Marik Ishtar is a major antagonist in the anime series Yu-Gi-Oh! He is the leader of the Rare Hunters and initially seeks to gain the power of the Pharaoh by defeating Yugi Muto and claiming the Millennium Puzzle. Marik is driven by a desire for revenge against the Pharaoh for the suffering endured by his family, due to their duty to protect the tomb of the ancient rulers. However, beneath his sinister plans lies a troubled and conflicted individual, struggling with his darker alter ego, Yami Marik. Throughout the series, Marik's character evolves, revealing more about his past and motivations.