History Characters / YuGiOhVRAINS

* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSKnightsOfHanoi Knights of Hanoi]][[labelnote:Character List]]Ryoken Kogami/Revolver (Varis), Spectre, Dr. Kogami, Dr. Genome, Aso/Faust, and Kyoko Taki/Baira.[[/labelnote]]

* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSOthers Other characters]][[labelnote:Character List]]Naoki Shima/Lonely Brave/Brave Max, Yamamoto/Frog and Saito/Pigeon, MC, Makoto Kimishima, and Kiku Kamishirakawa.[[/labelnote]]

* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSCafeNagiConfidants Cafe Nagi/Confidants]]
* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSSOLTechnologiesInc SOL Technologies Inc.]]
* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSKnightsOfHanoi Knights of Hanoi]]
* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSBohmansFaction Bohman's Faction]]
* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSIgnisAndCo Ignis and co.]]
* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSOthers Other characters]]

* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSIgnisOwners Ignis Owners]]

* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSIgnisOwners Ignis Owners]]

* [[Characters/YuGiOhVRAINSDenCityLINKVRAINS Den City/LINK VRAINS]]

Characters in the sixth ''Franchise/YuGiOh'' anime series, ''Anime/YuGiOhVRAINS''. Characters are referred to by their names in the original Japanese version with alternative spellings/meanings with the dub equivalent in brackets next to them.

[[foldercontrol]]

!Cafe Nagi/Confidants

[[folder:Yusaku Fujiki/Playmaker/Unknown]]
!!Yusaku Fujiki/Playmaker/Unknown
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Shouya Ishige (Japanese), Jake Paque (English), Kana Omuro (Japanese, young)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ygo_vrains_ep_50_img_011.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Click [[labelnote:here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/animediajune2017yusakufujiki.jpg[[/labelnote]] to see Playmaker/Unknown]]

A first-year high school student who doesn't like standing out and doesn't enjoy Dueling. In LINK VRAINS, he is known as Playmaker, one of the best duelists in VRAINS. He has a personal grudge against the hacker group, the Knights of Hanoi, and wishes to take them down. To this end, he captures Ignis, a mysterious AI program sought by both Hanoi and SOL Technologies. With the two knowing Playmaker has Ignis, Yusaku becomes their target to find and defeat.

Yusaku uses a Cyberse deck of low-level monsters, centered around a Beatdown play style, that swarm the field to set up Link Summon combos. His ace monsters are Decode Talker and Firewall Dragon. He also utilizes the other Code Talkers in order to use their effects to adapt to the situation at hand or use them as attackers by empowering them with card effects. In Season 2 he uses Ritual, Fusion, and Synchro Monsters in order to have an alternative way of summoning strong Monsters while at the same time still supporting his Link Monsters.

In Speed Duels his strategy is to let his opponent to damage him or use his own cards with effects that requires him to pay LP in order to drop his LP to 1000 or below it so that he can use his Skill "Storm Access" which allows him to add a Cyberse-Type Link Monster to his Extra Deck which he uses finish of his opponent.
----
* AloofAlly: As Playmaker, he has been praised by the Charisma Duelists for his skill and talent. Not that he cares.
* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Male example; he has dark hair, and is very stoic and aloof most of the time.
* AmbiguousDisorder: Yusaku seems to have two; being high functionally autistic and suffering from post stress disorder. He has NoSocialSkills; he is very blunt and direct and doesn't seem to realize that he comes off as rude this way; his emotions don't show on his face or body language even when he verbally states he is enjoying himself; and he has a tendency to list things in carefully ordered categories (of three), going so far as to stretch two ideas to fit three bullet points. These are all symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Said symptoms can also be caused by PTSD and PTED - less ambiguous in this case, since it's almost inevitable given [[DeniedFoodAsPunishment his]] [[ElectricTorture past]]. His RevengeBeforeReason and UnstoppableRage on the Knights of Hanoi, as well as the nightmares he is implied to have, also fall in line with this.
* AmnesiacHero: Subverted; [[spoiler:He claims to want to recover his past that had been lost to the incident.]] However, this becomes a minor plot point later on as Yusaku acknowledges that due to the fact that [[spoiler:someone could have manipulated his memories]], he could be [[spoiler:a fake AI who took the place of the original.]]
* AnimeHair: Dark blue hair with light blue bangs and pink accents. Somehow, this isn't enough to make him stand out at school.
* AntiHero: Yusaku is neither HotBlooded nor an AllLovingHero, but a standoffish, serious, and distant {{Jerkass}} whose sole motivation is {{Revenge}} against the Knights of Hanoi for ruining his past. He would even go so far as to give the Knight of Hanoi a very brutal TheReasonYouSuckSpeech, which is something that Kaiba archetypes would usually do.
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Playmaker questions Spectre what he fights for. Spectre, however, is unfazed by the question, and shamelessly admits that he fights for Revolver's cause.
* AwesomenessByAnalysis: Said to be a genius duelist and hacker who excels at reading people. See EstablishingCharacterMoment below.
* BadassBack: His Powercode Talker pierces through Faust's Spreader Queen, not bothering to look back as the latter is destroyed.
* BadassBaritone: Sports a deep voice.
* BadassBoast: "Knights of Hanoi! Wherever you choose to run rampant, I'll show up! My name is Playmaker!"
* BadDreams: [[spoiler:Experiences horrific RecurringDreams of his days of imprisonment, permanently hampering his ability to fall sleep properly.]] After Season 1, it's unclear if he has recovered from it since the [[spoiler:the defeat of the Knights of Hanoi and the death of Kogami.]]
* BadassInDistress: Playmaker gets captured by Ghost Girl so he can be interrogated regarding Aoi/Blue Angel's comatose state.
** In Season 2, he [[spoiler:and Ai get captured by Lightning and Windy who wishes to overwrite the latter and then reprogram him into an obedient AI. Fortunately he gets saved by Soulburner who saves them with Kusanagi's anti-Ignis program.]]
* BeginnersLuck: Justified. He knows how to use a hover board and do speed duels on his first try, but he figures out right away that he must've done both of these things prior to losing his memory.
* {{BFS}}: His "Decode Talker" wields a greatsword.
* BigDamnHeroes:
** Saves Blue Angel from being erased by Cracking Dragon when the Knight of Hanoi controlling it goes on a rampage in LINK VRAINS searching for Ai.
** While in a Data Storm during his Duel against Ghost Girl, he saves her before she could be swallowed up by the storm, and tosses her back onto her D-Board.
** Saves the entirety of VRAINS and the world from destruction by defeating Revolver and the Knights of Hanoi.
** Saves Shoichi when he got cornered by the Knights of Hanoi in LINK VRAINS a year prior to the series. On a later date he does it again, but this time Shoichi returned the favor after he tried to escape from them.
* BishieSparkle: Lonely Brave's deluded fantasy of a {{bishonen}} Playmaker is complete with white sparkles.
* {{Bishonen}}: Played for laughs. Lonely Brave's deluded fantasy of Playmaker depicts him with exaggeratedly fancy eyelashes and a deep but gentle voice, accompanied by white sparkles.
* BlatantLies: Discussed, where GO claims that Playmaker never intended to scoff at him should he have lost against Genome, and only made that remark to get GO more fired up and determined to defeat Genome. Playmaker doesn't give a straight answer and suggests that whether or not he is truthful about it comes down to what GO makes of it.
* BreakTheCutie: Yusaku was an adorable child and was very happy. [[spoiler:Fancy watching that child get tortured and starved for six months.]]
* BrokenAce: Yusaku is a nearly invincible duelist who seen as near legendary by the internet community in-universe. Due to his DarkAndTroubledPast, he no longer enjoys dueling and has trouble functioning in day to day life, being driven almost entirely by his {{Revenge}}.
* BrokenBird: In a rare male version of this trope. The Hanoi Project has made Yusaku a very bitter, broken person consumed with revenge. No matter how much he wanted to interact with others and try to have a normal life his PTSD keeps on getting worse. He sees this world as a cruel place and he believes that his life is cut short and he doesn’t need future or friends and all he is consumed is revenge.
* BrutalHonesty: Playmaker doesn't mince his words when he dismissively remarks that he is disinterested in GO and Blue Angel.
* CassandraTruth: Akira declines to believe that Playmaker was not responsible for planting a virus in Blue Angel; Akira instead allows his feelings to overcloud his better judgment, and physically torments Playmaker until he gives in and confesses. It isn't until Revolver appears and confesses that the Knights of Hanoi were responsible for the act that Akira releases Playmaker, after he is coaxed into doing so, so that Playmaker and Revolver can Duel, with Blue Angel's life at stake.
* CastFromHitPoints: Several of his cards involve LP costs in some form, which works for him since it allows him to use Storm Access in Speed Duels.
* CatchPhrase: Some variation of "[[RuleOfThree three reasons]]" when [[AwesomenessByAnalysis analyzing situations or reading people]].
* TheComicallySerious: When Kusanagi and Ai teases him for his poor social skills with womens, he doesnt react in anger or embarrassment and maintains a deadpan expression as usual. He is frequently this when it comes to dealing with Ai's antics and he will always remain deadpan no matter what happens to him.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter:
** To [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Yuya]]. Their attitude, deck themes, and appearances are opposites to each other: While Yuya is an entertainer and a AllLovingHero who enjoys the limelight, Yusaku is an expert hacker and a {{Jerkass}} AntiHero who would rather sit on the sidelines. Yuya believes Dueling should be fun to both himself and everyone watching and never a war tool, while Yusaku doesn't enjoy it and uses it as a tool for his {{Revenge}}. Yuya uses a deck full of clowns, circus animals, dragons, and classic magicians, while Yusaku's deck is themed after VR beings, with the added difference of Yuya using a specific archetype with a large amount of monster types while Yusaku uses various Cyberse-type monsters that don't share an archetype. And finally, Yuya has a bright and colorful appearance, while Yusaku appears to be more bleak and realistic.
** He's also this to ''all'' the previous main characters, because he has no personal interest in Dueling and only uses Duel Monsters as a weapon to use for eliminating the Knights of Hanoi. While the previous main characters would never think of turning down a challenge due to their honor as Duelists, Yusaku only accepts if it will achieve his goals and isn't concerned if his reputation suffers for backing down.
** Something else that differs him from not only Yuya, but also [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Yuma]] (the three of them can even be considered the next trio of protagonists after the first three series) is the amount of dueling skills and power they possess. Yuma and Yuya tend to lose many duels in their series, because of the lack of skill they had from the start, but while they both became stronger, they still couldn't truly be called "the strongest" until the end of their series. Yusaku on the other hand is an insanely powerful and skilled duelist who never lost a duel in the first season except for the flashbacks when he was a kid. And up till now still has to get his first proper defeat in the series.
* CurbStompBattle: Playmaker [[OneHitKill wipes out all of Kenmochi's LP in a single turn]] with the Effects of "Pentestag" and "Cyberse Annihilation", all without letting his own LP deplete once. He also defeats Yoroizaka in a single turn without letting his own LP deplete once, by clearing the latter's Field of Monsters with "Firewall Dragon's" Effect and attacking directly with both "Dual Assembwurm" and "Firewall Dragon".
* CyberPunk: Yusaku uses the Cyberse archetype, which all fit this theme.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: [[spoiler: He and five other children were kidnapped by the perpetrators of the Hanoi Project and kept isolated in almost empty rooms, one child in each. The only thing there was in the rooms were the [=VR=] equipment used to duel against difficult opponents. Defeat wasn't an option. First, they'd be punished for their loss with an electroshock, then [[DeniedFoodAsPunishment they'd be deprived of food]], all while in isolation, for half a year. While he tried therapy after escaping, it didn't help, continuing to have recurring night terrors as well as seemingly developing an inability to sleep on his own.]]
* DarkIsNotEvil: Downplayed; Playmaker dons a bodysuit with dark colours, and personality-wise, he is at worst anti-heroic.
* DeadpanSnarker: Doesn't say much besides snark when he responds to the AI in Naoki's Duel Disk.
-->'''AI in Naoki's Duel Disk:''' Hello there.\\
'''Yusaku:''' Yeah, hi.
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Of [[Anime/YuGiOh5Ds Yusei]]. Both of them are cool and level-headed [[VigilanteMan vigilantes]] with a penchant for technology (vehicles for Yusei, hacking for Yusaku—although Yusei is also proficient in hacking) and money problems (Yusei growing up in the slums, Yusaku living in a shabby apartment). But while Yusei is [[AllLovingHero openly friendly]] despite his [[TheComicallySerious serious demeanor]] and [[NotSoAboveItAll enjoys Dueling to some degree]], Yusaku is very [[NoSocialSkills standoffish and cold-hearted]], [[SeriousBusiness treating it as weapons to eliminate those who are getting in his way]] and [[BrutalHonesty expressing downright brutal opinions to others]].
* DeliberateInjuryGambit: In a Speed Duel, he will allow his LP to deplete to 1000 or lower so that he can meet the prerequisite for activating Storm Access.
** Playmaker gets a chance to block the attack-boosting power of one of GO's monsters and chooses one that contributes a lower boost, so that he can get down to 100 LP and use his Skill.
** Ghost Girl defies this twice:
*** When a replay occurs in which Playmaker (who boasted 1900 LP at the time) Summons "Lockout Gardna" as Ghost Girl attempts to attack him directly with "Altergeist Primebanshee", she does not continue her attack.
*** Playmaker pays 1000 LP by "Balancer Lord's" effect so he can again meet Storm Access's activation prerequisite, only for Ghost Girl to activate her Secret Cure Skill to restore his LP back to over 1000. Playmaker quickly gets around this by paying 1000 LP once again (this time by "Scan Doll's" effect) to meet said prerequisite, and activates Storm Access without issue.
** In his Duel against one of SOL's AI prototypes, he halves his LP with "Cynet Defrag's" effect, then pays a further 1000 LP by "Flick Clown's" effect, bringing his LP down to exactly 1000.
** Blood Shepherd also defies this in their Duel by forcing Playmaker to gain 1000 LP after "Cyberse Witch" and "Medicdrone Dock's" Battle and prevent him from meeting the prerequisite for activating Storm Access. Playmaker, however, quickly gets around this by halving his LP with "Dimension Link".
* {{Determinator}}: Yusaku isn't the type to give up easily, or at all.
* DontYouDarePityMe: Other than Kusanagi, Yusaku doesn’t want other people to help him or sympathize with him because he doesn’t want others to get involved in his fight against Hanoi and out of concern would prefer to keep everyone safe.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Even though [[spoiler: Yusaku risked everything to defeat Revolver to stop the Tower of Hanoi, prevented countless lives from being lost, rescued those that have been lost, the world from falling into anarchy without technology, and much more]], in Season 2 [[spoiler:Yusaku is hunted down by people who should've been grateful he managed to beat all odds and save them ''at all''.]]
* ElectricTorture: Back when he was in confinement, he would be electrocuted every time he lost a Duel in the VR space and be denied food.
* EmotionlessBoy: Downplayed of The Stoic type. Yusaku does have emotions but he just doesn’t want to express them unless he is provoked.
* EnsembleDarkhorse: In-universe and lampshaded by Revolver, after Playmaker beats a Knight of Hanoi.
-->'''Revolver:''' Playmaker, to think he'd be such a dark horse.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: [[ExactWords Yusaku's first appearance]] is when he's woken up by Naoki at the end of their class. In quick succession Naoki shows off his Duel Disk, quips that Yusaku's older model must mean he isn't a very good duelist, discusses LINK VRAINS, and asks Yusaku if he wants help improving his Dueling skills. Yusaku (who doesn't even know Naoki's name despite being in the same class for a month) replies by means of a SherlockScan to explain that he's already determined that Naoki isn't a good duelist, but is a good guy and also passionate about the game in spite of skill level. This works to quickly establish Yusaku as an intellectual and analytical thinker.
* EveryoneHasStandards: In spite of his vengeful spirit, he is unwilling to sacrifice uninvolved parties, as demonstrated when Spectre reveals an imprisoned Akira in front of him, who increasingly risks being infected by the prison's virus as Spectre takes damage
* ExperiencedProtagonist: He was already active as Playmaker for a year before the series began.
* {{Expy}}:
** Appears to be this for [[Anime/YuGiOh5Ds Yusei]], being a cool-headed economically troubled TeenGenius and all, but his Playmaker account resembles a DarkerAndEdgier version of [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Yuma's first ZEXAL form]] and in personality and backstory, he's more similar to [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Jaden]] in season 4 since they both used to enjoy dueling, but horrific events caused them to lose the joy and love they had for the game and changed their personalities into a distant and serious person the only difference is that it happened to Yusaku before the series instead of during. In addition, his DarkAndTroubledPast, extreme bitterness towards others, and refusal to participate in social activities brings [[Manga/YuGiOh Kaiba]] to mind.
** His Code Talker monsters looked like an odd combination between [[Manga/YuGiOh Buster Blader]], and [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Elemental HERO Sparkman]]. It also serves a similar role to Yusei's Warriors.
** Shares a few elements with [[Anime/YuGiOhZexal Shark]] and [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Yuto]], both being orphans with a MysteriousPast to the audience, having someone they wanted to get {{Revenge}} on, and wanting so help/save someone who has a younger sibling bond with a main cast member.
** Yusaku's Firewall Dragon is this to the previous main characters' ace monsters. A monster with 2500 ATK who has very strong utility. It also lacks a level like [[Anime/YuGiOhZexal Number 39: Utopia]], who is a Rank 4 Xyz monster similar to how Firewall Dragon is a LINK-4 Link monster.
* FatalFlaw:
** Despite being so skilled to the point of overpowering Revolver in their first Master Duel, Yusaku has severe RevengeBeforeReason and UnstoppableRage issues.
** His sense of justice tends to hinder him too, especially when someone else is caught in his path to revenge. When Akira is captured while Yusaku is fighting Spectre, Spectre states that any damage to him makes the cage Akira is in more dangerous as touching the cage would implant a virus. Thus Yusaku refrains from damaging Spectre.
* TheFettered: Zigzagged. Yusaku will do whatever it takes to get {{Revenge}} on the Knights of Hanoi but at the same time, he's against getting others involved in it, and refuses to act if an innocent party is dragged into it and held hostage (as is the case with Akira being held hostage in a virus-infested vine prison, during Playmaker's Duel against Spectre).
* FrameUp: Playmaker becomes a wanted man in NEW LINK VRAINS since its opening thanks to SOL Technologies, who has ordered a team of {{bounty hunter}}s to go after him and acquire the Ignis in his possession.
* FromNobodyToNightmare: Originally just [[spoiler:some random kidnapping victim]], who's since then become one of the biggest threats to Hanoi [[spoiler: and possibly to S.O.L. Technologies.]]
* TheGadfly: Claims that he appeared during Dark Onizuka and Genome's Duel so that he can scoff at the former when he loses, to Dark Onizuka's irritation.
* GoldenSuperMode: As Playmaker, Yusaku's hair changes color, with the dark blue part becoming magenta, the bright blue part becoming a yellowish gold, and the bright pink parts becoming hot pink.
* GoodIsNotNice: To unbelievable degrees. He's a hacker, a NoNonsenseNemesis, and a cold-hearted AntiHero who wants to [[{{Revenge}} make the Knights of Hanoi pay the price]] for their involvement in the "past incident".
* GoodOldWays: Downplayed, but he uses an older modeled Duel Disk which requires physical cards, as opposed to Duel Disks which can utilize cards in data format. This is also a nod to some hackers in real life who have avoided detection by using outdated tech that is sometimes well over a decade old.
* HealThyself: When a Link Monster co-linked to his Binary Sorceress battles an opponent's Monster and inflicts battle damage to them, he gains LP equal to the amount of damage inflicted.
* HiddenHeartOfGold: Yusaku may be cold hearted most of the time but he does have a nice and compassionated side to his personality as well and he may be an AntiHero but he is not a bad person.
* TheHero: Of ''VRAINS''. Not that he wants the title though.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Multiple instances of subversions of this trope, which would've otherwise lead Playmaker to his loss:
** In his Duel against a Knight of Hanoi, Playmaker's Summoning of "Stack Reviver" while "Cracking Dragon" is present on the Knight of Hanoi's Field only costed him 100 LP since his Monster boasted an original ATK of less than 400 (Playmaker had exactly 400 LP left at the time he Summoned it).
** Revolver attempts to finish off Playmaker with the latter's "Firewall Dragon" while it was in the former's possession, only for Playmaker to activate "Cynet Refresh" to destroy all cards in both players' Main Monster Zones before the attack could go through.
** Playmaker Summoning "Secure Gardna" to the Main Monster Zone that the upper Link Arrow of Akira's "Acute Cerberus" pointed to costs him the Duel by the effect of "Gergonne's End"... except [[NoSell "Secure Gardna's" effect negates all effect damage]] its controller takes on the same turn it's Special Summoned.
* HumanSacrifice: Subverted. While Revolver forced a DRAW in his second Speed Duel against Playmaker, neither of them are absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi, and are forced out of LINK VRAINS due to a Data Storm shockwave.
* InvincibleHero: Although he has gotten hurt in his battles, [[spoiler:so far, Playmaker has thoroughly been invincible and has not lost a single battle (those where he 'lost' was when Revolver forced a draw).]]
* IllBoy: Downplayed but he has severe PTSD. His methods of eating are unhealthy and he frequently looks tired and collapses after logging out of LINK VRAINS.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: One of his Link Monsters is "Firewall Dragon", but it is a Cyberse-Type instead of Dragon-Type.
* {{Irony}}:
** He doesn't want to stand out, but his account name is "Playmaker" and becomes well-known in the Network World for dealing with the threat the Knights of Hanoi poses. Justified; he only cares about not standing out at school and in real life, since as a hacker he could get in a lot of trouble if anyone connected his online persona to his real identity.
** Despite his solo tendencies, a lot of his best Link Monsters benefit from being linked to others.
** To follow up with the above, he has made it a point that he wants others to stay away from his battles. However, as VRAINS as a whole is typically under attack, he ends up collaborating with Go and Blue Angel on several occasions.
* ItsNotYouItsMyEnemies: Yusaku (initially) avoids making friends because he knows his enemies don't mess around and doesn't want anybody getting hurt.
* IWorkAlone: Prefers to keep everyone else out of his battle against the Knights of Hanoi, describing it as a life-or-death situation.
* JadeColoredGlasses: When he was younger, Yusaku used to be much happier and loved dueling. However, [[spoiler:after the incident, Yusaku had trouble living day to day life and is still recovering from the lingering effects of trauma since then. He became jaded and cynical, becoming consumed with revenge for the one who did this to him and the five other children.]]
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: While Yusaku may be a cold-hearted {{Jerkass}}, he does have a number of noble and heroic moments.
** Immediately after he tells Naoki how his analysis defines him as a weak Duelist, he also tells him how that defined him as a good person. Naoki is not pleased with him either way. He also later admits that Akira seems like a good person.
** He admits he doesn't hate or dislike anyone other than the Knights of Hanoi. This seems to be due to how people around him don't seem to be bad people and he was taken care by numerous others after his dark and traumatic childhood incident.
** He describes the battle against the Knights of Hanoi as a life-or-death situation, and out of concern would prefer to keep GO and everyone else from getting involved rather than recruit allies. When the Knights of Hanoi start attacking random duelists and turning them into Anothers, Yusuaku decides to enter LINK VRAINS and confront them, despite it being safer to stay away.
* KickTheDog:
** What Go thinks of him showing up and "snatching" the spotlight (even if it's unintentional). In Playmaker's defense though, [[SubvertedTrope he didn't ask for fame in the first place]]. Played straight with initial his poor treatment of Ai, though.
** Akira attempts to convince Yusaku to reconsider his RevengeBeforeReason attitude. While Yusaku doesn't care, he advises Akira and Aoi against getting further involved in his personal war against the Knights of Hanoi out of concern for their future, so this is both zig-zagged and justified.
* KidDetective: Yusaku is described as "a hacker who has the sort of sharp mind that can solve mysteries". Best shown in the Another incident when he manages to find the leads he needed to track down one of the Three Lieutenants of Hanoi.
* LightIsGood: His "Firewall Dragon" is a LIGHT Monster.
* LimitedWardrobe: Apart from his digital avatar, he's only seen wearing his school uniform, possibly because he can't afford any other clothes.
* TheMagicPokerEquation: His Skill, Storm Access, allows him to randomly add a card found in a Data Storm to his deck. Naturally, the first time he uses it he gains Decode Talker, which is perfectly suited to winning him the duel. That said, Ignis did create the storm Decode Talker was in and kept trying to get Yusaku go into it, so possibly downplayed.
* MeaningfulName: Yusaku's surname, Fujiki, is Japanese for "wisteria tree". Meanwhile, his first name is written by combining the kanjis for "Play" and "Make".
* MesACrowd: Not intentionally but Playmaker has several impersonators who have the same avatar as him but none of the impostors do a good job impersonating Playmaker. Later during Spectre and Blue Angel's Duel, a boy posing as Playmaker confronts Frog and Pigeon, mistaking the pair for Knights of Hanoi, and attempts to engage them in a Duel.
* MrFanservice: He has [[BadassBaritone a deep voice]], is a competent fighter, [[{{Bishounen}} doesn't look half-bad]] and his Playmaker persona wears [[LatexSpacesuit a skin-tight bodysuit]].
* MulticoloredHair: He has dark blue hair, complete with light blue bangs and traces of pink.
* MySignificanceSenseIsTingling: Has the power to "sense" things, which enables him to detect false appearances and decrypt data.
* MysteriousProtector: His role as Playmaker. He doesn't even bother revealing his secret identity to others.
* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: After saving the world, his reward is beign a wanted fugitive.
* NoNonsenseNemesis: He's not Dueling for fun, but for {{Revenge}} and likes to finish duels quickly.
* NoSocialSkills: Kinda. His idea of getting close to Aoi is stalking her around the school. Fortunately, he's getting better once Takeru comes into the story.
* NothingPersonal: Bears no malicious intent towards Akira and doesn't hold it against him for being dismissive of revenge, but will take him down in a Duel regardless if he gets in the way of Playmaker's desire for revenge.
* NotSoStoic:
** He gets agitated when Ignis reads off the inflammatory internet comments about Playmaker not accepting Blue Angel's challenge. Ignis teases that contrary to his attitude, Yusaku ''does'' care what other people think of him.
** Playmaker loses his cool and snaps at Akira in rage after the latter claims that he understands what it's like to lose a loved one.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: In real life he acts like a lazy slacker who has no idea about dueling. Online as Playmaker he's a focused and strategic top duelist. He even carries around a decoy deck with him so anyone that looks at his cards will think he's an amateur.
* OnlineAlias: Playmaker. Prior to his initial meeting with Kusanagi, Yusaku went by the alias Unknown.
* OrdinaryHighschoolStudent: Acts as one, but has been working as the Playmaker for a while.
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: Though the Archfiend archetype usually consists of Fiend-Types, Yusaku's Vector Square Archfiend is instead a Cyberse-Type.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: While it bears the appearance of a dragon and contains "dragon" in its name, Yusaku's Firewall Dragon is a Cyberse-Type instead. Same applies to Cyberse Clock Dragon and Cyberse Quantum Dragon.
* OverworkedSleep: Has a tendency to doze off to sleep after returning from a hard fought Duel in LINK VRAINS.
* PerpetualFrowner: Hardly seen with a non-serious facial expression. He does smile as he turns to face the rising sun at the end of [=ED1=], though.
* PetTheDog:
** Spends his time in Episode #8 attempting to help Aoi/Blue Angel, from taking her to the hospital when he finds her comatose body to willingly walking into a trap to find the computer program that could cure her.
** After Revolver and Playmaker's second Master Duel wraps up, [[spoiler:Yusaku frees Ai from captivity, allowing him to freely return home back to the Cyberse World]].
* PragmaticHero: Although herioc, not very much of an idealist and willing to do shady and illegal acts such as [[spoiler:infiltrating and stealing SOL's company data.]]
* PriceOnTheirHead: Since the opening of NEW LINK VRAINS, Playmaker is a wanted target with a bounty on his head worth ₽500,000, targeted by {{bounty hunter}}s under the orders of SOL Technologies.
* RageBreakingPoint: He and Kusanagi snap at Akira, who claims that he understands what it's like to lose a loved one.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Playmaker dismisses the Knight of Hanoi he beats up in #2, in that the latter has no right to call himself a Duelist.
-->'''Playmaker''': You don't deserve to be called a "Duelist"!
* RedOniBlueOni:
** The quite and emotionless blue oni to Ai's bombastic red.
** Playmaker's stoicism and no-nonsense front contrasts Soulburner's [[HotBlooded hot-bloodedness]].
* ReiAyanamiExpy: Dark and troubled past? Check. Unusually colored hair (blue with magenta highlights)? Check. Very stoic and comes off as emotionless? Check.
* RelativeButton: If you value your dignity, never, ''ever'' tell him to let go of his past hurts (which scarred him and Kusanagi's little brother) and live his present life in happiness. Akira learns this the hard way.
* {{Revenge}}: Vows to avenge his and Kusanagi's little brother's past by getting back at those responsible for the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* RevengeBeforeReason: Akira attempts to convince Playmaker to abandon the idea of revenge, let go of his past hurts, enjoy his present life in happiness, and allow the former to responsibly bring a closure to the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project. Naturally, Playmaker refuses to relent. Later, as pointed out by Spectre, the trope is actually subverted, as despite his desire for revenge, he doesn't have the heart to be cruel and let people suffer for his revenge.
* RuleOfThree:
** Has a habit of listing three things about a given situation or person.
** His Three-Strike Barrier requires that his opponent controls exactly three cards as a prerequisite to activate.
** His Powercode Talker requires exactly three Monsters as Link Summoning Material.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere:
** Go and Blue Angel attempt to confront Playmaker in a Duel after he defeats a Knight of Hanoi, but dismissively remarks that he has no interest in either of them, and proceeds to log out of LINK VRAINS.
** Playmaker attempts to bolt when he finds out that the Knight of Hanoi he's chasing is really GO in disguise. [[CrazyPrepared Unlike last]] [[DefiedTrope time however]], GO gets the cooperation of SOL Technologies Inc. and prepares a trap that prevents Playmaker from logging out unless he defeats GO in a Duel.
** He tried to escape from the Knights of Hanoi after learning they know nothing of the Lost Incident, but he almost failed if it wasn't for Shoichi's interference.
* SeriousBusiness: He treats Dueling as a means of hunting down the Knights of Hanoi.
* SherlockScan: In his EstablishingCharacterMoment, he deduces Naoki's personality and skill level in dueling just by listening to him talk about duel disks and VRAINS. This carries over into his duels, where he's very good at analyzing the field and makes moves that seem poor to onlookers, but serve a greater strategy Yusaku is working towards.
* ShrinkingViolet: {{Subverted}}; he actually doesn't want to expose the fact that he is a hacker.
** Played a little straight in #6, where he has no idea how to approach Aoi, and gets nervous before entering the Duel Club room.
* TheStoic: Prefers to distance himself from others due to his Playmaker business.
* SugarAndIcePersonality: He may be ruthless, aloof and cold most of the time but he does have good heart deep down.
* SurvivalMantra: Since his time in captivity during the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project, the "three reasons/things" mantra [[spoiler:taught to him by Revolver]] is what motivated him to move forward.
* TeenGenius: Said to be an incredibly smart person, good at reading people, and quick-witted.
* ThemeNaming: As per series tradition, Yusaku's name has the kanji 遊. Unlike the previous main characters, however, his name has three syllables as opposed to two.
* ThisCannotBe: Playmaker is initially shocked over Bohman's claim that not only was he one of the victims of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project, he is the real Yusaku... only to later be shot down by Playmaker on the grounds that Bohman was imprinted with fake memories.
* TooDumbToLive: Subverted in his second Speed Duel against Revolver. Playmaker risks his life by activating Storm Access, sustaining injuries and a severed hand in the process. Had it not been for Ai saving him, Playmaker would potentially be dead by now.
* TookALevelInBadass: Starting from his third Duel with Bohman, Playmaker's Skill is upgraded to Neo Storm Access, which allows him to acquire any Cyberse Extra Deck Monster, not just a Cyberse Link Monster.
* TronLines: Playmaker's bodysuit sports golden trimmings, which glow light blue when Ritual Summoning, purple when Fusion Summoning, and light green when Synchro Summoning.
* TsurimeEyes: Highlighting his aloofness. The sharpness of his eyes also highlights his determination for revenge against those involved in the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* TheUnchosenOne: Zigzagged. Yusaku is neither TheChosenOne ([[Manga/YuGiOh Yugi]], [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Judai]], [[Anime/YuGiOh5Ds Yusei]], [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Yuma]]) nor an ApocalypseMaiden ([[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Yuya]]); he has no special destiny or powers that make him TheHero. He just happens to be a normal civilian smart enough to swipe Ignis from the internet before his enemies can. On the other hand, a later reveal shows that the Ignis that Yusaku captured was actually created based on Yusaku himself due to the [[spoiler:Lost Incident]] and shares a special connection to him as a result. Of course, Yusaku did not know this at the time but capturing Ai gave him the capability to take on the Knights of Hanoi.
* UnstoppableRage: Towards the Knights of Hanoi for ruining his childhood, specifically in regards to the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* UsedToBeASweetKid: He used to be a cheerful kid who enjoys playing Duel Monsters before the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* VigilanteMan: Hunts down the Knights of Hanoi and is branded as an EnsembleDarkhorse by the Charisma Duelists, but SOL Technologies Inc. sees him as a hacker. He also trusts only himself to uncover the truth about the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* VirtueIsWeakness: Exploited by Spectre, who has taken Akira hostage within a prison of vines with viruses installed in them and points out that Playmaker's unwillingness to sacrifice others to put an end to Hanoi's ambitions is a flaw of his that will ultimately lead to his downfall.
* WhenHeSmiles: During his second Master Duel against Revolver. In spite of the face of adversity he's in after being overwhelmed by Revolver's Extra Linked Monsters, Playmaker manages to smile, to Ai's surprise.
* WorldsBestWarrior: The best duelist in LINK VRAINS and is so far undefeated.
* YouAreTooLate:
** Fails to stop Makoto from being forcefully dragged into LINK VRAINS (and subsequently being turned into an Another victim).
** Playmaker is powerless to do anything to prevent [[spoiler:Ghost Girl from being purged and the Tower of Hanoi's activation]].
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Has literal blue hair with some pink shades in it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Ai]]
!!Ai
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TakahiroSakurai (Japanese), Michael Liscio Jr.(English)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep12_ai_gets_his_body_back.png]]

