This article is about the action. For the card, see Return (card).

Returning is an action which moves a card back into a different location. Most returning effects return cards to the hand or Deck.

Some cards leave a lingering effect which returns the monster to the field later on in the Duel. These include "Rallis the Star Bird", "Interdimensional Matter Transporter", "Slip of Fortune" and "Future Visions". When a monster is returned to the field, it is not considered to be a Summon of any kind, so cards which respond to a Summon cannot be used and cards which prevent Summons will not affect a return. These include "Solemn Judgment", "Solemn Warning", "Black Horn of Heaven", "Torrential Tribute", "Bottomless Trap Hole", "Black Garden" and "Calming Magic".

In the case of returning a card to the Graveyard, returning is not considered to be sending a card to a different location. Thus, "Miracle Dig" and "Fortune's Future" can be used to return monsters to the Graveyard even if "Macro Cosmos" is on the field; the returned monster will remain in the Graveyard.

When a Normal Spell Card, a Quick-Play Spell Card, a Ritual Spell Card, or a Normal Trap Card is activated, you cannot chain an effect that would return that card to the hand or Deck. Exceptions include cards that remain on the field after activation such as "Swords of Revealing Light" or "Kunai with Chain" & also cards like "Wiretap".