Ah, a fellow Cardfighter looking to dive into the epic world of "Cardfight!! Vanguard"! You've come to the right place. With its multiple series, spin-offs, and movies, figuring out the perfect watch order can feel like staring down a Grade 3 opponent with a full hand and no perfect guard. But fear not, for I shall guide you through the intricate world of Planet Cray and its cardfighters.
Are you ready to embark on this journey to become a true Vanguard master? Let's stand up, Vanguard!
How to Watch Cardfight!! Vanguard in Order: Your Ultimate Guide
"Cardfight!! Vanguard" is a sprawling franchise, and its anime adaptations can be a bit tricky to navigate due to reboots and parallel storylines. We'll primarily focus on the chronological order for the main narrative, as it often provides the most satisfying character development and plot progression.
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| How To Watch Cardfight Vanguard In Order |
Step 1: Understanding the Different Eras of Vanguard
Before we jump into the watch order, it's crucial to understand that "Cardfight!! Vanguard" has essentially gone through a few major eras. Think of them like different phases in a card game:
- The Original Series (OG): This is where it all began, focusing on Aichi Sendou and his journey. It laid the foundation for the entire franchise.
- The G Series: A direct sequel to the Original Series, this era introduced new protagonists and mechanics like "Stride."
- The V Series (Reboot): This is where things get interesting! The V Series is a reboot of the original story, re-imagining the events of the OG series with some key differences, new mechanics (like "Imaginary Gift"), and a faster pace.
- The D Series: This is the current ongoing series, building upon the foundations of the V Series but introducing a brand new cast of characters and a new card format ("Standard" or "D Standard").
Important Note: While the V Series is a reboot, it's generally recommended to watch it after the OG series if you want to appreciate the nuances and changes. However, if you're truly short on time or prefer a more modern animation style, you could potentially jump into the V Series first, but you'll miss out on the original character arcs.
QuickTip: Ask yourself what the author is trying to say.
Step 2: The Original Saga - Aichi's Journey (Chronological Order)
This is the cornerstone of "Cardfight!! Vanguard" and where most fans recommend starting. It follows the timid Aichi Sendou as he discovers the card game and blossoms into a strong fighter.
Sub-heading 2.1: The Genesis of Vanguard
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Cardfight!! Vanguard (Original Series): This is the very first season. It introduces Aichi, Kai, Misaki, Kamui, and the world of Cardfight!! Vanguard. You'll see Aichi's timid beginnings and his growth as a fighter. This is where the magic truly begins!
- Episodes: 65
- Key Arcs: Introduction to Vanguard, Regional Tournaments, PSY Qualia, VF Circuit.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard: Asia Circuit Hen: The second season. Our heroes venture across Asia to compete in the prestigious Asia Circuit tournament, facing new and powerful opponents.
- Episodes: 39
- Key Arcs: International Cardfights, Strengthening Bonds, New Challenges.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard: Link Joker Hen: The third season introduces a darker, more serious tone with the enigmatic "Link Joker" invaders threatening Planet Cray. Aichi and his friends must fight to protect their world and their bonds.
- Episodes: 59
- Key Arcs: Invasion of Link Joker, Personal Struggles, The Power of Bonds.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate-Hen: The fourth and final season of the original series. This arc deals with the aftermath of the Link Joker invasion and a new threat that causes Aichi to disappear, leaving his friends to find him.
- Episodes: 33
- Key Arcs: Searching for Aichi, Legion Mate mechanics, Final Battle.
Sub-heading 2.2: The Movie (Optional but Recommended)
- Gekijouban Cardfight!! Vanguard: Neon Messiah: Released after "Legion Mate-Hen," this movie provides a standalone story that further explores the themes and characters from the original series. While not strictly necessary for the main plot, it's a fantastic watch for fans of the original cast.
Step 3: Entering the G-Zone - A New Generation (Direct Sequel)
After the conclusion of Aichi's saga, "Cardfight!! Vanguard G" introduces a new set of protagonists and a different storyline, while still existing in the same continuity.