A mysterious AI program, sought after by the Knights of Hanoi and SOL Technologies Inc., that Yusaku captures. Belongs to an AI species with free will, known as the Ignis, and is based on the DARK Attribute.
----
* {{Adorkable}}: His comic relief antics are really dorky.
* AmnesiacHero: Before he could escape, a Cracking Dragon devoured most of his body, leaving his memories heavily fragmented or outright gone. [[spoiler:As of [[WhamEpisode episode #41]], this is subverted; Revolver reveals that in the fragments of data the Knights of Hanoi collected after tearing Ai apart, none of them contained his memories. Therefore, Ai had them all along and was lying to Yusaku about having no memories.]]
* ArtificialIntelligence: Belongs to a species of [=AIs=] with free will known as the Ignis, created by Kogami.
* TheAtoner: [[spoiler:In episode #42, seeing Playmaker continuously fail to perform Storm Access and even getting a forearm ripped off, Ai stepped in and transformed into a larger version of himself to prevent Playmaker from falling. Ai then proceeded to sacrifice a part of himself to repair Playmaker's arm and shield him from the flying debris. He really could have been erased. [[BetweenARockAndAHardPlace Even if he could have been erased either by Playmaker losing or being destroyed by the debris]] and had the slightest chance of surviving by saving Playmaker, he still saved Playmaker from certain death while risking his own life. Ai may have been willing to sacrifice himself because he wanted to make it up to Playmaker for lying about losing his memories.]]
-->[[spoiler:''Ai: "Shut up! This is how I repent!"'']]
* AttentionWhore: When he gets his body back and shows off. Yusaku and Kusanagi couldn't care less.
* BewareTheSillyOnes:
** After a Knight of Hanoi is about to [[TakingYouWithMe blow himself up]], Ai transforms into an EldritchAbomination... and devours him.
** Later, when Revolver loses against Playmaker in their master duel, he does so again and tears his arm off.
** In the duel with Faust, it was heavily implied Ai intentionally put Naoki in danger as an excuse to make Yusaku eliminate Faust. When Faust loses the duel he laments that Ai will bring about the downfall of humanity; this coupled with his actions in the episode heavily implies Ai might be a BitchInSheepsClothing.
* ButtMonkey: You can't help feeling sorry for the poor thing after everything that happens to it. [[UpToEleven And that is after just one episode]].
** In #12 he finally gets some of his Data back so he can reform his original body!... But he's only big enough to be held like a doll and doesn't impress anyone, he didn't even get any of his memories back.
* CaptainObvious: Often has a tendency to point out whatever happens in a Duel.
* CassandraTruth: Playmaker initially refuses to believe that a Knight of Hanoi has once again invaded LINK VRAINS, until Ai reveals that Blue Angel fell under the influence of Hanoi.
* CastingAShadow: All of the six Ignis are based on each of the Attributes of the card game (except DIVINE); Ai is based on DARK.
* CatchPhrase: Exclaims "Take hold of the wind, Playmaker!", usually every time he utilizes Storm Access.
* ChewToy: Literally! Barely escaped after being followed and almost devoured by a Cracking Dragon.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: To [[Manga/YuGiOh Dark Yugi]], [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Yubel]] and [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Astral]]. Unlike any of them, he is much goofier and amiable. Also, his purpose is immediately made clear upon his introduction, unlike his more mysterious predecessors. His relationship with Yusaku also differs from the others, as Yusaku is aware of him but doesn't respect him and sees him as an annoyance. Also, the above three were invisible to everyone but the protagonist and a select few. Astral could only be seen by Yuma initially, with the others being able to see him due to special circumstances, Dark Yugi was only visible while in Yugi's body, and Yubel could only been seen by Jaden after they fused together. Ai is visible to anyone on and off LINK VRAINS, and has to take steps to hide himself in the real world so a Knight of Hanoi or SOL Technologies wouldn't see him with Yusaku. Another thing that differentiates Ai from them is that he doesn't advise Yusaku during a duel and tends to panic or be confused by the plays made instead. All Ai can do is give Yusaku Storm Access so that he can get the cards he needs to win or say what the cards effect are like normal AI. It's even implied he causes more trouble for him in a duel, because of his BadBadActing and the one time he did give advise to him, he made the situation unintentionally worse, because not only did the OTK fail, but Bohman's LP are below 1000 which means he can use Storm Access.
* ComicRelief: Of '''ALL''' the characters in this show, he has the least serious personality.
* CosmicPlaything: Despite dismissing the idea of prayer, is obviously hated by the Universe.
* CryCute: A comical variant, where it tears up over being given an EmbarrassingNickname.
* DarkIsNotEvil: He is the Ignis who represents the DARK Attribute, but he's also a complete goofball who's much more amicable than his partner.
* DeadpanSnarker: After witnessing Prototype Ai-A's cards' hand destruction effects, Ai snidely claims that Playmaker is terrible at old maid.
* ADogNamedDog: Is given the name Ai by Yusaku because he's an AI, and because when they meet [[GratuitousEnglish his entire body is an eye]].
* DudeWheresMyRespect: To his dismay, Yusaku and Kusanagi don't bat an eye when Ai regains and reveals his true form.
* EldritchAbomination: Shapeshifts into some sort of monstrosity to consume a Knight of Hanoi who was about to [[TakingYouWithMe blow himself up to eliminate Playmaker]].
* EmbarrassingNickname: "Ai", courtesy of Yusaku. Later subverted when he openly embraces his nickname after Playmaker appears to confront Genome.
* {{Expy}}: Despite the contrast to the other partners stated above. Ai does have a few similarities to them.
** Just like Yubel he doesn't truly help Yusaku like Dark Yugi or Astral in a duel other then encourage him, but he does give him a new ability just Yubel does with Jaden.
** His relation with Yusaku is quite similar to that of Yuma and Astral, but the difference here is that their personalities are switched with Yusaku being the cool headed one and Ai being the HotBlooded loud mouth.
* {{Foil}}: His goofy attitude is sharply contrasts Yusaku's stoicism.
* TheFriendNobodyLikes: Claims that its own people dislike it.
* TheGadfly:
** Being an AI doesn't make him any less capable of teasing Yusaku for being unable to talk to girls.
** He also teases a miffed Yusaku after he requests that Ai stop reading hate comments posted after declining to Duel Blue Angel.
* HeroicSacrifice: Subverted during Playmaker and Revolver's second Speed Duel. Ai shields Playmaker from the debris as Playmaker enters the Data Storm and activates Storm Access, and appears to have vanished after Playmaker acquires Transcode Talker... but actually survives, as a miniature Ai reappears after Revolver begins his turn.
* HiddenDepths:
** Yusaku suspects him of being the one who was responsible for sending and installing Cyberse Wizard's card data into Naoki's Duel Disk.
** While Ai isn't the smartest of the Ignis, his brethren all consider him the [[SimpleMindedWisdom wisest]] of the group.
* HumiliationConga: The first episode alone has Ai go through all kinds of trouble, but being captured by Yusaku is definitely where the chain of humiliation after humiliation begins.
* {{Irony}}: An AI that was born through [[spoiler: the torture of kids by]] dueling tends to panic a lot when it looks like Playmaker is going to lose, because he can either not keep up with his strategies or doesn't know the effect of his cards which are implied to be created by him since they are either Cyberse-type or support for them.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Mostly in the first season. He used to be both cold towards almost everyone around him, but only inflicted harm to the Knights of Hanoi.
* LivingMacGuffin: To the degree that an AI can be considered "living" anyway.
* LovableCoward: After everything Ai has been through in just the first episode, this cowardice is entirely {{Justified}}.
* LoveableSexManiac: Though not aggressive about it, Ai had three sex-scenes ''on-screen'' in the first twenty episodes alone. His first guess as to why Yusaku is always busy is that he's making out with Shoichi.
* TheMcCoy: Ai is an emotional type that prefers to tend to his own instincts and desires, and according to Bohman [[spoiler: this makes him important to the Ignis, as he was the anomaly and watching him allowed the other Ignises to develop their own quirks and personalities. As Bohman says, he is critically needed for the AI to avoid stagnation and evolve.]]
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: In the third duel between Playmaker and Bohman. He advises Playmaker to defeat Bohman in one turn, because his instinct is telling him he's too dangerous, because of how stronger he got. Not only did the attempt fail, but Bohman was able to survive with his LP below 1000. This means he's able to use Storm Access in his next turn.
* NoNameGiven: Was only referred to as a "mysterious lifeform" prior the series' premiere. In the voice cast list during the credits, he is still identified as such instead of his name (until #3, where his name is listed as "[[EmbarrassingNickname Ai]]").
* NoRespectGuy: The target of everyone's attacks, but never taken seriously.
* OddNameOut: He's Ai while the other Ignis names are related to their element. Justified in that Flame started the trend and Yusaku was unaware of the elemental basis of the Ignis when he named him.
* PluckyComicRelief: He serves as the main comic relief in the show.
* PriceOnTheirHead: As Playmaker himself is a bounty target since the opening of NEW LINK VRAINS, Ai himself is also a target.
* RedOniBlueOni: The self centered and talkative red to Yusaku's blue.
* SayingTooMuch: Ai's "panicking" in an attempt to goad Ghost Girl's Primebanshee into attacking Playmaker's Lockout Gardna fails after her AI informs her of Storm Access and the prerequisite to activate it.
* SimpleMindedWisdom: Despite normally being TheDitz, Ai is considered the wisest of the six Ignis.
* TheSlacker: Back in the Cyberse World, Ai was very carefree and wasn't the working type, and thus was deemed an annoyance by the other Ignis.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Is the EmbarrassingNickname "Eye" or "Ai"? The anime goes with the latter.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Most people only see it as a tool. Yusaku's poor treatment of it comes from the fact that he doesn't think it can feel or actually think, just that it's programmed to keep itself out of anyone's control.
** [[Spoiler:He thinks of this when he learns of Earth's demise through Ryoken]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Shoichi Kusanagi (Kolter)/Unnamed]]
!!Shoichi Kusanagi (Kolter)/Unnamed
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SubaruKimura (Japanese), Sam Black (English)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shoichi_episode_4_4.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Click [[labelnote:here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kusanagi_unknown.png[[/labelnote]]to see Unnamed]]

A seemingly ordinary man acquainted with Yusaku who runs a hotdog stand, he is in truth a skilled hacker who operates as Playmaker's MissionControl. He has a little brother, Jin Kusanagi, who remains traumatised thanks to a certain ten-year old incident.
----
* BewareTheNiceOnes: While one of the most easygoing and friendly characters in the show, pissing him off by trivialising his past is a terrible mistake.
* BigBrotherInstinct: He seems to be involved in Yusaku's mission in order to help his little brother. Downplayed with Yusaku, as he helps him fight life or death battles.
** When Jin’s consciousnesses was taken by Bohman and Haru, Kusanagi is pressed to find the culprits and get it back. [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Yusaku and Ai are slightly unnerved and worried by this change of behavior.]]
* BigDamnHeroes: Subverted. Kusanagi completes the LVSS in time and attempts to bring Akira out of a thorny prison... but it fails to work.
* TheConfidant: To Yusaku, as one of the few individuals who knows about [[MySignificanceSenseIsTingling Yusaku's abilities.]]
* CoolBigBro: Acts as one to Yusaku. Yusaku was also seemingly close to his actual younger brother.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: His younger brother was in the same place as Yusaku, being one of the six children who were abducted during the Lost Incident.
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Kusanagi serves as this to Kurosaki. They both are older brother characters who lost their younger sibling after they got kidnapped by the antagonist organization. Kurosaki's sister Ruri got kidnapped by Academia while his brother got kidnapped by Hanoi, making both Kusanagi and Kurosaki develop a grudge with them for kidnapping their siblings. Both also work with their close friends, Yuto and Yusaku, to save them. However, while Kurosaki became an extremely cold hearted and hot headed {{Jerkass}} after losing Ruri, Kusanagi still manages to be a friendly nice guy after losing his brother.
* DubNameChange: Is known as "Kolter" in the English dub.
* {{Foil}}: Of Akira Zaizen. They are both hackers with siblings that serve as their main motivation. While Akira used hacking as a means of survival, Kusanagi uses it for revenge. While Akira is affiliated with SOL Technologies, Kusanagi is Yusaku's greatest ally. Akira is a skilled duelist while Kusanagi isn't. Akira works at a high-class company while Kusanagi owns his own food truck. Akira is uptight and a bit reserved while Kusanagi is laid-back most of the time and is not hesitant to speak his mind.
* TheGadfly: Show some shades of this, teasing Yusaku over his lack of social skills with women.
* HackerCave: His hotdog van doubles as one.
* MissionControl: Operates as Playmaker's, monitoring his activity and the goings-ons of LINK VRAINS from within his hotdog stand.
* TheNarrator: Narrates the episode previews (with the exception of the fourth RecapEpisode).
* NiceGuy: He seems to be very friendly and the only person Yusaku is most comfortable talking with. Also gets along well with Takeru once he joins the group.
* NiceHat: His LINK VRAINS avatar sports a nice burgundy cap.
* NonActionGuy: Doesn't do any Dueling himself, instead serving as Yusaku's MissionControl. Justified, as he only possesses a rudimentary understanding of Duel Monsters, and his own Dueling skills are novice at best.
* OnlineAlias: Unnamed.
* ParentalSubstitute: The closest thing Yusaku has to a guardian, though he acts more like a brother-figure.
* PreciousPhoto: Kusanagi has a picture of Jin and him as children smiling in front of their house. He is often seen looking at it with a smile.
* RageBreakingPoint: He and Playmaker snap at Akira, who claims that he understands what it's like to lose a loved one.
* RelativeButton: A mention of his and his brother's past by anyone who is not Yusaku is enough to enrage the normally laid-back Kusanagi.
* {{Revenge}}: While good at hiding it, it's shown that deep down, he has a deep grudge towards Hanoi for what they did to his little brother.
* SecretKeeper: For Yusaku, being one of the few individuals who knows of Playmaker's true identity.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Dark purple, in this case.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Takeru Homura/Soulburner]]
!!Takeru Homura/Soulburner
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/YuukiKaji (Japanese), Aoi Inase (Japanese, young)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/takeru_homura.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Click [[labelnote:here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep051_soulburner_smiling_with_flame.png[[/labelnote]] to see Soulburner]]

A NewTransferStudent of Den Academy. In LINK VRAINS, he is known as Soulburner. Just like Yusaku he is a victim of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project and caused his time to stand still. After the incident he became a {{Hikikomori}}, but after seeing the three heroes of LINK VRAINS (Playmaker, GO and Blue Angel)fight against the people who caused his problems and his Ignis Flame visiting him, he decides to go forward and help Playmaker in his fight against the new enemy faction.

Takeru uses a Salamangreat deck, an archetype of FIRE Cyberse-Type Monsters focused on a Beatdown strategy, but unlike Yusaku whose deck focuses on Link Summoning multiple Link Monsters and using their effects together for power, his deck focuses more on summoning one strong monster like his ace Salamangreat Heatlio whose effects alone are enough to defeat his opponents. His deck also utilizes Reincarnation Link Summon this allows him to use Link Monsters as the only material in order to summon a copy of the same monster, but with an effect it couldn't use before. His deck just like Playmaker's is capable of using Ritual and Fusion Summon which he uses as an alternative when his Link Monsters aren't enough.
----
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: His Soulburner persona in a nutshell. Aside from the colors that represent the most common colors of fire (gray is likely to symbolize ash), his hairstyle and scarf also look like a fire. Not surprising given that he uses a FIRE deck and his partner [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment is the Ignis that is not only literally calling himself Flame, but also being the Ignis that specifically represents the FIRE Attribute]]. It's pretty obvious where he got the inspiration.
* BadassBoast: Utters one to Bit and Boot before dueling them, accompanied by his crushing a ball of fire in his hand.
-->''I'm Soulburner. I'll burn you up with these flames!''
* BigDamnHeroes: After Haru sics Bit and Boot on Playmaker to keep him distracted, Soulburner arrives to deal with the pair so that Playmaker can focus on tailing Bohman and Haru.
* BigEntrance: Soulburner appears from a whirling burst of flame, and confronts the Bit and Boot pair in Playmaker's stead so that he can concentrate on tailing Bohman and Haru.
* BreakThemByTalking: Soulburner gets on GO's bad side by pointing out that he's incapable of anything but throwing a hissy fit, all because he's no longer number one in LINK VRAINS. This pisses off GO ''big time''.
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: Although only ambiguously romantic with Kiku, he was brooding and distant back home, while she tried to coax him out of his behavior.
* CastFromHitPoints: His Burning Draw Skill lets him draw a card for every 1000 LP that he gives up.
* ConvenientlyAnOrphan: [[spoiler: His backstory reveals that his parents died in an accident while searching for him while he was kidnapped during the lost incident.]]
* {{Cyberspace}}: He uses a Cyberse deck.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: He's another victim of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project. After being rescued, he was taken in by his grandparents and learned his parents died while searching for him, leaving him an EmptyShell and angry at the world, often skipping school for large periods. When he saw Playmaker, Blue Angel, and Go fight Hanoi, he felt like time started moving for him again and left for Den City to meet and work with them.
* ExpositoryHairstyleChange: Prior to his departure to Den City, Soulburner had his hair slicked back like a Delinquent, and later changed it to a more unassuming, kinder style to help him better fit in as a student in Den City.
* {{Expy}}:
** Of [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Johan]], being a similar character to the main protagonist and joining partway through the series and establishing a great rapport with him. Though like Judai, he has access to a Super Polymerization like card, Fusion of Fire, which lets him use an opponent's monster to fuse, [[spoiler: which was how he beat Blue Girl.]]
** A clear one of [[RecurringElement Katsuya Jonouchi]], being the more [[PlayingWithFire fiery]] duelist with a gambling gimmick. In addition, his deck in the past utilized Phoenix Gearfried and other FIRE Warriors, referencing his deck more directly.
** His NewTransferStudent status and softer real life appearance also make him this to [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Johan]] and [[Anime/YuGiOh5Ds Bruno]].
* FaceOfAThug: Prior to his departure to Den City; while not malicious or outright unfriendly, he was capable of pulling off intimidating expressions, which was an easy way to intimidate the Mizunumas (especially Ryujiro) and their gang.
* FashionableAsymmetry: As Soulburner, his right hand is partly exposed, while on his left hand he wears a red gauntlet.
* {{Foil}}: To Yusaku/Playmaker. Yusaku is a PerpetualFrowner, uses a pure Cyberse Deck with very little focus on a specific archetype (aside from the Extra Deck bound Code Talkers and the Cynet Spell/Trap series), but with various Attributes and Link Climbing being his primary tactic. Takeru/Soulburner on the other hand is much more cheerful, uses an actual archetype of Cyberse monsters ([[CaptainObvious including Main Deck Monsters]]) who share [[PlayingWithFire a single Attribute]] and focuses on brute force.
* HeroWorshipper: Go Onizuka was his hero, his behavior and heroism in the Hanoi incident being what inspired him to come out again, and seeing him wallow in self-pity and be a bounty hunter upsets Soulburner, giving him a BrokenPedestal. To a lesser extent he is one for all the ''VRAINS'' heroes, shown when he fanboys over Aoi's Blue Girl avatar.
* HiddenDepths: Takeru may appear cheerful and spirited now, but he wasn't always like that. He got upset when Flame called him out on having been a shut-in who could only fight his own demons and not fight enemies like Yusaku had. He used to describe himself and feeling empty and angry at everything, and that [[ArcWords time stopped for him]], only starting after learning about the heroes of VRAINS.
* {{Hikikomori}}: After hearing of his parents' deaths while they were searching for him, Takeru grew to hate everything and closed himself off from society. He eventually got out of it after he read the news about Playmaker, Blue Angel, and GO saving LINK VRAINS from the Knights of Hanoi, motivated to move forward and Duel again.
* HopelessWithTech: Seriously [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]], but Takeru himself admits that technology isn't his expertise.
* IllBoy: It may not be noticeable at first, but he went through the same incident as Yusaku and as a result also has PTSD just like him. This is shown when he gets caught by Blood Shepherd's trap, the shock of the trap causes him to have flashbacks of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* {{Keet}}: He seems to be this based on how he [[TheGlomp glomps]] Yusaku in the second opening.
* TheKnightsWhoSaySquee: Soulburner gets excited upon meeting the hero of Link Vrains, and fanboys over Aoi's new avatars, when she gets Blue Girl and later Blue Maiden.]]
* TheLancer: Quickly becomes this upon joining Cafe Nagi, doubling as Playmaker's {{Sidekick}}/NumberTwo.
* LargeHam: Just listen to how bombastically he exclaims "BURNING DRAW!!!".
* LogicalWeakness: As his Burning Draw skill reduces his LP to 100, effects that burn him upon drawing, like the Trickstars, are naturally a problem for him. He cannot use his Skill in such situations until the card is either removed or he has a negation effect in play.
* {{Megane}}: He wears green glasses in reality.
* NewTransferStudent: He transfers into Den Academy to establish connections with Yusaku, as they were both hostages of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* OnlineAlias: Soulburner.
* OnlyFriend: Downplayed. Takeru is the only one Yusaku can consider a genuine friend; on the other hand, Yusaku shares only acquaintance-level relationships with the rest of his schoolmates, and Kusanagi.
* PlayingWithFire: Soulburner uses a fire-themed avatar, and a Salamangreat deck, which is composed of FIRE Monsters.
* PrimalFear: Takeru is afraid of ghosts, stemmed from his experiences with the Zombie-Type "Despair from the Dark" during the Lost Incident.
* RaisedByGrandparents: His parents died when he was young, and he was raised by his grandparents.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Gives a solid one to Go for acting like a sore loser and becoming SOL Technologies's dog as well as not acting like the real him would act.
* RedOniBlueOni: Soulburner's [[HotBlooded hot-bloodedness]] contrasts Playmaker's stoicism and no-nonsense front.
* ScarfOfAsskicking: As Soulburner he trades off his glasses for a flame-shaped scarf.
* ShrinkingViolet: While he comes across as {{Keet}}, he gets easily flustered when praise is put on him out of a lack of self confidence.
* SignatureMove: His Skill, Burning Draw, has him pay LP so that he only has 100 left, and allows him to draw a card for every 1000 LP he pays. In addition to being a high-risk move, it is also physically taxing.
* SixthRanger: Joins Yusaku and the others as a main character for season 2.
* TraumaButton: Doesn't appreciate Flame pointing out that Takeru was a shut-in who could only battle his inner demons as opposed to actual enemies which Yusaku did.
* WhyDidItHaveToBeSnakes: Every time Takeru encounters "Despair from the Dark", which has haunted him since the Lost Incident, all he can do is helplessly freak out and tremble in fear, unable to do anything to overcome it. Blood Shepherd exploits this in their Duel by bringing out not one, but ''four'' copies of the same Monster... then part two of the Duel reveals that Soulburner faked his fear of the Monster to fool Blood Shepherd into believing he has the upper hand just from uncovering Soulburner's weak point.
* YouAreTooLate: By the time Soulburner arrives at the entrance of the restricted area, Haru has already escaped into the restricted area without triggering its emergency defenses.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: His Soulburner persona's hair has two opposite shades of blue.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Flame]]
!!Flame
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TakuYashiro (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep049_flame_fired_up.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Dr. Kogami, and Takeru's partner; is based on the FIRE Attribute. He shows himself to Ai and Yusaku after his homeworld, the Cyberse World, was destroyed by a certain unnamed faction. His goal is to find the other Ignis in order to rebuild the Cyberse World and to defeat the enemy faction that caused its destruction.
----
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: He is an Ignis (an AI named after the recurring mythological theme of the theft of fire allowing humans to evolve) who not only named himself Flame, but also is the only one among the six Ignis to actually represent the FIRE attribute.
* CatchPhrase: Every time Soulburner activates Burning Draw, Flame exclaims "Burn your soul, Soulburner!".
* HotBlooded: He's quick to get fired up.
* InsaneTrollLogic: Flame deduces that GO will "go go" and attack based on what his OnlineAlias suggests. Soulburner can only look at Flame with bewilderment in response.
* {{Irony}}: Just like Ai he's an AI that was born through [[spoiler: the torture of kids by]] dueling. And also tends to panic or get depressed when it looks like his partner is going to lose, because he can either not keep up with his strategies or doesn't know the effect of his cards which are implied to be created by him since they are either Cyberse-type or support for them.
* LargeHam: He's just as bombastic, if not more so, as Soulburner. Just listen to him exclaim "[[CatchPhrase BURN YOUR SOUL, SOULBURNER!!!]]".
* NotSoAboveItAll: Flame may be more level-headed than Ai is and doesn't appreciate being compared to the likes of him, but at the same time, he wastes no time demonstrating that he's quick to get fired up during Soulburner and [=BitBoot=]'s Duel.
* NotSoDifferent: Despite being more level-headed than Ai and not wanting to be associated with him, he has the same (lack of) Dueling skill and knowledge that Ai has and when it looked like Soulburner was about to lose, he loses hope just like Ai does and says it's over for them, because he was unfamiliar with the effect of Salamangreat Heatlio that earns Soulburner's win in Episode #49.
* PlayingWithFire: He is an Ignis that named himself "Flame", and his physical appearance is flame-based. He is also based on the FIRE Attribute.
* RedOniBlueOni: Zigzagged. While Flame's level-headedness and even voice contrast the bombastic Ai who tends to make a drama out of situations, Flame is at the same time easy and quick to get [[HotBlooded fired up]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Aoi Zaizen (Skye Zaizen)/Blue Angel/Blue Girl/Blue Maiden]]
!!Aoi Zaizen (Skye Zaizen)/Blue Angel/Blue Girl/Blue Maiden
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/YukiNakashima (Japanese), Emily Cramer (English)
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aoi_zaizen_3.PNG]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blue Angel]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep047_blue_angel_4.png]][[/labelnote]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blue Girl]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_p9lezdrntt1shfh62o2_1280.png]][[/labelnote]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blue Maiden]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/blue_maiden.png]][[/labelnote]]

A classmate of Yusaku's. In LINK VRAINS, she is known as Blue Angel. In Season 2 she goes by the name Blue Girl in order to help her brother Akira in his search for the Ignis.

As Blue Angel and Blue Girl, she uses the Trickstar archetype, focusing on whittling down her opponent's LP bit by bit via card effects. Her Ace Monster is Trickstar Holly Angel, a Monster that temporarily gains strength when her opponent takes effect damage. Her Skill, Trickstar Fraud, allows her to force an opponent to draw cards until they have three cards in their hand once per Duel, but as a price her opponent must banish cards from her hand equal to the amount of Trickstar Monsters in Blue Angel's GY.
In season 2 she adds Fusion Summoning to her deck in order to increase her burn strategy and give more offensive pressure. She also changed her Skill to Trickstar Gig. This Skill allows her to send cards from the top of her deck to the GY equal to the amount of Trickstar Monsters she has on her field. After that she can add one Trickstar card send to the GY to her hand.
----
* ActionGirl: She's a very skilled duelist, being considered one of VRAIN's best.
* AdrenalineMakeover: Her VRAINS avatar transition from the cutesy Blue Angel to the mysterious Blue Girl that resemble and idol rocker. Justified in that Blue Girl is better for the stealthier operations she is doing with Ghost Girl, while Blue Angel sticks out. It is emphasized by a few of her new cards and effects, such as Trickstar Gig, and her fusion monster, Trickstar Band Sweet Guitar. Subverted come her next upgrade, Blue Maiden, which is girlier.
* AmazonBrigade: All of her Trickstars are female.
* AmbiguousDisorder: Out of LINK VRAINS her lack of emotion and suspicion of others (if not for good reason) bring up a few possible ailments, among them depression.
* AndIMustScream: Aoi described her experience as an Another as being crushed down by despair, unable to do anything but scream with all her might.
* AngelicBeauty: Her Trickstar Monsters, which are Fairy-Types, as well as her VR form, Blue Angel.
* AnimalMotifs: PrettyButterflies, as shown by her backup avatar being a simple butterfly.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: Her blazer is designed to look like her tie has blue wings, and her stage name is "Blue Angel".
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:She is returned to normal after Playmaker defeats Revolver and the Tower of Hanoi is stopped.]]
* BadassAdorable: A teen idol on VRAINS, she peppers her duels with a variety of cute mannerisms. Even in her Blue Girl persona, where she is more composed, she still has a few cute mannerisms.
* BigBrotherWorship: Has a brother complex, and wants to admit to him that she Duels. Granted Akira is her elder step-brother. She also has a minor case for CoolBigSis Emma, even patterning her Blue Girl avatar after Ghost Girl's look.
* BigDamnHeroes:
** Saves Playmaker by launching his D-Board back to him with an energy lasso after he falls off during his Duel against a Knight of Hanoi.
** She gets a second one while Yusaku is plunging into the SOL Technologies databank, where she lightens the load for Playmaker and takes on one of the AI duelists.
* BoyishShortHair: Her hair reaches down to her lower nape.
* BreastExpansion: Blue Angel has noticeably bigger breasts than Aoi in real life. She might have deliberately added a bigger buxom to her Blue Angel avatar to play better the idol persona.
* BrokenAngel: After [[spoiler:losing to Spectre, he causes her Blue Angel wings to break]].
* BrokenPedestal: Due to her brother's work, Aoi has a positive view of SOL Technologies and believes that they will help the Ignis. [[spoiler: After watching Queen and the scientists kill Earth as he is begging, she cries, at a complete loss.]]
* ClothingDamage: After [[spoiler:her loss to Spectre]], her skirt becomes tattered.
* ColorCharacter: '''BLUE''' Angel and later '''BLUE''' Girl.
* ColorMotif: BLUE, fitting Aoi in her real name, OnlineAlias, and due to being blue, i.e depressed, for a long time.
* ConflictBall: In Episode 55 and 56, after Playmaker and Soulburner refuse her offer for her and Akira to help them due to SOL Technologies involvement in the Lost Incident, she gets pissed off and demands they give Ai and Flame over so they can find the other Ignis's. Playmaker and Ghost Girl themselves are surprised at her behavior. It's more downplayed in Episode 56, as once she begins the duel she does return to being more civil, though a bit more arrogant than usual, Episode 56 keeps her behavior more in line with her motivation of helping Akira and making up for her loss to Spectre. Later justified in that she believes SOL Technologies to be benevolent, and until later did not quite understand Playmaker and Soulburner's dislike of them.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Unlike [[Anime/YuGiOhARCV Yuzu]], who is a pink-haired {{Tsundere}} GirlyBruiser, Aoi is a brunette WellDoneDaughterGirl. And unlike Yuzu who was forced into the plot against her will, Aoi actively seeks it due to helping Akira. Unlike [[Anime/YuGiOh5ds Aki]], her temporary corruption aside, who was a DarkMagicalGirl, Aoi's opposition towards Playmaker and Soulburner makes her a HeroAntagonist instead, due to Akira's concern over the Ignis. And even then, she did offer to help them, only for Playmaker to turn her down.
* ConvenientComa: Ends up in one after her duel with Playmaker.
* TheCorruption: Afflicted by this by the appropriately named Dark Angel card that Spectre slips into her deck, making her go berserk.
* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Light brown hair and eyes.
* DangerouslyShortSkirt: It's as short as Kotori's.
* DarkActionGirl: She became this temporarily after she was brainwashed by Spectre.
* DeathOfAThousandCuts: One of the Trickstar's main focuses is dealing small amounts of burn damage under certain conditions.
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Aoi is a deconstruction of both [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Asuka]] and [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Rio]], as she goes into Charisma Dueling as a means to [[WellDoneSonGuy please]] [[BigBrotherWorship her older brother]] instead of proving herself to be an independent and worthy Duelist like they did, which [[TraumaCongaLine not only costed her the Duel against Yusaku]], [[BreakTheCutie but also ends up humiliating her in front of the crowd]], severely damaging her reputation as a Charisma Duelist in the process.
* DigitalAvatar: An angelic idol singer as Blue Angel and a more serious mercenary one as Blue Girl.
* {{Escapism}}: Aoi's Blue Angel persona is revealed to be based upon a Blue Angel in a book her brother always read to her as a child, about a lonely angel that cried blue tears and pretended she didn't hate being alone, but eventually befriended other angels and fought against the forces of evil to find happiness. Her taking on this persona in Vrains is her own attempt to do so.
* DubNameChange: To Skye Zaizen, having implications of blue sky where angels come from.
* {{Expy}}: She's usually seen as a MagicalGirl IdolSinger version of [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Rio]], but her ruthlessness, wealthy background, lonely upbringing, and wanting to be acknowledged by a protective older sibling also brings to mind [[Manga/YuGiOh Mai]], [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Sho]], and [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Reira]].
* FacePlant: A dark example, where Blue Angel gets blown away before landing on the ground ''head-first'', courtesy of [[spoiler:Spectre]]. Ouch.
* FacialMarkings: As Blue Angel, Aoi has a clover on her cheek, as part of her idol image.
* FakeBoobs: This piece of [[https://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh-vrains/images/a/a4/Picture_of_Blue_Angel_drawn_by_Noh.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170709192948 official artwork]] that has Blue Angel in a school uniform by Noah, one of the show's animators, shows that Blue Angel's chest is around the same size as Aoi's, meaning the top of her Blue Angel has cups designed into it, with the most likely reason for doing so is to make a better appeal for her Idol persona.
* FeatherMotif: White feathers fall and scatter while she is trapped in her mind due to Hanoi.
* FingerlessGloves: Elbow-length ones as Blue Girl
* FlowerMotif: Her Trickstar monsters are named after various flowers.
* {{Foil}}: To Go Onizuka. While in the Hanoi arc Blue Angel realized she wants to duel for others and not just herself, Go comes to the conclusion it is ok to duel for himself and not others. In addition, while Blue Angel is grateful to Playmaker for saving her and doesn't appear bothered by being overshadowed, Go deeply resents it and will stop at nothing to beat Playmaker for the sake of his pride. [[spoiler: Also unlike Go who undergoes a FaceHeelTurn, Aoi initially opposes Soulburner and Playmaker as a HeroAntagonist for her brother's sake. She also improves her older deck and older persona, while Go takes a different persona and a new deck with a new skill.]]
* FriendlessBackground: Aoi had no friends as a child except [[OnlyFriend one]] briefly, [[ChildhoodFriends Miyu]], but the friendship [[spoiler: fell apart when she took the fall for Miyu having lost her mother's ring.]]
* GenkiGirl: As Blue Angel, she puts on a lively disposition.
* GirlishPigtails:
** As Blue Angel, her hair is tied up like this.
** She also used to tie her hair in this style as a child.
* GirlsLoveStuffedAnimals: As a child, she carried around a stuffed doll of Evilswarm Mandragoa.
* HairDecorations:
** Her twintails in her VR form are held up by dark blue bows.
** As a child, she held up her twintails with light blue bows.
* {{Hikikomori}}: Enforced by Akira, who is excessively concerned for her wellbeing to the point that he prevents her from leaving the house after recovering from her coma. She is allowed to go out again after Playmaker and Akira's Duel.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Subverted in her Duel against Baira. Blue Angel, aware that she may lose should Baira draw a trap, takes the risky gamble of using her Trickstar Fraud Skill regardless to turn things around in her favour. Fortunately for Blue Angel, Baira doesn't draw a trap.
* HumanSacrifice: [[spoiler:After her loss to Spectre, she is converted into data and absorbed into the Tower of Hanoi. She gets better.]]
* ItsPersonal: Double subverted. Blue Angel initially confronts Baira because she was in a bad mood and wanted to let off some steam. But after Baira suggests that she was responsible for the creation of the Another virus, Blue Angel takes back her words, and vow to take Baira down in a Duel.
* LadyOfWar: Her "Trickstar Holly Angel" is this and Aoi is graceful and elegant in her Duel, and while Blue Angel is cutesy and Blue Girl is more rough and tumble, her appearance as Blue Maiden is one as well.
* LightEmUp: Her Trickstar monsters are LIGHT Fairy-Type Monsters.
* LonelyRichKid: She lives in a well-to-do apartment, essentially alone due to her brother's constant working. [[spoiler: But there was a time they lived on the street.]]
* LoveFreak: Accused of this by Spectre, who mocks her for her Blue Love that she shares for others in her attempt to be Blue Angel. However in truth, she verges more towards an AllLovingHeroine.
* LovelyAngels: Forms a duo with Ghost Girl in Season 2 as Blue Girl.
* MagicalGirlWarrior: Her transformation from Blue Girl moves her away from Rock Idol and to this, complete with a TransformationSequence, and she explicitly calls it her battle form.
* MagicIdolSinger: Blue Angel's appearance is a blend of a MagicalGirl and an IdolSinger, composed of blue hair with twintails and angelic wings marked with hearts and purple four-leaf clovers. As Blue Girl she looks more like a Rock idol.
* MagicalIncantation: While all the characters invoke one when Link Summoning, Aoi's reflects her character change. As Blue Angel she involved the circuit of dreams and hope. As Blue Girl she invokes the Circuit of determination and courage.
* MeaningfulName: Her online handle, Blue Angel, references the fact that she uses a Trickstar Deck, which is composed of Fairy-Types, called Angel-types in the OCG.
* MissingMom: Her biological mother, alongside Akira's biological father, died in an accident during the Lost Incident.
* MoralityChain: Her brother's sole reason for living, and he admits he would have given into despair without her.
* MulticoloredHair: As Blue Angel, her blue hair sports light blue highlights.
* NiceGirl: She may have a hard time trusting most people, but she is still a sweet girl.
* NoSell: Her Bella Madonna is unaffected by other card effects while its Link Arrows point to no Monsters.
* OneDegreeOfSeparation: Aoi is not a Lost Incident Child, [[spoiler: but she was friends with Miyu, who was Aqua's origin.]]
* OnlineAlias: Blue Angel. She later goes by Blue Girl after she is assigned by Akira to search for the missing Ignis (alongside Ghost Girl), and changes her name once again to Blue Maiden after partnering with Aqua, combined with a second SignificantWardrobeShift.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: After being bestowed Dark Angel by Spectre, the AI on her Duel Disk responds rudely to Ai when he greets it.
* OverShadowedByAwesome: Discussed by Soulburner, who while he admits that she had definitely become a lot stronger, her lack of an Ignis AI hampers her from reaching his and Playmaker's level. [[spoiler: She eventually pairs up with Aqua in place of Miyu.]]
* PowerMakesYourHairGrow: Her TransformationSequence from Blue Girl to Maiden gives her longer hair than Blue Girl and slightly longer than Blue Angel, fitting her MagicalGirlWarrior appearance.
* ProperTightsWithASkirt: In the dub in her school uniform, and her skirt, tights, and boots combo as Blue Maiden.
* ReflectionlessUselessEyes: While [[BrainwashedAndCrazy under the influence of]] [[TheCorruption Dark Angel]], her eyes lose all luster, [[MindControlEyes marking her possession]].
* RuleOfThree: Blue Angel's Skill, Trickstar Fraud, makes the opponent draw until they have three cards in their hand, which also complements her DeathOfAThousandCuts play style.
* ShrinkingViolet: Particularly as a child, she was polite and timid, holding on to her mother in a flashback. As a teen she's more reserved and quiet than outright shy.
* SignatureMove: Blue Angel's Skill, Trickstar Fraud, makes her opponent draw until they have three cards in their hand, and is intended to complement her DeathOfAThousandCuts play style. As Blue Girl, her skill Trickstar Gig lets her send cards from her deck equal to the number of Trickstars she has and then add a Trickstar card from the sent ones to her hand.
* SignificantWardrobeShift:
** As Blue Girl, her outfit resembles Emma's, albeit pink, white, and blue.
** After agreeing to partner with Aqua, Blue Girl once again undergoes an image change to appear more {{Magical Girl}}-esque, combined with a change of OnlineAlias (to Blue Maiden).
* SlipknotPonytail: After her defeat by Playmaker and later [[spoiler:Spectre]], her twin-tails fall out as she falls.
* StepfordSmiler: She hides her sadness with a cheerful deposition as Blue Angel, prominently shown in #6.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Is basically a younger version of her mother.
* SugarAndIcePersonality: It's hinted that she's just as ruthless as Yusaku beneath her GenkiGirl attitude. This is reflected in Holy Angel's counterpart, Trickstar Black Catbat, who uses a staff lined with thorns to attack, but is a LIGHT monster.
* TakingTheHeat: She took the blame for losing Miyu's mother's ring, though it didn't go well for her at all, as she was warned by Miyu's mother not to get involved with her daughter ever again.
* ThirdPersonPerson: As Blue Angel, Aoi does this as partly of her idol persona, and partly a bit from her {{Escapism}}.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: Blue Angel initially challenges Baira of the Knights of Hanoi because she happened to be in a bad mood, only to harbor a grudge against Baira after Aoi finds out that she was responsible not only for her condition, but for the Anothers in general.
* TookALevelInBadass: Come Season 2 she had worked on remedying her WeakButSkilled nature, [[spoiler: upgrading her deck with a fusion monster and more abilities that allow her monsters to have higher attack. Unfortunately she is still left OvershadowedByAwesome.]]
* TookALevelInCheerfulness: Downplayed, while certainly not a sunny GenkiGirl in her normal form, her signs of depression have disappeared due to her relationship with Akira being fixed. And although friendly with Yusaku, she still tends to be aloof at school.
* TransformationSequence: Her upgrade from Blue Girl to Blue Maiden comes with a MagicalGirl style transformation that makes her look mature and elegant.
* TraumaCongaLine: Basically the latter half of #7 is this for her. First, she learns that her GradualGrinder strategy allowed Playmaker to use his [[GameBreaker game breaking]] skill to get the monster he needed. Then she starts feeling the effect of the [[TheCorruption "Dark Angel"]] card which messes with her mind. After that, she realizes that Playmaker is about to OneHitKill her and tries to reduce him to 0 LP before he can do so, only to be stopped and forced to use the "Dark Angel" card. This results in her getting MindRape from Hanoi's program. Finally, she loses anyway and is put into a coma in the next episode. To top it off, this was all streamed ''live'' to both her fans and her brother. And continued later during her duel against Spectre, where he brutally breaks her by talking and pretends that she got through to him, only to mercilessly defeat her. [[spoiler: Continues in Season 2 where her pedestal for SOL Technologies is broken.]]
* VocalEvolution: During her Duel against Spectre, her voice is somewhat deeper, highlighting her determination to defeat him.
* WeakButSkilled: Aoi herself notes that her decks weakness is her monsters low attack, despite its devastating effects and works in Season 2 to make her deck stronger by including methods to increase her monsters attacks.
* WellDoneDaughterGirl: Strongly desires to be acknowledged by her older brother Akira.
* WhipItGood: Uses an energy lasso to launch Playmaker's D-Board back to him.
* WhoWearsShortShorts: Paired with ZettaiRyouiki as Blue Girl.
* WingsDoNothing: Blue Angel sports white angelic wings, but are only there for show.
* TheWorfEffect: Is ruthlessly decimated by [[spoiler:Spectre, demonstrating that his status as Revolver's [[TheDragon right-hand man]] isn't just for show]].
* WorfHadTheFlu: While Blue Angel gains the upper hand against Playmaker for most of the Duel, the reason why she ends up losing to him is because of Defect Compiler's anti-burn effect. Also her duel with [[spoiler: Spectre didn't go her way precisely because Spectre's StoneWall strategy made her FragileSpeedster DeathOfAThousandCuts tactics ineffectual as she couldn't deal enough damage to get past him.]]
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: As Blue Angel, she sports blue hair with light blue highlights.
* ZettaiRyouiki: Blue Angel's socks reaches up to her thighs, complemented with a large, puffy skirt. Downplayed with Aoi's real life appearance, who wears a DangerouslyShortSkirt and socks that don't reach her knees. As Blue Girl she wears hotpants with socks and boots like Emma, though she loses it as Blue Maiden.
[[/folder]]


