A closer look at an amateur’s writing mistake: DueL Sex Machina

A closer look at an amateur’s writing mistake: DueL sEx Machina


When googling this term you, my readers, shall find that Deul Sex Machina is actually a mechanic to insert subtle sexual tones into writing, or movies. However, in my article I will define it in another way:

The means of illogically inserting a problem or conflict which the protagonist must fight the antagonist.

I know many of you have seen a porno movie or read an Anime fanfiction. We know how they are made up: two people meet each other and immediately start having sex/duel/battle/fight/PKM contest.


------------------CHAPTER I---------------------

When writing a (fan-) fiction, one needs certain elements like: a protagonist, an antagonist, supporting cast, environment and a plot or conflict.

A little explanation:

Protagonist: The “good” guys (although in some cases the protagonist can also be evil) and mostly the story focuses on them. Most new writers who write YGO or any anime fanfiction make the mistake of letting them continuously win. However, if this winning streak is continued to the extreme, then the protagonist might as well be named a “Mary Stue”.

Support cast: These guys are neither protagonist nor antagonist, but support the main-characters. They are everyday people who sometimes only appear once. When written completely flat and static, they might as well be called environment. The best case of how not to make support cast is seen in X men Origins: Wolverine.

Antagonist: The “bad” guys. They oppose the protagonists and have evil ways. Either blowing up the factory to the world, they keep the heroes busy. Some writers make the mistake of making them to powerful and setting the goals of antagonist to “destroying” or “rule” the world. Sometimes the antagonist have a special bone to pick with the protagonist. If an antagonist is arrogant, super – smart and powerful, and treats the protagonist like dirt while being a flat and static person himself, he might as well be called a “Gary Stue”.

Environment: The environment are the surrounding from where the characters are. (In a Dragon ball fanfiction, they are the things you should feel said for).

Plot/ conflict: This is the thing the protagonist must solve or follow. A lot of writers focus on making an incredible plot involving mind blowing special effects and a lot of dundun dunn while completely forgetting to give their characters some personalities. And also, sometimes the plot or conflict is caused by *start drum truffles* DUEL SEX MACHINA!


------------------CHAPTER II--------------------

Duex sex machine is illogically inserting a conflict or problems for a character to solve. Because I like YGO, I will give focus this article into that direction.

Most YGO fanfictions go like this: Protagonist walks whistling on the streets. Then he sees a young blond girl (support cast!) getting bothered by a big bully (antagonist). Because the protagonist has a strong sense of justice, while at the same time being incredibly flat, he challenges the bully to a duel (Deul Sex Machina). The bully accepts and loses the duel. The day is saved.

What is wrong with this?
Imagine everyday life (NO! I don’t mean virtual life), and you’re walking on the streets. When you see a girl getting bothered by someone, would you go up the bully and challenge him to a duel? This is a comment of a Yugiohabridged.forum user who tried that.

“Lol, how did that go?”

“Not so good”

Ofcourse there are other means of Duel sex Machina. Worst case scenario is that the protagonist meets the antagonist and just starts dueling without any explanation. (This has happened, believe me.)


-------------------CHAPTER III------------------

How to cover up Duel sEx Machina

Let’s admit it, when looking up to our own fanfiction, we might have found that we too inserted Duel Sex Machina. (omg, why did I write SAC?!!?)
Of course this isn’t all too bad, as long if you can cover it up. Here are various tips where two characters can face off without obviously looking like a Duel Sex Machina. (for people who read Passion of the Duelist, you might recognize the first two mechanics.)

-Tournaments: Most logic way for any fanfiction.-
“Hey Goku, there is a new tournament coming up. You want to join?”
“Sure Krillin, as long if there aren’t any evil aliens joining aswell who want to destroy the world.”

Somewhere in space, “Huahahah, I shall destroy this planet!”

-Unresolved business from the past: Can be used for every sort of fiction. Ironically, this was used in the canon version of the original Yugioh.
“Alright, now to fulfill my destiny and recover my na- hey what the hell? Why won’t this work?”
“Pharoah, my name is Darzt and we have unresolved business from the past!”

-Sudden attack from a mysterious cloaked person. This is actually on the edge from being a cover-up, to an actually Duel Sex Machina. In almost every YGO arc this type of mechanic is used, starting with rare hunters to Dark Signers and that creepy anti Synchro guy.

“Lalalala, I’m making my way in this dark creepy ally totally unfazed with no worries whatsoever to be attacked by some cloaked mysterious stranger.”
Jumps in front of Mary Stue. “I am a shadow Signer Rider, and I challenge you to a duel!”


Keep in mind, - and this is something I'll be saying everytime - a great (fan)fiction is not built on plot, but on the character's personalities. The easiest way to avoid Duel Sex Machina is to first focus on your characters, and making them round and dynamic, giving a feeling like they are real. That is - for me - more important than a rushed mega plot.



I hope my article was to help of some. If you have any suggestions or questions, PM me.