Okay, this will probably turn into a bit of a rant! ^_~ I have very strong opinions on Kaiba's character, and there's no use trying to change my mind about 'em! ;) Also, I base my opinions on the American version, because I cannot speak Japanese and therefore have not seen the Japanese version of the show! ^_~ But if anyone has some information from the Japanese version about Kaiba's character, I would be more than happy to listen!
Question: Is Kaiba evil?
Answer: First and foremost, I DO NOT believe Kaiba is a villain . . . at least not anymore! Yugi banished the evil influences in the first American episode The Heart of the Cards. Kaiba really did change after that; the next time he appeared, in Everything is Relative, he was different---more mellow, and certainly not evil! He honestly wanted to know the truth about the Heart of the Cards and who the better duelist was between him and Yugi. Hey, his voice is different now, too. Ever notice that? ^_~ In the first American episode, he has a slightly more menacing tone, more like the evil Kaiba Pegasus ressurrected from the Shadow Realm, but after that first episode, his voice started sounding different---not menacing, and certainly not evil . . . Am I making sense?
Question: But what about after that? He wasn't very nice to Joey in Scars of Defeat!
Answer: After all that happened, I believe that Kaiba was confused. He wasn't sure what to believe or how to act. But then when Pegasus kidnapped Mokuba, Kaiba decided that he had to act like his old ruthless self to get his brother back. He said as much in Scars of Defeat! Pay attention to the episodes! ^_~ Also, as someone pointed out to me recently, it is possible that Kaiba was trying to help Joey by toughening him up. Joey did become a much better Duelist after his encounter with Kaiba in Scars of Defeat. ^_~
Question: But what about in Faceoff, when Kaiba stood on the castle wall when Yugi was about to attack? That was pretty underhanded!
Answer: Watch what's going on in Kaiba's mind right before he pulls that stunt. He imagines Mokuba trapped in the decaying dragon crying for help and then being buried in the debris. Then Kaiba sees his own younger self reproving him for not rescuing Mokuba in time. What I believe is happening is that Kaiba is so distraught and worried that he has a mental breakdown. He's desperate. He has to free his brother. And so, he does the only thing he can think of---he stands on the castle wall and challenges Yugi to attack, knowing that with Yugi's kind heart, he will likely surrender the duel. I wonder what went through Kaiba's mind when Yami Yugi took over and decided to go through with the attack. . . . Anyway . . . **shrugs** That's what I believe about that. Kaiba was so desperate to save his brother that he kinda suffered a mental breakdown. Believe me or not. I don't care; that's my own opinion and I'm sticking by it!
Question: Okay, okay. So you don't think Kaiba is evil. But why exactly do you like him?
Answer: Why do I like him? **gets shiny and bright anime eyes look, then returns to earth** Okay, first you should know that at the beginning I did NOT like him. That is very important. Also, I became a Yu-Gi-Oh! fan during the summer, so I wasn't watching the episodes in order on the WB. That's also important. I bought into the "Kaiba's a villain" garbage and didn't pay him much attention. I didn't think he was all that cute-looking, either.
Now, all this changed when I had the privilege to watch Everything is Relative for the first time. I found myself actually liking Kaiba, and rooting for him when he went up against Pegasus's goons. I was horrified when he jumped out the window; I was afraid the guy really was dead! ^_~ Heh. And then when the evil Kaiba made his appearance at the end . . . I totally freaked.
Duel with a Ghoul is what really clinched it for me. When I saw Kaiba was really alive, well . . . I was very very relieved ^_~ And I started paying more attention to him. I found that I was fascinated by this complex character and that I had much in common with him. Like Kaiba, I also am generally very secretive and quiet, preferring to keep to myself around other people. And I too have an independent streak! You could say that the main reason I like Seto Kaiba is because I can relate to him. And the rest, as they say, is history! ^_^ Duel with a Ghoul is still my fave Yu-Gi-Oh! episode and probably always will be ^^
Oh, one other thing: I did start thinking that Kaiba looks awfully cute ^_~ Heh.
Question: Okay then. Summing all this up, how would you describe Kaiba?
Answer: Summing it up, Kaiba is very aloof and distant from most everyone. He finds it hard to trust people because he's been betrayed so much in his life. He may still hold a bit of a grudge for Yugi, but he honestly wants to know which one of them is the better Duelist. He's very independent and he likes to take care of things by himself. He does have a kind heart, tho, even if he doesn't often show it. He loves his brother Mokuba more than anything and would do anything to save him from danger. He is very loyal to those he cares about, and the lucky girl he'll marry someday will never havta worry about him cheating on her! ^_~ Kaiba is definitely a good person and someone to be admired.