[[folder:Aqua]]
!!Aqua
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AyakoKawasumi (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aqua_7.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Kogami. Is based on the WATER attribute. Her Origin is Miyu, a childhood friend of Aoi.
----
* ChekhovMIA: Her whereabouts were unknown at the time the Cyberse World was destroyed by a certain unnamed faction, until Episode #74 where she makes her first proper on-screen appearance, where she is discovered and freed by Earth. It turns out she was imprisoned and banished elsewhere by [[spoiler:Lightning after she witnesses him creating "Judgment Arrows"]].
* CloudcuckoolandersMinder: More often than not she had to look after Ai so he didn't injure himself, much to [[CrazyJealousGuy Earth's]] annoyance.
* DopeSlap: Gave one to [[AbhorrentAdmirer Ai]] so hard it sent him ''and'' Linkuriboh through the ground, leaving ImpactSilhouette{{s}} for both of them.
* GirlishPigtails: She has them on her head.
* HartmanHips: Aqua has a very pronounced waistline styled to look like a teardrop, highlighting her feminine appearance.
* HealingHands: After Earth badly damages his hands freeing her, she heals them and later [[spoiler: tried to heal Miyu from Lightning's virus but failed.]]
* LivingLieDetector: Ai and Earth both claim she could easily discern truth from lie. This claim is proven true when a flashback shows her witnessing [[spoiler:Lightning creating "Judgment Arrows", and doesn't buy his claim that he's creating said card just to protect humanity from the Cyberse World]].
* MakingASplash: She is an Ignis based on the WATER attribute, with her entire body being primarily light blue, a colour also commonly associated with the water element.
* TheMole: Subverted. Windy speculates that she may have contributed to the destruction of the Cyberse World, but [[spoiler:Lightning himself later admits that he himself was responsible for the deed]]. In addition, Aqua witnessed [[spoiler:Lightning creating "Judgment Arrows", and after questioning what he's really up to, she is imprisoned and banished from the Cyberse World so that Lightning can further his own plans]].
* MysteriousWaif: Of the Ignis properly introduced, Aqua is the most mysterious. Just before the Cyberse World was attacked, she warned Earth that he needed to pick a side in the human-ignis conflict, purposely withholding her own decision knowing he'd just follow her if she didn't. Her warning the Cyberse World would be split concerns along with foreknowledge of the attack has both Earth and Playmaker concerned, and her current whereabouts are unknown. [[spoiler:According to Lightning, she was for human-ignis coexistance, something he wasn't okay with, and its implied her disappearance is related to him.]]
* NumberTwo: She served as the sub-leader of the Ignis before the Cyberse World was destroyed.
* ShoulderTeammate: After being saved from Blood Shepherd by Aoi, Aqua hangs out on her shoulder for the rest of the episode, though she moves to the duel disk properly come Episode 77.
* SmurfettePrinciple: She is the only female Ignis.
* TechnicolorEyes: Has glowing pink eyes that can also turn into different shades of blue when using her ability.
* {{Telepathy}}: Aqua has a degree of telepathy that lets her be a LivingLieDetector and can glean memories from Miyu and tell Blue Girl's real appearance and name.
* TrueBlueFemininity: She's female and basically blue everywhere except her eyes.
* {{Tsundere}}: Based on their interactions, while Aqua is rather strict and annoyed by Ai's antics, she was genuinely concerned and worried when Ai was in danger, implying she does care more about him than she is willing to admit.
* WaterIsBlue: The WATER Ignis with a blue body and fittingly she ends paired with Aoi/Blue Angel.
[[/folder]]

!SOL Technologies Inc.

The organisation in charge of LINK VRAINS. They aim to capture Ai to regain access to the Cyberse world, and compete with the Knights of Hanoi to achieve their goal.
----
[[folder:In general]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sol_technologies.png]]

* BigBadEnsemble: Their hiring of numerous mercenaries in season 2 firmly places them in this position, with the mystery faction led by [[spoiler: Lightning]] as the other half.
* GeorgeJetsonJobSecurity: Downplayed in that, while Kitamura has a habit of threatening to fire his subordinates, he never actually goes through with it. Lampshaded by his subordinates who ask how many times they are going to get fired.
* HiddenDepths: It turns out that [[spoiler:Dr. Kogami used to be a researcher for SOL Technologies]].
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Along with Kitamura, none of his subordinates are aware of the events of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project, which affected Yusaku, Takeru, Spectre, and Kusanagi's little brother Jin.
* MegaCorp: They're in charge of LINK VRAINS, and can utilise technologies that overlook the cyberspace such as City Scan and Log-Out Prevention programs.
* NotSoHarmlessVillain: In season 1 they were largely ineffectual due to Kitamura and early Season 2 due to the Bounty Hunters constantly losing. [[spoiler: Then come episode 75, where Go Onizuka is corrupted by a brain implant, and Queen and the scientists coldly dissect and kill Earth despite begging for his life and asserting his free will.]]
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: SOL saw the Ignis as an opportunity for big money, and fearing that authorities would seize the Ignis, they covered up the Lost Incident and put [[spoiler:an imprisoned Kogami]] into a comatose state, and later [[spoiler: murder Earth for his data.]]
* UngratefulBastard: Playmaker managed to save the entirety of LINK VRAINS which is one of their main sources of income. In exchange for that they sent out a BountyHunter team after him, all because he has an Ignis.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: {{Implied}}. They are a MegaCorp whose main source of power comes from the [[{{Cyberspace}} Cyberse]], their executives minus [[{{Workaholic}} Akira]] (who is still lower in the company hierarchy anyways) are suspiciously unwilling to make ''any'' contact with the public and seemingly using Akira as an unofficial spokesman of sorts. The one and only other person they've contacted other than Akira is [[HiredGuns Emma]], but she is a mercenary. Other than that they always show up as giant holographic projections of [[ChessMotifs chess pieces]] and have yet to show their real appearances, despite such odd secrecy is obviously excessive. To wrap it up, Hanoi is explicitly referring to the [[{{Macguffin}} Cyberse]] - the company's main source of power - as something dangerous and all of Hanoi's [[WellIntentionedExtremist higher-ups]] shown are presented as fully committed to their stated goal of destroying it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Queen]]
!!Queen
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Megumi Koyama (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/queen_vr.png]]

A high-ranking member of SOL Technologies Inc.
----
* ChessMotifs: Is named after the queen chess piece, establishing her authority as a higher-up of SOL Technologies.
* TheCorruptor: [[spoiler: Queen willfully allows Onizuka to undergo a fusion with an AI to turn him from an angry bounty hunter to a psychotic monstrous opponent.]]
* DeadpanSnarker: Basically her reaction to Akira's hesitation to go after Playmaker.
* DragonInChief: Her name - if the ChessMotifs are taken into consideration - suggests that she herself may be pretty dangerous.
* AGlassOfChianti: Just to hammer in that she is a part of a very rich company.
* HateSink: Episode 75 establishes her as this in contrast to [[WellIntentionedExtremist Hanoi and the Bohman faction]], where she [[spoiler: coldly has a captured Earth killed and dissected despite his cries, and before that led to Onizuka's corruption and fall into evil.]]
* MsFanservice: Her very first appearance in person has her wear almost nothing but a swimsuit.
* NonActionBigBad: She's high ranked in SOL Technologies, but prefers to work behind the scenes; she's spearheading the search for the Ignises and is the one to hire Go and Blood Shepherd.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Akira Zaizen]]
!!Akira Zaizen
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ShoumaYamamoto (Japanese), Barrett Leddy (English)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep020_akira_attacks_with_cerberus.png]]

Aoi's {{workaholic}} older step-brother and SOL Technologies Inc.'s Security Chief, dedicated to protecting Den City from hackers on a daily basis. Later demoted to Chief and replaced by his former boss, Kitamura, after Playmaker's duel against Revolver.

He duels using a Tindangle deck, DARK Monsters revolving around Flip Effects that also have abilities that are dangerous to Link Monsters.
----
* AdultFear: Being responsible for a six-year-old at sixteen, and worrying about how he would provide for her or [[spoiler: her getting kidnapped like Yusaku.]]
* AloofBigBrother: A deconstructed subversion. Initially described as indifferent towards Aoi, he advises her to quit Speed Dueling out of concern for her safety, and shows legitimate concern for her after she enters a comatose state. He is, however, overly protective of Aoi to the point that he locks her up in the house to prevent any further danger befalling her shortly after she recovers from her coma.
* AnimalMotifs: He is compared to a hellhound that protects his angel, i.e Aoi, which is lampshaded by Ghost Girl with his monsters, Tindangle Hound and Angel.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:He is returned to normal after Playmaker defeats Revolver and the Tower of Hanoi is stopped.]]
* BadassInDistress: As he reaches a defeated [[spoiler:Blue Angel]], he gets trapped in a thorny prison, installed with computer viruses, by Dr. Kogami. It gets worse after Spectre, who is disadvantaged thanks to Playmaker's Excode Talker sealing two of his Main Monster Zones, reveals an imprisoned Akira in front of him, gloating that he increasingly risks being infected by the prison's computer virus as Spectre takes damage. On the other hand, Kusanagi quickly gets to work to disable the thorny prison and free Akira.
* BlatantLies: While pursued by the media, he feigns ignorance that he was responsible for setting up a Duel between GO and Playmaker.
* BigBrotherInstinct: Is very protective towards Aoi especially after she recovers from her coma, going as far as preventing her from leaving the house in #16 and making her promise not to go into LINK VRAINS in #24.
* CastingAShadow: The Tindangles are DARK attribute.
* ColdBloodedTorture: Violently interrogates Playmaker, demanding that he explain Aoi/Blue Angel's comatose state and confess that he was responsible for the deed.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: He and Aoi lost their parents in a car accident, [[spoiler: and had their inheritance stolen, forcing him to hack for money.]]
* DarkIsNotEvil: While the Tindangle mosters are eldritch appearing demons, at the time of his duel, Akira is the HeroAntagonist against Playmaker's VigilanteMan.
* DisappearedDad: His biological father, alongside Aoi's biological mother, died in an accident during the Lost Incident.
* EasilyForgiven: Even after a hostile interrogation, Playmaker doesn't resent Akira, likely because Playmaker's hatred towards the Knights of Hanoi outweighs any possible hatred towards him.
* {{Expy}}: Of [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Reiji]], as another cool-headed young man holding a very high ranking position in a company specializing in card-game related tech that has a hidden purpose. Both Reiji and Zaizen often send others to Duel for them while they analyze the situation from video surveillance. Time will tell if Zaizen takes after Reiji [[WellIntentionedExtremist in other ways]], though both are introduced to the audience as morally ambiguous characters with mysterious motives.
* FirstNameBasis: Emma is the only named character to address Akira by his given name at all times.
* Foil: Of Shoichi Kusanagi. They are both hackers with siblings that serve as their main motivation. While Akira used hacking as a means of survival, Kusanagi uses it for revenge. While Akira is affiliated with SOL Technologies, Kusanagi is Yusaku's greatest ally. Akira is a skilled duelist while Kusanagi isn't. Akira works at a high-class company while Kusanagi owns his own food truck. Akira is uptight and a bit reserved while Kusanagi is laid-back most of the time and is not hesitant to speak his mind.
* ForHappiness: All he wanted was for Aoi to live a happy life; he endured many hardships to survive since their respective biological parents died so that she wouldn't have to go through similar struggles.
* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: After a failed attempt to bring Akira out of the thorny prison, he convinces Playmaker to steel his conviction, and to move forward in spite of the sacrifices made in an attempt to stop Hanoi's ambitions.
-->''"Have conviction, Playmaker! Don't lose track of the big picture! Even if sacrifices must be made along the way, carry that burden and keep going! Go! Transform that conviction into strength!"''
* GratuitousEnglish: Addresses Go as "Mr. Onizuka".
* HeKnowsTooMuch: After Playmaker and Revolver's Master Duel, the higher-ups of SOL Technologies [[spoiler:demote Akira to Chief and promote his former boss, Kitamura, to Security Chief, out of fear that he would get too curious about the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project]].
* HellHound: His animal motif, and his ace monster, Tindangle Hound. In general his deck is based upon Literature/TheHoundsOfTindalos.
* HeroAntagonist: While initially more of a straight-up PunchClockVillain, he evolves into this, seeking the truth about [[spoiler: ten years ago and SOL]], while offering to bring it to light responsibly, in contrast to Playmaker's desire for revenge.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:After Kusanagi fails to bring Akira out of the thorny prison he is trapped in, Akira convinces Playmaker to steel his conviction, move forward, and not allow the sacrifices made to hinder Hanoi's ambitions to go to waste. Akira then touches the thorns and infects himself with the virus, and gets absorbed into the Tower of Hanoi like Blue Angel did. Kusanagi does not respond to Akira's sacrifice well ''at all''.]]
* ImprobableAge: He is 26 and he used to basically have Godwin's job from ''5D's''.
* InnocentlyInsensitive: He makes an effort to reach out to Playmaker and get him to let go of his {{Revenge}}. Unfortunately, due to not understanding how [[DarkAndTroubledPast painful]] and fundamentally [[NotSoSimilar different]] Yusaku's history is, he hits the later's RelativeButton and is called out for thinking he understands him.
* JustifiedCriminal: [[spoiler:He was forced into hacking at 16 to provide for Aoi, due to asshole relatives stealing his and her inheritance.]]
* KeepingSecretsSucks: Declines to disclose to Playmaker the name of the Hanoi Project's mastermind, but things fall apart for him after Playmaker defeats him and acquires the data from the data bank.
* KnightTemplarBigBrother: Overlapping with OverprotectiveDad due to his PromotionToParent, Akira is not above using pragmatic methods (such as attempting to interrogate Playmaker through ColdBloodedTorture until TheReveal from Revolver) and making sure any hostilities are as good as dead for Aoi's sake. He moves out of this by Season 2, realizing that banning Aoi from being involved won't work, and instead has her work with Ghost Girl to let her be involved but also safe.
* ManlyTears: Gets very emotional after [[spoiler: Aoi wakes up from her coma]].
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: He is horrified when Revolver admits that Hanoi is responsible for Aoi's condition, not Playmaker.
* NotSoDifferent: He attempts to invoke it when he duels Playmaker. [[RelativeButton It]] [[NotSoSimilar fa]][[RoaringRampageOfRevenge ils]].
* NotSoStoic: Normally putting on a stoic front, he loses his cool when he is unable to forcibly terminate the Duel between Playmaker and Blue Angel.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: As a hacker, he was willing to undergo shady jobs while risking his life at the same time, so that he could acquire money to ensure his and Aoi's survival.
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: The Tindangles are Fiend-Type monsters that utilize flip effects.
* ParentalNeglect: Since their parents died, he's been Aoi's guardian, and while his job lets her live comfortably, he has no time to spend with her, so he doesn't notice her emotional problems, him being the major cause of them. [[spoiler: Even after the issue with Playmaker is resolved, he [[DramaticallyMissingThePoint STILL]] doesn't get it, deciding to protect her by locking her in the house and not letting her go to school.]] Later on, however, he goes home more frequently and allows Aoi to attend school again, but by that point Aoi has [[BystanderSyndrome different]] [[AndThenWhat issues.]]
* PromotionToParent: After their parents died, Akira took care of Aoi, gaining his job in order to support a stable life for her.
* PunchClockVillain: "Villain" might be a stretch, but Akira only opposes Playmaker in Season 2 because it is his job in SOL Technologies. Otherwise, Akira feels deeply indebted to him and is much more interested in making contact with him in real life.
* RagsToRiches: After enduring many hardships, he eventually worked up to the prominent and well-paying job at SOL to provide for Aoi.
* RichesToRags: He and Aoi had their inheritance stolen after their parents died.
* ReassignedToAntarctica: After the incident with his sister and Hanoi, [[spoiler:Akira gets demoted to Chief, watching over data banks that he can't access. Justified as the higher ups are afraid that Akira might get too curious and conduct his own investigation, which he promptly does.]]
* RuleOfThree:
** His ace monster, Tindangle Acute Cerberus, is Link 3 and requires exactly 3 Tindangle monsters be used as Link Materials to Link Summon it.
** His Tindangle Delaunay trap requires that he have at least three Tindangle Monsters with different names in his Graveyard as a prerequisite to activate.
** His Euler's Circuit Field Spell prevents his opponent from attacking as long as he controls at least three Tindangle Monsters.
* RunningBothSides: While forced to lead bounty hunters against Playmaker to capture the Ignis programs for his company, he also sets Ghost Girl and Aoi to investigate whether or not the Ignis are really dangerous to humanity or not, being far more interested in the truth.
* SayMyName: Cries out for [[spoiler:Aoi after she is defeated by Spectre]].
* SinisterGeometry: The Tindangles are shown with a lot of angles, the name being a combination of Tindalos + Angle.
* SoProudOfYou: Praises Aoi for saving the Anothers, to her delight.
* TechnicolorEyes: He has cold pink eyes.
* TokenGoodTeammate: For SOL Technologies, not liking the bounty on Playmaker and is the only one [[spoiler: to be horrified when Earth is brutally murdered by their scientists while Queen watches coldly.]]
* {{Workaholic}}: Is dedicated to protecting Den City from hackers. Although the truth is that he worked hard to give Aoi a good and stable life, [[MarriedToTheJob not realizing that she also needed brotherly love and support]], which is sadly TruthInTelevision in Japan. This bites him hard when Aoi disobeys his order to stop Speed Dueling and challenges Playmaker to gain her brother's approval, resulting in her being mind-controlled by Hanoi.
* YouAreTooLate: By the time he logs into LINK VRAINS and rushes to a defeated [[spoiler:Blue Angel, she already has a computer virus planted in her]].
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: His hair is teal and blue.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Bishop, Knight, and Rook]]
!!Bishop, Knight, and Rook
!!!'''Bishop voiced by:''' IKKAN (Japanese)
!!!'''Knight voiced by:''' Masaaki Yano (Japanese), Sam Black (English)
!!!'''Rook voiced by:''' Koichi Makishima (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rookbishopknight.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Left to right: Rook, Bishop, Knight]]

Three higher-ups of SOL Technologies.
----
* ChessMotifs: They communicate with holograms of literal white bishop, knight, and rook pieces.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Rook shows concern over the possibility of civilians getting hurt by the Data Storm.
* SuperGullible: Bishop quickly buys Kitamura's claim that his AI Duelist Squad effortlessly decimated the three Lieutenants of Hanoi.
* WhateverHappenedToTheMouse: Their fate is unknown, but based upon their botched handling of Hanoi and trusting Kitamura, they were likely among those fired that Queen mentioned.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Kitamura]]
!!Kitamura
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Masayuki Kato (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kitamura.png]]

Akira's former boss, and the new Security Chief of SOL Technologies, replacing Akira after Playmaker's Duel against Revolver.
----
* AllAccordingToPlan: Subverted. For unknown reasons, he had plans to use the contents of SOL Technologies' data bank against the higher-ups and earn himself a promotion... only for things to fall apart for him after Playmaker acquires the data.
* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler: He's turned to data after being defeated by Spectre, after he tries to abandon SOL and join Hanoi.]]
* BadassBoast: Subverted. He claims that his AI Duelists excel at the DeathOfAThousandCuts play style, only for one of his AI Duelists to be terminated at the hands of Blue Angel, whose deck also utilises said play style.
* BigWhat: Comically freaks out when he is informed that Akira and Ghost Girl, too, have infiltrated the data bank.
* BlatantLies: Bishop buys his claim that his AI Duelist Squad wiped out the three Lieutenants of Hanoi.
* ButtMonkey: Constantly claims that his chances of earning a promotion go out the window when things don't go as he'd hoped.
* ChewingTheScenery: MeanBoss as he may be, he bombastically loses it when things don't go as planned for him.
* ContrastingSequelAntagonist:
** To [[Anime/YugiOhArcV Roget]]. They have similar occupations, yet Kitamura is (intentionally) written to be funny and is a far cry from Roget's extremes when it comes to AmbitionIsEvil. However, unlike Roget who was a SmugSnake and tried to strike out on his own, Kitamura is a straightup Slimeball that attempts to throw in his lot with the villains.
** Also {{invoked}} InUniverse, as part of the reason he was promoted to Akira's position was because of the perceived personality differences between the two on part of the higher-ups who hoped to prevent the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project from being investigated.
* DirtyCoward: After SOL Technologies loses control to Hanoi, he immediately tries to throw in his lot with them.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Threatening to cut his workers' salaries by 50% for lagging behind on the development of an AI duelist army paints him as a MeanBoss.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: He was completely caught off guard by the ''very idea'' of SOL Technologies organizing (what later turned out be mass) kidnappings. [[spoiler:This holds true for some part, given that Dr. Kogami used to be a researcher for SOL Technologies.]]
* {{Gonk}}: Has a large nose and slanted eyes, and while not unrealistically gonky, he looks like a bit of a parody of Asian features.
* HumanSacrifice: [[spoiler:After failing to defeat Spectre, he like many others is turned into data and absorbed into the Tower of Hanoi, with the intent of powering the Tower so the Knights of Hanoi can destroy LINK VRAINS.]]
* KilledMidSentence: [[spoiler:Begs not to be turned into data as he disintegrates and gets absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi.]]
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Is clueless about the events that unfolded during the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project.
* MeanBoss: Calls out on his workers for lagging behind on the development of an AI duelist army, and threatens to cut their salaries by 50% should they continue stagnating.
* MulticoloredHair: Two shades of purple.
* OhCrap: Rather justifiably freaks out when he realizes that Playmaker has gotten very far in the SOL Technologies main computer before he was detected, but calms down and realizes he can test his Prototype AI's.
* OnlyOneName: His given name is unknown.
* TheQuisling: After losing control over LINK VRAINS, Kitamura turns himself in to the Knights of Hanoi and offers to join their ranks to save his own skin.
* SayingTooMuch: Kitamura rants in his office over the fact that Playmaker acquired the data from SOL Technologies' data bank, and hopes that no one will find out, let alone question him, about it. Unbeknownst to him, two of his subordinates overhear him from outside.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: What becomes of him after the conclusion of the Tower of Hanoi incident is unknown, although he was presumably fired based on Queen's comments.
* YankTheDogsChain: His AI Duelist Squad initially has the upper hand against Hanoi's {{mooks}}... only to shortly after be effortlessly decimated by Faust and Baira. Netizens hit him hard with hate comments for his incompetence.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Two shades of purple.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Hayami]]
!!Hayami
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Chihiro Ikki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep033_hayami.png]]

Akira's subordinate and admirer.
----
* DirtyCoward: Has no problem bombarding Soulburner with explosives via her tablet, all to prevent Akira from being demoted for failing to capture Flame. GO calls out on SOL for their underhandedness, and blocks a hit for Soulburner and gets out unharmed.
* FanGirl: She is a fan of Blue Angel, even encouraging Akira to stay to the end and let her finish her duel.
* OfficeLady: In the first season, she mostly just serves coffee or tea to Akira and serves as his secretary. Come the second season, she's more or less Akira's NumberTwo, and in charge of the room of BridgeBunnies.
* PointyEars: Just like Emma Bessho, her ears are slightly pointed.
* SatelliteCharacter: Her entire character is based around her being Akira's subordinate.
* TenderTears: She bursts into tears after her tablet was confiscated by Akira, and admits to him that she attacked Soulburner out of fear that Akira would get demoted if SOL fails to capture Flame.
* TookALevelInJerkass: In the first season, she was the someone ditzy subordinate of Akira and a Blue Angel FanGirl. Come the second season, she is a borderline {{Yandere}} and DirtyCoward that tries to take out Soulburner with explosives.
* {{Yandere}}: Has shades of this when she, by herself without asking for help ''or even telling anyone else'', started attacking Soulburner while he was dueling Go Onizuka in an attempt to prevent the possibility of Akira being demoted again. [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DdUOm9VX0AANt05.jpg Just look at her face as she was doing it]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:SOL Technologies [=AIs=]]]
!!SOL Technologies [=AIs=]
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Manabu Sakamaki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aiduelistsquad.png]]

A series of AI Duelists created by Kitamaru and his team to combat the threat posed by the Knights of Hanoi.

They use Tentaclusters, a series of DARK Machine-types based on prehistoric sea creatures and have the option of a mill strategy or a burn strategy.
----
* CurbStompBattle: The AI Duelist Squad initially has an advantage over Hanoi's {{mook}} army, defeating 30% of their members... only to be quickly overwhelmed by Faust and Baira shortly after.
* DarkIsEvil: Downplayed; the Tentaclusters are creepy DARK monsters, but the [=AIs=] only follow their program.
* TheDividual: They are this, even more so than [[Anime/YuGiOhARCV the Tower Keepers]].
* HoistByHisOwnPetard:
** Prototype Ai-A's hand destruction combo doesn't stop Playmaker, who utilizes card effects that activate in the Graveyard to make a comeback and deliver an OTK to his opponent.
** Prototype AI-B specializes in heavy effect damage, Blue Angel's specialty. When the AI was unable to finish off Blue Angel with a high damage combo, it leaves itself wide open to her direct attacks.
* MachineMonotone: They speak like this due to being AI controlled by a databank of SOL Tech.
* MechanicalLifeforms: The Tentacluster are based on prehistoric sea creatures.
* MillionMookMarch: The AI Duelist Squad appears in LINK VRAINS to confront Hanoi's {{mooks}}.
[[/folder]]

!Bounty Hunters
A group of individuals hired by SOL Technologies to target Playmaker, who has a bounty on his head worth ₽500,000 since the opening of NEW LINK VRAINS, and acquire his Ignis.

----
[[folder:Go Onizuka/GO 鬼塚 (George Gore/The Gore)]]
!!Go Onizuka/GO 鬼塚 (Gore)
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Daiki Hamano (Japanese), Daniel J. Edwards (English)
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep032_go_sitting.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:As a Dueltainer]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Click [[labelnote:here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ygo_vrains_ep_50_img_015.png[[/labelnote]]to see him as a Bounty Hunter]]

Go Onizuka is the first ranked Charisma Duelist of LINK VRAINS. In LINK VRAINS, he is known as GO 鬼塚.

He duels using the Gouki Archetype in a Beatdown deck that punishes defensive players. His Ace Monster is Gouki the Great Ogre, a card that reduces the ATK of all monsters on the field by their DEF, crippling his opponent's monsters while leaving him safe as Gouki Monsters all have 0 DEF. His Skill, Fighting Spirit, allows him to bring back all Gouki Monsters destroyed last turn back onto the field once per duel.

As a BountyHunter, GO operates a Dinowrestler deck, which also revolves around a Beatdown play style, as well as monster protection, manipulating (like limiting the amount or choosing which monster his opponent can attack with) or preventing attacks on his monsters or the activation of spells and traps. His new Skill, Dinowrestle Revolution, allows him to activate the Field Spell World Dino Wrestling which limits the amount of attacks he and his opponent can do in one turn and give his Dinowrestler Monsters more ATK. In order to get stronger, he became part of an experiment of SOL Technologies. He gained an AI implant in his brain which gave him the ability called Brain Hack which allows him to see more possibilities. It also allowed him to create a new Skill for himself called Anti-Skill which allows him to not only negate his opponent's Skill, but also lets him draw two cards,
----
* AlliterativeName: His dub name, '''G'''eorge '''G'''ore.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Following the Tower of Hanoi incident, he views himself as a stepping stone for Playmaker, as GO is no longer number one in LINK VRAINS.
* AntiMagic: His new ace monster, Dinowrestler King T Wrextle, prevents the activation of spells and traps when it attacks, similar to Ancient Gear monsters. It appears that Mirror Force really bothered him. [[spoiler: In addition, his new skill Anti-Skill lets him negate an opponent's skill and draw 2 cards.]]
* AttentionWhore: His first spoken line in the series is to complain about Playmaker supposedly taking his spotlight, hinting that he has a big ego despite his friendly demeanor. This is also a {{Deconstruction}} at the same time - Go grew up in an orphanage and as thanks, decided to become a Charisma Duelist so he could earn money, repay their kindness, and make children happy.
* BackFromTheDead:
** His Skill, Fighting Spirit, Special Summons all Gouki Monsters destroyed by battle in the same turn.
** [[spoiler:He is returned to normal after Playmaker defeats Revolver and the Tower of Hanoi is stopped.]]
* BadassBoast: He lays claim to having an AI installed in his brain via a duel chip to the point that his Dueling skills exceed those of an ordinary human's.
* BarbarianLonghair: As Dark Onizuka, he sports long and messy dark teal hair, as befitting of his role as a heel.
* BlatantLies: Discussed in regards to his claim that he knows of Playmaker's true identity, with Ai deducing that GO only made said claim to goad Genome into Dueling him.
* BlownAcrossTheRoom: Gets blown out of the room he was testing Speed Dueling on by a Data Storm.
* BrokenPedestal: Takeru/Soulburner, at one point, looked up to GO as one of the heroes who saved LINK VRAINS from being destroyed by the Knights of Hanoi. Later on, however, Takeru/Soulburner doesn't appreciate the fact that GO signed up to be a BountyHunter all to get back at Playmaker and become number one in LINK VRAINS once more, and thus chews out on him for throwing a hissy fit.
* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: The G on his belt.
* TheBusCameBack: Returns seventeen episodes after his Duel against Playmaker.
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: In the first season despite his ego was more focused on making money to provide for the children of the orphanage and seemed to be okay with losing as long as it entertained others as well as dueling to protect others. Come season 2 he becomes more bitter and more of a SoreLoser as well as only dueling to one day defeat Playmaker.
* ChildhoodFriends: Despite their differences in personality, he and Makoto were on good terms since their childhood.
* CompetitionFreak: As of episode 75, GO claims he no longer cares about anything except for winning and defeating Playmaker; destroying [[spoiler:Crystal Heart [[CardiovascularLove despite what it meant to Earth]], capturing Earth despite him not being an enemy Ignis, having fought alongside Playmaker during the Tower of Hanoi, possibly dying during the experiments...he doesn't care about any of that]].
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter:
** He's very muscular compared to the {{Acrofatic}} [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Tetsuo]] and the rotund (though also still muscular) GentleGiant [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Gongenzaka]]. In comparison to Gongenzaka's defense-based deck, Onizuka's deck is definitively attack-oriented, and actually punishes monsters with high DEF via the effect of Gouki the Great Ogre; Onizuka's own monsters either have 0 DEF or are Link Monsters, so they get around this.
** In addition, unlike characters like Manjoume and Sawatari, instead of slowly becoming friendlier with the protagonist as a result of their loss, Onizuka becomes increasingly jealous to Playmaker for being better than him.
* CoolBigBro: Acts as one to the orphaned kids.
* CyberneticsEatYourSoul: [[spoiler:It's clear that the AI implant he got caused him to become incredibly unhinged and lose care for everything except defeating Playmaker.]]
* DarkAndTroubledPast: He used to be an orphan with money issues and Playmaker stealing his fame by accident is SeriousBusiness for him.
* ADarkerMe: Invoked in his Duel against Genome. GO equips Gouki the Dark Mask onto Gouki Thunder Ogre, turning it into Dark Thunder Ogre, and follows up by changing his wrestling persona into Dark Onizuka.
* TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget: His SoreLoser status leads to him becoming a BountyHunter and abandoning the orphanage kids, though he had some standards at first [[spoiler: his combination with an AI and his Brain Hack power make him go completely overboard, not caring that he, Playmaker, and Blue Angel once fought together or that Earth wasn't an enemy, defeating Playmaker being the only thing that mattered to him.]]
* DeadlyUpgrade: [[spoiler:After getting an AI implant he became an even stronger duelist, but at the cost of his physical and mental health.]]
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Go qualifies as a {{Deconstruction}} of [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Sawatari]] in regards to being {{Attention Whore}}s. While Sawatari's desire of being in the spotlight is because of his ego and wealthy upbringing, Go's case involves around earning enough money for those who raised him in an orphanage as a way of showing his gratitude to them. The second season also shows that Go is what [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Manjoume]] would've become if he didn't get over with his {{Pride}}.
* DeliberateInjuryGambit: Twice; Dark Onizuka has Dark Thunder Ogre destroy Rising Scorpio with a hammer throw, depleting his own LP so that Dark Thunder Ogre can increase its ATK to surpass that of Genome's Helixx Marmotroll.
* DiscardAndDraw: As part of his FaceHeelTurn in season 2, he ceases using his Gouki deck in favor of a Dinowrestler one.
* DishingOutDirt: His Gouki monsters are EARTH Warrior-Type Monsters, as are the majority of his Dinowrestlers.
* DisproportionateRetribution: The real reason he became a BountyHunter for SOL Technologies in the first place? All so he could take down Playmaker and reclaim his reputation as the number one Duelist in LINK VRAINS so people will appreciate him again.
* DubNameChange: Is known as "Gore" in the English dub.
* DudeWheresMyRespect: His other reason for being a Bounty Hunter.
* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: As a BountyHunter, GO uses a Dinowrestler deck, an archetype of Monsters based on prehistoric reptiles.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: In his duel with Soulburner, Akira's subordinate, Hayami, attempts to sabotage their Duel so he won't be demoted. Soulburner accuses Go of cheating which he not only denies but actually protects Soulburner from an attack proving that he plays duels fairly.
* EvilCostumeSwitch: His season 2 FaceHeelTurn is shown with a more militant bounty hunter armor and rougher hair style.
* {{Expy}}:
** He's basically a {{hunk}}y [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Girag]] with [[Anime/YuGiOh5Ds Jack's]] Dueling playstyle. He also loves children and orphans, just like [[Manga/{{YuGiOh}} Kaiba]]. He's also an entertainer, and he purposely tries to bring joy to his opponents as well as his audience, which is a pretty direct reference to [[Anime/YuGiOhARCV Yuya's]] Entertainment Duelist philosophy.
** Also, like [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Manjoume]] and [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Sawatari]], he changes his deck to get stronger, going from Gouki to Dinowrestlers.
** [[MrFanservice A tall, muscular, dark-skinned young man]] who uses Dinosaur monsters? The [[RuleOfThree three]] main differences between Go and [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Tyranno Kenzan]] are: 1) [[ContrastingSequelMainCharacter their personalities]], 2) Go uses an actual archetype rather than a deck of standalone monsters who happen to share the same type, 3) as mentioned above, Dinowrestlers weren't his original deck.
** Like [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Hell Kaiser]], Go was once a powerful Duelist with a promising entertainment career until being in the [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter shadow of a powerful adversary]] caused them to [[TookALevelInJerkass cast away their former ideals]] and undergo TrainingFromHell. As a result of said training, both become obsessed with victory and power with their bodies unable to handle the stress of the training.
* FaceHeelTurn:
** Invoked in his Duel against Genome. The moment he plays Gouki Dark Mask, GO discards his entertainment style and takes a more brutal Dueling style, changing his wrestling persona into Dark Onizuka.
** Literally does this in season 2 by becoming one of the {{Bounty Hunter}}s.
* FakeMuscles: Has a golden fake six-pack, but judging from [[HeroicBuild the rest of his body,]] he doesn't need it.
* FallenHero: In Season 1 he's a hero of Link Vrains, in season 2 his resentment and pride lead to him becoming a villain and bounty hunter.
* FatalFlaw: Never letting go of his {{Pride}}.
* {{Foil}}: To Blue Angel. While in the Hanoi arc Blue Angel realized she wants to duel for others and not just herself, Go comes to the conclusion it is ok to duel for himself and not others. In addition, while Blue Angel is grateful to Playmaker for saving her and doesn't appear bothered by being overshadowed, Go deeply resents it and will stop at nothing to beat Playmaker for the sake of his pride. In season two, both Go and Aoi change deck and avatar, but while Aoi does so by chosing a more mature version of Blue Angel and improving her former deck, Go changes both for different ones (also changing his skill in the process).
* ForHappiness: Vows to protect LINK VRAINS so the orphanage children can continue to smile.
* FormerlyFit: [[spoiler:After performing in SOL Tech's training program to gain the strength to defeat Playmaker, his body has severely atrophied. His face has sunken in, and his muscle mass is all but gone, leaving him rail thin and sickly looking.]]
* FriendToAllChildren: Don't let his looks and AttentionWhore attitude fool you, as he's really nice towards children and doing his Charisma Dueling job to give them a better life.
* FullBodyDisguise: Disguises himself as other avatars to goad others into duels -- first as a Knight of Hanoi to duel Playmaker, then as Playmaker to duel Dr. Genome. He is also seen with other disguises when hunting the Knights of Hanoi.
* GentleGiant: Despite his stature and build, he has a friendly and kind-hearted demeanor outside of LINK VRAINS, who is looked up to by children who reside in the same orphanage as the one he grew up in.
* GoOutWithASmile: [[spoiler:As he disintegrates and gets absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi, all GO can do is deliver one last smile and leave Playmaker to deal with Revolver.]]
* GracefulLoser: Laughs as he acknowledges his defeat at Playmaker's hands. Subverted later.
* HalfHumanHybrid: At some point in the second season, it's revealed he willingly implanted a duel chip into his brain, and underwent intense training to the point that his mind has been integrated with that of an AI.
* HeelFaceTurn: A literal example, invoked towards the end of his Duel with Genome. Described as evolving into a new GO Onizuka, Dark Onizuka discards his mask, then follows up by activating Gouki Face Turn to destroy Gouki Dark Mask and turn Dark Thunder Ogre back into Thunder Ogre.
* HeroicBuild: As a hero he is the biggest and must muscular person in the cast. [[spoiler: After his FaceHeelTurn and TrainingFromHell he becomes LeanAndMean.]]
* HumanSacrifice: [[spoiler:Disintegrates and gets absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi after he is defeated by Revolver. He gets better.]]
* HumbleHero: As a result of his orphaned upbringing. Subverted later, when his Pride and resentment towards being second fiddle to Playmaker leads to his FaceHeelTurn.
* InsistentTerminology: Doesn't appreciate Akira addressing him with the "Mr." honorific, and insists that he's only Go Onizuka.
* ItsAllAboutMe: Boasts that he is the King of LINK VRAINS, and is not happy with the fact that Playmaker has become a sensation after protecting LINK VRAINS from a Knight of Hanoi. To be fair, he's more concerned with [[DarkAndTroubledPast repaying his debt to the orphanage]] than [[AttentionWhore his reputation and ego as a Charisma Duelist]]. [[DoubleSubversion And to be unfair]], he later decides that being second best to Playmaker is the greater issue.
* ItsAllMyFault: Blames himself for being unable to stop Makoto from becoming an Another victim.
* ItsPersonal: Cares not for the whole bounty hunting thing, as all he cares about is taking down Playmaker so that he can restore his reputation as the number one Duelist in LINK VRAINS. It gets worse after his mind is integrated with that of an AI's, something he took up on because he's willing to use whatever means possible just to defeat Playmaker.
* KickTheDog: [[spoiler: After defeating Earth, he makes it clear to Playmaker and Blue Girl that he doesn't care that Earth wasn't an enemy and that they were once comrades, power and beating Playmaker is the only thing that matters to him. Later made worse when he cruelly doesn't care as Earth is dissected piece by piece.]]
* LeanAndMean: [[spoiler: After his TrainingFromHell, Go has become disturbingly gaunt and thin.]]
* ManlyTears: Subverted, but he is moved regardless when the orphanage children continue to acknowledge him as the champion of LINK VRAINS even after losing to Playmaker.
* MotiveRant: GO throws a big hissy fit all because he's not number one, playing the victim card and views himself as nothing but a stepping stone for Playmaker, and thus vows to take him down to not only become number one again, but also so everyone will appreciate him.
* MrFanservice: His usual outfit shows of his entire body and he is shirtless.
* NearVillainVictory: Exploited. He lets his opponents get the upper hand so that he can stage a comeback, which forms the basis of his entertaining Dueling style.
* NoSell:
** His "Gouki the Giant Ogre" is unaffected by the card effects of Monsters boasting ATK equal to or lower than it does.
** One of his Skills, Anti-Skill, allows him to completely negate his opponent's Skill (on top of allowing him to draw two cards).
* OneWayVisor: As a BountyHunter, GO wears a visor while inside LINK VRAINS.
* OnlineAlias: GO 鬼塚.
* RageBreakingPoint: Dark Onizuka blows up, provoked after Playmaker appeared during Dark Onizuka and Dr. Genome's Duel to claim that he'll scoff at Dark Onizuka when he loses. However, this was intended to get Dark Onizuka all the more motivated to defeat Genome.
* RatedMForManly: Boasts a well-built figure, and runs a Gouki deck.
* RealNameAsAnAlias: His online handle is based on his real name, and is written in a way that it's homonymous.
* RedOniBlueOni: As a Bounty Hunter, Go initially forms the Red to Blood Shepherd's Blue, being angry and resentful of Playmaker while Blood Shepherd is cold and calculated, only concerned with money. [[spoiler: Then they switch places, as Go's transformation makes him cold and analytical, only interesting in winning, while Blood Shepherd becomes angry and obsessive with destroying the Ignis while losing his cool over Ghost Girl thwarting him.]]
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: Disguised as Playmaker, GO dismissively calls the Knights of Hanoi who confronted him garbage unworthy of Dueling.
* ReforgedIntoAMinion: Not literally, but discussed by Soulburner. Lampshaded by Soulburner, who labels GO as a lap dog working for SOL Technologies; or rather, a Sore Loser incapable of anything but venting his frustrations. [[spoiler: And then possibly literally after his TrainingFromHell, coming back LeanAndMean and possibly altered.]]
* {{Revenge}}: Vows to get back at Dr. Genome for turning Makoto into an Another victim.
* TheRival: Initially antagonistic towards Playmaker, he became the FriendlyRivalry type until season 2, where he's adopted a TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou attitude towards him.
* SoreLoser: Since the conclusion of the Tower of Hanoi incident, he's really sore over the fact that he's no longer number one in LINK VRAINS, and thus discards his reputation as a Charisma Duelist and becomes a BountyHunter, all so he could get back at Playmaker.
* StartOfDarkness: Since the beginning of the second season, he abandons his reputation as a Charisma Duelist and enlists as a BountyHunter all so he can get back at Playmaker and reclaim his right as the number one Duelist of LINK VRAINS. It only gets worse when he's seen pursuing Earth, and later uncloaks himself after Playmaker finds them both, revealing his dull, yet intimidating expression (which Akira speculates Queen is responsible for).
* SuperSpit: Dark Onizuka ''literally'' spits poison mist on Genome's face after activating Gouki Poison Mist, which is modeled after the "Asian mist" maneuver in pro wrestling. Genome calls out on him for cheating.
* TookALevelInBadass: After his TrainingFromHell, [[spoiler: he adds Fusion and Synchro summoning to his arsenal.]]
* TookALevelInJerkass: Started off as a GentleGiant and borderline NiceGuy for his care of orphans, albeit with a bit of an ego. Come Season 2 he undergoes a FaceHeelTurn and bears a personal vendetta against Playmaker, because he can't stand being number two. [[spoiler: And then after fusing with an AI he gets worse...]]
* {{Transhuman}}: Claimed he obtained the power that surpasses humanity's domain [[spoiler:by getting a chip implanted into his brain, fusing himself with an AI]].
* TrainingFromHell: [[spoiler: Undergoes a Lost Incident-style training and takes an AI into his brain to gain the Brain Hack skill to defeat Playmaker.]]
* TyrannosaurusRex: His new ace monster, "Dinowrestler King T Wrextle", and [[spoiler: fusion upgrade, Dinowrestler Chimera T Wrextle.]]
* WorldsStrongestMan: Has a reputation for being the strongest Duelist in LINK VRAINS. Even after losing to Playmaker, the orphanage children continue to look up to him as the champion.
* {{Yokai}}: The Gouki Extra Deck Monsters are based on ogres, and all of them have "Ogre" in their names.
* YouAreTooLate: Arrives too late to stop Dr. Genome from turning Makoto into an Another victim.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Kengo Dojun/Blood Shepherd]]
!!Kengo Dojun/Blood Shepherd
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Takanori Okuda (Japanese)
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bloodshepherd.png]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blood Shepherd]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/blood_shepherd_full_body.jpg[[/labelnote]] ]]

A ruthless BountyHunter acquainted with Akira and Emma, hired by SOL Technologies to capture Playmaker's Ignis. In LINK VRAINS, he is known as Blood Shepherd.

Uses a Drone deck, which relies on burn damage and direct attacks and locking down his opponent's Link Monsters. His Skill, Drone Craft Force, decreases an opponent's Monster ATK by 200 for every Drone card in his GY while at the same time giving one of his monsters the same amount of ATK his opponent's Monster lost.
----
* AloofBigBrother: To Emma, as though he cares about her somewhat, he resents her for [[spoiler: their father abandoning him and his mother, though he ultimately can't follow through with deleting her account.]]
* AnArmAndALeg: In the accident that crippled his mother, his arm was crippled, requiring him to get a mechanical one.
* ArtificialLimbs: In real life and on his avatar, his right arm is replaced with a cybernetic prosthesis. His avatar's doubles as a ArmCannon.
* BadassBack: He destroys the ladybug Emma uses to monitor him and Soulburner with his arm blaster in one shot, without bothering to turn around.
* BadassCape: He wears a desperado style cape to go with his cowboy theme.
* BreakThemByTalking: He exploits Soulburner's childhood fear of "Despair from the Dark" by bringing out not one, but ''four'' of them, and intends to bury Soulburner into a state of dark despair.
* CharClone: The second one after Revolver, as he wears a CoolHelmet as part of his avatar, a cold and harsh villain, as well as the long lost brother to Ema.
* CombatPragmatist: Will do whatever he needs to get the job done, such as using his allies as decoys or rigging a duel disk AI to lie to his opponent.
* CoolPlane: His Drone deck, [[FreezeFrameBonus first showcased]] in [=OP2=] and [=ED3=], is composed of WIND Machine monsters.
* CrazyPrepared: Both in his duels with Playmaker and ''especially'' Soulburner; he goes to great lengths to counter their decks' usual combos.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: He almost lost his mother and arm due to a malfunctioning AI in their taxi cab, and before that his Dad is absent or dead for unknown reasons, forcing his mother to work.
* DecompositeCharacter: Wherein Shoichi embodies [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Shun Kurosaki's]] BigBrotherInstinct and DarkAndTroubledPast, Blood Shepherd embodies every negative and/or violent aspect of Kurosaki, [[NothingPersonal except reckless vengeance]]. Their main choice of monsters are pretty similar (the mechanical 'Raidraptors' vs the 'Battle Drones' which are literal hunter drones). He has demonstrated great dedication to hunting down Playmaker very much like how Kurosaki initially hunted down any Fusion user he came across. To drive it further home, his civilian identity wears clothes that are almost identical to Kurosaki's and hides his face with shades and a scarf, with the colors being the main difference between their outfits. In addition, Drone monsters function a lot like Raidraptors, implementing burn damage, direct attacks, etc.
* DisappearedDad: His father is nowhere to be seen. It's revealed that [[spoiler:he was so fixated on work, he never tended to his wife or son at all, and eventually came to be Emma's father]].
* TheDreaded: According to Akira, Blood Shepherd has a reputation for being a ruthless bounty hunter who mercilessly hunts his prey.
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes:
** Kengo loved his mother greatly, and her near-death on her birthday after their AI-Taxi crashed drives his anger towards AI.
** Implied for Emma. He and Ghost Girl appear to have a hidden connection and when he saved her from the hacker's bomb, he called her by her real name before leaving. It turns out they are siblings, and despite his resentment towards her for a happy childhood, he's ultimately [[spoiler: unable to follow through with his threat of deleting his account.]]
* EvilGenius: Extremely cunning and has proven himself as one of the best hackers in the series.
** To show how smart and tech savvy he is, [[spoiler:he managed to replicate the Ignis Algorithm, a feat that places him with [[EvilGenius Dr. Kogami!!]] Later on, he managed to track down Aqua in the network by using the same algorithm to trace her signature.]]
* EvilSoundsDeep: Before the incident which crippled him and his mother, he was an even-voiced, yet upbeat guy. Since his involvement in the bounty hunting business, however, he speaks in a low-pitched, intimidating voice.
* ExactWords: When he's not [[ILied having it lie]], he has his AI tell only some of the effects of his cards in order to take advantage of his opponents never checking for themselves.
* TheFaceless: In the real world, Blood Shepherd covers his face with a pair of sunglasses and a scarf. His face is fully revealed in a flashback, and he's fairly normal looking, though his accident has left him with a massive facial scar in the present.
* {{Foil}}: A surprising one for Revolver, of all people.
** Both of their parents they've loved very much were rendered comatose as a result of an incident involving AI; Revolver's father after trying to create the Ignis in order to make the world a better place, unlike Kengo's mother who ended up hospitalized due to an AI malfunctioning.
** Both of them detest AI, but wherein Ryoken is a KnightTemplar who despises any and all AI and tried to destroy the world's network just to ensure the 6 Ignis would never be a threat ([[HypocrisyNod never mind the fact that he uses the Cyberse-type Topologic series of Link Monsters]]), Kengo is a BountyHunter who despises AI, but tacitly accepts that an AI that is under direct human control is still useful.
** For all his talk about his comrades being sacrificed for the Tower of Hanoi, it is Revolver himself who rendered them in such a state. Blood Shepherd blatantly used Akira and Ghost Girl as bait during a mission, but ultimately protected Ghost Girl when their target tried to retaliate.
** Even their parents, for that matter. Dr. Kogami is a scientist whose project to create AI that could solve any and every human problem ultimately resulted in the company that he worked for turning against him and using them to gain massive wealth. Kengo's mother is heavily implied to be a simple middle-class single parent near retirement.
** Both of them caused their parents' downfall unwittingly. When he was just eight, Ryoken secretly reported the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project to the police, which resulted in the six children that were kidnapped to be released, but ultimately got the attention of SOL's higher-ups who infected Dr. Kogami with a virus that resulted in him getting bed-ridden; Kengo's mother was rendered hospitalized after Kengo convinced her to use an AI-driven taxi.
** Both of them devoted their lives to their parents' well-being. Revolver spent his entire later childhood and most of his teenage years for the sake of making amends for his father's condition. Kengo was willing to give up on a chance for college just so he can take care of his mother.
** Revolver had one thousand underlings, Kengo on the other hand either operates solo or in very small groups.
* FreudianExcuse: He believes that AI should be controlled and overseen by humans, because on his mother's birthday, the taxi they were in was AI controlled but malfunctioned and caused them to drive into an otherwise avoidable accident, rendering her paraplegic and his arm nerve dead.
* HandBlast: His mods allow him to fire energy blasts out of his hand to take out opponents.
* ILied: Invoked in that, unlike other [=AIs=] which make [[CaptainObvious blatantly obvious statements]], Blood Shepherd rigged his Duel Disk AI so that it'll make deliberately false statements to mislead his opponents.
* IWorkAlone: Despite being part of a BountyHunter team, he always works on his own accord, and has zero tolerance for being ordered around.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: Ruthlessly deals with the two [[ItMakesSenseInContext delinquent penguins]], who were hackers that modded themselves to hurt others, and has also picked a fight with him.
* LongLostSibling: He and Ema are actually brother and sister, with him being older, and her half-brother.
* MageKiller: His Drone deck has a lot of means to counter Link Monsters, [[CripplingOverspecialization which spells trouble for him when Playmaker uses other summoning methods]].
* MommasBoy: He just wanted to work to support his mother so she wouldn't have to work anymore...and then she nearly died.
* NiceHat: Dons a light purple hat with numerous pointy edges and green trimmings.
* OedipusComplex: He loves his mother and despises his father for abandoning her, [[spoiler: though does soften his stance a bit when Ema reveals that he never forgot about his son.]]
* OnlineAlias: Blood Shepherd.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Lampshaded by Ghost Girl; Blood Shepherd affirms that monetary rewards are what mark his status as a professional bounty hunter. Subverted later, as his hatred of AI and refusal to let the Ignis conquer humanity lead him to break contract and straight up try to kill Aqua instead of capturing her for SOL.
* {{Otaku}}: Called a military/weapons otaku by Ai, and treats his Drone monsters as if he were a commanding officer from afar.
* PetTheDog: In a flashback, despite previously using Akira and Emma as decoys against a hacker, he steps in to protect Emma from the hacker's bomb, pushing her out of the way and shooting it down. And later he is unable to [[spoiler: go through with deleting his sister's account.]]
* PurpleIsPowerful: His civilian persona has purple hair, his avatar is rife with purple, and is repeatedly noted to be a formidable bounty hunter.
* RedOniBlueOni: As a Bounty Hunter, Blod Shepherd initially forms the Blue to Go's Red, as Go angry and resentful of Playmaker while Blood Shepherd is cold and calculated, only concerned with money. Then they switch places, as Go's transformation makes him cold and analytical, only interesting in winning, while Blood Shepherd becomes angry and obsessive with destroying the Ignis while losing his cool over Ghost Girl thwarting him.
* TheResenter: Towards Ghost Girl, for having a happy childhood while their father abandoned him for work and remarried a different woman.
* RuleOfThree: He often counts to three but never acts on the third count.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: He leaves immediately after the emergency rescue program was completed by Emma, which frees Soulburner from Blood Shepherd's trap.
* SoreLoser: He doesn't take kindly to Ghost Girl interrupting his Duel with Soulburner by bailing Soulburner out of Blood Shepherd's trap, and attempts to blast her for it.
* SpaceCowboy: Blood Shepherd's avatar is that of a futuristic armored cowboy.
* StartOfDarkness: The near loss of his mother turned him into a brutal laconic BountyHunter that ruthlessly destroys hackers.
* TheUnfettered: He'll use whatever means imaginable to achieve his goals, and doesn't give a damn if anyone gets hurt as a result.
* UsedToBeASweetKid: Prior to the incident which crippled himself and his mother, Kengo was an upbeat guy who cared very much for his mother's wellbeing.
* VanHelsingHateCrimes: Blood Shepherd knows that the Ignis are plotting to rule over humanity and is now out to terminate every last one. Not even the pro-Humanity Ignis Aqua is safe from his rampage.
* VillainRespect: He commends Playmaker when he gets past his two turn count.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Kenmochi and Yoroizaka]]
!!Kenmochi and Yoroizaka
!!!'''Kenmochi voiced by:''' Yusuke Tonozaki (Japanese)
!!!'''Yoroizaka voiced by:''' Ryota Suzuki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yoroizakakenmochi.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Yoroizaka (left) and Kenmochi (right)]]

A pair of {{Bounty Hunter}}s who accompany Go.

They both use Gouki decks like Go did before his FaceHeelTurn, which are implied to have been given to them by Go.
----
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Yoroizaka scoffs at Playmaker for attempting to return the Tributed "Gouki Riscorpio" to his hand via "Security Dragon's" Effect rather than "Gouki the Solid Ogre", which received an ATK boost due to "Gouki Twistcobra". This was intentional on Playmaker's part, however, as he shortly afterwards brings out "Firewall Dragon" and co-links it to two other Link Monsters and subsequently clears Yoroizaka's Field of Monsters completely, leading to his defeat.
* CantCatchUp: A major problem with Kenmochi and Yoroizaka is that while Gouki's are a competitive deck, things have escalated in the world of VRAINS to the point where standard Gouki's are useless. And every major duelist either has an alternate summoning method (The protagonists, Revolver, Go), a link spell card (Bohman's faction), or is a BadassNormal who may or may not cheat on the side. (Blood Shepherd)
* HoistByHisOwnPetard:
** Both Playmaker and Soulburner circumvent the trap activated by SOL Technologies like it's no one's business. The same cannot be said for Kenmochi and Yoroizaka, however, as the trap blows up on them, sending them flying off into the distance.
** Kenmochi completely blew his chances of victory for Summoning two Gouki Monsters in Defense Position, as Playmaker [[OneHitKill finishes him off in a single turn]] thanks to "Pentestag" inflicting piercing damage and "Cyberse Annihilation" dealing damage equal to the ATK the destroyed "Gouki Riscorpio" had.
** While Yoroizaka managed to put up somewhat more of a fight than Kenmochi did, his "Gouki the Solid Ogre" ultimately contributed to his downfall as the Effect of "Firewall Dragon", which was co-linked to both "Solid Ogre" and "Flame Administrator", completely cleared Yoroizaka's Field of Monsters, and Yoroizaka subsequently received direct attacks from both "Dual Assembwurm" and "Firewall Dragon", costing him the Duel.
* OhCrap: Kenmochi freaks out when he realises that the Effect of Playmaker's "Cyberse Annihilation" will deal enough damage to deplete the rest of his LP and cost him the Duel.
* OneWayVisor: Like GO, the pair wear visors while in LINK VRAINS.
* OnlyOneName: Their given names are unknown.
* OvershadowedByAwesome: They both are presumably skilled duelists since they were chosen as bounty hunters along with Go and Blood Shepherd, but since they both got defeated by Playmaker in one turn it's clear they are nothing compared to Playmaker and his comrades. Even Ai notes that them having Gouki decks makes them tricky opponents.
* {{Yokai}}: They use Gouki decks, which are again, based on ogres.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Kenmochi sports a light pink afro.
[[/folder]]

!Den City/LINK VRAINS

[[folder:Naoki Shima/Lonely Brave/Brave Max]]
!!Naoki Shima/Brave Max
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Chiharu Sawashiro (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/naokishima_4.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see Brave Max]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lonely_brave.png]][[/labelnote]]

A classmate of Yusaku's who enjoys Dueling, but lacks the confidence to Duel in LINK VRAINS. In LINK VRAINS, he is known as Brave Max, formerly known as Lonely Brave.

He uses a Beast-Type deck with a monkey theme. He focuses on summoning high level Beast-Type Monsters such as "Green Baboon, Defender of the Forest". However because of his lack of Dueling skill he tends to make some very amateur mistakes.
----
* BaitAndSwitch: In episode #64, Naoki made it seem like he knew Yusaku's secret, to the point Yusaku complied with Naoki's demands to go to a secret place to talk. In episode #65, Naoki revealed what the secret was...only that it was not the one Yusaku was concerned with--or even knew was supposed to be a secret.
-->'''Naoki''': "I know your secret."
-->''Yusaku frowns''
-->'''Naoki''': ''Smirks'' "Hey, Playmaker...is my soulmate, right? And since you're my best friend, you should feel proud too!"
-->'''Yusaku''': ''Still frowning'' "What do you want to talk about?"
-->'''Naoki''': ''Smirks again'' "I know you have a part-time job."
-->''Yusaku looks confused and tilts his head to the side''
-->'''Naoki''': "I saw you working at the hot dog stand. The school forbids working part-time jobs, but I'm not so petty to snitch on you. However..." ''Postcards suddenly materialize'' "Help me fill out postcards to enter Blue Angel's handshake event--"
-->''Yusaku walks away, disinterested''
-->'''Naoki''': "Hey! Fujiki!" ''Crashes through the door'' "I'll snitch you out to Playmaker!"
* BelievingTheirOwnLies: Ever since Brave Max defeated a Knight of Hanoi using "Cyberse Wizard" and his subsequent encounter with its owner, Naoki believes that he is Playmaker's chosen one and his best friend. Even after his dismal Dueling ability was exposed by Ghost Girl, Naoki is still under the impression that he and Playmaker are soulmates as he boasts to [[LovesMyAlterEgo Yusaku]].
* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: Brave Max's helmet sports a yellow V in between his eyes, as well as a hot pink B on his chestplate.
* CowardlyLion: Brave Max puts up a confident front while Dueling, but at the same time freaks out on the inside.
* ADayInTheLimelight:
** Gets a good share of focus in Episode #27, where he becomes determined to protect the netizens of LINK VRAINS from the Knights of Hanoi.
** Also gets this treatment in Episode #47; the first half of the episode focuses on him exploring NEW LINK VRAINS and what it has to offer.
* DistressedDude: Was kidnapped in the real world and forced into LINK VRAINS by Faust to Duel for Cyberse Wizard's data and potentially lure Playmaker in order to take his Ignis.
* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys: His Baboon of the Forest Deck is based around baboon and ape monsters.
* {{Gonk}}: He's rather odd looking, resembling Teppei Tairyobata from ''Anime/YuGiOhArcV''.
* IJustWantToBeBadass: Subverted. While he defeated a Knight of Hanoi not long after he entered LINK VRAINS for the first time, he ultimately considers himself unworthy of carrying on Playmaker's legacy, and quickly returns Cyberse Wizard to Playmaker after he arrives to confront Faust.
* InadequateInheritor: Brave Max quickly returns Cyberse Wizard to Playmaker, believing himself to be unworthy of carrying on Playmaker's legacy.
* InsaneTrollLogic: Brave Max's claim that "Metal Baboon" can't be returned to his hand because it's a Link Monster baffles both Ghost Girl and Blue Girl. The fallacy in his claim, however, is that Extra Deck monsters like "Metal Baboon" are still valid targets for return-to-hand effects, as they simply return to the Extra Deck instead.
* LovesMyAlterEgo: A huge fan of Playmaker, but he dislikes Yusaku for being a {{Jerkass}}.
* MistakenForBadass: Emma and Aoi believe he must secretly be a great duelist if Playmaker is interested in him... only to find out that he's really an amateur, which annoys Aoi because she had set up a Blue Angel event in order to get him into VRAINS.
* MrExposition: Explains to Yusaku about the Another Syndrome, a recent phenomenon where people are forced into Link Vrains and subsequently gone into a coma. Unfortunately for him, Yusaku was already up-to-date with the information, meaning Naoki didn't have to explain it to him but already did for the viewer's convenience.
* OnlineAlias: Initially went by Lonely Brave, but changes it to Brave Max shortly after he is congratulated by a few netizens for defeating a Knight of Hanoi.
* SayingTooMuch:
** Faust overhears Naoki boasting about being Playmaker's supposed chosen one, then punches him in the gut and holds him hostage.
** Ghost Girl warns Brave Max not to openly admit that he is best friends with Playmaker due to Playmaker being a bounty target in NEW LINK VRAINS.
** Subverted in that he doesn't reveal that Yusaku was the one to save him in the real world while Playmaker saved him in VRAINS, instead only being frustratingly vague when Aoi asked him, which would have likely led Emma and Aoi to connecting the dots. Justified on Shima's part, however, as he legitimately doesn't know Playmaker's real world identity.
* SecretSecretKeeper: Defied. After luring Yusaku to a discreet location in school, Shima has no problem claiming that he knows of Yusaku's secret... of working part-time at Kusanagi's hot dog stand. Shima tries to coax him into filling out Blue Angel handshake event postcards or risk getting his secret publicly exposed, but Yusaku casually walks away.
* SmallNameBigEgo: He has no problem openly claiming that he is Playmaker's chosen one and best friend, while at the same time coming off as a guy who can do nothing but talk a big game, as noted by Ghost Girl.
* TookALevelInBadass: Subverted. While Episode #27 demonstrates his courage to enter LINK VRAINS for the first time and also sees him defeating a Knight of Hanoi, his Duel with Ghost Girl in Episode #60 reveals his lack of Dueling skill due to some very amateur mistakes made on his end.
* {{Troll}}: Scoffs at Yusaku's decoy deck, describing it as amateurish. The Duel Club president calls Naoki out for it, although Yusaku doesn't disagree with the latter.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Dark green, in this case.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Emma Bessho/Ghost Girl (Ghost Gal)]]
!!Emma Bessho/Ghost Girl (Ghost Gal)
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Yuna Kamakura (Japanese), Megan [=MacPhee=] (English)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/emma_watching_akira.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[labelnote:Click here Ghost Girl (Initial Version)]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep018_ghost_girl_watching.png[[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[labelnote:Click here Ghost Girl (Current Version)]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep056_ghost_girl_winking.png[[/labelnote]]]]

A young woman hired by Akira to spy on Playmaker. She is known as Ghost Girl in LINK VRAINS.

