"Let the Finals Begin!", known as "Battle Ship Takes Off!" in the Japanese version, is the eighty-first episode of the Yu-Gi-Oh! second series anime. It first aired in Japan on November 13, 2001, and in the US on August 30, 2003.

After obtaining 6 Locator Cards, the semi-finalists arrive at Kaiba's secret tournament location.

SummaryEdit

Seto Kaiba is the already waiting at the scene with his brother Mokuba. Yugi and his group arrive, the members are Tristan Taylor, Serenity Wheeler, Téa Gardner, Duke Devlin, Joey Wheeler and Mai Valentine. Yugi, Joey and Mai qualify for finals. Marik Ishtar arrives and qualifies for the finals, and Joey is suspicious about his true identity, but Marik quickly hypnotizes Téa to convince both Yugi and Joey of his false alias (He later remarks that he can take control of Téa anytime). At this time, Ryo Bakura arrives and also qualifies for the finals. Yugi is suspicious that Yami Bakura might have re-surfaced and Marik is surprised that he qualified despite only joining a day ago. Odion Ishtar comes in at this point, creating a commotion as Yugi, Kaiba and Joey recognize him as Marik, and Odion even identifies himself as Marik. All three swear to defeat him. However, in order to keep this illusion, Marik has given Odion a replica of the Millennium Rod, while keeping the real one hidden.

At this time, Mokuba introduces the Battle Ship, a huge airship where the finals will take place. The airship lands and all the contestants enter the trip, the rest of Yugi's group with ID cards (handed to all the final contestants) are initially not allowed, but Mokuba allows them. Kaiba orders the airship to leave, but at the last minute Ishizu Ishtar arrives with a mask over her face to conceal her identity. The Battle Ship takes off at this point.

Kaiba says to Yami Yugi that he never played his "Slifer the Sky Dragon" since he won it from the Rare Hunter Strings, he also says that when they face each other Yami Yugi better put his "Slifer the Sky Dragon" in his Deck so that when he wins it he can win the Battle City Tournament. The semi-finalists prepare their Decks in preparation for the Tournament. During Yugi's talk with Yami Yugi, they confirm that Bakura is once again under the influence of the Millennium Ring. During the preview, the first match-up is shown as Yami Yugi vs. Yami Bakura. Yugi prepares himself for the upcoming Duel.

ErrorsEdit

When Yugi,Joey and Mai are asked to show their six locator cards, all three show seven cards instead.

Featured cardsEdit

The following cards appeared in this episode. Cards in italics debuted here.