#I don't know why this exception is Pokemon only but it really is

[kakusu-shipping]

Whats your favorite part about cap?? What drew you to the mon the myth the legend????

I'm grabbing you I'm grabbing you so tightly you don't understand I can't explain it to you but look. Listen.

A character must be at least a little Cringefail to get on my F/O list, right? I've said as much. It's my staple. I love a pathetic guy (gender neutral) who has something bullyable about them.

Except. For some ungodly reason. Pokémon.

A Pokemon does not have to be Cringefail to catch my attention. Rather the opposite. A Pokemon just has to be a little cool, have a neat animation, use a sick move, have a really epic battle in the anime, and I'm all over them like a Shounen girl is over the OP Protag boy.

And I don't. Know. Why. But it's happened Five times now so I simply must acknowledge the pattern.

My favorite thing about Captain Pikachu? What drew me to him? He's cool as hell. He's so cool. Babe this Pikachu, this yellow rat. Is so damn cool.

His thunder punch, his volt tackle, the way he protects the kids teaches them challenges them. He's the Captain of an Airship, he loved the sunrise so much he taught himself to fly just to see it, he faced a raging Moltress with no hesitation. He drinks coffee. He perches above people and scoffs in a Knows Better way.

And yeah at the end of the day he is just the Mascot Pikachu with a lil hat. He's got the same Overpowered anime Pikachu power as Ash's Pikachu.

But man does he use it to look a lot cooler

[dravidious]

I rest my case.

-

Fuckin BULLSHIT the one on the right is way better you only need 1 stroke to draw it!

Speaking of some things being objectively better than others for very important reasons, I booted up my brother’s old copy of Hyrule Warriors yesterday and tried to get A-ranks in the adventure mode, only to gradually realize just how important the level-up system is, meaning that no matter how good you are, the only way to have a chance of getting A-ranks on the later stages is to grind until the enemies don’t take 5 whole minutes each to kill.

Then I ranted to myself in my room about how Ultrakill’s P-ranks are way better

[pokemon-ash-aus]

if you were to have a hypothetical infection au, what kind of disease would it be and who would go bye-bye first?

Hypothetical, but i love the thought of it cementing in Pokerus. A disease that can't help but NOT be transferred, lasts 3 days then is gone for good- you can never get it again.

Except it goes wrong.

You notice it in your Charmander, a spunky little guy you caught recently in the academy. You see the purple haze of it's eyes and the near lethargic sway of it's body.

Excitement courses through your veins- you know of Pokerus- you have a few pokemon that have gotten it in the past- this is nothing for you.

So you send your Charmander in battle, call commands to it even though it doesn't really listen.

It uses bite... A lot. Small pokemon, big pokemon- you're not sure why, you aren't even sure Charmander HAS bite in it's normal moveset.

Day 3 rolls in fast and leaves in faster.

Your Charmander still has purple eyes and a lethargic sway.

There aren't screams, nothing that tells you of the impending doom crawling down the walls of the academy. Nothing that could tell you how wrong this was.

You set your Charmander in a healing box, let them sit there for a day or so.

The other students and trainers get angry- they are furious with you that you're taking up the only healing box in the biome you are in.

But fear courses through your vein, hints of purple echoing the peripherals of your eyes. Your chest burns, you feel tired and you don't know why.

The day ends and night is falling, so you shakily let out your Charmander.

It lays in the grass, labored breathing reaching your ears.

It suddenly comes to your mind that it hasn't eaten much in the past 3 days.

It comes to mind that you haven't eaten much either.

You stumble away, leaving your charmander at the edge of the healing box, leaving it's purple eyes and pooling drool to lay in the grass.

Rapid attempts have you throwing your pokemon around, the red light drawing your attention and has you staring at them.

You don't recognize them easily. It takes a few minutes of labored breathing before your eyes land on your Florges.

It shows no signs of the Pokerus. It's had it once before and it seems it wasn't eager to pick the desease up again.

Your other pokemon don't bear the same weight.

Your Lechonk hadn't moved since you released it.

Your Sandile was swaying, steadily crossing away from you.

Your Rotom was floating eerily still, orange and blue body coated in a purple hue.

Your Grimer wasn't really there either. It's body inflating as raspy breaths echoed it's body.

It's eyes never left you.

4 days had passed. It takes pokerus a few hours to infect those around it, but it never infects the same pokemon twice.

Your arms feel numb come morning, you've been staring at your pokemon for hours apparently.

The 5th day you don't remember your name, you don't even know if you remember who your pokemon are.

You stumble into the tundra, your body warm and your stomach heavy even as your fingers turn blue in the cold. You wander and wander, watch as Pokemon sway in the same tempo as you.

Left.

Right.

Left.

Right.

The hunger hits you out of left field, soft at first, then a startling monster that makes your mouth salivate, drool prickling at the edges of your mouth and douse down the front of your shirt.

In the cold, it should be painful. Tiny ice crystals popping and blistering against blemished skin, it should hurt.

You don't feel a thing, but you're hungry.

You're so hungry.

Your wandering, your slow lethargic swaying turns into one of desperation. You're running through the cold tundra, jumping into freezing water that don't bother you none.

There's something at the beach.

It looks like a Pokemon, but it could also be human, you're not sure what it is, but it's too slow to move.

You forget that cooking was an option, forgo all the items in your bag that are fresh and ready to use. You forget that you are in a dome, and food is still readily available to all.

Your teeth sink into flesh as the Pokemon-Human thing writhes beneath you. Warm liquid presses against your tongue, sweet and savory all in one go.

Your mind screams at you- it should taste metallic in some way- but you ignore it for another bite.

One.

Two.

Three.

That's all you need before you pull away, the creature was still living, still writhing and screaming.

You stand and begin to wander again, back through the tundra and into the open plains.

There is a light- you don't recognize it.

The Charmander of before steps to your side, and as a duo, you wander and wander.

The dome is closed.

--

Anyway, if i had a thought on who would be infected first, it's gonna be Ash with how much he lvoes and helps pokemon. It's inevitable ToT

[lizzaneia-elizalde]

Hi I'm back. How are you?

How about... A yandere that has had a bunch of lovers and either killed them because he got bored or broke their heart beyond repair? But them he meets the reader and something changes?

Idk it seems like a fun dea.

Yandere! Male! Player x gn! Barista! Reader

Uh ohz, here is the player 🙄 there's a little twist to the request, meowing! I hope you don't mind. (Another Greek mythos twist. Not as blatant as Hades though. Only a bit of the Greek mythos is grabbed, not all.)

I'll see to it how can we break this little man

ヘ(￣ω￣ヘ)

AND, I AM GOING TO STOP TAKING NEW YANDERE REQUESTS! But, I am going to take asks about the existing yanderes now!

Yandere! Player name: Amor

A resounding slap echoed throughout the bustling cafe, silencing the people talking to each other. The woman, tear stricken and angry, looked at the man in front of her.

"We're over!" She yelled before stomping away from the cafe, leaving the man behind.

The people started to gossip amongst each other, but one particular action by the man stunned them.

He just sat down, took out his phone, and called somebody.

"Hey, fancy meeting tonight? I just know of this nice cafe. Date, my treat."

Shameless, the people thought as he chuckled and ended the call with a lazy smirk, stirring his coffee and sipping it.

Amor. Extremely handsome man. Charming, always knew how to get the ladies.

That's what made him full of shit since being handsome is his only redeeming quality.

He's arrogant, a bastard, selfish, has a pride taller than the Eiffel tower, and a total player.

He juggles women left and right, flavor of the day, who's gonna be my girl for the morning, afternoon, and night?

Why do people flock to this man again?

Ah, because the Gods favor this bitch.

What did he do in his past life that women love this man?

Well, in his past life, he's a boring nerd.

His family loved him dearly, and wanted him to succeed in life.

So, attending academic camps, prestigious schools, goddamn Kumon? He got it all.

Awards, upon awards. He collects them like pokemon.

Did it make him interesting?

No. All he knew is academics, and no outside skill.

He's book smart, not street smart.

Poor guy wasn't even attractive. So, when he finished University in an Ivy League Uni, he's lost. He doesn't have charisma to charm employers, he doesn't have the confidence to do public work...

Well, that, and NASA already hired him.

What? He is not street smart and has a hard time finding a job himself, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have connections.

In short, he's a Nepo baby.

At least he's a genius so NASA made sure to use him thoroughly.

But, he felt... Bored.

He wanted more from this life of his.

He wanted a girlfriend for fuck's sake!

So, by some stupid and desperation he himself never thought of doing, he turned to the old gods.

The old Gods, surprised by a sudden influx of eager and desperation of faith from only one man, decided to entertain them.

"PLEASE! WHEN I DIE, MAKE ME EXTREMELY HANDSOME AND HAVE WOMEN LEFT AND RIGHT!"

Oh... That's not...

He's really superficial....

Did the Gods care though? Nah. He's really entertaining. Awakening old Gods just for... Women?

So they granted his wish.

When he died of old age (unfortunately for him.), He woke up to another wealthy and loving family. But this time, he's the son of a world renowned Kpop idol, and a Miss Universe.

"This is overkill." Amor thought to himself as his mother cradled her. "But damn, ain't I happy!"

Growing up, even as a kid, girls liked him. He felt like on the top of the world. He retained his memory, so he's practically a gifted child. No, perfect child even!

Except that he's actually a foul kid.

He became arrogant, a snob. Someone who viewed himself too highly for people.

But do his parents care?

Eh...

They spoil the kid a lot. And turn a blind eye to his lack in manners.

Again, went to prestigious Universities, to Kumon, academic camps.

Everything was a breeze for him now.

He got a job as a model immediately. He decided to not go down the academic path, but use his parents' connections once more to climb up the showbiz ladder!

He's still a Nepo baby in this life.

Well, again, his handsomeness is almost too good to be true (work of the goddess of beauty), so his model career is skyrocketing in success.

And women.

Countless of them.

He cycles through them like toilet paper. Throwing them away once he's got his fill.

Yet, people don't care.

He somehow built a reputation off of being a player. When people say that "he broke somebody's heart again!"

"Eh, what did you expect from being in a relationship with Amor?" They would say with a shake of their head and a smile.

That's how much the Gods intervened with his life.

Once he sets his eyes on someone, he 100% would get them.

Unless....

"Tsk. Where can I go now..."

Amor paced around the street, turning heads left and right as this man sculpted by the gods had a worried look on his face.

The cafe he frequents closed down, now he needs a new place to take his women to dates to.

He's about to get his phone when a flyer hit him directly on his face. With an irritated glower, he grabbed the flyer.

"ow! What the f... Oh?"

He stopped, seeing the content.

"new cafe open?"

It looks like a generic cafe. But what was interesting was that the cafe is located in an indoor garden. Like a greenhouse.

"This is interesting. Women love flowers, don't they? And a garden of all places!" He laughs, making the gods stir from the sudden new cafe they got.

They all fuzzed, saying that this would be a good place. But, the goddess of Beauty stirred. Saying she got a bad feeling about this.

"relax, nothing will happen."

And when he got inside the cafe, he immediately got shocked by the barista, you.

Has there ever been an ethereal beauty like you? Someone... Someone who rivals even the goddess of beauty herself?!

The goddess stirred again, shackles raised. She never made you, so why are you this attractive?

Then, the goddess whispered on his ear.

It's to make you fall in love with a monster. Someone ugly, a beast... Anything to get your status down! Nobody can be as beautiful as her!

Envy filled the goddess as she gave Amor arrows to hit you with.

Now, assigned with the task of making you fall in love with what the goddess call a 'monster', he sets off to your house in the middle of the night. With the help of the other Gods, he became invisible and flew on to your balcony.

With a creak, your balcony doors opened. Making him shimmy inside through the small crack.

Yet, fate tempted him as the moonlight hit your form. In a vulnerable state, your androgynous beauty is amplified. Your long eyelashes, your skin... Your figure...

Truly, your beauty rivaled the goddess. No, you were more beautiful than her.

His throat dried, eyes glazed over.

Gods, are they tempting him?

It would be a waste for you to fall in love with an ugly guy.

His fingers twitched, trying to grab the arrow.

"OW!"

He seethed, doubling over as he clutched his finger. It got pricked by the arrow.

He somehow forgot a crucial information.

'whoever the first person the pricked sees if the arrows only pricked one, they will fall in love with the first person they sees.'

And, as his eyes irritably looked at you, overwhelming love filled inside him as he gasped in the sudden influx of emotions.

He kneeled down, eyes wide.

He's rigid. All he could see is your form. Lovely and so bright.

And hid eyes softened. A dull light in it as his lips twitched into a lovesick smile.

He was already attracted to you before, and now, pricked by the arrows, he's utterly obsessed with you.

With a twitch of his hand once more, he grabbed the arrow and stabbed himself fully to the thigh.

"GAGH!"

He doubled over, gasping, twitching for air as his heart pulsed through his ears. His eyes frantically finding your sleeping form before letting out a shaky moan from the satisfaction.

It was like a drug. Everytime he sees you, he gets overwhelmed with feelings of affection.

Is this what love is about?

And before he knows it, the arrows are all used up.

It was morbid, seeing this man stabbed with so many arrows.

But his face says otherwise. Like a drugged up man, overdosed on ecstacy, he was in a drooling trance from the addictive feeling of love for you.

The arrow is effective enough by one arrow, and now this?

Well, let's just say...

"I count, right?" He shakily asked the gods. "I'm a monster, somebody who breaks women's heart left and right."

He trembled, standing up.

He walked over to you, legs unsteady as he dropped to his knees once more and planted his lips on your own.

It tasted, you tasted so sweet, divine upon his lips.

He wants more, but he can't risk waking you up.

"Goodbye, my love. See you tomorrow." Amor whispered, grabbing your hand and dragging his nose on your skin and inhaling your scent. Exhaling shakily, he stood up and flew away.

Let's say, the goddess of Beauty was really angry at him.

But her condition, a 'monster', fits him. So, what can she do?

She gritted her teeth and looked at him with hatred, yet complacency.

You're so pretty, it hurts.

"Welcome to the Psyche cafe! How may I help you-- oh hello, sir Amor! The usual?"

Amor slowly nodded, clearing his throat.

"yes. The usual."

It's been weeks since then. And he made sure to make himself a regular in the cafe. He stopped going on dates, and pulled a lot of strings to somehow burry the player accusations. He knows he can't really burry it all.

So he made (threatened) the women he dated to be positive about him.

He wants to fly on your radar, spot on the middle, so bad.

So, with the invisibility power he got from the Gods, he always followed you. Even up to your home.

At first, his heart pounded like crazy. What if he suddenly appeared? Will you be freaked out? Surprised? Will you run away--

No, you can't run away.

Like you can, anyways.

He knew of your favorite food, fashion sense, hell, your taste in men...

He slowly changed himself into the man of your dreams.

Like a persona he integrated into himself, this sudden change shocked the people. But, they welcomed this change.

"Is he in love, that's why he's changing?"

More than that.

He's making himself into the perfect boyfriend for you.

Now, all he needs is you!

"Here's your coffee, sir!" You greeted with a sweet smile that he swore he had to grab his soul from leaving his body. "Enjoy!"

He gently grabbed the coffee and as usual, gave you 200$.

"sir..." You grimaced.

"Please, just accept it." He smiles. "You've always been a pleasant person to talk to, y/n. So, just see it as a generous tip. That I frequently give."

You looked down at the bill and smiled. Warmness spreads through your chest.

"thank you s--"

You looked up, and froze from the look he's giving you.

Deep, crazed...

Obsessed.

You shivered in fear.

Sensing your eyes on him, he coughed loudly, averting his eyes before returning to the man you knew.

Or did you actually know him?

You don't even know anymore.

But hey, he gives huge tips.

"Thanks again for the coffee." Amor smiles, trying to sweep what happened under the rug as he waved at you.

He went to his usual table. Somewhere secluded, yet has a clear view of you surrounded by flowers.

