The BEST episodes of Cardfight!! Vanguard season 8
Every episode of Cardfight!! Vanguard season 8, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Cardfight!! Vanguard season 8!
This story takes place a little further in the future—There are now billions of card game players in the world, to an extent where card games have become a necessity, a part of our lives.The protagonist of this story, Aichi Sendo, is a timid boy in his third year of middle school. He had been living his life looking backward rather than forward, trying not to stand out. However, he had one thing that kept him going - the Blaster Blade, a card from a card game that was given to him when he was little. That card is the reason why he begins to engage in Cardfights, something that changes his life drastically. The name of the card game is Vanguard. The game takes place in a different planet called Cray. It is a place similar to our own planet, but unlike planet Earth, Gods and Demons, Dragons and other mythical creatures still roam the land. It is also a world where both Magic and Science have advanced hand in hand. Countries with advances in different fields and cultures rule over different parts of the planet Cray. And due to a never before seen play system, it becomes popular throughout the world. Aichi, immediately attracted by Vanguard, meets friends such as Misaki Togura and Kamui Katsuragi, along with other rivals. Through friendly rivalry with them, Aichi begins to enjoy a fulfilling life. Aichi, however, has a goal: to once again battle with a Vanguard Fighter by the name of Toshiki Kai. Toshiki Kai is an aloof and cold-hearted high schooler who has outstanding abilities in the world of Vanguard. He is also the reason why Aichi started playing the game. For him, Kai is the person who saved him from his boring life and introduced him to Vanguard. In order to get better at Vanguard, Aichi puts his soul into it every day. He wishes that someday, he'll be able to battle Kai and have him recognize his worth.
#1 - Chrono vs. Aichi
Season 8 - Episode 27 - Aired 4/9/2017
Chrono and Aichi engage in a heated cardfight. Although Chrono tries his best to fulfill the conditions of the new card he got from Aichi, he is defeated before getting the chance to use it. Later, when Kouji and Kai arrive, they intend to leave with Aichi and Kamui. Chrono wants to come along, but Kouji decides to test him to see if he is worthy enough.
#2 - My Future In Bloom
Season 8 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/13/2016
A month has passed since Tokoha began studying abroad in France, where she is also assisting with the Vanguard Association's Paris Branch. One day, she is introduced by Jaime to a young man named Miguel Torres, a polite albeit unlucky cardfighter who aspires to be a pro in the future. Through a friendly match with him, Tokoha learns that despite Miguel's misfortune, he is indeed a strong fighter and passionate about his dream of becoming a pro. The next day, Tokoha and Miguel spend the day together when she explains how she has yet to find a goal for herself. Nonetheless, Miguel expresses how he will wholeheartedly support her. Some time later, Jaime calls Tokoha and tells her that Miguel has died.
#3 - The Light from Before
Season 8 - Episode 30 - Aired 4/30/2017
The U20 continues into its second stage. Dubbed the Castle Royale, fighters will battle each other in a five-tiered castle area. The first four teams to reach the top of the castle and have the highest amount of points will then advance to the final stage. Furthermore, unlike the first stage, once a fighter loses a match, they will be eliminated with no chance of returning into battle. As the Castle Royale goes underway, Taiyou fights and loses to Team Diffrider's Verno Farenheart.
#4 - Diffrider
Season 8 - Episode 29 - Aired 4/23/2017
Chrono and the others meet and consult with Nome Tatsunagi, who tells them what has been going on. According to him, there are units who come from Planet Cray and possess fighters via a method called "Different World Ride", or "Diffride" for short. However, in the case of Onimaru and Noa, they have been possessed by evil units.
#5 - Ibuki's Trial
Season 8 - Episode 28 - Aired 4/16/2017
To see if Chrono is strong enough for the challenges to come, Kouji cardfights him. Chrono manages to use the card given to him by Aichi, Beyond Order Dragon, to its fullest potential and defeat Kouji with it. With Chrono proving himself, he goes with Kouji and the others to see someone who knows about Team Diffrider: Nome Tatsunagi.
#6 - Return of the Vanguard!
Season 8 - Episode 26 - Aired 4/2/2017
Chrono is invited to the first Card Capital shop where he is introduced to Aichi Sendou. After Aichi gets reacquainted with his old friends, he and Kamui take Chrono back to Card Capital 2 to meet with Kouji. Along the way, Chrono gets to learn more about Aichi, who later gives him a new Gear Chronicle card that has a hefty activation cost. When the trio reaches the shop, Kouji is not present. To pass the time till he arrives, Chrono and Aichi decide to have a cardfight.
#7 - Chaos of the End
Season 8 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/26/2017
All eyes turn to the cardfight between Chrono and Noa; whoever wins will earn his team the last spot to the second stage. As the fight goes on, Chrono slowly realizes that Noa is not acting like his usual self and is reminded of the time when he fought Onimaru. Despite overbearing pressure from Noa, Chrono makes a comeback victory, thus allowing Team Striders to advance to the second stage.
