Shobu Kirifuda

Shobu Kirifuda is the original and longest appearing protagonist of the anime and manga series.

He was later replaced by his younger brother, Katta Kirifuda in the later series of Duel Masters Victory. He returned in the Duel Masters Versus series to apparently assist his brother in his journey to the nationals.

Anime
Shobu Kirifuda is the son of the legendary duelist, Shori Kirifuda. He loves to duel more than anything, especially with his favorite card, the Bolshack Dragon. Shobu's goal is to meet his father again. He wants to become the best duelist in the whole world and in doing so, be the best at what he truly loves. Shobu keeps a positive attitude throughout the series, insisting on dueling for fun as opposed to simply winning.

Season 1
Shobu won his first Duel Masters Invitational Junior Circuit Tournament against Joe Sayonji. After he just won this tournament he challenged by Knight at Knight's JDC for his first real Kaijudo duel. He lost this duel to Knight but still he was able to show his power of Kaijudo Master to Knight. And that was all what Knight wanted to see.

He later went to the Temple with the offer of The Master to duel and defeat Hakuoh and his way to defeat Hakuoh he defeated 50 temple duelists and also he has to face The White Soldiers one of them was his own friend Mimi. He got defeated once by Mikuni but then he returned and defeated them all and then went to duel with Hakuoh and found out that he was being controlled by Master and in order to help him he has to defeat him in a duel. He then defeated him and won The Temple Tournament.

Sacred Lands
Shobu then goes on his quest for becoming a True Kaijudo Duelist towards the Sacred Lands. In his way he learns all five civilizations and also defeats the members of P.L.O.O.P.. He also manages to save both worlds with the help of all his friends and his father as well by defeating the boss of the P.L.O.O.P. army and sealing all five gates of all the civilizations. He then became a True Kaijudo Duelist.

Duel Masters Charge
After becoming a True Kaijudo Duelist he continued training together with his friends with Dr. Root for 3 years. They later showed up at a local tournament and got entry into the Battle Arena Tournament. In this tournament he defeated the boss of the Black Soldiers in the qualifying matches. In the final matches he wanted to duel against Hakuoh but found out about the dangerous plots of Yumama who was controlled by Zakira. He then found out that Zakira and his followers (the Fua Duelists) are after the Awakening Cards and that they have brainwashed Hakuoh.

Shobu goes a quest to find and defeat Zakira. On his journey he got accompanied by Rekuta and also Potman, who helped him develop new dueling skills and teaching him about the Awakening Cards. Shobu was able to defeat many members of the Fua Duelists and also discovering their plan to turn Hakuoh into one their members in a ritual to become "White".

Shobu and friends managed to find the Fua Castle and attempt to stop their plans. They defeat many other Fua Duelist members but are overwhelmed. They were unable to stop the ritual and Hakuoh was turned into (W) White. While it was already too late to stop the ritual, Shobu did not gave up and challenged Zakira where he found out about the full extent of Zakira's plan. He also learns of a terrible revelation about his father being killed over the Great Spirit of Duel Masters which is now split between the Awakening Cards. Any traces of Shori has not been found in over 3 years.

Despite knowing and this and being under the threat of the Judgment Ball, Shobu continues to duel. While he lost the duel to Zakira he was saved by Potman who sacrificed himself to the Judgment Ball. Shobu managed to survive but lost his Awakening Cards to Zakira, his best friend Hakuoh and Potman, one of his mentors.

Zero Duel Masters
Shobu for his love to dueling and his father's last teachings of never to give up, return with his friends to Duel Island. He meets new duelist learns new dueling skills by facing tough opponents and made new rival Jura. He also found Hakuoh on his journey but he is no longer a friend only a fierce rival. In the end he found out that there is a new enemy awaiting for him who could help him get to Zakira once again. He also got a new deck from his father. Shobu did not wanted to edit this deck much because this deck was like keepsake from his father and in the end Shobu lost against Hakuoh with this deck because he did not believe in himself or the deck but believed in his father only.

