#(and OH BOY DOES KOUSHIRO GET PISSED)

[holyangemon]

Episode 22 - The Saddest Episode of Adventure? (Not Clickbait)

Oh boy is there so much to unpack in episode 22. This episode is a lot. If you’d like to witness someone scream about just how much of a lot episode 22 is, then welcome. I have some screaming to do. 

(this is literally just a recap of the entire episode and I’m pretty terrible at analysis so this probably makes no sense but hey, I have spirit)

I don’t even know where to start there’s just so much going on here. Okay, from the beginning. Taichi gets back to the digital world and finds Tokomon passed out from hunger with Takeru’s discarded digivice and crest. Obviously some shit went down, and Tokomon is nice enough to explain.

Through this, we find out that Taichi and Agumon have been missing for at least a month and a half, which is where Tokomon’s flash back explanation starts, and that the kids stayed in the desert looking for Taichi for this month and a half. We see the group arguing over what they should do next. Sora wants to keep looking, Yamato thinks it’s hopeless, Koushiro wants to find Gennai, Mimi wants to go home, and Joe doesn’t actually say what he wants. (In the next episode it’s revealed he went to look for food before being led astray by PicoDevimon, but in the context of this episode he just kind of goes). But anyway, important thing to point out here is:

the saddest images I’ve ever seen in my life. Takeru is sitting off by himself, which may make sense while they’re having big kid talk and he stays warm next to the fire, but he also sleeps by himself while the rest of them are all huddled together. Also to note is that Takeru and Yamato are on the complete opposite ends. Here we can see how disconnected Takeru is from the rest of the kids, including his brother. This’ll be important later, but let’s put a pin in it for now.

Here is where the group falls apart, with Sora heading off on her own first. She lets Tokomon know that her and Piyomon are off to look for Taichi, to try to keep Takeru from crying if she doesn’t tell him.

(A month and a half in this desert, by the way). Koushiro heads off first, followed by Joe, and finally Mimi, leaving the brothers and their Digimon as the only ones left together. Once it’s just them, they finally leave the desert. We also learn that during this time they haven’t encountered any new enemies. Takeru wants to go back into the desert and look for Taichi.

But as we already know, Yamato has given up. You can’t blame him either, how long are they expected to just wait in a desert? Of course, Takeru cries, and Yamato instantly apologizes, and says that Taichi and Agumon are probably doing fine somewhere.

I’m telling you, this is some heavy shit. Yamato agrees, and says they’ll see them again someday. If he really means that, or is just saying that to keep Takeru happy is another matter, and probably something Yamato is conflicted on himself. Regardless, they continue on, and come across an amusement park. Yamato thinks to himself that it looks safe, and they explore the deserted park. And here is where things take a turn.

We see Takeru holding back tears before saying that he’ll be okay, and will wait.

He asks Yamato to come back quickly, as Yamato has decided to go check things out in the infamous swan boat, planning to only be gone for two to three hours. Now, it’s easy to judge Yamato a bit for leaving Takeru alone in the first place, he could have taken Takeru with him, but Yamato needing some time alone to think things over without upsetting Takeru would make sense. I wouldn’t  judge him for that, can relate, but it’s unfortunate how it ultimately turns out. In any case, Takeru insists that Yamato come back quickly, and waves him off with a smile. Once Yamato is out of sight though . . . 

And my heart breaks again. This boy is too good at hiding his feelings when it’s something that deeply hurts him. But that’s a long rant for another day. For now, unfortunately, Yamato does not end up coming back. Takeru waits until nightfall, and refuses to eat, before eventually falling asleep on a bench next to the wharf Yamato set off from.

Please my heart can only shatter so many times. Takeru continues to wait on the wharf, wondering why his brother won’t come back. He said he was just going to take a look around. He said he’d be back soon! 

Takeru reaches his limit and breaks down. But unfortunately, it’s not over yet. A certain bat shaped Digimon decides that this small sweet boy isn’t broken enough yet. He approaches them, pretends to have good intentions, thanks them for being involved in defeating Etemon, and offers to go look for Yamato. No good intentions can be found in PicoDevimon, and he comes back to spout some dirty dirty lies.

“Yamato said that he doesn’t want to see your face anymore. He said that he really, really, really hates you. He doesn’t want to be your brother anymore.”

“Oh, Yamato also said this. He really hates you for being a crybaby.”

