#this got long...

I want to start by saying my introduction to Sho/Syrus was overwhelmingly positive. I first got to watch a few episodes of GX that involved the DM references, mostly that one fake Puzzle guy episode parter, but I haven't gotten into GX at the time.

My real exposure to Sho was this AMV (original got taken down by yt, curse you yt), and since I had no idea of the later GX setting, I was overwhelmingly excited. He looked a lot like Yugi, and had the fire to fight back, to continue the duel in his brother's stead. Out of context, very great experience. I STILL love this AMV, yeah I know it's mostly just the episodes sped up, but overall, great introduction to Sho. It made me excited to see what his character journey will be like, how will he get to this point?

(Plus the AMV makes it seem like he picked up the duel that same night when it's not actually the case)

Thanks to this AMV, I even did a screenshot redraw with Yugi back then, but this is all I could get from a old stream.

Now... When I got to watching GX, I did watch the dub, then later the sub. Since that was years ago, and since I'm also doing a rewatch currently (of the sub), my points will probably not be nearly as detailed as I wish they were.

I understood that Sho was a young teen, 12, I've seen characters that were 12, my favorite childhood anime has the main character/cast at that age. I've also remembered what being 12 was like. I can admit I was a lot like Sho, where I'd be scared and anxious of a lot of things, maybe even of confrontation. I understood he's scared and insecure because he's young, he's entering a new stage in his life and he's unsure of who he is.

But over the course of the story, Sho... seems to remain relatively the same. A constant in a story ever changing. I understand the issue that the show is centered a lot around Judai, but there are more issues writing wise that I feel slowly pile up to culminate in the dark world incident.

That's what I like to call the "Yugi treatment". If you look at DM, either sub or dub, you see that Yugi is often sidelined for Yami/Atem. The anime butchered Yugi's ENTIRE Dungeon Dice Monsters arc from the manga, which was HIS alone, to have Yami face Otogi/Duke. Yugi gets the short stick in the anime with the duel against a brainwashed Keith so he can get the Rebuild The Puzzle In The Fire scene, which comes at the end of the DDM arc. (Though he had some decent development in that duel like 'I'll make a miracle happen' hello king you dropped this??? 👑)

(I respect Dan Green's suggestion that made the cut to have Yugi's voice be the inner dialogue in dub s1 while he transformed into Yami. It plays into the codependency really well without even intending to, where Yugi uses Yami like a shield for his own insecurities, while also giving Yugi a more active role in the story.)

Sho is given a very similar treatment, imo, where he's pushed aside a lot and the writers clearly didn't want a Yugi 2.0 development wise bc Yugi's right there. That and at the time, at least with the English audience, Yugi was more of a uwu-fied version of himself. Fans used to (some still do) see him as all innocent, unknowing, helpless and even right down annoying with his obvious self esteem issues, though his were more subtle and never the way Sho's show up constantly and loudly. Sho is pretty much that version of Yugi.

That also would explain why people dislike him that much (no matter whether the dub or sub), Yugi used to get a lot of haters back in the day from what I remember (anyone who knows better can correct me if I'm wrong), for that exact reason.

(Mokuba is given a similar treatment by the show and the audience, but he and Kaiba still get some more focus in the Noah arc. Mokuba tries to poison Yugi in the manga, like, this guy isn't all that innocent. I do love him in DSOD, though his screentime is limited)

There's the matter of the dorm duels, so Sho can advance to Ra yellow, for example. The fact that he duels a girl doesn't actually prove he has the skill needed, simply because the GX narrative itself tells us that all girls are in Obelisk Blue because there are no separate dorms in the other ranks. This instantly feels like a low-blow for Sho's character, especially from a dueling stand-point. How can we know this duelist had the skill needed so Sho can prove himself?

From a narrative standpoint, almost any one of the girls in Obelisk Blue fall in the category of: could be there simply because of the separate dorms. We've seen Asuka duel so far. A suggestion/idea would be if one of the girls she hangs out with got a duel of her own, THEN dueled Sho. That way, we could see how competent she is, and how much Sho has improved, even if not completely. It also would make sense that Asuka is sticking with peers similar in strength to her, in the never old "show don't tell" rule.

I can't comment on the one-episode duelist opponents because GX has episodic opponents, almost like a cartoon with episodic plots, which is a interesting detail...

