Throughout his time asYu-Gi-Oh!Duel Monster’s main character, Pharaoh Atem became famous across the world for being virtually invincible. While Yugi’s ancestor did lose a handful of duels, most of his losses occurred due to external factors. His opponents would constantly try to cheat or manipulate their way into victory, making most of his defeats feel unearned for the adversary.
Still, there isone villain who legitimately defeated the Pharaoh, and by doing so, allowed the ruler to become better as a duelist and human:Rafael. Dartz’s second in command was far more than just a sympathetic villain to progress the plot, he was a complex character whose contributions to the series were pivotal forthe final fate of the protagonist during the series' end.
Rafael Was a Necessary Obstacle for Atem’s Growth
The Pharaoh Was Too Concerned With Victory and Righteousness
In episodes #156 to #158 of theYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monstersanime series, Yugi and Atem are challenged to a duel by Rafael,one of the best duelists in the original seriesand a member of the infamous Doma organization. He was a loyal follower of Dartz, believing that the ancient Atlantean King would be able to purge all evil from humanity and create a better world without suffering. Unlike his comrades, Rafael was a duelist of pure heart, who honestly believed that he was doing the right thing.
Despite this, the Pharaoh saw him as another cruel villain trying to take over the world, pushing him to obtain victory by any means necessary. After fighting for the planet’s survival several times, as the pharaoh had already fought against some of the franchise’s most powerful villains by that point, he was understandably anxious about losing. For Atem, winning the game and stopping Doma from awakening the Leviathan were noble goals that justified his uncaring duelist style. As such,when he was allowed to use the Seal of Orichalcos, he did so without hesitation.
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Even with the advantage of this powerful Field Spell, Atem lost, as Rafael had already predicted that he would use the seal to try and defeat him. As a prize, the antagonist was ready to claim the Pharaoh’s soul for his master, untilthe spirit of Yugi took his place and sacrificed himself to keep Atem safe. This is by far one of the most heartbreaking scenes in the anime, but it was also one of the most vital for the Pharaoh’s development. Losing to Rafael opened the door for the ruler to accept his flaws.
Losing Helped the Pharaoh Confront His Demons
Atem Needed To Address His Bias and Anxieties
While his battle against Dartz’s lackey wasnot the only duel Yugi lost, his defeat against Rafael was a necessary tragedy that forever changed the Pharaoh’s life, it was alsoa necessary step in his journey to find eternal peace. His duel against Dartz’s henchman highlighted how much Atem’s priorities had changed since the beginning of the series. After fighting for his life and the fate of the world on several occasions, the Egyptian ruler forgot about being kind and open-minded, two of the most important lessons Yugi had taught him.
His defeat at the hands of Rafael made him realize that even he had dark thoughts and impulses. If he had not allowed his anger to take over during the duel, his opponent would never have been able to defeat him, as the villain’s strategy relied on the Pharaoh abusing the power of the Seal of Orichalcos. After this battle, Atem once again began noticing that the world was not as black and white as he used to see it, going as far as to save Rafael after their second duel.
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Atem was also forced to confront the reality that even the purest of souls could be corrupted by power. Despite not needing to, the Pharaoh did activate the Seal of Orichalcos,one of the most overpowered cardsthat would take his opponent’s soul if he was victorious. The protagonist did not act as the noble hero he was supposed to be during this battle. It was thanks to his defeat at the hands of Rafael that Atem began working into once again becoming the kind and just ruler he used to be while alive.
The Pharaoh Learned That Actions Speak Louder Than Anything
He Finally Faced the Fear of Not Knowing His Past
One of the main mysteries about Atem throughout theYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monstersfranchise is his past as the ruler of Egypt. Almost nothing was known about the nameless Pharaoh who saved the world from darkness. As such, even though the world knew him as a just and kind king,Atem himself had no idea if he was indeed the admirable person historians talked about. His loss against Rafael caused him to confront these doubts head-on. Atem realized that, even if he was once a good person, he was no longer the Pharaoh of legend.
This reflection caused him great pain shortly after losing Yugi, as he began to see himself as a heartless villain. Nevertheless, by relying on his friends, accepting his inner darkness, and understanding that his actions mattered more than his past, the Pharaoh emerged a more fulfilled and determined man. The fight against his inner demons is, in great part, what helped him feel prepared to confront his past in season 5, as he was now capable of accepting himself, flaws included.
Rafael Is One of Yu-Gi-Oh!’s Best Villains
The Stoic Duelist Is Complex and Relatable
Rafael is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting villains theYu-Gi-Oh!franchise has to offer. He was the proof that even the best of humans can be influenced by pain and loss, pushing them to follow a dark path. Rafael truly believed that he had a duty to help the world by ridding it of suffering. He was far more than just a seasonal villain, introduced only to defeat the hero and cause chaos. He was a vital part of Atem’s growth, and it would have been great to see more of him after the end of season 4.
TheYu-Gi-Oh!anime franchise still has many interesting details for fans to discover and learn from. The duel between Atem and Rafael is a perfect example, as it teaches viewers the complexities of morality and duty. It is by far one of the Pharaoh and the show’s most important moments.
