by The Curator | Jan 18, 2026 | Articles
This is a list of all the yo-yos used by World Champions in their world-winning routines for yo-yo styles 1A-5A. This list was initially compiled on the YoYoExpert Forums by Mable.
If you have additional information or corrections, contact us!
1A
1998 – Yomega RB II
1999 – Spintastics Tigershark
2000 – Spintastics Tigershark
2001 – YYJ SpinFaktor
2002 – Duncan Freehand 1
2003 – YYJ Hitman
2004 – YYJ Speeder
2005 – YYJ Speeder
2006 – YYJ Speeder
2007 – YYF 888
2008 – YYF Superstar
2009 – YYR Sleipnir
2010 – YYF Northstar
2011 – TP Positron
2012 – Something Anglam
2013 – Duncan Barracuda
2014 – YYF Shutter
2015 – CLYW Borealis
2016 – C3 Radius
2017 – C3 Radius
2018 – YYF Edge Beyond
2019 – YYF Wide Angle Shutter
*2021 Online – TP Awoken Anubis?
*2022 Online – YYF Miracle
2023 – YYF Miracle
2024 – YYF Miracle
2025 – YYF Miracle 2025
2A
1998 – Yomega Raider
1999 – Yomega Raider
2000 – Yomega Raider
2001 – Spintastics Spintega
2002 – Yomega Fireball
2003 – Yomega Raider
2004 – Yomega Raider
2005 – Yomega Raider
2006 – Yomega Raider
2007 – Yomega Raider
2008 – Yomega Raider
2009 – Yomega Raider
2010 – YYJ Sunset Trajectory
2011 – Yomega Raider
2012 – YYF Loop 900
2013 – Yomega Raider
2014 – Yomega Raider
2015 – Yomega Raider
2016 – YYF Loop 1080
2017 – YYF Loop 2020
2018 – YYF Loop 2020
2019 – JPL Loop Up
*2021 Online – YYF Loop 720
*2022 Online – Yomega Raider
2023 – Duncan Hornet
2024 – Duncan Hornet
2025 – JPL Solutions Loop Up
3A
2003 – YYJ Sigma Blade
2004 – YYJ Sigma Blade Zwei prototype
2005 – YYJ Sigma Blade Zwei
2006 – Buzzon Bushido
2007 – YYJ Speeder
2008 – YYR Stargazer
2009 – YYF Superstar
2010 – YYR Stargazer v2
2011 – Duncan Echo
2012 – Duncan Barracuda
2013 – Duncan Barracuda
2014 – SOMEThING Phaser
2015 – SOMEThING Phaser
2016 – SOMEThING Phaser
2017 – SOMEThING Phaser
2018 – SOMEThING Phaser
2019 – SOMEThING Phaser
*2021 Online – YYR Anomaly
*2022 Online – TP Untangle
2023 – YYR Para Autoscopy
2024 – YYR Anomaly
2025 – YYR Re:Autoscopy
4A
2003 – YYJ Aquarius
2004 – YYJ Big Ben
2005 – YYJ Aquarius
2006 – YYJ Big Yo 2
2007 – YYJ Aquarius
2008 – YYJ Big Yo 2
2009 – Shinwoo Griffin Wing
2010 – JT Kamui
2011 – YYR Maestro
2012 – YYJ Rextreme
2013 – SOMEThING Jetset EC
2014 – YYJ Rextreme 2
2015 – YYR Aeronaut
2016 – C3 Flawless
2017 – C3 Flawless
2018 – SOMEThING Jetset EG
2019 – C3 Flawless
*2021 Online – C3 Flawless
*2022 Online – C3 Flawless Air
2023 – C3 Flawless Air
2024 – iYoyo Unlimited
2025 – C3 Caldera
5A
2003 – Yoyojam Night Moves 1
2004 – Yoyojam Hitman
2005 – Duncan Freehand Zero
2006 – Buzz-on Element X Pro
2007 – Duncan Freehand Zero
2008 – Yoyojam Lyn Fury
2009 – Turning Point Leviathan 1
2010 – Yoyojam Ai
2011 – Yoyojam Destiny
2012 – Yoyojam Quest
2013 – Yoyojam Ai
2014 – Turning Point Leviathan 6
2015 – YYF/Yotricks Atlas
2016 – Turning Point Palpitation
2017 – Turning Point Anubis
2018 – C3yoyodesign ReMaster Galaxy
2019 – Hydrangea Laurus
*2021 online – C3yoyodesign IX
*2022 online – C3yoyodesign Stellar IX
2023 – C3yoyodesign Stellar IX
2024 – C3yoyodesign Ambition
2025 – C3 Stellar IX
Women’s Division
2025 – Miracle 2025
Juniors
2025 – C3 Stellar IX
Over 40
2025 – C3 Super Scintillator
by The Curator | Oct 15, 2025 | Reviews
I would like to preface this post by stating that I have never played any of the other El MiJo models, the El MiJo SL (EMSL) being my introduction to the line.
