Others are a subsection of humanity that have a specific colour of magic that allows them to use a specific set of powers. They have taken on several names over the years: witches, wizards, magicians, sorcerers, warlocks, shamans, diviners, and mediums, just to name a few. When under the influence of the drug, the Orichalcos, Others are turned into Infected.
Currently, the global population of Others are decreasing. This is due to the fact that Magic is dying and therefore he cannot uphold such a huge population. Others have integrated themselves with the Normal community and live side-by-side with them. America is home to about one thousand Others, while Canada has triple that amount. The amount of Others in Europe and Africa are decreasing. Most Others live in Asia or South America.
Identifying Factors[]
The main way to identify an Other is through their eye colour. As 'the eyes are the window to the soul' and the soul is the source of all life and magic, the colour of one's irises reflects the shade of magic one has within them. Others have oddly coloured eyes. For example, the protagonist Ryou Bakura has demonic red eyes and The Immortal, Atem, as maroon eyes. Common colours amongst others are purple and startling shades of blue, though yellow, earthy brown, and pitch black are also possible.
Others also have the ability to sense another Other's magic by using the Sixth Sense. Each branch of magic gives off a different thought-smell and those smells are different for every other. They usually follow a specific pattern. For example, Ryou Bakura's Sixth Sense, with the exception of Medicine and Enchantment Magic, are all based on the four classical elements of Greece. Marik Ishtar's Sixth Sense thought-smells are based on food and Weevil Underwood's are based on things that are associated with insects.
Effects of the Ward[]
The Ward is a part of magic that evolved shortly after the Second Cut Off and the revival of the Orichalcos. It was originally supposed to help the Others community to slip into obscurity, though due to Magic's inability to function correctly upon its creation, also made Normals fear Others. Due to this factor, many Others have been abused, bullied, or abandoned on several occasions.
Abilities[]
Combat Magic[]
As the name suggests, this branch of Magic is used in battle by Others. Primarily, it involves pumping magic into an Other's muscular system, helping the body preserve itself then the limitations that the brain has put on a human's muscles. Once these limits have been broken, an Other physical strength and balance increases dramatically, allowing them to race after speeding cars and leap onto the roofs of tall buildings.
Combat magic also allows Others to manipulate fire, either by having it erupt from their mouths or concentrate it in the palms of their hands. The colour of the fire matches that of the colour of their magic.
Others That Primarily Use Combat Magic[]
- Mai Valentine
- Akeifa Bakura
- Jack Atlas
- Raphael
- Seto Kaiba
- Kisara Bleu
- Atem
- Ryou Bakura
- Jaden Yuki
Illusion Magic[]
Illusion magic allows an Other to weave a false reality in front of another person in order to trick them into believing in the caster's falsehood. These illusions can be anything from lights and sounds to turning the caster invisible. Those who are skilled enough can create dopplegangers of themselves.
At Atlantis School for the Gifted, Mahad Schwarz is the Illusions teacher.
Others That Primarily Use Illusion Magic[]
- Mana Oscuro
- Soul Steeler Bakura
- Alexis Rhodes
Summoning Magic[]
Summoning is the act of calling upon Shadow Creatures. It is often considered the most ancient art known to Others in the modern world, though this is a false statement - it was actually one of the last to be discovered. Once Summoned, a Shadow Creature feeds off of the link an Other creates from the Shadow Realm, allowing them to remain in the World of the Living.
Summoning is a two way contract, so if the Shadow Creature does not agree to be Summoned, then the Summoning cannot occur.
Others That Primarily Use Summoning Magic[]
- Rex Raptor
- Weevil Underwood
- Dark God Bakura
- Yusei Fudo
- Shadi
Enchantment Magic[]
Enchantment magic is the magic of the mind. It always the user to do many things, like read someone's mind, alter their state of consciousness, and hypnotize people. It is probably one of the most dangerous and powerful branches of magic, as one can take control of another person and make them commit a crime.
Others That Primarily Use Enchantment Magic[]
- Maximillion Pegasus
- Coy "Strings" Burke
- Marik Ishtar
- Game Master Bakura
- Yubel
- Akizi Izinski
Medicine Magic[]
Medicine Magic are primarily practiced by people called Medics, though they have been called Healers in the past. It is used to heal physical injuries, though once a healing has been preformed it is impossible to undue what has been done.
Others That Primarily Use Medicine Magic[]
- Ishizu Ishtar
- Abe
- Touzoku Bakura
Morphing Magic[]
Morphing magic is the ability to turn one thing into another or manipulate the environment so that it suites the needs of an Others. There is one rule that must be followed when Morphing something: to create something new, you must sacrifice something of equal value.
Others That Primarily Use Morphing Magic
- Karim
- Crow Hogan
- Thief King Bakura
Overpowers[]
Overpowers are given to a select few Others. Overpowers give an Other extra abilities that Magic intends for them to use. When an Other uses an Overpower, their eyes begin to glow with the colour of their magic. Originally, six Ancients were cursed with Overpowers as a punishment for trying to force Magic to bend to the will of King Raa. Since then, these powers have been given to humans will no malicious intent behind them.
Touzoku Bakura is the only expert on the true extent of the abilities of those with Overpowers, as he spent most of his life studying them.