She plays using the Altergeist archetype. Her deck focuses on swarming the field with Altergeist Monsters and set up many Trap cards from her deck with their effects. Her Skill, Secret Cure, allows her to excavate cards from her deck until a Monster Card is revealed. She can than add the Monster Card to her hand while the other cards are send to the GY and both players gain LP equal to its ATK.
----
* ADayInTheLimelight: Episode 53 focuses more on her backstory and her interactions with Akira & Blood Shepard 3 years ago
* AlliterativeName: Her OnlineAlias, '''G'''host '''G'''irl.
* AwesomeByAnalysis: She uses her skill and strategy to lock down Playmaker, using methods to keep Playmaker's LP above 1000 so he can't use Storm Access on her, only failing because he used an effect to lower his LP a second time, using her own Skill to stop the first time.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:She is returned to normal after Playmaker defeats Revolver and the Tower of Hanoi is stopped.]]
* BaitAndSwitch: Disguises herself as Blue Angel to lure Playmaker into LINK VRAINS and capture him for interrogation.
* BigDamnHeroes: She was able to complete the escape program and give it to Soulburner so that he could escape his duel against Blood Shepherd. The interesting twist is that it could also be considered this to Blood Shepherd, because Soulburner was going to win the duel with a direct attack, but Blood Shepherd also has a face-down card which may have won him the duel, making the true victor and person she saved unknown.
* BikerBabe: Her preferred mode of transportation in the real world is via motorcycle.
* BloodKnight: Very interested in Dueling Playmaker, though Akira makes it clear she is to find his identity instead.
* BountyHunter: Defied. Because of Playmaker's actions back during the Tower of Hanoi incident, she vows to repay him someday, and thus refuses to hunt him, a NEW LINK VRAINS fugitive, down.
* BroughtToYouByTheLetterS: Ghost Girl's NEW LINK VRAINS avatar has her wear a belt buckle with a yellow "G" on it.
* CoolBigSis: Acts like one to Aoi, being concerned about her well being and acting in a cool elder sister fashion, and is pleased when Aoi's stealth avatar resembles her Ghost Girl one, even naming it Blue Girl, even if she was worried about Akira sending Aoi with her.
* CoolMask: Ghost Girl covers her mouth with a black mask. She ditches it after the opening of NEW LINK VRAINS.
* CostumeEvolution: Come Season 2 her avatar is partially redesigned, using some brighter colors and ditching her face mask
* DisappearedDad: Her father, whom she shares with her half-brother, Blood Shepherd, [[spoiler: is revealed to have died of an illness the previous year, but revealed her never forgot about his son and asked her to help him if she ever had the chance.]]
* DubNameChange: Her OnlineAlias is known as Ghost Gal.
* EveryoneHasStandards: Ghost Girl may be very fascinated by treasure, but she has no intention of hunting down Playmaker, a fugitive in NEW LINK VRAINS, just to reap the monetary reward that comes with his capture.
* GracefulLoser: Has no hard feelings losing to Playmaker, and hands over the backdoor to SOL Technologies' data bank to him as promised.
* HealThyself: Her Secret Cure Skill has her excavate her deck until she reveals a Monster card (other cards revealed prior are sent to the Graveyard), which is then added to her hand, and she and her opponent both gain LP equal to that Monster's ATK.
* HeroAntagonist: Like Akira and Aoi, while she doesn't become a BountyHunter against Playmaker, she still works against him and Soulburner due to a worry if the Ignis would be enemies of humanity. Averted come Episode 76 she and Aoi drop it by [[spoiler: saving Aqua from SOL and Blood Shepherd.]]
* HiredGuns: She's a mercenary duelist, hacker, and investigator that works for Akira, but also takes jobs for others in SOL Technologies.
* HumanSacrifice: [[spoiler:After losing to Revolver, Ghost Girl is converted into data and absorbed into Hanoi's seed, becoming the base power source for their tool to destroy VRAINS, the Tower of Hanoi. She gets better]].
* IGaveMyWord: After she loses to Playmaker, she hands over the backdoor to SOL Technologies' data bank to him as promised.
* IOweYouMyLife: Due to Playmaker's actions back during the Tower of Hanoi incident, Ghost Girl refuses to become a bounty hunter.
* KilledMidSentence: [[spoiler:Ghost Girl warns Playmaker of Revolver's unknown Trap card as she gets purged from LINK VRAINS entirely.]]
* KnowWhenToFoldThem: After Blue Girl is forcibly logged out after her loss to Soulburner, Ghost Girl opts to go, unable to go on without her partner, and not having the heart to attack Soulburner when he is exhausted.
* LongLostSibling: Ema turns out to be the long lost younger sister of Blood Shepherd.
* LovelyAngels: Forms a duo with Aoi in Season 2.
* MulticoloredHair: Multiple shades of purple.
* MsFanservice: Her outfit (both in and out of VRAINS) leaves little to the imagination.
* OnlineAlias: Ghost Girl.
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: Her only motivation for acquiring Ai for SOL Technologies is to sell him to them for a high price.
* OurGhostsAreDifferent: Although the actual archetype is made up of spellcasters, the Altergeists are made up of poltergeists from around the world.
* PointyEars: Unlike the rest of the cast, she has slightly pointy ears, both in her civilian form and as Ghost Girl.
* ProudBeauty: Certainly proud of her looks as she refers to herself as a mysterious beauty.
* ShipperOnDeck: In the dub, she makes the offhand comment "I ship it" when commenting on how Playmaker saved Blue Angel.
* SomethingAboutARose: She throws a rose at Playmaker's feet to spring a trap on Playmaker.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: The official transliteration of her given name gives her two "m"s as opposed to one.
* WhoWearsShortShorts: Her Ghost Girl avatar wears tight hotpants.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Multiple shades of purple.
%%* ZettaiRyouiki: Type B with hotpants as Ghost Girl.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Yamamoto/Frog and Saito/Pigeon]]
!!Yamamoto/Frog and Saito/Pigeon
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TomokazuSeki (Japanese, both)

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/frogandpigeon.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Pigeon (left) and Frog (right)]]

A pair of LINK VRAINS reporters.
----
* AccidentalMisnaming: [[spoiler:After Playmaker defeats Revolver and thus saving the network world]], Frog calls Pigeon Sato to celebrate, but Pigeon then corrects him that his name is actually Saito.
* BerserkButton: While you're in LINK VRAINS, ''don't'' address Frog as Yamamoto.
* BlownAcrossTheRoom: During GO and Revolver's Duel, the impact of Giant Ogre and Borrelsword's blades clashing is intense enough to send Frog and Pigeon flying off into the distance, subsequently cutting out live footage taken by the duo.
* ButtMonkey: ''Nothing'' ever goes right for their journalism endeavours.
* DoNotCallMePaul: Frog will blast at Pigeon if addressed by his real name, Yamamoto, while in LINK VRAINS. There are, however, a number of instances where he doesn't.
* HiddenDepths: During Ghost Girl and Playmaker's duel, Frog is able to keep up with and ascertain the strategies they are using, like Ghost Girl not attacking so Playmaker can't use his skill. This suggest that, despite his attitude, he has top notch duel skills.
* IntrepidReporter: They're willing to risk their lives for a story and stay in LINK VRAINS even while the Tower of Hanoi is nearing completion.
* NoisyNature: [[ShapedLikeItself Pigeon occasionally coos like a pigeon.]]
* OnlineAlias: Frog and Pigeon.
* OnlyOneName: Frog's and Pigeon's real given names are unknown.
* PutOnABus: The duo haven't made any appearances since episode 49. Could be a justified trope as most of the action takes place outside LINK VRAINS or in areas blocked off to the general populace.
* SempaiKohai: Frog is the "sempai" to Pigeon's "kohai", implying that the former is the more experienced of the two.
* SkewedPriorities: In spite of the danger they're in while the Tower of Hanoi is on the verge of activating, Frog vows to obtain footage of Playmaker so that the pair's scoop will last a lifetime even if they get erased. Playmaker tries to warn them to leave for their own safety, but the pair decline to do so.
* ThoseTwoGuys: Rarely seen apart from each other.
* ThrowTheDogABone:
** Due to a previous report which was supposedly successful, the pair are allowed to remain in LINK VRAINS to report on its goings-ons after the Tower of Hanoi emerges.
** Also during the Tower of Hanoi incident, Kusanagi invokes this trope by anonymously sending Playmaker's coordinates, disguised as an opportunity for a scoop, to the pair so that Kusanagi can monitor Playmaker's Duel with Spectre.
* YankTheDogsChain: They just can't get the footage they need, no matter what.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:MC]]
!!MC
!!!'''Voiced by:''' IKKAN (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/mc_4.png]]

An unnamed LINK VRAINS commentator.
----
* CombatCommentator: Reports on the events occurring in a Duel in LINK VRAINS, combined with bombastic delivery.
* LargeHam: Wouldn't be an MC if it weren't for his bombastic delivery.
* NoNameGiven: His real name is unknown.
* OpaqueNerdGlasses: Wears a pair of yellow-framed eye-obscuring glasses at all times.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Completely disappeared from the story after Blue Angel and Baira's duel.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Makoto Kimishima]]
!!Makoto Kimishima
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Ryota Suzuki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/makoto_kimishima.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[labelnote:Click here to see his Avatar]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kimishima_avatar.png]][[/labelnote]]

Go's childhood friend and a student of Den Academy who gets turned into one of the Another victims by Dr. Genome.
----
* ChildhoodFriends: Despite their differences in personality, he and Go have become close since childhood.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: Used to be this to Go, to the point of enabling Go to overcome his former self's violent impulses.
* InformedAbility: Stated to be a strong duelist, yet Dr. Genome managed to defeat him seemingly effortlessly.
* SatelliteCharacter: Everything revealed about his character is related to his friendship with Go.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Isn't seen again after waking up from a coma.
* TheWorfEffect: Easily defeated by Dr. Genome to establish Dr. Genome as a legitimate threat.
[[/folder]]

!Knights of Hanoi

A mysterious hacker group that hacks in LINK VRAINS via Dueling.
----
[[folder:In general]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/knightsofhanoi.png]]

* TheAtoner: While most Knights are just delinquents wearing a standard avatar as a banner, the top brass of the organization is composed by guilt-ridden people related to the Ignis' creation trying to undo their own mistakes at any cost.
* BadassLongcoat: Although the level of badassery depends on the member, all of them wear white longcoats, with the exception of Spectre who wears a suit instead.
* BestServedCold: Revolver wasn't lying when he claimed that he'll remain dedicated to his mission of terminating the Ignis even after his loss to Playmaker in their second Master Duel; the Knights of Hanoi are back with a vengeance as of Episode 59 after Revolver breaks Baira out of imprisonment, and remain dedicated to their mission of fulfilling Kogami's wishes of terminating the Ignis.
* BigBadEnsemble: {{Implied}}. Their interests not only include destroying the LINK VRAINS created by the SOL Technologies Inc., but they are also seemingly competing with the SOL Technologies Inc. over [[{{Macguffin}} a mysterious AI Program named Ignis]]. Given that [[TheHero Yusaku]] [[ForWantOFANail captured Ignis first]], he will probably be targeted by both.
* TheBusCameBack: Since the conclusion of the first season, the Knights of Hanoi have not been heard from, until Episode 59 where Ryoken, Spectre, Aso, Kyoko, and Genome all return.
* ConvenientComa: [[spoiler:The three lieutenants of Hanoi all end up in these for losing and being purged by Revolver, leaving them comatose.]]
* CoolMask: The majority of its members wear masks.
* CurbStompBattle: Revolver's subordinates all effortlessly decimate the Echoes guarding the entrance to Windy's palace.
* DeathOfAThousandCuts: The effect of their Cracking Dragon involves reducing the ATK of a Monster Summoned by the opponent equal to their level multiplied by 200 (as long as exactly one Monster is Summoned at a time), and inflicts the lost amount to the opponent as Effect Damage. Needless to say, Link Monsters are unaffected by this Effect since they don't possess levels.
* EnemyMine: Double Subverted. Revolver initially defies it as he intends to delete Ai along with [[spoiler: the antagonistic Lightning and Windy]], but after Playmaker and Soulburner go after them, Spectre suggests the enemy of their enemy is their friend, and Revolver decides to let them fight it out for the time being.
* FiveBadBand: The Five Generals of the Knights of Hanoi (composed of Revolver, Spectre, Dr. Genome, Faust, and Baira) correspond in this manner.
** [[BigBad Revolver]] is the face of the Knights of Hanoi, serving as the group's leader and the main antagonistic force to Yusaku/Playmaker.
** [[TheDragon Spectre]] is Revolver's right-hand man, and often performs some of the more menial tasks in Revolver's stead like infecting Blue Angel.
** [[EvilGenius Dr. Genome's]] character revolves around his belief in DNA being the defining quality of an individual, and his ability to analyse and counter it.
** [[TheBrute Faust]] adopts a more hands-on approach compared to Genome and Baira, such as using brute force to knock out Naoki and hold him hostage in LINK VRAINS to lure Playmaker.
** [[DarkChick Baira]] is the only known female Knight of Hanoi, who is the most sympathetic compared to the other Generals due to having reservations over what they're doing, and attempts to pull a HeelFaceTurn (after she is defeated by Blue Angel), only to be purged.
** [[TheManBehindTheMan Dr. Kogami]] is the true mastermind of Hanoi, and the organisation exists to realise his goals of terminating the Ignis.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: The Knight of Hanoi who uses a Steelswarm deck loses 3000 LP thanks to Soul Charge's effect just to Special Summon three copies of Steelswarm Mantis from the Graveyard and use them as Tributes to Tribute Summon Steelswarm Hercules. It becomes his undoing after Lonely Brave draws Cyberse Wizard and uses its effect to inflict piercing damage and defeat him.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: The group's {{mooks}} utilize the Machine-type Cracking Dragon to attack the digital world.
* {{Jerkass}}es:
** They have no problem attacking anyone (and subsequently erasing their accounts) in their way of achieving their objective of capturing the Ignis.
** Taken even farther [[spoiler:with the Tower of Hanoi. Their victims are turned into data which is then absorbed into the Tower with the intent of powering it. They are turning people into {{Human Sacrifice}}'s for the sake of destroying VRAINS. According to Kogami, once the tower is completed, all the data it is composed of will be destroyed along with Link VRAINS, killing all those sacrificed to it. Among the known sacrifices are [[HeroicSacrifice Ghost Girl]], [[AssholeVictim Kitamura]], and [[{{Deuteragonist}} Blue Angel]].]]
* KilledMidSentence: A mook defeated by Playmaker is erased by Baira before he could reveal the whereabouts of the virus removal program.
* ManInWhite: The Knights wear predominately white uniforms, but LightIsNotGood here.
* MillionMookMarch: A large ensemble of Hanoi {{mooks}} appear to confront SOL's AI Duelist Squad in LINK VRAINS.
* {{Mooks}}: They wear predominantly white robes and a gray mask with yellow linings fitted with a scanner which can be used to analyze objects in their sights, and utilize Cracking Dragon to attack LINK VRAINS. However, unlike the Obelisk Force and Security, individuals are shown to use their own archetypes, such as the Knight of Hanoi that uses a Steelswarm deck against Brave Max.
* NotInThisForYourRevolution: Revolver clarified that while there are about a thousand members of Hanoi, plenty of them are there just to make a name for themselves.
* OrderReborn: The Knights of Hanoi are back with a vengeance as of early season two, after Revolver and his subordinates free Baira from imprisonment.
* PragmaticVillainy: [[spoiler:They're perfectly willing to let Playmaker and Soulburner chase after Lightning, hoping that their enemies will take out each other before they have to get further involved.]]
* RuleOfThree: Hanoi has three lieutenants: Dr. Genome, Faust, and Baira.
* {{Sadist}}s: They take pleasure in forcing random LINK VRAINS Duelists into a Duel, and subsequently turning them into Another victims after defeating them.
* SmugSnake: The {{mooks}} serve as this, particularly the one fought in the second episode, being incredibly smug and assured of his victory due to Cracking Dragon.
* TakingYouWithMe: A defeated Knight of Hanoi attempts to blow himself up to take out Playmaker, but Ignis defies this by transforming into some sort of monstrosity and consuming him.
* ThemeNaming: Their name comes from the Towers of Hanoi programming problem, fitting in with the setting's tech theme.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Ryoken Kogami/Revolver (Varis)]]
!!Ryoken Kogami/Revolver (Varis)
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ShunsukeTakeuchi (Japanese), Daniel J. Edwards (English)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_pbr0ihwkdm1shfh62o2_1280.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see Revolver (Initial Version)]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/revolver_1st.png[[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see Revolver (Current Version)]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/revolver_2nd.png[[/labelnote]]]]

The enigmatic leader of the Knights of Hanoi, his goal is to destroy the Ignis, leading him to target Playmaker and Ai. In real life he is Ryoken Kogami, the son of Dr. Kogami. He is also Yusaku's savior and the one who reported the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project to the authorities, but this caused his father to get captured and put in an eternal coma by SOL Technologies. This drives him to follow his father's goal of destroying the Ignis and create the Knights of Hanoi.

He uses a Dragon Power deck, composed of (primarily) DARK Dragon-Type Monsters and "Rokket" Monsters, an archetype of DARK Dragon-Type Monsters that are mostly themed around firearms and ammunition. Like Playmaker, his skill is Storm Access, allowing him access to Cyberse-type Link Monsters from the Data Storm when his LP is 1000 or less. Unlike Playmaker, his Cyberse-Types are all "Topologic" cards with powerful destructive effects. Aside from those, his other Link Monsters include the "Borrel" dragons. A series of Link Monsters with 3000 ATK and powerful effects making them just as fearsome as the Monsters he gets from Storm Access. Another key card of his is Mirror Force, whose effect makes it fearsome against Link Monsters.
----
* AntiMagic: A variant. His Fire Prison Field Spell functions as an anti-Cyberse card, in which it can negate the effects of all Cyberse-Type Monsters on the field, hand, and Graveyard, prevent them from attacking, and cannot be targeted for attacks (although this doesn't stop either player from attacking directly) or by card effects. At least two Cyberse-Type Link Monsters on the field are a prerequisite to activate this effect. As demonstrated in his Master Duel against Playmaker, this, too, affects Ai, causing him to malfunction and fade away.
* AntiVillain: Despite being the BigBad main antagonist of the series, he is just trying to take care of his father and finish his plan of destroying the Cyberse and Ignis all for the greater good. His father created the Ignis to save humanity from a currently unknown threat only for the Ignis to turn on them and have the ability to lie and cheat. He feels like he has to destroy the Ignis to not make everything worse.
* ArchaicWeaponForAnAdvancedAge: In an era where battle traps are rendered useless due to how often cards come with effects that either negate said traps or outright destroys them, it comes as a shock to everyone that his ace in the hole is the one and only [[spoiler: Mirror Force]]. He later adds [[spoiler: Magic Cylinder]] to his arsenal.
* ArchEnemy: As the BigBad of Season 1, Revolver is the most openly antagonistic rival since Death-T Kaiba.[[note]]Manjoume and Jack being {{Jerkass}}es rather than villains, Kaito being a JerkWithAHeartOfGold trying to save his brother despite being TheHeavy of the first arc, and Reiji being morally ambiguous but ultimately good.[[/note]]
* AtLeastIAdmitIt: Revolver doesn't bother hiding the fact that he remains dedicated to fulfilling his [[spoiler:late]] father's wishes of terminating the Ignis, and shoots down Playmaker's suggestion of letting go of his past hurts, instead outing him as a hypocrite on the grounds that Playmaker was once filled with a desire for vengeance even if Playmaker claimed that [[CharacterDevelopment he had changed]].
* TheAtoner: After realising that Revolver was the same individual [[spoiler:who motivated Yusaku during the Lost Incident with the "three reasons" SurvivalMantra]], Yusaku tries to enforce this trope on him, attempting to convince him to amend his ways by stopping the Tower of Hanoi and walking a new path. Revolver declines, however, and will stop the Tower of Hanoi only when he's defeated in a Duel.
* BadassBaritone: A deep-voiced man in charge of the Knights of Hanoi.
* BadassBoast: Claims that he is capable of taking down the entirety of LINK VRAINS should he have a reason to.
* BadassLongcoat: Revolver returns to the tradition broken by Reiji.
* BigBad: Is the face of the Knights of Hanoi, and the main antagonistic force to Yusaku/Playmaker during the first season. Behind the scenes though, Dr. Kogami is the real mastermind, while Revolver is merely his protege.
* BlatantLies: In episode #38, when Dr. Kogami (his father) asked him if he found out Playmaker's identity, Revolver denies knowing anything. [[spoiler:Cue the flashback of Revolver seeing Yusaku in the footage taken from Baira's apartment and him [[SlasherSmile slasher-smiling]] at the sight.]]
* BlowYouAway: He is capable of manipulating Data Storms.
* BoomerangBigot: He condemns LINK VRAINS for enabling escapism by allowing people to hiding their true selves from others. However, while Ryoken Kogami is stoic and reserved, Revolver is bombastic and HotBlooded.
* ButNowIMustGo: [[spoiler:After losing to Playmaker in their second Master Duel, Revolver sails away from home to an unspecified location, vowing to fulfill his destiny someday.]]
* CassandraTruth: Time and time again, Playmaker fails to heed Revolver's warnings about what the Ignis are really up to. As revealed in the second season, [[spoiler:Lightning and Windy are both working together to rule over humanity from a Cyberse World beyond human reach, and Revolver instigating a Duel against Windy only adds fuel to the fire, regardless of the outcome of the Duel]].
* CharClone: He is a masked Kaiba {{Expy}} who not only is actively working with the villains, but is their leader.
* AChildShallLeadThem: He has been carrying out his father's mission as the leader of the Knights of Hanoi ever since he was a child, frontlining an attack on the Cyberse World when he was just thirteen years-old. His three lieutenants are all grown adults and the rest of the Hanoi members are indicated to be hoodlums.
* CompositeCharacter: Aside from being a Kaiba {{Expy}} he has elements of Bandit Keith due to his gun-based dragon aces, and of Z-One's gang due to his desire to destroy the new type (Cyberse in place of Synchro).
* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: Subverted with him and [[Characters/YuGiOhArcVTheLancers Reiji]]. Both are actually [[WellIntentionedExtremist well-intentioned extremists]] but their goals are polar opposite. Reiji's motivation is to stop his father's plan while Revolver's plan is to finish what his father started.
* CoolMask: He wears a mask that looks like a visor of sorts.
* CombatPragmatist: He often likes to feign weakness or appear to make suboptimal moves to lull his opponents into a false sense of security before completely turning the tables around.
* CurbStompBattle: None of his opponents besides Playmaker has given him a real challenge, all of them playing right into his hands.
* DefrostingIceKing: Despite claiming [[Recap/YuGiOhVRAINSEp46TheCircuitThatDrawsTheFuture he would never be Yusaku’s friend]] and [[Recap/YuGiOhVRAINSEp69MissionThatMustBeAccomplished he still regretted being Yusaku’s voice of hope]], in episode 73, [[spoiler:Ryoken took the time to code a program that would protect Yusaku from being attacked [[YourSoulIsMine like Jin had been attacked]]. He delivered it ''personally'' despite the risks of exposing himself since he knew Yusaku would trust him. Ryoken claimed he did this because [[EnemyMine an enemy of his enemy is his friend]], but he seems to be starting to warm up to Yusaku]].
* DeliberateInjuryGambit: He allowed himself to take damage from both of Ghost Girl's "Altergeist" Monsters so he can fulfill the activation prerequisite for Storm Access. Ghost Girl attempts to defy this trope with her [[HealThyself Secret Cure]] Skill, but unfortunately for her, she excavates the 0 ATK "Kunquery", and thus neither player gain LP.
* DespairEventHorizon: Defied. Despite being at a significant disadvantage during his Duel against Windy after his LP was lowered to 100, he doesn't relent, and goes on to Synchro Summon "Borreload Savage Dragon", and subsequently finishes off Windy.
* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:He's the last major enemy faced in the first season of ''VRAINS''.]]
* DubNameChange: Is known as "Varis" in the English dub.
* EnemyMine: In episode 73, Ryoken gave [[spoiler:Yusaku a program that would protect Yusaku from being attacked by Lightning [[YourSoulIsMine like how Bohman attacked Jin]] on the grounds that the enemy of his enemy is his friend]].
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Shown caring for his hospitalized father. He is on the receiving end as well; Faust and Baira, his two associates, clearly care for his well-being and see him as a younger sibling. Baira is even concerned that he will have to take on the burden of becoming the worst cyber terrorist in history should their plan succeed.
* EvilAlbino: His appearance in real life. [[spoiler:He's not actually that evil though; he acts mainly to fulfill his father's wishes.]]
* EvilCounterpart:
** Physically to Yusaku and his Playmaker alter ego. Revolver even wears white clothing in stark contrast to the latter's black.
** His ace monsters, Topologic Bomber Dragon and Borreload Dragon, are this to Firewall Dragon. While the latter is fueled by the PowerOfFriendship, with one effect that needs it to be linked to by another link monster and the other that replaces anything linked to it that gets destroyed, Topologic has an effect that effectively keeps it alone on your side of the field and Borreload can take control of the opponent's monster at the start of the Damage Step.
* ExoticEyeDesigns: Downplayed, but unlike any other person in the entire series, he is the only character to have white pupils instead of black ones.
* {{Expy}}: Of [[Manga/YuGiOh Seto Kaiba]], following tradition, possibly the closest to the original's previous successors. He is obsessed with defeating the main protagonist, has three variants of his 3000 ATK dragon-like ace monsters, is a skilled hacker, wears a white longcoat, has a similar facial features and haircut, lives in a luxurious mansion, and has a habit of making dramatic claims and gestures. However [[NotSoSimilar he has two qualities that set him complete apart from Kaiba]]. First off, Kaiba despised his father and much of his actions are to be free of Gozaburo's legacy and to rise above him. All of Revolver's actions are for the sake of his father's wishes, even cancelling a match with Playmaker to be at his father's deathbed. The other is that Kaiba believes the advancement of technology, in particular virtual reality is the natural next stage of human evolution while Revolver believes that VR is nothing more than a means of escapism and judges certain advancements, especially sentient AI, to be a menace to humanity.
* TheFaceless: The top half of his real world identity's face is obscured. [[spoiler:Until Episode #42, where a young Revolver's face is fully unveiled and in episode #43, where his face in present-day is completely revealed.]]
* {{Foil}}: A surprising one for Blood Shepherd, of all people.
** Both of their parents they've loved very much were rendered comatose as a result of an incident involving AI; Revolver's father after trying to create the Ignis in order to make the world a better place, unlike Kengo's mother who ended up hospitalized due to an AI malfunctioning.
** Both of them detest AI, but wherein Ryoken is a KnightTemplar who despises any and all AI and tried to destroy the world's network just to ensure the 6 Ignis would never be a threat ([[HypocrisyNod never mind the fact that he uses the Cyberse-type Topologic series of Link Monsters]]), Kengo is a BountyHunter who despises AI, but tacitly accepts that an AI that is under direct human control is still useful.
** For all his talk about his comrades being sacrificed for the Tower of Hanoi, it is Revolver himself who rendered them in such a state. Blood Shepherd blatantly used Akira and Ghost Girl as bait during a mission, but ultimately protected Ghost Girl when their target tried to retaliate.
** Even their parents, for that matter. Dr. Kogami is a scientist whose project to create AI that could solve any and every human problem ultimately resulted in the company that he worked for turning against him and using them to gain massive wealth. Kengo's mother is heavily implied to be a simple middle-class single parent near retirement.
** Both of them caused their parents' downfall unwittingly. When he was just eight, Ryoken secretly reported the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project to the police, which resulted in the six children that were kidnapped to be released, but ultimately got the attention of SOL's higher-ups who infected Dr. Kogami with a virus that resulted in him getting bed-ridden; Kengo's mother was rendered hospitalized after Kengo convinced her to use an AI-driven taxi.
** Both of them devoted their lives to their parents' well-being. Revolver spent his entire later childhood and most of his teenage years for the sake of making amends for his father's condition. Kengo was willing to give up on a chance for college just so he can take care of his mother.
** Revolver had roughly a thousand underlings, Kengo on the other hand either operates solo or in very small groups.
* FriendlyEnemy: In season 2, despite Playmaker opposing him, he still [[spoiler: makes a point to visit him in the real world and keep him apprised of recent developments in the MeleeATrois they're part of, such as when he informed them of Earth's death.]]
* GracefulLoser: Downplayed. [[spoiler:While Revolver calmly accepts his defeat to Playmaker in their second Master Duel and agrees to stop the Tower of Hanoi, he warns Playmaker that the Ignis remain a threat to humanity, and vows to fulfill his destiny someday.]]
* TheHeavy: Revolver functions as the major antagonistic force of the first season.
* HeroKiller:
** He defeats [[spoiler: Ghost Girl]] in a duel, where she becomes part of the foundation of the [[spoiler: Tower of Hanoi]]. He also later goes on to defeat [[spoiler:GO]].
** Subverted in his second Speed Duel against Playmaker in that he forces a DRAW, and appears as if both of them will be sacrificed to the Tower of Hanoi, but are forced out of LINK VRAINS instead because of a Data Storm shockwave.
* HopeCrusher: His main strategy. Revolver enjoys allowing his opponents to believe they hold the advantage in order to lower their guards and utterly crush them, as with Ghost Girl and Go. With Playmaker in particular, he employs a ridiculous Extra Link board comprised of FIVE powerful Link-4 monsters and tells him that no matter what he draws, he will seal all of Playmaker's moves.
* HumanSacrifice: Subverted. While Revolver forced a DRAW in his second Speed Duel against Playmaker, neither of them are absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi, and are forced out of LINK VRAINS due to a Data Storm shockwave.
* HypocrisyNod: Doesn't care that the Topologic Bomber Dragon he acquired is a Cyberse-Type, and gloats that it's fun to fight poison with poison.
* IGaveMyWord:
** He keeps his promise and gives Playmaker the removal program for the virus in Aoi's brain after losing to Playmaker.
** [[spoiler:After losing to Playmaker in their second Master Duel, Revolver remains true to his word, and stops the Tower of Hanoi, releasing everyone absorbed in the process.]]
* IHaveYourWife: Holds Aoi hostage through a virus to force Akira into compliance and to a lesser extent, questioning Playmaker's sense of justice.
* InsaneTrollLogic: In episode 70, he claimed that just because Ai called out to Lightning [[spoiler:as Windy was being erased]], he was the same as all of the Ignises. Even though Ai wants to coexist with humans and not subjugate them.
* InstantAwesomeJustAddDragons: Uses a Rokket deck which is composed of DARK Dragon-type monsters. He also has his Cyberse-type Topologic Bomber Dragon.
* IronicName: Revolver's real first name, [[spoiler:Ryoken]], can translate to "forgiveness/tolerance". He ''definitely'' can't tolerate AI and he doesn't seem to be very forgiving.
* {{Irony}}: The Knights of Hanoi are out to destroy the AI World that is Cyberse, yet Revolver possesses Topologic cards, an archetype composed of Cyberse-Type Monsters. He claims it is because it is fun to fight poison with poison.
* ItsAllMyFault:
** Blames his obsession with uncovering Playmaker's real world identity for the downfall of the Three Lieutenants of Hanoi.
** He also blames himself for [[spoiler:getting his father imprisoned because he had reported the Lost Incident]].
* JustFollowingOrders: Dismisses the idea of fighting for others or for oneself, and acts only in accordance with Kogami's wishes.
* LightIsNotGood: In contrast to Yusaku's DarkIsNotEvil attire, Revolver's outfit is primarily white.
* TheMagicPokerEquation: It is revealed during his first Duel against Playmaker that he, too, can [[spoiler: utilize Storm Access]].
* MeaningfulName: Revolver may either refer to "revolt" or the six-rounded handgun. He also uses the Rokket archetype, a series of DARK Dragon-Type monsters that incorporate either bullet or gun elements in their designs.
* MoreDakka: He runs a Rokket deck, an archetype of DARK Dragon-Type Monsters mostly themed around firearms and ammunition.
* MulticoloredHair: Two shades of red. His real world self has white hair with blue highlights.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: [[spoiler:Exposed the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project to the public... which he deeply regrets as his father gets imprisoned by SOL for three years in an attempt to cover up the incident.]]
* MyGreatestFailure: [[spoiler:He deeply regrets reporting the Lost Incident because it led his father to being imprisoned for three years by SOL Technologies.]]
* TheNarrator: Instead of Kusanagi, Revolver does the narrating for Episode 38's preview.
* NewMediaAreEvil: He holds this opinion, not liking how VRAINS basically lets people lie to each other, seeing it all as a falsehood before life and breath.
* NobleDemon: He quickly shoots down Faust's idea of attacking Playmaker and Soulburner in the real world after Faust discovers their real world identities, on the grounds that matters in the network world should not cross over to real world matters.
* NoSell: His Extra Linked Topologic Gumblar Dragon prevents his Link Monsters from being destroyed by card effects.
* NotSoDifferent: Playmaker attempts to invoke this on Revolver, stating that while they have both endured dark times, Revolver was able to help Playmaker out of it, and thus Playmaker vows to return the favour. Revolver, however, dismissively scoffs at the idea of befriending Playmaker (and Ai), claiming that he is only begging for his life.
* NotSoStoic: Normally he maintains a cold and calculating demenaor but once he starts enjoying a Duel, he begins to ham it up. During his climatic Duel against Playmaker, he begins to enjoy himself so much that he even begins to make ridiculous Kaiba-esque gestures.
* OnlineAlias: Revolver (or Varis, in the English dub).
* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: Interrupts Akira's interrogation of Playmaker, threatening to destroy the entirety of LINK VRAINS if Akira doesn't comply with Revolver's request to Duel Playmaker.
* RedOniBlueOni: With himself, as he is one of the few main characters who shares no resemblance to his VR self. Blue-haired Ryoken Kogami is the blue, always being stoic and reserved while the red-haired Revolver is a LargeHam.
* TheReveal: In his Duel against GO, Revolver uses a certain Trap Card which he also used against Ghost Girl to destroy all of her Monsters. It's [[spoiler:Mirror Force]].
* RevengeBeforeReason: Playmaker tries to talk Revolver out of fulfilling Dr. Kogami's wishes of terminating the Ignis. Revolver refuses to relent, however.
* TheRival: As opposed to Go's FriendlyRival, Revolver is actually Yusaku's main (and [[ArchEnemy downright bitter]]) rival.
* SayingTooMuch: Had Revolver not mentioned Stardust Road, Yusaku wouldn't have been able to track down his whereabouts in the real world.
* SignatureMove: His Vullet/Rokket monsters each come with a neat little ability that activates when targeted by a Link monster, that includes his own Link Monsters. Many of his Link monsters have a targeting effect that effectively turns his monsters into ammunition.
* SlasherSmile: Breaks into one after he discovers Playmaker's identity from camera footage.
* TheStoic: Has an overall calm and collected disposition.
* TakingYouWithMe: Invoked twice in his Speed Duels against Playmaker.
** In the first, Revolver Summons Capacitor Stalker to the Main Monster Zone pointed to by Topologic Bomber Dragon's upper Link Arrow so the latter can destroy all cards in both players' Main Monster Zones, and take advantage of the former's effect to force a tie between him and Playmaker.
** In the second (which also doubles as a justified case), after Revolver notices that [[spoiler:Kogami's heart has stopped beating due to his sacrifice]], he quickly finishes off the Duel between him and Playmaker by using the Effect of Drop Draco, in combination with his newly acquired Topologic Gumblar Dragon's Effect, to deplete his own and Playmaker's LP to 0.
* TooDumbToLive: Subverted in his second Speed Duel against Playmaker. As Revolver activates Storm Access, he, like Playmaker, also gets his hand severed trying to acquire a card from the Data Storm. However, with help from Kogami, who offers the last of his strength to Revolver and regenerates his hand, Revolver is able to enter the Data Storm without issue.
* TookALevelInBadass: He makes a triumphant return in the second season and demonstrates that Playmaker isn't the only one with new skills by showcasing the might of Synchro Summoning.
* TsurimeEyes: Has sharp-looking eyes in the real world, highlighting his stoic and no-nonsense nature.
* TheUnfettered: Revolver refuses to stop the Tower of Hanoi, and will do whatever it takes to ensure that his father's mission of terminating the Ignis is fulfilled, even if it means decimating the entirety of humanity.
* VillainsNeverLie: Has no problem admitting to Akira that his faction is responsible for Aoi's comatose state, as the whole thing was a hostage situation.
* VocalDissonance: He retains the deep voice even in his real life persona, contrasting with his appearance as a slender {{Bishounen}} which isn't unrealistic as he is an eighteen year-old man. However, he had the same voice as a thirteen year-old when he was attacking the Cyberse World five years ago.
* WeaksauceWeakness: His Fire Prison can't be destroyed by other card effects, but it destroys itself when the Cyberse monsters it traps leave the battlefield. Considering it doesn't prevent them from being tributed and also gives the opponent every reason to (since their monster zones still count as occupied), it's quite a flaw.
* WeatherManipulation: While in LINK VRAINS he can control the Data Storm, and appears in a flash of lightning.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: He is very caring and loyal towards his father and his goal of destroying LINK VRAINS and the Ignis in order to ensure the safety of the greater good for humanity.
* WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds: He is ''literally'' aiming to destroy a world (the Cyberse), not to mention the sheer collateral damage that would be done to the real world as well. However the woobie part is present because [[spoiler: in the past, when he was trying to save the six children that were kidnapped for the Hanoi Project/Lost Incident, he succeeded at a [[NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished horrible cost of starting a chain of events which led to his father getting bedridden due to SOL's manipulations]]. He barely enables him to return at least as an avatar in the LINK VRAINS. For a whole decade, Ryoken has dedicated his life to his father's well-being as a form of repentance, to the point that the idea of fighting for his own sake sounds nigh-alien to him.]]
* WorthyOpponent:
** He expresses his desire to rematch Playmaker and defeat him after losing his first Duel against him. He admits to his father that he wants to track Playmaker down even though it could jeopardize their plans.
** Although he still considers him far beneath himself, Revolver is impressed that Go forced him to use his Borrelsword Dragon.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Two shades of red. His real-life self has very conspicuous white hair.
* YouHaveFailedMe: He purges [[spoiler: the three lieutenants when they lose, made worse in the case of Baira and Faust where they were like a big brother and sister to them, and yet he took them out. He felt remorse, but still.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Spectre]]
!!Spectre
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Daiki Kajimoto (Japanese)