This is too much for Takeru, and he runs off in tears.

Tokomon of course tries to tell Takeru that Yamato would never say anything like that. But Takeru is in no state to listen right now.

I’m not even halfway through the episode oh god. Tokomon runs off to confront PicoDevimon about being a lying little bitch, but he of course denies it, since Tokomon has no proof. Tokomon is pissed, and hits PicoDevimon with his baby bubbles. Unfortunately, Takeru chooses this moment to arrive on the scene, and he’s an anti-fight boy.

PicoDevimon sees his chance to cause a rift between the two, and says not to blame Tokomon, he was jealous that him and Takeru had been getting along. Tokomon scoffs at this, causing Takeru to get mad at Tokomon’s attitude, and tells him to apologize to PicoDevimon. Tokomon refuses, they argue, and Tokomon claims that he’ll leave if Takeru keeps trying to force him to apologize. So, Takeru tells him to go ahead and leave.

Tokomon gives Takeru the chance to change his mind, but Takeru is hurt, extremely hurt, and is taking it out on Tokomon.

And this is where the flashback ends, and we’re back to Taichi. Taichi is worried about Yamato, he knows that Yamato would never willingly abandon his little brother, but finding Takeru comes first. Meanwhile, Takeru is spending a very depressing time in the amusement park with PicoDevimon. PicoDevimon is trying to get Takeru to forget about Tokomon using the rides, but it’s not working out for him.

Yeah, Takeru’s not in the mood for fun. PicoDevimon asks if Takeru is worried about Tokomon. At first, Takeru says who cares, but follows it up with wondering if Tokomon is okay by himself . . . . but he really doesn’t care about him at all. PicoDevimon sees through the tsundere act, knows he needs a new plan, and heads off to regroup, leaving Takeru alone.

He deals with this by sleeping (relatable), and this is where Taichi finds him. The first thing Takeru says to Taichi is “Taichi! You’re alive!” and it’s just really heartbreaking that these kids had to seriously consider the fact that Taichi could be dead. They don’t dwell on it much in the show, but it’s pretty dang dark.

A rare non-Yamato related hug from Takeru. Taichi apologizes for making Takeru worried. Takeru notices that Tokomon is back, and ruins the happy mood by asking Tokomon if he realizes he was wrong now. Tokomon angrily replies that he did nothing wrong, which is true. And the arguing starts again. 

They really are kids. Imagine Angemon having this argument. This time, Taichi is here to break it up and tells them this isn’t the time to fight since they should go look for Yamato and other others. But Takeru doesn’t want to. Everyone left him. First Sora.

Can you here those screams in the distance? That’s me. Takeru has taken PicoDevimon’s words about how Yamato, and has applied them to everyone else too. Why?

Because he had already had those types of thoughts himself. PicoDevimon was voicing his worst suspicions. Whether they did it intentionally or not, we can clearly see that there was some excluding of Takeru going on. We don’t get to see what happens during this month and a half, so unfortunately the why is unknown. Maybe because their conversations are more serious in general and they don’t want to deal with Takeru crying. If he was crying often, maybe some resentment/annoyance was growing. Or maybe Takeru himself was distancing himself. However it happened, negative feelings were brewing, and being a kid sensitive to separation, everyone leaving would enhance those negative thoughts. PicoDevimon’s lie has grown from Yamato hates me, to everyone hates me. And that makes my heart hurt.

Taichi tries to counter this by saying that there was no way Yamato could ever hate him (which is true, but mention the others too Taichi!). And here’s where Takeru says something veeery interesting.

(episode 3, directed at Taichi)

It’s like they say, kids are more perceptive that they’re given credit for. Takeru isn’t exactly wrong about this, but he goes a bit overboard, and connects it with Yamato being against searching for Taichi when Takeru wanted to, and then adds an extra reason for why Yamato hates him.

Taichi is not equipped to deal with this. Takeru’s thoughts are really spiraling at this point, all centered around how everyone hates him and why. Let’s not consider him potentially thinking that his dad and brother left because they hate him. It’s a good thing Yamato isn’t here to see this, because Takeru claims he wants to be Taichi’s little brother instead.

