The Yu-Gi-Oh! Franchise is a popular Japanese media franchise created by Kazuki Takahashi. It began with a manga series published in 1996, which follows a young boy named Yugi Mutou who solves an ancient Egyptian puzzle. The story revolves around a card game called Duel Monsters, where players use decks of cards to battle each other. The franchise expanded to include an animated television series, movies, and video games. The card game itself became a global phenomenon, with millions of players and tournaments held worldwide. Yu-Gi-Oh! has also inspired various spin-off series and merchandise, solidifying its place in pop culture.