Then there's the duel with the Paradox brothers. Previously, he and Judai test-duel, and first, if Ryo/Zane (I'll use his eng name, easier to remember and not confuse with Ryou) deemed him unworthy of playing Power Bond, WHY does he have Power Bond anyway? Why do you keep holding onto it, just to make yourself miserable? (that might be the point, but Zane could've just... taken the card and not given it to him back)

Because of his low self-esteem, Sho feels he's a burden, he can't play, He's useless. I understand that feeling all too well, been there. But him giving up every step of the way in the Paradox duel after? Constantly? Sho not only self-depricated, he was unable to find anything within himself to see fighting back worth it. It was hard to watch (I got past this in the rewatch)

I did like that Judai kept trying to lift up his spirits, but from personal experience, Sho had to lift himself up too, show that there's a conflict within him, but a conflict he can get a handle on, where before the duel he couldn't. That would've been very cool, and well, the end was kind of that. I just wish it was a little more and it stuck in the long run more often. I'll get to that a bit later.

Sho learns why Zane did what he did, and from what I've noticed as I paid attention to his reactions, Sho is somewhere in the middle. He can react accordingly to some duels, where he's thinking about the moves and Judai and all, then there are the times he's back to his old self, and thinking Judai will lose, or that all hope is lost. Growth looks like that, so I don't mind it... in the first season.

Now... I know I mentioned that Sho isn't abusive, only ignorant. This is because I feel... Sho is not a good friend. Sho isn't a bad character per se, but he, to me at least, doesn't seem like a good friend. Which, if him not being meant to be the best-friend type of character, it kind of says a lot. Unfortunately, that's really the type of character I dislike a lot, so I will say I won't change my opinion, but I will give some positive commentary too. I only got around the Sho promotion to Ra Yellow episode in my rewatch so far, so from there on is mostly the things I remember.

Sho is very set on being Judai's "Aniki", and that I feel draws him back a lot. We've seen a codependent relationship we can already base a comparison on (Yugi giving Yami all his memories? As sweet as it was, Yugi wanted to keep Yami to himself out of a fear of being abandoned/losing him. Yugi setting Yami up for a date with Anzu and dressing himself the way HE would go on a date with Anzu, rather than what Yami would like to wear? Yugi trying to live through Yami rather than letting him make that call himself. Many such cases, Puzzle boys are a double-edged sword and I love them for it)

The issue wouldn't be that Sho is trying to live as the little brother through Judai, because he can't with Zane yet. The issue is that that's almost exclusively what he's doing when it comes to Judai, whether he's present or not. Instead of thinking of checking in with Judai when he couldn't see the cards and isolated himself, he spent the time watching a duel and then agonized over not finding Judai. Instead of say, trying to bond with others such as Misawa and Benkei more, to the level of Judai, Sho actively rejects others in favor of Judai, one way or another. (there is a weird dynamic with Manjome/Chazz iirc, but idk how far that goes)

At the very start, Judai wasn't even comfortable with Sho calling him "Aniki", but Sho didn't stop regardless, Judai didn't pose any such request since.

And when Judai is missing, well... It seems almost... excessive that he keeps acting like Judai died, or how he STILL keeps that debate of him being his "Aniki". If Sho truly cared about the person and not the "aniki" he wants, maybe he could've just... said "hey, can we focus on finding clues about Judai? I dont care which one of us is the aniki" or something. Something to show he actually cares about the person behind his own expectations of him. A moment of personal growth, that could've tied in with the whole "respect your opponent" subplot very nicely, in my opinion.

(from Cide's watch-through, seeing Sho get scared and run off at the last second before Judai emerges really, really emphasizes that his growth is...not very great. It feels like not a lot has changed since the Paradox duel)

All of this can and may be coming from simply ignorance. Sho is so caught up with himself, and with his image of Judai, that he can't be the friend he should be.

There's also the matter of the promotion to Ra Yellow, where Judai refused his own promotion, but until he did, Sho was all upset about it. When Sho gets the chance to advance, he takes it without a second thought. I only bring this up because there's another character that had a promotion: Misawa. He too refused to advance to Obelisk Blue, just like Judai. There's a big contrast between Misawa, who has been impressed by Judai but ultimately wants to see his actual potential (at least until they butcher his character completely), and Sho, who is almost enamored with Judai, but can't actually see the person as he is.

Do I understand GX has a way of subverting the expectations of watchers? Absolutely. Do I think that Sho could've been handled much, much better? Unfortunately, yes.

Now I want to talk about the dark world scene where Sho is under the control of whatever spell that was. I know some people like it, and I'm happy for them, but to me it feels... like a betrayal. Which I supposed it's the case because it's GX.

Judai has ran himself dry with jumping into danger to find Jesse iirc, and eventually he wants to go to the dark world alone. His friends choose to go with him.

It feels like a slap in the face to tell him that it's all his fault when they made that choice, and that was the moment I could not overlook, especially for Sho.

Sho, who is supposed to be Judai's "aniki", Sho, who has dueled Zane at his worst and supposedly learned respect, while Zane discarded the very notion. Sho, who is put in the best friend role, the side kick, from season 1 (until Jesse came along I guess?).

