List of ''Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS'' characters

Main Characters

Yusaku Fujiki (藤木 遊作, Fujiki Yūsaku) / Playmaker (プレイメーカー, Pureimēkā)

Voiced by: Shōya Ishige (Japanese); Jake Paque (English)^[1]

He is the main protagonist of the series. He is a calm and intelligent 16-year-old high school student. He is secretly working as a hacker and prefers not to stand out in his environment or socializing with others for this reason. As Playmaker, he fought against the Knights of Hanoi to uncover the truth of his past. 10 years before the story, he was kidnapped along with 5 other children. He was imprisoned in a room where every day he was forced to Duel and must win if he wanted to get any nourishment. During those times, he was encouraged by someone who told him to think of 3 reasons to live, which made Yusaku to develop the habit to state 3 reasons behind his actions in the present day. He was rescued half a year later, but the incident deeply scars him and made him unable to forget. Wanting to put behind his past, Yusaku determines to uncover the truth behind his kidnapping. 3 months after he defeated Varis and saved Link VRAINS, he became a wanted man by SOL Technologies as Ai returns to his possession despite having freed him prior. Learning of Jin's stolen consciousness is connected to the destruction of Cyberse World, Yusaku determines to stop the war between humanity and Ignis. He uses a Cyberse Deck that focuses on Link Summoning with his ace monsters being Decode Talker and Firewall Dragon; he once used a Warrior deck before obtaining a Cyberse Deck. In Season 2, he mastered Ritual and Fusion Summoning with Cyberse Magician and Cyberse Clock Dragon as his new monsters.^[2]

Ai (アイ)

Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai (Japanese); TBA (English)^[1]

He is an A.I. program with free will also known as Ignis (イグニス, Igunisu). It is sought after by both SOL Technologies and the Knights of Hanoi.^[3] 5 years before the story, when the Knights of Hanoi nearly destroyed Cyberse, the world he came from, Ai sealed his own world to save it from destruction at the cost of being unable to return to Cyberse. In the process, he was bitten by Cracking Dragon, causing him to lose the majority of his memories. In his escape attempt, Yusaku trapped him inside his Duel Disk to use him as leverage against Knights of Hanoi. After capturing him, Yusaku names him "Ai" as a pun on how it is an AI program and how it was an eyeball at the time. It is later revealed that he is actually created 10 years ago by Professor Kogami during the Lost Incident that is based on Yusaku. His story about losing his memories was also a lie as to prevent Yusaku from questioning him. After Varis is defeated, Ai returns to the Cyberse World, only to find it destroyed, which led him to return to Yusaku's side and the 2 once again work together after learning the destruction of Cyberse World and Jin's stolen consciousness are connected.

Skye Zaizen / Aoi Zaizen (財前 葵, Zaizen Aoi) / Blue Angel (ブルーエンジェル, Burū Enjeru) / Blue Girl (ブルーガール, Burū Gāru)

Voiced by: Yuki Nakashima (Japanese); Emily Cramer^[4] (English)^[1]

She is Yusaku's classmate and a Celebrity Duelist, plus a popular idol. While she appears cool on the outside, as Blue Angel, her personality drastically changes to be more active. She is the younger step-sister of Akira Zaizen, the head security of SOL Technologies. She only lives together with Akira who rarely came home due to his work, which prompts Skye’s determination as a Celebrity Duelist to gain recognition from Akira. After becoming Another victim and realized how much her step-brother cares for her, Skye was a thorn between following her step-brother's request to never enter Link VRAINS and her own wish to continue duel. After receiving provocation from Emma, Skye decided to enter Link VRAINS again and managed to defeat Baira, resulting all Another victims to awake from their coma and she gained Akira's recognition. After becoming Ghost Gal's partner in investigating the Ignis, Skye created a new avatar named Blue Girl that she uses whenever she's on missions with Ghost Gal. In Season 2, she mastered Fusion Summoning. She uses a Trickstar Deck that focuses on Link Summoning and effect damage. Her ace monster is Trickstar Holly Angel.^[5]

George Gore / The Gore (Ｇｏ 鬼塚 豪, GO Onizuka)

Voiced by: Daiki Hamano (Japanese); Daniel J. Edwards (English)^[1]