He observes you. Plans on what to do next.

He knew he can't just waltz in and whisk you away. That's barbaric.

But he's not opposed to the idea though...

He smirks.

He can probably pull tons of strings for you to end up in his arms.

He loves you, don't mistake that.

But, a little bit of... Force would be good.

He's an impatient man.

Also, did he mention that he's a selfish asshole?

How about, making your life so miserable. Getting you kicked out of this cafe, your family suddenly getting a huge debt...

Something he knows you can't pay immediately.

And his family would coincidentally sponsor you by giving you a condition of marrying him!

Anything to be with you, really.

Or, just steal another arrow and hit it with you. That's also plausible.

But, the goddess is pissed with him. So that's the last resort.

He sips his coffee and crosses his long legs.

He's favored by the Gods anyways.

His eyes narrowed slightly as you interacted too amicably with your coworker. An obvious blush on the coworker's face as he got too touchy with you.

No, everyone in the cafe is enamoured with you. Your beauty too good for this world.

He gripped the handle of his cup.

But first, let's get rid of potential rivals, yes?

You are only his.

What is there to fear? He has the resources in his hands to make you his.

You didn't know yet, but your fate is already sealed, tied, and shackled to him.

You don't really have a choice.

[flightlesstrash]

death note x pokemon!!

i've been formulating pokemon teams for death note characters, figured i'd put them here. i haven't perfected light's team but he 100% has a charizard and an umbreon. there's a few others i don't have solid teams for, but if i complete them i will post them!

there are a good chunk of mons that are in large part there mostly for aesthetic purposes, so keep that in mind!

if anyone has any cool changes for the current teams or thoughts on characters not shown feel free to share :D

starting with L's team!

his first pokemon was given to him by watari, and it was a shiny rowlet (it's shiny because it fits the team's aesthetic but my justification is watari's rich as hell so of course he can get L a shiny starter mon). the whole line gives off big watari vibes, it even turns into a sharpshooter!! perfect for protecting the world's greatest detective.

he's got a shiny umbreon who serves the role of partner pokemon, and they have the closest bond in the team (except maybe decidueye, but they're pretty much at the same level.) it parallels light's own umbreon, who also serves as partner pokemon to light. it's complete coincidence they both have umbreon (just further proves that they are perfect for each other >:D )

he has an alcremie because of course he does!! he loves sweets, and since alcremie make the best whipped cream for desserts, he HAD to have one. specifically the vanilla cream kind with strawberry candies.

next is metagross because metagross is way smarter than a supercomputer and L has always been really into technology. having one around is very helpful for his investigations.

he has an experiment gone (sorta) wrong, a porygon-z. it's difficult to work with, but L has managed to figure out how to work with it anyway. yet another technology mon to feed L's tech obsession.

last mon on his team is a bronzong. because he hears the bells. obviously. also, when bronzong lets out warning cries, which sound like bells tolling, it can summon rain. i mean, come on. he can't not have one on his team.

now that L's main team has been explained, it's time for another group of pokemon L has-- his contest mons!! L is really into pokemon contests and participates in them frequently (he always wins, of course). he's even got a pokemon for each type of contest category!

the alcremie and umbreon are from his main team, they just also participate in contests. he has a luxray who is also used for protection on top of contests since they can see through walls. very cool, very useful. (also very indulgent for me since luxray is one of my favorite mons.) he loves food pokemon so naturally he's got some more on top of alcremie. speaking of which....

he's got even more!! the others aren't used for battle or contests, he just likes having them around <3

you may think that he has an insane amount of pokemon and would struggle to care for them all while working on cases and participating in contests so much, and you would be correct. which is why watari has it all taken care of :D (that poor, poor man)

next up, we've got misamisa's team!

were most of these mainly an aesthetic choice? yes! and there's a very good reason for it. misa would totally have a team of cute mons that match her aesthetic!! since she's a model, she also uses them in her photoshoots and they themselves are very famous pokemodels.

her main partner pokemon is spinda. it doesn't fit in with the rest of the team's aesthetic, she was just completely encapsulated by it and its adorable silliness. she HAD to have it. they are now besties.

misa isn't very interested in pokemon battling, so her team isn't fully evolved. but you know what she is interested in?

that's right, pokemon contests!! she's not only famous for her modelling career, but also her pokemon contest skills!

each one of her pokemon sans spinda have their own contest category they specialize in.

she's one of the top contest participators, only ever bested by L. they are very close competition, however. while light is L's competition in regards to intellect, misa is L's competition in regards to pokemon contests. they are able to bond over their shared interest and frequently hold their own at-home contests during the time L is chained to light. they force light to participate as well, much to his dismay.

the rest of the task force think it's a waste of time, besides matsuda. he LOVES watching them. he's always been a big fan of misamisa's appearance in contests and is overjoyed that he gets to see her compete up close :>

next is god of the new world, light!

while i don't have his team fully fleshed out, there are some pokemon he has outside of a battling team.

there's the family litten, who doesn't care much for any of the other household members. it spends most of its time curled up in light's lap during his study sessions or while he's cleansing the world of sin.

the other is an applin given to him by his mom. he doesn't care for the applin much, but there is someone who does....

light started breeding applin in response to ryuk's extreme desire to eat his own. he puts up a front to his family, saying it's a hobby of his he's been getting into. he makes money selling the applin and ryuk gets to eat one every now and then instead of eyeing light's applin or making him buy more apples, so he isn't bothered by it (he secretly enjoys figuring out how to breed for the best IVs and natures possible, but he's not gonna tell ryuk that)

his applin has a special ribbon so ryuk won't mix it up with the others-- ryuk is absolutely forbidden to eat the one his mom gave him.

his litten also helps hatch the eggs a bit faster. it doesn't have flame body, but it's still able to warm them up so it helps, even if just a little.

next up, rem!

yes, she has two shinies. they just work so well!!!

shiny hisuian zoroark is so perfect in every way i just can't. it's the "embodiment of death", which fits very well with the whole shinigami thing, and it looks so fucking rem coded. actually perfection. also, although i don't have ryuk's team ready yet, he does have a normal zoroark which i think is pretty cool >:]

she has a shiny gardevoir because, uh, of COURSE she does!! gardevoir is the protector pokemon. they protect the people they care about with their life, and even sleep standing up just in case they need to jump into action to save their trainer. yet another perfect mon for rem's team.

there's a gothitelle on her team because.... well.... let me just insert its black and white 2 pokedex entry: "It can see the future from the movement of the stars. When it learns its Trainer's life span, it cries in sadness." enough said. also, i think it's adorable that it matches misa's gothorita <3

the others are mostly for aesthetic purposes, but i think they work pretty well on her team regardless!

next, mello!

yet another team that heavily revolves around aesthetic, but similar to misa, i think he would care a LOT about that sort of thing. he slays so hard i just know he would want his pokemon to match his style.

he has a houndoom who he mega evolves in battles because it looks sick as hell and is strong as fuck. his houndoom's horns are sharply pointed back, showing its natural leadership.

garchomp, staraptor, blaziken, and zangoose not only fit in his team aesthetically, but they are also all very strong and courageous. most are also really hot-headed or aggressive, which works super well with his demeanor.

and his partner pokemon, lucario? well....

they can share his chocolate together c:

a little extra thing, mello has some pokemon that are a part of his mafia group.

they aren't really owned by any of the members, they're just there to chill and have a good time. maybe intimidate a few people for the gang. you know how it is.

last but not least, near!

now, you may be asking yourself, "how the heck did this child get an ultra beast on his team??" the answer to that is simple: he saw big stacked cube mon, he got big stacked cube mon. watari, being rich as hell, indulged in near's want for big stacked cube mon, so now this 13 year old has a massive, highly aggressive ultra beast (which isn't unheard of in the actual pokemon universe). where does he keep it? idk, that's for watari to figure out (that poor, poor man)

his shinx and metang are related to L's luxray and metagross, respectively. they were given to him by L himself when he saw near's potential.

meowstic and shiny reuniclus not only fit the aesthetic, but are extremely powerful/intelligent psychic types. it's mostly aesthetic tho.

he has a shuppet that he loves to play with. it not only serves to spend quality playtime with him, but feed off of any negative emotions near is feeling as well. he's super calm and collected most of the time, and while his shuppet isn't the whole reason, it definitely helps him keep his cool when the other SPK members are dropping dead around him.

while not a part of his team, he does have a bunch of magnezone that serve as a kind of satellite. they don't function exactly the same as his actual satellites, but they are still very useful to him in their own way.

and that concludes what i have so far!

.♡ thank you for coming to my ted-talk ♡.

[divergent-paths]

Hey Alex.

I hope this isn’t too rude,

But I can’t help but notice that your opinions and actions regarding Pokemon seem to be almost identical to N (mostly from early team plasma era).

You both are very careful approaching Pokemon, tries to avoid battling unless certain circumstances since you don’t want them to be hurt, but still a skilled trainer nonetheless.

Not to mention you don’t trust a lot of people and you look after Pokemon who can’t fend for themselves.

I know N’s actions to the public seem to be mixed reactions, so that’s why I hope you’re not offended.

Welp, since this is another ask where Alex would have no idea who anon is asking about, in order to avoid Alex just shutting this down with 'I don't know who that is' let's have a bit of a dress up instead~!

Like anon mentioned, there is definitely a ton of similarities between N and Alex (there's even a match between Zekrom and Miraidon's types lmao), but they do start to diverge a bit when we get into the details.

While N's mistrust of people is due to generalised isolation from the wider world, Alex's is based on a loss of trust in the systems that are supposed to protect and support him. Between the two, I would also say that N is more emotionally mature. N was shown in his games to be much more capable of assessing new information/opinions and growing, while Alex is slow to change and can be pretty childish despite his age.

Another difference between them is that N comes off as introverted to me whilst Alex is meant to be an extrovert, so while N is shown as quite happy in his own company or with only 'mons, Alex is currently very lonely and starving for attention, but the hurt runs deep enough that he's not able to get himself out of the downward spiral.

And as a bit of a side note for any future asks (I don't wanna' have to keep posting 'idk who that is' responses :'D), Alex doesn't really know much of/about the prominent trainers of the wider world, he's not interested in gym challenges, elite trainers, villains, rangers, etc About the only exception would be the ones that happen to also be in the entertainment industry, ie, Diantha, Roxie, Brycen, etc, and he'd only really know about their shows, movies, and music, not their battling prowess. He also doesn't have much knowledge on Coordinating, having seen that the Kalos coord scene is highly sexist and he just went 'oh okay since i was born a boy so i can't do that' and never looked at it again. (It'll be something in the main story eventually, so no asks to teach him, pretty please :'D)

Max on the other hand, knows of all the Kalos Gym Leaders, E4, & Champ, actually having an interest in the league as a type of sport. He's got passing knowledge on the Champs of other regions, but doesn't know too many other prominent trainers yet.

[cyanocophrenic]

What's your dream scenario where practically every star has aligned to create exactly what you want to happen?

It's hard to pick just one, right? And even in just the last few days, I've had a couple of folks come thru and broaden my horizons more than a little, so these things remain ever in flux.

But I can share the one that's been haunting the deepest reaches of my mortal soul (it's a drama queen) for the last little while, but disclaimer: it's pretty cheesy, and not terribly exciting 😅

I can't stop thinking about what it would be like to just get to exist, day-to-day, as a berrygirl*.

I've had to do a lot of growing up in the last year, and the idea of getting to just... wear my truth on the outside... I want it, I crave it, I need it.

I want to take the berrygirl HRT, chew the gum, gorge on the fruit, drink the juice, whatever whatever whatever. I want to take some kind of Hormonal Girth Control (the puns must flow) that stabilizes my juices, and keeps them from being contagious (unless I've got a partner who wants me to go off that for whatever reason... 😳).

I want to wake up blue in the morning, look at myself in the mirror, and decide how big I want to be that day. Do I want to walk, waddle, rock, or be rolled? Do I need to get hooked up to my personal juicing machine, or do I need to get my juices flowing?

I want a closet full of clothes for a berry! I want outfits for myself at every size, things that look cute, or hot, or are even just practical. I can't imagine why a berry would need steel-toe boots, but my inner butch wants a pair to go with an excessively baggy boilersuit.

I want fashion for berries! I want clothes that compliment berry bodies from the girls who just want a chemical bbl to the girls who want that bloated, half-filled pear shape, to the girls who roll! I want stupidly expensive designer jeans meant to be worn with the fly wide open, cuz damn she's just too juicy~ I want dresses that can only cover so much, I want skirts that amount to just being wide belts... for some reason, I need a crop top that says "warning: contents under pressure". Thanks to drinkapus over on deviantart/bluesky, I also want some stupidly large white cotton undies. I want berry lingerie, and I want it to be so ridiculous, just oceans of cheap lace and spaghetti straps.

I want to just Be. I want friends who don't bat an eyelash at my strange wants and needs, at my most core self. I want a world I can move through as myself: large, blue, and unhindered (unhindered, by like, society. I can be a little hindered by my body, as a treat). Except maybe at the TSA lol some weird part of me loves the idea of the drama of having to juice way down to fly somewhere, and like... idk, ignore this part.

I want to be able to get on grindr and post pics of my tight, blue circumference and be desired, weird dick pics from faceless dudes and all. I want to go flirt in lesbian bars and be teased with popping talk! I want to be wanted for what I am when I'm my most fundamental self.

When I was little, I used to pray that I'd wake up and pokemon would have become real overnight (apparently, many trans women were praying to become girls? my priorities have clearly never been straight).

Now I just yearn for whatever heavenly realignment would allow me to be loved for who I really am... what I really am. The stars would literally have to rearrange themselves for that to happen. Hope that's an okay answer. Thank you for asking!

-

*(authors note: I, personally, need to find a term that uses 'woman' or something similar... the 'girl' suffix is totally fine, and I truly do feel the appeal! but, if i ever was a girl... i'm a woman now.

BILF? Does that scan? Does the concept even translate 😂

tbh if i really got to be extra, it would be BYLP: Berry You'd Like to Pop... but i think that's stretching the form a little too far. ironic that i'm worrying about stretching something too far, i know)

[a-tale-of-legends]

So I just went on a long comparison between gsc Silver and Hgss silver, as well as gsc Lance and Hgss Lance. I know there's differences between the two but I was unsure of what that was. To keep a long amount of screenshots short here's my main take away( long post below):

GSC Silver has this childishness and angry that isn't super present in HGSS. A quick example is in the burned tower.

Left is HGSS, Right is GSC. You can kinda see the difference between the two, yeah? Hgss is like " yeah, it suits me better, so you're not gonna get it" vs GSC silver who's like "i'm going to get it! Me! Not you! You suck!" Bonus in crystal the guy straight up blames the player for no legendary pokemon being present. To me, it honestly shows how. Kiddy. Silver really is. He's still a bully, but when you read his lines in gsc it's like "yeah that's a child", though tbf 1) I still get that with hgss silver and 2) it may be bc I'm an adult not lmao. No longer a child who would get rilled up by these things. It was effective though, I hated silver when I first played Crystal. Anyway! The point being that GSC Silver has a bit more spunk to me!

Victory Road is actually pretty 1 to 1 in both versions, except for Silver in hgss calling the lack of trainers who aren't there spinless, which I found entertaining ( it may be implied he beaten them all?). That being said!

Left gsc, right hgss. Again, I just feel we get more from Silver in gsc. " I'm invincible!". The insistence that the player is weak despite losing so many times. It feels like Silver's just near his breaking point. Just on the cusp of getting it and he's trying to grasp at straws to what he already knows. To me, anyway. The hgss dialogue is still fun! But something I've noticed with hgss silver is that he kinda accidentally compliments the player in some ways? "All of these trainers are spineless but if you're here that means you're not" and it's like aw, thanks buddy. I honestly think that this is very funny. If someone pointed that out to him, I think he'd explode and shout about it. But in comparison to his gsc dialogue, Silver here doesn't feel. Desperate? If that's the right word? Doesn't have that same edge to me as gsc. Though, ironically, that edge kinda comes back in the battle quotes:

^ that's a hard ass line and kinda leans into GSC silver a bit more, imo. Very very fun.