Sho goes and tells him Judai doesn't care about anyone. Judai is selfish. He admits to have put Judai on a pedestal, then says he was wrong and Judai was none of that. Judai, before all this, before season 3, has been nothing but helpful. Yes, he stole some shrimps of Sho's in s1, but he didn't put him through a electric shock duel like someone else did or worse, I don't believe? Do I understand Judai acted reckless in s3? Yes.

Do I think this scene could've been better for Sho's character development? Absolutely! Let's run through the whats and whys!

Before we do, I want to bring up a few DM examples, manga and anime. Especially if people would argue that this is Sho's first friendship and he tries navigating it so far.

Honda in the manga doesn't actually look at Yugi as a friend once Jounouchi befriends him. He sticks around because of Joey, but Yugi has yet to prove himself to Honda to be someone he can see as a friend (and Jounouchi came from a gang and a abusive father so...) Once the events of Honda confessing his love to (Miho in Toei anime) random girl in the manga I forgot occur, Honda is not only willing to trust Yugi, he lets him in on Jounouchi's past with the gang later on.

In the duel against Pegasus, Yugi's friends all try to reach him, and in the anime, Honda even attempts to run through the barrier. (In the manga we are shown towards the end that his friends' spirits have protected him even in the shadow game)

In Battle City, we have mind-controlled Joey. By a Millennium Item, no less, and how Yugi relentlessly believes in him until Jounouchi has enough strength to break the mind control himself, showing not only character development in his own self-esteem and how stronger he's become, but also loyalty. (Not to mention, all Yugi's friends are loyal to him, and Yugi, to them. That's Yugi's core after all: Friends whom I can rely on and who can rely on me.)

In season 4, while Yugi is harsh with the Pharaoh, he comes from a place of true empathy, which isn't what every person thinks its all good and necessary. Empathy is painful, and it can be very annoying at times. Yet Yugi understood his opponents and took that pain as his own, then taught the Pharaoh how to face his own insecurity. At the end it's obvious it was a tough act, and he believes in him, gives him hope that he will always be with him.

Also in season 4 we have the duel VS Dartz. This is so important. In this duel, Dartz brings back the souls of Yugi, Mai, Jounouchi and Pegasus. What's striking about this is when Yugi is ordered to attack, even as only a puppet, refuses to. Struggles against his own hand.

Then we have Joey and Mai, who protect one another with their shields. Even when under Dartz's control, they still refuse to betray one another.

And that brings me to the Sho scene. Why couldn't Sho show, quite literally, how much progress he's been doing? Why can't he prove he's Judai's "aniki"? Why can't Sho be the literal mountain standing between Judai and the Supreme King? Even if temporarily, why isn't Sho allowed to progress and evolve, and instead regresses? For every one step of progress he makes, it feels like he takes three steps backwards each time, and it's so sad to see.

My idea would be: have Sho resist the spell that amplifies the emotions. (which is exactly the same thing the Seal of Orichalchos did, may I add?) Show him reassure Judai or be ready by his side to battle, even if it means his very life is on the line. Even if Sho were to die in the duel, have him prove that he trusts Judai, not in his decisions but as his friend.

By resisting the spell, Sho not only delays the coming of the Supreme King, but defies all odds that he was meant to succumb to. It shows his defiant nature, where he can grow into his own, show that even though he struggles with his self-worth, self esteem, he has the will to overcome that, has the will to become the person he wants to be, someone strong enough to save his brother and someone worthy of being Judai's "aniki". Someone who will try his hardest to stand by Judai in this dark hour.

Yes, it would only be temporary, but that window? Sho has grown far more than Judai ever imagined, or the audience. And that would motivate Judai until he loses Sho, too. It would make the awakening of the Supreme King all the more painful and unforgiving. Cause and effect.

We know Sho is very snarky and bitchy, so why not channel that productively as he's literally aging with each season? Have that channeled into defiance, which would also explain WHY he had Power Bond in s1, WHY he clung to wanting to prove himself. He's defying his older brother to prove he's worthy of that card! That would be huge, taking the card from Zane without him knowing, and then attempting to use it, being drawn back by anxiety, THEN finally using it in the Paradox duel or some duel later after that (like in s4!).

And THAT defiance would be channeled here too. Maybe Sho doesn't agree with Judai's way. He doesn't have to. He can criticize him later, or before if he so chose, but have him stick with Judai in defiance of all odds. Have him show that Judai can rely on others with his dying breath, instead of ripping into him because Judai doesn't meet his own image of Judai. That defiance can come back later, too, in many ways!

In the end, none of that happened, and then sometime in s4, Sho is in Obelisk Blue. There isn't... a lot of linear progress for him, it kinda just happens from what I remember. I will have to get there, so I can't comment more here.