Duel Masters Zero
Shobu and his friends found out about the new enemy Professor March and his followers and were invited to a tournament as Dr. Root was kidnapped by them. Shobu and his friends faced the fierce followers of Professor March and saved Dr. Root. Shobu also lost many duels in a row with the deck of his father but then finally Mimi helped him realize the things he was missing and so he edited the deck of his father but before he could win the duel with that deck he fell into an underground cave and found his fathers old deck and with that deck he build a his own using the new cards in it. After winning with this deck Shobu's Bolshack was transformed into Bolshack Yamato Dragon. He then finally found out after 4 years that his father was alive but has to hide to found out more about Zakira. Shobu and his friends also witnessed and experienced the power of new God cards. Now that Shobu has become even stronger he tries to defeats the rest of the Professor March's followers and finds out that Professor March actually wanted to manipulate the creature with the power of Duel Spirits and with the power of the creatures he would then take over the world. In the end Shobu has the last Duel Spirit and duels against Professor March and defeats him in an epic duel.

Duel Masters Cross
Shobu got the new power of NEX and tries to stop Zakira by defeating him because he finally got his hands on Duel Masters Proof. On his way Shobu faces Hakuoh whose is now standing before him as White. Shobu got defeated by Hakuoh but in the end Hakuoh was able to revert back to his normal personality and gives Shobu a new deck. Now with the new deck Shobu was still having a hard time as he got defeated by Zakira and Yu. But Shobu improved the new deck and his skills with Bucketman's guidance and defeated Yu. later Shobu discovered his fathers recent deck which is a very advance Samurai dragon deck. But Shobu later found out that his father was defeated with this deck.

Shobu once again wanted to duel against the rest of the Fua Duelist who were in his way but this time he knew that it will be wrong to do the same mistake again. So he further improved his father's deck to an ultimate level where even Zakira would be overwhelmed. He put in his new Ultimate Evolution and NEX cards and easily defeated the Fua duelist in his way. He then further improved his deck before facing Zakira by using the power from Light/Fire cards as well which he got from the deck given to him by Hakuoh before. He also used Shiden Galaxy, Super Champ as this card will connect all three of his decks, Angel Command, NEX Armored Dragons and Samurai which will also connect his Cross Gears. With this deck he faced Zakira in an epic battle and brought down his Flying Fortress and retrieved the Duel Masters Proof as well.

Shobu returned and joined the World Championship Duel Tournament where he used new decks and once again faced the Fallen Fua duelist and also witnessed that these Fua duelist were also behind the tragedies of his friends pasts. Finally Shobu started to get the warnings about Zakira's Resurrection.

Duel Masters Cross Shock
Shobu find out about Yaesar purpose and his predictions. Yaesar serves as bringing in knowledge and power into our world from the world of Duel Masters. This time Yaesar have bring in a new knowledge of Psychic power and Yaesar wants all the finalist to be the first ones to use this knowledge and power in this tournament and so now Shobu gets the new deck and learns how to use the new Psychic Deck. Then Shobu faces another of those special people who have the same power as Shobu to awaken the Awakening Card. Shobu after seeing him remembers Yaesar's prediction about the return of Zakira and surely in the final Zakira returned but Shobu first face off against Xanadu. And finally faces Zakira who also was now using Psychic deck but Shobu had his deck improved as well before facing Zakira and with the new power in his deck Shobu defeats Zakira for the final time.

Shobu as being the world champion now and being a special boy was summoned by the Bronze-Arm Tribe who desperately came into the human world in order to seek Shobu's help as the creature world as being threatened by Diabolos Zeta and is on the verge of complete annihilation because of which the effects on human world could be catastrophic as well as all the cards will go blank and Diabolos Zeta will even start to make his way into human world.

Shobu then met Quixotic Hero Swine Snout who told him about the 5 legendary powers to stop this from happening and Shobu and his friends has to find these powers and learn to them how to use it so then these powers can then all be used together to stop Diabolos Zeta, Temporal Ruler.

Shobu already has the legendary Genji Double Cross, Temporal Swordsman but he did not know the hidden powers of this creature and he did not even know how to properly use it. Shobu lost against Quixotic Hero Swine Snout and Kokujo but then he trained and perfected his new deck and tried to stop Diabolos Zeta before he awakens but he got defeated. Then Shobu was given more encouragement and was treated by the creatures in the creature world. Shobu then realised that without the power of true friendship he cannot be stopped Shobu gathered all his friends and Reppi Aini who was very emotional towards Shobu and had run away for a time. Went out against the awakened Diabolos Zeta.

