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tobiasdrake · 1 month ago

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Digimon Adventure 01x50 - A Woman's Fight! LadyDevimon / Joe's Battle

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Hikari freed the slaves from Mugendramon's undercity and then consumed them all for a power boost.

...hang on, did the English title really change 女の戦い on'na no tatakai to "Joe's Battle"? Women can't have anything in America, I fucking swear.

In any case, only one Dark Master left to go. Taichi made a promise last episode and he intends to keep it. Piemon, you're next.

We open on Mimi's crew. Since last we saw her, she's added Meramon and Yukidarumon to her ranks. They stand at the edge of Piemon's territory, watching the city stripe recede from Spiral Mountain.

Mimi: The city is disappearing! Jou: Taichi's group must have defeated another Dark Master. Gomamon: Agumon and the others are pushing through. Palmon: That makes three now, right? There's only one left. Ogremon: That last one is Piemon. The last Dark Master who governs the darkness. Yukidarumon: Rumor has it, he's the strongest of the Dark Masters. Jou: Okay, then. In any case, we should build up our nakama more before we meet back up with Taichi.

If you're wondering, yes, Gomamon's line was a ganbaru. We stan ganbaru around here. "頑張ってなアグモンたち Ganbatte na Agumon-tachi!" They are persevering through their hardships with gusto.

Meanwhile, Jou coming in with nakama, a tight-knit group of people united around a mutual activity or goal.

In the dub, Mimi starts narrating as soon as we see the city receding.

Mimi: Boy, just when you think it can't get any weirder! It's like the whole city is moving out of town! Joe: And I thought it was tough packing for camp! Gomamon: Tai must have defeated another Dark Master. Palmon: There can't be too many of them left. We're almost home free! Ogremon: You think so, huh? Well, the toughest one's still out there. Frigimon: Piedmon, the worst of the worst. Meramon: He's the darkest of the Dark Masters. Mimi: Well, like, rain on our parade, why don't you!? Joe: They're right. We'll need all the help we can get. I wonder if superheroes are listed in the phone book? ...let's find some friends, Mimi. Piedmon (V.O.): Kehehehehe! Round up as many as you want! The more, the merrier! It's nice having friends around to share your last moments with. UHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Not sure why Piedmon needed to butt in here. XD Guess they thought things weren't already tense enough. But it works. We know he's spent this entire arc spying on everyone through his impossible magic telescope and giggling to himself so this fits right in.

If Pinocchimon needed friends, then Piemon needs to get a life. QUIT PEEPING, IT'S CREEPY.

In any case, the quipping here seems pretty forced. Not the dub's best gags. But they still cover the key details: Tai's team defeated Machinedramon, the cities are receding, Piedmon is the strongest Dark Master, and Mimi's team intends to recruit more before joining back up.

From here, Mimi and Jou's nakama sets out. Though not without some friction.

Yukidarumon walks behind Ogremon, causing Ogremon to start shivering.

Ogremon: (shivering) Hey! Back off! You're too cold!

While foocused on yelling at Yukidarumon, Ogremon nearly walks right into Meramon. He flinches when he feels the heat, backing off and raising his club defensively.

Ogremon: ATATATAT!!! You're too hot! Ugh, what is wrong with the both of you!?

While Ogremon makes friends, Mimi becomes exhausted from all this walking and drops to her knees.

Mimi: So tired.... I can't walk anymore. I'm sleepy... and hungry.... Gekomon: The princ-- I mean, Mimi is hungry geko! Otamamon: Wait right here tama! We'll be right back with food tama! Mimi: Ah! I didn't say that because I wanted you to serve me! Gekomon: We know geko! Don't worry about it geko. Otamamon: We just want to make ourselves useful tama. One moment, please tama. Yukidarumon: Hey! I'll come with!

Gekomon, Otamamon, and Yukidarumon head off into the woods to forage.

In the dub, Gomamon kicks off the complaining.

Gomamon: Joe, why is it that we're always walking uphill? Ogremon: Yeah, yeah! It's freezing! (to Frigimon) Hey, do you mind!? I'm starting to get numb back there! Give me a little room, will ya!? (Ogremon almost walks into Meramon) Ogremon: You too, you walking barbecue! Joe: The walking uphill, I can deal with. But I sure could use a pair of earplugs. (Mimi drops to her knees) Mimi: I'm hungry. I'm tired! And my feet hurt! Joe: Mimi, I don't know what to do when you're like this! Gekomon: Did you hear? Princess Mimi just said that she was hungry! Otamamon: Don't worry, Princess! We'll be back with food before you know it! Mimi: Don't put yourself out. But if you're going, a chili dog with fries would be great. Gekomon: And, of course, the Princess will be wanting something to drink! Otamamon: That's right! Don't you worry about a thing, Princess Mimi. We'll be right back, okay? Joe: NO, WAIT!!! COME BACK!!! Frigimon: Not such a bad idea. I think I'll tag along.

We're climbing a mountain, Gomamon. How much downhill do you think there is in mountaineering? :P

Anyways. So. This sucks.

The original remembers that Mimi forbid Gekomon and Otamamon from treating her like royalty anymore. Not calling her Princess was specifically a condition of their admission into the nakama.

The dub has completely forgotten this detail. They pepper their dialogue with "Princess", which Mimi allows unquestioningly. In fact, Mimi is more than happy to take advantage of their subservience - offering only token resistance before placing a food order for her minions.

They are flat-out ignoring Mimi's character growth so they can portray her as a self-indulgent burden. This is driven home when Joe's given three lines of extra dialogue to sternly disapprove of everything that's happening in this scene. He didn't say a word in the original.

While Otamamon, Gekomon, and Yukidarumon set out, Mimi sits and ponders their kindness.

Mimi: Everyone's being so nice to me.... Palmon: It's because they're all fond of you, Mimi. Right?

Palmon's question embarrasses the shit out of the boys. Ogremon and Meramon both turn around, scratching their heads awkwardly and pointedly refusing to answer the question.

Meramon: It's still early; I should try to get a nap in. Ogremon: Yeah, me too. Gomamon: Jou... Your face is red. Jou: GYAGHANANA!!! WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!?!? YOU MUST BE SEEING THINGS!!!

Jou's face is, indeed, beet red. His flailing overreaction gets both Mimi and Palmon laughing.

In the dub:

Mimi: Wow, everybody's being so nice! So sweet! Palmon: It must be because of your charming personality! (The guys stand around blinking, then Ogremon and Meramon turn away and scratch their heads) Ogremon: Something tells me we should just nod our heads and go along. Meramon: (sarcastic) Yeah, right. Gomamon: Come on, admit it, Joe! Say it! She's charming. Joe: SHE'S NOT CHARMING!!! I MEAN, SHE IS!!! I'M... NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION!!!

Yeah, they still can't resist shitting on Mimi even in a scene that's specifically about how much everyone adores her. Though they do keep Joe's ship-tease in there.