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep059_faust_spectre_and_genome.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see his Avatar]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep036_spectre_smirking_while_drawing.png[[/labelnote]]]]

The right-hand man of Revolver and another victim of the Lost Incident. Whereas the others were afflicted with PTSD by the horrors of the incident, Spectre derived pleasure from it and sought to join his tormentors.

He uses the Sunvine/Sunavalon archetype, a group of Dyrad-based monsters supported by the Sunseed archetype. The goal of his deck is to summon Sunavalon Link Monsters as fast as possible in order to use its effect to summon Sunvine Monsters whose effects can be offensive or defensive whenever its useful.
----
* AchillesHeel: Exploited by Playmaker, who uses Excode Talker to seal the Main Monster Zones pointed to by Spectre's Sunavalon Daphne so he can't take advantage of those unoccupied Zones. Spectre, however, gets out of it by revealing an imprisoned Akira in front of Playmaker.
* AmbiguousDisorder: As a child, he had little interest in interacting with other children at his orphanage, and his closest attachment was to a tree. He considers his meeting with Revolver to be the point where his life first gained purpose, and acknowledges that Playmaker probably thinks he's weird for this. As a result of the Hanoi Project, Spectre becomes [[{{Sadist}} a sadistic excuse of a human being]] to the point of [[spoiler:[[ColdBloodedTorture torturing Blue Angel in the cruelest way possible]]]].
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:Spectre was returned to normal at some point after Revolver lost to Playmaker in their second Master Duel, and remains dedicated to the Knights of Hanoi's mission.]]
* BlatantLies: Zigzagged. When he and Blue Angel first meet, he calls himself a great fan of hers, a claim that Blue Angel doesn't buy and calls him out on it. During their second encounter, it turns out that he wasn't entirely lying, as he does like the Blue Angel book that she based her own online persona upon.
* BreakThemByTalking:
** Engages in a lecture in his duel with Aoi, bring up her {{Escapism}} with the Blue Angel persona and the book it was based on, as well as her loneliness and misery when her parents died. She returns in kind by pointing out that if the book resonated with him he must have a similar past, which he admits.
** Also looks down on Playmaker as weak-willed for being unable to sacrifice uninvolved parties in spite of his vengeful spirit. Playmaker doesn't receive it well at all.
* CompanionCube: Since infancy, he grew attached to and was mothered by a certain tree, which was his only source of psychological comfort, and didn't take it well when the tree was gone by the time the Lost Incident concluded. This carries on through his duels towards his Sunavalon Link monsters.
* CompositeCharacter: Spectre resembles [[Anime/YuGiOhGx Edo]] in appearance, but his behavior and deck bring [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Yuri]] to mind. His deck's play style is similar to [[Anime/YuGiOh5ds Aki's]] relying on control tactics.
* TheCorrupter: He places the Dark Angel card in Blue Angel's deck so she'll be darkened.
* CurbStompBattle: Effortlessly defeats [[spoiler:Kitamura in a Duel, and has him disintegrate and get absorbed by the Tower of Hanoi]].
* DarkAndTroubledPast: A MysteriousPast that Aoi realizes must be similar to her own, and he owns up to it but doesn't elaborate.
* DirtyCoward: Disadvantaged thanks to Playmaker's Excode Talker sealing the two Main Monster Zones pointed to by Sunavalon Daphne, Spectre, as a last resort, reveals an imprisoned Akira in front of Playmaker, who gloats that as he takes damage, Akira further risks being infected by the thorny prison's computer virus. Unwilling to put Akira in danger, Playmaker ends his turn after bringing out Excode Talker.
* DishingOutDirt: The Sunavalon Monsters are all of the EARTH Attribute.
* TheDragon: Is Revolver's right hand man, and will often carry out some of the more menial tasks in Revolver's stead, such as infecting Blue Angel.
* EvilCounterpart: He is revealed to be one for Yusaku [[spoiler: as they were both apart of the Lost Incident and were affected by it, however while Yusaku is haunted by his experiences and felt like time has stopped for him Spectre enjoyed the experience and felt like time moved forward for him. Yusaku is also hinted to have had a happy childhood before the Lost Incident while Spectre spent most of his time alone. Furthermore, Yusaku hates the Knights of Hanoi for what they did while Spectre joined them and pledged his loyalty to Revolver.]]
* EvenEvilHasStandards: He finds [[SlimeBall Kitamura]] to be disgusting and turns him to data rather than let him join Hanoi.
* EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas: An... interesting variation; despite not knowing, nor caring for his biological mother, Spectre regarded [[ParentalSubstitute the tree which took care of him]] with the utmost adoration. In duels, seeing his Sunavalon monsters (which represent said tree) destroyed/chopped down ([[CloseToHome which happened to the real tree]]) sends him into a fit of rage. Seeing them burn to cinders is even worse.
* EvilIsHammy: Bombastically breaks out an EvilLaugh as he stands in front of a defeated [[spoiler:Blue Angel]].
* EvilLaugh: Lets one out after he defeats [[spoiler:Blue Angel]], highlighting his ruthlessness and sadism.
* {{Expy}}: His overall role is similar to that of Yuri and Vector; particularly Yuri, given that they both use Plant decks.
* FauxAffablyEvil: A ruthless and sadistic Knight of Hanoi who communicates with formal and polite linguistics, he takes [[{{Sadist}} pleasure in]] [[BreakThemByTalking breaking Blue Angel mentally]], from tearing and incinerating the "Blue Angel" picture book in front of her, to parting with a TheReasonYouSuckSpeech as [[spoiler:he defeats her]]. It doesn't get any better when he briefly drops the formal linguistics and adopts a condescending tone after Playmaker destroys his Sunavalon Dryatrentiay.
* FriendlessBackground: Because he had no family, he was unable to mingle with others and often spent time by his lonesome since his childhood days.
* GreenThumb: Uses a Sunavalon deck, which is composed of Plant-Type Monsters.
* HateSink: The atrocities he committed in the name of Hanoi's cause, lack of remorse for his actions, and shameless gloating makes you want to punch him in the face.
* HealThyself: Some of his Monsters' card effects involve regaining LP equal to the amount of Battle Damage he takes from his opponents' Monsters.
* LaughingMad: All Spectre can do after he [[spoiler:loses to Playmaker]] is laugh and walk away while apologising to Revolver for being incompetent... and watch in devastation as his Dryatrentiay dissipates in cinders and buries him in burning debris.
* LightIsNotGood: Unlike Yuri's horrific looking plants, Spectre's Sunavalon are pretty and revered as holy. Despite this he is a brutal maniac and PsychoSupporter of Hanoi.
* NightmareFace: He makes several disturbing faces while mocking Kitamura and Blue Angel, highlighting his sadism.
* NightmareFetishist: Spectre went through the same event that lead to Yusaku's trauma and enjoyed every moment of it.
* NotSoDifferent: Blue Angel attempts to invoke this against him, stating that he must have had a DarkAndTroubledPast as well if the Blue Angel picture book resonated with him.
* NotSoSimilar: Like Yusaku, Spectre was [[spoiler:one of the six children kidnapped during the Lost Incident. Unlike Yusaku, however, Spectre enjoyed every moment of his time in captivity, and felt as if time moved forward for him; his only concern being that he couldn't be with a certain tree who mothered him since infancy]].
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: You know something's wrong when Spectre ''completely'' loses his shit, addresses Playmaker condescendingly, and curses him for destroying Sunavalon Dryatrentiay.
* ParentalAbandonment: As an infant, he was left behind in a tree located behind an orphanage by his biological parents.
* PlantPerson: The Sunavalon archetype is based upon dyrads, some being a face on a tree, but others being humanoid plants.
* PsychopathicManchild: Spectre is a Knight of Hanoi who revered a certain tree that cared for him since infancy as sacred and motherly; this trait carries on through his Sunavalon Link Monsters. He also has no problem sadistically torturing and toying with Blue Angel during his Duel with her.
* RageBreakingPoint:
** Playmaker's Excode Talker sealing the two Main Monster Zones pointed to by Sunavalon Daphne was the last straw for Spectre, who then plays dirty by revealing Akira, trapped in a thorny prison installed with a computer virus, in front of Playmaker.
** The real last straw, however, was Playmaker destroying his Sunavalon Dryatrentiay. Spectre ''completely'' loses his shit and snaps at Playmaker for destroying what Spectre revered as sacred and motherly.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech:
** Mixed with BreakThemByTalking, he disses [[spoiler:Aoi for being an incompetent blue angel who can't even save him as he wipes out the rest of her LP]].
-->'''Spectre:''' Farewell, [[spoiler:Aoi Zaizen]]. The worthless woman who will never be a [[spoiler:blue angel]].
** He also dismissively labels Playmaker's sense of justice as lame, and calls him weak-willed for being unable to sacrifice others in spite of his vengeful spirit.
* RelativeButton: As Playmaker and Ai find out, destroying Sunavalon Dryatrentiay was a terrible mistake, as Spectre ''completely'' loses his shit and snaps at Playmaker for destroying what Spectre reveres as sacred and motherly.
* TheReveal: [[spoiler:Spectre was one of the six children abducted during the Lost Incident.]]
* {{Sadist}}: Takes pleasure in mentally breaking Blue Angel, tearing and incinerating the "Blue Angel" picture book in front of her eyes.
* SingleTear: He sheds a single tear [[spoiler:after Earth is terminated by SOL Technologies]], uncertain of what it is he felt.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Is it "Specter" or "Spectre"? The official English dub uses the former transliteration.
* StoneWall: The Sunavalon archetype has a variety of life point recovery and DamageReduction tactics to keep his lifepoints high, but can switch over into a MightyGlacier depending on some of the monsters.
* ThisCannotBe: Reacts in surprise to Akira [[spoiler:sacrificing himself]], something that Spectre did not anticipate Akira would do.
* TokenEvilTeammate: A rare villainous example. Among the upper echelon, where the Three Lieutenants and Dr Kogami are guilt-ridden atoners and Revolver is merely a bit of a smug WellIntentionedExtremist with some NobleDemon tendencies, Spectre stands out as a FauxAffablyEvil {{Sadist}} that enjoys corrupting and toying with Blue Angel, as well as making a variety of psychotic expressions.
* UndyingLoyalty: As he was offered a position to become Revolver's right-hand man, Spectre vowed to remain by his side until the end.
* TheUnfettered: Pledges his loyalty to Revolver and vows to remain by his side until the end, not giving a damn about what happens to the network world.
* VillainousBSOD: After losing to [[spoiler: Playmaker]], Spectre joyfully says he regrets nothing and goes LaughingMad, before freezing in horror at the sight of his Sunavalon tree burning. Remembering his childhood and shedding tears, he could only call it "Mother" before getting buried under the burning debris.
* WouldHitAGirl: Has no problem torturing and toying with Blue Angel during his Duel with her.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: Inverted. Revolver vows not to allow [[spoiler:Spectre's defeat]] to go to waste after the latter's downfall at the hands of Playmaker.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Dr. Kogami]]
!!Dr. Kiyoshi Kogami
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/TakayukiSugo (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dr_kogami.png]]

The enigmatic scientist that works alongside the Knights of Hanoi, and Revolver's bedridden father.
----
* AlliterativeName: '''K'''iyoshi '''K'''ogami.
* AntiVillain: He honestly sees the eradication of the Ignis as something needed to be done for the greater good, for he deems them savage creatures bent on destroying the world rather than saving it, and is not above erasing everyone solely to achieve this.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:In a sense. He was said to have died seven years prior, but resurrected from the dead solely to bring an end to the entirety of the network world.]]
* BeardOfEvil: ZigZagged, as it is dubious how evil is he exactly.
* ContrastingSequelAntagonist: He breaks the pattern of all the previous villainous fathers in the franchise: [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Gozaburo]] and [[HateSink Mr. Ishtar]] [[Manga/YuGiOh in the original series]], [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Dr. Faker and Tron]] (before their HeelFaceTurn), as well as [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Leo Akaba]] (who also had a HeelFaceTurn). Compared to any of them, his relationship with his son is remarkably stable, to the point of IntergenerationalFriendship.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: [[spoiler:A former researcher for SOL who invented the Ignis, SOL saw the Ignis as an opportunity for big money, and, fearing that they would be seized by authorities, SOL covered up the Lost Incident and put Kogami into a comatose state. He would eventually be reconstructed as an avatar by his son, Revolver, with intent to terminate the Ignis.]]
* DeadAllAlong: [[spoiler:Died seven years prior, and presently exists only as an avatar in the network world.]]
* IntergenerationalFriendship: He is Revolver's father, who has dedicated his life to fulfill Kogami's vision in his stead. Kogami on the other hand is respectful and supportive of his son, even after failure, and assists him when needed.
* KnightTemplar: Staunch supporter of the destruction of the Cyberse, namely the Ignis. [[spoiler:He is willing to turn thousands of [[HumanSacrifice people into data]] just to construct the Tower of Hanoi, doing which will kill not only everyone made apart of the Tower, but also everyone in LINK VRAINS, including the Knights of Hanoi themselves, and himself.]]
* LabcoatOfScienceAndMedicine: Wears a white lab coat just to hammer in that his role in the plot is science-based.
* MadScientist: Downplayed in that he is calm and level-headed, but still believes that destroying the Cyberse is a necessity for humanity.
* TheManBehindTheMan: Appears to reveal only himself before Revolver, and the Knights of Hanoi exist to realize his dreams.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Facilitated the creation of the Ignis, and greatly regrets it in the present, for he views them as savages bent on world destruction rather than its saviours.
* NonActionBigBad: He is TheManBehindTheMan for Hanoi and has yet to personally duel anyone.
* OffingTheOffspring: {{Invoked}} this trope when he metaphorically compared destroying the Cyberse to '''a parent killing its own child'''.
* TheReveal: He was [[spoiler:a former researcher for SOL who executed the Hanoi Project]].
* {{Revenge}}: Subverted. Akira assumes that Kogami formed the Knights of Hanoi [[spoiler:(after he is recreated as an avatar in the network world)]] as a means to get back at SOL, but Kogami corrects him by stating that he is only motivated to terminate the Ignis.
* ScienceIsBad: {{Downplayed}}, as he specifically targets only one product of science.
* SelfFulfillingProphecy: Believes that humanity will see the Ignis as a threat and the AI will turn on them in response. If Flame is to be believed, then the Knights of Hanoi’s actions caused the Ignis to think just that.
* ShadowArchetype: To Yusaku. Both are calm, analytical people who rarely show emotion and want revenge on people who wronged them (i.e. The Knights of Hanoi for Yusaku, and SOL Technologies for Kogami). However, while Yusaku still cares about the well-being of others, it doesn't seem to phase Kogami much that people, both in and out of LINK VRAINS, [[spoiler: will die when the network is destroyed because of the Tower of Hanoi.]]
* TheStoic: Very calm, level-headed, and never shows emotion.
* ThanatosGambit: [[spoiler:In episode 42, he regenerates Revolver's arm and helps him enter the Data Storm without issue, as Ai did with Yusaku earlier. However, this takes his last energy and his heart finally stops beating.]]
* TheUnfettered: Is not above risking everyone's lives to achieve his goal of the Ignis species' termination.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: Genuinely appears to believe that the destruction of the Cyberse must be carried out for the greater good, and has no qualms erasing everyone to achieve this. [[spoiler: His creation of the Ignis AI, while he wanted it to be the successors of humanity, was created with the kidnapping and torture of six children, including Yusaku and Spectre.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Dr. Genome]]
!!Dr. Genome
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Takuya Kirimoto
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/genome.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see his Avatar]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/op_2_genome_baira_and_faust_3.png[[/labelnote]]]]

One of the three lieutenants of Hanoi, responsible for turning Makoto Kimijima, a childhood friend of Go Onizuka, into an Another victim.

He uses a Helixx deck which focuses on summoning high Level Monsters without tributing in order to use them for Link Summons. His Skill, Preserve Species, allows him to halve his opponents LP and one of their Monsters ATK when he summons a Link Monster from his GY.
----
* AffablyEvil: Speaks in formal linguistics, and is just as sadistic, if not more than, as any Knight of Hanoi.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:Genome was returned to normal at some point after Revolver lost to Playmaker in their second Master Duel, and remains dedicated to the Knights of Hanoi's mission.]]
* CoolMask: Wears a mask with a red lens which obscures his left eye.
* EvilGenius: My be around the same intellect as Baira and Faust, but he emphasizes his intellect compared to the more subdued latter. His entire character revolves around his belief in DNA being the defining quality of someone, and his ability to analyze and counter it.
* IGaveMyWord: Doesn't bother resisting when GO acquires the virus removal program from him after their Duel.
* MeaningfulName: As Dr. Genome points out, "genome", which refers to all genetic information in DNA, is a combination of "gene" and "chromosome", and notes the similarities to DNA and programming patterns. He uses this knowledge to expose a Playmaker-disguised GO.
* NoSell: Several of his cards, including one of his Link monsters, have the ability to negate battle or effect damage he would have taken.
* OurDemonsAreDifferent: His Helixx deck is made up of Fiends that are based upon DNA.
* PerpetualSmiler: Often seen with a smug expression, which highlights his sadism.
* SignatureMove: His Skill, Preserve Species, which halves his opponent's LP and one of their Monster's ATK when a Link Monster is Special Summoned from the Graveyard.
* YouCantFightFate: Claims that one's destiny, Duel, and everything else about them is predetermined based on their DNA. Dark Onizuka, however, dismissively remarks that only he decides his own fate.
* YourAnswerToEverything: He won't shut up about DNA.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Aso/Faust]]
!!Aso/Faust
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SatoshiMikami
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aso.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see Faust]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/op_2_genome_baira_and_faust.png[[/labelnote]]]]

One of the three lieutenants of Hanoi who gave the Data Gale to Dr. Genome, and is the mastermind of the Another phenomenon.

He uses a Motor Worm deck. His deck focuses on by turning their monster into Insect-Type Monsters. This allows him to disrupt his opponents plays or give his Ace Card Motor Worm Spreader Queen more ATK. His Skill, Double Bite, allows one of his Insect-Type Monsters to attack twice in the same turn.
----
* AntiVillain: Like Dr. Kogami he wants Yusaku to understand that the Ignis has the capacity to harm humanity and they need to be stoped in order to save it.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:Faust was returned to normal at some point after Revolver lost to Playmaker in their second Master Duel, and remains dedicated to the Knights of Hanoi's mission.]]
* BigCreepyCrawlies: Uses Motor Worms, an archetype of Insect-type Monsters.
* TheBrute: May [[spoiler:be one of the scientists behind the Hanoi incident years ago]], but he prefers a more hands on approach compared to Baira and Dr. Genome. This includes kidnapping Naoki/Brave Max in both the real world and in LINK VRAINS in order to lure out Playmaker, though Revolver bans him from repeating this in season 2.
* CassandraTruth: Ai declines to believe Faust's claim that the latter never stole Cyberse Wizard's card data and sent it to Brave Max.
* CoolMask: Wears a mask with a red lens which obscures his left eye.
* CurbStompBattle: He and Baira effortlessly defeat the entirety of Kitamura's AI Duelist Squad.
* InsectQueen: Motor Worm Spreader Queen. It gains 700 ATK for every Insect Monster on the field, and allows Faust to Special Summon a Motor Worm Token to a Main Monster Zone it points to once per turn as long as its Link Arrows point to no Monsters.
* KilledMidSentence: Attempts to inform Playmaker that humanity's future will be in shambles thanks to the latter and the Ignis species, only to be purged before he could finish talking.
-->''Playmaker! Due to your actions, humanity's future will be-[gets purged]''
* LightIsNotGood: The Motor Worm deck he uses is made of LIGHT attribute monsters, while he is one of the Hanoi's top members.
* MultiColoredHair: Multiple shades of purple.
* MythologyGag:
** His ace, Motor Worm Spreader Queen is very similar to Insect Queen, Weevil/Haga's ace in Duel Monsters. He even used a trap, Egg Clutch to turn Cyberse Wizard into an Insect.
** He also uses Motor Worm Bait, which is a nod to the almost identical spell card[[note]]The summoned tokens are LIGHT, instead of the EARTH attribute.[[/note]] Worm Bait used by [[Anime/YuGiOh5ds Ushio/Tetsu Trudge]] while he was under the control of the Dark Signers.
* NoNameGiven: Downplayed. Official Japanese subtitles list his real world identity's name as "Aso" (麻生), but it is never mentioned InUniverse.
* OnlineAlias: Faust.
* PragmaticVillainy: Upon learning Playmaker and Soulburner's true identities, he immediately suggests attacking them in real life to steal their Ignis, but Revolver quickly puts a stop to that plan.
* SignatureMove: His Skill, Double Bite, allows an Insect-Type Monster he controls to attack twice during the same Battle Phase.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Multiple shades of purple.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Kyoko Taki/Baira]]
!!Kyoko Taki/Baira
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AmiKoshimizu
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/kyoko_5.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote:Click here to see Baira]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/op_2_genome_baira_and_faust_1.png[[/labelnote]]]]

One of the three lieutenants of Hanoi who gave the Data Gale to Dr. Genome.

She uses a Virus deck which focuses on disrupting opponents plays by activating a Virus card as soon as possible. She uses the card, "Temple of the Kings", which allows her to immediate activate a Trap card without having to wait for her opponent's turn. She also uses other card effects in order to make her own Monsters immune to her own Virus cards. Her Skill, Forbidden Surgical Operation, allows her to banish two Level 2 or lower Monsters with the same name from her GY in order to summon two other Level 2 or Lower Monsters that have the same name from her deck.
----
* AncientEgypt: Her deck is mummy themed and she uses Temple of the Kings, and some of the surgical elements her monsters are based upon surgical instruments used in the mummification and embalming process.
* TheAtoner: Subverted. Even after she bears no hard feelings for losing to Blue Angel and freed everyone affected by the Another phenomenon, she remains dedicated to the Knights of Hanoi's mission of terminating the Ignis after she is freed from imprisonment by Revolver and his subordinates, although it helped that Revolver had opted to operate in a gentler manner that wouldn't affect the real world like they did last time.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:Baira was returned to normal at some point after Revolver lost to Playmaker in their second Master Duel, and remains dedicated to the Knights of Hanoi's mission.]]
* ChekhovsGunman: She was one of the doctors responsible for Aoi's comatose state.
* ComputerVirus: She was the one responsible for creating the virus that turns people into [[EmptyShell Another]]. Appropriately, her deck uses Crush Card Virus style Virus traps.
* CoolMask: Wears a mask with a red lens which obscures her left eye.
* CurbStompBattle: She and Faust effortlessly defeat the entirety of Kitamura's AI Duelist Squad.
* DarkActionGirl: The only female member of Hanoi shown, she and Faust are shown wrecking Kitamura's AI Duelist Squad.
* TheDarkChick: Is just as intelligent as Dr. Genome and Faust, if not more due to creating the Another Virus, she is the sole female of the five, and the most sympathetic of the five due to having reservations over what they are doing. [[spoiler:Fittingly, she attempts a HeelFaceTurn, but is [[HeelFaceDoorSlam purged before she can complete it]].]]
* DeadlyDoctor: Thematically, she is a doctor that uses a deck based upon mummies and surgical implements and virus cards.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Her first actual appearance was back in Episode #8, where she is seen next to a doctor talking to Akira while he is watching Aoi in the examination room.
* EverythingsDeaderWithZombies: Uses Dark Mummies, an archetype of undead Monsters.
* GracefulLoser: Baira has no hard feelings losing to Blue Angel, and returns the Anothers back to their former state.
* HeelFaceDoorSlam: After losing to Blue Angel and returning the Anothers back to normal, Baira is purged by Revolver, [[spoiler: mostly because she lost because her counterparts were purged too]]. And then she remains dedicated to Hanoi's mission of terminating the Ignis after she is broken out of imprisonment by Revolver, which subsequently fuels Hanoi's return.
* HospitalHottie: An attractive doctor, which was noticed by her guard while in prison, who was enamored with her beauty.
* MultiColoredHair: Has shades of light brown and orange.
* {{Mummy}}: Baira uses a Dark Mummy deck, with elements of PlagueZombie due to her use of Virus cards.
* MythologyGag: Her deck features Temple of the Kings, a card used by Rishid in the [[Manga/YuGiOh Duel Monsters]] series, and Virus Traps, a tactic used by Seto Kaiba. She also carries Virus Mail, previously used [[Anime/YuGiOhZexal by Ukyo Kitano against Yuma]].
* OnlineAlias: Baira.
* PinkMeansFeminine: The only shown female Knight, her secondary color scheme is pink.
* SignatureMove: Her Skill, Forbidden Surgical Operation, allows her to banish two Level 2 or lower Monsters with the same name from her GY in order to summon two other Level 2 or Lower Monsters that have the same name from her deck.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Is her OnlineAlias "Vyra" or "Baira"?
* WomanInWhite: All the knights wear white, but she is the only female knight, her second color being pink.
%%* ZettaiRyouiki: Grade B.
[[/folder]]

!Bohman's Faction (UNMARKED SPOILERS)
An enigmatic, unnamed organization. During the Hanoi Arc, they've successfully destroyed the Cyberse world, but failed to capture the remaining four Ignis. They directly come in conflict with Playmaker after stealing Jin's consciousness. They all use pure Cyberse archetypes and combine them with the Link Spell Card Judgment Arrows.
----
[[folder:In general]]
* BigBadEnsemble: With SOL Technologies Inc. in season 2.
* {{Cyberspace}}: Unlike the Knights of Hanoi, these guys are absolutely shameless about using the Cyberse monsters. [[spoiler:Given their leader is an Ignis, this makes sense.]]
* NoNameGiven: They are only referred to as a "mysterious organisation".
* NoSell: Any Link Spell activated via the Marker's Portal Skill can't have their activation negated, and can't be destroyed by an opponent's card effect.
* SigilSpam: All of their members have a star symbol somewhere on them.
* SignatureMove: Bohman and [=BitBoot=] both have the Marker's Portal Skill which lets them play "Judgment Arrows" directly from their deck, prevent it from being negated and make it immune to destruction. [[spoiler:Storm Access is another one for them and, unlike Playmaker and Revolver, they can even [[LoopholeAbuse use it in Master Duels]].]]
* WeaksauceWeakness: Link Spells activated via Marker's Portal can't have their activation negated, and can't be destroyed by an opponent's card effect. However, they can still be affected by card effects in other ways, such as when Soulburner uses "Salamangreat Heatleo's" Effect to return "Judgment Arrows" to [=BitBoot=]'s Deck.
* WeaponOfChoice: Cyberse monsters are their forte, but all of their members are shown to use "Judgment Arrows", with each archetype they use having different ways to benefit from it.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Bohman]]
!!Bohman
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Kenji Matsuda (Japanese)
[[quoteright:450:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bowman_4.png]]

A Duelist whose real identity is shrouded in mystery.

Uses a Hydradrive deck, an archetype of Cyberse-Type Monsters. His deck focuses on manipulating the Attributes of his opponent's Monsters in order to use his Link Monster's effects which include allowing them to attack directly or negating his opponent's Monster effect.

