Like the manga, this series is centered on Yugi Mutou, who becomes host to an ancient gambling spirit after solving the Millennium Puzzle.

This series loosely adapts the first 59 chapters of the manga while adding several original events and characters; fans commonly refer to it as "Season 0" to distinguish it from the later Yu-Gi-Oh!

[1] The series was broadcast on TV Asahi from April 4, 1998 to October 10, 1998 and was followed by a theatrical short film released on March 6, 1999.

[1] Timothy Donohoo of Comic Book Resources characterized the series as "noticeably darker" compared to other Yu-Gi-Oh!

Laura Thornton, also of CBR, described the art style as "extremely saturated and bright" although background imagery has a "notably muted palette with dull colors".