If anything, the dub version is shippier than the original. In the original, Palmon made all of the guys embarrassed about admitting affection, a thing that is generally considered unmasculine to do. Everybody here has a soft spot for Mimi but none of them want to fess up about being soft on her.

Swapping that out for her "being charming" feels a bit more romantic, at least to me. But moreover, singling out Joe as the only one who actually finds her charming when the other guys can't stand her makes the scene incredibly shippy.

The other version was shippy too, but this version is super shippy.

Before long, the foraging team returns with an incredible spread.

Gekomon: Mimi! Thank you for waiting geko!

Gekomon and Otamamon return with a feast's worth of packaged goods. They definitely raided an abandoned supermarket for that stuff. Though, given the way the Digital World works, they might have just stumbled upon a random Convenience Fridge that had more than eggs in it this time.

Either way, Otamamon and Gekomon are way better at foraging than the Chosen Children have ever been.

Digging through their collection of picnic goods, Mimi holds up the soda bottle.

Mimi: OH MY GOSH!!! THERE'S EVEN COLA!!! (sudden disappointment) Oh... It isn't cold. Yukidarumon: One moment, please.

Yukidarumon takes the bottle, presses it against his body, and chills it for her.

Yukidarumon: There you go. (hands the bottle back)

This moment is a callback to the original Monzaemon episode way back when. Back then, when everyone was sharing what they wanted to do when they got home, Mimi's desire was simply to have an ice-cold Cola.

Meramon returns from his "nap" with two roast fish.

Meramon: FWOOSH! These are nice and roasted. (Ogremon glances back and forth from Meramon to Yukidarumon) Ogremon: Isn't begging a little much?

Yes, Meramon makes sound effects with his mouth to indicate he cooked the fish. His line starts with meramera, the onomatopoeia for which he's named, which is the sound of a roaring fire.

Not 100% on the translation for Ogremon's line, but I think he's accusing Meramon and Yukidarumon of trying to show off for Mimi's attention.

In the dub:

Gekomon: YOO-HOO!!! WE'RE BAAAAAACK!!! (Picnic) Mimi: I don't believe it! Wow! (finds the Cola) HEY!!! MY FAVORITE--Oh. (disappointed) This root beer's warm. Frigimon: Not for long! (Frigimon chills the bottle) Frigimon: How's that? Meramon: There we go! Come on, get it while it's hot! Ogremon: Okay, okay. I'll admit it. Guess you guys are kinda handy.

The main difference between the two versions is that dub Mimi has better taste YES I SAID IT

Following dinner, Mimi's crew settle in for a rest.

Resting against a tree, Jou flashes back on the conversation he had with his brother Shin, back when they were inspecting the ensorcelled adults together.

Shin: Jou... You don't have to force yourself to become a doctor. Jou: But... I want to be like Dad.... Shin: Dad is Dad. You have to find your own path for yourself.

I've dinged the dub multiple times for flashbacks that do not shore up with the original lines from what they said back then. I'd be remiss not to ding the original for it here, too. Shin and Jou never had this conversation.

What Shin had said was that Jou doesn't have to live the life his parents want him to live, and also that Jou is ill-suited to be a doctor because he can't handle blood.

Additionally, Jou's motives have subtly shifted here. Originally, he was trying to become a doctor under pressure from his father. But in order to fit in with the "Find my own path" thing that's happening with Mimi and Yamato, Jou instead indicates that he wants to follow in his dad's footsteps, so Shin can tell him otherwise.

The vibe is nonetheless similar to their original conversation. But they never said these lines. Though the fact that Jou's dreaming can probably excuse both the inaccurate flashback and the subtle context shift to be more relevant to Jou's current troubles.

Jou: (wakes up) A dream....

Jou notices Ogremon standing watch and approaches him.

Jou: Um, Ogremon? Ogremon: Huh? Jou: Are you on watch? We can switch. Ogremon: With you? You think you can handle watch duty? Jou: (offended) Yes, even I can handle it! Ogremon: You sure? Okay, all yours.

Ogremon leaves Jou at the perimeter and heads off to get some sleep. Now alone, Jou thinks again about the conversation he and Shin, uh, didn't actually have.

Jou: Find my own path for myself? Yamato... Did you ever find it? Your own path....

In the dub:

(Flashback) Jim: You know, Joe, let me tell you something. You don't have to be a doctor if you don't want to be. Joe: Easy for you to say. Try telling that to Dad! Jim: It's your life, bro. You have to live it. You have to follow your own path! (Joe wakes up) Joe: ... (Joe approaches Ogremon) Ogremon: (muttering) Two plus two is four... four plus four is seven.... Joe: Hey, Ogremon! Ogremon: (startled) BLEEGH!!! Joe: Take a rest. I'll stand guard for a while. Ogremon: YOU!?!? You, uh, sure you can handle it, little guy? Joe: (offended) WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?!? I CAN HANDLE IT FINE!!! Ogremon: You can't even handle combing your hair. But I could use a little break. (Joe thinks back on Jim again) Joe: Jim's right. I'm a doormat. Good for a laugh. A joke. Yeah, good ol' Joe; You can always rely on him to fall in the mud or off a cliff. Well, not anymore! It's time for a brand new Joe!

The stuff about following his own path gets brought up in the flashback, but then dropped at the end. Instead, an embittered Joe rages about his indignity, which does not connect at all to what the scene's about.

Ogremon secretly trying to learn arithmetic poorly was funny, though. XD

Probably goes without saying but the flashback in the dub was not accurate to the original conversation either.

Meanwhile, up at the summit of Spiral Mountain, Hikari and Takeru say farewell to the most recent casualties of this war.

Hikari: All of the Numemon-san.... We won't forget what you did for us. Takeru: We'll work hard and persevere (ganbaru) so that you can be reborn safely in the Village of Beginnings.

Just like Hikari said she wanted to do last episode.

The fact that Taichi's not throwing a fit over this shows either character growth since his argument with Mimi... or special favoritism towards Hikari. Either explanation is consistent with the episodes that have transpired since then.

In the dub, our first commercial break separates "brand new Joe" from the summit. Piedmon kicks this scene off, continuing to spy on everyone and giggle about what's happening.

Piedmon (V.O.): How delightfully entertaining this is! I always get so excited before tragedy strikes! Kari: Thank you, Numemon. We'll never forget you. You'll always be in our hearts and our memories. T.K.: And don't worry, we'll make sure that you get reborn at Primary Village.

Amazing how comfortable the dub is with death as long as the scene assures audiences that they're coming right back to life. Apart from Piedmon, this gravestone scene is 100% faithful.

While Hikari and Takeru are tending to the dead, the rest of the team climb a nearby hill, spying out Piemon's observatory in the distance.

Taichi: What is this place? Sora: Hey, look!

Sora points to the observatory in the distance. Changing perspectives, we see the children on Piemon's telescope monitor.