Lately, I’ve become a big fan of slim, responsive yo-yos; the Workhorse and the Plasm being two of my favorites. When ZGRT announced the EMSL, I was immediately interested and reached out to see if they’d be interested in me doing a write-up for the Archive.
What I received was the beautiful green EMSL picture above with a slim D bearing installed, along with an extra full-spec bearing and a slim D bearing blank. Out of the box, the response was near-perfect, making me wonder if I’d never need the bearing blank. 0A play feels tight and snappy in its default configuration, I almost didn’t test the blank. Honestly, I’m not interested in unresponsive play with the EMSL, so I haven’t tried the full-spec bearing.
The EMSL is surprisingly light and nimble, with a finish (and dimple) that’s perfect for pull-starts. Its compact size makes it easily pocketable and an ideal everyday carry. As mentioned before, it performs beautifully with the installed slim D bearing, and with a blank installed, it truly shines in 0A play, especially paired with a slightly thicker string. Combined with its ultra-low weight, all these factors make the EMSL my go-to EDC throw lately.
The only major downside for me is the 6061 Al construction. I’m a very clumsy player and have already put a few good dings in the metal. Of course, I know a sturdier aluminum would affect the weight, and the low weight is a big pro for this yo-yo. It’s more of a “me” problem than anything else.
If you’re looking for a good on-the-go responsive. The EMSL is a damn good choice. Yes, there are cheaper options out there, but this is a throw that’ll last and offers a lot of play with the pack-ins included.
by The Curator | Oct 14, 2025 | Articles
Exmime put together this list on the YoyoExpert Forums. It was last edited on September 29, 2024. It details the historical releases of the Duncan Butterfly.
This is my first stab at listing a chronological order off the top of my head, and will probably need to become its own thread. Weights and plastic hardness and /or softness are also a variable between all the editions. Detailed pictures and descriptions can be found throughout this thread for most of these models. Others with more knowledge please feel free to add.
1958-1966 1st Wooden 1 piece Butterflys typically with sparkle paint and solid colors.
1962- Special Edition 1 piece wooden Butterfly with comic booklet and stickers to customize and personalize
1962- Mardi Gras Butterfly was the 1st Plastic and part of the Disney World of Color series with inlayed gliter starts.
1967- Flambeau buys the Duncan Brand
1968- 1st Flambeau Plastic Butterfly with Small Engraved Butterfly in the center
1970- Large engraved Butterfly on face
1972- First Screened Butterfly on face also referred to as the “Psychedelic Butterfly”
1976- Back to Engraved face with the “Lace Wing Butterfly”
1980- Lace Wing Butterfly with Reslon-coated axle for increased spin times
1982- the introduction of the “Thick Wing” Butterfly still in solid colors.
1983- The European molds are created and “Rainbow Butterflys” are available internationally
1984- The 1st Translucents with “Thick Wing” Butterflys
1986- The Mariposas, these have a slimmer “Thick Wing” with Butterfly on top and Duncan on the bottom with a Made in Mexico stamp, the cards were still printed in the USA.
1989- The “Triangle Butterfly” appears and continues Translucents
1992-1994 1st Glow Flys, offered with two proof of purchase with Cooco Puffs cereal. Has Cookoo Bird graphic.
1994- The 1st of the Circular Font “The Original Made in the USA”
1998- Mexico production starts along with USA production. Made in the USA is dropped and replaced with ” The Original “
2003- Production starts in China along side with Mexico and USA production is phased out.
2004- 75 year Duncan Anniversary, the 1st of the1958 wooden 3 piece reproductions are released in retro packaging.
2008- 2010 Holiday “Sparkle Flys” sold at Toy’s R Us, gliter translucent versions. These were made in Mexico.
2012-2017 the “Contemporary Flys” made in China, these have a smaller circular print with the AGJRK stamps at the bottom as seen on all of today’s Duncan models. These are what are currently at my local Wal-Mart. These tend to be a harder plastic, compared to the rest of the series.
2012- the first ball bearing version Butterfly XT in translucent colors
2016 – Another run of reproductions wooden Butterfly, a three piece version on the 1958 but smaller and rounder.
2019- Second version of Butterfly XT released in solid colors with another gram of weight.
2019- The AL Butterfly is released at Worlds
2021- New mold for the Contemporary Butterfly. Still hunting for one of these. Some special editions from a Japanese store have new version of a Triangle Butterfly graphic in translucent yellow and black.
2022- New throwback editions expected later this year.
2022 / October – New mold Butterflies, a new Psychedelics , a Pink Target and Purple Amazon editions.
2022/ December Pre-release for 2023 of the new AL Butterfly features a small bearing, thin pads, and new Delrin caps
Spring 2023 – New Pastel solids to be released around Easter.
2024-Fall, Glow in the Dark 95 year edition and Unknown drop
2024-November Target Holiday and Sparkle Flys with 95 anniversary
2025-Spring 2nd edition of the Easter Pastels slight variations in colorways compared to the 2023 release.
2025-Summer Charlie Brown Peanuts series available in four variants with Snoopy and Woodstock