While Yugi had similar problems, he always has been shown to have a internal struggle of "What am I thinking, I'm so selfish", whenever he'd want others to suffer in his stead (thinking of the manga here with the whole selling concert tickets plot and s0 with Anzu being interested in someone else and him proving the trick of the guy with the occult), while he constantly chooses to sacrifice himself or to make the right thing.

This is the case in a puzzleshipping context too, where after the fire, and at the start of Battle City, Yugi realizes he has to grow stronger because he relies too much on Yami. When posed with their separation, Yugi doesn't hesitate anymore and chooses to help Yami find his memories because "there are just some things you have to do".

featuring: olivia walton joseph brown, walton family lawyer officer contreras agent choi

Arriving where the interrogations were taking place never got easier but at least this time she wasn't alone. Not her company of choice, but her father had made it clear: no more interrogations alone, family lawyer present always. And so it was. Olivia stood waiting in high heels and a modest dress. She had been briefed a long time ago in PR moves that helped with perception -- especially around cops. Hair was down, make up simple; thank goodness her nails were done or she wouldn't have been able to fight the new and unknown urge to pick at her cuticles.

The first round of questioning was different -- no one had been expelled, nothing had been leaked. The pressure was rising and now everyone could feel it. Olivia was perfect at playing it cool but shit was going down now...

"Stop fidgeting," Mr. Brown, the family lawyer, ordered in a whisper.

Seconds later a door opened and a deep voice spoke, "You can come now Miss Walton."

Walking first into the room she was able to take everything in while the others adjusted to what was going to be unfolding. Should be procedure, right? Standard. She noticed the men in the room fixing their postures when Brown walked in after Olivia. Pissing contest much? But Brown wasn't there to answer or speak. He was a figure of intimidation but also to save Olivia from falling into any traps.

"Glad you could join us Miss Walton and...?" the first officer started, his appearance tall, serious, brown hair and a mustache-- officer Contreras. Olivia recognized him because he was certainly attractive.

"Joseph Brown, Walton family lawyer. Proceed as you normally would."

"Right," Contreras said, not very keen on the comment Brown made. "Let's begin shall we?"

"So we have no record of your own video, we're guessing you didn't make one... Were you aware that Greer Morrison had submitted a video at the end of last year though?” 

"We lived together but we weren't exactly super close. Never saw her recording anything in our dorm." “Had you ever heard of anything regarding THE NAIVE NEWCOMER using steroids?” 

It was almost impossible for Olivia to hide the wave of relief that washed over her. Maybe she should have been paying closer attention to all the people that spent time with Greer in their dorm. "No, I hadn't heard anything about that for them. So sad though, I'm sure they had a bright future ahead of them."

The cops didn't look convinced but continued, “Had Greer brought up breaking up with him ever? Or anything of the sort, like she did in her video?” 

She wasn't about to mention all the time he spent in the dorm and how then it suddenly.... stopped. Olivia bit her lip but answered without a lot of hesitation, "She didn't bring it up at all. I was surprised to hear that from her. It looked like they were solid. There might be someone who knows though... Mari Zuko."

The other agent scribbled something down in their pad but Contreras was not buying it. "You both spent all this time together, lived together, hung out together and she never once mentioned to you breaking up with her boyfriend?" he doubled down, his mouth stern.

"No," she said simply.

Contreras scoffed, seemingly exasperated and now the other officer took over. His name she believed was Choi. “Do you have any reason to believe THE GOLDEN GIRL would want to leave Ogden College?” 

Perhaps this was the question she could finally use to get these interrogations to stop.

"Greer could have whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Leaving, coming back, starting over, picking up exactly where she left off -- its a privilege she had -- has. Why wouldn't she do it?"

Agent Choi asked another question and Olivia was a bit relieved. Contreras was steamy in a way she did not like anymore. "Some other students have brought up your relationship with Greer. Why do you think they thought it was relevant?"

That question did bother Olivia. What the hell did other people even know about Greer and her? She had purposely kept a low profile on everything about them. "Perhaps because we were literal roommates?"

"Why don't you elaborate on what that relationship was?" Choi pressed.

"We are 100% sure this is something Miss Walton has answered before," Brown interjected. "Check your records, do your work."

The officers did not like that and while Contreras was beginning to speak up, Choi put a hand up to ease the tension. "It is our job to make sure all the information aligns correctly to everything we've gathered. Miss Walton, please answer."

"We did some things together, had some friends in common, slept in the same room, went out to a couple of parties. We've known each other since back home -- New York isn't that big."

"Were you aware of Greer planning to travel to Portugal this summer?"

"If I didn't know about her break up, why would I know about her travel plans?"

Now the room fell silent. The atmosphere didn't feel right and for the first time since that time Olivia felt like she might throw up.

"Is there anything you know that you’re not sharing?"

"No."