That’s an understatement, Taichi. Taichi is currently the only person Takeru has who he doesn’t think hates him, so of course he’s going to latch onto him. Taichi is essentially the fun friend and Yamato is the strict brother. It doesn’t help that since the brothers don’t get to spend a lot of time together, there’s some awkwardness in their relationship, mostly from Yamato. There’s some awkwardness from Yamato just in general. He completely adores Takeru, but isn’t always great at showing that in ways Takeru can understand.

We don’t get to see the in-between of this conversation, but Taichi is able to calm Takeru down and coax him into agreeing to at least hearing what Yamato has to say in person. Things are going well, but of course liar mc-lying bat shows back up with a bunch of memory erasing mushrooms. Like he hasn’t caused enough damage. PicoDevimon tries to start an argument with Tokomon, but Agumon interrupts to ask about Yamato. PicoDevimon doubles down on his claims, because he sucks, and Taichi asks to be taken to where Yamato is.

PicoDevimon agrees, but offers them some of his sketchy mushrooms to eat before they head off. He’s just the worst. Everyone is hungry, apparently hungry enough for some sketch mushrooms, but Agumon needs a convenient bathroom break where a mysterious voice that sounds a lot like Sora warns him that the mushrooms erase memories. So convenient!

Thank god Takeru tried to eat the mushroom whole without biting into it. Phew. When Agumon reveals with the mushrooms do, Takeru finally gets suspicious. (Why no one is suspicious about PicoDevimon from his name alone I’ll never know. Shouldn’t the whole Devimon part set off some alarm bells?)

Panicked and with his cover blown, PicoDevimon admits to everything being a lie.

It sure is buddy. Takeru apologizes to Tokomon right away for treating him so horribly, but of course Tokomon tells him not to worry about it and isn’t angry at all. It’s like Takeru said in episode 12, fighting between friends is okay, because you’ll make up soon. But fighting between adults . . . 

With the partners friends again, Taichi gives Takeru his digivice and crest back. Thanks to the reveal with PicoDevimon was lying, Takeru has restored some hope that maybe everyone doesn’t hate him after all.

This is enough for the Crest of Hope to regain its light (what a tease considering it won’t be properly activated for 30 more episodes). And here we see a first for Takeru. He actually wants to fight.

This is the same boy who initially wanted to try to talk it out with Devimon first, so this is a big shift for him. PicoDevimon 100% deserves it, but it’s sad to see how he’s losing his innocence. But it means the return of Patamon! Hurray! Making his battle debut, since this marks the first time Patamon is in a proper battle on his own (the Elecmon battle was half a fight that turned into tug of war).

. . . it could be better. Patamon really gets slammed all over the place. It’s surprisingly violent. But with Takeru cheering him on, Patamon is able to ultimately win (unfortunately PicoDevimon doesn’t die, we’re stuck with this asshole for awhile). 

Takeru once again apologizes for what’s happened, but Patamon is a pure precious bean so everything’s okay.

Takeru also says he needs to apologize to Yamato later too, though if Yamato knew the full details of what happened here he’d freak as much as I have. The episode ends with Taichi explaining that the distortions in the Digital World are affecting the real world, and that they’ll need everyone’s strengths to fix it before they can go home.

And with that weight on Takeru’s shoulders, the episode finally ends.

Phew, that’s a rough one. There are so many insights into Takeru’s character here, but I don’t want to get too much into all that until the rewatch is finished and I can look at the whole package. 

Does anyone else internally scream when they think about this episode? Or am I just losing my mind? Let me know.

[itsdigitri]

Soushitsu Reaction (per episode)

Posting below the cut, just to be safe

Episode 14

- My theory about Daigo and Maki being the OG Chosen was so right. But that entire scene was a giant clusterfuck. I couldn’t tell you what the fuck was going on other than the fact that it appeared they got their asses handed to them by the Dark Masters and then Maki’s partner disappeared (died?)

- The train tracks and the cart. The nostalgia. The reunion is so cute. Yamato acting as if he wasn’t excited to see Tsunomon again made me laugh. Poor Sora tried so hard to reconnect with Yokomon. Now my heart hurts.

- Daddy Jou is back and all about finding something to eat and somewhere to sleep. 

- Mimi appears and fakes tears (i think) and is super optimistic about how they’ll return home. Such character development, I’m shook. 

- Taichi chases after Meicoomon when she appears. WHAT A GOOD BOY.

