Duel Masters (I think the Japanese version IS called MAster Duelists) is an American card game, yes. IT is made by the same makers of magic, known as Wizards of the Coast. The gaming style of duel masters is a cross between pokemon and magic. They take the mana idea of magic, the prize concept of pokemon, the creature attacking concept from pokemon, the costing function from magic, and the abilites section of magic.
As a basic game, this is so similar to magic, you might as well PLAY magic and not waste time with Duel Masters.
The reasons why it's less fun: - all cards you own can basically produce mana (so essentially all can be lands), so you're never mana screwed (and the building of the deck is less fun).
- all spells are sorcery speed (only during yuor turn, like pokemon), whereas magic has instants
- all spells have a set mana cost that is easy to determine (if its cost is "3", then it's "2C", where C is the colour it is in), whereas magic has a more variety in its costs.
etc.
Anyway, all in all it's still a very solid game to play and a good transition between YGO and magic (which I'm starting to think IS the purpose of Duel Masters). So is it original? No way. Is it fun? Yeah. Is it a good game to consider playing? Yeah. Is this Johnny going to shut up about how much magic is better than Duel Masters? No. :P