Piemon: Hmhmhmhehehehe.... How delightful to see the Chosen Children come so far. I should give them a nice reward for their efforts.

What is unmistakably the titular LadyDevimon emerges upside-down from the darkness above.

LadyDevimon: Piemon-sama, I could fill that role perfectly. Piemon: We wouldn't want to be rude. Treat them to the highest standard of our hospitality. LadyDevimon: As you wish. Ahahahahaha!

With that LadyDevimon heads out to roll out the red carpet. I wonder what their reward is going to be? Ooh, maybe she's bringing them advance copies of the Virus Busters V-Pet, which is based on the Chosen Children's lineup. It has Agumon, Gabumon, and Tailmon's evolution lines, plus Leomon and Angemon for good measure! And it's on sale next month, March of 2000! The kids are going to be so hap--

Oh, wait, no. It's death, isn't it?

(•̀⤙•́)

Nightmare Soldiers are mean Santas.

The dub opens with an echoed gag.

Sora: Ever notice how we're always walking uphill? Tai: Okay, nice view, but what are we looking for? Sora: THAT, OVER THERE!!! If that doesn't look like a bad guy's hangout, I don't know what does! (The DigiDestined see Piedmon's observatory, and Piedmon sees them) Piedmon: Hmph! (bitterly) Remarkable little specimens. I'm really rather embarrassed that they made it this far. LadyDevimon: Oh, please. Please, Lord Piedmon. Let me punish them. Piedmon: Very well. But try to make it quick and relatively painful.

Sora issuing the same complaint as Gomamon is funny, though I do wish her gripe was acknowledged by one of the other characters. They worked Gomamon's version in with the extra Joe lines, but Sora's remark goes without comment by the others.

Significant tonal difference in Piedmon and LadyDevimon's scene. The originals had an air of wicked geniality to them, playing things up like the Children were their "guests". Piemon sounded downright pleased to see them.

Piedmon is just mad that they're here and wants them dead. More direct and to the point.

(Still hasn't forgiven Tai for calling his script trash.)

Returning to Mimi's crew--holy shit, I know that lake.

It seems Mimi and the others took their picnic and sleepy time at what appears to be Seadramon's lake from File Island. Reshuffled to be part of the new Spiral Mountain geography, of course, but that is definitely it.

In any case, they're now up and moving.

Mimi: Now, then! We've had a very restful sleep and our bellies are unreasonably stuffed! TO A BRAND NEW DAY!!! Palmon: Hooray! Hooray! Mimi is cheerful again!

Unfortunately, Mimi may be revitalized, but Jou's still in a slump. His arms hang limply by his sides as he walks. It doesn't take long for his Partner to take notice.

Gomamon: Huh? Jou, what's wrong? You look pretty serious. Jou: N-No, it's... It's nothing.

In the dub:

Mimi: Okay, I'm rested and ready to work off that snack so let's GO GO GO!!! Palmon: You know, when Mimi's in a good mood, it's hard to be around her and not be happy too! Mimi: Oh, it's just my little gift to the world! Gomamon: Huh... You're awfully quiet, Joe. What's wrong? Joe: Nothing. Gomamon: I don't believe you.

They fit a Mimi Quip in there but nobody yells at her for it so I'll take it. The exchange is shallower, but doesn't feel mean-spirited.

Unfortunately, the mood is instantly soured as we come upon our destination.

Mimi: ...what... is this place...?

We pan over the familiar giant play block architecture of the Village of Beginnings, now turned to black.

Ogremon: This is the Village of Beginnings as it is now.

Mimi's team silently walks through the village. Everything is dull and lifeless. Silence reigns within the village, and the ground is littered with unmoving Digitama, never hatched.

Mimi: It's awful. Even the Digitama....

Suddenly, a sound rings out through the village. A harmonica playing a familiar tune.

Jou: Huh? Mimi: What's wrong, Jou-senpai? Jou: Just now, I thought I heard.... (Harmonica plays again) Jou: IT IS!!! (takes off running) Gomamon: HEY!!! JOU!!! (pursues) Mimi: Could that have been.... Palmon: Yamato... Mimi: LET'S GO!!!

Mimi takes off after Jou and Gomamon, with Palmon, Gekomon, and Otamamon trailing behind her. Elsewhere in the village, Ogremon, Meramon, and Yukidarumon suddenly notice the Chosen Children running off and chase after.

Ogremon: HEY!!! WHAT'S HAPPENING!?!?

Ogremon did warn them that the Village of Beginnings is dead. But it's another thing entirely to see it for themselves.

Piemon's stripe, the domain of darkness, seems to just be... Like. Death. Everything here is simply dead and destroyed. The Village of Beginnings got carved out for Piemon's territory, and so it sits in lifeless silence.

A stark contrast to the domains of the other Dark Masters, which lived in servitude to the dictator governing them but were still full of life. In Piemon's realm, there's only emptiness here.

In the dub, Mimi kicks this scene off by shrieking from offscreen, interrupting Joe and Gomamon's conversation. Solid segue.

Mimi: OH NO!!! JOE!!! THIS IS!!! AWFUL!!!

Though once the camera pans over and she's onscreen, the break in her lip flaps from asking "What... is this place...?" doesn't really work so well with different punctuation.

Joe: Looks like an old Twilight Zone episode. Ogremon: I told you not to expect too much. Mimi: The color is all missing! Joe: Pretty depressing, unless you're a big fan of charcoal. Mimi: I can't believe anybody would do such a terrible thing! Smashing all those poor, defenseless DigiEggs. It's terrible. (Harmonica) Joe: Huh? Mimi: What is it, Joe? Joe: I heard... something.... (Harmonica plays again) Joe: OVER THERE!!! (takes off running) Gomamon: JOE, WAIT!!! (pursues) Mimi: Was that a harmonica!? Palmon: You think it's...? Mimi: MATT!!! (Mimi's group chases after Joe) Ogremon: Where are they headed? HEY!!! WAIT FOR US!!!

Joe and Mimi burn some time commenting on the greyscale color scheme, but Piemon's whole stripe looks like this. It's the domain of darkness, it's nothing but black and gray and muted colors as far as the eye can see. You'd think they would have noticed by now, but at least someone's mentioning it.

Mimi also claims that the DigiEggs have been smashed, which... doesn't really hold up when we see intact DigiEggs as far as the eye can see. They aren't broken, just lifeless.

There is one shot of a DigiEgg which has what might be a crack in its side or might just be coloration, which may be where the dub team got the impression that the eggs were smashed.

Brutal imagery, though. Even darker than what we see onscreen.

Cutting back to the summit, Koushiro plugs his laptop into Andromon.

Koushiro: (plugs in the cable) Good to go. Taichi: Koushiro, what are you doing? Koushiro: By all means, have a look. If you would, please, Andromon? Andromon: Very well.

I guess Taichi was not paying attention when Koushiro and Andromon hammered this plan out offscreen. Maybe he was off fetching Hikari and Takeru from the gravesite.