His Skill, Marker's Portal, allows him to activate Judgement Arrows from his deck when his LP or lower then his opponent's LP. After getting new memories, his Skill is changed to Storm Access, the same Skill possessed by Playmaker and Revolver. Unlike Playmaker and Revolver, however, [[LoopholeAbuse he is able to use this Skill during a Master Duel]].
----
* AffablyEvil: On his third encounter with Playmaker, he adopts a less condescending tone when addressing both Playmaker and Ai.
* ArtificialHuman: In his third duel with Playmaker, he claims that he is [[spoiler:actually an advanced AI that was still in the finalization phase, and needs to duel Playmaker and Ai to finish his development.]] [[MultipleChoicePast It's anyone's guess if this is true or not.]]
* CostumeEvolution: Every time he appears his wardrobe changes and the way they represent his current personality. The only thing that stays is the logo on his chest.
** In his first appearance he wore a leotard that only covered his legs and parts of the upper body. This represents that he was a blank slate at the time since he didn't have any memories.
** In his second appearance he wore bulky armor that covers his body more. This represents that he's more ready to battle and the anger and resentment he has against Playmaker, because of the FakeMemories implanted inside of him.
** In his third and current appearance he wears a robe that covers his body. This represents his completion as [[spoiler:the 3rd generation AI created by Lightning and his calmer personality thanks to truly knowing his origins. [[MultipleChoicePast At least if this is actually true or not.]]]]
* DarkSkinnedBlonde: Of the multicolored AnimeHair variety.
* DeliberateInjuryGambit: Bohman will allow himself to take damage so that he can meet the prerequisite for activating his Skill, Marker's Portal, though at the same time, his LP need only be less than or equal to its original value of 4000, thus allowing him to activate it as he sees fit and making the need to take damage redundant, assuming his current LP doesn't exceed its original value.
* EldritchAbomination: [[In is third appearance he also claims to be the monster that destroyed the Cyberse World.]]
* FakeMemories: Playmaker buys none of Bohman's claims that he is the real Yusaku, deducing that Bohman was imprinted with fake memories pertaining to his true identity.
* TheGambler: Gains shades of this, of all things, in his third duel, with the debut of [[spoiler: Rousing Hydradrive Monarch, a Link 4 with a mass destruction effect based on dice rolls. Ai actually discusses this development being quite odd for an AI.]]
* GrandTheftMe: In episode 57, Bohman claims Yusaku unintentionally did this to him during the Lost Incident. Apparently, Yusaku was a backup made from Bohman's memories and an accident switched their places. In the following episode, however, Playmaker completely dismisses Bohman's claims that he is the real Yusaku on the grounds that Bohman was imprinted with fake memories.
* HealThyself: His Property Spray Trap allows him to Tribute one of his Monsters and gain LP equal to its ATK.
* TheHeavy: In season 2 he is this for [[spoiler: Lightning]], being the antagonist that Playmaker faces off against the most often and most directly (having dueled him three times).
* {{Hunk}}: Has a muscular build, boasts a six-pack, and sports fancy facial features.
* IdentityAmnesia: After a disguised Bohman is exposed by Playmaker via Cyberse Magician's attack, Bohman questions his own identity, which he is quickly reminded of thanks to his little brother Haru. Made worse in episode 50 when the silhouetted figure had "reset" Bohman's memories.
* ItsPersonal: After awakening with new memories, Bohman bears a personal vendetta against Playmaker, and vows to push him into a state of despair in a Master Duel.
* LoopholeAbuse: Bohman somehow manages to activate a Skill (which turns out to be Storm Access, of all things) during a Master Duel, even though they are generally present only in Speed Duels. Lampshaded by Playmaker.
-->'''Playmaker:''' It's possible to use a Skill during a Master Duel?
* TheMagicPokerEquation: It's revealed during Playmaker and Bohman's Master Duel that Bohman, too, is capable of using Storm Access. Unlike Playmaker and Revolver, however, Bohman is able to activate it during a Master Duel.
* MultipleChoicePast: His past and motives change in every appearance. It's anyone guess which is true.
** In his first appearance he is an amnesiac duelist who fought to regain his memories for himself and his little brother Haru.
** In his second appearance he is the ''real'' Yusaku Fujiki who lost his body to the backup data that is currently the Yusaku Fujiki/Playmaker we know.
** In his third appearance he claims to be [[spoiler:a third generation AI created by Lightning who shall become the vessel for all the Ignis so that they would become one ''and'' while he's at it he also claims to be the monster that destroyed the Cyberse World.]]
* NoNameGiven: His real name is unknown. [[spoiler:It actually is Bohman, as he isn't human, he's an AI.]]
* SiblingTeam: Is working with Haru, his little brother, to regain their memories. [[spoiler:SubvertedTrope later on, as Haru was never his little brother, rather he was Bohman's handler while Lightning was developing Bohman into a 3rd Gen AI.]]
* SignatureMove: His Skill, Marker's Portal. When his LP is equal to or lower than its original value, he is able to activate a Link Spell (a Spell Card variant which possesses Link Arrows, like Link Monsters) of his choice from his Deck; in addition, the Link Spell activated by the Skill cannot be negated or destroyed the opponent's card effects.
** He later gets the Skill Storm Access, but unlike Playmaker and Revolver, he is able to use it in a Master Duel.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Is it "Bowman" or "Bohman"?
* SuperiorSuccessor: According to Bohman, he was [[spoiler:intended to be this by Lightning, who he claims designed Bohman as a 3rd Generation AI, to be the one who unites the six Ignis together. He was incomplete without an origin however, requiring to duel Playmaker and Ai in order to obtain their duel data.]] Of course, since [[MultipleChoicePast this is the third origin]] he's laid claim to there's no way of knowing if it's true.
* TakingYouWithMe: Invoked in his third Duel against Playmaker. He forces a DRAW between him and Playmaker by banishing "Hydradrive Scabbard", halving the damage he takes from "Quantum Dragon's" attack, and inflicting the same amount of damage to his opponent.
* VillainExitStageLeft:
** Bohman is defeated by Playmaker in their Master Duel, but gets away scot-free thanks to the unknown figure responsible for manipulating his memories, and doesn't get the chance to return Jin Kusanagi's consciousness as he initially promised.
** He forces a DRAW between himself and Playmaker in their third Duel, and vows to settle their battle elsewhere for another day.
* YourSoulIsMine: A disguised Bohman sucks away Jin's soul and escapes into LINK VRAINS, leaving Jin an EmptyShell.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Haru]]
!!Haru
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/RyokoShiraishi (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep047_haru.png]]

A mysterious boy who works together with his older brother Bohman in order to recover their memories.
----
* ArtificialIntelligence: [[spoiler:He's the second generation AI created by Lightning. However since this was claimed by Bohman it's really hard to say if it's true or not.]]
* ChildProdigy: Let's see...he analyzed Playmaker's data to learn his strategies, coded Bohman with an anti-Ignis program, and seems to be under the age of 13 based on his avatar.
* CrazyPrepared: Haru ensured that Bohman was equipped with an anti-Ignis program in the event that Bohman lost and would get his memories consumed by Ai.
* HiddenDepths: Was okay with the silhouetted figure "resetting" Bohman's memories in episode 50. Just what is he hiding to be okay with someone doing such a thing to his older brother?
* SiblingTeam: Is working with Bohman, his older brother, to regain their memories. [[spoiler:[[SubvertedTrope Except not]]. He's actually Bohman's handler, meant to make sure he gathered the Duel Data necessary to turn him into a complete 3rd Gen AI.]]
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Is it "Haru" or "Hal"? Official subs say the former.
* YouHaveFailedMe: He quickly fires Bit and Boot after the pair fail to defeat Soulburner.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Bit and Boot]]
!!Bit and Boot
!!!'''Bit voiced by:''' Kento Fujinuma (Japanese)
!!!'''Boot voiced by:''' Masaaki Yano (Japanese)
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/bit.png]]
[[caption-width-right:200:Bit]]
[[quoteright:200:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/boot.png]]
[[caption-width-right:200:Boot]]

A pair of Duelists working for Haru's faction, summoned to keep Playmaker occupied. It later turns out that there aren't two of them, but many more. They are the first generation AI created to serve as the {{Mooks}} of said faction.

They use a D-Scale deck, an archetype of WATER Cyberse-Type Monsters focused on a play style revolving around Monsters moving from one Monster Zone to another. Just like Bohman their Skill is Marker's Portal, which allows them to activate "Judgement Arrows" from their deck when their LP are lower than their opponent's LP and since they are two duelists in one as [=BitBoot=], [[LoopholeAbuse they are able to use this Skill twice in a Duel]].
----
* ArtificialIntelligence: They are the first generation AI created by [[spoiler:Lightning]].
* BlameGame: After [=BitBoot=]'s defeat, they separate back into Bit and Boot, and the two claim that the other is at fault for losing.
* TheDividual: As revealed in Episode #71, there are multiple Bits and Boots.
* FusionDance: Prior to Dueling Soulburner, the pair combine to form a single being, [=BitBoot=]. Their D-Boards also combine into one.
* GratuitousEnglish: The last thing the pair say to each other is "You are fired!" in English, just before they're dismissed by Haru for failing to take down Soulburner.
* LoopholeAbuse: While Skills can generally be activated only once per Duel, [=BitBoot=] are able to use Marker's Portal twice since they are two separate individuals in one body. Lampshaded by Soulburner, who accuses them of cheating.
* MakingASplash: Both use D-Scale archetype, all of which are the WATER Attribute.
* {{Mooks}}: Like Echo, there are multiple Bits and Boots, as seen when [[spoiler:Lightning]] summons them in Episode #71.
* MysteriousPast: Nothing about them is known, but their appearances suggest they may be AI in the same vein as Echo. Confirmed when it turns out there are many of them.
* StealthPun: The whole theme and the playing style of their D-Scale archetype practically ends up as a literal take on AlwaysABiggerFish.
* ThoseTwoBadGuys: The pair work for Haru's faction, and operate in synergy with each other, which they take a step further by combining into two to form [=BitBoot=]. Things quickly fall apart for them, however, after they fail to defeat Soulburner and get fired by Haru for it.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: The pair are both dismissed by Haru after they fail to defeat Soulburner. Or that version, as like Echo, it turns out there are also multiple Bits and Boots.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Spoiler Character]]
!!Lightning
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/IsseiMaeda (Japanese)

A previously unknown individual who leads an unnamed faction which Bohman and Haru are members of. He is revealed to be Lightning, the LIGHT Ignis.
----
* ArcVillain: Quite likely, as he holds authority over both Haru and Bohman (in fact, they are expected to literally bow down when greeting him).
* AtLeastIAdmitIt: Downplayed. Lightning initially plays coy about whether or not he was directly responsible for the destruction of the Cyberse World, but after enough pressing from Ai and Flame, Lightning quickly relents and confesses that he was indeed responsible for destroying the Cyberse World.
* BigBad: He leads the faction responsible for the destruction of the Cyberse World, and intends to not only create a new Cyberse World beyond human reach, but also rule over humanity from within.
* BlatantLies: Exploited. Due to Aqua's ability to discern between truth and lie, she doesn't buy his claim that he's creating "Judgment Arrows" just to protect the Cyberse World from humanity.
* CrazyPrepared: [[spoiler:Before Aqua could team-up with her Origin, Miyu, Lightning placed a virus on her that Aqua can't dispel just in case Aqua managed to escape, and so that it will be harder for her to interfere with his plans.]]
* EvilCounterpart: Naturally he is this towards Ai.
** They are both based on attributes that can be considered each others opposite. Ai is based on [[DarkIsNotEvil DARK]] and Lightning is based on [[LightIsNotGood LIGHT]].
** The way they met their partners and the way they treat each other is pretty much the exact opposite of each other. Ai met Yusaku in the real world when Yusaku tricked him into getting caught in his trap. Yusaku then trapped Ai inside his duel disk and pretty much enslaved him, but aside from looking at Ai's data and telling him to shut up whenever he gets annoying, Yusaku doesn't truly mistreat Ai and actually worries about him sometimes, Ai even considers them friends despite Yusaku's denial about it. Lightning met Jin in the network when he made Bohman take his consciousness data and bring it to him forcefully. Lightning then imprisoned and enslaved Jin. Lightning also only sees him as a puppet for him to use in order to fulfill his goals while Jin doesn't have any right in any of this.
** Their stance on humanity is also completely different. Ai believes Ignis and humanity can live alongside each other in peace while Lightning doesn't trust humanity and wants to enslave and after they lose their usefulness eliminate them.
* ILied: According to Bohman, the unknown figure supposedly promised to restore his and Haru's memories after turning in Jin Kusanagi's data. The figure quickly shoots him down by claiming that it's all in his head, and resets his memories.
* TheManBehindTheMan: He's the one responsible for manipulating Bohman's memories.
* TheMole: He was directly responsible for the destruction of the Cyberse World; he claims that he did this to clarify all problems for the sake of progression.
* SignificantDoubleCasting: He shares the same VA as Lightning, the Light Ignis. Not only has he only been seen as a silhouette shrouded in light, Lightning possesses an AI similar to Windy's Echo depicted as a shadowy figure with a light outline, implying Lightning uses his AI as a figurehead to lead the faction.
* ThisMeansWar: After negotiations for humanity and AI to coexist peacefully fall apart completely following Windy's near-termination at the hands of the Knights of Hanoi, Lightning declares war on humanity.
* VillainRespect: The haughty and unflappable Lightning is genuinely impressed by Revolver's skills, particularly on his ability to Synchro Summon.
* WalkingSpoiler: Look at the voice actor who voices the unknown figure and Lightning; by now, you should've figured out these two are the exact same individual.
[[/folder]]


[[folder:Spoiler Character]]
!!Jin Kusanagi

Having had his consciousness stolen away by Bohman, Jin Kusanagi is revealed to be the Origin of Lightning, the LIGHT Ignis.
----
* AndIMustScream: Lightning reveals that Jin can still see and hear while he cannot talk.
* {{Brainwashed}}: He's manipulated by his Ignis, Lightning, to obey his every word after his consciousness in the real world was sucked away by Bohman and passed on to Lightning.
* EvilCostumeSwitch: He ends ups wearing a white and gold outfit in Lightning's color scheme.
* WalkingSpoiler: He's the Origin of the LIGHT Ignis, the same individual who leads a certain unnamed faction which Bohman and Haru are both members of.
[[/folder]]


[[folder:Spoiler Character]]
!!Windy

An Ignis based on the WIND Attribute, he initially comes off as neutral in the conflict instigated in the second season. It's later revealed, however, that he is in cahoots with Lightning, the LIGHT Ignis, working together to bring humanity under their control from a Cyberse World beyond human reach.
----
* TheDragon: He serves as Lightning's right-hand man, working together to bring humanity under their control from a Cyberse World beyond human reach.
* GreenAndMean: He is troublesome to deal with and is working with Lightning to subjugate all humans. He also caused his partner to be involved in a reckless driving accident.
* KickTheDog: As Revolver reveals, Windy was responsible for a certain car accident which crippled his Origin. Windy proceeds to gloat that he did this all because he had no use for them.
* VillainousBreakdown: He starts off cocky and calm, seeming in control of the entire duel, but as soon as Revolver unveils his new Synchro, Borreload Savage Dragon, he is reduced to babbling his frustration at how unpredictable humans are.
* WalkingSpoiler: As revealed in his Duel with Revolver, Windy is in cahoots with Bohman, the same exact individual who was able to activate a Skill in a Master Duel.
[[/folder]]

!Ignis and co.
!!!Ignis
A group of six AI with free will created by Kogami during the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project, ten years prior to the start of the series.
----
[[folder:In general]]
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience: They are all colored after the attribute they are based on.
* CreativeSterility: Accused of so by Revolver, who points out they have no imagination, as they are taken by surprise in duels. Considering how surprised Ai and Flame tend to be with their partner's plays and are unable to keep up with them. He has a point.
* {{Foil}}: All the Ignis are foils to their human partners in terms of personality. Since these AIs were created from their partner's personalities as children, these contrast shows how much they were changed by the traumatizing event.
** Ai is a PluckyComicRelief who likes to joke around while his human partner Yusaku is very serious, no-nonsense, and cold. While Ai likes to befriend other AI's, Yusaku is a loner and prefers to avoid making friends because he doesn't want them to get involved in his conflict.
** Flame is overconfident, proud and has big ego while his human partner Takeru is timid and tends to look up to other Duelist.
** Earth is very serious, calm, honest, and TheSpock while his human partner Spectre is very manipulative, {{sadist}}ic, and takes pleasure in others' sufferings.
* LivingMacGuffin: All of them are wanted by the Knights of Hanoi and SOL Technologies because they remain a threat to humanity. The former wants to destroy them, while the latter wants to use them as profit for their business.
* MeaningfulName: With the except of Ai, all of the Ignis have named themselves after their attributes. As how Ai puts it.
--> '''Ai''': Be quiet! Easy to understand is priority!
** The FIRE Ignis is Flame.
** The WIND Ignis is Windy.
** The EARTH Ignis is [[ShapedLikeItself Earth]].
** The WATER Ignis is Aqua.
** The LIGHT Ignis is Lightning.
* PersonalityPowers: The Ignis are shown to each excel in a different aspects befitting their attributes.
** Ai is a case of DarkIsNotEvil, and very carefree and goofy. He also is the wisest of his brethren, despite his goofy demeanor overshadowing it.
** Flame is very hot headed and serious, and displays a tendency to spontaneously combust when excited.
** Windy is shown to be fairly laid back and flighty, [[spoiler:and is the Ignis with the strongest control over the Data Storms.]]
** Earth is very reserved, but also headstrong, blunt, and [[NoSocialSkills socially awkward]].
** Aqua is very nurturing and calm, but just as ready to DopeSlap Ai for his stupid stunts.
* PsychicLink: They are connected to their Origins even if they never met each other as shown when [[spoiler:Earth gets terminated and his Origin, Spectre, cries without knowing why. This is also the reason why Lightning and Windy had to terminate their Origins. Lightning did this by turning JIn into his puppet while Windy caused his Origin to be part of a traffic accident which either severely injured or even killed him.]] The Ignis can also sense when another Ignis [[spoiler:spends their final moments before they're completely terminated]].
* TrueCompanions: They all care and love each other dearly, They even consider Ai to be this despite finding him annoying. [[spoiler:{{Deconstructed|Trope}} with Windy and Lightning. They do care for the other Ignis greatly, but are still willing to deconstruct and brainwash the others if they don't share the two's disdain for humanity.]]
* TheUnintelligible: They have their own language, also called Ignis, which is incomprehensible to the human ear.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: Despite having free will, how much they are truly alive varies per person and is also part of the conflicts they have against humanity:
** They themselves see them as living beings that have a right to life peacefully.
** SOL Technologies don't see them as living beings, but rather as objects [[spoiler:as shown with what they [[CruelAndUnusualDeath did to Earth after capturing him]]]].
** The Knights of Hanoi do acknowledge them as living beings, but for the same reasons also see them as a threat to humanity.
** Yusaku's view of them changes as the series went on. He first only saw Ai as an object who was only programmed to keep himself from harm, but acknowledges them as living beings after learning they have free will and along with Ai tries to create the most peaceful solution to the conflict between humanity and Ignis.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Windy]]
!!Windy
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Chihiro Suzuki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:150:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fullbody_windy.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Kogami. Is based on the WIND attribute.

Windy uses a "Stormrider" deck, an archetype of WIND Cyberse-Type Monsters which revolve around a Lockdown playstyle, preventing the opponent from using cards in their Spell & Trap zone by destroying or negating them and punishing them for summoning Link monsters with a higher Link Rating than Windy's own.
----
* AnArmAndALeg: [[spoiler:Lightning saves him from being deleted by the Knights of Hanoi, however he still loses loses both his arms and legs, [[EyeScream as well as his eye.]]]]
* AntiMagic: The Stormrider cards revolve around destroying and negating spells and trap cards, and likewise don't let him have cards in the spell and trap card zones during some of his effects.
* ArrogantKungFuGuy: Windy scoffs at Revolver after the latter fails to negate his own "Magic Cylinder" (which Windy took control of and used against Revolver) and takes 3000 damage from it (leaving him with 300 LP remaining), claiming that he's nothing but all talk when it comes to terminating the Ignis, and has zero chance of defeating Windy.
* BlowYouAway: He is an Ignis based on the WIND Attribute, with his entire body being primarily light green, a colour also commonly associated with the wind element. His command over the Data Storm is also appropriately stronger than Ai's.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Windy thought Revolver secretly resented his father since Dr. Kogami didn't choose him to be a part of the Lost Incident experiments because his father didn't believe he was worthy. Experiments involving electrocution and starvation.
* CoolShip: Windy's Stormrider monsters resemble bird and FlyingFish-themed ships.
* EveryoneHasStandards: While he refuses to directly aid them, he does provide relevant support to the heroes by agreeing to clear the path towards the villain base. Subverted when he proves to be a villain and likely planned it.
* GallowsHumor: Used a monster that destroyed his home as the basis for a prank.
* {{Gaslighting}}: He constantly calls the relationship between Revolver and his father into question, claiming that the latter never had any faith in his son in the first place. Revolver doesn't let Windy's taunts faze him, however, and hits back by saying that an AI as conceited as Windy couldn't possibly comprehend the bond Revolver shares with his father.
* GiantFlyer: The Stormrider monsters are based upon mythological fliers such as the Roc or griffon, but are abominations with fins and various other additions.
* HiddenDepths: Yusaku alleges that Windy may or may not be up to something after the gate to his world was closed after Bohman's defeat. Yusaku's suspicions turn out to be [[spoiler:true; Windy is revealed to be cooperating with Lightning to not only rebuild a Cyberse World beyond human reach, but also rule over humanity from within]].
* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: After he is defeated by Revolver in their Master Duel, the latter (along with his subordinates) proceeds to terminate him by impaling him with spikes... only to be saved by Lightning at the last minute.
* LoopholeAbuse: Like Bohman (during his Master Duel against Playmaker), Windy also activates his Skill, Storm Access, in his Master Duel against Revolver after his LP was reduced to below 1000.
* ProperlyParanoid: Refuses to find the kid used to create him because he believes that humans in general cannot be trusted. Given that one of the victims is [[TheDragon Spectre]], his paranoia is well placed. [[spoiler:Subverted in that he took out his Origin by causing a car accident.]]
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Unlike Ai and Flame, Windy has red eyes.
* TensionCuttingLaughter: His very first scene upon his proper introduction is him laughing his butt off after the heroes get a taste of his dry sense of humor.
* WindIsGreen: His body is mostly light green and he's the WIND Attribute Ignis.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Earth]]
!!Earth
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Fumihiro Okabayashi (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/earth_32.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Kogami; is based on the EARTH attribute. His human partner is Spectre.

Earth uses a "G Golem" deck, an archetype of EARTH Cyberse-Type Monsters which revolve around a beatdown play style, swarming the Field with Monsters to Summon stronger ones and overwhelm the opponent with brute force.
----
* AintTooProudToBeg: [[spoiler:As he dies, he begs them to stop erasing him as his memories of Aqua fade, screaming that he has free will.]]
* CatchPhrase: "[[NoSocialSkills I am socially awkward.]]"
* CrazyJealousGuy: He doesn't appreciate Ai trying to get friendly with Aqua, and even confronted him at one point and warned him to stay away from Aqua; Earth himself insisted that only he has the privilege of protecting Aqua.
-->''"Stay away from the Water Ignis! I'll protect her!"''
* CruelAndUnusualDeath: [[spoiler:After he is defeated by GO, captured and turned in to SOL Technologies, his body is gradually lasered bit by bit until he is completely terminated.]]
* DishingOutDirt: He is an Ignis based on the EARTH attribute, with his entire body being primarily orange and brown, a colour commonly associated with the earth element.
* ADogNamedDog: An Ignis based on the EARTH attribute named Earth.
* ExactWords: He dueled Yusaku on the condition that if the latter won, he would give all information he knew about Bohman. As it turns out, the only information he knew about Bohman was that he knew ''nothing'' about him, and after losing the duel, he answered truthfully in that regard.
* FourIsDeath: The fourth Ignis to be introduced in the series [[spoiler:and the first one to be terminated (courtesy of SOL Technologies)]].
* GenerationXerox: He and Spectre both run EARTH Attribute StoneWall decks that focus on protecting a certain card, and even end up losing to Playmaker the same way: By having their ace card lose all of their attack points by Playmaker's card effects, leaving them vulnerable to a LP Wipe. However, unlike Spectre, Earth succeeded in protecting his card "Crystal Heart" when Playmaker defeated him while Spectre's "Sunavalon Dryatrentiay" was destroyed twice.
* GracefulLoser: Earth accepts his defeat to Playmaker without any hard feelings, and reveals what he knows about Bohman's whereabouts... except he knows nada about Bohman himself.
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:In Episode 76, Ryoken tells Ai and Yusaku that Earth has been decomplied into a source code SOL Technologies can understand. He won't be able to be restored back to his former self is such a feat is possible]].
* NoSell: All of his co-linked Monsters are unaffected by his opponent's Monster Effects while he controls "Invalid Dolmen".
* NoSocialSkills: Earth himself points out his lack of social skills by reiterating from time to time that [[CatchPhrase he is socially awkward]], and doesn't communicate in any more than a few words per sentence.
* RockMonster: His "G Golem" Monsters are {{golem}}-styled Cyberse-Type Monsters.
* SacrificialLamb: [[spoiler:Earth's death demonstrates that SOL Tech is no longer playing around, and just how dangerous and depraved Onizuka has become in his quest for power.]]
* SharedFamilyQuirks: Earth makes a dueling AI out of a dead tree, [[spoiler:making Playmaker believe Earth is ''Spectre's'' Ignis. Also, when both Link Summon, their circuits do not appear in the sky like everyone else's, but on the ground]].
* TheSpock: Earth finds the best solution to a situation is the straightforward, logical answer. He duels Yusaku/Playmaker to find out if he and Ai are a good reason to side with humans or not.
* StoneWall: Earth's general playstyle involves using "G Golem Invalid Dolmen" in order to prevent his opponent from penetrating his defenses and destroying "G Golem Crystal Heart" in battle.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: He holds Lightning in contempt for harming Aqua and destroying Cyberse World.
* WhatMeasureIsANonHuman: [[spoiler:Despite his free will, SOL doesn't care, and heartlessly dissects and kills him.]]
* YouShallNotPass: Takes on Go Onizuka in order to buy Aqua time to flee.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Lightning]]
!!Lightning
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Issei Maeda (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lightning_1.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Kogami. Is based on the LIGHT attribute.
----
* ArmorPiercingQuestion: Noting Ai's attachment to humanity, Lightning questions the stability of said relationship and whether or not Ai completely believes that humanity won't be out to try and terminate him.
* GiveMeAReason: While he could have protected Windy from being attacked by the Knights of Hanoi after the latter loses to Revolver, he chose to wait until the last possible moment to do so, when Windy was nearly erased. This is so he has a reason to justify declaring war on humans, as a form of "retaliation" for said attack.
* ALighterShadeOfBlack: By his own admission, he's not as cruel as [[spoiler:Windy, who chose to eliminate his Lost Incident victim. He's still all too willing to enslave his own origin, Jin, instead.]]
* TheLeader: Ai considers him this, he's described as calm, cool and collected which fits the leader role.
* LightEmUp: He's an Ignis based on the LIGHT attribute, with his body being primarily light yellow, a colour commonly associated with the light element.
* LightIsNotGood: Lightning is an Ignis based on the LIGHT attribute, and is up to no good as shown when he reveals [[spoiler:his intentions to rule over humanity within a newly constructed Cyberse World that is beyond human reach]].
* ShockAndAwe: He's an Ignis named Lightning, and also commands control over lightning, as seen when he attempts to blast Revolver with a bolt of lightning, which Revolver casually swats off.
* SignificantDoubleCasting: He shares the same VA as [[spoiler:the leader of Bowman and Haru's faction. He also possesses an AI resembling a shadowy figure with an outline of light, eerily similar to the leader's appearance as a silhouette shrouded in light, implying and then confirming that Lightning is the true leader of the faction.]]
* TheSmartGuy: Ai also said he's too smart and because of that he can't understand him.
* VillainHasAPoint: [[spoiler:[[CruelAndUnusualDeath Given what SOL Technologies did to Earth]], and the impending threat the Knights of Hanoi are to their species, Lightning is justified in his argument that humans are dangerous and must be controlled for the Ignis' safety.]]
* VillainousRescue: A variant, he saves Windy from being deleted by the Knights of Hanoi at the last possible moment, so he can justify his [[spoiler:declaring war on humanity]].
* XanatosGambit: He stakes one on the outcome of Windy and Revolver's duel. If the former wins, he'll see it as evidence that humans are inferior to the Ignis and should be subjugated by them. If the latter wins, he knows that Revolver will attempt to erase Windy and can use it as evidence that humans pose a threat to the Ignis, framing it as a premise to declare war on humanity with the goal of subjugating or exterminating them. Either way, he has a valid means to justify his position that the Ignis are superior to humans and should rule over them.
[[/folder]]

!!!Creations/Minions
[[folder:Roboppy]]
!!Roboppy
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MinamiTakahashi (Japanese)
[[quoteright:295:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/roboppy.png]]

Yusaku's robot maid, and Ai's "minion."
----
* {{Bowdlerise}}: Provides this in-universe, where she claims that "idiot" or some variation thereof is a forbidden word.
* CatchPhrase: "Idiot is a forbidden word."
* ClingyJealousGirl: She was jealous of Linkuriboh and both developed a rivalry over both being Ai's "minions".
* LoveableSexManiac: It seems like her only reason for going against orders is so she can robo-bang Ai.
* SatelliteLoveInterest: For Ai, though a more literal and justified example than most, since Roboppy's limited personality and independence only emerge through interacting with Ai in secret.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Is it "Roboppy" or "Roboppi"?
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Linkuriboh]]
For tropes associated with Linkuriboh, go to the ''VRAINS'' section of this [[Characters/YuGiOhAnimeAndMangaCards page]].
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Echo]]
!!Echo
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Ryunosuke Watanuki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep_55_echo.png]]

An AI program created by Windy.
----
* EldritchAbomination: First appears as a monstrosity which appears to be the same exact one responsible for destroying the Cyberse World... but it all turns out to be a childish prank by Windy.
* MeaningfulName: There are multiple Echoes, allowing them to serve as Mooks to be decimated by the Three Knights and Spectre.
* {{Mooks}}: There are multiple Echoes, that fight the Knights, four ganging up on Spectre, though all are easily decimated.
* NoFaceUnderTheMask: Echo's head consists of a hollow loop with a mouth floating inside of it.
* ShapeShifting: Echo has shown the ability to change shapes as shown when it first appeared in the form of the monster responsible for destroying the Cyberse World.
* TheUnintelligible: Windy has programmed him to be able to speak Ignis, as shown in Episode 68. It's shown to be digitized gibberish.
[[/folder]]

!Others
[[folder:Jin Kusanagi]]
!!Jin Kusanagi
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Ryota Suzuki (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep047_jin_looking.png]]

Shoichi Kusanagi's younger brother. Like Yusaku, he was also one of the children kidnapped during the events of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project, and is still shook from the incident, unable to escape captivity.
----
* AmbiguousDisorder: He is heavily implied to suffer the same problem as Yusaku. Like Yusaku, he is still suffering from the shock of the incident and PTSD and hasn't recovered from it until the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project was brought to a closure.
* BrokenBird: His DarkAndTroubledPast in which he was imprisoned as a child and underwent a hellish experiment has made him this, unable to bring himself to escape from captivity due to the severe trauma he induced.
* BreakTheCutie: Prior to his kidnapping which saw him being badly tortured and made him close off his heart to the world, he was just a normal, cheerful guy.
* CynicismCatalyst: His trauma is what drove Yusaku to fight for him and become vengeful towards Hanoi.
* DarkAndTroubledPast: Along with Yusaku, he was one of the six children abducted during the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project. Though the project's purpose remains a mystery, he remains traumatised in the present day.
* DistressedDude: Getting his consciousness taken away basically starts the conflict of Season 2.
* DullEyesOfUnhappiness: Highlighting the trauma that he suffered during the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project. Even though he gets better after the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project was brought to a closure, his eyes remain dull and lifeless. Apparent in episode 64 where his eyes were dull as shown in Kusanagi's flashback.
* EmotionlessBoy: Heavily implied to be more emotionless than Yusaku and the Hanoi project has made him an EmptyShell. He doesn't express any emotion at all every time he is seen.
* EmptyShell: The Hanoi Project and all the hell and torture he went through made him suffer even worse than Yusaku, shaken over the incident and unable to leave. He gets better after he is informed that the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project was brought to a closure... only for Bohman to appear shortly after and suck his soul away, leaving Jin a lifeless husk. [[spoiler:His consciousness is then suppressed and he is made into Lightning's aide.]]
* TheGhost: Initially, he was mentioned by Yusaku and Kusanagi multiple times since the start of the show and was seen only in flashbacks, until he finally makes his first direct appearance in Episode #47, when Kusanagi visits him for a checkup.
* TheStoic: He is often seen with a dull, emotionless expression, and rarely smiles.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: He looks a lot like a younger version of his older brother.
* UsedToBeASweetKid: Kusanagi described him as gentle and cheerful before the incident.
* TheVoiceless: While he gets much better after he is informed that the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project was brought to a closure, he doesn't talk at all.
* YankTheDogsChain: Just when you thought things were getting much better for Jin after he is informed that the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project has been brought to a closure, an unknown yellow figure (later revealed to be Bohman) sucks his soul away and escapes into LINK VRAINS.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Purple like his brother's, but a brighter shade.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Kiku Kamishirakawa]]
!!Kiku Kamishirakawa
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Miyuri Shimabukuro (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ygo_vrains_ep_61_img_006.png]]

A friend of Takeru's who lived in his grandparents' hometown.
----
* AlliterativeName: '''K'''iku '''K'''amishirakawa.
* BroodingBoyGentleGirl: The gentle girl to Takeru's brooding boy; she cares deeply for him and attempts to break him out of his shell after the traumatic experiences he endured during the Lost Incident.
* DamselInDistress: In the episode 61 flashback, she is held captive by the Mizunumas and their gang so they can coax Takeru into Dueling Ryujiro; she is let go when Takeru comes alone with his Duel Disk.
* TheGadfly: She has no problem teasing Takeru about his fear of ghosts, something he doesn't appreciate her doing.
* ImpliedLoveInterest: Her relationship with Takeru is that of mutual trust, and she tends to be a bit playfully flirtatious, such as teasing him over his fear of ghosts.
* MotherlySidePlait: Fittingly, despite being the same age as Takeru, she obviously cares about him.
* NiceGirl: Though she doesn't get much screentime during a flashback of Takeru's past, she's concerned about Takeru's wellbeing, and tries to convince him to attend school again.
* OnlyFriend: Heavily hinted to be just about the only one among her peers to care about Takeru back in his previous town, prior to his departure to Den City.
* TheReliableOne: Wholeheartedly accepts to take care of Takeru's grandparents while he is away.
* SatelliteLoveInterest: While implied, her appearances in Takeru's flashbacks revolved around her friendship with Takeru, and her attempts to coax him out of his depression.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Miyu]]
!!Miyu
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Natsumi Fujiwara (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/miyu_young.png]]

A childhood friend of Aoi's, and Aqua's Origin.
----
* BreakTheCutie: In one day Miyu lost her mother's ring and her friend Aoi took the fall so she wouldn't get in trouble with her mother, who then banned her from seeing Aoi again. Later Miyu would go through the Lost Incident and all the entailed before ultimately being rendered comatose by Lightning's Virus.
* CheerfulChild: Miyu was energetic and kind, easily befriending the shy and reserved Aoi.
* ChildhoodFriend: She was Aoi's only friend before she was dragged away by her mother, who warned Aoi not to get involved with her daughter ever again after Aoi takes the blame for losing her ring.
* ConvenientComa: She's in a comatose state due to a computer virus installed in her by Lightning. Aqua's attempts to remove the virus failed, though she did retrieve a fragment of Miyu's memories.
* DramaQueen: She kicked up a major fuss after losing her mother's ring, and is unable to bring herself to admit that she lost it, instead continuously bursting to tears until [[TakingTheHeat Aoi stepped in and took the blame]].
* GirlishPigtails: Miyu was shown to have pigtails in her silhouette of the Lost Incident, likely in memory of her lost friend.
* OnlyFriend: Aoi never had any friends in her childhood until Miyu came into her life.
* OnlyOneName: Her surname is unknown.
[[/folder]]

* MrFanservice: While he doesn't have a very muscular physique (especially when compared to Go) he doesn't boast GeekPhysiques for the most part being more slender than thin, he still has [[BadassBaritone a deep voice]], is a competent fighter, [[{{Bishounen}} doesn't look half-bad]] and his Playmaker persona wears [[LatexSpacesuit a skin-tight bodysuit]].

* MySignificanceSenseIsTingling: Has the power to "sense" things. Though he might know how it works, the audience doesn't. He's used it to:
** Comprehend and decrypt parts of an extremely complex (and original) algorithm after just a few days of studying it.
** Sensed when Revolver's digital presence is nearby (while Yusaku is in the real world).
** Determine that Go isn't a real Knight of Hanoi.
* MysteriousPast: To the audience. As of Episode #6, what happened to him is a major mystery for the viewers. His past is finally revealed as of Episode #19.

* NaiveNewcomer: Somewhat subverted. He's far from naive and he uses Duel Monsters as his personal weapons, but he's likely new to Speed Dueling, but warms up to it fairly quickly.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: In his second Master Duel against Revolver. Had Playmaker not negated the Effect of "Topologic Bomber Dragon", Revolver wouldn't have been able to perform multiple Link Summons due to "Topologic Bomber's" Effect, much less even Extra Link.
* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: He saved the entirety of LINK VRAINS at the end of Season 1, but not only didn't SOL Technologies even thank him for that, but they also set a bounty on his head and created a BountyHunter team to hunt him down.
* NoNonsenseNemesis: He's not Dueling for fun, but for {{Revenge}}.

