Editing Shadow Realm

The '''Shadow Realm''' is a place of suffering where people could be sent to, explicitly designed by [[4Kids Entertainment]] for the dubbed version of the [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' anime]]. When a death would occur in the Japanese version, it would usually be censored in the dub, sending the victim to the Shadow Realm instead. The concept is also mentioned in the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! GX]]'' anime. 

[[Shadow Game]]s were depicted as occurring in another dimension which is also called the Shadow Realm. It was this dark dimension (so named by [[Maximillion Pegasus]]) that formed the basis for the Shadow Realm in the English version.

When wagering a Duel in the Shadow Realm, Summoning and maintaining a monster requires energy. The more monsters, the more energy it seems to require. In [[Yugi Muto]] and Pegasus's final Duel, [[Yami Yugi]] had to take over for the large portion because of the strain it had caused Yugi. In [[Joey Wheeler]] and [[Yami Marik]]'s Duel, Joey would have won if he hadn't collapsed after the attack of "[[The Winged Dragon of Ra (anime)|The Winged Dragon of Ra]]" took away the rest of his stamina.

==Japanese version==
The Shadow Realm as presented in the English language version of the anime does not exist in the [[Yu-Gi-Oh! (manga)|''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' manga]] and the Japanese version of the anime. However, the concept is based on an occasionally mentioned place called the '''World of Darkness''' ({{Ruby|闇|やみ}}の{{Ruby|世界|せかい}} ''Yami no Sekai''), which the official subtitles call the Shadow Realm.

[[Solomon Muto]] was sent to the Shadow Realm after being absorbed into a "[[Soul Prison]]" card by [[Maximillion Pegasus]].<ref name="dm16">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh!|16|ref}}</ref>

The [[Millennium Ring merchant|merchant]] who sold the [[Millennium Ring]] to [[Bakura's father]] was said to be from the Shadow Realm.<ref>{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh!|13|ref}}</ref>

The loser of the Shadow Game between [[Yami Yugi]] and the [[jersey man]] was to be sent to the Shadow Realm.<ref>{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh!|22|ref}}</ref>

In the final manga arc, it is also mentioned by [[Akhenaden (manga)|the High Priest of Darkness]] that the loser of the Ultimate Shadow Game would not be sent to the afterlife when they die but to "a void of eternal darkness", reminiscent of descriptions of the Shadow Realm.

In the Japanese version of ''Yu-Gi-Oh! GX'', [[Titan]] mentions that he was taken to the World of Darkness after losing to [[Jaden Yuki|Jaden]].<ref name="gx6">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX|6|ref}}</ref> Here, he met [[Kagemaru]], who gave him his [[Shadow Charm]] mask, letting him return to Earth as one of the [[Shadow Riders]]. He Dueled [[Alexis Rhodes]], one of the holders of the [[Spirit Key]]s, intending to defeat her and drag her to the World of Darkness, just as [[Atticus Rhodes|her brother]] previously had been. However, he lost to her and was dragged back there himself.<ref name="gx41">{{episode|Yu-Gi-Oh! GX|41|ref}}</ref>

==Purpose==
The Shadow Realm does not exist in Japanese media, and it is always used euphemistically. The Shadow Realm was created to serve as a substitute for a character dying. Losing a [[Shadow Game]], a fatal wound inflicted by a Duel Monster, the power of a [[Millennium Items|Millennium Item]], or any other mystical means would condemn their soul to the Shadow Realm. This was less permanent than explicitly stating that the character was killed, as it was established that it is possible to retrieve a soul from the Shadow Realm. 

==Replacements==
The Shadow Realm is often criticized for censoring some of the darker aspects of the show, and for some of the more preposterous ways in which characters are banished there.

For example, in [[Yugi Muto]] and [[Arkana]]'s Duel, the loser was to be sent to the Shadow Realm if touched by the "[[Dark Energy Disc]]". In the Japanese version, the disks were simply buzz saw blades that would dismember the loser's feet, presumably resulting in death from blood loss or shock.

Likewise, Yugi Muto and [[Seto Kaiba|Seto Kaiba's]] had a Tag Duel against [[Lumis and Umbra]] atop a skyscraper in [[Domino City]] famous for its hollow interior, with each Duelist standing on top of a glass window rigged with a small explosive that would cause it to shatter upon losing. In the dub, the Duelist would fall into a portal to the Shadow Realm. In the Japanese version, the Duelist would simply fall to their death. This is why Umbra was prepared with a parachute, which he deployed when his window shattered, leaving his team-mate Lumis to surrender the Duel, before [[Marik Ishtar]] used the [[Millennium Rod]] to take control of his mind.

When [[Yami Marik]] banishes [[Mai Valentine]]'s soul, her soul had been relocated to another plane in the Japanese version. In the dub, her soul was stated to have been sent to the Shadow Realm.