Andromon presses his palms to the ground and begins to scan. A map of what's left of Spiral Mountain appears on Koushiro's screen.

Koromon: WHOA!!! Piyomon: It's Spiral Mountain! Tentomon: Yeah! Nothing less from Koushiro-han! Koushiro: And our current location is... Right here.

A blinking red light appears at the summit.

Taichi: Hey, that's.... Hikari: We're all the way up at the top! Takeru: Do you remember what Chuumon said? The Dark Masters live at the top of Spiral Mountain.

Taichi and Sora turn their attention to the observatory once more.

Sora: Then what we're seeing over there is.... Taichi: Where those jerks live.

Glad we confirmed that rather than strolling up and knocking at the door, but I'm surprised by how surprised everyone else is to be at the peak.

We left off last episode in the air, flying outside of Spiral Mountain. Did we not fly straight up to the top to get here? I assumed we flew straight up to the top.

In the dub:

Izzy: (plugs in the cable) That's it. We're ready. Tai: That's great, Izzy, but ready for what? Izzy: Hang on a second and you'll see. Okay, Andromon, show us your stuff! Andromon: Engage heat conduction!

It takes almost fifteen seconds of watching the kids silently watch Izzy's screen for the map to appear, so the dub fills this space with some silence-breaking dialogue. They give us a fair five seconds of silence and then Tai gets impatient and bridges the remaining ten.

Tai: I don't get what's happening. Izzy: It's really rather simple. Andromon acquires geothermal energy directly from the ground. Koromon: WAY COOL!!! Biyomon: Hey, that's Spiral Mountain, isn't it? Tentomon: This is like having our own portable microwave! Izzy: There, look. That's where we are right now. (Red light appears blinking at summit) Izzy: Right on top. Tai: That doesn't make sense! How did we get up there? Kari: I'm sure glad I can't see down. I don't like high places. T.K.: It's like Chuumon said; The most powerful Dark Masters live way on top of Spiral Mountain! Sora: See? I told you we were close. Tai: (sarcastic) We'll give you a medal later.

Dub Sora will remember this.

Honestly, I assumed Andromon was using the scanning abilities established last episode, but with the cable letting Koushiro's laptop visualize the scan.

Andromon "pulling geothermal energy from the ground" to create a map is... confusing? Either I'm too stupid to realize this is scientifically very clever, or Izzy's pseudointellectually making things up to look smart again. Either is completely plausible.

That Tentomon calls it a "portable microwave" only heightens the Huh? of it. Microwaves are not generally well-known for performing advanced cartography.

Though he goes ignored, Tai asks the real question here. If they didn't fly to the summit, which the original implies they did not, then... How did they reach the summit without realizing it? Seems like a very difficult rock climb from the bottom of the big heavenly platform to the the outer edge of the plateau. You'd have to be aware that you were doing that.

At least God's Temple in Dragon Ball has a ladder on the underside.

There's also a minor error. T.K. says "the most powerful Dark Masters," plural, live over there. I think they conflated the two ideas, "The Dark Masters live here" and "Piemon is the most powerful Dark Master".

Suddenly, Andromon detects something.

Andromon: Someone's coming. Be cautious! Taichi: Huh?

Thank you, that is much more useful than "Incoming."

Before they can say anymore, a classic noblewoman cackle echoes through the area and LadyDevimon ascends from behind a crater in front of them.

LadyDevimon: OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!! A warm welcome to you adorable little boys! Taichi & Koushiro: (startled gasps) Sora: (glare) I have a bad feeling about this Digimon. Hikari: (glare) What do you call this Digimon? Andromon: She's one of the Nightmare Soldiers. LadyDevimon. LadyDevimon: You must be tired! Why don't you lie down and rest... FOR ETERNITY!!!

(•̀⤙•́) Oh good, she's one of those. No, I don't mean, "A Nightmare Soldier". Put my frowny face right there next to Sora and Hikari.

In the dub, LadyDevimon's opening laugh is more of a standard evil villain laugh.

Andromon: Intruder Warning. Interloper detected. Izzy: Huh? LadyDevimon: Ehehehehehe WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! You pile of recycled scrap metal, you spoiled my entrance! Tai: Huh? Sora: (glare) We should have known there'd be a welcoming committee. Kari: (glare) She looks like a witch. Andromon: She's worse! She's one of Piedmon's Nightmare Soldiers. LadyDevimon: No hellos? Well, I'm sure you're tired, you poor things. You need a rest. (menacing) A nice long rest!

The dub offers no explanation for why Sora and Kari look offended by this woman's very existence. Those are extremely grossed out faces. That is, however, an unavoidable consequence of having her not... (sigh) ...flirt with the prepubescent boys.

Digimon Adventure, why are you like this?

Also, they actually said it! The dub said the words "Nightmare Soldier"!

Provoked by LadyDevimon, Koromon lunges for her. He evolves in midair so he can hit her with his best shot.

It does not go well.

She doesn't even flinch when his point-blank Baby Flame hits her in the face. Tanks the hit and counters, slashing him across the face with her claws and sending him right back down to the ground.

Agumon lands on his back, bounces once, and flips over onto his front from the momentum.

Overconfident errors have been made. Time to start the fight for real.

Piyomon, Tentomon, and Patamon evolve to their Adult forms, while Tailmon becomes Angewomon. Together, they surround LadyDevimon.

LadyDevimon: Hahaha! Very well. I'll take good care of you! DARKNESS WAAAAAAAAAAAAVE!!!

Twirling in place as if she were dancing, LadyDevimon releases a similar bat swarm to Vamdemon's Night Raid. And with that, we go to commercial.

In the dub:

LadyDevimon: Puhuhahaha! You just made my job a lot easier. DARKNESS WAVE!!!

Presumably, she means that by clustering around her, they've clumped together in proximity of her impending radial attack.

First they actually used the phrase Nightmare Soldiers, now they're keeping the original names of attacks? Color me shocked.

The dub usually lines its second commercial break up with the original's commercial, but they forego that here and keep the fight going.

Returning from commercial, LadyDevimon fires her Darkness Wave again.

Her bats hit everyone around her, pushing back all four Digimon. Down below, out of range, Andromon sends up his Spiral Sword; A crescent-shaped projectile launched from spinning his hand like a drill.

LadyDevimon slaps the projectile out of the air with her claw-like left hand.

Having recovered, Kabuterimon and Birdramon follow up with Mega Blaster and Meteor Wing, but she deflects those shots too.

LadyDevimon: Ahahahaha! So this is how it's going to be?

In the dub:

LadyDevimon: I'm sorry, are we just pretending? Let me know when you're ready.

Though unimpressed by these attacks, LadyDevimon seems to change her tune when the angels step in. Angemon fires his Heaven's Knuckle and for the first time, she dodges rather than trying to stop it.

She's not so lucky with Angewomon's Holy Arrow, which strikes a glancing blow across her midsection.

