The protagonist of this story, Aichi Sendou, is a timid boy in his third year of middle school. He had been living his life looking backward rather than forward, trying not to stand out. However, he had one thing that kept him going, Blaster Blade, a card from a card game that was given to him when he was little. That card is the reason why he begins to engage in Card Fights, something that changes his life drastically. The name of the card game is "Vanguard." The game takes place in a different planet called "Cray," and due to a never before seen play system, it becomes popular throughout the world. Aichi, immediately attracted by Vanguard, meets friends such as Misaki Tokura and Kamui Katsuragi, along with other rivals. Through friendly rivalry with them, Aichi begins to enjoy a fulfilling life. Aichi, however, has a goal: to once again battle with a Vanguard Fighter by the name of Toshiki Kai. Kai is an aloof and cold-hearted high school student who has outstanding abilities in the world of Vanguard. He is also the reason why Aichi started playing the game. For him, Toshiki is the person who saved him from his boring life and introduced him to Vanguard. In order to get better at Vanguard, Aichi puts his soul into it every day. He wishes that someday, he'll be able to battle Toshiki and have him recognize his worth. He soon learns about a power called PSY Qualia, and another boy called Ren Suzugamori, who also has the same power...

The Vanguard Fight Circuit is a huge tournament where Aichi, Kai, Misaki, Kamui and Ren have to travel around Asia to fight different fighters. The first tournament will be held in Singapore, the second in Seoul, Korea and the third in Hong Kong and the final tournament in Japan which will also be the stage for the overall finals for each winning team.. The other side characters like Miwa, Morikawa, etc. will be left in Japan during the Singapore and Seoul stages and Miwa will be looking after Card Capital, as the Acting Shop Owner during the Tournament Period.

Approximately 6 months after the conclusion of the VF Circuit, Aichi Sendou transfers to Miyaji Academy to attend high school. After he meets Naoki Ishida and Kourin Tatsunagi transfers to his class, Aichi decides to establish a Cardfight!! Vanguard club at the school. Shingo Komoi and Misaki Tokura also join the club. However, the Student Council consider the Vanguard Club to be a disruptive influence in the school and oppose its existence. In between a High School Circuit and the reintroduction of old friends and rivals, a new force emerges that seeks to take over Earth and Cray.

The fourth season of Cardfight!! Vanguard, titled Cardfight!! Vanguard: Legion Mate (Japanese: カードファイト!! ヴァンガード レギオンメイト編, Hepburn: Kādofaito!! Vangādo Region Meito Hen, lit. Legion Mate Chapter), aired on Japanese TV networks from March 9, 2014 to October 19, 2014, for a total of 33 episodes.

Cardfight!! Vanguard G is the fifth season of Cardfight!! Vanguard and the first season of the G series. It aired in Japan from October 26, 2014 to October 4, 2015 for 48 episodes.

Cardfight!! Vanguard G: GIRS Crisis is the second season of Cardfight!! Vanguard G and the sixth season overall in the Cardfight!! Vanguard series. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 11, 2015 to April 10, 2016, airing 26 episodes.

Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Stride Gate is the third season of Cardfight!! Vanguard G and the seventh season overall in the Cardfight!! Vanguard series. It aired in Japan from April 17, 2016 to September 25, 2016, running 24 episodes.

Cardfight!! Vanguard G: NEXT is the fourth season of Cardfight!! Vanguard G and the eighth season overall in the Cardfight!! Vanguard series. It began airing in Japan on October 2, 2016, and finished airing in Japan on October 1, 2017.

Cardfight!! Vanguard G: Z is the fifth and final season of Cardfight!! Vanguard G and the ninth season overall in the Cardfight!! Vanguard series and the final chapter of The TRY 3 Saga. It began airing in Japan on October 8, 2017.