Proof that the remaining 10% is worth being carded for.
These are recommendations made by tropers for Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V fanfics, all of which have to be signed to stay on the page. After a few samples, you will be able to note the interests of the tropers recommending them, and judge whether you might be also interested in a certain 'fic.
No-name recommendations will be zapped. Nobody would back up the rec. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist, if need be.
Reviews of fics are encouraged, but if you choose to write one, please make it substantive, and give specific details about what you liked / disliked in the fic. If you want to give a fic a thumbs-up without writing a full review, you can add your troper handle to the Recommendations Line. Please refrain from posting "Comments" or Conversation in the Main Page though; that goes in the discussion page.
Recommendations Template
Title of the Fanfic by Author OR Fic Trope Page, by Author (Link)
- Recommended by: Troper Name
- Synopsis: What's the story about? Give here a brief summary of the plot. It would be also useful to point out in what moment of the series the story takes place. If it's a Gen Fic but it has some romantic elements, note here the characters involved too.
- Pairing(s): If it's a Shipping Fic, list here the pairings that feature in the fic (warn here if it's het, male slash or female slash). If it's a Gen Fic, remove this line. To tell the difference between the two, notice if the focus of the fic is on a romantic relationship or if it focuses on the other aspects of the story. In case of doubt, classify the story according to the genres it's been tagged: the Romance tag for Shipping, absence of that tag for Gen Fic.
- Tags: If any are known. This would be things like W.A.F.F., Lemon, Dark Fic, any known Crossovers etc.
General Fics
Assemble! Yu-Tagonists
by driftingstar
- Recommended by fsdfsdfsd
- Status: Dormant (last updated August 2017)
- Synopsis: Crossover with all five Yugioh anime series. In which Atem has some doubts about the current team assignments. Secret agent AU. Drabble Collection.
He Didn't Deserve it by MsAwesomeSmarties
- Recommended by: fsdfsdfsd
- Status: Complete one-shot.
- Synopsis: Silence falls heavy around them as Yuugo's D-wheel stutters to a halt, and he removes his helmet, eyes wide. His mouth starts to open in confusion, but as soon as he sees Yuuto holding the other boy from before, he closes it, frozen. It feels like all life stopped at once to acknowledge the loss of such a bright and happy boy. AU in which Yuuya was hit instead of Yuuto. Angst ensues.
Food of the Enemy by Higuchimon
- Recommended by: fsdfsdfsd
- Status: Complete one-shot.
- Synopsis: [one-shot, Kurosaki Shun, 2014 Advent Calendar Challenge; Diversity Writing Challenge] There are advantages and disadvantages to working with LDS. Disadvantage: there are fusion users everywhere. Advantage: the food's pretty good.
In the Mind of Yuzu by animewatcher186
- Recommended by: Rose Bride, Sanokal
- Synopsis: The story of Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V in the point of view of Yuya's friend, Yuzu.
- Status: Dormant
Omen of Uncertainty byEpsilon Tarantula
- Recommended by: Hawkatana
- Synopsnis: Zarc's rampage throughout the Original Dimension was a horror to behold...but Leo Akaba's account of it was rather vague...The events that led to the destruction of the Original Dimension were more complex than he let on...as was the future that loomed over reality.
- Status: Dormant; last updated March 2018
- Warnings: None thus far, but the author has stated that sexual and violent content will show up in later chapters.
- Recommended by: deltacrow
- Synopsis: "On March 28th, three days after the end of the school year, Hiiragi Yuzu disappears. On April 3rd, the Maiami Municipal Police Office contacts her father, claiming to have found her."
- Status: Complete
- Tags: Spoilers up to Episode 41, Adult Fear
The Misadventures of Ruri Kurosaki and Her Traveling Band of Emo Birds by KrisImeteriHikari
- Recommended by: Rose Bride
- Synopsis: "Academia may have greatly broken us, crippled us beyond repair, but we are never going to give up. We're going to get Heartland back. They can take all they want from us, but they can't break our spirit. Heartland will live on, forever! No Fusion scum bastard is going to take that away from us, ever!" A look into the past of Ruri Kurosaki, before her eventual kidnapping.
- Status: Dormant
Homelands by the bird of the chapel (ao3 link)
- Recommended by: fsdfsdfsd
- Status: Dormant
- Crossover with: A Song of Ice and Fire
- Synopsis: "Reiji has no choice but to play the game of thrones after he's mistaken for a Targaryen." Something goes wrong, and the Lancers wind up in Westeros instead of the Synchro dimension where Reiji's silver hair and purple eyes get him in trouble.
- Warnings: None thus far, but the author has said that any warnings one would give for reading ASOIAF may eventually apply here.