One last thing before heading onto Lance: the actual shift in Silver's character. Aka, the moment he realizes he should treat his pokemon better. To my surprise, victory road in gsc was not the moment that this change happened. It was at Mt. Moon. So! In gsc, silver is first seen at the Dragon's Den, training. We already see the shift in character as he talks: saying that he can't push his pokemon too hard. That's growth!!! And it's only then after you find him in mt. Moon, where you really get to see his change in character:

He's a lot more considerate here. He literally says he's gonna be the greatest trainer ever "because these guys behind me" ...it's so sweet. Really helps Silver come full circle,imo. It's important to note here: the mt. Moon dialogue comes after seeing him in the Dragon's Den. Hgss doesn't do this for some reason. Instead, at least, according to the Bulbapedia ordering of the quotes ( so you can take this with a grain of salt), you meet him at mt.moon before meeting him at the dragon's den. And I feel like that's important bc, at Mt. Moon in hgss, Silver still doesn't....get it. He's still calling his pokemon weak. He's still kinda acting like how he was in the main game. And while it makes sense - Silver is like. Unlearning years of what Giovanni has instilled into him, so it's not shocking to me that even after everything he doesn't fully get it. But at the same time, from a story perspective, it kinda feels tedious don't it? Both gsc and Hgss silver at victory road still don't get the lesson but you can tell gsc Silver really thought about it. It's why he's at the dragon's den. This part is hc but it kinda goes into my lance stuff later, but I would not be surprised if Lance invited him there. And it's after his time at the dragon's den where he feels a new. He gets it now. Or at least, is starting to get it. Which I think is a more fulfilling character arc. Swapping the dragon's den and mt. Moon encounter so mt. Moon happens first makes Silver's arc feels a bit more tedious than it needs to be. Again, I get it, change doesn't happen over night, especially after a pokemon battle, but it doesn't feel as clean to me as gsc does it.

Okay! Lance time! Hopefully this will be shorter. Much like Silver, hgss really kinda shaved him down a bit. But unlike Silver, I think both versions fit him well enough, except there's one thing that I think gsc does better in comparison to hgss. First the small things. Lance seems more playful in gsc. Instead of saying " What took you so long" he says " What took you?" When battling Ariana, in hgss he says that a 2 v 1 is sneaky and typical for Rocket ( paraphrasing), but in Gsc? " Hey! Don't be selfish! Spread the fun around" Hello? That's so fun??? This excitement, and kinda cockiness of whooping in and battling. GSC feels so much more playful compared to his HGSS counterpart. And honestly you can see it in the designs too!

GSC Lance with the smirk, and him covering himself with the cape all cool like. Hgss is more imposing, commanding, and has a more stern presence to him. And again! I like both of these! But I would be lying if I slightly reminisce that slight playfulness GSC Lance had. That's the small stuff. The big thing that gets me, and what edges out GSC for me, is this:

" But i'm concerned about the young guy I battled in the process" That line isn't there in hgss at all, which I feel makes a huge difference in how the connection between Silver and Lance are portrayed. Lance is worried over Silver. Even if it's just a small, passing concern, it honestly reflects on Lance's character a lot more? It makes him look better is what I'm saying. We know that Silver ends up going to the dragon's den to train after the main game. We don't know why he's there specifically, but if I had to guess it was probably Lance. Again, I know, hc, but I feel like I can say that if Lance has pretty much said he's worried for the guy. Why wouldn't he offer up the idea of training at the Dragon's Den. I know, again, hc but still. It shows their connection. In hgss, Lance never says he's concerned over Silver, making their whole dynamic feel so one sided. Like silver tails the player at the golden rod underground, just to see if Lance was there to battle him. But when Lance shows up in the post game he's like " oh hey, it's you. Nice". Like. That's it? The whole thing between Lance and Silver in gsc was that 1) Lance said that Silver didn't trust or care for his pokemon and was concerned over him for that and 2) Silver taking those words to heart more than he wants to, and he still ends up training at the dragon's den. I just feel like that makes their dynamic feel more whole compared to how one sided it feels in hgss ( I could argue a lot of things feel one sided about Silver but I digress). To me this is beyond the whole Dad Lance, Uncle Lance or whatever, it's just a matter of how their dynamic is portrayed and how it affects the writing. To me, I think that single line of dialogue for Lance brings it all together, while also just making Lance look better as a character. He's said to be a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, so like. I dunno. Why not have him be concerned for a troubled kid. Let's ignore the fact he hyper beamed a man a point blank in front of another child.

Anyway! I hope all of this makes sense lol.

[imustbenuts]

Ok so. On the whole subtle world building differences between fandom EN and fandom plus official JP works. Word vomit incoming.

Japan is like urban planning on MEGA HARD difficulty, bc something like 80 fucking percent of the land is mountains.

(1st 2 pics are from Mishima, next 2 are from Gotemba)

The available flatlands are not only very little, they are also very separated. To add to this, things like earthquake and tsunami can very easily cause problems since the available flatlands are mostly facing the sea. And even there, there's STILL mountains.

(From the beach at Numazu)

So all of this means getting to each location (outside of the glorious city of Tokyo) without a vehicle actually sucks, but having a vehicle in itself also sucks bc said roads are infrastructure ass cracks brute forced into the buttocks of mountains to create roads, so toll booths will eat the driver's wallet like a mother.

Essentially, substitute mountains with sand. And scream.

There's still busses though, and while they run locally, they still can overlap with another locale like a Venn diagram. Which is why busses also exist in Trigun, even though there seemingly aren't roads.

So before there are busses or trains or cars, each locale is pretty isolated as hell. Even with cars it's like an American urban sprawl with a lot more verticality and mountains and hills. Everywhere, on all sides.

Back to the cities and towns though. Infrastructure.

This means for every pocket of cities or towns, they are going to develop their own idiosyncrasies, and, because there is always a need to keep up with infrastructure, there is a need for money. For some towns/cities, they don't care. For others they realize it's important if they want to have nice convenient things like roads and pavement and trains.

People have realized tourism is like a free flow tap of money, both domestic and foreign. So people tend to amp up the idiosyncrasies and start saying/thinking so-so is famous for xyz. Views, food, etc. For example people will be like "Oh! Unagi is a must try in Mishima, it's Mishima Meibutsu 名物!" And then next thing you know this idiosyncrasies get amped to the fucking max. Bc that tourism thing is like a competition too.

Also if a train station is like right there, fuck yeah. That's the lottery jackpot infrastructure right there.

But even then, it's still at the end of the day, possible to just walk through all of this. Legs ignore terrains which would otherwise destroy engines and wheels after all. It's the ultimate ATV except it's really slow and has a severe weakness to water.

^the ultimate ATV. Ww can ride that ig.

And since lugging around a trunk luggage is a pain in the ass, the next best thing is honestly a sturdy backpack.

So if you substitute all of what I said with some world building parts of Trigun, certain things like all towns having some kind of quirk is really common coming from a JP travel media. This also falls in line with works like Kino's Journey. Or even Pokemon.

Whereas in EN fanworks the idiosyncrasies are far, FAR less about being tourist friendly both directly and soft. Like, having signs and say laundromats where travellers could just use without having to ask the locals for hospitality for example.

So any way all of this is to say, there really is a clear distinction when people do world building for Trigun in and outside of the JP sphere. I'm pretty sure even in America there's some degree of this happening but alas idk to what extent.

I also think this can be wrangled into a related topic about how natural disasters wiping a town off the map is just a thing that CAN and has happened in Japanese consciousness vs Not Really Lol in EN.

Anyway. My feeties hurt.

[owlhead650]

I remember reading about how some other pokemon rejuvenation players, those who experienced early versions of the game, felt that the old Melia wasn't a good friend. They felt that Melia only kept the interceptor around because they were useful, like her favourite sword or something.

I haven't played these early versions so I don't know if that's a fair assessment, but I do know that the devs almost definitely never intended for the dynamic to be seen this way. Maybe Melia just wasn't written as empathetic enough. Maybe her vibe was different to the version of the character I first knew.

So getting to the point, I think M2 was attempting to manufacture exactly this dynamic between herself and the renegade interceptor. She stated in her diary that the interceptor is the one who she hates most in the world, probably because of the heartbreaking betrayal. Yet this betrayal wouldn't have hurt so much if she never cared. Melia always cherished her bond with the interceptor, but perhaps M2 tried to soften the pain of betrayal by telling herself that she really was just using them. When she gets the interceptor to help her with the (s)hit list she probably thinks that it's mission accomplished. She's got them now! They're doing as she says! Ha...!

Except that's not the truth. It wasn’t the truth back then and it isn't the truth now. The interceptor only takes orders when it suits them to. They could walk away at any time but chose to stay. I think that's why the vacation to hoenn ending is a thing. Not just a joke, that ending shows that from the start the interceptor could've walked away from everything.

Honestly I find it so telling that although M2 hates the interceptor, they're the first person she turned to for help. She knows she can rely on them. She knows that they'll never fail her, whether that's as a friend... or an enemy.

[erabu-san]

tighnari saying cyno and sethos are like brothers at the end of this quest... cyno really is collecting siblings like pokemon. good for him!!

Yeeeessss!!

In my HC, Cyno put a lot of attention in family.

Firstly because Cyrus was his only one family when he was a kid with amnesia, but also he grown up with Lisa as colleague under the same professor, but both of them consider Cyrus as a parental figure : without saying anything, a link it made of brother/sister. Cyno never knows his family by blood, and I think he was curious once. But he is satisfy with his current family ! And for him, family doesn't need to blood related. And if I remember well, Cyno said (during Windblum event, EVENT EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR ME 😭🫶) something like it is pretty current people in Akademiya becomes a family for study. It was his case ! Cyrus becomes his dad figure, Lisa, her senior, is like a big sister (I wouldn't never forget when she calls him little brother/baby brother) (AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA !!! <3). And when in windblum Cyno came visited Lisa, during their conversation, Cyno is the one mentionning the family bond she has with Cyrus "you are also part of the family, Lisa. It is normal for a daughter to talk like his father" (*CRYING*)! It sounds a tiny detail but I feel like this is so important for him.

Then came Tighnari, aka the first friend he had ever ! (I am a bit lost in chronology tho. In Tighnari's backsto, we learn they met when Cyno was already the general mahamatra while Tighnari was a student new-ly popular. But in Cyno's quest, we learn that they were student when they met ?? So Cyno was student and General ? 🤔 welp, I am still unsure but now I include it in my HC/brainrot kskdkd). And also Collei ! Collei is a bit more complicated, in term that she wasn't comfortable around him for a long time being. But even when she wasn't comfortable around him at first, she still gave him a bookmark handmade during windblum and saying he is like a family for him (I AM ON THE FLOOR). Tighnari and Cyno both consider Collei like a little sister, and bahaha when they "fight" about "who is the older one" and tighnari don't want to admit this loser being the older oh gosh i love theeeeeeem (I will never recover from "oh yeah but you're younger in your head, Collei could be your big sis !" "I wouldn't never say I am the youngest !!! Except if it is for an opportunity for winning TCG by shocking my opponent.." cyno you are so real). But during this windblum event again, Cyno said something like "you know Collei, tighnari said we are not an akademiya family, and he doesn't want to work on a post together" and this is SUPER IMPORTANT because for Cyno, as you can see earlier, only had family by study (Cyrus, Lisa). He worked, studied and published with his father and Lisa. And also, he did homework with Tighnari that he considers like a brother in soul. But the fact he was "refused" to do work with Collei and him, kind of make him feel to tell Collei "yeah we r family but, tighnari... ):"

As Tighnari answered "You know, we can consider ourself as a normal family" AND THAT'S SOSO IMPORTANT. In my HC, Tighnari is the one in group having a "good family" (not in sumeru cast, I believe it is Nilou who has the healthiest family). He knows what a family is supposed to, he grew up with parents who teach him a lot of thing and he explored with them. Anyway Tighnari is a healthy kid, he knows that they don't need to work on a project together to be a family. Oh and that's also why I HC him Aromantic, AroAce persons value platonic and familyship a lot more than romantic, so he doesn't know mind that Collei and Cyno who are not blood related to him are like a true family for him !

(Before continue, I want to talk his bond with Collei ; I believe he can relates on how Collei suffered from the seal, because Cyno who might forget his past, he remembers the pain. That's how in Tighnari's voiceline, Cyno often check how Collei is going w/o her noticing. Even when Collei was aware of Cyno and under Tighnari care, he was ready to help her. And in the first story quest, Tighnari said that she still awares of him. I wonder how often they talk abt Collei !! I am sure Cyno shares to Tighnari how much he woud like to get along with her, and that's how Tighnari gives him opportunity like this one official art when in description Tighnari said "I asked Collei to bring Cyno")

And so, that's how in Cyno's quest we were able to see all his closest friends. Tighnari Collei Kaveh Alhaitham Candace Dehya Faruzan (and Traveler). Everyone was worried for him, was wishing to help him, and was here for him. And Cyno also noticed he is less alone (GOOD FOR HIM). And now, there is Sethos, a man coming from nowhere in this life, but an important man ; they didn't spend life together but they can feel a deep connection bcuz of both of their backstory. Sethos might be the closest to understand all his doubt a long time ago (and Cyno IS the closest person for Sethos to relate). And IN CYNO'S VOICELINE ABOUT SETHOS "Aren't we his best friends of whole Sumeru city ?! 😐" Cyno pulled the power of friendship and adopt him in his big family circle.

ANYWAY WOW IT IS ONLY 8AM AND I AM HERE ALREADY YAPPING ABOUT CYNO BAHAHAHA

But genshin impact is for me more family impact that anything 😭 🫶 (and that's also why I am stuck with sumeru while FONTAINE AND THE HOUSE OF HEARTH ARE JUST RIGHT HERE ?!?!) after all, we are playing a traveler who is searching their twin !

Thank you for reading my talk, anon

[amsgfromthestars]

Let's make this quick, I'm a busy man.

I am Saturn Oume, head of the Galactic Research and Development Team... Formerly known as Team Galactic. We search for new sources of energy and ways to harness it for the good of everyone.

This is a personal account, statements made here do not reflect the views of the team.

Feel free to send me any questions you might have. But remember to spend your time wisely. In other words, don't send me anything stupid. Nonsense will not be tolerated.

Oh, and my pronouns are he/him exclusively.

And... Don't mind the profile picture. It's a placeholder. I'll find something better to put there when I have time.

That will be all. Good day.

--

Pelipper Mail/Mailice/Unmail ON

Musharna Mail/Malice OFF

Magic anons OFF

Any kind of PKMN IRL blog may interact!

More info under the cut! Last updated June 20th.

--

HI WHAT'S UP IT'S ME KADE. from @kades-rp-lore-hell i'm back on my bullshit here's this fucking guy. uhh, i'm 19 and my pronouns are he/him. i'm kind of speedrunning this pinned i have other stuff to do

- i like and follow from @cherrytree-irl

- this blog takes place in the same universe as @plasma-grunt-813 but that's not really important right now

- blog is based on the games. mostly platinum, a little bit of characterization from masters ex. there might be some tiny tidbits based on the anime but we're mostly in the gaaaames zooonnneeee.

- pokemon platinum happened about a year ago. pokemon black just happened but he doesn't really care about that so it probably won't come up much

- oh except this also happened . or. something like it? things mighta gone a little different here.

- ignore his "no nonsense" rule. i mean don't totally ignore it but his definition of nonsense and mine are pretty different. so like, sending him goofy stuff is fine as long as it's like... answerable. you know?

- the details of my version of this character are subject to change because he only started living in my brain recently. he's still cooking.