#8 - The Knights Swear Victory Upon Their Swords
Season 8 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/19/2017
The fourth day of the first stage ensues with Shion cardfighting Taiyou. Despite Taiyou learning about Shion's style from Chrono, Shion manages to win, thus gaining enough points for his team to advance to the second stage. Elsewhere, Chrono comes across Noa...
#9 - Strong, Violent, and Beautiful
Season 8 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/12/2017
Near the end of the first stage's third day, Tokoha fights and defeats her rival Rin, who has always been like a wall for her. With this victory, Tokoha's team advances to the second stage, which leaves only two spots remaining.
#10 - Fascinating Magia
Season 8 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/26/2017
The third day progresses with only eight teams remaining. Kazuma finds himself playing against Luna Yumizuki, who wants to make him smile through this fight. Though initially pressured by Luna, Kazuma defeats her and becomes a fan of hers. Meanwhile, Chrono loses to Nagisa, who mentions that Kamui entered the U20 because of Kouji. Chrono tries to ask Kamui about this but is unable to get an answer from him.
#11 - Are you ready to FIGHT!!
Season 8 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/8/2017
Before the U20 starts, Chrono, Tokoha, and Shion have their own "send-off parties" with their respective teams. Jaime Flowers relax at a spa resort, the Fukuhara Vanguard Club has lunch on a cruise ship, and Striders engage in a curry-eating contest. At the end of the day, they are all treated to a fireworks show prepared by Shion. Then, the U20 Championship begins, where the other qualified teams are introduced and Kazuma is shocked to see Onimaru...
#12 - Dawn of Nippon
Season 8 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/22/2017
On the second day of the first stage, Kazuma faces Makoto Asada of Team New Nippon. While fighting, Makoto reminisces about the time when he first met Arata and how Team New Nippon was formed. Ultimately, Makoto defeats Kazuma. Just as Taiyou learns of this news, he comes across Tokoha.
#13 - Light's Signpost
Season 8 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/29/2017
Tokoha and Taiyou cardfight each other, with Taiyou wanting to win to get Kazuma back in the tournament. After a long and arduous battle, Taiyou manages to win, thus bringing Kazuma back into the fray and Tokoha once again knocked out.
#14 - Man and Man
Season 8 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/5/2017
Enishi cardfights Kamui, who applies an enormous amount of pressure on him. In the middle of the battle, Enishi learns that Kumi has also lost, causing him to worry even more. However, Enishi withstands Kamui's attacks and defeats him, thus allowing Tokoha and Kumi to return to the tournament.
#15 - Sorrow Skyscraper
Season 8 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/12/2017
The second day of the U20 first stage ends. As all the teams return to their homes, Chrono meets Team New Nippon and has dinner with them. Meanwhile, Rin decides that she is fed up with being on the team. She challenges Shion to a cardfight on top of a skyscraper; if she wins, then she will quit. At first frustrated by Shion's reasons for wanting to enter the U20 in the first place, Rin rekindles her own fighting spirit through this fight. Afterwards, Rin decides to stay with the team.
#16 - Unyielding Pirate
Season 8 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/19/2017
The third day of the U20 begins, where Henri gets starstruck when he faces Am Chouno. Despite the disadvantage her Granblue deck has against Henri's, Am defeats and then gives him a Rummy Labyrinth keychain. Afterwards, she, Luna, and Saya get reacquainted with Tokoha, Kumi, and Enishi.
#17 - Creeping Menace
Season 8 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/5/2017
A sudden power outage occurs, which was caused by Onimaru and his team. Amidst the confusion, Onimaru tries to sneak his way into the field but is halted by Chrono and Kouji. Onimaru and Kouji have a cardfight with Chrono observing them. However, when the power comes back on, the fight is called off. Later, as the first stage resumes as normal, Onimaru returns to his original objective: a portal that Noa Hoshizaki of Team Nippon had accidentally stumbled upon. Inside the portal, Onimaru performs a Different World Ride, making Noa become possessed by Star-Vader, Chaos Breaker Dragon.
#18 - Welcome to the NEXT STAGE!!
Season 8 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/2/2016
Time has passed, and the members of Team TRY3 have gone their separate ways as they enter high school. Tokoha is studying abroad in France, Shion is attending Fukuhara High, and Chrono enrolls in Tokyo Metropolitan Harumi High School. However, Chrono has a hard time adjusting to his new school life. Later, while working at Card Capital 2, Chrono is challenged to a cardfight by a peculiar young man, who soundly defeats him with his Nubatama deck. Before leaving, the man reveals his name to Chrono: Kazumi Onimaru. Upon learning that Kazumi is the reigning "Under 20" Vanguard champion, Chrono decides to enter the U20 Championship.
