Bandit Keith

Bandit Keith whose real name is Keith Howard is the former U.S. Duel Monsters Champion. Keith is a villain in the Yu-Gi-Oh! series. He was so successful in this profession, that his reputation earned him the nickname "Bandit Keith". In the English version of the manga, many of his dialogues have been modified to contain many censored profanity, to indicate his lack of respect for others.

Background
Not much about his childhood is shown except that he was born on the day of August 12th. During the final round of the Intercontinental Championship tournament in New York City, Keith was up against Maxmillion Pegasus. Who basically had used his Millennium Eye to read Keith's mind, and predict his moves. Afterwards he wrote something down on a piece of paper, and calls over a kid named Sam from the audience. He tells the kid to Duel against Keith using the instructions on his note. Using it, the kid defeats Keith in one turn. Keith, who was shocked and humiliated at being defeated by a child, fell into depression. He later sneaks into Duelist Kingdom to defeat Pegasus, and reclaim his glory.

Personality
He is seen as being a cheating, and aggressive duelist who plays a Machine-themed deck. He doesn't care about anyone but himself.

Appearance
He is a tall muscular man. He has dark blond spiky hair and wears sunglasses. He also wears an American bandanna on his head.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duelist Manga
Keith challenged Maximillion J. Pegasus, the creator of Duel Monsters to a Duel. At first Pegasus was not interested, but later accepted under the conditions that the prize be one million U.S. dollars, the Duel take place in a large stadium capable of holding fifty thousand people, be broadcast nationwide and the earnings be split with the sponsors and TV stations. Keith agreed and the Duel took place in the New York Duel Stadium.

Pegasus used the time before the Duel to gather children unfamiliar with the rules and teach them how to play. When the Duel started, Pegasus did not touch his cards. He stared at Keith for a moment, and performed a Mind Scan, reading Keith's plans for the Duel. He wrote down Keith's cards, strategies and how to counter them on a piece of paper, before calling over one of the children he had been speaking to earlier, Tom. Pegasus gave Tom the paper and left the table, asking Tom to take over for him. Keith was unhappy with Pegasus' antics, but thought this would at least guarantee him to win the prize money.

After a few turns, Keith Summoned a monster, but Tom countered by playing "Flying Elephant" in Attack Mode, nullifying the fissure attack Keith was attempting and winning the Duel. Tom was surprised by how the paper Pegasus had given him detailed all the moves Keith made and described how to beat him. Keith snatched the paper and was surprised to see that it was true.

Following his humiliation, Keith tried to drown his loss with alcohol and drugs. He eventually joined an underground gambling circuit and played Russian roulette, with nothing left to lose.

Duelist Kingdom arc
In Duelist Kingdom, he trained three Duelists; Zygor, Sid and Bonz. He had Bonz Duel Joey Wheeler. He lented him several rare cards, including Call of the Haunted, to strengthen his Deck. Although Keith directed nearly all of Bonz's moves, he still lost. Afterward, Keith called Bonz a loser and ignored Joey's challenge for a Duel face-to-face. After leaving the arena, Keith trapped Joey, Yugi Muto and their friends in the cave. Then he attacked his own minions, and stole their Star Chips. Giving him enough to enter the castle as the first finalist. Later, he was surprised to see Yugi and Kaiba on one of the castle walls.

Keith later Dueled Joey in the semifinals, using a machine Deck. His Machine cards had superior firepower, and immunity to any magical attacks. Keith cheated by pulling cards out from underneath his wristband to power up his monsters, but Joey still won. Afterwards, Keith claimed that Joey should be disqualified since the card he used to enter the semifinals was not his. Joey admitted that Mai gave him her card, but then asked how Keith knew that his card didn't belong to him. Pegasus chuckled, and explained that Keith obviously stole the card. Citing Keith's certainty that Joey would not be able to find his entry card, as evidence. Joey said that Keith should be disqualified and, Pegasus agreed. Not just because of his thievery, but the cards beneath his wristband. Pegasus ordered his security guards to take Keith away. However Keith broke away, and confronted Pegasus. He pointed a gun at his head (the gun is removed in the english version), and demanded the prize money. Pegasus mocked Keith, saying that he had sunk to being the worst criminal scum since they Dueled in America. Keith stepped forward, but Pegasus hit a hidden button, causing the floor beneath Keith to fall away, leaving him plummet into the ocean.

Battle City arc
While struggling against the ocean currents, Keith was rescued by some Rare Hunters, and became under the control of Marik Ishtar. Disguised as a fortune teller, Keith asked Yugi Muto if he could see his Millennium Puzzle. When Yugi handed it over, Keith stole it and fled to a hidden arena. Chaining the Puzzle to the arena, Keith said the only way for Yugi to reclaim it was to Duel him. (In the English version, Marik had Keith Duel Yugi to win the Puzzle for him. In the Japanese version, Marik had Keith Duel Yugi in the hopes that [Yami Yugi]] would appear).

Although Keith was hooded, Yugi deduced his identity from his Machine Deck. At this point, Marik revealed that he and his Rare Hunters rescued Keith. Then took him under his control. Keith's Deck, augmented with rare cards, added by the Rare Hunters, as well as him hiding cards under his robe's sleeves, begins to overpower Yugi. However, the Duel was watched by Yami Bakura. Who sensed the dark energies from Keith, and realized he had been hypnotized. Refusing to let Yugi lose, and forfeit the Puzzle. Which he wanted for himself, he used the Millennium Ring to break Marik's control of Keith. While Marik and Keith struggled for control, Keith shattered the Puzzle against the console (In the English anime, he does this because Marik commands him to. In the Japanese anime, Keith does it himself because he thinks the voice trying to control him is the spirit of the Puzzle). Yami Bakura then swung down, knocking Keith off the arena.

While Yami Bakura left Yugi to put the Puzzle back together, Keith hallucinated that Marik was nearby, giving him orders. Grabbing a length of pipe and attacking the images, Keith shattered the arena power unit, causing a fire. While the building burned, Joey and Tristan broke down the door. Terrified, Keith ran past them, claiming the arena was haunted.

Waking the Dragons arc
Keith's "lost soul" was seen when Yami Yugi ventured to find his other half. Keith was also seen when Yami Yugi, Kaiba and Joey entered Dartz's lair.

Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (Anime)
In Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, a parody of him named Priates Keith was listed as one the duelists defeated by Hunter Pace.

Video Games
Bandit Keith appears in the following video games:
 * Yu-Gi-Oh! Capsule Monsters Coliseum
 * Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links

Quotes

 * Oh too slow
 * Oh so close

Trivia

 * His birthday is August 12, and his bloodtype is O.
 * His favorite food is Steak. While his least favorite food is Sushi.

Voice Actors

 * Japanese : Hajime Komada
 * English : Ted Lewis
 * all information on Bandit Keith came from http://yugioh.wikia.com/wiki/Keith_Howard