Marik Ishtar

Leader of the Ghouls and an evil character who uses dark powers

A character from Yu-Gi-Oh!, leader of the rare card theft group 'GHOULS'. Owner of the Millennium Rod, wielder of dark powers that manipulate people's memories and control the God Cards.

Quotes

  • The power to manipulate human emotions—this is the true strength of the Millennium Rod!
  • Anyone who defies me will absolutely not be forgiven!
  • True strength is understood at the bottom of darkness.
  • My name is the king, Marik Ishtar!
  • To protect those I love, I will become strong.

Trivia

  • Name derives from 'Malik', meaning 'king' in Arabic.
  • Surface personality uses 'boku', dark personality uses 'ore'.
  • During childhood, after venturing into the outside world once, became fond of motorcycles influenced by a magazine.
  • Dark personality is sealed by Rishid's Seal of Healing, but emerges when Rishid loses consciousness.
  • In the story, uses a special lock combo called 'God Five'.
  • The truth of the father's murder was concealed for a long time but revealed by Rishid's awakening.

Alternate names

Marik Ishtar Dark Marik Nam

Tags

Yu-Gi-Oh! Ghouls Millennium Rod Rare Hunter Dark Personality Dual Personality God Cards Egypt Revenge Sibling Love

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male
Birthday
December 23

Appearance

Overall appearance
Long blond hair with sharp eyes, tall stature at 180cm. Facial expressions and hairstyles differ between the surface personality and dark personality; the dark personality features spiked-up hair and a sickly facial expression.
Height
Approximately 180cm
Weight
55kg
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Blond
Distinguishing features
  • Long blond hair
  • Tablet of the King's Memories engraved on his back
  • Sharp gaze
Iconic items
  • Millennium Rod
  • The Winged Dragon of Ra
  • Osiris the Sky Dragon
  • Tomb Keeper's attire
  • Black pendant

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Ruthless
Detailed personality
Once a gentle and cheerful boy, but transformed into a cold-blooded personality who spares no means to achieve his goals following his father's death. Possesses a dark personality with destructive desires and sadistic traits. His deep bond with his sister Ishizu remains intact.
Keywords
  • Ruthless
  • Dual Personality
  • Vengeful
  • Cunning
  • Cold-blooded
  • Dark Powers
Motto
Gain freedom by becoming the true king
Talents
  • Memory Manipulation
  • Millennium Rod Usage
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Shadow Game Manipulation
Skills
  • High Dueling Prowess
  • Brainwashing and Memory Manipulation
  • Card Combo Construction
  • Mind Control
Motivation
To defeat Yugi with dark powers and become the true king in place of the Pharaoh.
Habits
Surface personality uses 'boku' as first-person pronoun, dark personality uses 'ore'. Fond of motorcycles since childhood.
Favorite foods
Koshari
Hobbies
Motorcycle
Disliked foods
Meat dishes

History

Backstory
Descendant of the Egyptian Tomb Keeper clan, protecting the Millennium Items alongside his sister Ishizu and adopted brother Rishid. At age 10, during the Tomb Keeper's ritual, a vicious dark personality emerged, resulting in a dual personality, and eventually the dark personality killed his father. Mistaking Yami Yugi for the perpetrator of his father's death, he vows revenge. Through conflicts with his clan's destiny and the dark personality, he ultimately resolves to bear his sins and live on.
Debut date
circa 1998
Work title
Yu-Gi-Oh! Battle City Arc
Media type
Manga

Birth of Dark Personality in Tomb Keeper Ritual

Significant event
Birth of Dark Personality in Tomb Keeper Ritual
Description
During the painful ritual engraving the King's Memories on his back, the vicious dark personality is born.

Father's Murder

Significant event
Father's Murder
Description
Dark personality awakens and kills his father. He remains unaware of the truth for a long time and mistakes it for Yugi.

Formation of Ghouls and God Cards Theft Plan

Significant event
Formation of Ghouls and God Cards Theft Plan
Description
Becomes leader of the rare card theft group and acquires The Winged Dragon of Ra and Osiris the Sky Dragon.

Battle City Finals Against Yami Yugi

Significant event
Battle City Finals Against Yami Yugi
Description
Taken over by the dark personality, but ultimately defeats the dark personality and surrenders.

Disappearance of Dark Personality and Resolve for Atonement

Significant event
Disappearance of Dark Personality and Resolve for Atonement
Description
Convinced by Rishid, resolves to bear the sins he committed.

Relationships

Ishizu Ishtar

Sibling

Sibling relationship. Deeply bonded with his sister, but harbors complex emotions due to the father's death incident.

Rishid

Guardian

Adopted brother who plays a crucial role in sealing the dark personality.

Ishtar Patriarch

Father

Strict clan leader. Killed by Marik's dark personality.

Bakura

Rival

An adversary with dark powers despite being in a cooperative relationship.

Ghouls (Rare Hunters)

Ghouls (Rare Hunters): leader

Media appearances

Yu-Gi-Oh!

Manga / Protagonist

Serialization started in 1996

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters

Anime / Protagonist

2000 TV series

Yu-Gi-Oh! THE DARK SIDE OF DIMENSIONS

Movie / Supporting

2016

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 8: The Great Evil God of Ruin

Game / Protagonist

Voice cast and creators

Tetsuya Iwanaga

Voice actor
Tetsuya Iwanaga
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime Version

Akiko Kimura

Voice actor
Akiko Kimura
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime (Childhood)

Jonathan Todd Ross

Voice actor
Jonathan Todd Ross
Language
English
Version or series
English Dub Anime, PS2 Game

Kazuki Takahashi

Creator name
Kazuki Takahashi
Role
Original author

Shueisha

Creator name
Shueisha
Role
Publisher

Toei Animation

Creator name
Toei Animation
Role
Animation studio

Related goods

Marik Ishtar Figure

Item name
Marik Ishtar Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Millennium Rod Replica

Item name
Millennium Rod Replica
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

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