brain and defeated and captured Earth, Gore once again reaffirimed that he only cared about defeating Playmaker, forcing Yusaku to accept that Gore was no longer his ally, and was now a dangerous enemy. By the time of their second duel, Yusaku intially attemped to reason with Gore again but to no avail. After learning Gore had implanted Earth into his chip, Yusaku showed no heasitation in dueling Gore or any concern when Ai attemped to reterive Earth's data from him after deafeating Gore. By Season 3, the two of them are once again on friendly terms after Gore had the AI chip removed
===Emma Bessho (Ghost Gal)===
Emma showed an interest in Playmaker. After witnessing his Duel against Blue Angel, Ghost Gal caught him in a trap under AkiraZaizen's orders to interrogate him about Skye's condition. Her interest in him continued to grow after watching him defeat Varis and Dueling him herself , even admitting that he exceeded her expectations. The two then explored Link LINK VRAINS underground, though Ghost Gal continued to deceive Playmaker by letting him go in the wrong direction which led to him and Ai being chase chased by a Data Giantdata monster. Before being turned into data absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi, Ghost Gal entrusted Playmaker with the data for the Tower of Hanoi and attempted to warn him about Varis's dangerous card. Playmaker in turn was angry for not being able to save her and vowed to do so, passing on her advice to Blue Angel and The Gore.
==Deck==
===Cyberse===
====Knights of Hanoi====[[File:Yusaku and his monsters.png|thumb|250px|Yusaku (as Playmaker) with "[[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]" and "[[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]".]]Yusaku uses a '''[[Cyberse]] Beatdown Deck''', which he initially found after solving an urban legend.<ref name="ep64" /><ref name="VRAINSED3">''Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS'' Ending 3: [[BOY]]</ref> His main strategy involves using methodically calculated moves to overwhelm the opponent with [[Link Monster]]s. His early turns are usually slow, with him setting up his bigger combos for later while analyzing the opponent's strategies. Once his field is set up, he [[Link Summon]]s multiple weak Link Monsters at once to then use them as Materials for his stronger ones such as the "[[Code Talker (archetype)|code Code Talkers]]", and "[[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]". His other Link Monsters can also act as support for his primary ones. Yusaku also makes regular use of cards which banish themselves or other cards from the [[Graveyard ]] or hand to activate effects, granting him access to a steady stream of resources even with an empty field or hand.
[[File:Decode Talker materializing.png|thumb|left|250px|"Decode Talker" materializing into a real card.]]After capturing [[Ai]] and unlocking the "[[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]" [[Skill]], he can obtain new Cyberse [[Link Monster]]s when his [[LP]] are 1000 or below during a Speed Duel when a [[Data Storm]] is near. To this end, he usually allows himself to drop below 1000 LP. The Link Monsters gained this way expand his arsenal of monsters for the current Duel and future Duels alike and typically help turn a disadvantageous situation in his favor. As shown with "Decode Talker", the data of the Link Monsters added by his Skill can materialize into real cards with the proper equipment. In case the opponent tries to prevent "Storm Access" from activating by not dealing damage, Yusaku also uses cards with effects that require him to pay LP to get around it. During his Duel with The Gore, spectators likened this strategy to Gore's habit of letting his opponent take the lead, then making a comeback from a pinch.