For some reason, in the dub, it makes a metallic echo sound on impact. I think they're trying to imply that it struck her chain or some sort of armor, because they also swap out the pained grunt she makes for an angry growl.

Enraged, LadyDevimon goes straight for Angewomon's throat.

Flying straight up at Angewomon, she swings her giant claw in an uppercutting slash. It honestly looks like a hit, the way Angewomon's head jerks back, but a wooshing effect clarifies that Angewomon narrowly evaded the swing.

Down below, Agumon's eager to get into the fight.

Agumon: Alright, I'm going in! Taichi: Wait, not yet!

Taichi slaps his hand onto Agumon's mouth to hold it shut.

(To stop him from saying "Agumon SHINKAAAAAA"? XD Does it actually work like that?)

Taichi: Agumon, hang back. Agumon: Why, Taichi? This scumbag can't compete with my Ultimate form! Taichi: Koushiro, can you look up her data? Koushiro: Y-Yes.

Again demonstrating his character growth, Taichi's trying to think tactically about this situation rather than running in headfirst.

LadyDevimon is a Perfect-stage Virus-type Fallen Angel Digimon. Like Angewomon, LadyDevimon is a stage above her male counterpart because, as everyone knows, becoming female gives you an immeasurable power boost. NOBODY let Vegeta know that he can surpass Goku with this ONE NEAT TRICK!

(From the existence of Holydramon, we can further conclude that women are the intermediary stage between men and dragons.)

As Andromon said, LadyDevimon comes from the Nightmare Soldiers lineup. She originated in the Sega Saturn's video game V-pet, right alongside Angewomon, before being worked into the 0.5 version of the Nightmare Soldiers. She replaced Vamdemon as Devimon and Bakemon Dokugumon's Perfect evolution.

We're not going to see a lot of Nightmare Soldiers in this arc, as I recall, because Vamdemon's arc already covered quite a lot of them. But here's at least one that he missed.

Narrator: LadyDevimon. A female-modelled Fallen Angel Digimon. She's Perfect-stage. Her special attack, Darkness Wave, releases countless bats that consume her opponents as if by fire. Taichi: (considering) Perfect level...?

Taichi mulls over this information, his eyes fixed on the other Chosen Children in his crew as he thinks over what to do with it.

Visceral description of how the Night Raid/Darkness Wave bats work, thank you. @_@

Interesting note that they don't call her a female Digimon, but rather "female-modelled". This is, of course, because Digimon gender is strictly aesthetic.

In the dub:

Agumon: It's my turn! Tai: No, wait! We'll keep you in reserve! Agumon: Let me Warp Digivolve and I can take care of this black-and-white nightmare! Tai: Izzy, what's your Digimon Analyzer say about her? Izzy: Let's see.... Izzy: (rundown) LadyDevimon. Programmed to be the ultimate fully-Digivolved fighting soldier, she serves as gatekeeper and bodyguard for the last Dark Master. Tai: Seriously nasty.

Izzy accidentally reads off LadyDevimon's plot synopsis rather than any interesting information regarding her background or attacks, but this is information that the kids didn't know since she just sorta ambushed them.

So it works; His rundown is certainly more interesting than "She is woman shaped and does that one attack we just saw."

That he calls her "fully Digivolved" again despite knowing goddamn well that there's a stage beyond Perfect/Ultimate makes me want to throw things, however.

Taichi considers his options, then forms a plan of attack.

Taichi: Sora and Takeru, you take Birdramon and Angemon to go bring Yamato and the others back here. Sora: Eh? But they're fighting right now. Taichi: No, our other Digimon should be able to defeat her. If worse comes to worse, we have WarGreymon as our trump card. Agumon: Hehehe... I'm a trump card! Taichi: More importantly, if this really is their home, then we're close to confronting the last Dark Master. Koushiro: Piemon. Taichi: Right. He should be in there. Unfortunately, we don't know when he'll come out. What we do know is that his strength is outrageous.

Taichi flashes back on the first Dark Master episode, when WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon tried to jump Piemon together only to be brutally outfought.

In the dub, Tai's tone of voice is different. Taichi gives these orders in a cold, methodical voice. He lays out his plan matter-of-factly, with no emotion in his voice.

The dub's interpretation gives Tai a lot of energy and gusto.

Tai: We've gotta do this right! Sora, you and T.K. take Angemon and Birdramon! Find Matt and bring him back! Sora: What!? You want us to leave right in the middle of a fight!? Tai: Go. We'll manage from here. We have no choice, and if worse comes to worse, we always have... our trump card, WarGreymon! Agumon: Oh! I'm a trump card, huh? Tai: The time's come to stop acting like a bunch of children! We're facing the last of the Dark Masters! Izzy: Piedmon. Tai: Right! We don't know where he'll strike... or when... but it will be somewhere close by... and soon. (Piemon fight flashback) Tai: And he's strong! We know that. Real strong. This won't be just another fight. This one's for keeps. We've got to be ready for him.

Fuck Joe and Mimi, I guess.

This one's... ambiguous. Taichi tells Sora to go find Yamato-tachi. The suffix 達 -tachi is a pluralizing term, meaning a group of people that includes the word I just said. This group, for instance, can be referred to as Taichi-tachi. And often is; "Taichi-tachi" is a term we've heard frequently throughout the anime.

It can also be used for other descriptors. The Chosen Children, for instance, are 選ばれし子供達 Erabareshi Kodomo-tachi. Chosen Child (group).

Why they chose a four syllable DigiDestined to replace a ten-syllable 選ばれし子供達 when they knew they were gonna have to match lip flaps is beyond me, but I digress.

In any case, it can be vague as to who the others in that pluralized group are. Taichi and Agumon together, for instance, are often referred to as Taichi-tachi.

Taichi here tells Sora to go get "Yamato-tachi". The group of people that includes Yamato. This could mean Yamato, Mimi, Jou, and their Digimon. Or he could mean Yamato and Gabumon specifically. It's unclear from the simple phrase Yamato-tachi what his intent is.

From here, Takeru clarifies the plan to make sure he understands.

Takeru: So before Piemon shows up, you want us to bring Onii-chan and the others back here, right? Koushiro: It's as Taichi-san says. I'm surprised he thought that far ahead. Sora: (surprised) Taichi.... Taichi: It's just like soccer. Sora: (faintly) Eh...? Taichi: I realized it after Yamato, Mimi-chan, and Jou left. It's no good to fight like Yamcha.

Wait. Hold on. That word was がむしゃら gamushara, not やむちゃ yamucha. But goddamn do they sound similar. Fucking startled me.

Taichi: It's no good to fight recklessly. We can't make any more sacrifices.

The camera lingers on the Numemon gravestone as he speaks.

Sora: (smiling) Taichi....