After winning a Duel, [[Yami Bakura]] sent [[Bonz]], [[Sid]] and [[Zygor]] to Hell in the Japanese version. In the dub, they were instead sent to the Shadow Realm. 

Later, both Yami Bakura and his host [[Bakura Ryou]] were sent to the Shadow Realm when they lost to Yami Marik, whereas in the Japanese version they were turned into dark vapor.

Sometimes, the Shadow Realm can produce darker themes in the dub. Whenever a [[Rare Hunter]] lost a Duel to Yugi, Marik would take over their mind to talk to Yugi. Once finished, Marik would send them to the Shadow Realm without mercy, whereas in the Japanese version, the Rare Hunter would simply be knocked out. Some fans argue that being sent to the Shadow Realm is worse than being killed since the characters sent there are subjected to eternal torment rather than a peaceful "afterlife" when killed.

Tying the concept together towards the show's conclusion, [[Zorc Necrophades]] is credited with the creation of the Shadow Realm in the dub. Some characters are pulled out of the Shadow Realm in the dub of the anime and localized video games.

==Known residents==
*[[Impersonator of Death]]: Sent there twice, once after Yami Yugi's and Seto Kaiba's Duel via Mind Crush, then again when he lost to Yami Yugi at Duelist Kingdom with another Mind Crush.
*[[PaniK]]: After losing to Yami Yugi in a Duel, PaniK attempted to kill him, but the Millennium Puzzle shielded him and he banished PaniK to the Shadow Realm with a Mind Crush.
*The [[Mugger]]: While threatening Téa, the mugger was challenged to a card draw game by Yami (who had taken over the unconscious [[Yugi Muto]]), who won and used a Mind Crush to banish the mugger's soul to the Shadow Realm.
*[[Seeker]]: After losing to Yami Yugi in a Duel, Marik Ishtar used the [[Millennium Rod]] to take control of the Rare Hunter's body and trap his mind in the Shadow Realm.
*[[Arkana]]: After losing to Yami Yugi in a Duel, Marik Ishtar used the [[Millennium Rod]] to take control of Arkana's body and trap his mind in the Shadow Realm.
*[[Lumis]]: Once it was clear there was no way Lumis could win, Marik took over his body and trapped his soul in the Shadow Realm, as after Marik left him and he collapsed, Kaiba walked over to his lifeless form and picked up his locator cards.
*[[Bonz]]: After being defeated by [[Yami Bakura]] in a Duel, Bakura trapped him in the Shadow Realm, along with Sid and Zygor. Presumably he never chose to release them.
*[[Sid]]: After Yami Bakura defeated Bonz, he trapped Sid in the Shadow Realm along with Bonz and Zygor. It is unknown if he ever released them.
*[[Zygor]]: After Yami Bakura defeated Bonz, he trapped Zygor in the Shadow Realm along with Bonz and Sid. It is unknown if he ever released them.
*[[Mr. Ishtar]]: Who was sent to the Shadow Realm by [[Yami Marik]] with the Millennium Rod.
*[[Mai Valentine]]: After [[Yami Marik]] defeated her in a Duel, he used his Millennium Rod to trap her soul in the Shadow Realm, which looked slightly similar to a Mind Crush in that the negative effect was used (but not the glass effect). She was later released when Yami Marik was destroyed.
*[[Bakura Ryou]]: After Yami Bakura was beaten by Yami Marik, he vanished into the Shadow Realm, along with the original Marik's soul. However, Marik was still able to control Téa, and Yami Bakura hid inside Yugi's [[Millennium Puzzle]] (as he had placed a bit of his soul there in an earlier episode), thus the only one who was fully banished to the Shadow Realm was the original Bakura (however Yami Bakura's complete form and Marik's full form were still trapped there). He was later released when Yami Marik was destroyed.
*[[Yami Bakura]]: After he was beaten by Yami Marik, he was sent to the Shadow Realm along with the real Marik, however, a portion of him still existed in the Millennium Puzzle. He returned when Marik undone all of Yami Marik's Penalty Games.
*[[Marik Ishtar]]: After Yami Bakura was beaten by Yami Marik, he was sent to the Shadow Realm along with Yami Bakura and Bakura Ryou, however, a portion of him still existed in Téa's mind. Yami Marik then brought him back as he was going to use him as part of Yami Yugi's and Yami Marik's Shadow Game, where if Yami Marik lost Life Points, then Marik will lose parts of his body to the Shadow Realm. Later fully returned when he switched places with Yami Marik.
*[[Mushara]]: While wandering through the tomb with [[Ahmet]] and [[Solomon Muto|Grandpa]], he was slashed by a statue and fell into a pit of shadows, leading to the Shadow Realm.
*[[Weevil Underwood]]: Temporarily sent to the Shadow Realm by Yami Bakura while along with Rex attempting to steal Yugi's Millennium Items (mistaking them for God cards).
*[[Rex Raptor]]: Temporarily sent to the Shadow Realm by Yami Bakura while along with Weevil attempting to steal Yugi's Millennium Items (mistaking them for God cards).
*[[Mokuba Kaiba]]: Temporarily sent to the Shadow Realm by Yami Bakura to make Kaiba Duel him.
*[[Karim]]: Gave all his [[Ba]] to Shada so the "[[Two-Headed Jackal Warrior]]" could destroy "[[Giant Axe Mummy]]"; since his Ba was depleted, his soul was trapped in the Shadow Realm. 
*[[Aknadin]]/Shadow Magus: Destroyed by the "[[Blue-Eyes White Dragon (anime)|Blue-Eyes White Dragon]]", trapping his soul in the Shadow Realm. 
*[[Hasan]]: He jumped in front of the guards to protect them from Zorc's attack, causing his soul to go to the Shadow Realm. 
*[[Shada]]: His Ba was depleted when he jumped in front of the Pharaoh to protect him from Zorc's attack, causing his soul to go to the Shadow Realm. 
*[[Isis]]: Zorc destroyed her Winged Dragon Guardian of the Fortress, depleting her DiaDhankh energy and trapping her soul in the Shadow Realm as she fell. 
*[[Shimon]]: His Ba was depleted when his "[[Exodia the Forbidden One]]" was destroyed by Zorc, causing his soul to go to the Shadow Realm. 
*[[Seto]]: His Ba was depleted when his "Blue-Eyes White Dragon" was destroyed by Zorc, causing his soul to go to the Shadow Realm. Was later released when Yami Bakura and Zorc were destroyed, as was presumably all the other Egyptian characters who were banished there.
*[[Yami Bakura|Yami Bakura's fragment]]: Was sent there when he lost a Shadow Game to Yugi Muto.
*[[Titan]]: Sent to the Shadow Realm twice. The first time he was sent to the Shadow Realm after losing to Jaden, then again after losing to [[Alexis Rhodes]].

