Jaden's bad grades have left him stuck in the lowest-ranked Slifer Red dormitory, but when it comes to duelling his superior skills and instinct are unlike anything the teachers have seen before. Jaden is calm, composed and a natural leader. His unique charisma and ability to hear the voices of the monsters in his duel deck make him a duelling force to be reckoned with.
ALEXIS RHODES
Alexis' duelling talent equals her beauty - and they're both unrivalled! Alexis is the much-loved queen of Obelisk Blue, but unlike other Obelisk Blue students she's modest, unassuming and unwilling to follow the crowd. Her free spirit makes her the ideal friend for the independent Jaden, but while it looks like Alexis has it all, she harbours deep sadness about the disappearance of her brother...
CHAZZ PRINCETON
Chazz is a clever but arrogant student who feels perfectly at home in the highest-ranked Obelisk Blue dormitory. Conceited and egotistical, he believes that duelling is for the elite, not for the rabble-rousing, low-scoring untalented masses. To Chazz, anyone getting low grades should be kicked out of school... especially that loser Jaden.
ASTER PHOENIX
Aster Phoenix, known as Edo Phoenix in the Japanese version, and commonly romanized as Edo Phoenix, is a child prodigy who makes his first appearance in the second season of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX. An intelligent vigilante, he is considered an anti-HERO to Jaden. Although his unorthodox and illegal methods of attaining justice makes him practically an enemy to Jaden, he later joins Jaden's side after realizing that he was being manipulated by Sartorius. He's also a pro-athlete, and excels at skiing, skydiving, sky surfing, and surfing.
ZANE TRUESDALE
Zane Truesdale, known in Japan as Ryo Marufuji, or "Kaiser Ryo", is the top Duelist of Duel Academy whenJaden is in his first year. Zane serves as one of Jaden's rivals during the series' first season, though he takes a more brutal approach to Dueling after experiencing a transformation of mind in the second. In subsequent seasons he develops fatal heart conditions and seeks an opponent worthy enough to give him his final and greatest Duel before he expires, though he is later revived under unexplained circumstances during season four.
SYRUS TRUESDALE
Syrus Truesdale, known in Japan as Sho Marufuji (丸藤翔,Marufuji Shō), is a former Slifer Red, then Ra Yellow, and now Obelisk Blue student as well as Jaden's best friend. A decent duelist, although hindered by a great deal of self-doubt, Syrus' journey towards strengthening himself provides sharp contrast to the protagonist Jaden's active determination. Syrus is often a "comic relief" character, partially due to him being very nervous a large portion of the time, in sharp contrast to Jaden's optimistic nature.
BASTION MISAWA
Bastion Misawa, known in Japan as Daichi Misawa, is a highly analytic duelist who resides in the Ra Yellow dorm at Duel Academy. Bastion is a mathematic genius who covers his cards and the walls of his room with endless numeric formulae, believing that everything in life can be calculated arithmetically. The neglect of his character is a running gag throughout the series in both incarnations.