In a flashback, Marik's father is shown mercilessly whipping his slave, Odion (the scarred flesh on his back is clearly visible). His father then proceeds to whip his own son after he tells him to stop. In an attempt to save their lives, Marik uses magic to pin his father against a wall and then stabs him to death with a dagger. Blood is shown on the wall as his father slumps to the ground dead.

During a flashback, Amelta's little brother is shown being sheltered by a tank. However, a KaibaCorp helicopter bombs the tank, killing his brother instantly. In another flashback, Rafael is nearly killed as a kid after a cruise ship he was on sunk. Everybody else aboard died, however he survived on an island only to escape and discover his relatives spent the entire fortune left to him by his family. He later digs up his parent's graves, not believing they're dead. However, he is later shown touching a human skull and cries in horror, holding the skulls of his parents in his arms.

The Winged Dragon of Ra electrocutes Joey, nearly killing him and sending him to the hospital.

During the "Duelist Kingdom" saga, Pegasus is shown to be drinking wine on a few occasions.

In a flashback, Mai is shown working at a casino. A few blackjack players can be seen smoking cigars.

Dartz is shown in a few scenes sipping a martini.