Diabolos Zeta told Shobu in the end that he wants to same like Shobu and wants to be friends and be used by someone but because his incredible power he is just being hated instead. So Shobu at that very time asked him to become his friend and that he will use him in his deck. Shobu then brought Diabolos Zeta into the human world and used him in his deck and shared his new power with everyone.

Duel Masters Victory
Shobu is the older brother of Katta Kirifuda and when Katta was very young Shobu gave him Raging Dragon Lord as a gift.

Duel Masters Versus
In an opening of Duel Masters Versus in episode 27, he is shown to become older and wears an eye patch, which covers his right eye.

Shobu made a brief appearance in episode 29. He was in a secluded place in an unknown location, looking into Kattas duel profile, saying that it had been a while since he had last seen his little brother. He wondered if Katta had become stronger.

Duel Masters: Curse of the Death Phoenix
Shobu recently won the national tournament and got invited to an island for a tournament of Champions. Shobu started dueling against Orpheus and realised that on this island the creatures actually appears on this island and these creatures can also go out of control. Orpheus told Shobu that after every duelist is defeated their Duel Energy goes to Galzark Dragon which is held captive here and Orpheus and his sister Electra wants to release this dragon. Shobu was then defeated in his first duel against him.

Later when Shobu woke up he was very terrified and did not had the courage to duel any more. But Shobu's friends told him not to give up and that they have stop this from happening. Everyone then took Shobu towards the tallest tower where Orpheus is and on their way they encounter Duel Golems which are actually creature spirits on this island. Everyone told Shobu to keep going and they hold these Golems off for him.

Shobu when he got near the tower still did not had enough courage to duel but just then he met his father who gave him the encouragement and gave him Eternal Phoenix, Phoenix of the Dragonflame. Shori told Shobu about there father Agamemnon that he was an old friend and he protected his children but now they under the curse of the Galzark dragon. Shobu then made his way to the tower and defeated Orpheus and told him that he and his sister was actually saved by their father and was not left to look after Galzark. And all this time they under the curse of Galzark because of which they were not able to leave the island.

Duel Masters: Lunatic God Saga
Shobu have won another national tournament but this time with Drag Moon, the Enlightened. Luna Kozuki who have been monitoring Shobu met Shobu as an accident, when actually she did that deliberately to get close to Shobu so she can steal Drag Moon from him. Shobu dueled her and defeated her. Then later took her to his home where she stayed overnight with Shobu and tried to steal the card but in the she couldn't because she got a bit attached to Shobu.

Next day Shobu faced Mikado Kozuki in a Kaijudo duel and was almost killed after he lost the duel but luckily he got saved by Luna who then took the card from him and told him that she is Mikado's sister. Next day Shobu had lost all his encouragement in dueling as he was very terrified he even thew his deck into the river but Mimi went into the river and got all his cards and deck back. She then gave encouragement to Shobu and told him to become even stronger not weaker and only then you will be able to protect your friends. Shobu then left to get Luna but when he got there she had just lost against her brother in a duel. She told Shobu before fainting to stop her brother. Shobu got very upset and got very sad and angry but just then Luna's mechanical bird Kororo gave Shobu a God Slayer Rising NEX, the Enlightened to defeat Mikado. Shobu then challenged Mikado in a duel and defeated his God Emperors but in the end he was still left with another strong God but Shobu Miraculously summoned Bolshack Cross NEX and defeated him. Shobu then brought him back safely and made him change his mind about unleashing the Gods into our world and that if he thinks of doing this because of his sister then Shobu told him that he will look after her from now on.

Duel Masters: Blazing Bonds XX
Shobu and Rekuta are taken to the creature world where they see the Fire Civilization is under attack by the Darkness Civilization whose leader this time is Diabolos Zeta, Annihilation Awakened. On his Quest Shobu finds a new friend Storm Double Cross, Blastdragon (Tornado Chain) and he is no ordinary friend he have a great power in which Shobu believes in but the creature himself does not believes in himself. According to legend Storm XX Blastdragon have a hidden power which can only be unleashed by the bonds between his friends. So Shobu gives him courage and tells him that he will use his power and bring down this enemy. Now Shobu have mastered this new power and have gained his new hidden unleashed power as well. Shobu uses this new power of Storm Kaiser Double Cross, the Awakened Kamikaze and brings down Diabolos Zeta. Shobu also proved by bringing down this enemy that only power does not brings victory but the bonds between each other is what brings courage and that courage will always be victorious.