==Duels that took place in the Shadow Realm==
*[[Yugi Muto|Yugi]] vs [[Maximillion Pegasus|Pegasus]] (in the Duel in which Pegasus stole Grandpa's soul)
*[[Yami Yugi]] vs [[Yami Bakura]] (in the Duel where Yugi, Joey, Téa, Tristan, and Bakura are all cards)
*[[Yugi Muto|Yugi]] vs [[Maximillion Pegasus|Pegasus]] (the finals of Duelist Kingdom)
*[[Yami Bakura]] vs [[Bonz]] (in Battle City)
*[[Mai Valentine|Mai]] vs [[Yami Marik]] (in Battle City)
*[[Yami Bakura]] vs [[Yami Marik]] (during Battle City)
*[[Joey Wheeler]] vs [[Yami Marik]] (in Battle City)
*[[Yami Yugi]] vs [[Yami Marik]] (Battle City finals)
*[[Seto Kaiba]] vs [[Yami Bakura]]
*[[Lyman Banner]] vs [[Atticus Rhodes]] (off-screen)
*[[Jaden Yuki]] vs [[Titan]]
*[[Alexis Rhodes]] vs [[Titan]]

==Trivia==
*The deaths of [[Cecelia Pegasus]], [[Mrs.Ishtar]], [[Gozaburo Kaiba]], [[Noah Kaiba]], the [[Big Five]], [[Dartz]] and [[Ironheart|his]] [[Chris|family]], [[Shadi]], [[Thief King Bakura]], [[Yami Bakura]], and [[Zorc Necrophades|Zorc]] were not censored with the Shadow Realm; however, Noah's death was censored by characters speculating that he saved his mind on a backup drive, and the Big Five's original deaths were temporarily censored by Noah imprisoning them in the virtual world, only to be destroyed along with it eight episodes later.
*Also, [[PaniK]]'s threats to incinerate Yugi, and Marik's Duel between Yugi and Joey that threatened to drown the loser, were not censored with threat of being sent to the Shadow Realm, unlike most other Duels that threatened death to the loser.
*The Shadow Realm is often believed to be Hell, as they both have a similar concept of souls being condemned to eternal torment, and the Shadow Realm's creator, Zorc, appears to be the ''Yu-Gi-Oh!'' version of the devil. Indeed, the Shadow Realm is used as a stand-in for Hell as the final fate of Bonz, Sid, and Zygor.

==References==
<references />

{{Yu-Gi-Oh! locations}}
{{Yu-Gi-Oh! GX locations}}

[[Category:Worlds]]
[[Category:Yu-Gi-Oh! (anime) locations]]
[[Category:Yu-Gi-Oh! GX locations]]