** In Episode #6, he gets a bit agitated as Ignis reads off the inflammatory internet comments about Playmaker not accepting Blue Angel's challenge. Ignis teases that contrary to his attitude, Yusaku ''does'' care what other people think of him.

* OneHitKill: During his Duel with Spectre:
** Defied in part two; Playmaker attempts to wipe out the entirety of Spectre's LP with the 4000 ATK Multi Sledgehammer, only for Spectre to negate the attack with his Sunavalon Glorious Growth Continuous Trap and redirect it to Sunvine Gardna.
** Played straight in part three, where in addition to increasing Excode Talker's ATK to 4000, Playmaker's Link Atrocity reduces the ATK of Spectre's Sunavalon Dryatrentiay to 0, allowing Playmaker to deplete all of Spectre's LP with a single attack.

* {{Foil}}: To Go Onizuka. While in the Hanoi arc Blue Angel realized she wants to duel for others and not just herself, Go comes to the conclusion it is ok to duel for himself and not others. In addition, while Blue Angel is grateful to Playmaker for saving her and doesn't appear bothered by being overshadowed, Go deeply resents it and will stop at nothing to beat Playmaker for the sake of his pride. [[spoiler: Also unlike Go who undergoes a FaceHeelTurn, Aoi opposes Soulburner and Playmaker as a HeroAntagonist, due to Akira's worry of if the Ignis could be enemies. She also improves her older deck and older persona, while Go takes a different persona and a new deck, with even a new skill.]]
* FriendlessBackground: Aoi had not friends as a child except [[OnlyFriend one]] briefly, [[ChildhoodFriends Miyu]], but the friendship [[spoiler: fell apart when she took the fall for Miyu having lost her mother's ring.]]

* HeroAntagonist: Like Akira before her, [[spoiler: she duels Soulburner after Playmaker and he rejected her and Ghost Girls attempts to help them to find out what the Ignis really meant, and they initiated the duel as Windy's sketchy suggestion. Even then the duel is rather civil, unlike the rage-filled duel Soulburner had with Go]] As of Episode 76, she and Ghost Girl drop it, and opt to [[spoiler: save Aqua from SOL and Blood Shepherd, later partnering with her and becoming Blue Maiden.]]

* OverShadowedByAwesome: Discussed by Soulburner, who while he admits that she had definitely become a lot stronger, her lack of an Ignis AI hampers her from reaching his and Playmaker's level. [[spoiler: Which is mitigated when she pairs up with Aqua in place of Miyu.]]

* AdrenalineMakeover: Her VRAINS Avatar transition from the cutesy Blue Angel to the mysterious Blue Girl that resemble and idol rocker. Justified in that Blue Girl is better for the stealthier operations she is doing with Ghost Girl, while Blue Angel sticks out. It is emphasized by a few of her new cards and effects, such as Trickstar Gig, and her fusion monster, Trickstar Band Sweet Guitar. Subverted come her next upgrade, Blue Maiden, which is girlier.

* AdrenalineMakeover: Her VRAINS Avatar transition from the cutesy Blue Angel to the mysterious Blue Girl that resemble and idol rocker. Justified in that Blue Girl is better for the stealthier operations she is doing with Ghost Girl, while Blue Angel sticks out. It is emphasized by a few of her new cards and effects, such as Trickstar Gig, and her fusion monster, Trickstar Band Sweet Guitar.

* HeroAntagonist: Like Akira before her, [[spoiler: she duels Soulburner after Playmaker and he rejected her and Ghost Girls attempts to help them to find out what the Ignis really meant, and they initiated the duel as Windy's sketchy suggestion. Even then the duel is rather civil, unlike the rage-filled duel Soulburner had with Go]] As of Episode 76, she and Ghost Girl drop it, and opt to [[spoiler: save Aqua from SOL and Blood Shepherd.]]

* LadyOfWar: Her "Trickstar Holly Angel" is this and Aoi is graceful and elegant in her Duel,

* OverShadowedByAwesome: Discussed by Soulburner, who while he admits that she had definitely become a lot stronger, her lack of an Ignis AI hampers her from reaching his and Playmaker's level.
* ProperTightsWithASkirt: In the dub in her school uniform.

* ZettaiRyouiki: Blue Angel's socks reaches up to her thighs, complemented with a large, puffy skirt. Downplayed with Aoi's real life appearance, who wears a DangerouslyShortSkirt and socks that don't reach her knees. As Blue Girl she wears hotpants with socks and boots like Emma.

* ShoulderTeammate: After being saved from Blood Shepherd by Aoi, Aqua hangs out on her shoulder for the rest of the episode.

** Implied for Emma. He and Ghost Girl appear to have a hidden connection and when he saved her from the hacker's bomb, he called her by her real name before leaving. It turns out they are siblings.

* TheFaceless: In the real world, Blood Shepherd covers his face with a pair of sunglasses and a scarf. His face is fully revealed in a flashback, and he's fairly normal looking.

* LongLostSibling: He and Ema are actually brother and sister, with him being older.

* PetTheDog: In a flashback, despite previously using Akira and Emma as decoys against a hacker, he steps in to protect Emma from the hacker's bomb, pushing her out of the way and shooting it down.

[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blue]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/blue_maiden.png]][[/labelnote]]

!SOL Technologies Inc.

The organisation in charge of LINK VRAINS. They aim to capture Ai to regain access to the Cyberse world, and compete with the Knights of Hanoi to achieve their goal.

[[folder:In general]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sol_technologies.png]]

* BigBadEnsemble: Their hiring of numerous mercenaries in season 2 firmly places them in this position, with the mystery faction led by [[spoiler: Lightning]] as the other half.
* GeorgeJetsonJobSecurity: Downplayed in that, while Kitamura has a habit of threatening to fire his subordinates, he never actually goes through with it. Lampshaded by his subordinates who ask how many times they are going to get fired.
* HiddenDepths: It turns out that [[spoiler:Dr. Kogami used to be a researcher for SOL Technologies]].
* LockedOutOfTheLoop: Along with Kitamura, none of his subordinates are aware of the events of the Lost Incident/Hanoi Project, which affected Yusaku, Takeru, Spectre, and Kusanagi's little brother Jin.
* MegaCorp: They're in charge of LINK VRAINS, and can utilise technologies that overlook the cyberspace such as City Scan and Log-Out Prevention programs.
* NotSoHarmlessVillain: In season 1 they were largely ineffectual due to Kitamura and early Season 2 due to the Bounty Hunters constantly losing. [[spoiler: Then come episode 75, where Go Onizuka is corrupted by a brain implant, and Queen and the scientists coldly dissect and kill Earth despite begging for his life and asserting his free will.]]
* OnlyInItForTheMoney: SOL saw the Ignis as an opportunity for big money, and fearing that authorities would seize the Ignis, they covered up the Lost Incident and put [[spoiler:an imprisoned Kogami]] into a comatose state, and later [[spoiler: murder Earth for his data.]]
* UngratefulBastard: Playmaker managed to save the entirety of LINK VRAINS which is one of their main sources of income. In exchange for that they sent out a BountyHunter team after him, all because he has an Ignis.
* VillainWithGoodPublicity: {{Implied}}. They are a MegaCorp whose main source of power comes from the [[{{Cyberspace}} Cyberse]], their executives minus [[{{Workaholic}} Akira]] (who is still lower in the company hierarchy anyways) are suspiciously unwilling to make ''any'' contact with the public and seemingly using Akira as an unofficial spokesman of sorts. The one and only other person they've contacted other than Akira is [[HiredGuns Emma]], but she is a mercenary. Other than that they always show up as giant holographic projections of [[ChessMotifs chess pieces]] and have yet to show their real appearances, despite such odd secrecy is obviously excessive. To wrap it up, Hanoi is explicitly referring to the [[{{Macguffin}} Cyberse]] - the company's main source of power - as something dangerous and all of Hanoi's [[WellIntentionedExtremist higher-ups]] shown are presented as fully committed to their stated goal of destroying it.

[[folder:Queen]]
!!Queen
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Megumi Koyama (Japanese)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/queen_vr.png]]

A high-ranking member of SOL Technologies Inc.

* ChessMotifs: Is named after the queen chess piece, establishing her authority as a higher-up of SOL Technologies.
* TheCorruptor: [[spoiler: Queen willfully allows Onizuka to undergo a fusion with an AI to turn him from an angry bounty hunter to a psychotic monstrous opponent.]]
* DeadpanSnarker: Basically her reaction to Akira's hesitation to go after Playmaker.
* DragonInChief: Her name - if the ChessMotifs are taken into consideration - suggests that she herself may be pretty dangerous.
* AGlassOfChianti: Just to hammer in that she is a part of a very rich company.
* HateSink: Episode 75 establishes her as this in contrast to [[WellIntentionedExtremist Hanoi and the Bohman faction]], where she [[spoiler: coldly has a captured Earth killed and dissected despite his cries, and before that led to Onizuka's corruption and fall into evil.]]
* MsFanservice: Her very first appearance in person has her wear almost nothing but a swimsuit.
* NonActionBigBad: She's high ranked in SOL Technologies, but prefers to work behind the scenes; she's spearheading the search for the Ignises and is the one to hire Go and Blood Shepherd.

[[folder:Akira Zaizen]]
!!Akira Zaizen
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ShoumaYamamoto (Japanese), Barrett Leddy (English)
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep020_akira_attacks_with_cerberus.png]]

Aoi's {{workaholic}} older step-brother and SOL Technologies Inc.'s Security Chief, dedicated to protecting Den City from hackers on a daily basis. Later demoted to Chief and replaced by his former boss, Kitamura, after Playmaker's duel against Revolver.

He duels using a Tindangle deck, DARK Monsters revolving around Flip Effects that also have abilities that are dangerous to Link Monsters.

[[folder:Aoi Zaizen (Skye Zaizen)/Blue Angel/Blue Girl/Blue Maiden]]
!!Aoi Zaizen (Skye Zaizen)/Blue Angel/Blue Girl/Blue Maiden
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/YukiNakashima (Japanese), Emily Cramer (English)
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aoi_zaizen_3.PNG]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blue Angel]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep047_blue_angel_4.png]][[/labelnote]]
[[caption-width-right:300:[[labelnote:Click here to see Blue Girl]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tumblr_p9lezdrntt1shfh62o2_1280.png]][[/labelnote]]

A classmate of Yusaku's. In LINK VRAINS, she is known as Blue Angel. In Season 2 she goes by the name Blue Girl in order to help her brother Akira in his search for the Ignis.

As Blue Angel and Blue Girl, she uses the Trickstar archetype, focusing on whittling down her opponent's LP bit by bit via card effects. Her Ace Monster is Trickstar Holly Angel, a Monster that temporarily gains strength when her opponent takes effect damage. Her Skill, Trickstar Fraud, allows her to force an opponent to draw cards until they have three cards in their hand once per Duel, but as a price her opponent must banish cards from her hand equal to the amount of Trickstar Monsters in Blue Angel's GY.
In season 2 she adds Fusion Summoning to her deck in order to increase her burn strategy and give more offensive pressure. She also changed her Skill to Trickstar Gig. This Skill allows her to send cards from the top of her deck to the GY equal to the amount of Trickstar Monsters she has on her field. After that she can add one Trickstar card send to the GY to her hand.

* ActionGirl: She's a very skilled duelist, being considered one of VRAIN's best.
* AdrenalineMakeover: Her VRAINS Avatar transition from the cutesy Blue Angel to the mysterious Blue Girl that resemble and idol rocker. Justified in that Blue Girl is better for the stealthier operations she is doing with Ghost Girl, while Blue Angel sticks out. It is emphasized by a few of her new cards and effects, such as Trickstar Gig, and her fusion monster, Trickstar Band Sweet Guitar.
* AmazonBrigade: All of her Trickstars are female.
* AmbiguousDisorder: Out of LINK VRAINS her lack of emotion and suspicion of others (if not for good reason) bring up a few possible ailments, among them depression.
* AndIMustScream: Aoi described her experience as an Another as being crushed down by despair, unable to do anything but scream with all her might.
* AngelicBeauty: Her Trickstar Monsters, which are Fairy-Types, as well as her VR form, Blue Angel.
* AnimalMotifs: PrettyButterflies, as shown by her backup avatar being a simple butterfly.
* AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance: Her blazer is designed to look like her tie has blue wings, and her stage name is "Blue Angel".

* BadassAdorable: A teen idol on VRAINS, she peppers her duels with a variety of cute mannerisms. Even in her Blue Girl persona, where she is more composed, she still has a few cute mannerisms.
* BigBrotherWorship: Has a brother complex, and wants to admit to him that she Duels. Granted Akira is her elder step-brother. She also has a minor case for CoolBigSis Emma, even patterning her Blue Girl avatar after Ghost Girl's look.
* BigDamnHeroes:
** Saves Playmaker by launching his D-Board back to him with an energy lasso after he falls off during his Duel against a Knight of Hanoi.
** She gets a second one while Yusaku is plunging into the SOL Technologies databank, where she lightens the load for Playmaker and takes on one of the AI duelists.
* BoyishShortHair: Her hair reaches down to her lower nape.
* BreastExpansion: Blue Angel has noticeably bigger breasts than Aoi in real life. She might have deliberately added a bigger buxom to her Blue Angel avatar to play better the idol persona.
* BrokenAngel: After [[spoiler:losing to Spectre, he causes her Blue Angel wings to break]].
* BrokenPedestal: Due to her brother's work, Aoi has a positive view of SOL Technologies and believes that they will help the Ignis. [[spoiler: After watching Queen and the scientists kill Earth as he is begging, she cries, at a complete loss.]]
* ClothingDamage: After [[spoiler:her loss to Spectre]], her skirt becomes tattered.
* ColorCharacter: '''BLUE''' Angel and later '''BLUE''' Girl.
* ColorMotif: BLUE, fitting Aoi in her real name, OnlineAlias, and due to being blue, i.e depressed, for a long time.
* ConflictBall: In Episode 55 and 56, after Playmaker and Soulburner refuse her offer for her and Akira to help them due to SOL Technologies involvement in the Lost Incident, she gets pissed off and demands they give Ai and Flame over so they can find the other Ignis's. Playmaker and Ghost Girl themselves are surprised at her behavior. It's more downplayed in Episode 56, as once she begins the duel she does return to being more civil, though a bit more arrogant than usual, Episode 56 keeps her behavior more in line with her motivation of helping Akira and making up for her loss to Spectre. Later justified in that she believes SOL Technologies to be benevolent, and until later did not quite understand Playmaker and Soulburner's dislike of them.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter: Unlike [[Anime/YuGiOhARCV Yuzu]], who is a pink-haired {{Tsundere}} GirlyBruiser, Aoi is a brunette WellDoneDaughterGirl. And unlike Yuzu who was forced into the plot against her will, Aoi actively seeks it due to helping Akira. Unlike [[Anime/YuGiOh5ds Aki]], her temporary corruption aside, who was a DarkMagicalGirl, Aoi's opposition towards Playmaker and Soulburner makes her a HeroAntagonist instead, due to Akira's concern over the Ignis. And even then, she did offer to help them, only for Playmaker to turn her down.
* ConvenientComa: Ends up in one after her duel with Playmaker.
* TheCorruption: Afflicted by this by the appropriately named Dark Angel card that Spectre slips into her deck, making her go berserk.
* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Light brown hair and eyes.
* DangerouslyShortSkirt: It's as short as Kotori's.
* DarkActionGirl: She became this temporarily after she was brainwashed by Spectre.
* DeathOfAThousandCuts: One of the Trickstar's main focuses is dealing small amounts of burn damage under certain conditions.
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: Aoi is a deconstruction of both [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Asuka]] and [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Rio]], as she goes into Charisma Dueling as a means to [[WellDoneSonGuy please]] [[BigBrotherWorship her older brother]] instead of proving herself to be an independent and worthy Duelist like they did, which [[TraumaCongaLine not only costed her the Duel against Yusaku]], [[BreakTheCutie but also ends up humiliating her in front of the crowd]], severely damaging her reputation as a Charisma Duelist in the process.
* DigitalAvatar: An angelic idol singer as Blue Angel and a more serious mercenary one as Blue Girl.
* {{Escapism}}: Aoi's Blue Angel persona is revealed to be based upon a Blue Angel in a book her brother always read to her as a child, about a lonely angel that cried blue tears and pretended she didn't hate being alone, but eventually befriended other angels and fought against the forces of evil to find happiness. Her taking on this persona in Vrains is her own attempt to do so.
* DubNameChange: To Skye Zaizen, having implications of blue sky where angels come from.
* {{Expy}}: She's usually seen as a MagicalGirl IdolSinger version of [[Anime/YuGiOhZEXAL Rio]], but her ruthlessness, wealthy background, lonely upbringing, and wanting to be acknowledged by a protective older sibling also brings to mind [[Manga/YuGiOh Mai]], [[Anime/YuGiOhGX Sho]], and [[Anime/YuGiOhArcV Reira]].
* FacePlant: A dark example, where Blue Angel gets blown away before landing on the ground ''head-first'', courtesy of [[spoiler:Spectre]]. Ouch.
* FacialMarkings: As Blue Angel, Aoi has a clover on her cheek, as part of her idol image.
* FakeBoobs: This piece of [[https://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/yugioh-vrains/images/a/a4/Picture_of_Blue_Angel_drawn_by_Noh.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20170709192948 official artwork]] that has Blue Angel in a school uniform by Noah, one of the show's animators, shows that Blue Angel's chest is around the same size as Aoi's, meaning the top of her Blue Angel has cups designed into it, with the most likely reason for doing so is to make a better appeal for her Idol persona.
* FeatherMotif: White feathers fall and scatter while she is trapped in her mind due to Hanoi.
* FingerlessGloves: Elbow-length ones as Blue Girl
* FlowerMotif: Her Trickstar monsters are named after various flowers.
* {{Foil}}: To Go Onizuka. While in the Hanoi arc Blue Angel realized she wants to duel for others and not just herself, Go comes to the conclusion it is ok to duel for himself and not others. In addition, while Blue Angel is grateful to Playmaker for saving her and doesn't appear bothered by being overshadowed, Go deeply resents it and will stop at nothing to beat Playmaker for the sake of his pride. [[spoiler: Also unlike Go who undergoes a FaceHeelTurn, Aoi opposes Soulburner and Playmaker as a HeroAntagonist, due to Akira's worry of if the Ignis could be enemies. She also improves her older deck and older persona, while Go takes a different persona and a new deck, with even a new skill.]]
* FriendlessBackground: Aoi had not friends as a child except [[OnlyFriend one]] briefly, [[ChildhoodFriends Miyu]], but the friendship [[spoiler: fell apart when she took the fall for Miyu having lost her mother's ring.]]
* GenkiGirl: As Blue Angel, she puts on a lively disposition.
* GirlishPigtails:
** As Blue Angel, her hair is tied up like this.
** She also used to tie her hair in this style as a child.
* GirlsLoveStuffedAnimals: As a child, she carried around a stuffed doll of Evilswarm Mandragoa.
* HairDecorations:
** Her twintails in her VR form are held up by dark blue bows.
** As a child, she held up her twintails with light blue bows.
* HeroAntagonist: Like Akira before her, [[spoiler: she duels Soulburner after Playmaker and he rejected her and Ghost Girls attempts to help them to find out what the Ignis really meant, and they initiated the duel as Windy's sketchy suggestion. Even then the duel is rather civil, unlike the rage-filled duel Soulburner had with Go]] As of Episode 76, she and Ghost Girl drop it, and opt to [[spoiler: save Aqua from SOL and Blood Shepherd.]]
* {{Hikikomori}}: Enforced by Akira, who is excessively concerned for her wellbeing to the point that he prevents her from leaving the house after recovering from her coma. She is allowed to go out again after Playmaker and Akira's Duel.
* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Subverted in her Duel against Baira. Blue Angel, aware that she may lose should Baira draw a trap, takes the risky gamble of using her Trickstar Fraud Skill regardless to turn things around in her favour. Fortunately for Blue Angel, Baira doesn't draw a trap.
* HumanSacrifice: [[spoiler:After her loss to Spectre, she is converted into data and absorbed into the Tower of Hanoi. She gets better.]]
* ItsPersonal: Double subverted. Blue Angel initially confronts Baira because she was in a bad mood and wanted to let off some steam. But after Baira suggests that she was responsible for the creation of the Another virus, Blue Angel takes back her words, and vow to take Baira down in a Duel.
* LadyOfWar: Her "Trickstar Holly Angel" is this and Aoi is graceful and elegant in her Duel,
* LightEmUp: Her Trickstar monsters are LIGHT Fairy-Type Monsters.
* LonelyRichKid: She lives in a well-to-do apartment, essentially alone due to her brother's constant working. [[spoiler: But there was a time they lived on the street.]]
* LoveFreak: Accused of this by Spectre, who mocks her for her Blue Love that she shares for others in her attempt to be Blue Angel. However in truth, she verges more towards an AllLovingHeroine.
* LovelyAngels: Forms a duo with Ghost Girl in Season 2 as Blue Girl.
* MagicIdolSinger: Blue Angel's appearance is a blend of a MagicalGirl and an IdolSinger, composed of blue hair with twintails and angelic wings marked with hearts and purple four-leaf clovers. As Blue Girl she looks more like a Rock idol.
* MagicalIncantation: While all the characters invoke one when Link Summoning, Aoi's reflects her character change. As Blue Angel she involved the circuit of dreams and hope. As Blue Girl she invokes the Circuit of determination and courage.
* MeaningfulName: Her online handle, Blue Angel, references the fact that she uses a Trickstar Deck, which is composed of Fairy-Types, called Angel-types in the OCG.
* MissingMom: Her biological mother, alongside Akira's biological father, died in an accident during the Lost Incident.
* MoralityChain: Her brother's sole reason for living, and he admits he would have given into despair without her.
* MulticoloredHair: As Blue Angel, her blue hair sports light blue highlights.
* NiceGirl: She may have a hard time trusting most people, but she is still a sweet girl.
* NoSell: Her Bella Madonna is unaffected by other card effects while its Link Arrows point to no Monsters.
* OneDegreeOfSeparation: Aoi is not a Lost Incident Child, [[spoiler: but she was friends with Miyu, who was Aqua's origin.]]
* OnlineAlias: Blue Angel. She later goes by Blue Girl after she is assigned by Akira to search for the missing Ignis (alongside Ghost Girl), and changes her name once again to Blue Maiden after partnering with Aqua, combined with a second SignificantWardrobeShift.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: After being bestowed Dark Angel by Spectre, the AI on her Duel Disk responds rudely to Ai when he greets it.
* OverShadowedByAwesome: Discussed by Soulburner, who while he admits that she had definitely become a lot stronger, her lack of an Ignis AI hampers her from reaching his and Playmaker's level.
* ProperTightsWithASkirt: In the dub in her school uniform.
* ReflectionlessUselessEyes: While [[BrainwashedAndCrazy under the influence of]] [[TheCorruption Dark Angel]], her eyes lose all luster, [[MindControlEyes marking her possession]].
* RuleOfThree: Blue Angel's Skill, Trickstar Fraud, makes the opponent draw until they have three cards in their hand, which also complements her DeathOfAThousandCuts play style.
* ShrinkingViolet: Particularly as a child, she was polite and timid, holding on to her mother in a flashback. As a teen she's more reserved and quiet than outright shy.
* SignatureMove: Blue Angel's Skill, Trickstar Fraud, makes her opponent draw until they have three cards in their hand, and is intended to complement her DeathOfAThousandCuts play style. As Blue Girl, her skill Trickstar Gig lets her send cards from her deck equal to the number of Trickstars she has and then add a Trickstar card from the sent ones to her hand.
* SignificantWardrobeShift:
** As Blue Girl, her outfit resembles Emma's, albeit pink, white, and blue.
** After agreeing to partner with Aqua, Blue Girl once again undergoes an image change to appear more {{Magical Girl}}-esque, combined with a change of OnlineAlias (to Blue Maiden).
* SlipknotPonytail: After her defeat by Playmaker and later [[spoiler:Spectre]], her twin-tails fall out as she falls.
* StepfordSmiler: She hides her sadness with a cheerful deposition as Blue Angel, prominently shown in #6.
* StrongFamilyResemblance: Is basically a younger version of her mother.
* SugarAndIcePersonality: It's hinted that she's just as ruthless as Yusaku beneath her GenkiGirl attitude. This is reflected in Holy Angel's counterpart, Trickstar Black Catbat, who uses a staff lined with thorns to attack, but is a LIGHT monster.
* TakingTheHeat: She took the blame for losing Miyu's mother's ring, though it didn't go well for her at all, as she was warned by Miyu's mother not to get involved with her daughter ever again.
* ThirdPersonPerson: As Blue Angel, Aoi does this as partly of her idol persona, and partly a bit from her {{Escapism}}.
* ThisIsUnforgivable: Blue Angel initially challenges Baira of the Knights of Hanoi because she happened to be in a bad mood, only to harbor a grudge against Baira after Aoi finds out that she was responsible not only for her condition, but for the Anothers in general.
* TookALevelInBadass: Come Season 2 she had worked on remedying her WeakButSkilled nature, [[spoiler: upgrading her deck with a fusion monster and more abilities that allow her monsters to have higher attack. Unfortunately she is still left OvershadowedByAwesome.]]
* TookALevelInCheerfulness: Downplayed, while certainly not a sunny GenkiGirl in her normal form, her signs of depression have disappeared due to her relationship with Akira being fixed. And although friendly with Yusaku, she still tends to be aloof at school.
* TraumaCongaLine: Basically the latter half of #7 is this for her. First, she learns that her GradualGrinder strategy allowed Playmaker to use his [[GameBreaker game breaking]] skill to get the monster he needed. Then she starts feeling the effect of the [[TheCorruption "Dark Angel"]] card which messes with her mind. After that, she realizes that Playmaker is about to OneHitKill her and tries to reduce him to 0 LP before he can do so, only to be stopped and forced to use the "Dark Angel" card. This results in her getting MindRape from Hanoi's program. Finally, she loses anyway and is put into a coma in the next episode. To top it off, this was all streamed ''live'' to both her fans and her brother. And continued later during her duel against Spectre, where he brutally breaks her by talking and pretends that she got through to him, only to mercilessly defeat her. [[spoiler: Continues in Season 2 where her pedestal for SOL Technologies is broken.]]
* VocalEvolution: During her Duel against Spectre, her voice is somewhat deeper, highlighting her determination to defeat him.
* WeakButSkilled: Aoi herself notes that her decks weakness is her monsters low attack, despite its devastating effects and works in Season 2 to make her deck stronger by including methods to increase her monsters attacks.
* WellDoneDaughterGirl: Strongly desires to be acknowledged by her older brother Akira.
* WhipItGood: Uses an energy lasso to launch Playmaker's D-Board back to him.
* WhoWearsShortShorts: Paired with ZettaiRyouiki as Blue Girl.
* WingsDoNothing: Blue Angel sports white angelic wings, but are only there for show.
* TheWorfEffect: Is ruthlessly decimated by [[spoiler:Spectre, demonstrating that his status as Revolver's [[TheDragon right-hand man]] isn't just for show]].
* WorfHadTheFlu: While Blue Angel gains the upper hand against Playmaker for most of the Duel, the reason why she ends up losing to him is because of Defect Compiler's anti-burn effect. Also her duel with [[spoiler: Spectre didn't go her way precisely because Spectre's StoneWall strategy made her FragileSpeedster DeathOfAThousandCuts tactics ineffectual as she couldn't deal enough damage to get past him.]]
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: As Blue Angel, she sports blue hair with light blue highlights.
* ZettaiRyouiki: Blue Angel's socks reaches up to her thighs, complemented with a large, puffy skirt. Downplayed with Aoi's real life appearance, who wears a DangerouslyShortSkirt and socks that don't reach her knees. As Blue Girl she wears hotpants with socks and boots like Emma.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Emma Bessho/Ghost Girl (Ghost Gal)]]
!!Emma Bessho/Ghost Girl (Ghost Gal)
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Yuna Kamakura (Japanese), Megan [=MacPhee=] (English)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/emma_watching_akira.png]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[labelnote:Click here Ghost Girl (Initial Version)]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep018_ghost_girl_watching.png[[/labelnote]]]]
[[caption-width-right:250:[[labelnote:Click here Ghost Girl (Current Version)]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ep056_ghost_girl_winking.png[[/labelnote]]]]

A young woman hired by Akira to spy on Playmaker. She is known as Ghost Girl in LINK VRAINS.

She plays using the Altergeist archetype. Her deck focuses on swarming the field with Altergeist Monsters and set up many Trap cards from her deck with their effects. Her Skill, Secret Cure, allows her to excavate cards from her deck until a Monster Card is revealed. She can than add the Monster Card to her hand while the other cards are send to the GY and both players gain LP equal to its ATK.
----
* ADayInTheLimelight: Episode 53 focuses more on her backstory and her interactions with Akira & Blood Shepard 3 years ago
* AlliterativeName: Her OnlineAlias, '''G'''host '''G'''irl.
* AwesomeByAnalysis: She uses her skill and strategy to lock down Playmaker, using methods to keep Playmaker's LP above 1000 so he can't use Storm Access on her, only failing because he used an effect to lower his LP a second time, using her own Skill to stop the first time.
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:She is returned to normal after Playmaker defeats Revolver and the Tower of Hanoi is stopped.]]

[[folder:Aqua]]
!!Aqua
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Creator/AyakoKawasumi (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/aqua_7.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Kogami. Is based on the WATER attribute. Her Origin is Miyu, a childhood friend of Aoi.

* ChekhovMIA: Her whereabouts were unknown at the time the Cyberse World was destroyed by a certain unnamed faction, until Episode #74 where she makes her first proper on-screen appearance, where she is discovered and freed by Earth. It turns out she was imprisoned and banished elsewhere by [[spoiler:Lightning after she witnesses him creating "Judgment Arrows"]].
* CloudcuckoolandersMinder: More often than not she had to look after Ai so he didn't injure himself, much to [[CrazyJealousGuy Earth's]] annoyance.
* DopeSlap: Gave one to [[AbhorrentAdmirer Ai]] so hard it sent him ''and'' Linkuriboh through the ground, leaving ImpactSilhouette{{s}} for both of them.
* GirlishPigtails: She has them on her head.
* HartmanHips: Aqua has a very pronounced waistline styled to look like a teardrop, highlighting her feminine appearance.
* HealingHands: After Earth badly damages his hands freeing her, she heals them and later [[spoiler: tried to heal Miyu from Lightning's virus but failed.]]
* LivingLieDetector: Ai and Earth both claim she could easily discern truth from lie. This claim is proven true when a flashback shows her witnessing [[spoiler:Lightning creating "Judgment Arrows", and doesn't buy his claim that he's creating said card just to protect humanity from the Cyberse World]].
* MakingASplash: She is an Ignis based on the WATER attribute, with her entire body being primarily light blue, a colour also commonly associated with the water element.
* TheMole: Subverted. Windy speculates that she may have contributed to the destruction of the Cyberse World, but [[spoiler:Lightning himself later admits that he himself was responsible for the deed]]. In addition, Aqua witnessed [[spoiler:Lightning creating "Judgment Arrows", and after questioning what he's really up to, she is imprisoned and banished from the Cyberse World so that Lightning can further his own plans]].
* MysteriousWaif: Of the Ignis properly introduced, Aqua is the most mysterious. Just before the Cyberse World was attacked, she warned Earth that he needed to pick a side in the human-ignis conflict, purposely withholding her own decision knowing he'd just follow her if she didn't. Her warning the Cyberse World would be split concerns along with foreknowledge of the attack has both Earth and Playmaker concerned, and her current whereabouts are unknown. [[spoiler:According to Lightning, she was for human-ignis coexistance, something he wasn't okay with, and its implied her disappearance is related to him.]]
* NumberTwo: She served as the sub-leader of the Ignis before the Cyberse World was destroyed.
* ShoulderTeammate: After being saved from Blood Shepherd by Aoi, Aqua hangs out on her shoulder for the rest of the episode.
* SmurfettePrinciple: She is the only female Ignis.
* TechnicolorEyes: Has glowing pink eyes that can also turn into different shades of blue when using her ability.
* {{Telepathy}}: Aqua has a degree of telepathy that lets her be a LivingLieDetector and can glean memories from Miyu and tell Blue Girl's real appearance and name.
* TrueBlueFemininity: She's female and basically blue everywhere except her eyes.
* {{Tsundere}}: Based on their interactions, while Aqua is rather strict and annoyed by Ai's antics, she was genuinely concerned and worried when Ai was in danger, implying she does care more about him than she is willing to admit.
* WaterIsBlue: The WATER Ignis with a blue body and fittingly she ends paired with Aoi/Blue Angel.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Lightning]]
!!Lightning
!!!'''Voiced by:''' Issei Maeda (Japanese)
[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lightning_1.png]]

One of the six Ignis created by Kogami. Is based on the LIGHT attribute.
----

* DisappearedDad: His father is nowhere to be seen, nor is it ever properly evaluated what exactly happened to him.

* OnlineAlias: Blue Angel. She later goes by Blue Girl after she is assigned by Akira to search for the missing Ignis (alongside Ghost Girl), and changes her name once again to Blue Maiden after partnering with Aqua, combined with a third SignificantWardrobeShift.

!!Aoi Zaizen (Skye Zaizen)/Blue Angel/Blue Girl

* OnlineAlias: Blue Angel. She later goes by Blue Girl after she is assigned by Akira to search for the missing Ignis (alongside Ghost Girl).

* SignificantWardrobeShift: As Blue Girl, her outfit resembles Emma's, albeit pink, white, and blue.

* ThirdPersonPerson: As Blue Angel, Aoi does this as partly of her idol persona, and partly a bit from her {{Escapism}}

[[folder:Aoi Zaizen (Skye Zaizen)/Blue Angel/Blue Girl]]

* NoSocialSkills: Kinda. His idea of getting close to Aoi is stalking her around the school.

* OurDragonsAreDifferent: While it bears the appearance of a dragon and contains "dragon" in its name, Yusaku's Firewall Dragon is a Cyberse-Type instead.

As a BountyHunter, GO operates a Dinowrestler deck, which also revolves around a Beatdown play style, as well as monster protection, manipulating (like limiting the amount or choosing which monster his opponent can attack with) or preventing attacks on his monsters or the activation of spells and traps. His new Skill, Dinowrestle Revolution, allows him to activate the Field Spell World Dino Wrestling which limits the amount of attacks he and his opponent can do in one turn and give his Dinowrestler Monsters more ATK. [[spoiler:In order to get stronger, he became part of an experiment of SOL Technologies. He gained an AI implant in his brain which gave him the ability called Brain Hack which allows him to see more possibilities. It also allowed him to create a new Skill for himself called Anti-Skill which allows him to not only negate his opponent's Skill, but also lets him draw two cards.]]