In the Yu-Gi-Oh! GX anime, Johan Anderson (called Jesse Anderson in the 4Kids dub) is one of the transfer students who arrived at Duel Academy during Judai's third year. Johan is the representative from North Academy, and plays a Gem Beast deck which centers around the seven Gem Beast monsters, including his spirit partner Ruby Carbuncle. Johan becomes fast friends with Judai after discovering that they share the ability to communicate with monster spirits. Judai and his friends help Johan on his quest to complete his deck by finding the ultimate Gem Beast—the Rainbow Dragon.

Johan and the other exchange students debuted in the manga at the end of chapter 37, but it currently unknown what their role in the story will be.

Johan in the manga has a large interest in Insects, as shown when he first meets Judai and Sho. He also plays an Insect deck, however, he never really did anything of importance to the "plot" seemingly because the last volumes of the manga were rushed, so he wasn't fleshed out.

He is also shown at the special chapter, with different clothes (resembling his anime ones) watching Koyo and Judai's final duel.