#19 - Kazuma's Ritual
Season 8 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/16/2016
Learning from Chrono about Kazuma, Taiyou goes to confront Kazuma to see what kind of person he is. Despite a run-in with Kazuma's delinquent friends, Taiyou gets his chance to cardfight Kazuma. When Taiyou gains the upper hand, Kazuma almost decides to give up, which makes Chrono deduce that he has a fear of losing. However, Kazuma continues the fight and wins, much to his own surprise. Afterwards, Chrono and Taiyou decide to recruit Kazuma onto their team for the U20 Championship (despite Kazuma's refusal).
#20 - Smile of Queen and Schemes
Season 8 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/30/2016
The one who Shion hopes to recruit to Fukuhara's Vanguard club is Rin Hashima, but doing so is not an easy task. Hayao requests for Rin to join, which she initially refuses, but he manages to catch her interest when he mentions that Mamoru Anjou will come teach the club. Later that afternoon, Rin comes to the clubroom before Mamoru does, and Shion coaxes her into playing against Hayao. While the two have their cardfight, Mamoru appears, and Shion tricks him into believing that Rin is a member of the club and she is training with Hayao. As a result, Rin reluctantly becomes an official club member.
#21 - Dragon Awaiting Awakening
Season 8 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/9/2016
To enter the U20 Championship, Chrono must find two other fighters and form a team with them. He recruits Taiyou but has yet to find a third member. Later at the card shop, Chrono meets an apathetic teenager named Kazuma Shouji, who also attends Harumi High School. He claims to have previously played Vanguard and requests Chrono to teach the game's rules to him. So, Chrono has a teaching fight with Kazuma, who slowly is reminded of how Vanguard is played. Despite acting nonchalant to most of Chrono's teachings, Kazuma becomes motivated when he gets the chance to stride. However, when Chrono tries to win on the following turn, Kazuma decides to quit, believing he already lost. Chrono tries to tell him to never give up until the very end and to believe in his own possibilities. He shows Kazuma that he would have gotten a heal trigger to help him, but he suddenly gets defensive upon touching his card. He then leaves, and Chrono wonders why Kazuma acted the way he did.
#22 - The "Ki" Prince of Fukuhara
Season 8 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/23/2016
At Fukuhara High, Shion learns that the school's once-prestigious Vanguard club is past its prime and now in danger of being disbanded. Along with the club's sole remaining member, Henri Hayao, he makes a proposition to the school's board of directors; if the Vanguard club can win the U20 Championship, then the club will stay. Later, Shion and Henri have a cardfight. Noticing that Henri is playing scared, Shion helps him get over his nerves, and the two have an intense battle. After the fight, Henri remembers that they need a third member to enter the U20, and Shion knows just the person to recruit.
#23 - The Flower Will Bloom Radiantly
Season 8 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/27/2016
Along with a disguised Jaime, Tokoha returns to Japan to form her team for the U20. She recruits her best friend Kumi Okizaki and Satoru Enishi, who has been working at the Dragon Empire Branch, wishing to show people the appeal of Vanguard. Tokoha visits Card Capital 2 where she reunites with Chrono and Taiyou and also meets Kazuma. Wanting to know more about Kazuma, she decides to have a cardfight with him. Although Kazuma tries his hardest, Tokoha manages to win. She offers him a handshake afterwards, but Kazuma refuses it and leaves, frustrated by his lack of power as a cardfighter.
#24 - The Last Chance
Season 8 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/18/2016
Chrono's team, Striders, enters a U20-qualifying tournament held at the first Card Capital shop; this is their last chance to qualify for the U20. However, because Kazuma has not shown up yet, Chrono and Taiyou must fight their way through the tournament by themselves. Striders eventually make it to the grand finals, where they face Team Trinity Dragon. In the first game, Taiyou loses to Karl. Then, Misaki tells Chrono that if Kazuma does not appear within ten minutes, then Striders will lose by default. Thankfully, Kazuma appears at the last possible second and fights Kei in the second game.
#25 - An Unsurpassable Existence
Season 8 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/4/2016
Chrono, Tokoha, and Shion enter in a U20-qualifying tournament with their respective teams. In this tournament, players are randomly paired up, and the team with the most collective victories will get a guaranteed spot into the U20. As the tournament progresses, Kazuma eventually fights Mamoru. Believing to be on the verge of losing to Mamoru, Kazuma decides to quit before the fight properly concludes, which angers Chrono. He tries to ask Kazuma about his pessimism and convince him to just try, but this leads to a small fight between the two, ending with Kazuma leaving. At the end of the tournament, Shion's team is declared the winner, and Mamoru informs Chrono about thugs who are using Vanguard to attack people.