- no in-person roleplay threads

- blog is low stakes

- making sex jokes is fine saturn's an adult but trying to initiate sex roleplays or whatever is not fine why would you do that

- in-character hate is fine he is an ex-terrorist. out-of-character hate is not fine but if you're gonna send that you're not gonna listen to me telling you not to

- this blog may sometimes deal with themes of internalized oppression.

- here's the squaaaaddddddd. (mars and jupiter will probably be on the blog eventually but i've gotta write a story arc about it first)

okay bye

[taldigi]

I'm always a big proponent for localizing when necessary so I'm interested to hear your takes. For example, I'd much rather remove things like "senpai" or honorifics. If necessary, fully localize to the setting all the way down to the location (ex: Because Ace Attorney is a game that so heavily focuses on modern day Japan's legal system, there's the chance that could put off American players from buying the game for fear of being lost due to the differences in the systems, even though the game itself has no such issue. So localize to LA to break through that initial barrier and get the player to pick up the game). If not, keep the location (MOST stories don't need their location changed) and explain that which needs explaining, but fully translate all dialogue and speech patterns (I actually approve of P4s decision to use frequent bear puns in place of -kuma).

You don't need Japanese honorifics, English has its own honorific system. It's why children are expected to call all adults Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss [last name], except when they're family. It's why, if your boss lets you call them by their first name, they're considered more relaxed ("Please, call me [first name]. Mr. [Last name] was my father's name!") but if your university professor does so it's considered a sign of respect. And it's why it's noticeably, but not unprofessional, if someone goes by last name only without an honorific. If you're localizing a game, I believe you should use that language's honorific system. No -sans, -kuns, or -chans.

Same with things like "senpai." You don't need it. Find a way around it. I honestly don't think the solution to Teddie is to add more untranslated words. The problem with Teddie isn't what he's saying. It's dropped context. It's not clear enough that Teddie doesn't really get what he's saying. It reads more as if he doesn't get why what he's saying is wrong. But those are two different things. Knowing what you're saying but not knowing why it's wrong is a different problem than not knowing what you're saying at all and just repeating things you've heard. There isn't anything wrong with Teddie using the word "scoring," it's entirely in the way it's delivered.

Of course, that's just my thought on localization. I'm interested in yours!

I think I understand what you're saying, and I understand the exact sentiment. Normally, I feel that adding honorifics can be annoying- esp if the story doesn't really call for it.

However- Persona is a kind of series where it doesn't come off as annoying- because the story is very Japanese as well as being a game about the relationships between a bunch of super powered teens- so its implementation is more organic than say.. idk, if Pokemon did, where that relationship nuance isn't as needed.

There's a lot of nuance that gets lost when those aspects are translated or localized away. Rules like using a person's last name is wildly different in JP than it is in english. Sure, the relationships between first and lasts name have their own rules in ENG, but referring to someone via their last name can be seen as insulting, mocking, or scolding. Maybe even a bit demeaning depending on the context whereas in JP its seen as respectful and using a first name or lacking those honorifics can be seen as affectionate.

Being able to step into the headspace where these honorifics matter in relation to how the characters relate to one another is an integral part of steeping yourself in the narrative. IMO, Making it digestible for English audiences would be more akin to like... "Do we need child characters to refer to themselves in third person?"

English is no stranger to loan words to express things. American-English especially. Schadenfreude, Safari, Rendezvous. Doppelganger? If using "Senpai" is important in the narrative to define a relationship or denote authority or respect between two characters, then I believe it's important for the narrative. I mean, people don't step away from the game clueless on what a Persona or a Shadow is, right?

How I see it... Using English: If Naoto called Yu "Yu" it feels too personable, if they called him "Narukami" then it could be seen as dismissive. "Mr. Narukami" feels stiff and "Mr. Yu" is childish and unfitting. "Sir"? Maybe. But again, that feels too yielding? (AU where Naoto refers to Yu as "Dude".)

Kanji's use of honorifics is important to his characterization, too. Even though he's rough and easy to anger and slacks in a lot of social rules, he's still respectful and that's a really important.

However, I'm no linguist nor a philosopher- let alone know more than a few japanese terms at best. So that's just a train of thought. I know the balance between pure translation and necessary localization is a fickle one.

thought: If this was a fantasy world with fantasy terms and honorifics, is that annoying too? or is it good worldbuilding?

Localizing the area? N.. No. I fully disagree with that. No matter what. If someone needs to be coddled enough that they cannot handle a location change, they can go play a different game. It's like asking Pathologic to be anywhere but the Russian Steppe. That is a different issue divorced from being able to understand the meanings and implications of language.

That being said, I think most people who would find interest in a game like persona would be smart enough to pick up context in a story to give meanings to words. (imagine if persona or even SMT was localized to Soul Monsters LMAO)

(Topsicle is a translation I don't like, especially when they could have called it.. idk, a "Vanilla Bar" or just "Vanilla Ice Cream". "Animal Crackers" too. It's not hard, like.. make up more accurate names for them. "Nillabar" or "Cheeseas Crackers" idk. They had the copyright granted for them to use the originals. Weird.)

Taking a step sideways: Teddie was absolutely fumbled. And yeah, I think the blame lies less in him specifically and more in how the other characters treat him. You are correct in saying the issue isn't "scoring" vs "gyakunan", but I felt that it was the best way to express the issue curtly. But then, I must further inquire... why Scoring? Why not "I to be [Girl]'s hot stud!". I mean, I know why. but "scoring" has negative implications. Hell, they could have just used "hot wife" or "mistress" smth, which carries the ridiculousness forward more.

"Maybe I can be Yukiko's mistress!" "*gasp* YOSUKE, were you trying to be Sensei's Mistress?"

Just thinking out loud at this point.

(I want to emphasize, tho- that I LOVE Teddie. I think he is SO silly and sweet and he is absolutely in my top 5, if not top three, fellas from 4. And yes, I love his bear puns too. I like to use both them and the "Kuma" tics when writing him.)

They really needed to telegraph that the characters don't take him seriously and think he's silly WAY more. Not even in the sense of "child coded". He's a shadow. It's not that abstract that he's immature. But the rest of the world around him needs to act like he is, otherwise the reader/player isn't going to get it either. This is telegraphed suuuuper clearly ingame by the JP team, whereas the ENG team... does not. It is SO clear how fond the girls are of Kuma it's almost comical- and yeah, it even detracts from Yosuke's interactions with him. His annoyance is a little disagreeable in JP, while way more justified in ENG.

anyway, getting rambly. Hope I was able to express something akin to a reasonable opinion.

[haveyouseenthisskeleton]

Just started playing Pokemon Go again and I was wondering, which of the skeletons would play? What kind of player are they?

Do they really want to catch them all, who’s only after shiny pokemons? Who sucks at it?

Just picturing the lazier ones just going around in a car instead of walking is really funny to me

Love your works, by the way 😘

Undertale Sans - He just started playing and somehow that lucky bastard has only shinies. Papyrus is losing his mind. Sans only has to take two steps out of the house to catch a random shiny Evee, just hanging there. He doesn't understand why everyone is so shocked. Isn't it how you play the game?

Undertale Papyrus - Papyrus has a small huge addiction to the game. He goes to run every morning to catch new Pokemon, he goes to random places the game tells him to go to catch rarer Pokemon and he's determined to catch them all. The problem is that his luck is so bad. He can catch 2000 Rattata in a row but not be able to catch the only different Pokemon showing up because his Pokeballs don't work. He's getting frustrated.

Underswap Sans - Blue is not exactly a good loser. And there's no way this arena is falling into the hands of some kids. His Pokemon are overpowered and he's so proud he's making all the neighborhood's kids give up on the game because it's impossible to beat him. Except that one time someone did and then Blue ragequitted the game, so mad. He reported them just because he could.

Underswap Papyrus - This is not a good game for Honey. Sure, it's fun to see him lazily ride his tricycle in the street looking for Pokemons until he sees one, forgets there's a sidewalk between him and that Pokemon, and then falls head first on the floor. He has the attention span of an oyster and can't drive and catch Pokemons simultaneously.

Underfell Sans - He played once, lost against a Rattata, classified it as "a game for the babies" and never touched it again. He's playing REAL games on his computer, games that he doesn't lose, actually. He loses interest right after for Pokemon Go.

Underfell Papyrus - He doesn't get it. What's the point to capture monsters virtually??? He can do that in real life and way better than these shitty games. Tiny balls to contain a giant whale, really? That's so unrealistic! He's going to show the dev how to capture things properly by capturing them all.

Horrortale Sans - Oh, a pretty bird, he wants that! But... Uh... After catching the pretty bird, he looked up and now he has no idea where the hell he is. Oak completely dissociated while chasing pokemon and now he's just lost in the middle of the forest. Maybe he should call Willow for help. Not sure "there's a tree" is a good indicator of where to search though.

Horrortale Papyrus - The notifications are stressing him and he can't walk too much outside anyway because of his painful back. So he opens the app and prepares to uninstall it. ... Wait, is that a shiny Charizard? OMG! HE NEEDS IT. And here he goes. He wants not to be addicted to that game but that's too late.

Swapfell Sans - Yes, he caught one of these things. Now what? He doesn't understand what is the point of the game. Why would you need to capture virtual creatures again and again? What do you even gain from this? You can't even train your creature properly! What's the point of catching wild animals if you can't use them as weapons? He's confused.

Swapfell Papyrus - Is he the only one realizing that the devilish app is just trying to make him do sports? Because he knows when someone tries to manipulate him. He's definitely not going to walk outside to catch Pokemon, he's taking Nox's car to do it without effort. See? He's more clever than the devs! What are you going to do now?

Fellswap Gold Sans - You think he has time in his day to think about that? Wine played for maybe 10 minutes, got bored, and never touched the app again. He doesn't have time for this and he's judging so hard anyone who has.

Fellswap Gold Papyrus - He wants to play the game, he really wants to, but his phone is too old to be compatible with the game. Coffee is just lying in bed, head faceplanted in the blanket, so frustrated about that. He's mad. Let him catch Pokemon...

[pokemonblack3white3]

If they'd want to hospitalize you for sharing your thoughts with the world, they'd need to go through me first 🤜🤜🤜

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the Kieran-Drayton dynamic, if you want to share them ofc

- Drayton anon

I WANT TO SHARE I'M JUST DERANGED. And like when I say in my head I mean in my head. It's based off canon characterizations but it's canon characterizations built on personal headcanons (especially the transgenderisms. He/him transmasc Kieran and she/they transfem Drayton) and heavily within the context of the grey/timeskip/b3w3 au. I'll probably have to pause to explain a lot of things just bear with me. Right off the bat: I've become a committed "Lucy is Kieran and Carmine's mom" truther. Kieran and Drayton both come from legacies of prolific battlers, but for Kieran, his mom has always been far away, working in a battle facility across the ocean and becoming even more distant after their dad died. Meanwhile, Drayton grew up surrounded by the pressures and expectations of her family. Kieran was never a good battler as a kid, while Drayton was something of a child prodigy. Both of them have an older sister who overshadows them but still cares incredibly deeply about them. They helped their younger siblings catch their first pokemon- the noble dragon Duchess the fraxure for Drayton and the regional rodent Mel the sentret for Kieran. That's our starting line.

Something I think about a lot is on the Drayden leak page, it says he has a grandson who lives alone. I don't think this character was meant to be Drayton since there's no mention of Clay having a daughter, but it did make me consider that Drayton's family is full of very important, very busy people. Drayton's family never purposely neglected her, but due to how naturally gifted she was, there was never too much concern with leaving Drayton to their own devices. She never built the support system they needed as a kid. We get to Blueberry Academy and this is where Drayton first starts to really stumble. As somebody who skirted by on natural talent, Blueberry Academy is a level of commitment Drayton wasn't prepared for. And it feels awful, being praised for how gifted she was their entire life only to have the rug swept out from under them. Those people who once praised Drayton for how gifted they are have become disappointed in her. They can't understand why Drayton is struggling so badly when they know she can do better, except that Drayton never developed the skills they needed to succeed and now they really can't do any better, and all that leaves them with is the sinking realization that they hit their peak when she was 13 and she's never going to be as good as Iris. At some point, Drayton figured that if she was never going to be good enough anyways, why bother trying at all?

Things get worse after ingo dissappears. Going along with the Submas are Drayden's nephews headcanon, it shakes the whole family pretty badly. Drayton never knew Ingo personally, since their relationship is a bit more removed- cousins once removed or something?- but that doesn't mean it didn't affect Drayton at all. Regardless, she more felt it through Drayden, who isn't the greatest at processing his emotions, and as a result started getting more frustrated with Drayton without really meaning to. Despite this, Drayton had begun actively self-sabatoging as opposed to just drifting. They've developed a fear of change, they don't know where they're going after school and if literally nothing else, she's still the champion of the BB club. It's not a whole region, but it's something, and even besides that, Drayton really likes their friends in the club. They'd rather stay right where they're at.

Switching gears to Kieran, here's where we go into a bit of my headcanons regarding the ScarVi protags. Juliana is the protagonist of base game while Florian is the protagonist of the DLCs. Florian and Kieran were childhood friends! After Florian's moms get divorced he moves out while they were both still pretty young and they didn't keep in contact. Still, Kitakami is pretty small and Florian was the only kid Kieran's age there, so Kieran winds up becoming Carmine's shadow. Unlike Carmine, Kieran doesn't have any prominent enough memories of his dad to really miss him, and it's a similar situation with Lucy. They're nearly strangers. It messes with Carmine a lot more than it does Kieran. Their family has a history of bipolar depression, something both Carmine and Kieran have (Kieran also being autistic). By the time he started attending attending Blueberry Academy, Kieran was having issues with his mental health that should have been acknoledged years ago. I think the Kieran/Amarys crush was mutual, at least for a little while, since Kieran hung out around Amarys a lot as a result of her being friends with Carmine. Kieran really admired her strength, and it helps that he thinks she's pretty. Even before the Teal Mask, Kieran always wanted to change and be strong like Amarys and the members of the BB club, but he didn't know how. Being out of Kitakami for a bit, Kieran eventually realizes he's trans, and Carmine is the first, and for a while, only person to know.

Drayton likes Kieran! Kieran is a little too in his own head to realize Drayton considers him a friend, but she truly does. Honestly, Drayton is even a bit jealous of him, with how Kieran seems perfectly content as a weak trainer hiding under the shadow of his sister. That completely removed, Drayton just thinks Kieran is a nice kid. Then, Kieran goes back to Kitakami for a week.

Due to something I'm not going to get into right now, Florian lost several years of his life to an event he doesn't even remember. He now lives in a new region, his family entirely different people from how he remembers them, and Florian isn't handling it well. When he's given a chance to go back to Kitakami even for just a little bit, Florian jumps on it, desperate for any semblance of familiarity. He's overjoyed to reunite with Kieran, and even more so that it seems like Kieran hasn't changed a bit. They're both crushing on each other and everything seems to be going perfect until Ogerpon comes along. Florian doesn't actually like Ogerpon that much at first for shattering the fragile comfort he had found, but he's willing to go along with Carmine to help Ogerpon if it means keeping Kieran in the dark about it all so Florian can keep living in this little pocket of the past he's refusing to let go. Obviously, that backfires.

Once Kieran gets back to Blueberry Academy, he decides he's really going to change, no matter what it takes. He starts by coming out to his classmates and starting to go by the name Kieran. Yeah, Drayton preferring Kieran with his hair down does get a bit iffier in this context, but it's still mostly for the same reasons as canon with a dash of Drayton not knowing she's a girl yet and not really comprehending why Kieran would want to transition at all. Along with just generally caring about Kieran, Drayton is more bitter than they'd like to admit at having their champion title ripped away from her, which is really all she had going for herself at this point. Anyways, Drayton fucking hates Florian, but when he shows up as a transfer student, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. After spending some more time with Florian, Drayton starts to sympathize with him, even if that resentment never goes away entirely. She refuses to acknowledge the reason Drayton and Florian are doing/did what they did to Kieran is for the exact same reason. Again, obviously, this backfires.

