Yu-Gi-Oh!/Fanfic Recs
Proof that the remaining 10% is worth putting your HEART IN THE CARDS for here.
These are recommendations made by Tropers for Yu-Gi-Oh fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. Feel free to add a fanfic of your own to the list, but remember to use the template found here.
You can also add to the current recommendations if you want. Refrain from posting Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.
For the fanfic recommendations of the other three series, try these links.
Authors and Websites
- Recommended by: Golden Dragon 326
- Iced Blood has written many Yugioh stories, with the main characters almost always being the Kaiba brothers. He focuses on the brotherhood of the two: incest will NEVER come into play.
- He has a few one-shots peeking into their lives at various time frames, some stories that look at the interactions between Seto and Yugi, some poetry, and numerous actual stories. Noa comes in a few times, though it’s mainly Seto and Mokuba.
- Recommended by cypsiman2
- This author has written some of the best post-canon fic, peachshipping, polarshipping fic ever. Yes, it is by and large based on the dub, but it's incredible regardless. Heck, she even integrated the events of DOMA into it in such a way that the events of that arc became palatable to me, and I hate DOMA! Read all her fic, and you will be treated to an incredible journey of love and redemption, of action and adventure, that fits so well with the canon that you still can't believe it's not canon!
- recommended by cypsiman2
- Words fail. Scribbler is simply one of, if not the absolute best writers in the Yu-Gi-Oh! fandom. I aspire to be as good as her, that's how good she is. Her grasp of the characters is out of this world, and her ability to bring to life even the most mundane scenarios and make us laugh and cry... it's incredible. Plus, she writes some of the absolute best Yuugi/Anzu fic out there, and considering how little there is out there compared to the popular ships, Scribbler is an absolute godsend.
- recommended by: The Otaku Ninja
- Simply put, this author has written many great stories, well-written and original, in a variety of series, not just Yu-Gi-Oh. Her stories are unique, to say the least, and many have a fantasy/sci-fi feel that really draws you into the story when you read it. Unfortunetly, many of them haven't been finished, but what is there is really worth the read.
- Recommended by: Queen of Dorkness
- First off, the one poem she's written so far makes gorgeous use of language. Second, the Drabbles: The Life of Yami Marik series if funny. The grammar and spelling are generally better than most teenagers', for what that's worth. I don't watch Yu-Gi-Oh all that much, and these stories make the universe accessible for me while being, except for the drabbles, where Rule of Funny reigns, pretty canon-compliant, at least according to friends of mine who love the series.
General Fics
Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.
Gods of the Tabletop, by Twin Enigma
- Recommended by: raptyr
- Synopsis: "Ryou Bakura is left to clean up the ruins of the Memory World tabletop game after the Final Duel. Perhaps the game board is worth salvaging, if only for memory's sake."
That Which Rises and Falls, by HakureiRyuu
- Recommended by: whitesouldragon
- Synopsis: "It is said that power corrupts, but it's actually more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power."
Marik and Bakura 333 Ways, by Sailor Blaze
- Recommended by: Azurengar (Known as Scaevola2 on fanfiction.net)
- Synopsis from Fanfiction.net: After discovering the 333 ways to get kicked out of Target, Marik drags Bakura into a crazy attempt to embarrass the Pharoah. Abridged Personalities.
I Want The Mad Ones by Amarielle
- Recommended by Nai Eve
- Pairing(s): Yami/Tea touched on briefly
- Synopsis: "Yami assumes the role of Yugi's father after a case of physical abuse and trauma claims the boy's memory. Moral: Love is the pouring out of one's self into the completion of another. Finished."
Variation on a Theme by Scribbler (AU, some hints of homosexual feelings, but not enough to even be shounen-ai, as it's not developed and left unrequited.)
- Recommended by Anonymous Apathy
- Pairing(s): No main pairings; hints of one-sided Yami Yugi(Atem)/Yugi, ignorable hints of Mai/Valon... nothing else (if present) is memorable.
- Synopsis: "When Yuugi was ten, he gave away something to cement a friendship: The Millennium Puzzle. But the safety of the world needs the Puzzle solved, right? Well, yes. Yuugi's friend Anzu didn't realise what kind of gift she was accepting." An AU, compressed look at the entire anime series
YuGiOh!: The Attack of the Yamis by Noodle-Brained Kitsune
- Recommended by: The Otaku Ninja
- Synopsis: *DEAD* Yugi and company watch Star Wars: Episode II! What will happen when they see it? What about after? Am I making sense? Will this fic be sane? Of course not! PG for some.. dialogue. R&R please!
