Yubel’s Backstory and Appearance Confirm They Are a Non-Binary Icon
Yu-gi-oh! Gx is a beloved part of the franchise even though it doesn’t have the popularity of its predecessor. Jaden’s time at Duel Academy is iconic, and millions of people watched the show when it was airing. The show stood out from other Anime by addressing serious, important, and relatable topics.
Even though it was released in the early 2000s, Yu-gi-oh! Gx aged beautifully thanks to its surprisingly progressive representation. The best example is Jaden’s eternal companion and protector, Yubel. Yubel has been a non-binary icon for decades because of how accurately the series portrays them.
In Japan, Yubel Was Never Assigned a Gender
Yubel was born centuries before the series starts. Yubel used to be a young woman who fell in love with Jaden’s past life. This young man was special because he was destined to become the protector of the Gentle Darkness, the Supreme King. To become the Supreme King’s protector, he would need a loyal companion who would be willing to sacrifice their life for him. Yubel, without hesitation, offered herself to become the Supreme King’s guardian.
Yubel underwent a slow, painful ritual to fuse themself with a mythical dragon. This created a new creature powerful enough to always help the Supreme King. Yubel’s new body was half-female, half-male, split right in the middle. Instead of worrying about their identity, Yubel decided to let go of the concept of gender completely, choosing to identify as neither a man nor a woman. The Japanese version of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX makes this clear, using only gender-neutral words to refer to Yubel. Yubel's voice also confirmed their Non-binary identity, with both a male and female pitch whenever the Supreme King’s protector spoke.
Gx Also Had Amazing Representation of Not Heterosexual Love
During season 3 of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, it was revealed that Yubel became a villain because she was infected by the cruel Light of Destruction. This malevolent being twisted Yubel’s pure love for the Supreme King into a toxic obsession. Yubel’s infatuation with Jaden’s past life comes from the fact that the ruler promised them to love no one else. Yubel was loved throughout the Supreme King’s life, standing by his side as a friend, guardian, and partner. When Jaden’s past life passed away, Yubel began their search for the new Supreme King.
Since Jaden was a child when Yubel found him, they acted more like an overbearing parent, hurting anyone who would mock or attack Jaden. When Yubel and Jaden were reunited in season 3, their feelings for each other were made clear. Yubel wanted nothing more than to be with Jaden forever. Jaden was surprised at first but ended up accepting Yubel’s feelings, merging their souls to never be apart. While the series never outright states that their relationship is romantic, Jaden’s tender words to Yubel before their souls combine heavily imply it.
The Supreme King Promised to Love Yubel, No Matter What Gender They Were
Throughout the series, characters who came across Yubel always respected their identity. They never used any gendered terms to refer to them. The Supreme King’s guardian is one of the few, but amazingly well-depicted, Lgbtq+ characters in the Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise. Unfortunately, once the series was translated into English, Yubel’s Gender Identity became another victim of the censorship added to the series. Yubel was referred to as female ever since they were introduced, erasing one of the series’ most progressive plot points. Their card was also censored, making both sides of Yubel’s body seem female.
Yu-Gi-Oh! GX is still one of the best entries in the franchise, not just because of its incredible story and endearing characters, but also because of how innovative its themes feel. Even decades after its ending, the show’s LGBTQ+ representation still feels accurate. Yubel will always be one of anime’s best Non-binary characters, as well as one of the most iconic and beloved.