It takes Kieran a lot longer post-turtle than in canon to come around, even after going back to Kitakami for a bit. He does, though, slowly but surely. The shock of almost losing her kids got Lucy's ass in gear, Kieran's on mood stabilizers, and now he knows he has friends. He's still changing, but this time, in a positive direction. Even as Drayton comes to accept this new Kieran, as happy as she is to see him actually doing well, things are still stilted as hell between them. It doesn't help at all that Drayton is floundering more than ever with their friends seemingly outgrowing her while Drayton can't help but still desperately want to push back against it.

It seems like kids start their pokemon journies a bit later in Unova, so I don't think Drayton ever actually finished her gym challenge. After missing quite a bit of school, Kieran is looking for a way to boost his grades back up, and you get a lot of extra credit for every badge you can scrape up. The rest of the BB club really encourage Drayton to go with Kieran so maybe she'll actually move up a grade, and Drayton eventually, reluctantly, agrees. Commence the great Kieran/Drayton roadtrip! This is where Kieran and Drayton really begin to fix things between them. Once they hit up Nimbasa City, Drayton gets the wise idea to introduce Kieran to Emmet. Emmet has, understandably, not been doing too hot since his brother dissappeared and has been focusing on nothing but running the subway and battling, taking on the workload of two. It all sounded a bit familiar to Drayton. She sends Kieran off to talk to Emmet in the stupidest, most convoluted way possible, but it actually sort of works? Emmet and Kieran become tentative friends. Emmet hands off Ingo's chandelure, Echo, to them for the rest of their journey since he knows her being cooped up in the subway all the time isn't really doing her any good, even if Emmet isn't ready to admit the same is true for himself.

Drayton doesn't get all their gym badges and they don't challenge Drayden or Iris, but she still gets a decent chunk of work done. Kieran does make it all the way to Iris, but doesn't beat her. Still, she signs off on his school forms to assure Kieran's teachers that they should give him extra extra credit for how well he battled. Since she didn't have all eight gym badges, Drayton wasn't even allowed up Victory Road, but as soon as Kieran lets slip who he's travelling with, Iris storms down to the pokemon center they were crashing at and doesn't return to her champion chamber until Kieran and Drayton go back to school. Iris adores Drayton with her entire heart and Drayton loves Iris just as much, but constantly being compared to Iris has put a bit of a strain on their relationship. Still, it was nice for them to spend time together, even with Kieran third-wheeling when he wasn't challenging the Battle Subway.

Somehow, Drayton manages to move on to the next grade. Drayton is kind of terrified at the prospect, but her family is honestly overjoyed, and Drayton comes to realize they're actually pretty proud of herself. They didn't realize how miserable they were until she actually managed to make any vertical movement at all, even if it did feel like the bare minimum. By the time the next school year rolls around, Drayton has become a little more comfortable with the idea of moving forward. Kieran also got a summer job at the Battle Subway, he and Emmet are pretty tight at this point. With the amount of time that has passed since Ingo's dissappearence and Emmet finally starting to become a creature of daylight again, things overall start getting better within Drayton's family.

Eventually, Drayton starts experimenting with using bug-types, and even though she's scared as hell her family won't be cool with it, they super are. Especially Iris! To be honest, champion duties have been kind of getting to her and it's really a load off her shoulders to see her little sister doing something that actually, genuinely makes them happy, and being willing to put in the work to achieve it. At some point, Drayton goes back for Drayden's gym badge and makes it to Iris to a less humiliating defeat than Drayton initially expected, she figures out the gender thing, and she and Kieran graduate the same year.

Kieran goes to working full-time at the battle subway. He's happy that he's both strong enough and wise enough to be the kind of person people can rely on to help themselves grow stronger, and he's basically Echo's trainer at this point. When Emmet is finally able to let go of the Battle Subway, Kieran becomes the new Subway Master of the doubles car. Cilan might be in charge of the singles car? Haven't decided. Carmine is studying to be a pokemon professor, but she swings by Kieran's shitty apartment in Nimbasa whenever she can. Drayton was a lot more directionless for awhile, but eventually becomes an elite four member, so her and Iris are spending a lot more time together and its been really good for them both. Despite the fact that Drayton lived in a very nice house in Opelucid, she decided to move in with Kieran. This is QPR to me, but I headcanon them both as bi, so I'll let the ex-champion/dragoncheershipping girlies make of this what they will. Lacey is the gym leader of Nimbasa while Amarys heads the Castelia Gym. Crispin is back home in Virbank either running a gym as well or a battle cafe, but I haven't quite committed to either.

But yeah! That's it, basically. Thank you to the 2 people who read all of this and realized the full extent of my mental illness.

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x03 - Digimental Up! / A New Digitude

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Miyako got to visit the Digital World and didn't like it very much. Sadly, she's in too deep so I guess this is her life now.

We open in near silence on what can only be the true face of evil. Our first glimpse at the boy beneath the smug Digimon Kaiser. The malevolent Ken-chan.

He's working at his computer; The faint sound of his typing against a dead silence.

The dub gives him dialogue.

Ken: Let's see... Just a few simple modifications... Perfect. Huhuhuhu....

The following day, the school bell rings and the children of the local elementary school head home for the day. Except a handful of children who make their way to Computer Club.

Hiding in the clubroom, the Digimon lie in wait for their human partners to return. When the door opens, they very sneakily check to see who it is.

Chibimon: Daisuke? Daisuke: You there? Chibimon: DAISUKEEEEEEE!!!

...by calling out to whoever's behind that door and hoping for the best.

Daisuke, Hikari, and Takeru enter the room. The Digimon emerge from their hiding places, with Chibimon hopping up to hug Daisuke.

Daisuke: Aww! Are all of you doing well? Poromon: Where's Miyako-san? Upamon: Is Iori coming? Hikari: Don't worry. They're both coming. Daisuke: Ah, here they come!

It's not the both of them, but Miyako comes running up the stairs and down the hall with a grocery bag in her hands.

Miyako: Sorry I'm late! I brought presents!

Entering the clubroom, she opens the bag to show everyone the various snacks and drinks she has.

Takeru: Oh, that's right. Your family runs a convenience store, don't they? Daisuke: It must be great to have a convenience store at home. You can have all the sweets you could ever want! Miyako (sets down bag in front of Digimon) Here. (responds to Daisuke) Not really. I have to help out sometimes. It's a lot of hard work. Daisuke: Aww...

Not only does Miyako have a year on Daisuke but also mileage. She's had to balance responsibilities to her family against her schoolwork and club activities. She's not Jou in personality or Crest virtues, but she is the upperclassman of our group.

In the dub, the Digimon chat a bit before the kids arrive.

Patamon: The classroom is empty! I think it's safe to come out now. Gatomon: Hold on, I'm still taking the spelling test! Patamon: Shh... I hear someone coming! (Door opens) DemiVeemon: (sniff sniff) Smells like Davis. Davis: Are you saying I stink!? DemiVeemon: IT IS DAVIIIIIIIIIS!!! (DemiVeemon hugs Davis) Davis: Haha! DemiVeemon! Did you guys have a good day at school?

...why are they doing a spelling test in the computer clubroom? Even if this does get used as a regular classroom, it's a weird place to hold language arts.

Upamon and Poromon retain their names in the dub, but Chibimon is changed to DemiVeemon. This is a weirdly arbitrary choice. Kids might not know what "chibi" means, but it's not like they'll recognize "upa" or "poro" either.

For the record, "chibi" means a small cutie-patootie and is well recognized outside of Japan these days, but not so much in the 90's.

Upamon is named for the axolotl, which Japan calls a wooper looper or ウーパールーパー Uupaa ruupaa. This is also where the Pokemon Wooper gets its name from.

Poromon is named for the fictional character Pororo, from an old manga where birds rule the world.

Between the three, Chibimon seems like the reference kids are more likely to get. But okay.

Poromon: Where's Yolei? Upamon: Yeah, and Cody too! Kari: Don't worry about it. They're both on their way over. Davis: Ah, here's someone now! (Yolei comes running) Yolei: Sorry I'm late! I brought goodies from my family's convenience store! (Yolei enters and reveals the bag) T.K.: Good idea! In-Training Digimon are bottomless pits. Davis: If my family owned a convenience store, I'd eat candy all day long until my teeth fell out. (Yolei sets the bag down) Yolei: It's not that glamorous. I have to pay for anything I eat even when I work there. But the job comes with a great pension plan! Davis: Huh!?

The dub opts to have Yolei explain her family's convenience store rather than T.K. This honestly makes sense. T.K.'s known her for like two days. It's not impossible that they've discussed her family's convenience store offscreen, but it fits better coming from Yolei directly.

They then use T.K.'s freed up dialogue line to have him exposit veteran wisdom about In-Training dietary habits. I think this is a good shift.

Yolei's line, on the other hand, is a pivot. Instead of complaining about how tough working at the store is, she complains that she doesn't get freebies. Guess the capitalist Americans didn't like the idea that Yolei's parents aren't charging her for goods and services.

While the kids chat, the Digimon dig into Miyako's bag.

Chibimon: What is this? Poromon: Can we even eat it? Patamon: We can eat it, and it's really good!

Patamon takes one of the squeezable packets from Miyako's store and demonstrates to the other Digimon. These kinds of packets are common in convenience stores, containing yogurt, drinks, ice cream, or other squeezable drinkable tasty treats.

Patamon picks up a packet and squeezes it into his mouth, rolling over onto his back to enjoy his treat. The sight of it gets Upamon excited.

Upamon: LET ME TRY DAGYAA!!!

While Chibimon digs into a chocolate candy bar, Upamon throws himself into the bag and digs out a packet of his own to drink. Once he's finished, he exclaims:

Upamon: Ahhh! Yummy! It's so delicious! Tasty tasty tasty tasty tasty..... Chibimon: Tasty! Upamon: ...tasty tasty tasty tasty....

Seeing the positive reception it's getting, Poromon decides to give one of these packets a try. He loves it so much, he takes flight and zooms around the room squawking in delight for seven seconds before colliding into Chibimon and Upamon.

The trio proceed to dance with joy, singing the word "Tasty" over and over, while a stern Token Adult Tailmon looks on disapprovingly.

Tailmon: (flatly) I fear for our future.

Incidentally, the packets that the Digimon are drinking are labeled Chu x2. They're a type of fruit-flavored jelly drink. I cannot say with certainty but I think ChuChu jelly is a real product that was sold in convenience stores at the time, as it's referenced not only here but also in the Legend of Zelda series.

In the dub:

DemiVeemon: What is it? Poromon: Can we eat it? I'm hungry. Patamon: Of course you can eat it. Watch me. (Patamon demonstrates) Upamon: The buffet is now open! (Upamon grabs a packet and chugs it) Upamon: It's delicious! This is the best thing I've ever eaten in my whole life! All two days of it! DemiVeemon: Me too! Upamon: Aha aha aha aha aha! (Poromon tries one and goes flying around the room) Poromon: Ahhh! Hot! It's hot! Fire! Ah-ah-ah-ow! (Poromon crashes into the others and they all start cheering and laughing) Gatomon: (flatly) I hope my first litter doesn't act like this.

Poromon's reaction is explained in the dub as the Chu x2 jelly being too spicy. That... sounds wrong but I can't say with certainty.

Upamon inexplicably claims that he's only existed for two days despite having been asleep in stasis last episode, not newly hatched. This isn't a different versions thing; They were in stasis last episode in the English version too. This line is just wrong.

This is probably due to a misunderstanding of the verb 生まれるumareru, which gets used a couple of times this episode to refer to new Digimon coming out of the Digimental. 生まれる Umareru primarily means to be born, but it can also be used to say that something emerged or was released from something.

New Digimon are being 生まれる umareru from the Digimental, which a lot of people would translate as being born. So when the dub team got their translated JPN script from the translators, they probably saw that and wrote the ENG script with that in mind.

(That the Digimentals resemble eggs and the dub even calls them Digi-Eggs probably isn't helping, either.)

While the Digimon enjoy their snacks, the humans get to business.

Daisuke: By the way, is the Gate open? Miyako: Oh, hang on.

Miyako checks the Gate on the computer. It looks closed; There's a blank red screen inside the Gate rather than an area of the Digital World. But it does give off a pleasant access chime rather than the rejection buzzing we've heard in previous episodes.

Miyako: It's open! Daisuke: Yes! Let's go! Hikari: Wait a second! Iori-kun isn't here yet. Daisuke: Iori? What is he even doing?

Cut to Iori in an empty classroom. He has a single cherry tomato on his lunch tray, along with a carton of milk and an empty bowl. He idly rolls the tomato around with a plastic spork.

Hikari: I checked in on him a moment ago. He's determined (ganbatte) not to leave until he finishes his school lunch.

Iori is so stuffed that he can no longer convince his brain to do the motion of consuming food, but has made it a point of personal integrity that he will eat that tomato. An epic battle is unfolding between a third-grader's willpower and sense of civic responsibility, and his involuntary biological rejection of any further sustenance.

His teacher, who probably also can't leave until Iori does, tries to intervene on reason's behalf.

Teacher: You don't have to eat all of it. Iori: No, you should never leave any food behind. That is what my late father taught me. Teacher: (resigned) Oh, sure.

I mean. You can't argue with a child's dead loved ones. What are you even supposed to say at that point.

Iori splits the tomato in half with his fork. He lifts one half of the tomato to his lips and steels himself, struggling to take the next step. Cutting back to the clubroom, Daisuke summarizes.

Daisuke: What is his deal!? I'm getting antsy!

Though he isn't the team's senpai like Jou was, already we're seeing the way the virtue of Sincerity/Reliability manifests in Iori. The strong moral fiber and desire to behave as a faithful and upstanding member of society are all rolled up in this deadly duel with the sinister tomato.

In the dub:

Davis: Let's check and see if the Gate's open. Yolei: It's open! (Yolei runs to the computer and checks the Gate) Yolei: PERFECTO!!! Davis: Great! Let's go to the Digital World! Kari: Wait a minute, guys. We can't leave yet. Cody's not here. Davis: Cody!? What's taking him so long? Yolei: He's still in the lunchroom. Last time I checked, he was still chewing the same carrot fifty times.

Yolei somehow knows the Gate is open before she's even checked.

They opt to have Yolei be the one who recently checked in on Cody rather than Hikari. I guess because Yolei and Cody have a tight-knit pre-existing relationship like T.K. and Kari do?

Given that Yolei had to run home from school, fill up a grocery bag full of stuff, pay for it (dub-exclusive), and then race back, I'm not sure when she had the time to do that. Hikari having that line makes more sense and segues straight out of her previous line urging patience.

For reasons of culture shock, they also try to sell the classroom Cody's eating in as a "lunchroom". Japanese elementary schools don't have a lunchroom. Meals are taken right there in the classroom. It's only some high schools that have dedicated cafeterias for eating.

Cody: I'm so stuffed! I only have one more tomato to eat.... Teacher: You don't have to eat every bite, Cody. Cody: You should never throw away any food unless it smells bad. My father used to say that before he passed away. Teacher: Oh... I see... (Cody cuts the tomato in half and lifts it to his face) Cody: (sniff sniff sniff sniff) (Cut to clubroom) Davis: Does he know we're waiting? He's holding us up!

The dub adds the "Unless it smells bad" qualifier so they can recontextualize Iori's reluctance to take the bite. The shot of his face quivering is given sniffing sounds to imply he's trying to use that clause in the hopes of not having to eat the tomato.

It's different, but still conveys the deep personal conflict between what his moral fiber tells him he has to do versus what his body is willing to do.

Well, while we're waiting for Iori, Miyako has an idea.

Miyako: Let's watch some TV while we wait. Hikari: Sure. What's on?

Tabbing out of the Gate, the children gather around the computer to watch the news. Exciting, I guess.

