Yugioh Tattoo Ideas for Fans of the Legendary Card Game

Yugioh (or Yu-Gi-Oh!) is a Japanese trading card battle game that has spawned popular manga, anime television shows, films, video games, and merchandise.

Yugioh tattoo ideas have become a popular niche tattoo for old school battle card game players and fans of anime. It is especially loved by those that aren’t as excited by traditional fighting anime, such as Pokemon.

The show ran from 1996 to 2004. It tells the story of Yugi Mutou, a bullied child who used various games to settle conflicts in his life. Yugi solves the Millenium Puzzle. This awakens a gambling spirit that protects Yugi and his friends when threatened.

The moral of Yugioh’s story is the theme of hidden strength and the meaning of friendship. These themes make the manga a popular choice for youngsters who grew up with Yugioh and want to get body art.

The following 15 tattoo ideas showcase a number of tattoo styles that may provide the catalyst for your own Yugioh-themed tattoo design.

1. Card Tattoo Ideas

Yugioh is, first and foremost, a trading card battle game, so getting inked with a card tattoo is logical.

Tattoo of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon Yu-Gi-Oh! card on a forearm — Source: @drawbeatz via Instagram

Forearm tattoo with a detailed, colorful design inspired by the "Power Glove" and robots — Source: @jakeishungover via Instagram

Tattoo of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon card on an arm with other tattoos visible — Source: @zenblack_irezumi via Instagram

2. Dark Magician Girl Tattoo Ideas

The Dark Magician Girl is among the most popular characters of Yugioh. She is the Ka Monster of Mana, Yami Yugi’s childhood friend.

Detailed tattoo of a Dark Magician girl — Source: @jay1letters via Instagram

3. Dragon Yugioh Tattoo Ideas

Dragons are fire-breathing creatures that symbolize chaos and brutality. The 5 most powerful dragons in Yugioh are Slifer the Sky Dragon, Winged Dragon of Ra, Five-Headed Dragon, Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon, and Greedy Venom Fusion Dragon.

A detailed red and black dragon tattoo on an upper arm — Source: @manulondono85 via Instagram

lIndividual with a large blue dragon tattoo on the back — Source: @fiddlinwithcosplay via Instagram

Tattoo of a fierce dragon-like creature with electric blue accents on an arm — Source: @tattoosbycth via Instagram

4. Symbolic Yugioh Tattoo Ideas

Yugioh is replete with symbolism, but the most popular is the Millennium Pendant, one of the Millennium Items created supposedly to protect Egypt from attackers. The pendant, a triangular object with the Eye of Horus, became the Millennium Puzzle after it shattered. The person who solves it is supposed to receive its power. Of course, our best boy Yugi solves it.

Tattoo of an anime-style character with a chain and pyramid on the back of the leg — Source: @lanewaystattoo via Instagram

Tattoo of a hand pressing a green button on a finger on a forearm — Source: @jeffisdifferent via Instagram

An individual with an eye symbol tattoo in a triangle on the back of their neck — Source: @jason.lfs via Instagram

5. Black and Gray Yugioh Tattoos

Forearm tattoo with intricate, detailed mechanical and organic designs — Source: @d.karu02 via Instagram

Source: @danniteowlobrien via Instagram

Forearm tattoo with pyramids, an eye, and a mythical creature design — Source: @pauloandre.art via Instagram

What do Yugioh tattoos symbolize?

The major morals to Yugioh are the themes of hidden strength and the strength of friendship. These simple concepts, told in the manner of gameplay, make the manga a growing tattoo choice for youngsters who grew up with Yugioh that want to get body art.

Yugioh, which ran from 1996 to 2004, tells the story of Yugi Mutou, a bullied child who used various games to settle conflicts in his life. Yugi solves the Millenium Puzzle, which awakens a gambling spirit that protects Yugi and his friends when threatened.

What are popular Yugioh tattoo themes?

Popular design choices from Yugioh manga and anime include:

The Millenium Items (seven treasures meant to keep the Shadow Games locked away)
Battle cards, which feature in the anime, manga, and Konami’s still popular trading card game. They can be anything from dragons to warriors
The Dark Magician Girl (one of the most popular of Yugioh’s characters)
Yugi Matou (the main protagonist)

How much do Yugioh tattoos cost?

A simple black and gray small Yugioh tattoo would cost in the vicinity of $150-200 for the work of an experienced artist.

For slightly larger or more detailed color pieces the anime artwork may cost around $200 per hour to complete, or more for specialists in a particular style. A half arm sleeve for example may cost around $1500 + tip

Always have a good idea of what the price will be when you make a deposit or sit in the chair, and allow at least 15% of your total budget as a tip.