Heartwarming / Yu-Gi-Oh! (first anime series)

• Near the climax of the first episode, Yugi heads to his school after he discovers the last piece to the Millennium Puzzle is missing, hoping it may be there (not knowing Jonouchi had thrown it away earlier). Meanwhile, Jonouchi and Honda are walking home, still battered from their prior beating dealt by Ushio, with Jonouchi confused over why Yugi stood up for them back then, despite Jonouchi having been nothing but a bully towards Yugi; Jonouchi then suddenly jumps into the river channel he threw the puzzle piece into. Elsewhere, Yugi runs into Ushio near school, who proceeds to punish Yugi for not bringing his "payment fee". Seconds later, Jonouchi (who has just recovered the puzzle piece) and Honda find Ushio while he's beating Yugi up badly. Jonouchi immediately runs over to check on Yugi while Honda faces Ushio. After hearing Yugi unconsciously utter wanting to complete the Millennium Puzzle, Jonouchi then tucks the final puzzle piece into Yugi's hand before joining Honda at attempting to take on Ushio, with Honda expressing disgust at Ushio for hurting Yugi. Although the two lose rather quickly, it's a very touching scene that didn't come from the manga.
• Jonouchi agreeing not to spill Anzu's secret at having an after-school job (which is forbidden) after hearing of her dream to save up enough money to go to New York and become a dancer. A small moment, but tender in that slight-jerkass Jonouchi understands Anzu's reasons.
• In the eleventh episode, after having found out that Warashibe had poisoned Anzu, Jonouchi, and Honda with polluted water in an attempt to get her to be his girlfriend, Miho gets furious in a way we haven't seen her before. It truly shows that despite her appearing naive and a little spoiled, she truly does care for her friends.
• Dark Yugi saves Anzu from Kokurano after he drugged her, but she notices the gash on his hand first and wants to help him.
• In episode 18, after Yami saves Yugi's soul it returns to their body. Yami refers to Yugi's soul as precious, and hugs his chest as though trying to hug Yugi. There’s a tenderness to the scene that stands out when compared to Yami's usual axe-crazy behavior.
• The climax of the Monster World game has everyone saving Ryou Bakura when Yami Bakura tries to suck his soul out of his brainwashed dice.
• In the Toei movie, Dark Yugi and Kaiba duel. After Yugi wins, Jonouchi runs up and gives him a bear hug from behind. Dark Yugi's adorable, uncharacteristic smile is what sells it.
• Two particular instances during the Death-T arc, both showing how close the True Companions are.
  • When Yugi sets out early in the morning to go to Death-T, one by one the others show up to accompany him, all talking quite casually even as they make it clear they'll support Yugi no matter what.
  • Later in the arc, after Honda is trapped in the room with the falling blocks, Yugi has a Heroic BSoD since he's blaming himself for his friends being put in danger due to Kaiba's grudge against him (or rather, against Yami Yugi). He then tearfully confesses about the existence of his "other self" while admitting that the reason he didn't cop to it before was because he thought his friends would abandon him if they knew. Well, Jonouchi declares that, nope, they're not going to ditch him; they're friends no matter what. The moment is capped by Yugi, Jonouchi, Anzu and Miho putting their hands together to solidify their friendship (and Miho puts her other hand on top as a stand-in for Honda).

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