He was a famous Celebrity Duelist. He was raised in an orphanage when he was little, so he worked hard as Celebrity Duelist to repay his debt to the orphanage. George was admired by the children of the orphanage until Playmaker gained their admiration following his victory against Knight of Hanoi. Since then, Gore considers Playmaker as his rival. To regain the hearts of his fans, the Gore lured Playmaker into a trap and dueled him. Although he lost, his dueling managed to win back the hearts of the children from the orphanage. He was a Celebrity Duelist who used Dueltainment Style: Beat Down where he purposely made himself in a pinch and then defeat his opponent, though he later changed his dueling style. He threw away his reputation as a Celebrity Duelist, and later became a bounty hunter to hunt down Playmaker for Sol Technologies as he feels Playmaker was always ahead of him and wishes to regain his former glory. In Season 2, he became a bounty hunter for Sol Technologies, he gave his Gouki Deck to Kenmochi and Yoroizaka. He uses a Dinowrestler Deck, his ace monster is Dinowrestler King T Wrextle.^[5]

Takeru Homura (穂村 尊, Homura Takeru) / Soulburner (ソウルバーナー, Sourubānā)

Voiced by: Yuki Kaji (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is a mysterious Duelist who first appeared alongside the fire Ignis, Flame, while watching the Duel between Playmaker and Bohman. When Playmaker is blocked by Bit and Boot while pursuing Bohman and Haru, Soulburner interferes by challenging them in Playmaker's place. He was also a victim of the lost incident caused by Kogami. As the result of the incident that also inadvertently caused his parents' death, Takeru detached himself from others except a his grandparents and his friend Kiku, constantly skipping school. The incident also caused Takeru to swear to never Duel again until he met Flame and learned everything about Lost Incident. Deciding to confront his life, he befriends Yusaku and Kolter, and join their cause. While Takeru is able to duel again, he has immense fear for Despair from the Dark card that repeatedly defeated him during his time in captivity. He is eventually able to overcome his trauma through Flame's encouragement. He uses a Salamangreat Deck and his ace monster is Salamangreat Heatleo.

Flame (不霊夢フレイム, Fureimu)

Voiced by: Taku Yashiro (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is 1 of the 6 Ignis, the "Fire Ignis", and is currently in the possession of Takeru Homura whom he was based on. After the destruction of Cyberse World, Flame approaches Takeru, encouraging him to confront his life, leading to their partnership.

Knights of Hanoi

The Knights of Hanoi (ハノイの, Hanoi no Kishi) are a mysterious hacker group that hacks via Dueling inside LINK VRAINS to destroy the "AI World" known as "Cyberse" that exists somewhere in the depths of the Network. Their soldiers use DARK Machine decks and their ace monster is "Cracking Dragon".

Ryoken Kogami (鴻上 了見, Kōgami Ryōken) / Varis / Revolver (リボルバー, Riborubā)

Voiced by: Shunsuke Takeuchi (Japanese); Daniel J. Edwards (English)^[1]

He is the leader of the Knights of Hanoi whose goal is to destroy "Cyberse". Varis is distrusting of the Internet, believing that it is merely a world of fiction, and is willing to destroy Cyberse by any means. In Season 2, he mastered Synchro Summoning, Varis uses a Rokket Deck, and his ace monster is Borreload Dragon.

Specter (スペクター, Supekutā)

Voiced by: Kajimoto Daiki (Japanese); Billy Bob Thompson (English)

He is Varis’ right-handman and a member of the Knights of Hanoi. He is 1 of the 6 children who was kidnapped in the Lost Incident 10 years ago like Yusaku and Jin. Unlike Yusaku and Jin, however, Specter enjoyed the times he spent during the captivity, feeling that he was being tested and needed by someone for bigger purpose. He was an orphan, being abandoned ever since he was a baby. He has difficulty connecting with people, leaving him alone and bored with society until the Lost Incident occurred. After the incident ended, Specter felt lonelier when he was returned to the orphanage and decided to run away, going back to where he was being held captive. This led him being found by Varis who invited him to join Knights of Hanoi. Since then, Specter became unquestioningly loyal to Varis and will fulfill his wishes at all cost, even showing cruelty to whoever dare to defy the Hanoi. Specter uses Sun Avalon Deck.