Sub-heading 3.1: Chrono's Beginning
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Cardfight!! Vanguard G: The first season of the G series. It follows Chrono Shindou, a new protagonist, as he discovers Vanguard and forms Team TRY3 with Shion Kiba and Tokoha Anjou.
- Episodes: 48
- Key Arcs: Introduction of Stride, New Generation of Fighters, Mystery of the Company.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard G: GIRS Crisis: The second season of the G series. Team TRY3 faces off against "Generation Quest," a group of powerful fighters, while uncovering more about the mysterious "GIRS Crisis."
- Episodes: 26
- Key Arcs: Unraveling the GIRS Crisis, Confronting New Threats.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Stride Gate-Hen: The third season of the G series. The stakes are higher as the truth behind the GIRS Crisis and its impact on Planet Cray are revealed.
- Episodes: 26
- Key Arcs: Saving Cray, Final Confrontations.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard G: NEXT: The fourth season of the G series. After the Stride Gate incident, Chrono and his friends participate in the U20 Championship, a national tournament.
- Episodes: 26
- Key Arcs: U20 Championship, New Rivals, Personal Growth.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard GZ: The final season of the G series. This arc brings back familiar faces from the original series and ties up many loose ends, as a new, overwhelming threat emerges.
- Episodes: 24
- Key Arcs: Ultimate Threat, Return of Legends, Conclusion of the G Saga.
Step 4: The Reboot - A Fresh Start (Alternate Storyline)
The "V Series" (sometimes referred to as "Vanguard 2018" or "Reboot") offers an alternative retelling of the original story. While the characters share names, their personalities and plotlines diverge significantly, with new card mechanics and a faster pace.
Sub-heading 4.1: The V Era Begins
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Cardfight!! Vanguard (2018): This is the first season of the rebooted series. It reintroduces Aichi, Kai, and the core cast, but with a revamped storyline and the "Imaginary Gift" mechanic.
- Episodes: 52
- Key Arcs: Reimagined Beginnings, Faster Paced Duels.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard: Shinemon Arc: This arc is a prequel within the V Series, focusing on Shinemon Nitta, the manager of Card Capital, and his past. It's a fun diversion and provides context for the setting. You can watch it after the initial 2018 series or even before if you prefer.
- Episodes: 42
- Key Arcs: Shinemon's Past, Card Capital's Origins.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard: High School Arc Cont.: Continues the story of the main V Series cast after the initial reboot, exploring their high school lives and new challenges.
- Episodes: 25
- Key Arcs: High School Life, New Rivals.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard: Gaiden if: This is a spinoff within the V Series continuity, featuring characters from various "Cardfight!! Vanguard" universes. It's more of a lighthearted, comedic take and is entirely optional.
- Episodes: 25
- Key Arcs: Crossover Shenanigans, Non-Canonical Fun.
Step 5: The Current Vanguard - The D Series (Another New Generation)
The "D Series" introduces a completely new set of characters, a new world, and a new card game format (Standard/D Standard), effectively starting a fresh continuity. This is the latest iteration of the anime.
QuickTip: Skim for bold or italicized words.
Sub-heading 5.1: Dive into the Future
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Cardfight!! Vanguard overDress: The first season of the D Series. It introduces Yu-yu Kondo and his journey into the world of Vanguard, along with new friends and rivals.
- Episodes: 25
- Key Arcs: New Protagonist, Introduction to D Standard.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard will+Dress: The second and third seasons of the D Series (often split into multiple parts). It continues the story of Yu-yu and his friends, exploring new challenges and developing their skills.
- Episodes: 26 (across two seasons)
- Key Arcs: Deeper World Building, Character Development.
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Cardfight!! Vanguard Divinez: The latest ongoing series in the D Series. It introduces new characters and further expands the universe of Cardfight!! Vanguard.
- Episodes: Ongoing
- Key Arcs: Further Exploration, New Conflicts.