Shadow Realm: Fifteen by Man Called True
- Recommended by: The Otaku Ninja
- Synopsis: Remember what the show told you about where the monsters live? It was all a lie. In the Central Shadow Realm, a crumbling city, a Witty Phantom finds himself the target of some very strange plots... Completed.
The New Students By White Angel Chan
- Recommended by Serpent Tailed Angel
- Synopsis: Yugi, Bakura, and Marik get admitted into Hogwards (don't judge it yet) where they attempt to learn wizard magic while Voldemort attempts to steal their shadow magic.
Moving Forward by Madam Hydra
- Recommended by Elenor
- Synopsis : After Gozaburo's death Seto ties up a few loose ends.
- Comments : very interesting character study and wonderful OC.
Celebrating Yugi By Shadow Guardian of the Gate
- Recommended by Mew24ever
- Synopsis: "He was the inspiration to every duelist in the world. Now it's time to witness the memory of his final moments through Judai and Yusei, plus the tri duel that never ended."
No Strings Attached by Out-Of-Control-Authoress
- Recommended by Neitherworld
- Synopsis: "They are not Hogwarts-bound exchange students, nor are they teachers of magical arts. They are purely prisoners of war, thrown into a dangerous new world that they didn't know existed. There are no alliances here. There are no strings attached" Through technically a crossover with Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, it mainly stars Malik, Ryou and Bakura but with constant appearances by Neville, Luna, Snape and Draco, as well as the expected Voldemort. It takes in Hogwarts, while Harry was gone, so he's only mentioned.
Decks Fall Everyone Dies by Kalarin Link
- Recommended by Nomadic Lurker
- Synopsis: "What happens when a world built on card games falls?" The government of Jamerica (the country it takes place in) was run using card games until Duke overthrew it and implemented a dice-based government. He behaves like a tyrant, so the rest of the cast must put on a pro-card propaganda play to convince people to help them with their card game revolution. It takes place post-canon (the characters are in their mid twenties, and Mokuba is eighteen or so). Technically, a very fleshed-out adaptation of Moulin Rouge to the Yu-Gi-Oh world (with more emphasis on the revolution than the romance). it uses the Abridged characterizations.
- Pairings: Joey/Tristan, Kaiba/Bandit Keith (both are not the main part of the story)
The Falsebound Kingdom: Hero's Crusade by Shining Charizard
- Recommended by Anthurak
- Synopsis: A novelization of the video game of the same name. Yugi and his friends, after being invited to test a new game system created by an enigmatic new game company, are trapped in a virtual game world where duel monsters are used to fight in real-time battles and wars, instead of simple card games. On the whole, this version follows the game's plot, but doesn't hesitate to deviate into it's own story arcs and make some changes. Also seems to be leading to a Yami/Tea subplot, though this is far from the major focus of the story.
Between My Brother And Me by Green Phantom Queen
- Recommended by Mousou
- Synopsis: Instead of heading off to the Johto region, May decides to spend some time with her family before leaving. Unfortunately, a dream about Samiya's destruction, a book of spirits, and a game of Duel Monsters changes that. May and Max head off to Domino City to find answers, but end up on a dangerous journey.
Son of Apophis by Ferris Ulf
- Recommended by anonymous
- Synopsis: An AU fic. Ryou Bakura finds out his cousin (Yami Bakura, renamed Minkah for plot related reasons) who he didn't even know existed is coming to live with him. Unbenounced to him, Minkah is actually an assasin using his family ties for free room and board while killing off whomever his employer, Kaiba, sees fit.
Scar Tissue (Fairly explicit in language and sex scenes, be warned!)
- Recommended by yoursfeatherly
- Synopsis: This author loves to play with the mind screw factor of perhaps the most overlooked character in the series: Ryou. What would happen if he had his way post Battle City? Amputations, rape, mass genocide, a new world order, you name it psychologically disturbing, chances are Ryou has done it. Ryou cuts off Marik's left arm, and then has fun toying with him on the end of a string.
On Talking to a Void by Aluminium
- Recommended by Life In A Box
- Synopsis: Bakura is going insane except he isn't, Ryou is sanctimonious except he's not and the third resident of this particular mind is a solely implied phenomena.
Dedication Through Light and Darkness by lalunaticscribe
- Recommended by Reginae Storia
- Synopsis: Post YGO canon. Crossover between Dresden Files and YGO. Halloween in Chicago at the same time as the World Championships. Yuugi is KIDNAPPED! Monsters throw down in Chicago as the friendly neighbourhood wizard, two other lights and three dark spirits somehow-returned from the spirit world to temporarily possess the three race against time to find Yuugi.
The Paths of Destiny by lalunaticscribe
- Recommended by Reginae Storia
- Synopsis: After Dedication through Light and Darkness (reading not necessary). Justice League x YGO crossovers. Battle City + Metropolis = Showdown in Hero City. The pun itself proves the fic worth reading.
