How Weevil Underwood Saved Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Why He's So Important

My thoughts on why Weevil is one the best and most important characters in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, and why its success is largely owed to him.

[TheCrippledEgg]

I love how not only does he use insect-based cards, but his entire appearance is themed around it. The beetle haircut, the pincer-shaped frames for his glasses, hell even his shoes have moth wings. Like Rex uses dinosaur cards but isn't decked on dinosaurs. Weevil's fashion is so perfectly anime.

[BeastBeatsYGO]

Never thought about it, but yeah Weevil throwing Exodia into the ocean is not only iconic, but did have a major impact on keeping the rest of Yugi’s duels fresh. Great storyline decision

[HylasterTroupe]

The thing I find most interesting about Weevil is the choice for him to use Insects.

Insects, as a whole, have low stats. The various Equip spells provide tactics for an underdog to rise above their station and compete with forces greater than themselves. Cocoon of Evolution is a self-condensed training arc, turning a "nobody" into one of the strongest monsters in the game. Insect Queen doesn't require Tributes to attack in the manga, making it a card that gets powered up from the support of its friends.

It's a very heroic archetype, and a defined trend in Japanese media. The Kamen Riders are based on Insects. Pokémon Bugs are Super Effective on Dark because of the relation between Insects and Justice. The design of samurai helmets are inspired by stag beetles.

Yu-Gi-Oh subverts this entirely and makes Weevil one of the least complex villains in the series. And I enjoy the bugger for it.

[knellycornnan]

I believe that if Weevil was given the means he could be just about as evil as Yami Marik. Definitely one of the more interesting villains with an awesome theme.

[tobiasdoeberl]

Insect was my first deck I build and evolved this one every year and still play it 🥰 weevil is one of my favorite character 😁🎉

[aaroncornerslicegaming]

Weevil is very underestimated as a duelist he gets Yugi down to 50 Life Points in Duelist Kingdom, which is back then the closest anyone gets to a legitimte win against Yugi. He has at least one national tournament under his belt, using a completely non meta deck that unironically included Basic Insect. The orichalcos deems Weevil worthy and before draw monster cardo he was 1 turn away from victory.

I think Zigfried beating him and Rex with an OTK is what makes people write Weevil off as a loser but Zigfried beat Joey, the same Joey who basically beat Marik despite Marik having a God card, so does a loss to Zigfried make someone a loser? If you are Kaiba answering that question yes but I think Weevil should not be underestimated. Especially since he will do anything to win.

I think we need some more on screen wins for Weevil or at least a draw. Maybe Yugi's grandpa hosts a tournamen and Weevil shows up and beats grandpa or Rebecca in a duel. I wouldn't mind seeing Rex get a redemption arc to be more of an anti-hero but Weevil will probbly always be a villain.

Also they should bring back Bandit Keith it would be interesting to see a grudge match between Keith and Pegasus or Joey.

[luisduron]

He did what he did and he didn't do it then who would have

[PrinciaInk]

without weevil yugi would lost a lot duels cause exodia would be mostly dead hand cards. cause the only card yugi have for exodia support is sangan
i dont think that weevil is evil he is just a bit meany cardplayer.
he remember me a bit of some stupid guys in rl .

[mrmeteor]

His English voice actor is retiring because of cancer.

[ghostdivision]

This show been dead for ages, why tf are you talking about it now