The digital cinema developer and distributor Cinedigm screened the film in selected stereoscopic 3D theaters in the United States.
As Yusei Fudo ponders the state of New Domino City, Jack Atlas and Crow Hogan cheer him up with the idea of riding on their Duel Runners.
In the past, Jaden Yuki is attacked by evil versions of stolen monster cards in Venice, including Stardust Dragon.
Years earlier, Maximillion Pegasus is hosting a duel tournament in Domino City, which Yugi Muto is attending with his grandfather Solomon.
Yusei and Jaden arrive, and the Crimson Dragon transports them and Yugi 30 minutes back in time before Paradox's attack, in order to stop him, as Pegasus' premature death would drastically alter the course of history.
After learning about Paradox's actions, Yugi decides to join them, eventually letting his ancient alter ego Yami take over.
The trio then confronts Paradox, who reveals that he comes from a dystopian future far beyond Yusei's in which the world lies in ruins and nothingness, and claims that the only way to fix it is to eliminate Duel Monsters from history.
Bonds Beyond Time was first announced through Shueisha's magazines as a short film to be screened at the Jump Super Anime Tour to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Yu-Gi-Oh!
[7] The film was released in Japan on January 23, 2010; those who attended the premiere receiving a promotional Malefic Red Eyes Black Dragon card.
[9][10] Bonds Beyond Time was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on June 15, 2011 by a partnership between King Records, Marvelous Entertainment, and Pony Canyon.
[8] During 4Kids Entertainment's quarterly conference call in March 2010, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alfred Khan said they are "participating in a brand new Yu-Gi-Oh!
[18] A 20-minute preview for the English version of the film was shown at San Diego Comic Con 2010,[19] and an American release date in early 2011 in select 3-D theaters was announced.
trading card game, the anime's voice actors, a costume contest, and benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.
Bonds Beyond Time debuted at number six in the Japanese box office charts, earning over US$1 million in its first week from around 124 theaters.
[34] Andy Haley from UK Anime Network praised the English version and stated it is "arguably preferable even to the original Japanese audio".
Haley praised the film "for keeping its focus and plot progression impeccable tight", which made it "an intense, non-stop experience".
However, Haley said the film was created to increase the sale of cards; he commented it has "plot holes that even kids will see through as it serves only to bring its three characters together at one time and nothing more".
[27] Writing for The Guardian, Phelim O'Neill affirmed it has "a very limited style of animation" and that it may be exciting for children but for anyone over ten, "it'll be hard to see this as anything other than a shouty, tacky advert for things you'll never buy".
[36] Bridget Fox, writing for Neo, also said it is "not for non-fans" but that it is good entertainment with "its frenetic pace, the capable animation, and its refusal to overcomplicate matters".