In the dub:

T.K.: So that's why you want us to go! To find my brother and bring him back before Piedmon shows up! Izzy: Yeah! Tai's looking at the big picture. It's not about this fight but the next one, you see? Sora: Sorta.... Tai: Bases loaded, two out, and we need a slam dunk! Sora: Huh!? Tai: All we've been doing is meeting each threat as it comes. Barely holding on. Now we've got to put it together as a team! That means Matt, Mimi, and Joe too! We've let enough Digimon sacrifice themselves for us; It's our turn now! Sora: You're right.

Tai is an athlete. He would not mangle a sports analogy like that. Into the locker with you, nerd.

Also, it's our turn... to sacrifice ourselves? I get what you mean but maybe workshop that boast.

The context that this is a seemingly out-of-character swerve for Taichi demonstrating the character growth he's been undergoing through this arc doesn't quite make it into the dub version. We get "Tai's being really smart!" instead of "This is uncharacteristically smart for Tai."

He does mention the sacrificed Digimon, but he's more focused on his masterstroke against Piedmon instead of the somber reflection that Taichi's doing.

Up in the air, the battle continues to rage.

Angewomon drives LadyDevimon back with another Holy Arrow, forcing her to dodge away. She turns momentarily towards Angemon and Birdramon.

Angewomon: I can handle this! Angemon: We're counting on you!

As Angemon and Birdramon turn to leave, Angewomon hangs there and. Just. Watches them. Smiling.

Taking your eye off your opponent in the middle of a fight for an extended period of time is generally inadvisable. LadyDevimon merrily capitalizes on her distraction with a hard kick to the back of the head. The hit smashes Angewomon downward, slamming her face-first into one of the stony spires littered around the plateau.

LadyDevimon: (triumphant) Wahaha! Angewomon: (picking herself up) DON'T CELEBRATE YET!!!

Angewomon flies back into the brawling distance, exchanging midair punches with LadyDevimon. While they duke it out, Birdramon and Angemon pick up their partners and make for the edge of the plateau.

Sora: Those words you spoke, Taichi! I'll make sure to pass them along to Yamato-kun, Mimi-chan, and Jou-senpai! Taichi: Great! Try to do it quickly!

We can now say with certainty that Yamato-tachi meant all three of them. The dub rolled the dice and gambled wrong.

In the dub:

Angewomon: Go, Angemon! Angemon: Alright! Come on, Birdramon! Angewomon: (smiling) ... (kick) LadyDevimon: Oops! Sorry, blondie. Ahahahahahaha!

The dub keeps in LadyDevimon's kick, but cuts the rest of the action that follows. Both Angewomon impacting the spire and the subsequent fistfight are gone. Angewomon simply recovers and briefly glowers.

T.K.: See you soon, Tai! Sora: Don't worry! We'll find Matt and Mimi and Joe and be back before you know it! Tai: Try and hurry! This is kind of important! Sora: I'll do the best I can!

Godspeed, Sora.

Meanwhile, at another lakeshore, Jou and Mimi follow the sounds of Yamato's harmonica back to him.

Wait, that's not Yamato.

Jou: That was you? I thought it was someone else. Elecmon: The Village of Beginnings has is gone. I'm tired and there's nothing left for me to do. Oh, how are Takeru and Patamon doing? Are they well? Jou: U-Uh, yeah, they're great. Both Takeru and Patamon are! Palmon: We're just going a different way than they are. Elecmon: I see. I'm glad to hear it. Mimi: Hey, why don't you come with us? Elecmon: Eh? Mimi: Unless the Dark Masters are defeated, the village will never go back to normal. Neither will the Digitama. Palmon: That's why we're forming a nakama to do just that! Elecmon: D-Defeat the Dark Masters!? That's an amazing idea that you're thinking of! Jou: We're not just thinking about it. We've already started fighting them. Gomamon: Takeru and Patamon are fighting too. Elecmon: Takeru and Patamon too...?

Mimi invites Elecmon to join her nakama, and he needs a moment to consider her proposal.

In the dub, Piedmon chimes in following their second commercial to segue us to the new scene.

Piedmon: Well, well. Let's just see how our little drama is unraveling. HA!!! (Mimi's team finds Elecmon playing the harmonica) Joe: Oh, so it was you? We thought it was someone else. Elecmon: Yeah, I'm sure you did. It's always the same thing. I'm just a constant source of disappointment to everybody. ...hey, how's Patamon? And T.K.? They alright? Joe: Yeah! And I know that both of them will be really happy to see you, Elecmon. Palmon: Yeah! Not that we're not, of course. Elecmon: Yeah, right. I'm sure. Nice try! Mimi: Hey, I know! Why don't you come along with us? Elecmon: Huh? Mimi: Yeah, we're gonna defeat those creepy Dark Masters once and for all, and fix up Primary Village too! Palmon: We need all the friends we can get! I know we don't look like much now, but maybe with your help, we can do it! Elecmon: Take on the Dark Masters!? I think I'll pass! I may be down, but I don't wanna be out! Joe: (snippy) For your information, we've taken them on! In fact, we've already defeated most of them! Gomamon: T.K. and Patamon have really been incredible! Elecmon: T.K. and Patamon? Those sweet kids are mixing it up with the Dark Masters!?

Mimi and Palmon don't have nakama to lean on so their invite is a lot less formal. Palmon tries to compensate by puffing up Elecmon as a potential game-changer which.

I mean. He's a Child. So.

Joe...

Let's be real, he's using an awfully liberal definition of "we" in both of these versions, seeing as he and Mimi were not present for two out of three Dark Master showdowns thus far. But Gomamon makes it worse by not just saying T.K. and Patamon are there but claiming knowledge of their performance that he does not possess.

All three of them are lying through their teeth to get Elecmon to enlist.

After some consideration, Elecmon comes to a decision.

Elecmon: Very well! Then I'm not going down so easily either! I'm coming with! Mimi: (pleased) Ehehehe! Elecmon: Besides, you guys look like you need all the help you can get. Ogremon: (defensive) What was that!? Jou: By the way, that harmonica you have...? Elecmon: What, this?

Elecmon stands up, approaching Jou so he can have a closer look.

Elecmon: I found it lying on the beach. Jou: You found it? Can I have a look?

Taking the harmonica from Elecmon, Jou inspects it. There's no mistaking it.

Jou: It's definitely Yamato's. Mimi: Eh!? Then he's probably close by! But... up ahead is....

Mimi looks out at the lake ahead of them.

Gomamon: Maybe he swam? Elecmon: Now that I think of it, I saw a swan boat leave from here last night. I just assumed some of the Nightmare Soldiers were out goofing off. Mimi: A SWAN BOAT!?!? Jou: Then there's no doubt about it! That was Yamato!

Because who else would ever use a swan boat?

...in the lifeless realm of darkness... where joy is dead....

Yeah, okay, that checks out

The geography here isn't entirely clear, since they napped at a lake and now they're at another lake. But I'm pretty sure that other lake was Seadramon's, while this one is the lake from the PicoDevimon sub-arc. The one that Digitamamon's diner would be beside if Spiral Mountain hadn't reshuffled it into Mugendramon's urban stripe.