Kiyoshi Kogami (鴻上聖, Kōgami Kiyoshi)

Voiced by: Takayuki Sugō

He was a member of the Knights of Hanoi and Varis's father. 10 years before the story, he kidnapped 6 children, 4 victims were Yusaku, Jin, Specter, and Takeru for the purpose of a plan called Hanoi Project, which led to the creation of Ignis. 7 years before the story, the stolen data from SOL Technologies' data bank revealed that Kogami was dead, but his consciousness somehow still remained in Link VRAINS with Ryoken/Varis taking care of his body in the real world. He died after Playmaker and Varis’ 3rd Duel, just before his death, he entrusted his son to kill the Ignis he created, because he says they’re a threat to humanity.

Faust (ファウスト, Fausuto)

Voiced by: Satoshi Mikami (Japanese); TBA (English)

One of Varis's childhood friends, he is determined to follow him to the end, even if branded a criminal. After Genome and Baira lost and were purged, Aso kidnapped Naoki whom he mistook as Playmaker's ally after he saw him using Cyberse Wizard and successfully lured Playmaker into dueling him. He lost and was also purged like Genome and Baira. He uses a Motor Worm Deck.

Kyoko Taki (滝響子, Taki Kyoko) / Baira (バイラ, Baira)

Voiced by: Ami Koshimizu (Japanese); TBA (English)

Another of Varis's childhood friends, she and Aso started the plan of transforming duelists into Anothers to lure Playmaker. Unlike other most Knights of Hanoi, she has doubt in Kogami's plan and worries for the burden of the crime that Varis will carry if Kogami's plan is executed. She was then challenged by Blue Angel, and inspired by how Blue Angel never stops believing in herself, Baira decided to free all Another victims after she lost against Blue Angel. However, this caused her to be purged by Varis, after the downfall of the Hanoi, she was sent to prison, until Varis broke her out. She uses a Virus Deck.

Dr. Genome (ドクター・ゲノム, Dokutā Genomu)

Voiced by: Takuya Kirimoto (Japanese); TBA (English)

Genome uses a Helixx Deck. After losing to The Gore, he was purged by Varis.

SOL Technologies

Akira Zaizen (財前晃, Zaizen Akira)

Voiced by: Shouma Yamamoto (Japanese); Barrett Leddy^[6] (English)

He is the Security Manager of SOL Technologies and Skye’s older step-brother, who is after Ai in order to find the Cyberse world and save the company. He lives together with Skye but rarely came home due to his work. After Playmaker's Duel against Varis where he overheard of an incident that happened 10 years ago caused by SOL Technologies, Akira was demoted from his position and seeks to find out the truth. After the downfall of Hanoi, he got his original position back as Security Manager. He was forced to hire a bounty hunter team by Queen, the 1 who put a bounty on Playmaker. He was once a Bounty Hunter who worked alongside Ghost Gal and Blood Shepherd 3 years prior to the series.

Queen (クイーン, Kuīn)

Bishop (ビショップ, Bishoppu)

Voiced by: IKKAN (Japanese); Marc Thompson (English)

He is one of the higher-ups at SOL Technologies who communicates via a hologram of a bishop chess piece.

Knight (ナイト, Naito)

Voiced by: Masaaki Yano (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is one of the higher-ups at SOL Technologies who communicates via a hologram of a knight chess piece.

Rook (ルーク, Rūku)

Voiced by: Koichi Makishima (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is one of the higher-ups at SOL Technologies who communicates via a hologram of a rook chess piece.

Kitamura (北村)

Voiced by: Masayuki Kato (Japanese); TBA (English)

He was Akira's former boss and his replacement as Security Manager of SOL Technologies. He was in charge of the project to create an army of AI Duelists to protect LINK VRAINS from hackers. Constantly threatened to fire his employees and cut their salaries the moment something went wrong much to their confusion and exasperation. He was easily defeated by Specter and absorbed into a tower.

Hayami

She is Akira's co-worker who appears in episode 14 after Akira was demoted from his job. Seems to have a crush on Akira. Has worked for SOL for three years. She still works alongside Akira Zaizen when he got his position as manager back by Queen.

Den City

Shōichi Kusanagi / Kolter (草薙 翔一, Kusanagi Shōichi)

Voiced by: Subaru Kimura (Japanese); Sam Black (English)

He is a hacker and Yusaku's ally who helped him in his fight against the Knights of Hanoi in order to save his younger brother, Jin, who was also a victim of the kidnapping incident 10 years ago. It is suggested half-way through episode 1 that he knows something about a mysterious group of people who used to ride the Data Storm and who seemed to have recognized the Data Storm when Ai manifests one in episode 1 and 2.