Shape Shifters[]
Shape Shifters, sometimes called Shape Changers, have the ability to become anything as long as it is something that can be considered alive. However, once a Shape Shifter changes forms for the first time, they cannot turn back to their original form. After death, they will briefly revert to their original form. Shape Shifting comes from the Morphing branch.
The first Shape Shifter was an Ancient One named Ijiraq. He was cursed by Magic to forget himself and become everyone and everything other than what he truly was.
Known Shape Shifters[]
- Edina
- Morgana
- Crow Hogan
- Ijiraq
Seers[]
Seers have the ability to see events that are not happening in front of them. There are three types of Seers:True Seers that can see the future, clairvoyance who can see the present, and mediums that can observe the past. Seers come from the Enchantment branch.
The first Seer was an Ancient One named Cerridwen. She was cursed by Magic to know all of time, but would not have the ability to change the horrors that she saw. Judging by that description, it can be assumed that Cerridwen was a True Seer.
Known Seers[]
- Ishizu Ishtar, clairvoyant
- Cerridwen, possible True Seer
Necromancers[]
Necromancers are a medium between the living and the death. Their primary abilities include being able to see and communicate with the spirits of the dead, helping them to pass on to whatever comes after death, and allowing a spirit to possess their body. There is also a second stage of Necromancer called a True Necromancer, though very few Necromancers ever gain this ability. True Necromancers have the ability to give spirits physical form and raise the dead, though it is hinted that they possess other abilities as well. Necromancers come from the Summoning branch.
The first Necromancer was an Ancient One named Supai. He was cursed by Magic to forget the living and have concern only for the dead.
Known Necromancers[]
- Atem
- Ryou Bakura
- Bakura the King Killer
- Yusei Fudo
- Supai
Creators[]
Creators have the power to make Illusions real, living beings. They can create just about anything, though if that thing is killed or destroyed, it will fade instead of crumble or fall. Creators come from the Illusions branch.
The first Creator was an Ancient One named Khnum. He was cursed by Magic to have everything that he could ever want, but not have it mean anything at all.
Known Creators[]
- Dartz
- Aladin
- Khnum
Death Touches[]
Death Touches live incredibly lonely lives. Their ability is completely involuntary and involves the transfer of diseases and poisons through skin contact. There is no way to turn this ability off, though it is possible for a Death Touch to control what is passed on. Anything living that comes into contact with them will active their powers, so not even plant life or animals are safe.
There are advantages to being a Death Touch. For one, they will never get sick as they are completely immune to all diseases and poisons. They can also heal from any injury within twenty-four hours. Death Touches are also walking anti-venom and their blood can be used to cure any ailment.
The only person a Death Touch can touch without using their power is another Death Touch. However, most with this power isolate themselves from society to avoid touching another person, so it is incredibly difficult to get in contact with one. For this reason, most Death Touches die childless and unmarried. Death Touches come from the Medicine Branch.
The first Death Touch was an Ancient One named Ekibyogami. He was cursed by Magic to never feel the skin of another living being ever again.
Known Death Touches[]
- Yum Cimil/Ah Puch
- Leon von Shroader
- Ekibyogami
Berserkers[]
Berserkers have to constantly surpress their emotions because extreme feelings will trigger a change in them. They will become beasts that will kill anything that they come in contact with. They gain claws and fangs and their hair becomes longer and wilder.
It is possible for Berserkers to calm themselves down if they change the intense emotions that made them change in the first place or change the fixation of their emotions. Sometimes, this doesn't always work as a Berserker's mind doesn't always understand complex thought or language.
The first Berserker was an Ancient One named Nemain. She was cursed by Magic to become a frenzied animal that would spill the blood of both friend and foe.
Known Berserkers[]
- Kisara Bleu
- Nemain
After Death[]
When an Other dies, their body is taken by the Shadow Realm before their soul can be released. This is the reason why Necromancers are unable to use the souls of Others. Very few people actually know what Magic does with the bodies and souls of Others, though it is hinted that they become something else.
Known Others[]
- Ryou Bakura
- Bakura the King Killer
- Thief King Bakura
- Touzoku Bakura
- Game Master Bakura
- Soul Steeler Bakura
- Dark God Bakura
- Akeifa Bakura
- Atem
- Solomon Moto
- Mana Oscuro
- Marik Ishtar
- Mai Valentine
- Seto Kaiba
- Rex Raptor
- Weevil Underwood
- Mahad Shwartz
- Alister
- Shadi
- Maximillion Pegasus
- Ishizu Ishtar
- Odion Ishtar
- Mako Tsunami
- Coy "Strings" Burke
- Raphael
- Valon Cincin
- Kisara Bleu
- Jaden Yuki
- Alexis Rhodes
- Leon von Schroader
- Yubel
- Yusei Fudo
- Jack Altas
- Crow Hogan
- Akizi Izinski
- Edina
- Yum Cimil/Ah Puch
- Morgana
- Aladin
Trivia[]
- Before the Second Cut Off, Others were referred to by the Mayan people as Shamans.
- Antarctica has a single Other living on the ice
- If the Ward didn't exist, there would be about ten extra Others going to Atlantis School for the Gifted each year. This is because Atlantis primarily on the SAT testing system of America's education system to find young Others. However, not all teenagers end up taking that test. Several Others drop out of school, land themselves in prison, or commit suicide because of the effects of the Ward are too great.