Yu-Gi-Oh Might Be Lego’s Upcoming Anime Collaboration

Lego is inviting Yu-Gi-Oh enthusiasts to craft ideas for its first potential set inspired by the iconic card game anime. This initiative comes 30 years after the manga’s debut, giving Yu-Gi-Oh-loving millennials a chance to engage in duels with Lego bricks. The company is eyeing anime as a promising new avenue for its licensed brick collections.

The contest encourages fans to submit their concepts for a buildable set, but there are specific guidelines to follow. Suggested designs include models of beloved characters and their signature monsters, like Yugi with the Dark Magician or Kaiba with his Blue-Eyes White Dragon. Dioramas depicting memorable duels from the series or standalone monster builds are also welcome.

Lego is particularly interested in ideas drawn from the Battle City and Duelist Kingdom arcs of the original anime, so if you were considering a character from one of the newer series, you might want to rethink that. Each submission must consist of between 400 and 2000 pieces, as Lego is aiming for substantial builds.

While this is an exciting opportunity, it’s surprising that Lego hasn’t opted for a Millennium Puzzle set, given that Yugi constructs his iconic pyramid pendant like a Lego piece. Perhaps if this contest gains traction, Lego will explore additional Yu-Gi-Oh models, and that one seems like a no-brainer.

Focusing on the original series suggests that Lego is targeting older fans who grew up with the classic cards and characters, similar to how other collaborations have appealed to nostalgic audiences, like the Pokémon sets aimed at those with adult responsibilities.

These sets can be pricey and require a good deal of patience to assemble, offering a more intricate experience than the smaller kits typically marketed to kids. Submissions are open until March 10.