A new manga in the long-running Duel Masters franchise, titled Duel Masters GT -Gear of the Twin heart-, officially launched on Wednesday. The series delves into the in-game lore of the Dragon Saga card game, specifically following the twin characters Grassa and Turret.
This latest addition expands the extensive Duel Masters multimedia project, which originated in 1999 with the initial manga by Shigenobu Matsumoto. The franchise has since grown to include numerous manga, anime series, and various merchandise.
The Enduring Legacy of Duel Masters
The Duel Masters franchise has a rich history spanning over two decades. Shigenobu Matsumoto has been the consistent author of the ongoing manga series since its inception. The first anime adaptation premiered in 2002, marking the beginning of a vast animated universe that runs parallel to the manga.
Over the years, the franchise has seen several iterations and alternate storylines, demonstrating its versatility and appeal to a broad audience. This includes various anime series such as Duel Masters Win, which premiered in September 2022, and its ongoing sequel, Duel Masters Win: Duel Wars, which began in April 2023.
Recent Developments in the Duel Masters Universe
Beyond Duel Masters GT -Gear of the Twin heart-, the franchise has been actively expanding with other significant projects. In early 2024, a new manga titled Duel Masters LOST was announced in Monthly Coro Coro Comics. This LOST project is described as an “alternate time story” that runs concurrently with the ongoing Duel Masters Win narrative.
The Duel Masters LOST series explores a darker, more mature storyline compared to the main Duel Masters Win anime. The Duel Masters LOST Tsuioku no Suishō manga, which launched on the Weekly CoroCoro Comic website on February 1, 2024, focuses on 16-year-old Win Kirifuda after he has lost everything and is drawn into a battle to regain his desired world.
Further expanding the LOST series, Duel Masters LOST Bokyaku no Taiyo (Oblivion Sun) was announced to continue with a brand-new anime and manga installment. The Oblivion Sun manga is set to debut in Spring 2025 on the Weekly CoroCoro Comic website. This follows the conclusion of Duel Masters LOST Gekka no Shinigami (Death God of the Moonlight), which finished its four-episode run in late February 2025. These LOST installments have typically run for four episodes each, a format expected to continue with Oblivion Sun.
Card Game Integration
Integral to the Duel Masters franchise is its accompanying trading card game. The launch of new manga and anime series often coincides with the release of new card packs, connecting the narrative directly to the gameplay experience. For instance, a new card pack titled “Abyss Revolution Gaiden: Death Bell Crystal” was released in Japan on February 17, 2024, designed to connect with the world of Duel Masters LOST. These card releases draw players into the “mysterious battle” depicted in the manga and anime.
