i do love playing in this little neighborhood @lilsimsie built!

So, now that I’ve finished Cardfight!! Vanguard (at least the first series) I can give my thoughts.

The short version, I liked it. It’s actually really good, better than what I was expecting. And you should absolutely check it out(so consider this also like, a rec post as well).

So, what’s it about?

Well obviously, it’s a card game anime(it’s right in the name), but don’t be fooled, it’s not like Yu-Gi-Oh! It’s to Yu-Gi-Oh! what Digimon is to Pokémon, similar sounding in name but not much more.

Nor would I say it’s a ‘rip off’(no more than Digimon is to Pokemon). Duel Monsters and Cardfight both use cards, and that’s about the only thing they have in common. Once you see the game portion in action you can see the differences between it and Duel Monsters.

Also, do you get tired of 3, 4 or more episode long fights? Or tournaments that show every. single. fight. Even if only the outcome matters(or worse ye, it doesn’t matter)? Well, fights don’t normally exceed 2 episodes and for the most part*, it tends to skim over non plot important fights during tournaments, sometimes covering several in one episode. The fights are much faster paced and take up far less time.

It’s 4 seasons long, with each season leading into the next one, with events from the previous season often affecting what happens in the next one(season 2 introduces an antagonist that becomes the main villain of season 3, while evens in season 3 lead right into the events of season 4).

Each season also has the obligatory ‘here’s how you play’ ep at the start, so you’ll figure t the game pretty fast. And even if you don’t it’s still enjoyable to watch.

Each season in a spoiler free nutshell-

Season 1- Protagonist is introduced to Vanguard and wants to beat rival. Things go south about half way through when the plot hits. Also the ‘meet the cast’ season where most of the characters you’ll be familiar with are introduced. 65 Eps.

Season 2(Asia Circuit)- The long tournament arc with a bunch of mini tournaments. Protag must unravel the mystery of the missing Vanguard clans in the process. 39 Eps

Season 3(Link Joker)- The first part is fun slice of life highschool type fun(plus new characters), the second part is like the Society of Light arc from Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, except, actually threatening. 59 Eps

Season 4(Legion Mate)- The after effects and repercussions of season 3 and the protagonist dealing with those(and once again making sure the world isn’t destroyed). Though there is a twist to this one that I won’t spoil ;) 33 Eps

Also, there is a movie, Neon Messiah, that takes place after season 4 and is kinda important if you plan on watching CFVG(the sequel series) after.

*The exception to this being season 2 which has multiple tournaments and, unfortunately, a great deal of filler episodes because of this. The rest of the seasons are good about this though.

Characters

This was honestly the first time I‘ve looked at a protagonist and gone ‘you are so relatable’. Because Aichi is. He’s shy and withdrawn with few friends (though part of this might stem from being bullied when he was younger), a stark contrast to the outgoing, cheerful protagonists with friends we usually get.

Also, Aichi is new to the game, rather than someone who already knows it, unlike basically every other protag in this genre(I mean the closest we had was Yuma, and he knew it, he just sucked at it).

It takes character roles you’re familiar with and, kind of flip them on their head.

Instead of the rival wanting to get stronger than the protagonist (I.e Kaiba and Yugi), it’s the other way around, Aichi wants to get stronger than Kai. At least until season 3.

And did I mention the female characters? Off the top of my head I can think of, at least 10 named female characters who show up throughout the course of 4 seasons AND are Cardfight players as well. 10! And for a while, the main female lead, Misaki, has more wins than the protagonist(and a character arc that does not revolve around the protag or even a boy, it’s all about her). And of course there are a few non players who show up(like Aichi’s mom).

I you like female characters who do things then, you’ll enjoy this a lot. They are AMAZING! (Take notes YGO)

And the character growth, oh man is it good. Some A+ stuff.

Final Thoughts

hello!! im so glad you enjoyed my recs 🤩🤩 I will do my best to keep the good tunes coming. my music taste has been all over the place lately so apologies in advance for the extreme variation of some of these 😅 ive also been going out a lot so some of these are very dance heavy , anyway here have been some of my favs lately:

HARDLY EVER SMILE(without you) - POiSON GiRL FRiEND, Fall In Love - Phantogram, Breathe In - Frou Frou, Lovegod - Sarah Kinsley, Just The Way You Are - Milky & Mall Grab, Say It - Maggie Rogers, On Ur Time - Natanya, break it even - Balming Tiger & Yaeji, I dreamt about you last night - Whys Young, USD - KID FRESINO & NENE, Aibo (feat. Bratty) - Yves

squeezing grapes by corduroy, softest place on earth by xscape, tell me, will we survive by pryvt, tegami by mei sommones, skin by dijon, buy my lies by crying city, leave it on the dance floor by hope tala and emulation (mode:totonee) by stargaze shelter. i really have a problem cause i can’t stop😭 anyways hope you have a nice day and good luck with writing! :) can’t wait for ur recsss!! (also thank you for introducing me to unflirt and orion sun truly life changing)

ahhhhh I always love ur recs!! u truly never miss pls recommend as many songs as u would like bc I will match u exactly every time 🫶🏼

...... that being said I truly lost my mind this time but here are all my recs: teenage blue - dreamgirl, odoriko - vaundy, love you so - Leonie biney, pretty bones - yeule, orange juice - between friends, someone else - deb never, love - Keyshia Cole, only - coemu, I will - mitski