Maximillion Pegasus

Infobox animanga character
name =
series = Yu-Gi-Oh!


caption =
first = "Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist" Volume 1, Duel 1
Original Japanese manga Vol. 7, Duel 60
last =
creator =
voiced by = Jiro Jay Takasugi (Japanese)
Darren Dunstan (English)
alias =
age = 24
born = October 8
relatives = Lost love: Cyndia (Cecelia Pegasus in the English anime)
Kōhai: Yakou Tenma
Right-hand man: Croquet (Crocketts in the Japanese versions)

Maximillion Pegasus, known in Japan as nihongo|Pegasus J. Crawford|ペガサス・ジェー・クロフォード|Pegasasu Jē Kurofōdo, is a fictional character in the manga and anime series "Yu-Gi-Oh!".

Maximillion Pegasus is the Chairman of Industrial Illusions (shortened to I²) and the creator of the game of Duel Monsters (Magic and Wizards in the Japanese manga). Initially introduced as the primary antagonist in the anime's first season, Pegasus is developed into a tragic character who desires to revive his dead lover, and eventually becomes an ally to the protagonists and helps them on several occasions. As the creator of the card game Duel Monsters and the discoverer of their ancient Egyptian roots, Pegasus often plays a key role throughout the anime due to his extensive knowledge of the game and its dark origins.

Personality

Pegasus has a habit of calling Yugi Mutou "Yugi-boy" and Seto Kaiba "Kaiba-boy" in the Japanese and edited English versions of the anime and manga. This trend continues in "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX". While this may be due in part to his childish personality, it is also implied he does this to patronize his rivals. He constantly cracks jokes and puns, even in the most serious of situations. However, when sufficiently provoked, he can become quite angry.

Pegasus is also notable for his foppish manner, dandified appearance, and effeminate hairstyle, all of which have led to him being referred to as "cutie-pie" and an "overdressed prima donna" in the English dub. In the Japanese versions, Pegasus often uses English words interspliced with Japanese, including English curse words like "God damn!" and "Shit!" and using the English pronoun "you" instead of Japanese second-person words. He speaks like this because he is originally from the United States. His speech is also unique in terms of pronunciation. In both English and Japanese he tends to elongate vowel sounds, especially near the end of a sentence.

While responding to a fan mail asking him what kind of person Pegasus would date, Takahashi stated Pegasus would desire a person "much like" Cyndia; she would be "very sedate" and "very well brought up." ["Shonen Jump" Volume 3, Issue 11. November 2005. VIZ Media. 68.]

"Yu-Gi-Oh!"

Pegasus quickly establishes himself as the series' first villain in the second episode of the first season, challenging Yugi Mutou to come to his tournament Duelist Kingdom and face him, taking the soul of his grandfather Sugoroku Mutou to ensure this. Pegasus also kidnaps Mokuba Kaiba to convince his brother Seto Kaiba to come as well. Through a series of flashbacks, Pegasus is revealed to have had a lover, Cyndia ("Ceceilia" in the English anime) who died just after their wedding (details regarding if they were actually married vary from medium to medium). Pegasus desires to acquire Millennium Items, already having the Millennium Eye, and combine them with Kaiba Corporation's virtual technology to bring her back to life. As Yugi owns the Millennium Puzzle, he is Pegasus's primary target. Pegasus also plans to acquire Ryo Bakura's Millennium Ring

Also requiring the Kaiba Corp shares that Mokuba owns to make his plans come to fruition, Pegasus uses the Millennium Eye to take his soul, and eventually takes Kaiba's in a preliminary Duel in order to demonstrate his power to Yugi. Despite Pegasus's powers, Yugi defeats Pegasus after forcing him to agree to restore all the souls he has taken if he loses. Dishearted but still alive, Pegasus keeps his word and restores the Kaibas and Sugoroku, but is approached by Ryo Bakura. Having his own Millennium Item, the Ring, and under its control, Bakura Duels Pegasus in a Shadow Game, defeating him easily. Pegasus is stripped of his eye and is seen by Yugi being carried away by his bodyguards. Afterwards, Yugi and his friends discover Pegasus's diary and his well-meant (if poorly executed) goals.

Pegasus is also shown in several flashbacks in season two. Shadi and Ishizu Ishtar make reference to him creating Duel Monsters and creating and hiding the Egyptian God Cards. However, he makes no appearances in person.

