To commemorate the 25th anniversary (technically 26th in April) of the legendary anime Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, Katsuya Jonouchi, widely known as Joey Wheeler, joins Kotobukiya’s Artfx J series with a brand-new collectible figure. His dynamic pose, with clenched fists and a smile that has become a famous meme, is faithfully recreated from a new commemorative illustration by animator Takahiro Kagami. Every detail, down to the fingertips, has been meticulously crafted to capture the elegant and powerful essence of Kagami’s art style.
This marks the first figure to depict Joey wearing the shirt he donned during the ‘Battle City’ arc, offering a fresh perspective even for collectors who already own previous figures of the character. This release, scheduled for October 2026, allows Joey to stand alongside other iconic duelists beloved by generations of fans, such as Yami Yugi, Yugi Muto, and Seto Kaiba.
While the distinctive grimace on Joey’s face, included as a bonus with the figure, is widely recognized for a popular meme, its true origin lies with professional wrestler Antonio Inoki, the legendary founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Animation director Takahiro Kagami confirmed in 2019 that both Joey’s prominent chin and his passionate personality were inspired by the celebrated Japanese wrestling icon.
Nevertheless, Joey’s expression has been popularly adopted in numerous memes to convey intense desire or admiration, often using phrases like “Ke sukulento” (How succulent!) or “Oie ke riko” (Oh, how tasty!). Essentially, this is the Joey meme figure, and it can be yours for $160 USD if you pre-order before April 7th; after this date, availability will be subject to stock. The Katsuya Jonouchi (Joey Wheeler) -Passionate Duelists- Peak Form figure stands 220 mm tall and is made from PVC, ABS, and acrylic materials.