| normal monsters =
* [[Bitron (anime)|Bitron]] x2
* [[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 [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 002|episode 2]].</ref>* [[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="encode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 007|episode 7]].</ref>* [[Excode Talker (anime)|Excode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="excode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 015|episode 15]].</ref>* [[Firewall Dragon (anime)|Firewall Dragon]]<ref group=Notes name="firewall">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|episode 10]].</ref>
* [[Flame Administrator (anime)|Flame Administrator]]
* [[Honeybot (anime)|Honeybot]]
* [[Link Bumper (anime)|Link Bumper]]<ref group=Notes name="link">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 005|episode 5]].</ref>
* [[Link Devotee (anime)|Link Devotee]]
* [[Link Disciple (anime)|Link Disciple]]
* [[Link Spider (anime)|Link Spider]]
* [[Multi Sledgehammer]]
* [[Powercode Talker (anime)|Powercode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="powercode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 028|episode 28]].</ref>
* [[Recovery Sorcerer (anime)|Recovery Sorcerer]]
* [[Restoration Point Guard (anime)|Restoration Point Guard]]
* [[Space Insulator (anime)|Space Insulator]]
* [[Talkback Lancer (anime)|Talkback Lancer]]
* [[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]<ref group=Notes name="transcode">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|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 [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 017|episode 17]].</ref>
| spells =
* [[Alert Lancer]]
* [[Shield Handler (anime)|Shield Handler]]
* [[Three Strikes Barrier (anime)|Three Strikes Barrier]]
* [[Transaction Rollback (anime)|Transaction Rollback]]
* [[Urgent Link]]
| tokens =
* [[Congester Token (anime)|Congester Token]]
* [[Gadget Token (anime)|Gadget Token]]
* [[Link Token (anime)|Link Token]]
* [[Spool Token (anime)|Spool Token]]
* [[Stag Token (anime)|Stag Token]]
}}
====New LINK VRAINSIgnis====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]]"from [[Ai]], 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 Cyberse 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, while also allowing him to draw another card. He focuses less on his "[[Code Talker (archetype)|Code Talker]]" monsters and more on other Link Monsters and his new Summoning methods. During his final Duel with [[Bohman]], Yusaku acquires one of the first [[Link 5 Monster Cards|Link-5]] Link Monsters, "[[Firewall Dragon Darkfluid (anime)|Firewall Dragon Darkfluid]]". Subsequently, Yusaku combines his two strategies; allowing him to build a steady field through use of multiple Summoning methods and beginning to use his "Code Talker" monsters again.
{{Decklist|Ignis| skill = * [[Storm Access (anime)|Storm Access]]* [[Neo Storm Access]]| 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]]
* [[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 DragonGuardian (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]]
* [[Sea Archiver (anime)|Sea Archiver]]
* [[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]]
| tuner monsters =* [[Cyberse Synchron (anime)|Cyberse Synchron]](later played with [[Cyberse Synchron (later anime)|a different effect]])| ritual monsters =
* [[Cyberse Magician (anime)|Cyberse Magician]]
| fusion monsters =
* [[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]
| synchro monsters =* [[Cyberse Quantum Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Quantum Dragon]]<ref group=Notes name="neoaccess1cyberse">This card is obtained via [[Skill|Neo Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 073|episode 73]].</ref>
|xyz monsters =
* [[Firewall Xyz eXceed Dragon (anime)|Firewall Xyz eXceed Dragon]]<ref group=Notes name ="neoaccess2xceed">This card is obatined obtained 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="spartoiclock">This card is obtained via [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|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]]
* [[Decode Talker Extended (anime)|Decode Talker Extended]]
* [[Doublebyte Dragon (anime)|Doublebyte Dragon]]
* [[Detonate Deleter (anime)|Detonate Deleter]]
* [[Elphase (anime)|Elphase]]
* [[Encode Talker (anime)|Encode 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 (anime)|Protocol Gardna]]
* [[Proxy Dragon (anime)|Proxy Dragon]]
* [[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 [[SkillStorm Access (anime)|Storm Access]] in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 048|episode 48]].</ref>* [[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]* [[Tri-Gate Wizard (anime)|Tri-Gate Wizard]]
* [[Update Jammer (anime)|Update Jammer]]
* [[Zombie Prosaber]]
| spells =
* [[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 [[Main Deck|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]]
| tokens =
* [[Clock Token (anime)|Clock Token]]
* [[Cynet Token (anime)|Cynet Token]]
* [[Gadget Token (anime)|Gadget Token]]
* [[Link Token (anime)|Link Token]]
* [[Ration Token]]
* [[Security Token (anime)|Security Token]]
* [[Spool Token (anime)|Spool Token]]
* [[Stag Token (anime)|Stag Token]]
}}
====Ai====
Yusaku continues to build upon his combination of his "[[Code Talker (archetype)|Code Talker]]" monsters and his other Extra Deck Summons, including more cards that can support both and the cards to search the necessary monsters from his Deck. Via combining his ace monsters, he can create a lock with the effects of "[[Cyberse Magician (anime)|Cyberse Magician]]", "[[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]", and "[[Cyberse Quantum Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Quantum Dragon]]" by controlling two of them at once in addition to a Link Monster. Prior to his Duel with [[Ai]], [[Roken Kogami|Roken]] gives him "[[Borreload Furious Dragon (anime)|Borreload Furious Dragon]]" to combat Ai's use of "[[Judgment Arrows (later anime)|Judgment Arrows]]", and Yusaku subsequently includes cards to give him the necessary materials to Fusion Summon it.