- Nostalgia kicks in again ‘cause it’s lunch time. Mimi is real slick with that comment about Sora’s future husband. Koushiro my dear child is so adorable with his rant about oolong tea. Motimon cutting him off to remind him to eat before Tokomon does is so typical. I laughed. 

- Poor Sora looks so lonely without Yokomon

- Then we have Taichi unsure of what to do about the Meicoomon thing and he has a flashback to her demon mode (meicrackmon is such an ugly name I don't want to use it). Yamato reminds him that Meiko is one of them and walks off like geesh he really doesn’t cut that man any slack lmao. 

- Taichi and Agumon have a moment and I want to die because it’s so damn cute. 

- Sora goes to bat with the lil’ brat Yokomon again and loses and my heart hurts again because Sora doesn’t deserve this.  

- Back to the debate about what to do next, everyone is upset that the reboot may have been for nothing since Meicoomon wasn’t affected. Taichi finally recovers his role as leader and is resolved to reunite his friends. Everyone is on board as well. Yay ~~

- The Digimon are now adults. I’m a little disappointed since they were following nostalgia to a T and the little rainbow light striking them would’ve really just nailed it. 

15

- Biyomon is still being a brat even in adult form

- Flashback of mini Mei’s, how cute. But i still understand nothing about their partnership other than the fact that Meiko keeps Meicoomon’s demon side under wraps

- Taichi returns from looking for distortions and I’m just wondering how the hell he missed the giant purple coming from Meicoomon. 

- Mimi has her cell phone and this is new and kind of weird to see 

- Takeru calls Meiko hopeless and Hikari teases him. Yay Takari??

- Lmao  Takeru is still saying he loves Yamato the most and Yamato is blushing after Taichi calls him out

- Sora is so upset and it continues to chip away at my heart

- That Taiorato scene…yikes. That was a golden opportunity to distinguish boyfriend from best friend and Toei completely fucked it up. I'm irritated. Taichi is her best friend and an idiot so him being oblivious is normal. I’m not even a shippy person but Yamato and Sora are supposedly end game so I feel like that scene should have gone down differently. Like the whole clenching his fist and staying quiet and looking to Taichi for help. WHAT WAS THAT. And then asking if they should ask Takeru with her right there (I get it was with good intentions but...) ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME. THAT’S YOUR FUTURE WOMAN. COMFORT HER. That was some horribly shitty writing. 

- Then Meicoomon ruins that oh-so-sweet moment  just as Mugendramon appears in a flash of light. Like literally what. the fuck. I dead ass expected Meiko to appear instead because it looked like the gate had opened. Nope, just a Dark Master here to fuck things up again

- We’re back to the real world and Daigo is finally figuring shit out. Unsurprisingly, Maki is shady and is working with Yggdrasil and used Meicoomon to cause the reboot so she could see her dead partner again. I get it, but how selfish can you be? There’s a super cute flashback to teenage Daigo/Maki and Daigo is SMOOTH ASF with that partner line as he comforts Maki. Like shit, please teach Taichi and Yamato your ways.

- Back in the Digi World the gang is reunited and they call for their partners to Digivolve and the Digimon are like ????

- They’re blasted by Mugendramon and i’m over here like how tf did they survive. Then it’s revealed a distortion appeared and saved them all, but they’re all separated without their right partner

- Biyomon is back to being a brat and makes Sora cry - there goes another part of my heart. Then they find Meiko and i’m just like wtf is she Houdini now??

- The others are in other parts of the world and the nostalgia is real. I swear Toei’s goal was ‘how much nostalgia can we fit in one movie’

16 

- Meiko = mountain/country girl = good at making fires

- Biyomon is only being nice to Meiko. What. A. Brat. 

- Mimi and Tentomon make a good name-calling team 

- Yamato and Koushiro are the dream team lmao. Koushiro showing the digimon pictures of their adventures in the real world warmed my heart. Agumon questioning Yamato about Taichi was priceless. ALSO LETS JUST STAND HERE UNTIL THE TRAIN IS INCHES AWAY FROM US AND THEN JUMP. Like how could let that happen Koushiro, you’re smarter than this.

- Taichi is being gloomy because he doesn’t know what they are to their partners anymore and Hikari is like ‘nah just accept them for how they are now because for Plotmon, it’s better this way.’ So wise beyond your years, Hikari. 

- More cut scenes. Takeru is in primary village getting patched up by our good pal Elecmon. Again, nostalgia. 