Duel Masters Manga: Series 1
The original protagonist of Duel Masters manga. He is a boy known to most as the "Duel Fool" due to his love for dueling. He is a rough and direct young man, and is almost never polite. He absolutely hates losing. His name comes from "Kirifuda," meaning "Ace" and "Shobu," meaning "Duel."

​ At this point in time, Shori Kirifuda was the legendary Magic: the Gathering player, and Shobu Kirifuda was his son. After suffering defeat at the hands of Kokujo, he went to the Temple to undergo training. At first, he used a deck of Slivers with the Earthquake sorcery card, utilizing a Red-Green Rush deck. However, after dueling Toru, he decided that it was to his benefit to seal off his Sliver cards.
 * Magic: the Gathering Saga

Duel Masters Manga: Fighting Edge
​Shobu is a fifth-grader by the time the Duel Masters saga begins, and a sixth-grader by the time of the Fighting Edge(FE) sequel series. He lives by the words that his father, Shori Kirifuda, taught him: "No matter who wins or loses a duel, your friends will be there," and that as long as he believes in himself, his comrades, his deck, and his Dragons, then he can duel until the very end. His birthday is July 10th. On numerous occasions, from his storming of Fua Castle to his bout with Zakira, Shobu has lost because of his poor use of Shield Triggers.

In Fighting Edge he trained in Spain, where he re-encountered his father, Shori Kirifuda and Kokujo. He defeated Richie and along with Esmeralda and his friends, traveled to Egypt. There, he faced Toto and lost to him, but was able to win their second bout. Following that, Dr. Root returned from Japan to participate in the World Tournament. During the World Tournament, he dueled Zakira with his anger pushed beyond its limits from Hakuoh's death. He was pushed into a corner, but using Bolpheus Heaven, Holy Super Dragon and Last Violence he was able to secure victory, and by accepting his true love for Duel Masters with all his heart, he was able to obtain the Duel Masters Proof.

Duel Masters: Star Cross
Shobu and his friends meets a new enemy, Adam.

Volume 8
After a great struggle, Shobu acquired his ultimate awakened form and with his his ultimate form came his ultimate Psychic Creature card Final Storm Double Cross NEX, the Miracle Awakened. With this new card, Shobu was able to defeat Adam.

Zero Duel Masters Manga
Shobu and his friends goes to Duel Island for a tournament and also for the search of Zakira's know about. Shobu makes new rivals Wataru Sakata and Jura. Shobu faces many difficulties like Duel Computer and Hakuoh. In the end Shobu gets one step closer to meet the people who arrange this tournament and weather his father's old deck with Bolmeteus Samurai Dragon will help him win against his new enemy or not?

Duel Masters: Shadow of the Code
Shobu was stuck into the creature world because the transportation device was damaged. Shobu sends Pyrofighter Magnus to inform you about his situation. Shobu does not have very long so he needs help. Knight will assist in helping out in the quest and finally we will face the culprit behind all this. In the end before Shobu's last message he was knocked over by Benny Haha and was kidnapped. Then the player have to duel against Benny Haha and save Shobu. In the end to become the next Kaijudo Master we have to defeat another Kaijudo Master, Shobu himself. After you defeat Shobu you win the game.

Decks

 * For a list of Shobu Kirifuda's decks, see here.

Trivia
His surname's kanji of Kirifuda (切札) literally means "The Trump Card", "The Ace Card" or "The Winning Card". His name's kanji of Shoubu (勝舞) is a combination of his father's name Shouri (勝利) meaning "Victory" and his mother's name Mai (舞) means "Dance", thus "Shoubu (勝舞)" means "Victory Dance" or "Dance of Victory". The pronunciation Shoubu (しょうぶ) is also a pun from Shoubu (勝負) which means "Win (or) Lose" and from there derived the meanings: "Duel".

This trend runs in the Kirifuda family, as Shobu's younger brother Katta (勝太)'s name means "Great Victory."

While chasing Zakira in season 3, Shobu falls into a hole and burns his purple shirt. He later replaces it with an orange one.