{{Decklist|Ai
|effect monsters =
* [[Backup Secretary (anime)|Backup Secretary]]
* [[Bitrooper (anime)|Bitrooper]]<ref group=Notes name="clockdragon118">This card is [[sent]] from the top of his [[Main Deck|Deck]] to the [[GY]] via the [[card effect|effect]] of "[[Cyberse Clock Dragon (later anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]" in [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 118|episode 118]].</ref>
* [[Clock Wyvern (anime)|Clock Wyvern]]
* [[Cyberse Gadget (anime)|Cyberse Gadget]]
* [[Cyberse Wizard (anime)|Cyberse Wizard]]
* [[Degrade Buster (anime)|Degrade Buster]]
* [[Dotscaper (anime)|Dotscaper]]
* [[Flame Bufferlo (anime)|Flame Bufferlo]]
* [[Formud Skipper (anime)|Formud Skipper]]
* [[Garbage Collector (anime)|Garbage Collector]]
* [[L2 Cachevalier]]
* [[Linkslayer (anime)|Linkslayer]]
* [[Metal Molephosis]]
* [[Overfloater]]
* [[Parallel eXceed (anime)|Parallel eXceed]] x2
* [[Sea Archiver (anime)|Sea Archiver]]
* [[Widget Kid (anime)|Widget Kid]]
|tuner monsters =
* [[Cyberse Synchron (later anime)|Cyberse Synchron]]
|ritual monsters =
* [[Cyberse Magician (anime)|Cyberse Magician]]
|fusion monsters =
* [[Borreload Furious Dragon (anime)|Borreload Furious Dragon]]
* [[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]
|synchro monsters =
* [[Cyberse Quantum Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Quantum Dragon]]
|xyz monsters =
* [[Firewall eXceed Dragon (anime)|Firewall eXceed Dragon]]
|link monsters =
* [[Accesscode Talker (anime)|Accesscode Talker]]
* [[Clock Spartoi (later anime)|Clock Spartoi]]
* [[Cyberse Wicckid (anime)|Cyberse Wicckid]]
* [[Cyberse Witch (anime)|Cyberse Witch]]
* [[Decode Talker (anime)|Decode Talker]]
* [[Firewall Dragon Darkfluid (anime)|Firewall Dragon Darkfluid]]
* [[Exslayer]]
* [[Linkross (anime)|Linkross]]
* [[Proxy F Magician (anime)|Proxy F Magician]]
* [[Splash Mage (anime)|Splash Mage]]
* [[Transcode Talker (later anime)|Transcode Talker]]
|spells =
* [[Cynet Backdoor (anime)|Cynet Backdoor]]<ref group=Notes name="clockdragon118" />
* [[Cynet Closure]]
* [[Cynet Fusion (anime)|Cynet Fusion]]
* [[Cynet Optimization (anime)|Cynet Optimization]]
* [[Cynet Ritual (anime)|Cynet Ritual]]
* [[Cynet Universe (anime)|Cynet Universe]]<ref group=Notes name="clockdragon118" />
* [[Drastic Draw (anime)|Drastic Draw]]
* [[Link Pressure]]
|traps =
* [[Code Hack (anime)|Code Hack]]
* [[Limit Code (anime)|Limit Code]]<ref group=Notes name="clockdragon118" />
* [[Recoded Alive (anime)|Recoded Alive]]
| tokens =
* [[Clock Token (anime)|Clock Token]]
* [[Cynet Token (anime)|Cynet Token]]
* [[Gadget Token (anime)|Gadget Token]]
* [[Link Token (anime)|Link Token]]
}}
====Card changes====
Over the course of the series, some of the cards used by Playmaker have been changed with regards to their effect or type. This is the list of cards which he used previously.
