GO carries out his Duel in a manner similar to Pro-Wrestling, using Dueling as a means to entertain the audience. Playmaker seems to be interested in this playstyle, which is different from his calm and calculated playstyle. As if acknowledging GO Onizuka's Dueling, Playmaker summons Decode Talker, despite taking a huge amount of damage. And thus, the two's ace monsters clash!
This episode contains the following tropes:
- Captain Obvious: GO's AI points out that Playmaker will be left with 100 LP after the battle between the 4900 ATK Gouki the Great Ogre and 1000 ATK Cyberse Wizard.
- Deliberate Injury Gambit: Yusaku gets a chance to block the attack-boosting power of one of Go's monsters and chooses one that contributes a lower boost, so that he can get down to 100 lifepoints and use his skill.
- Graceful Loser: GO laughs as he acknowledges his defeat at Playmaker's hands.
- It's Not You, It's My Enemies: Platonic inversion. Yusaku decides not to befriend or recruit Go because he knows the Knights of Hanoi don't mess around, and doesn't want to get Go killed.
- Manly Tears: Subverted, but Go is moved regardless when the orphanage children continue to look up to him as a champion even after his loss to Playmaker.
- Rule of Three: Playmaker's reasons for continuing his Duel with GO:
- GO uses numerous tactics to entertain the crowd, including the opponent.
- GO is determined to win.
- Because of GO's determination to win, Playmaker wants to go through with the Duel to the very end.
- Wham Shot: Playmaker Summoning not one, but a total of four Link Monsters.