The Dimensional Drifter by Hezaia
- Recommended by: Krspace T
- Status: Dead; last updated October 2018
- Crossover with: Yu-Gi-Oh! GX
- Synopsis: "You're not from around here, are you?" "Nope." "Travelled far then, have you?" "Preeeeetty far, yeah." Most people would probably have experienced a nervous breakdown upon getting thrust into the distant future or parallel dimensions. To Yuki Judai, it counts as a normal Tuesday. Almost.
- Now with its own page.
Signs of Renewal by Donjusticia
- Recommended by: Safind
- Status: Dormant; last updated April 2020
- Synopsis: "Tragedy strikes when Ruri and Rin both lose their lives in a desperate escape attempt. Lost to the underworld, Ruri is about to give up when a mysterious force makes her a tantalizing offer. Witness the thrilling tale of revenge, sacrifice, friendship, and redemption as the Dark Signers rise once again to rule over a universe crumbling into war and chaos."
- Comments: After so long, someone has finally decided to make a Dark Signer AU. The bracelet girls don't degrade into psychopaths after turning into Dark Signers and remain fleshed-out and multi-dimensional, and the story manages to show how the Earthbound would be portrayed in what we currently know so far about ARC-V's continuity.
Children of War Series, by 0bviousLeigh
- Recommended by: ABE.Crudele
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A series of one-shots that shows how the everyone deals with aftermath of the interdimensional war. Post-Canon. Mentions of Shun/Yuto, Serena/Yuzu, Yuri/Yuya and Rin/Yugo.
- Comments: Characters dealing with trauma, self-harm (the Serena-centric ones), suicide (Chapter 6) and an incident of animal violence. There is also a lot of W.A.F.F.. Canon compliant until Episode 119.
- Recommended by: setay96
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A self-insert following Elliot Zekaki, a teen from the real world as he's transported into the universe of the Arc-V anime. "When a duelist from the real world gets mysteriously transported into the Arc-V anime, he must go through the world's storyline with the help of his new friends and his Timestream and Parally Decks."
- Comments: Manages to avoid the common pitfalls of self-insert fics, as well as fleshing out many original characters, adding new legacy characters and plotlines. As opposed to just throwing an Author Avatar into a rehash of the anime, new plots are added, the new legacy are characters are well developed and some elements left alone in the anime are explored in great depth.
Voice of Freedom by CorinnetheAnime
- Recommended by: Sanokal
- Status: Dormant (last updated November 2017)
- Synopsis: "We are not fighting Academia itself; rather, we are fighting their belief, their purpose to unite the dimensions into one and their brutal ways to do so. I don't consider Fusion Summoning to be superior nor inferior to the others. However, Academia has made it impossible for people to think that way, and it's very hard to find a voice of freedom against such a tyrannical force." An AU story that has the Lancers (including Jack, Serena and Shinji) traveling to the Fusion Dimension following the conclusion of the Synchro season, where they encounter the Freedom Fighters, a resistance against Academia.
- Comments: The major points in favour for this fic are the characters and opportunities (for example, Shinji and the new characters) which include alternate versions of certain characters from GX. It's also easily one of the better AU fics out there.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Reality's Curtain by Master of Anime224
- Recommended by: setay96
- Status: Dormant (last updated October 2017)
- Synopsis: "The city of Nishihama, Japan. A young duelist named Matsuda Yukaro has his life turned upside down by the appearance of a strange woman, an off-putting classmate and a shady group whose goal he cannot begin to guess at. But as he tries to unravel the mysteries surrounding these things, he discovers that his curiosity may unravel reality itself..." an OC-centric mystery fic following Ordinary High-School Student Matsuda Yukaro after he is embroiled in a series of events that make no sense.
- Comments: Combines a Jigsaw Puzzle Plot with a heavily cynical tone, and does it well, showing the darker underbelly of the dueling world. It is crisply written with ample world-building and character development, and a gripping plot line slowly releasing information as the story deepens.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Mark of Death by ThatLoneAvenger
- Recommended by: setay96
- Status: Dead; last updated March 2020
- Synopsis: "An all-original story: Mike Harper returns to his home city of County Dame, hoping to return to a life of normalcy after having spent two hellish years out in the desert. But how can he hope to escape his past when it somehow keeps finding its way back to him...?" an OC-centric fic following Mike Harper on his return home from a warzone.
- Comments: A dark tone for a Yu-Gi-Oh! story, and incredibly realistic. The integration of flashbacks and the characterisation of Mike, essentially a war veteran, are both an incredibly plus for the story.
