Ask John: Why Is Yu-Gi-Oh Capsule Monsters Called “Duel Monsters Alex” in Japan?

Question:
I have waited five years for a Japanese release of “Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters” anime. Then I’ve read something on Wikipedia that says “Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters” was known in Japan as “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters ALEX.” “Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters was made specificaly for the U.S., so why did Japan name the title of the show from “Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters” to “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters ALEX”? Is “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters ALEX” a production name?

Answer:
I’m sorry to say that I don’t know the origin of the Japanese title “Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Alex.” While the series was created for American release and given the subtitle “Capsule Monsters” in America, all of the Yu-Gi-Oh anime produced in Japan from April 2000 until March 2008 was classified and titled part of the “Duel Monsters” franchise. The Yu-Gi-Oh franchise didn’t drop the “Duel Monsters” subtitle until April 2008 when then Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D’s television series premiered. Alternate Japanese titles for anime made for US premiere are not entirely unusual. The D.I.C.E. television series made for American release was titled “Dinobreaker” when it aired on Japanese television. Transformers Armada finished its 52 episode American broadcast before airing on Japanese television under the name “Transformers: Micron Legend.” However, while the subtitle “Duel Monsters” probably reflects the fact that this particular 12 episode series stars the cast of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters television series, the appended title “Alex” may indeed be a production designation because the show has never been formally released in Japan, so a new title for a Japanese broadcast isn’t actually necessary.