In the dub, Elecmon doesn't do a lot of considering. That last line about those "crazy kids" takes up the space his contemplation would have filled.

Elecmon: Okay, if they're crazy enough to fight them then I am too. You twisted my arm. Mimi: (pleased) Ahahahahaha! Elecmon: Frankly, you guys are lucky to have gotten this far without me! Ogremon: (defensive) Oh, is that right!? Joe: By the way, Elecmon, where'd you get that harmonica? Elecmon: This thing? (Elecmon gets up, walking to Joe) Elecmon: I found it on the beach. Somebody must have dropped it. Joe: Can I take a look at it? (Joe inspects the harmonica) Joe: Oh, yeah. It's definitely Matt's. Mimi: That means he must be around here somewhere! Or he was.... You think he might have gone across? Gomamon: That's a long way to swim. Elecmon: Now that you mention it, I saw somebody cross the water last night. I thought it was one of those Nightmare Soldiers fooling around but, come to think of it, they probably wouldn't be using a boat shaped like a swan. Mimi: IT WAS A SWAN!?!? Joe: That settles it! It has to have been Matt! I can just picture it now!

Very faithfully translated. Again, this episode shows no hesitation in calling them "Nightmare Soldiers", in stark contrast to the Deep Savers and Metal Empire.

I don't think Pinocchimon's crew were ever called Wind Guardians in either version, come to think of it.

Thinking about Yamato, Jou makes a decision that's been weighing on his mind.

Jou: Hey, Mimi-kun.... Mimi: What is it? Jou: We've built up the nakama quite a bit. You'll be okay without me and Gomamon around, won't you? Mimi: What do you mean? Are you going somewhere? Jou: I'm... going after Yamato. Mimi: Then we should all go! Jou: No! Only Gomamon and I are going. Mimi: Eh!? Why!? Jou: We all need to find our own paths. Mimi: Our own path...? Jou: Yours is the path of building the nakama. Taichi's group have the path of fighting. (reconsiders) ...I mean, we can't make Taichi's group do all the fighting, though. I have to fight too. But... I'm not very strong and I can take Gomamon to his Ultimate level.

We close up on Gomamon for a moment, watching Jou sympathetically. Jou finally comes clean on why he wanted to go with Mimi.

Jou: That's why I thought we would hold the others back if we stayed with them. But there must be some things that only I can do. I'm sure Yamato realized that too. That's why I'm going after him.

Jou's words parallel what Gomamon told Yamato back during the Jureimon arguments: Taichi's cool in his own way but there are also things that only Yamato can do.

Jou: Uh... that's what I was thinking, anyway. Do you think it's a good idea? Gomamon: Of course it is! It was your decision, after all. Mimi: Jou-senpai.... Ogremon: Let him go. That guy's got a sterner spine than he seems to. Mimi: (smiling) Mhm....

Jou came with Mimi because he felt like the team would be better off without him.

(He was clearly not paying attention to how mission-critical Zudomon ended up being for the entire MetalSeadramon sub-arc. Just because Zudomon wasn't a match for Pinocchimon, that doesn't mean he was useless!)

Alright, let's see how the dub handles this.

Joe: Listen, Mimi. Mimi: Yeah? Joe: You've got a lot of friends now. Will you be okay if Gomamon and I go off for a while? Mimi: Hmm? What do you mean? Go off for a while? Go where? Joe: I don't know. I guess wherever Matt's gone to. Mimi: Okay! We'll all come with you and help you find him! Joe: Not this time! Just Gomamon can go. Mimi: Come on! What are you talking about? Joe: We each have our own path to follow. Mimi: What does that mean? Joe: Tai knows what he's doing. He knows where he fits in and so do you. So do the others! But I don't. Look, I know that we're in for the fight of our lives and part of me knows that I should stay and help. But I... I want you to count on me. Gomamon: ... Joe: If I'm unreliable, then Gomamon can't fully Digivolve. We're like circus clowns. We'd just get in the way! Don't look at me like that; You know that it's true. I'm gonna figure this out. They don't call me Old Reliable for nothing! Gomamon: But they don't. Joe: I'll ignore that! I think Matt was searching for the same thing when he left and I want to know if he found it somewhere out there. ...then again, it might be a total waste of time. It's just an idea. Gomamon: If you feel that strongly about it, it's gotta be the right thing! Mimi: You sure about this, Joe? Ogremon: Let the kid go his own way. Gomamon: I'm with ya, buddy! Ogremon: He's stronger than he looks. Mimi: (smiling) Mhm....

This is mostly good but Joe's speech derails somewhere between "Tai knows where he fits in" and "Gomamon can't fully Digivolve". The way Joe phrases it sort of implies that once he figures his shit out, Gomamon will be able to hit Ultimate/Mega. That is not where this is going.

Joe also tries to cut the tension with that quip about circus clowns and Old Reliable, but this is an impassioned speech about a major decision he's making for the sake of his own personal growth. It's not really the time for tone-shattering quipping.

Still, he covers the key point: He needs to leave to go find his own path, like Matt did. And finding his path involves finding Matt.

Meanwhile, back at the fight, LadyDevimon unleashes another Darkness Wave on Angewomon.

Angewomon blocks the bat wave with her hands, which weirdly enough works.

(It's hard to make out but I think she's actually making some sort of light barrier.)

However, while her attention is on the bats, it is once again off of her adversary. LadyDevimon grabs her by her long hair, swinging her around in a circle.

LadyDevimon: HORAHORAHORAHORA!!!

Kabuterimon super-evolves to join the fight, right as LadyDevimon lets go of Angewomon. He catches her in his hands.

AtlurKabuterimon: Are you okay? Angewomon: STAY OUT OF IT!!!

Okay this is going to take some explaining. The word ほら hora basically means "Hey! Look at me! Watch! Check this shit out!" etc. etc.

The term おら ora is, to my understanding, a tough guy slang version of ほら hora.

Screaming おらおらおらおら ORAORAORAORA at the top of your lungs while doing intense violence is a popular action trope in Japan. The internet tells me it was popularized by JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, whose titular character would shout that while lobbing rapid-fire punches? But that's the internet.

LadyDevimon is doing that, but with the original ほら hora terminology because she is too classy and ladylike for tough guy slang.

Part of me wants to say it comes from sumo, but I can't find any evidence of that so I may just be remembering things wrong.

In the dub:

LadyDevimon: Round and round we go! (Kabuterimon Digivolves to MegaKabuterimon) LadyDevimon: Never did like that bleached look! (LadyDevimon tosses Angewomon; MegaKabuterimon catches her) MegaKabuterimon: Gotcha! Angewomon: LET ME GO!!!

MegaKabuterimon releases Angewomon, who furiously charges at LadyDevimon.

Angewomon: IT'S ON NOW!!!

Angewomon flies back in and gives LadyDevimon a hard slap across the face.

LadyDevimon: YOU THINK!?!?