Evidence Of Shadows by Matt Morwell
- Recommended by: kirana44
- Synopsis: CSI crossover fic. Joey is accused of murdering a high ranking Las Vegas businessman, and his alibi can't be confirmed. There's only one thing that can clear his name... the evidence.
Exodus by Dark Heart In The Sky
- Recommended by Keyseeker
- Synopsis: Pre-canon. Yugi left the only home he ever knew in hope of escaping his tormentors. Joey doesn't know why he feels so guilty about Yugi's leaving, or why he feels compelled to bring him home, but for some reason, he needs to make things right. No Yaoi.
Rebecca's New Look by RisenKefka
- Recommended by: Doc Colress
- Synopsis: An "Emperor's New Clothes" style story in which Rebecca attempts to get a new haircut that will attract her darling Yugi. The problem is that her barber is Vivian Wong, who is looking for revenge! A darkly humorous fic based on fanart on Deviantart.
Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.
Being Dead Ain't Easy by D. Draggy
- Recommended by Solandra
- Pairing(s): Seto/Joey(Jounouchi)
- Synopsis: "Tragedy strikes. Joey Wheeler is gone forever. Or is he?"
Dragon's Kiss Dragon's Kiss by Jupiter 13
- Recommended by lordofthechibis
- Pairing(s): Seto/Joey, Hikari/Yami, Duke/Tristan (english names used)
- Synopsis: "Joey's leading quite a happy life as a prince, until he gets a little two close to a baby dragon, turns out the baby dragon has an older brother who isn't too found of humans. Jounouchi finds himself prisoner in a cave miles from his baby sister, his mother and his two best friends: the noble knight Tristan and the playboy Duke. But Joey will soon discover a whole new group of friends including Yugi and Ryo, a pair of magicians with some very overprotective familars, Marik, a werewolf ready to reform, and Ishizu, a woman from a strange land with the power to grant Seto one wish."
Sight the King by olesia.love
- Recommended by Annyui, seconded by Selina_Catz, thirded by Vikki
- Pairing(s): Yuugi/Yami Yuugi (puzzleshipping)
- Synopsis: An AU splitting off before Yuugi's even aware of the spirit in the puzzle (and before the card game really became big), where Yuugi is framed for Jounouchi's murder and goes on the run. Eventual slash, though the actual lemony bits have been censored rather humorously on FF.net (by the author).
Can You Have A Romance OC? by Ava-Connie
- Recommended by Cocoesloco
- Seconded by Colorsinflight
- Thirded by Oakalovesyou
- Fourthed by Eleanor
- Pairing (s): Kaiba/OC
- Synopsis: Challenge-fic. Can you have a CanonXOC pairing without it being a ludicrous Mary-Sue? This is what we at 'marysues' LJ community are trying to find out. I decided upon my pet hate. KaibaxOC. Can you have a fic without Mary-Sueness? UPDATES ALOT!
Written In The Stars by Technicolor Nina (Slash)
- Recommended by Jesajew
- Pairings: Yuugi/Atem
- Synopsis: Yuugi's never been good at keeping himself out of trouble. When ancient magic gets involved, he'll learn more than a few things about himself as he tries to get home.
Genius VS Genius by Whitewhite
- Recommended by Kumiko
- Pairing (s): Kaiba/OC
- Synopsis: Amatsuki Yui is a snarky, smart, but incredibly lazy genius who transfers to Domino High. There, she meets Seto Kaiba, who plans on using her genius to Kaiba Corp's advantage. At first, it seems to be a battle of the wits and brains between employee and employer, but what happens when they find themselves falling for each other? And why is Yui so adamant about not loving Kaiba? What deep, dark secret does she have that will stop them from having their own happy ending?
Snowed In by Insight to Insanity
- Recommended by pikapika 217
- Pairing(s): Seto/Joey(Jounouchi)
- Synopsis: A Blizzard trapes Joey & Seto inside KaibaCorp
Of Elevators and Muses by S.A. Yang
- Recommended by
- Pairing(s): Ryou/Bakura (Tendershipping)
- Synopsis: Bakura takes an interest in Ryou, his oddly acerbic neighbor. He decides to make it a priority to better Ryou's life, much to the other's initial distaste. As his quirky presence slowly becomes accepted, Bakura realizes that he cannot turn back.
- Recommended by
- Pairing(s): None to date. Hinted Katsuya x Yugi (Wishshipping)
- Synopsis: After working on the Puzzle that her Grandfather gave her for eight years, Yugi finally managed to complete it. What she couldn't know was how much trouble one little trinket could cause…