Reporter: A computer programming contest was held a few days ago. Today, I would like to introduce its winner: Boy genius Ichijouji Ken-kun.

They shoot Ken from behind so he can dramatically spin around in his computer chair and address the camera.

Ken: Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine a kid like me winning the whole contest. It was incredible. Reporter: We go now to one of our judges, Professor Shotsuki of Jonan University.

Iori enters the clubroom, but nobody notices because they're all invested in the report.

Shotsuki: No, it was a total shock. When I saw that program, I couldn't believe that it had been made by an elementary school student! I have no doubt that he's a true genius.

It's high praise, but given the accomplishment it's entirely warranted. Behind the kids, Iori silently finds Upamon and picks him up, excited.

In the dub:

Yolei: Let's watch some TV to pass the time. Kari: Yeah! Let's see what's on. Reporter: We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this latest story! Davis: (groan) Aww.... Reporter: The results of a national computer programming contest were just announced! And the winner is boy genius Ken Ichijouji! Ken: There were many well-deserving geniuses out there and I am humbled to think that the judges chose me to receive the top prize! Reporter: Now, let's go live to the scene of the contest with our field reporter, Jerry Rivera! Jerry? Jerry: Thank you, Debbie. Young Ken wowed the judges by creating a computer program that can actually brush your teeth for you! The rumor is next year he's planning something with floss! I can't wait. Back to you!

...did he also create a physical mechanism to run it? This feels more like a feat of engineering than one of programming. Though I guess you'd still need a complex algorithm but, like... I dunno, this feels outside the scope of a programming contest.

The dub changes Professor Shotsuki to fellow reporter Jerry Rivera. An oddball choice. He still delivers the important bit, that Ken is an incredible genius with a talent for programming, but isn't able to offer it as a firsthand professional opinion the way Shotsuki can.

This segment is presented as Breaking News interrupting whatever the kids wanted to watch. This makes sense because, at least in the U.S. where this is being localized to, few children would seek out the news to watch it on purpose.

Though whoever it is at that news station who thinks the results of a programming contest warrants BREAKING NEWS should probably be fired. Only a niche audience cares, news station! We're trying to watch Jackie Chan Adventures! Jackie just told Jade she has to stay behind and I have a sneaking suspicion how that's going to go!

The news report goes on to talk about what a superstar Ken is.

Reporter: At a recent chess tournament, he played against 20 adults. And not only is he talented in programming and academia, but also in sports! He's active in Judo and soccer.

Flipping between footage of Ken, it shows him first at the chess game, going around a ring of tables. We're probably meant to assume he won those twenty games but the reporter doesn't say, which makes it a little less impressive. I can play 20 games of chess at once, sure.

He's then shown filling out the answers for giant math equations, though those equations are all just basic addition with large number sets.

The Judo footage sees him perform a shoulder throw.

Then the soccer footage shows him making a shot. Daisuke assures us that it was a very impressive shot.

Daisuke: Whoa, what an amazing shot!

Thank you, Daisuke.

Reporter: Now, let's hear from the parents who raised this boy genius. Was there anything you paid special attention to that may have nurtured his brilliance? Ken's Mom: No, we didn't really do anything special. Ken's Dad: How do I put it? It's like a kite gave birth to a hawk.

I'm sorry but so far as I know, Ken's parents have never been named. We're not getting names for Daisuke's or Miyako's parents either.

"A kite giving birth to a hawk" is an old Japanese idiom. It refers to exceptional circumstances somehow arising from incredibly mundane origins.

The subs mix metaphors here with "ugly duck laying the golden egg". Those are separate fables, sub writers.

In the dub:

Debbie: Ken's talents include being able to play one game of chess while everyone watches! Just last week he actually balanced the world's biggest checkbook! And that's not all! He's a champion in Judo and a star on the All-State Soccer Team. And girls? He's single! Davis: Wow! He's almost as good as I am! Debbie: Now, let's talk to the proud parents who raised this genius: Mr. and Mrs. Ichijouji! What are some of the advantages of being the mother of one of the most brilliant children in the world? Mrs. Ichijouji: Oh, it's great in the kitchen! He invented dishes that clean themselves! Mr. Ichijouji: Like father, like son! I once guessed how many jelly beans were in a pickle jar.

This is one of those times when the dub script feels like someone meant to write an Abridged Parody. "He's able to play one game of chess while everyone watches" is a silly riff on the "twenty games at once" thing but it has to have been a weird line to people who didn't know they were watching a spoof.

There's a meta-gag here where they're making fun of the original for how the reporter shills Ken for two straight minutes. "And girls, he's single!" certainly made me laugh because, yeah, this does read like a puff piece. But in the context of a Breaking News emergency report, it's super weird.

That gags in the parent interview, meanwhile, miss the mark by a wide margin. There's key foreshadowing here: That there is no reasonable explanation for why Ken is the most talented infinity-times omega genius ever to be born in Japan. His parents are utterly clueless about how he could have turned out this way.

The dub's too busy cracking jokes at the Japanese script to get that across.

They also turned Davis's line into a brag.

Watching the report, the kids discuss.

Iori: It's hard to believe there really are people like Ichijouji Ken-san. Hikari: Huh? When did you get here? Iori: Ah, just now. Takeru: But that was amazing. He really is a genius.

Takeru definitely saw Iori come in but kept it to himself.

Miyako turns off the computer and folds her arms bitterly.

Miyako: I can write some programs too! Daisuke: But he's good at sports too. Miyako: Feh! Tailmon: Hikari.... Hikari: Oh? Patamon: What's happening in the Digital World? Takeru: Oh, that's right! We have a full team now that Iori-kun is here.

The children tab back over to the Gate.

Miyako: The Gate to the Digital World is open! Daisuke: Yes! Let's get going!

We needed to take a quick distraction to gush about how cool some rando named Ken is. (Where have I heard that name before?) But now we're finally ready to go!

In the dub:

Cody: I heard this kid is so smart that one time, he gave his teachers homework. Kari: Cody! When did you get here? Cody: About a minute ago. T.K.: Hey, maybe Ken knows how to defeat the Digimon Emperor!

XD We should definitely ask him.

Yolei: Hmph! I know more about the Digital World than that stupid kid! Davis: He may be stupid, but he's still a genius! Yolei: Ugh....

Yolei picks a weird flex only for Davis to "Nuh-uh" her. In the original, their lines were valid points, despite Miyako's pettiness.

Gatomon: Hey, Kari? Kari: Yeah? Patamon: We're ready to go back to the Digital World now! T.K.: All present and accounted for! Let's get going! Yolei: The Gate to the Digital World is open! Davis: Then what are we waiting for? Yolei: Yeah! Forget all this talk about geniuses! Davis: Next stop: The Digital World!

I like that Yolei manages to squeeze in another jab at Ken. She's still jealous.

While the Children presumably enter the Digital World, we cut to Ichijouji Ken walking in the streets of Tokyo.

A small puppy approaches Ken and licks his shoe.

Ken: You're making my shoe dirty.

So he punts it. Ken literally kicks a puppy. He is so evil that he kicks a puppy. The dog hits the sidewalk a few feet away and runs away, letting out helpless yelps as it flees.

Once he's finished with animal abuse, Ken returns home.

Ken's Mom: Ken-chan! I'm going to my part-time job soon. I'll leave your snack right here.

She sets a small tray down on the table. It has a carton of milk and a slice of cake. Ken says nothing and simply continues on to his room.

Ken's Mom: Ken-chan, I know you're busy studying--

Ken cuts her off with the closing of his door. Doesn't even spare her a word to acknowledge her.

In the dub, the streets are a lot busier, with the sounds of people talking filling the scene. Then they start to notice Ken.

Girl: There goes the winner of the computer contest! Woman: Isn't that the boy genius!?

Ken literally kicking a puppy gets cut. Instead, he just says,

Ken: Beat it, you mangy little mutt, or I'll call the pound.

And then the dog runs off yelping.

Mrs. Ichijouji: Oh, Ken! You're home! I'm going to work now, sweetie. I'll just leave your snack on the table. Oh, I bought a new label maker today! I just can't stop playing with it. I even labeled the toilet. Ken: (exasperated sigh, leaves) Mrs. Ichijouji: Ken sure spends a lot of time alone in his room.

The dub adds a gag with the label maker bit which makes Mrs. Ichijouji look like a bit of an airhead. This changes the context of Ken's rejection, and now he comes off as a bit irritable but also exasperated by her antics.

In the original, it's clear that she's nothing but a kind and doting mom, and her cold-hearted puppy-kicking son won't even give her the time of day. Like she's beneath him.

Once he's shut away inside his room, Ken logs into the Digital World.

An ominous black obelisk stands in the distance, towering over a Digital World forest. The Digimon Kaiser cracks his whip, chasing out an Elecmon. The frightened Digimon hides in the bushes, cowering from the Kaiser's wrath.

Kaiser: I know you're out there! Come on out.

Elecmon scampers out of the bushes and flees for their life. The sight brings a smile to the Kaiser's face.

Kaiser: Trying to run away? This will be fun.

The Kaiser whistles, summoning a nearby Tuskmon already enslaved to his service.

Kaiser: Give me a ride and chase after them.

Tuskmon pursues Elecmon until they get close enough for the Kaiser to whip the poor creature. Struggling to crawl forward, tears flow from Elecmon's eyes. The Kaiser grins sadistically.

Kaiser: Run... run...!

In the dub:

Emperor: It's no use trying to hide from me! Come out! (Elecmon flees) Emperor: Ooh, a chase! Interesting.... (Emperor summons Tuskmon) Emperor: Let's go! We have a little errand to run! (Tuskmon chases Elecmon down and the Emperor whips them) Emperor: It's not as fun if I catch you right away.

Solid.

From there, we follow the Kaiser to a circular pit dug in the ground, with a ring of cells lining its walls. Just like the puppy earlier, he gives Elecmon a hard punt, kicking them into a hatch to drop them into a vacant cell.

Out in the trees beyond the edge of the ring, a trio of Gotsumon watch and whisper about the Digimon Kaiser.

Gotsumon 1: Another one caught. Gotsumon 2: Guys, when he captures someone and puts one of those collars on them, they change completely! Gotsumon 3: We should get out of here! Gotsumon 1: But we can't just abandon our nakama! Gotsumon 2: But....

Gotsumon 2 and 3 are pretty sure this will end terribly for them if they remain, but Gotsumon 1 is determined to jailbreak this place.

In the dub, they do an absolutely terrible job of censoring the kick. The Kaiser's foot clearly connects with Elecmon, then the Gotsumon are inserted gasping, and then we cut back to Elecmon falling. I think they cut more frames of Elecmon falling than Elecmon getting kicked.

Gotsumon 1: He caught another Digimon! Gotsumon 2: They all change once he puts those Dark Rings around them. Gotsumon 1: If he thinks he's going to catch us, he's got rocks in his head! Gotsumon 3: Then again, so do we! We've gotta run! Gotsumon 1: We can't abandon our friend Elecmon!

Gotsumon 3 makes a strong argument.

Taking his place on a throne overlooking the arena, Ken releases a second Elecmon, this one with a black ring around their neck. The controlled Elecmon charges into the cell of the newly captured on, pulling them out into the arena and then shooting them with lightning.

The Gotsumon watch in horror from their hiding space.

Gotsumon 1: Another defeat! Gotsumon 2: After being captured, they're made to fight their own nakama until they're beaten. Gotsumon 3: And he enjoys watching it, the terrifying freak!

Gotsumon 3 accidentally snaps a twig while fretting, giving them all away. The Kaiser reacts quickly, lashing his whip and knocking the three of them to the ground. Gotsumon 3 screams and flees for his life while 1 and 2 freeze up.

Cut to Gotsumon 1 and 2, now in the ring with black rings around their necks, bashing their skulls against one another to see who'll give in first. Gotsumon 3 watches helplessly from the bushes.

Gotsumon 3: (crying) They were friends....

While the Kaiser watches, sadistic grin plastered on his face, Wormmon watches the Kaiser with concern.

Wormmon: Ken-chan, is this really what makes you happy?

This scene is part of why I think the Digimon Kaiser arc was a "Shots Fired!" at monster taming games like Pokemon or some of Digimon's own entries. The Kaiser catches a new monster, then proceeds to subjugate that monster and make them fight gladiator-style duels for his amusement. And the monster in question used to demonstrate this is a small, juvenile mammal that shoots lightning.

It's pretty on-the-nose.

In the dub:

Gotsumon 1: He's making them fight each other! Gotsumon 2: Digimon who are friends would never hurt each other if they weren't under his evil spell. Gotsumon 3: He enjoys watching their agony! What a terrible person! (Gotsumon 3 accidentally gives them away, then flees) Emperor: You two are next. (The two Gotsumon fight in the arena) Gotsumon 3: (crying) How can they fight!? They're best friends! Emperor: Huhuhuhuhuhu.... Wormmon: Master, is this really the kind of thing that makes you happy?

Basically the same, but Wormmon's still using the detached and formal "Master" instead of the personal and emotional "Ken-chan".

Elsewhere in the Digital World, the Chosen Children finally arrive.

Iori: Huh? They're back to normal.

V-mon, Armadimon, and Hawkmon are back in their Child stages.

Armadimon: We turn back when we return to the Digital World dagyaa.

Suddenly, the kids' Digivices react. On Daisuke's screen, we can see three blue blips gathered, two red blips, and a large white blip. The blue blips are probably the new Digivices, with the red ones being Takeru and Hikari's old Digivices. But the large white blip is a mystery.

Unlike last episode, this time everyone seems to be getting the reaction.

Daisuke: Huh? Hikari: What's this? Iori: It's a Digimental! Takeru: Eh? V-mon: A Digimental? Iori: There's a Digimental nearby! Daisuke: There are more Digimentals? Miyako: What does this mean? Hikari: In any case, let's go look for it. Daisuke: Yeah! Let's start searching!

This won't be so simple, however. Back at the arena, the Kaiser's Dark Digivice gives him the same readings. His sadistic grin turns to a scowl.

Kaiser: (quietly) Them again? Irritating....

The original goes to commercial here.

In the dub:

Cody: You guys are back to normal. Veemon: Yep! Armadillomon: We change back when we return to the Digital World. (Digivices go off) Davis: Hmm? Kari: What's going on? Cody: Hey, a Digi-Egg. T.K.: What? V-mon: Where is it? Cody: The Digivice says it's not far from here. Davis: More Digi-Eggs? We already have ours. Yolei: Who are they for? Kari: We'll never know unless we look for them. Davis: I'll do anything you want, Kari! (Cut to Digimon Emperor) Emperor: Huhuhuhu--hmm? (angry) It's those kids again! I've had enough.

The dub swaps Daisuke sincerely agreeing with Hikari for Davis sucking up to her. They also skip the commercial break here, shifting it down to later.

The Chosen Children follow the signals from their Digivices. Daisuke takes the lead, tracking the signal while the rest of the team follows him.

Miyako: Where is it? V-mon: I think it should be somewhere around here. Takeru: I wonder what kind of Digimon will be emerge from this one? Armadimon: Ah, I can't even imagine dagyaa. Hikari: But does that mean there are more Chosen Children? Hawkmon: That's... We don't know.

It's a valid question. Three new Digivices, three Digimentals, for three new Chosen Children. The existence of further Digimentals is certainly eyebrow-raising.

Daisuke: It's this way-- Kaiser: What are you doing!? Miyako: IT'S HIM!!!

A transparent Digimon Kaiser appears in the path. Daisuke minces no words.

Daisuke: Hey, asshole! This is for the other day!

Daisuke runs forward and punches the Kaiser in the face. His hand passes harmlessly through the Kaiser, followed by the rest of him. The force of his punch carries Daisuke to the ground. KO!!!

Takeru: That's not the real one; It's a hologram!

Thank you, Daisuke, for testing the Kaiser's realness with your fist. We should make this a habit.