LadyDevimon returns the slap. Their brawl devolves into a slap fight while the children below watch in bewildered uncertainty.

Taichi: I'm lost...! Koushiro: ...women are terrifying when they get mad. Hikari: DON'T LOSE TO HER!!! GET HER!!! GET HER!!!

Well, the boys watch in bewildered uncertainty. Hikari's out for blood.

In the dub:

Angewomon: LET ME AT HER!!! (Angewomon slaps LadyDevimon and the slapfight begins) Tai: Wow! Look at them go! Izzy: I know I shouldn't watch this, but... I can't take my eyes off it.... Kari: GET HER, ANGEWOMON!!! THAT'S RIGHT!!! KNOCK THAT WITCH'S BLOCK OFF!!! GO!!!

Rather than confused and disturbed, Dub Tai and Izzy seem to be perving on the fight instead. Also, surprisingly, none of the slap fight is censored.

Fed up, LadyDevimon twirls in the air, building momentum for a spin kick across the face.

LadyDevimon: WHAT'S SO CHARMING ABOUT YOU!?!?

She lands a direct hit, sending Angewomon hurtling into the ground below.

LadyDevimon: I'VE GOT YOU NOW!!! DARKNESS SPEEEEEEEEAR!!!

Her massive clawlike left hand morphs into a lance and she lunges. AtlurKabuterimon throws himself in the way, blocking the spear with his hard shell. It breaks off on impact.

In the dub:

LadyDevimon: ENOUGH OF THIS!!! (spinkick) LadyDevimon: THIS GAME IS OVER!!! YOU'RE GROUNDED, GOLDILOCKS!!! BLACK WING!!!

A lot of this is just fight-o fight-o dialogue in both versions, but I have no idea why stabbing someone with a lance is called "Black Wing".

Breaking off her Darkness Spear causes LadyDevimon to recoil in pain, grabbing her arm.

LadyDevimon: AUGH!!! CHEAP SHOT!!! GET OUT OF THE WAY!!! AtlurKabuterimon: Oh, u-uh... sorry about that.....

Awkward though AtlurKabuterimon feels about it, his intervention here is a game-changer. Angewomon gets her second wind, rocketing out from under his shell and back up into the air.

LadyDevimon: Huh!? Angewomon: Playtime is over. Prepare yourself!

A great holy light erupts from behind Angewomon. LadyDevimon recoils in pain, shielding her eyes as if the light itself is harmful to her.

LadyDevimon: WHAT ARE YOU SO EXCITED ABOUT!?!?

LadyDevimon regenerates her Darkness Spear for one last-ditch effort. But before she can close distance, Angewomon lets loose with Heaven's Charm. LadyDevimon lets out a bloodcurdling scream as the energy wave disintegrates her into pixels.

LadyDevimon: P-PIEMON-SAMA!!!

In the dub:

LadyDevimon: AUGH!!! YOU BROKE IT!!! MegaKabuterimon: (snarky) Aww, send me the bill! Angewomon: (rises again) You're right, LadyDevimon! This game IS over! (holy light) LadyDevimon: AUGH!!! NOT YET!!! DARKNESS-- Angewomon: HEAVEN'S CHARM!!! (Heaven's Charm kills LadyDevimon) LadyDevimon: AHHHHHHH I'M MEEEEELTING!!!

Okay, I super love the way Angewomon interrupts LadyDevimon calling an attack, like a quick-draw battle.

LadyDevimon references Wizard of Oz as she dies, paying off Kari's repeated accusations of her being a witch.

Once LadyDevimon is dead, the two Perfects degenerate back into Tailmon and Tentomon.

Hikari catches Tailmon as she falls out of the air, while Tentomon rushes to Koushiro for inspection.

Tentomon: (wailing) Koushiro-han! You don't see any marks on my back, do you?

But, while they're having this moment, Taichi's focus is on the distant observatory.

Taichi: (firmly) Incoming. Hikari & Koushiro: Eh!?

Taichi draws the group's attention to a distant figure walking from the observatory towards them. He uses his mini telescope to confirm.

Taichi: It's Piemon. Koushiro: The final Dark Master. Taichi: Agumon, get ready! Agumon: Okay, Taichi.

Agumon warp-evolves into WarGreymon for this final battle.

Piemon: Hmhmhmhmhm.... Taichi: Be careful. He's tough. Narrator: The last of the Dark Masters has finally appeared. Will Yamato and the others return in time?

We cut to Sora and Takeru flying out in search of the others. Mimi and her crew still searching for others to join them. Jou on Ikkakumon's back crossing the lake. And then close WarGreymon and Piemon preparing to face off, with Piemon laughing menacingly.

In the dub:

Tentomon: (wailing) How's my back!? Can you see anything!? I hope it didn't leave a scar! Agumon: (excited) Tai! You see what I see? Tai: It's him! Izzy & Kari: (startled gasp) Tai: It doesn't look good, that's for sure! (Tai uses his mini telescope to confirm) Tai: Piedmon....

The dub puts its final commercial break here. Right at the very end. We come back to Tai looking at Piedmon through his mini telescope again.

Tai: The last of the Dark Masters! Izzy: The guy's not exactly in a hurry, is he? Tai: Suit up, Agumon! You're on! Agumon: It's about time! (Agumon Warp Digivolves) Piedmon: Hmhmhmhmhmhm.... WarGreymon: I'm ready! Tai: Remember, he's strong! We don't even know how strong! WarGreymon: No problem! At this rate, I'm only worried about dying of old age! Tai: It's okay. The longer he draws this out, the better for us!

They slide in some quips about Piedmon's slow, ominous approach. Then Tai fills in for the narrator's part during the shots of the rest of the DigiDestined.

Tai: No offense, WarGreymon, but you can only hold him off for so long. We're gonna need everybody for this one. T.K. and Sora! Mimi! And our Digimon allies! And Matt! And good ol' reliable Joe! I say, let him take his time! WarGreymon: Okay, okay. But this waiting gets on my nerves! Piedmon: Hmhmhmhmhmhm..... Narrator: Are the DigiDestined ready to face Piedmon, the most powerful villain in the Digi-World? Tune in to the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

You know, it's fair that the dub would think that.

But no. In a given set of Four Heavenly Kings, there's usually one more deity above them all. The Dark Masters are no exception.

Assessment: Honestly, LadyDevimon's kind of a throwaway villain. The real meat of this episode is two-fold: Mimi and Jou's scenes, and Taichi showing his character growth by making long-term tactical decisions with the soldiers under him.

It feels like they needed to be fighting somebody for that, but it didn't really matter who.

Speaking of Jou and Mimi, there's something interesting in the fact that we're back at this lake. Only this time it's Jou making the decision to go find Yamato, instead of Yamato making the decision to go help Jou.

I feel like there's something to that. But I can't say for certain until we see where this is going.

#digimon #digimon adventure #revisiting digimon #revisiting digimon adventure

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