Step 6: Where to Watch
Now that you have your watch order, where can you actually find these series?
- Crunchyroll: Often the best place to find the latest "Cardfight!! Vanguard" series, including the D Series and sometimes older ones. They usually have English subtitles and sometimes dubs.
- ***YouTube (Official Channels)***: Bushiroad, the creators of "Cardfight!! Vanguard," sometimes upload full episodes or clips on their official YouTube channels.
- Other Streaming Platforms: Check out platforms like Amazon Prime Video or Hulu as they occasionally license some of the older seasons. Availability can vary by region.
- Physical Media: For true collectors, DVDs and Blu-rays are an option, though they might be harder to find for older series.
Remember to check the availability in your specific region!
Step 7: Enjoy the Ride!
No matter which path you choose, the most important thing is to enjoy the journey. "Cardfight!! Vanguard" is a series about friendship, growth, and the thrill of the game. Take your time, appreciate the characters, and immerse yourself in the world of Cray.
Whether you prefer the nostalgic charm of the original or the modern flair of the reboots, there's a Cardfight!! Vanguard adventure waiting for you!
QuickTip: Treat each section as a mini-guide.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to distinguish between the original series and the reboot?
The original series (2011-2014) focuses heavily on Aichi Sendou's personal growth from a timid boy, while the reboot (2018 onward) re-tells Aichi's story with updated animation, a faster pace, and new card mechanics like "Imaginary Gift" from the start. Look for the year in the title to differentiate.
How to watch Cardfight!! Vanguard without missing any major plot points?
To get the full narrative and character development, follow the chronological order of the original series first (Original, Asia Circuit, Link Joker, Legion Mate), then the G series. The V and D series are separate continuities.
How to watch the Cardfight!! Vanguard movies?
The only major movie directly tied to the original continuity is "Gekijouban Cardfight!! Vanguard: Neon Messiah," which should be watched after "Legion Mate-Hen." Other "movies" might be special episodes or recap films.
How to understand the "G" in Cardfight!! Vanguard G?
The "G" in "Cardfight!! Vanguard G" refers to "Generation," signifying the introduction of the new "Stride" mechanic and a new generation of cardfighters led by Chrono Shindou, picking up years after the original series' conclusion.
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
How to know if a Cardfight!! Vanguard series is a reboot or a continuation?
Look at the characters and the card mechanics. If the same characters from the original series are re-introduced with slight design changes and a new core mechanic (like Imaginary Gift), it's likely a reboot (V Series). If it's a completely new cast and a new main mechanic (like Stride or D Standard), it's usually a direct sequel to the previous continuity.
How to find English dubbed versions of Cardfight!! Vanguard?
Many of the earlier seasons of the original and G series were dubbed. Crunchyroll often offers both subbed and dubbed options for various seasons. For the latest D series, dubs are usually released later than the subbed versions.
How to watch the Mini Van series?
"Mini Van" is a comedic short-form spin-off that features chibi versions of the characters. It's not essential for the main plot and can be watched at any time for a lighthearted break.
How to keep track of new Cardfight!! Vanguard releases?
The official Cardfight!! Vanguard website and their social media channels are the best sources for news on new anime seasons, movies, and card game products. Crunchyroll's news section also keeps up-to-date with anime announcements.
How to start playing the Cardfight!! Vanguard card game alongside the anime?
The anime series often reflects the current card game meta. To start playing, look for official trial decks or start decks of the current format (e.g., D Standard for the D Series) and check out official tutorial videos on the Bushiroad Cardfight!! Vanguard YouTube channel.
How to understand the different card formats (Standard, V Premium, Premium)?
- Standard: This format uses cards from the current "D Series" sets and has the most recent rules.
- V Premium: This format uses cards released specifically for the "V Series" (reboot) and has its own ban list and rules.
- Premium: This is an "anything goes" format, allowing cards from all eras of Cardfight!! Vanguard, offering the broadest range of strategies and card combinations.
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