In the dub:

Davis: Hey, it's getting pretty dark in these woods. Here, Kari, I'll hold your hand so you don't get scared. Kari: (offended) I'm not scared. T.K.: And it's not her hand. It's mine! Davis: Oh, sorry, T.J. Kari: (furious) And that's not his name! It's T.K.! Davis: Whatever.

They cut out the Q&A segment, replacing it with unrequited crush banter. Most of the Q&A is okay to cut; They're just idly pondering their current circumstances. But Hikari wondering if there are even more Chosen Children they don't know about is something the audience should be thinking about, so losing that sucks.

All we get out of this new dialogue is that Davis is still such a douche. Also, the animation doesn't work super well with it, as T.K. is visibly positioned too far back for Davis to have grabbed his hand. That was Cody's face.

The dub adds more beeping sounds suddenly emerging from the Digivice, to signal we're near the target.

Davis: Shh! I'm getting something! It's just up there ahead of us! Emperor: WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?!? Yolei: LOOK OUT!!! Davis: I'll get you once and for all! (Swing and a miss) T.K.: It's just an illusion! He's not really there!

The dub typically censors out kid-on-kid violence but they let Davis's punch through. Failing a punch and wiping yourself out is A-okay.

This time, it's the Kaiser's turn to ask questions.

Kaiser: How is it that stupid people like you have the freedom to come and go from this world? Iori: How?

Yeah, that's going to be three counts of "Rude" and two counts of "Do you know who you're talking to!?"

While the Kaiser talks, Daisuke picks himself off the ground, clutching his shoulder and wincing. He wiped out so hard he hurt himself. Goddammit, Daisuke. XD

Kaiser: Only those who've been Chosen should be able to enter this place. Group: EH!?!? Daisuke: Then why are you here!? Kaiser: Because I'm a Chosen Child. Takeru: A Chosen Child? Hikari: Eh? You too? Kaiser: In any case, your existence makes me uncomfortable. It's as if all of you are being treated the same as me. Daisuke: And what's wrong with treating us the same--eh?

Having vented his elitist outrage, the hologram vanishes suddenly. Heavy footfalls announce the arrival of the Digimon Kaiser in person. He appears, riding the shoulder of an enslaved Tyranomon.

Group: Wha--!? Daisuke: What the--!? Kaiser: A Chosen Child should be a perfect human being, like me! Not any of you! Daisuke: A perfect human being!? Takeru: Who the hell do you think you are!? Kaiser: The Digital World belongs to me! Get out! Immediately! Miyako: What's with him? Kaiser: If you interrupt my game, then I'll have no choice but to react accordingly. Go, Tyranomon!

Yeah, he started this conversation as a hologram because he was chomping at the bit to yell at them and couldn't wait two minutes to reach his destination. Probably putting them on mute occasionally to scream at Digi-Traffic.

So much privilege and elitism rolling out of the Kaiser's mouth right now. He is so mad that he's not the universe's special little guy with unique access to something that was made just for him.

He legit thought these kids were just some nobodies who found some kind of backdoor way to hack into his private server. Which is utter nonsense but the only way the giant ego on display here could rationalize their presence without compromising his superiority.

In the dub:

Emperor: Who do you think you are, sneaking into the Digital World!? What do you think this is, a movie theater or something!? Cody: What's he talking about? Emperor: Ordinary children are not allowed in the Digital World! Only the DigiDestined are! Group: Huh!? Davis: We are the DigiDestined, Wonder Boy!

What is the secret of your powe~er!

...actually, a very important question.

Emperor: You? The DigiDestined? That's physically impossible. T.K.: Why is that impossible? Kari: Yeah! Why can't we be? Emperor: It's simple. Based on the laws of physics, I have determined that only perfect human beings can be DigiDestined. And, of course, I am the only perfect human being. Davis: Oh yeah, big shot!? Well, what about Kari!?

Davis. Just. Shut the fuck up. He is laying it on so thick this episode.

"Based on the laws of physics". What? This is an irrational, entitled boast, not a scientific study.

(Tyrannomon arrives) Davis: Oh no! Emperor: You are intruders in a place where you don't belong. You are ordered to hereby evacuate the premises without further notice. Davis: The landlord told my uncle the same thing. T.K.: We have just as much right to be here as you! Emperor: This world and everything in it belongs to me! Now all of you GET OUT!!! Yolei: Try and make us! Emperor: Why must everyone question my authority? Does it always have to turn into a great big production? Get 'em, Tyrannomon!

The dub glosses over the important detail that the Emperor, too, is formally DigiDestined like the rest of them. The point of this scene is confronting both sides with the reality that neither he nor they are here by some sort of trickery or subterfuge. They've all received the same calling, something that unsettles both him and them.

And also to convey just how delusional and up-his-own-ass the Digimon Kaiser is. He sincerely believes that he is a special class of person and deserves unique privileges. After that puff piece we just saw where the news worshipped the ground he walked on, I can't imagine where he got that idea.

The dub's take on this scene is janky and misses its mark with the two sides' mutual discovery of each other's legitimacy. However, it does hit its mark with conveying the Emperor's entitlement.

Now, get 'em, Tyranomon!

Narrator: Tyranomon. Their two fully-developed arms give them a strong offense. Their special attack is Fire Breath.

The rundown here emphasizes Tyranomon's arms. I think this is meant to contrast against your expectations of a T-Rex, pointing out that Tyranomon has strong, proportionately well-sized claws to strike with.

(I blame the frog DNA.)

The previous show's rundown told us that Tyranomon is well-adapted for wilderness survival. Neat.

Hikari: LOOK OUT!!!

Hikari gets the team moving before Tyranomon's flame breath incinerates the area they were standing. Scampering out of range, Daisuke whips back around to yell at the Kaiser.

Daisuke: What are you doing!? Kaiser: Hmph. V-mon: Let's go, Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

V-mon Armor Evolves into Fladramon, but the Kaiser is unimpressed.

Kaiser: Hmph. Do you really think the same trick will work every time? This is why I can't stand idiots. Daisuke: This jerk is seriously pissing me off! Kaiser: Tyranomon.

At the Kaiser's command, Tyranomon smacks Fladramon with their strong, well-developed arm. Fladramon rights himself in the air and lands on his feet, kicking off a tree to return to the fight.

Fladramon: I can take this. KNUCKLE FIRE!!! Kaiser: Huhu...

Fladramon shoots off his fire rockets. Tyranomon spins, smacking the projectiles out of the air with their tail. It's not going to be so easy this time.

Daisuke: What!? Damn it!

Nothing worse than when the uptight asshole's smugness is validated.

In the dub:

Emperor: (rundown) He's one of the most powerful Digimon. His Blaze Blast attack incinerates his enemies.

He is not one of the most powerful Digimon. I don't know where the Emperor got that idea. Someone's never heard of Ultimate or Mega levels. In fact, according to the Reference Book, Tyranomon is a solid "Beginner's First Digimon".

The dub lets Tyrannomon call his attack, robbing Hikari of her "Oh shit, I know what this is," moment.

Tyrannomon: BLAZE BLAST!!! (Kids run away) Davis: Is that all you've got!? Emperor: Rrrrrrrgh.... Veemon: Are you ready for me, Davis? Davis: Yeah! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Veemon Armor Digivolves into Flamedramon) Emperor: See, this is why I'm a genius and you're not. You keep using the same attacks against me yet I keep coming up with something new. Davis: I've heard enough of your babbling! Let's get to it! Emperor: (disappointed) Fine, have it your way. (Tyrannomon smacks Flamedramon away) Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Tyrannomon deflects the attack with his tail) Davis: No way! He blocked it!

The Emperor honestly sounds disappointed that Davis doesn't want to banter with him. I think Davis hurt his feelings.

Time to kick things up.

Hawkmon: Miyako-san! Miyako: Mm! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Gliding forward low to the ground, Horusmon skirts around a shot of Fire Breath.

Horusmon: RED SUN!!!

Horusmon returns fire, landing a direct hit on Tyranomon's chest. Doesn't hit the black ring, but knocks the enemy Digimon flat on his back.

In the dub:

Hawkmon: Now, Yolei? Yolei: Mm! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

As before, Tyrannomon calls Blaze Blast when shooting at Halsemon, and Halsemon calls Red Sun as Tempest Wing.

The Kaiser seems to be on the back foot. But he came prepared for this.

Kaiser: Do you think you have the advantage in numbers? COME FORTH, MY SERVANTS!!!

On cue, four more Tyranomon emerge from the woods, surrounding the Chosen Children.

Daisuke: What the heck!? Miyako: There are five of them!?

One for each of us! Which isn't a good thing, since the five kids only have three Digimentals to go around. With the Dark Digivice in play and Tailmon nerfed, Hikari and Takeru are helpless.

In the dub:

Emperor: You think you can beat me with a little addition!? Hmph! How do you like multiplication!? (Four more Tyrannomon appear) Davis: Huh!? How can that be!?

This is where the dub takes its commercial break, on the shot of all five Tyrannomon surrounding the Chosen Children. We come back a moment before, with the Tyrannomon still emerging from the woods.

Emperor: The more, the merrier! (The Tyrannomon surround the children) Yolei: There are five of them now!

That multiplication jab was pretty good. Solid villain quip. XD

Well, we're outnumbered but we do at least have one more fighter we can put into this.

Iori: Armadimon, can you help? Armadimon: I'll take care of it dagyaa! Iori: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Watching Armadimon Armor Evolve, Tailmon and Patamon feel left out.

Tailmon: Why can't we evolve!? Patamon: We want to fight too! Kaiser: So long as I have this Dark Digivice, you'll never be able to evolve! Servants, converge your attacks on those two. Takeru: Wait, what!?

Acting on orders, two Tyranomon focus fire on Patamon and Tailmon. They scamper away from the blasts, straight into the path of a third Tyranomon. It only takes one swipe from Tyranomon's strong, fully-developed claw to slam them both against a nearby tree.

Patamon: We're dead weight like this! Tailmon: It's frustrating!

It's true but also. Like. Okay. Nobody help or anything. Fladramon, Horusmon, and Digmon standing around watching this happen and munching popcorn.

In the dub:

Cody: You ready, Armadillomon? Armadillomon: Ready when you are. Cody: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Digmon evolves and does fuck-all) Gatomon: Why not let us Digivolve so we can fight!? Patamon: Yeah! What are you afraid of!? Emperor: As long as I have this Dark Digivice, you'll never be able to Digivolve. And you two are useless; I might as well destroy you first! T.K.: Leave them alone! (The Tyrannomon fuck up Gatomon and Patamon while nobody intervenes) Patamon: I thought that cats were always supposed to land on their feet! Gatomon: Oh, shut up....

Patamon, we all saw your back hit that tree. You're in no position to be making fun.

One of the Tyranomon moves in to crush Patamon and Tailmon. They rise and flee back into the killbox, where two Tyranomon are waiting with shots ready to go. The ground erupts behind them, blocking both shots. When the smoke clears, Digmon is left standing there.

Digmon: I'll be your opponent dagyaa!

Better late than never. Patamon and Tailmon collapse. Daisuke and Fladramon stand protectively between them and the Kaiser's Tyranomon.

Daisuke: That's unfair, Digimon Kaiser! Kaiser: Unfair? There's no such thing as unfair when it comes to winning and losing.

Digimon Kaiser is an unbearably toxic gamer.

In the dub:

Digmon: Hello, boys! Looks like you have some cavities that need filling! (Davis and Flamedramon protect Patamon and Gatomon) Davis: That's not fair! We're outnumbered! Emperor: Remember the old saying: It's not how you play the game, it's whether you win or lose.

Dub team seems to have misunderstood the context of Daisuke calling the Kaiser out as 卑怯 hikyou or cowardly, unfair, underhanded. He's not complaining about the number of Tyranomon present. He's complaining about the Kaiser having them converge on the two Digimon that can't fight back.

He's calling out the Kaiser for choosing to bully the helpless instead of face them in a straight fight.

This is going nowhere, but Iori has an idea.

Iori: We'll get nowhere if this keeps up! We should take our chances with the Digimental! Miyako: But we don't know whose Digimental it is! Daisuke: Let's just give it a try!

Iori leads the way into the forest, following his Digivice.

Hikari: Tailmon, we're going to look for the Digimental! Takeru: Patamon, over here!

Patamon and Tailmon follow the humans while Digmon, Horusmon, and Fladramon stay behind.

Digmon: We'll handle things here dagyaa!

In the dub:

Cody: We don't stand a chance like this! We've got to go and try to find the other Digi-Egg! Yolei: But Cody, we don't even know who it belongs to! Davis: It doesn't matter! It's worth a try! (Cody's Digivice starts beeping) Cody: I'm getting something! This way! Kari: Gatomon, let's look for the other Digi-Eggs! T.K.: Patamon, come this way! Digmon: OPEN WIDE!!! GOOD!!!

Solid.

While the Children go search for the Digimental, their Partners hold the line.

Horusmon lets out a pair of circular pulses from his eyes, which he names Udjat Gaze in English. To briefly explain that weird name, there are two key eye symbols in ancient Egyptian language: the Ra's right Wedjat Eye and Horus's left Udjat Eye. Horusmon's Udjat Gaze is a reference to that symbol.

Horusmon: UDJAT GAZE!!! Fladramon: KNUCKLE FIRE!!! Digmon: BIG CRACK!!!

I'm. *snerk* I'm going to need us all to be very... very mature... hahahaha... about Digmon's Big Crack. Hahahahahahaha.

The pulses from Horusmon's Udjat Gaze meet one Tyranomon's eyes, freezing them in place.

Fladramon nails a second in the side of their face with Knuckle Fire, which is a lot more painful than momentary paralysis.

And Digmon's Crack proves to be so Big that it can take two at a time.

The dub, as usual, dumbs these moves down to all being the same one name for each of a Digimon's attacks.

Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!!

That's boring.

From his perch on his Tyranomon, the Kaiser watches the Iori, Hikari, and Takeru flee with Tailmon and Patamon. I guess Daisuke and Miyako are staying behind.

Kaiser: Don't let them get away! After them!

One of the other Tyranomon turns and pursues. Presumably the one Fladramon was fighting, as we cut to Fladramon attempting to pursue.

Fladramon: CRAP!!!

Fireball to the temple was not as incapacitating as what the other two were doing. Fladramon needs better attacks. He should take some notes from Horusmon's eye and Digmon's crack.

Fladramon doesn't get far, however. Kaiser's Tyranomon blocks the path, intercepting Fladramon's pursuit. One of the five Tyranomon is now free to assault the retreating children's flank.

Patamon: AIR SHOT!!!

Patamon strikes the pursuing Tyranomon in the face with his attack, a compressed gust of air spit from his mouth. Tyranomon flinches briefly from the hit, but it didn't do much.

Tailmon: Let's get out of here!

Recognizing the futility of fighting, the two Digimon give up and rejoin the children in their escape. As they run, Iori spots a small cave opening. Small enough for humans to fit through, but much too tiny for a creature the size of Tyranomon.

Iori: Into that cave!

The kids slip into the cave, losing their tail. Tyranomon stomps past outside, continuing their search for their quarry.

In the dub:

Emperor: You can run but you can't hide! (Tyranomon chases the kids) Flamedramon: Going somewhere!? (Emperor's Tyranomon blocks Flamedramon's path) Flamedramon: You'll have to go through me first to get to them! Patamon: BOOM BUBBLE, PAH!!! (The Boom Bubble does nothing) Gatomon: Patamon, it's no use! Run! (The kids flee until they see the cave) Cody: Let's hide in that cave!

The dub seems confused by the action here. Flamedramon's lines indicate that he's stopping the Emperor from pursuing. He clearly isn't, as you can see the pursuing Tyrannomon behind the Emperor disappearing into the distance. Then we cut immediately to their unimpeded pursuit.

Gandalf and the Fellowship are on opposite sides of the Balrog. It's a weird time to try and play YOU SHALL NOT PASS.