- Hackmon is filling in Daigo. He’s on the good side aka Homeostatis. We learn that Gennai has dabbled with the darkness and he refers to Meicoomon as libra (I think) because ANOTHER MYSTERY IS JUST WHAT WE NEED AT THIS POINT

- We’re back to Sora and Meiko. Sora is depressed once again and doesn’t know what to do to fix things. Meiko throws her words back at her and i’m screaming because she’s SUCH A GOOD GIRL. 

- Meicoomon appears and is pissed and starts attacking like WUT. Meiko is cool asf and is like ‘yes, you’re bad but i’m also bad for abandoning you i’ll never do that again.’ 

- Dark Gennai appears in Ken form and is all like hi let’s play. He’s reveals he is on the side of Yggdrasil. Meicoomon says bye and goes after Mugendramon but is tossed aside like she’s nothing and falls into DGs hands. Sora shows up all queen-like and throws rocks. DG tackles her and feels her up for her DigiVice (also, what the FUCK was the unnecessary licking, i’m disgusted Toei). Dumb and Dumber (i apologize, I’m still very salty about the previous episode) show up to save Sora just in time. Everyone is reunited due to the distortions and Gennai reveals even more information - Yggdrasil doesn’t want the two species interacting and wants to destroy the Human world. Unsurprisingly, the Chosen have played into Yggrasil’s plan accordingly, and honestly, i’m so over it. They couldn’t have come up with anything better??

- They’re about to be blasted away and Plotmon becomes a total badass and allows them to escape to a boat of all places

- DG finds them easily and Dumb and Dumber along with Hikari come up with the genius plan to let themselves be decoys while the others escape. DG is like HA YOU THOUGHT and sends MetalSeadramon to play. Nice going, guys. 

- Back on the boat, Sora and Meiko are still there. Biyomon finally comes to her senses and realizes what a beautiful soul Sora is and i’m soaring 

- The Chosen are on the run and DG is still babbling nonsense. JYOU FUCKING TACKLES HIM AND I’M CACKLING. HOLY SHIT THAT JUST MADE THIS MOVIE FOR ME. The digimon are ruthless asf and attack him one after the other - it’s fantastic. 

- We see Maki temporarily reunite with Tapirmon and she’s pissed he doesn’t remember her. Like girl what did you think would happen??

- Back in the water Dumb and Dumber are fighting with MetalSeadramon and then they disappear under water after protecting Agumon and Gabumon. They have the MOST GAY MOMENT OFF ALL TIME as they swim towards the surface. Then they’re out of oxygen but somehow are having a conversation with their partners. Agumon and Gabumon save them AND THEY CHEAT US THE EVOLUTION SCENE AGAIN. Plotmon evolves to save Hikari and it’s beautiful. 

- MSD is defeated and scene cuts to Sora returning to the others. DG escapes and disappears. Mugendramon goes after Biyomon, Sora jumps on to get her back. While Sora gets pummeled into the wall the two bond and it’s beautiful and Biyomon evolves. PHOENIXMON IS SO MAJESTIC. 

- Cut scene to Meiko being cornered by DG and him being a creepy bastard again. 

- Back to the action, the two attack, Sora gets knocked off AND JYOU COMES TO THE RESCUE AGAIN. Then all of a sudden, Patamon wants to fight so he evolves and we finally see Seraphimon. Next is Tentomon and now it’s overkill and i’m not happy with the way this played out either. Like them wanting to fight is seriously what triggered their evolution? What. The. Hell. 

- Meiko is being strangled by DG to trigger Meicoomon’s evolution. He says some pretty harsh stuff to her. Like geez, yeah she’s not exactly the best partner but to say she should’ve never been born? Rude asf. 

- Mugendramon is defeated and everyone is ecstatic because they still have a bond. Jyou is smug even though Gomamon didn’t evolve lmao what a cutie. Sora forgives Dumb and Dumber after they apologize (+10 points) but I’m still aggravated by the whole ordeal 

- The world shakes and we see Meicoomon in demon form and the movie ends with DG laughing manically with Meiko passed out

Gotta say that overall I really wasn’t impressed. Confession was pretty hard to follow up with but…this? This was not what I expected at all. I’m pretty disappointed but there’s still two more movies so my fingers are crossed that it’ll get better from here.