Yu-Gi-Oh! is a 1998 Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Animation, based on the manga series of the same name written and illustrated by Kazuki Takahashi. It is the first animated adaptation of the manga and was directed by Hiroyuki Kakudō. Like the manga, this series is centered on Yugi Mutou, who becomes host to an ancient gambling spirit after solving the Millennium Puzzle. This series loosely adapts the first 59 chapters of the manga while adding several original events and characters; fans commonly refer to it as "Season 0" to distinguish it from the later Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters.