Yu-Gi-Oh! Revisits 12 Legendary Duels in New 30th Anniversary Special JUMP Issue
Image by James RichardsonYu-Gi-Oh! is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Kazuki Takahashi’s original manga with a special new Jump publication featuring some of the series’ greatest duels.
The new “Yu-Gi-Oh! Jump” brings together 12 memorable battles from the original manga, while also giving readers the opportunity to obtain a special three-card “LEGENDARY DUEL SELECTION” pack featuring a brand-new version of Buster Blader.
Originally beginning serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1996, Yu-Gi-Oh! followed Yugi Muto and his connection to an ancient Egyptian spirit awakened through the Millennium Puzzle, eventually developing into the hugely successful Duel Monsters franchise.
The original manga introduced many of the characters and monsters that would become synonymous with the series, including Seto Kaiba’s Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Yugi’s Dark Magician and the legendary Egyptian Gods.
The anniversary celebrations have already seen Konami announce a new Seto Kaiba-themed OCG booster set featuring updated versions of his signature monsters, alongside the return of Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions to cinemas for the film’s own 10th anniversary.
Image by James RichardsonThe new magazine revisits the franchise’s earliest years by collecting 12 duels originally illustrated by Takahashi, presenting them in a larger format matching the size of the original Weekly Shonen Jump publication.
Its cover features Yugi Muto and Seto Kaiba standing back-to-back, celebrating their legendary rivalry alongside artwork promoting the manga’s 30-year history.
A major attraction for collectors is the accompanying “LEGENDARY DUEL SELECTION” promotion, which allows purchasers to apply for a special OCG card pack containing three predetermined cards with premium finishes.
The included cards are:
- Buster Blader, the One Who Surpasses the Limits
A brand-new Level 8 EARTH Warrior Effect Monster with 2,600 ATK and 2,300 DEF, presented in a Prismatic Secret Rare finish with an illustration inspired by Yugi’s confrontation with Marik during the Battle City arc.
The card can Special Summon itself from the hand or Graveyard by discarding a Spell Card, gains additional Attack Points based on the number of opposing monsters in Attack Position and can take control of monsters it destroys in battle.
- De-Fusion
The classic Quick-Play Spell Card returns in a special Secret Rare finish, recreating one of the original manga’s most memorable tactical cards used to separate Fusion Monsters back into their component monsters.
- Enemy Controller
Seto Kaiba’s iconic Spell Card also receives a Secret Rare treatment, bringing back the card known for changing opponents’ monster positions and temporarily taking control of their monsters.
The new Buster Blader’s artwork is especially fitting for the anniversary, referencing the character’s confrontation with Slifer the Sky Dragon and Revival Jam during Yugi’s battle against Marik.
Purchasers of the physical magazine will also receive a special “Memories of Battle” sticker sheet featuring artwork from the original series, although this bonus is not included with digital editions.
“Yu-Gi-Oh! Jump” is available in Japan from November 13, 2026, priced at ¥990 (approximately $6 USD / £5 GBP), with the “LEGENDARY DUEL SELECTION” pack available separately through a special application service costing ¥700 (approximately $4 USD / £3 GBP), including shipping and handling.
Applications for the card pack will remain open until December 23, 2026, with both physical copies and digital editions purchased through Zebrack or Kindle eligible, although digital buyers must obtain their application codes by December 14.
Full participation details are available through the official Yu-Gi-Oh! website, with no international Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG release currently confirmed for the new Buster Blader card.
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