Pegasus reappears in the fourth season of the second anime series. Knowing the truth behind the Paradias Organization (Doma in the Japanese version), Pegasus attempts to alert Yugi and Kaiba to their evil intentions, but is captured by Mai Valentine (Mai Kujaku in the Japanese version), who works for the company. Pegasus leaves behind a hologram explain the company's Atlantean origins and their desire to use a mysterious magic called Orichalcos to destroy the world by reviving an ancient Leviathan. He is eventually freed when the Paradias leader Dartz is defeated.

Pegasus makes two final appearances in the final episodes of the series, providing narrative commentary on a synopsis of the events of the series. In an extended version of the final credits seen only in the Japanese anime, Pegasus makes a business deal with Zigfried von Schroeder.

"Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie: Pyramid of Light

Pegasus also appears in "", which takes place between the end of Battle City and the start of the 'Waking the Dragons' arc, though it was produced and released when the TV series was in its final arc in Japan. Kaiba approaches Pegasus and demands to know what card can compete against Yugi's God cards. Although Pegasus has the card Kaiba wants, he says he would only give it if Kaiba could defeat him in a Duel. Kaiba accepts the challenge and defeats Pegasus to gain the two cards that he needs to combat Yugi. This surprises Pegasus as there should have been only one card. Pegasus later assists the protagonists in the movie, including saving Téa Gardner (Anzu Mazaki in the Japanese version of the movie), Solomon Muto (Sugoroku Mutou), and Mokuba Kaiba from being crushed in a collapsing building.

"Yu-Gi-Oh! R"

In "Yu-Gi-Oh! R", Pegasus's kōhai (protégé) and adopted son, Yakou Tenma, takes over Industrial Illusions after Pegasus is defeated and attempts to avenge his supposed death.

"Yu-Gi-Oh! GX"

Pegasus makes frequent appearances in "Yu-Gi-Oh! GX". At the end of the first year, he calls upon Chumley Huffington (Hayato Maeda) to work as a designer for Industrial Illusions, and later makes his return during the GX tournament when one of his employees, Frantz, steals the only remaining copy of "The Winged Dragon of Ra". He goes on to duel against Vellian Crowler and Vice-Chancellor Bonaparte in a three-way Duel for their right to work at Industrial Illusions, after the two believe themselves to be fired by Chancellor Sheppard, and Pegasus and Sheppard meet in private to discuss the threat of the "Ultimate Destiny Card". During the third year, having discovered the "Rainbow Dragon" lithograph, Pegasus fulfills his promise to Jesse Andersen to create a corresponding card, and has it sent to the other dimension where Duel Academy had been transported via wormhole.

Naming

In all Original Japanese versions, Pegasus is "Pegasus J. Crawford". In the English anime and manga, the name is instead "Maximillion Pegasus".

In the English "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Duelists of the Roses" video game, and in the instruction booklet for "Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories", his original name, Pegasus Crawford is used, while in the other games his English anime and manga name is used. Pegasus is unusual in that his English anime name is used in the English manga while most "Yu-Gi-Oh!" human characters keep their Japanese names in the English manga. In the video game, "Yu-Gi-Oh! The Falsebound Kingdom", the character representing Pegasus within the virtual world of the game is named Pegasus J. Kroitzel.

In "Yu-Gi-Oh! Reshef of Destruction" ("Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 8: Reshef of Destruction"), Pegasus takes an alias. In the Japanese version, he takes the name nihongo|Taiyō Tenma|天馬太陽|"Tenma Taiyō". In the English version, he takes the name Sol Chevalsky.

Deck

Pegasus is best known for his Toon deck, which includes cards of which only he possesses. While the effects of Pegasus' Toons vary from Duel to Duel, in general they are immune to damage (except when attacked by other Toons) and can attack opponents directly. He also uses "Relinquished", "Thousand Eyes Idol" and their fusion, "Thousand Eyes Restrict"; cards he created exclusively for his match with Yugi that have the ability to absorb opposing monsters and reflect their attacks. Beyond this he uses a wide variety of Spell and Traps that disable an opponent's monsters like "Gorgon's Eye" and "Toon Briefcase". However, his Toons are not immune to damage done by Spell or Trap cards.

References

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