Infinitas by MYuzuki. Also available on ffnet under the name LinariteLavanya.
- Recommended by: Midnight Wolf.
- Status: Dormant (last updated September 2017)
- Synopsis: The Null Dimension is not like the others. In this world, Duel Monsters didn't become popular, and the holographic technology that would have enhanced the game was seized by the military for reasons unknown. That wouldn't have been a problem, except for the fact that now the residents of another dimension are attacking them with monsters made real by Solid Vision, and the only ones capable of fighting back are the resistance group Infinitas, led by a young woman named Scarlett and her trusted circle of friends. But as they're sucked into an inter-dimensional war that exceeds anyone's expectations, will they find a way to protect those they cherish most? Or will they shatter under the pressure, and succumb to Academia's might?
- Pairing(s): Some implied Yuto/Ruri and Yugo/Rin, but currently the only other couple is an OC/OC pairing.
- Tags: Features OCs (original characters). Alternate Universe, canon divergence.
Moonlight Sorrow, by Nox Descious
- Recommended by: Scistorm.
- Status: Dormant (last updated November 2017)
- Synopsis: "There was no parasite. Selena betrayed the Lancers and captured Yuzu by her own free will. If only they knew why Selena would forsake her honor so willingly. If only they knew that Selena was breaking their trust to save the soul of another... (Selena x Yuri)."
- Pairing(s): As the synopsis implies, the main pairing is Selena x Yuri. There's also moments of Yuya x Yuzu, Yuto x Ruri, and Yugo x Rin.
- Comments: It's an AU fic where the Brainwashed and Crazy plot in mid-season 3 never happened. Instead, Selena made a voluntary Face–Heel Turn in an attempt to reach out to former childhood friend Yuri. Like Nox's other fic The Ice Queen Cometh!, Moonlight Sorrow skillfully combines well-written character moments with excellent full-length Duels. Definitely worth a read for any Arc-V fans dissatisfied with the Demoted to Extra treatment the female characters suffered or with Yuri's lack of backstory.
Yu-Gi-Oh Arc V: Bonds of Pendulum, Presage of Malevolence, and The Last Supreme King Dragon by Frost190
- Recommended by: Dharaknoid 222
- Status:
- Bonds of Pendulum: Complete
- Presage of Malevolence: Complete
- The Last Supreme King Dragon: Ongoing
- Synopsis:
- Bonds of Pendulum: "They were born in different dimensions. They have their own lives and memories. But yet, they are tied by bonds they didn't even know exists and soon are brought together by their past that refuses to stay where it belongs that will lead them to two choices: Peace or Destruction. An alternate retelling of the anime series starting from Episode 86."
- Presage of Malevolence: "A year has passed, Leo Corporation excavates a lost civilization that opens the path for new enemies from different dimensions to attack. Yuya and his friends go to the new dimension, and plunge themselves into a new war against a far darker and sinister force that are connected to them and the four dragons more than they expected."
- The Last Supreme King Dragon: "Yuya and his friends discover a clue of a certain existence that they realize necessary for their final battle against Dragon of Calamity. Thus, they begin their search and determine to find it before tragedy strike one of their own."
- Comments: This retelling of Arc-V from the second half of the Synchro Arc onwards, manages to create a far more compelling story, which clears up a lot of the problems that the anime, unfortunately, stumbled into. It makes the Bracelet Girls much more relevant characters and gives other key secondary characters such as Sawatari a chance to properly shine, along with a better handling of the returning characters such as Edo and Asuka.
- Now with tropes page!
Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc V: Pendulum's Fifth Swing by SkyRig
- Recommended by WorstOtakuEver
- Status: Dormant; last updated January 2021
- Synopsis: One day, Yuya and Yuzu discover a boy, unconscious in the park. Strangely, the boy has the same face as Yuya. When he awakens, he reveals he remembers nothing. Only his name: "Zarc."
- Comments: The summary says it all, even if it does serve as a Late-Arrival Spoiler for people who aren't close to the end of Arc V yet. The author also portrays Zarc in a similar manner to Yuya, struggling between a deep-rooted desire to utterly destroy his opponent, but yearn for the Entertainment Dueling Yuya demonstrates. It's tense, and its very beautiful.
- TV Tropes Page
Arc-V Aftermath by real-life-pine-tree
- Recommended by THiNCRUST
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: When all is said and done, things have quickly recovered in the four dimensions. But when weird things start happening, the Yu-Salad Boys and the Bracelet Girls quickly realize they have some loose ends to fix.
