The actual dueling is brief, as Joey is too weakened to fight back effectively.
Episode 173 is less about the technicalities of the card game and more about the tragic dissolution of a deep friendship. After an exhausting battle with Valon, Joey is barely standing, yet he must face a brainwashed Mai whose soul is bound to the . Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Episode 173
This is one of the darker episodes in the series. The "Bitter Victory" title is apt; while Mai technically wins, the weight of her realization and Joey's "death" makes it a hollow achievement. Final Verdict The actual dueling is brief, as Joey is
The animation effectively conveys Joey’s physical fatigue and the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the Seal. This is one of the darker episodes in the series
Joey’s unwavering faith in Mai remains the highlight. Even as his life points drop to zero due to exhaustion, his final act is to push Mai out of the shrinking Seal of Orichalcos to save her, losing his own soul in the process. Visuals and Pacing