Emma Bessho (別所エマ, Bessho Ema) / Ghost Gal (ゴーストガール, Gōsuto Gāru)

Voiced by: Yuna Kamakura (Japanese); Megan MacPhee^[7] (English)^[1]

She is a Cyber Treasure Hunter who steals information and sells it for profit. She accepts jobs from anyone, most frequently Akira or SOL Technologies, as long as she receives high payment for her service. It is suggested that she knew Akira prior to the beginning of the show before he joined SOL Technologies and that they have some sort of history together. Getting curious of SOL Technologies and Ignis, Emma challenged Playmaker to a Duel by using the backdoor of SOL Tech's databank as the prize if he won against her. When she lost, she decided to team up with Akira to infiltrate SOL Technologies with Playmaker as distraction. Despite stating she only work for someone who can pay her, she still often helps Akira and Skye. After losing to Varis, she was the first victim to be absorbed into the Hanoi Tower. She was revived when Playmaker defeated Varis and saved Link VRAINS. She was offered a job as bounty hunter, but she said no, because she owes Playmaker her life and graditude. She was once a bounty hunter who worked alongside Akira Zaizen and Blood Shepherd 3 years prior to the series. She uses Altergeist Deck and her ace monster is Altergeist Primebanshee.

Shima Naoki (島 直樹) / Brave Max (ブレイブマックス, Brave Max)

Voiced by: Chiharu Sawashiro (Japanese); Michael Liscio Jr. (English)^[1]

He is Yusaku's classmate and a fan of Playmaker. Despite liking Duel Monsters and even get the latest Duel Disk model, Shima has little to no confidence in his own skill and never enters Link VRAINS. He is also in the same Dueling Club as Skye. When Knights of Hanoi went on rampage in Link VRAINS, Shima received a portion of card data of Cyberse Wizard and mistook the card being given by Playmaker. This finally pushed him to enter Link VRAINS under the username "Lonely Brave" and managed to defeat a Knight of Hanoi using Cyberse Wizard. Becoming overly confident, he changed his username to "Brave Max". He was then kidnapped by Aso, which successfully lured Playmaker. He was saved after Playmaker defeated Aso and was inspired to make his own path after receiving words of encouragement from Playmaker. He was lured out by Blue Girl and Ghost Gal to see if he was good enough to be Playmaker’s “best friend”, but he proved he was just an ametuer which wasted their time. He wasted Yusaku’s time believing that his secret was that he works at a hot dog truck.

Frog (カエル, Kaeru) and Pigeon (鳩, Hato)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki^[1] (Japanese); Billy Bob Thompson (English)^[8]

A pair of LINK VRAINS reporters who are trying to search for scoops about Playmaker.

Jin Kusanagi (草薙仁, Kusanagi Jin)

Voiced by: Ryota Suzuki (Japanese); TBA (English)

The younger brother of Kolter and 1 of the victims of the Hanoi Project.

Ignis

AIs with free will created by Dr. Kogami through the Hanoi Project.

Windy (ウィンディ, Windi)

Voiced by: Chihiro Suzuki (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is 1 of the 6 Ignis, the "Wind Ignis".

Earth (アース, Āsu)

Voiced by: Fumihiro Okabayashi (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is 1 of the 6 Ignis, the "Earth Ignis", and is based on Specter.

Aqua (アクア, Akua)

Voiced by: Ayako Kawasumi (Japanese); Emily Cramer (English)

She is 1 of the 6 Ignis, the "Water Ignis" and also the sub-leader of them.

Lightning (ライトニング, Raitoningu)

Voiced by: Issei Maeda (Japanese); TBA (English)

He is 1 of the 6 Ignis, the "Light Ignis" and also the leader of them. He is based on Jin Kusanagi, he’s responsible for destroying Cyberse World, and he works alongside Windy.

LINK VRAINS

Bohman (ボーマン, Bōman)

Voiced by: Kenji Matsuda

A third generation AI created by Lightning as a vessel to unify all of the Ignis into one perfect body.

Haru (ハル, Haru)

Voiced by: Ryoko Shiraishi

A second generation of AI created by Lightning.

Bit

Voiced by: TBA

A first generation of AI created by Lightning.

Boot

Voiced by: TBA

A first generation of AI created by Lightning.