- Comments: To say this was needed to wash down the mess that was Arc-V's ending is an understatement considering the consequences of the grim fate of every Yu-Salad boy and Bracelet Girl that did not appear in the first episode proper. On top of exploring the personality and characterization of our eight leads, it dives deep into the functionalities of their universe. Highly recommended for those turned off by crumby ending brought about by Gallop's shortcomings
Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V: The Fifth Factor by dvdryms (AO3 link here)
- Recommended by blanche4855 and GarthSerca
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A young duelist with a troubled past arrives at Maiami city in order to participate in the Maiami Championship, but soon finds himself embroiled in incidents exceeding his wildest imaginations. With the prospect of an all-out war between dimensions, will this young man prove himself to be a dependable ally in the coming conflict…or a harbinger of disaster?''
- Pairing(s): OC x Serena, along with a little bit of Yuya x Yuzu.
- Comments: Most definitely one of the best Arc-V fanfictions out there, along with one of the best OC fics. The story is basically a retelling of Arc-V (with the inclusion of an additional OC character who is connected to Yuya and the rest of his counterparts) that doesn't simply follow the plot, but also adds new events along with offering convincing explanations for several points that the show didn't touch upon. The legacy characters are handled much better and play a much bigger role, the Arc-V cast members get their own character development as well throughout the story and the OC seamlessly blends in with the rest of the cast. The Duels are also very well written with plenty of original cards that greatly expand upon already known Decks. Definitely, a must-read for both Arc-V fans and those who enjoy good quality stories in general.
- Now with a trope page!
Kingdom From the Ashes, Rise by Azure_Witch13 and Green Phantom Queen
- Recommended by: Camilla
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: "In the duel between Yuto and Yugo, Yuya was desperate to stop them from fighting. It hurt, it hurt to see them doing so...Hands of Darkness suddenly wrap their arms around him, and golden eyes replace red ones. Father is back."
- Comments: Starting from Episode 37, Zarc arrives early and is shown to be quite a caring father yet still a dark and sinister force to be reckoned with. Much more interesting interactions are shown, many side characters get a massive role (in particular Rin and Ruri) and the Akabas get told off like they deserved. For those who want a blend of many types of AUs (Daddy Zarc, Yu-boys together instead of tearing each other's throats, Bracelet Girls getting characterization) then check it out.
- Now with a trope page.
Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V: The Fifth Circuit, by scififan599
- Recommended by: DinoCam1795
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: To Yuji, Den City is his home. Fighting to protect it as Kingmaker, he ends up pulled into a war between dimensions alongside the Lancers. Follow alongside him and his comrades Hanako Zaizen and Go Onizuka as they navigate the dimensions and do their best to restore peace to their world and others. Currently at the Synchro Arc.
- Comments: A pretty interesting read for anyone wondering how Link Summoning could affect ARC-V’s story. Unlike in canon, more characters from the other series appear, including Dr. Byron Arclight (Vetrix), Aki Izayoi, etc.
- Now with a trope page.
- Recommended by GarthSerca
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: When you get reincarnated in another world where the main entertainment and also the source of all human suffering is a card game, what do you do? Why sell them of course! DP is needed to actually buy food after all, and what better way to use the shop system than to sell them on retail in a much higher price? Because that's exactly what she's doing!
- Now with a trope page
"Zero Hour'' by Azure-witch13
- Recommended by Darkknight55]
- Synopsis: Arc-V AU. On the way back to You Show Yuzu Hiragi was attacked by a boy with the same face as her best friend Yuya. As the monstruous dragon Starving Venom was ready to strike her, everything around Yuzu went dark, and she is in a an empty void with three other girls and an older woman with the same face as hers. What did any of that mean? And what was gonna happen to all of them?
- Comments: A very gripping ride that'll have you hooked from Chapter 1. Includes characters from all of the first 5 series, and twists that will have you coming back for more.
- With a trope page
Crossover Fics
- Crossover with: Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS
- Recommended by: Scifi73
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A year has passed since Ai was defeated by Playmaker and no trace of the Hero of Link VRAINS, however, a new threat emerges from outside this dimension revealing to be the Demon Duelist revived. With new power and a new host to control with no regards, Zarc is unstoppable. Aoi and her allies fight the threat while Yuya and the Lancers learned of Zarc's return. Will our heroes win?
- Comments: An AU of what if Z-ARC managed to escape to the Link Dimension after VRAINS' ending. Anyone who wishes for a continuation/crossover movie for Arc-V and VRAINS will definitely find a lot to like here. With a new Link Dimension counterpart to Yuya and Yuzu, this fic also develops Post Arc-V Yuya as a much more mature duelist and also gives closure to Yusaku himself after VRAINS' ending. In addition, the duels are integrated with both Pendulum and Link Summoning and they flow seamlessly.