{{Decklist|
|effect monsters =
* [[SIMM Tablir (anime)|SIMM Tablir]]
|tuner monsters =
* [[Cyberse Synchron (anime)|Cyberse Synchron]]
|fusion monsters =
* [[Cyberse Clock Dragon (anime)|Cyberse Clock Dragon]]
|link monsters =
* [[Clock Spartoi (anime)|Clock Spartoi]]
* [[Recovery Sorcerer (anime)|Recovery Sorcerer]]
* [[Transcode Talker (anime)|Transcode Talker]]
|traps =
* [[Link Restart (anime)|Link Restart]]
}}
===Past===
Prior to obtaining the his [[Cyberse]] cardsDeck, Yusaku played a mash-up Deck that focused on swarming the the field with monsters to be used as [[Link Material|material]] for [[Link Summon]]s. The Deck was shown to have been quite reactive to his opponent's plays, including cards like "[[Forbidden Lance (anime)|Forbidden Lance]]".<ref name="ep64" />
{{Decklist
| 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
| [[Skye Zaizen|Skye Zaizen/Blue Angel]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 007|7]] || Win
|-
| [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 009|9]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|10]] || [[DRAW]]
|-
| [[Roken Kogami|Varis]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 010|10]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 012|12]] || Win
|-
| [[Emma Bessho|Emma Bessho/Ghost Gal]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 014|14]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 015|15]] || Win
| [[Spectre]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 035|35]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 037|37]] || Win
|-
| [[VarisRoken Kogami|Ryoken Roken Kogami/Varis]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 041|41]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 042|42]] || DRAW
|-
| [[VarisRoken Kogami|Ryoken Roken Kogami/Varis]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 043|43]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 046|46]] || Win
|-
| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 047|47]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 048|48]] || Win
|-
| [[Kengo Dojun|Blood The Shepherd]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 053|53]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 054|54]] || Win
|-
| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 057|57]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 058|58]] || Win
|-
| [[KenmochiKenchi]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 062|62]] || Win
|-
| [[YoroizakaYozaka]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 063|63]] || 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
|-
| [[Cal Kolter]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 092|92]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 093|93]] || Win
|-
| [[Bohman]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 099|99]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 102|102]] || Win
|-
| [[Ai]] copy || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 106|106]], [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 108|108]] || Win
|-
| [[Ai]] || [[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 117|117]]-[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 120|120]]|| Win
|}
==Trivia==
* Yusaku used every type of Summoning that had been introduced during the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|VRAINS]]'' series, except [[Pendulum Summon]]ing due to it not being featured.
** This makes him one of two characters to use [[Fusion Monster|Fusion]], [[Ritual Monster|Ritual]], [[Synchro Monster|Synchro]] and [[Xyz Monster]]s all together, the other being [[Ai]].
* With only 31 Duels, Yusaku has Dueled the fewest times of any anime protagonist.
* Similar to [[Jaden Yuki|Jaden]], three of Yusaku's Duels ended in a [[DRAW]].
* In early plans for ''Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS'', Yusaku was going to be a newcomer to ''Duel Monsters'', which would have fit the show's original theme of "Take a step forward and try".{{citation needed}} This was changed before the series was released.
* Yusaku is the first spin-off protagonist whose Deck centers around a newly introduced monster Type (in this case, Cyberse).
* Yusaku is the first protagonist since [[Yugi Muto|Yugi]]:
** To have three different colors in his hairstyle's design.
** Whose [[Signature card|ace monster]]'s Type is neither Warrior (like Jaden and [[Yuma Tsukumo|Yuma]]) nor Dragon (like [[Yusei Fudo|Yusei]] and [[Yuya Sakaki|Yuya]]).
** To successfully perform a [[Ritual Summon]].
* Yusaku is the first protagonist since Jaden to:
** Use [[Field Spell Card]]s in his Deck.
** Not have his father be central to the plot of his series.
** Have never been defeated by his [[Roken Kogami|rival]].
* Yusaku is the first protagonist since Yusei to:
** Use [[Normal Monster]]s in his Deck.
** Have never lost a Duel within the present main storyline.
* Yusaku is the only protagonist:
** Who has never lost a Duel to another human.
** To have neither of his parents, or any family, seen or mentioned at any point.
** Who is not a close friend of the [[Skye Zaizen|heroine]] of his series, although he does occasionally work with her.
** Who never participated in a tournament or [[Tag-Team Duel]] (unless Yusaku fighting Bit and Boot, 2 Duelists in 1 body, counts in the case of the latter).
* Yusaku has several similarities to Yusei, despite having a much harsher demeanor than the latter.
