Konami is running a major TV ad campaign for its Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG in the run-up to Thanksgiving.  The campaign consists of three flights, with the first, which is just now wrapping up, promoting the Legendary Collection and Structure Deck:  Marik; the second promoting Collectible Tins, Wave 2, and the third promoting the Starstrike Blast booster set. 

Creative will include voice talent from the anime, courtesy of 4Kids:  the voice of Yugi from the classic series in the first flight, and the voice of Yusei from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s in the second and third flights.   

The creative for the first two flights focuses on rare, powerful cards (Egyptian God Cards from the Legendary Collection, and Shooting Star Dragon and Red Nova Dragon from the tins), and the third on Shooting Star Dragon using an anime setting.   

The ad for the first flight was created by Konami in conjunction with 4Kids Productions, for the second by Syncretic Media, and the third ad was produced in Japan.

Ads are running on Disney XD, CW 4Kids, Nicktoons, and (in Canada) the Teletoon Network.  We note that the ads are running on channels popular with kids, especially boys, but that there’s no ads scheduled for Cartoon Network, at one time a major supporter of Yu-Gi-Oh!, but currently no longer airing the show.  CW4Kids (reborn as anime block Toonzai, see “4Kids Adds Dragon Ball Z Kai”) is currently airing both Yu-Gi-Oh! and Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s on Saturday mornings.