** Both have "Fu" as the first part of their surnames.
** Both are incredible hackers.
** Both have suffered great hardship in their youth.
** Both are noble and look out for others, but at the same time keep some distance from others so they don't get involved in their conflicts.
** Both commonly have Duels while riding on [[D-Board|fast]] [[Duel Runner|vehicles]].
** Both are highly intelligent and have great strategic skills in dueling that often make use of recycle tactics.
** Both have not worn anything around their necks.
** Both were once considered criminals in their series.
** Both have only lost Duels in flashbacks that take place prior to the beginning of their series.
** Both have never been turned evil at any point in their series like the other protagonists, though Yuma never actually turned evil as Astral embraced evil power and merged with him into Dark ZEXAL.
* Yusaku and Yusei also both have similar monsters in their Decks.
** Dragon-themed primary ace monsters with 2500 ATK and defensive effects that focus on protecting other cards ("Firewall Dragon" and "[[Stardust Dragon (anime)|Stardust Dragon]]").
** Warrior-themed secondary ace monsters with a DARK Attribute, 2300 ATK, and offensive effects that focus on gaining strength from other monsters ("Decode Talker" and "[[Junk Warrior (anime)|Junk Warrior]]").
** Effect Monsters that can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from its controller's Graveyard in Defense Position, but with its effects negated, upon being Normal Summoned ("Cyberse Gadget" and "[[Junk Synchron (anime)|Junk Synchron]]").
** Level 1 EARTH Normal Monsters with 100 ATK and DEF ("Protron" and "[[Unicycular (anime)|Unicycular]]").
* Much like [[Sherry LeBlanc]], Yusaku has 1 or 2 people they can actually trust (in Yusaku's case, he only had Kolter). Also, both of them had a desire for vengeance against the organization that took the lives of someone important to them, despite having different backgrounds (Yusaku against The Knights of Hanoi and Sherry against [[Iliaster]]).
* Yusaku is the first character to use five different Summoning methods ([[Link Summon|Link]], Ritual, [[Fusion Summon|Fusion]], [[Synchro Summon|Synchro]], and [[Xyz Summon|Xyz]]).
* Yusaku's ace monsters with a draconic appearance have the same color scheme as the card type of that monster: "Firewall Dragon" is blue ([[Link Monster|Link]]), "Cyberse Clock Dragon" is violet ([[Fusion Monster|Fusion]]), "Cyberse Quantum Dragon" is white ([[Synchro Monster|Synchro]]) and "Firewall eXceed Dragon" is indigo, which is close to black ([[Xyz Monster|Xyz]]).
* Yusaku is the only character in the ''VRAINS'' series to use more than one Fusion Monster (albeit the second monster didn't originally belong to him).
* Like Yugi and Yuma, Yusaku dueled against his partner in the final episodes of his series. All three also used a new monster at the Duel's climax (in Yusaku's case, it was "Accesscode Talker").
** Unlike Yugi and Yuma's monsters, which represented their own individual strength, Yusaku's seems to represent his bond with Ai (hinted in the summoning chant).
** All three have used cards that can be seen with deep meaning behind them and were key in their victory. For Yusaku, it was "Recoded Alive" which was also used to defeat Varis in both of their Master Duels. Of the three, Yusaku's is the only one to be a Trap instead of a Spell.
** Also unlike Yugi and Yuma, Yusaku used a [[Borreload Furious Dragon (anime)|card]] that was not his for his final Duel. Although his was given to him, rather than offered.
* Each of Yusaku's four non-Link ace monsters has at least one gameplay difference from the other three.
** "Cyberse Magician": The only one to not be a Dragon-themed Extra Deck monster (instead being a Spellcaster-themed Main Deck monster).
** "Cyberse Clock Dragon": The only one to require a specific monster as part of its Summon method (in this case, "Clock Wyvern"), and to have an effect that activates upon its Summoning.
** "Cyberse Quantum Dragon": The only one to not have an effect that increases its ATK.
** "Firewall eXceed Dragon": The only one to not be a Level 7 monster from the "[[Cyber]]" archetype (instead being a Rank 4 monster from the "[[Firewall (archetype)|Firewall]]" archetype), and to not have an effect that protects other monsters from attacks or card effects while a Link Monster is on the field.
==References==
<references group="Notes" />
{{Yusaku Fujiki pages}}
{{Characters/VRAINS/Anime}}
[[Category:Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS characters]]