While the Children catch their breath inside the cave, Iori checks his Digivice. How far to the Digimental?

Iori: Huh!?

Oh, not far at all. He looks up to see two shimmering artifacts down one of the cave's tunnels.

Iori: Are those...? Hikari: ...Digimentals? Takeru: So if we can lift those Digimentals, then new Digimon will emerge? Hikari: But there aren't any more Chosen Children. Takeru: There's nothing we can do.

Not with that attitude, anyway. Down the tunnel, sitting on a ledge, are a pair of Digimentals. One with tiny Patamon wings and the Crest of Hope, and the other with yellow talons wrapped in wings and the Crest of Light.

In the dub:

Cody: Huh!? What are those!? Kari: They're Digi-Eggs? T.K.: (sarcastic) Great! What do we do now, wait around for a new kid to come along and lift it so another new Digimon will be born!? Kari: But there aren't any more DigiDestined left. T.K.: What are those symbols on the front of them?

Despite agreeing to come search for the Digi-Eggs, T.K. suddenly decides to be a rude jerk about it.

Looking over the Digimentals from a distance, Hikari suddenly recognizes the symbols on them.

Hikari: Is that... the Crest of Light? Takeru: Eh? Hikari: (getting excited) And the other one is the Crest of Hope! Takeru-kun!

Hikari sprints down the tunnel to get a closer look. Takeru joins her shortly after.

Takeru: It is! Tailmon: Then those are Takeru and Hikari's Digimentals! Patamon: Takeru, try to pick up that Digimental! Takeru: But-- Tailmon: Give it a try, even if it doesn't work! Hikari: There's no point! We won't be able to move it! Tailmon: JUST DO IT!!! Takeru: Okay.

Tailmon makes a strong argument but I can see where Hikari's reluctance is coming from. When you know something isn't going to work, it's emotionally easier to embrace futility than to invite certain failure.

As Takeru and Hikari approach the Digimentals, their Digivices suddenly start to glow brightly in their pockets.

Takeru: The Digivices are glowing!?

They pull their Digivices from their pockets just in time to watch the gadgets morph into the same new-style Digivices that Daisuke, Miyako, Iori, and the Kaiser have. Takeru's is green while Hikari's is pink.

Hikari: This is the same kind of Digivice that Daisuke-kun and the others have! Takeru: But why...?

Awfully rude that the other Digimentals didn't do that for Taichi, Sora, and Koushiro.

In the dub:

Kari: Huh? One of them is the Crest of Light! T.K.: What!? Kari: And the other one has the Crest of Hope! Wow! Come on! (Kari and T.K. run to the Digi-Eggs) T.K.: You're right.... Gatomon: Then these Digi-Eggs must belong to the two of you. Patamon: Go ahead and try to lift them up, you guys! T.K.: Yeah, but-- Gatomon: If you don't try, you'll never know. Kari: But we've already got our Digimon. Gatomon: Just do it! T.K.: Gatomon's right! Kari: Huh?

Kari struggles to see what part of that was so convincing. XD

(T.K. and Kari approach the Eggs; Their Digivices glow) T.K.: Huh!? The Digivices are glowing! (T.K. watches his Digivice transform) Kari: These are the same Digivices that the new kids have! T.K.: But why...?

Pretty straight translation. Minor change in Kari's reason for arguing with Gatomon. In the original, she's expecting failure due to how the other Digimentals have gone. Dub Kari makes the logical argument that her Partner Digimon can't be waiting in the Digimental when she's right here arguing with her. These are both valid points, but ultimately falter in the face of Tailmon/Gatomon's rock-solid position of "Just do it!"

Hikari and Takeru relent, lifting the Digimentals of Light and Hope. They come up effortlessly.

Hikari: It's light! Takeru: We lifted them!

Oh, it's light, is it? Huh? Huh? 軽い Karui? More like ヒカルイ Hikarui, amirite? ...I'll show myself out.

Pink and yellow light pour out of the pedestal as before, though new Digimon do not emerge. (Be funny if Patamon and Tailmon suddenly popped out like rabbits from a hat, complete with offscreen yelps from wherever they were yanked away from.) Hikari and Takeru don't even need to say the words.

Tailmon and Patamon, ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Pegasmon: Soaring Hope, Pegasmon! Nefertimon: Smiling Light, Nefertimon!

A note about Pegasmon's title. When he says "soaring", he doesn't mean like an eagle or a hawk. The word here is 天駆ける amakakeru. It's a composite of 駆ける kakeru, which is a horse verb to describe running or galloping and 天 ten, Heaven.

So 天駆ける Amakakeru basically means "Galloping across Heaven". Pegasmon "soars" like an angel or spirit descending upon the earth. We don't really have an adjective for this in English so "Soaring Hope" is the best we've got, even though it fails to really capture the angelic nature of the word.

There is similarly a bit of nuance to Nefertimon's 微笑み hohoemi. The word 笑み emi already means "to smile". Adding 微 to it makes the smile sound dimmer, as the kanji means small or slight or minor. But the composite is generally recognizes to be, specifically, a smile of affection or grace.

Putting it in context, it's the kind of smile an angel might share with her followers. Not a reactive smile of joy or mirth over something funny that just happened, but a passive smile filled with benevolence and love.

It's also an ironic choice of title for a Digimon who wears a full-face mask, which seem to only have a neutral expression on offer.

In the dub:

Kari: Wow! It's light! T.K.: I'm stronger than I thought! (Patamon and Gatomon Armor-Digivolve) Pegasusmon: Pegasusmon, Flying Hope! Nefertimon: Nefertimon, the Angel of Light!

The dub makes Nefertimon "Angel of Light" in order to capture the heavenly essence that can't be conveyed by the English word "Smiling" alone. And doesn't even try to do the same for Pegasusmon, who they slap the missing "su" into the name of and call it a day. We'll talk about Pegasmon's name in a moment, when we hit the rundowns.

Watching the pair evolve, Iori is stunned.

Iori: Patamon and Tailmon Armor-Evolved! Hikari: They were ours! They were our Digimentals, Nefertimon! Nefertimon: That's great, Hikari! Now we can fight too! Pegasmon: Takeru! Takeru: Yeah, we aren't dead weight anymore!

Thrilled to be back in the fight, Hikari and Takeru give their Partners a hug.

In the dub:

Cody: Gatomon and Patamon were able to Armor-Digivolve! Kari: Nefertimon, you're beautiful. But the best part is, now that you can fly, we don't have to walk anymore! Nefertimon: Well, don't get too excited. These wings aren't broken in yet. Kari: Heh.... Pegasusmon: T.K.! T.K.: Alright! My very own Armor Digimon!

Kari and T.K. are just excited to have new forms for their Partners. It's Christmas in April!

Outside, despite how hard the Chosen Children were crushing it in the fight last time we checked in, the tide's turned on them. V-mon, Hawkmon, and Armadimon lay defeated and helpless in front of Daisuke and Miyako, who've been backed up against the edge of a cliff by the Tyranomon horde.

The searching Tyranomon seems to have given up and returned, as the Kaiser now has all five with him.

Kaiser: Hmph. Giving up already? Daisuke: What's that supposed to mean!? Kaiser: Look behind you. Where could you even run??

Daisuke glances at the cliff behind him. He doesn't have a retort for that.

An interesting point of characterization for the Digimon Kaiser is that, unlike the villains of the first series, he isn't playing for keeps. At least, right now. This is "a game", after all. He wants Daisuke and Miyako to concede defeat and then leave.

But before the Kaiser can clinch his victory, the winged cavalry arrives.

Iori: DAISUKE-SAAAAAAN!!! Daisuke: Ah! Miyako: What!?

Nefertimon and Pegasmon fly in, letting their riders and Iori down on the cliff's edge with Daisuke and Miyako. Now we can ALL fall to our doom!

Alright, let's talk shop. Patamon and Tailmon have distinct attributes, but they become Free attribute when they Armor Evolve, like the other three. Nefertimon is named for the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, while Pegasmon draws his name from the Greek horse god Pegasus.

Why Pegasmon and not, say, Pegasumon? The Digimon Reference Guide translates it as Pegasmon as well, but why? Japanese, after all, doesn't have a letter for a flat 's'. The lettering is ペガスモン Pe-ga-su-mo-n. So why not call him Pegasumon? Is this another "Nobody knows how to fucking translate Horusmon" situation?

Well, no. As a translation, Pegasmon actually makes sense. The Japanese name for Pegasus is ペガサス Pe-ga-sa-su. Since the Japanese written languages have very few letters for single consonants with no vowel component, the ス su here stands in for the ending 's'.

For the Digimon, they carved the サ sa out of his name and added the モン mon, creating ペガスモン. Since ス stands in for a singular 's' in Pegasus, it's translated as a singular 's' here as well. Thus, we end up with ペガスモン romanized as Pegasmon. That's how the Reference Book refers to him, and I can see where they're coming from.

It is, nonetheless, pronounced "Pegasumon".

Narrator: Pegasmon! A Holy Beast-type Digimon who displays absolute strength against all wicked things. His special attack is the holy ray of light, Silver Blaze! Narrator: Nefertimon! A Holy Beast-type Digimon who purifies the darkness with the strength of her powerful light. Her special attack is a red-hot ray of light that fires from the ornament on her head, called Curse of Queen!

Curse of the Queen would probably flow better. Or possibly Curse of Queens. But, like most attacks, it's English. I don't translate English into better English, so we're stuck with Curse of Queen.

In the dub... Okay, I don't know if I've talked about this before but the dub has voice actors make animal noises for a lot of its bestial effects. And in this episode, it's really noticeable that the Tyrannomon snarls are all this one dude going "GRRRYAAARGH".

The original has, like... actual animal roar noises coming out of them.

Emperor: Do you guys give up yet? Davis: Not a chance! Emperor: Look behind you. Where do you think you're going to run to? (Winged cavalry arrives) Cody: Davis, we're here! Davis: ... Yolei: (gasp) Cody! (Nefertimon and Pegasusmon drop off the humans) Armadimon: (rundown) That's Pegasusmon! He's one wild horse! When he attacks with his Star Shower, his enemy will be blasted into outer space! Veemon: (rundown) And that's Nefertimon! She's a flying, fighting machine with nine lives! And she's quite a shot when tossing those Rosetta Stones of hers!

Armadimon and Veemon are really underselling the holy radiance of these Digimon, but given the censors' disdain for religious themes, I can't say I'm surprised.

Rosetta Stone is a weird attack name if you only know it as a tool for learning languages. But the Rosetta Stone was, specifically, an ancient Egyptian stele inscribed with the same message in three separate languages, which became instrumental in deciphering the written languages of ancient Egypt.

So for an ancient Egyptian queen, it's a fair reference if a bit arbitrary nonetheless.

Alright, introductions are over. Time to fight.

Getting down from his Tyranomon, the Kaiser exclaims:

Kaiser: That's only a temporary evolution! Don't think something like that will work every time! Tyranomon: (together) FIRE BREATH!!!

Yeah, the non-verbal Tyranomon call this one in the Japanese version too.

All five Tyranomon fire at once, converging attacks on Pegasmon and Nefertimon. Three dimensions of movement gives them a lot of maneuverability, however, as the pair take to the sky and avoid their shots entirely.

Nefertimon & Pegasmon: SANCTUARY BIND!!!

Not missing the opportunity, they counter with their holy shit duo attack. The armor on their front legs glows and they pass each other in the air, forming a ray of light between them. Circling the Tyranomon horde, they bind the light around all five and release, creating a ring that ties their enemies helplessly together.

Pegasmon: NEEDLE RAIN!!! Nefertimon: NILE JEWELRY!!!

Then they unload, making strafing runs around the targets. Pegasmon shoots a machine gun flurry of needles from his mane, while Nefertimon lets off diamond projectiles from the red jewels on her foreleg bangles.

Their combined assault targets the necks of the five helpless Tyranomon until finally an explosion breaks the Sanctuary Bind. Five Tyranomon collapse on each other, while their black ring collars shatter into pieces.

Miyako: The Rings are gone!

In the dub:

Emperor: Don't think Armor Digivolving will save you! It won't be long before I figure out how to stop that too!

The Kaiser/Emperor comes off like a pissy whiner in both versions. It's great.

In a surprising reversal, the dub does not call Blaze Blast when the Tyrannomon fire. For once, they removed an attack call instead of adding one.

Tyrannomon: (together) RRRRGYAAAGH!!! (Nefertimon and Pegasusmon dodge) Nefertimon & Pegasusmon: GOLDEN NOOSE!!!

(spit take) Holy shit, what!?

I mean, Sanctuary Bind isn't exactly a very accurate name. They wrapped them up to shoot them all at once which is... like... exactly the opposite of what a sanctuary's for. But how the fuck did the alarmingly accurate Golden Noose get past the censors!?

Pegasusmon: STAR SHOWER!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!!

Unlike in the original, the attacks Nefertimon and Pegasusmon use are the ones the rundown told us about. We're not seeing Silver Blaze or Curse of Queen this episode.

(Nefertimon and Pegasusmon defeat the Tyrannomon horde) Yolei: Their Dark Rings disappeared!

An interesting note that we still don't have a formal name for the Dark Rings in the original at this time. Miyako just called them "Rings" in English.

With the five Tyranomon released, the fighting is over. And I guess the Kaiser quietly peaced out while his dinos were being machine-gunned into freedom, because we do not hear from him.

The Children linger long enough to watch the five Tyranomon disappear into the distance. No one says a word, but Hikari takes a picture with her camera. It's not just a replacement neck dangly for her old whistle.

Returning to the human world, the children complain about the Kaiser while looking over the photo Hikari took.

Hikari: In any case, there's no excusing that kid! Who targets a weak opponent that can't even evolve!? Daisuke: Yeah, that's right! (pounds fist) He won't be talking when I'm done. Hikari: You think so too, right, Takeru-kun? Daisuke: (face falls comically) Takeru: Completely. I can't believe he's human like us. He's crazy if he thinks the Digital World belongs to him!

Poor Daisuke. This episode makes the Takeru/Hikari shippers happy for a few reasons. Most notably the unprecedented duo attack, that's shippy as fuck, but also this moment too. Daisuke's trying to be macho but Hikari defers to her nakama partner of three years.

In the dub, Kari gets a line while the camera's not focused on her.

Kari: I want to get a digital picture of this for my computer scrapbook! (Cut to the human world) Kari: These photos turned out great! Except the Tyrannomon all have red-eye. Oh, wait a minute! I forgot, they always have red eyes!

They do not. Their eyes are blue. They were only glowing red because of the Dark Ring, something that happens to all Digimon under the Emperor's control. It's been nine seconds since we saw them all open their bright blue eyes, now liberated from the Emperor.

Additionally, they were walking away from Kari when she snapped that picture. None of their eyes are visible in the shot she took. This joke does not remotely work.

Davis: I'm so mad! (pounds fist) Just wait 'til I get my hands on that Digimon Emperor! Kari: You'll defeat the Emperor, won't you, T.K.? Davis: (face comically falls) T.K.: I'm not sure, Kari, but we'll give it our best shot! The problem is we've never faced an enemy who was human before. How do we fight him?

Oh wow, I hate Kari's line here.

Hikari is the one driving this conversation about how much the Kaiser sucks. Both Daisuke and Takeru are responding to her outrage. The dub dropped that to make room for the red-eye joke. So instead, Davis drives the Emperor topic, which Kari immediately swipes from him to give to T.K. instead.

She blows off Daisuke in the original as well, but here, she's asking T.K.'s opinion of what Davis said, rather than what she said. She's not ignoring Davis but purposefully snubbing him.

And she manages to do it in a way that implies that she, Kari, will not be involved in the fight. The Emperor is a problem for Kari's favorite boy to solve by himself.

Additionally, this whole conversation leaves Davis as the only one who's actually mad, which makes him come across as unreasonable. In the original, everybody's pissed off. And why wouldn't they be, after the shit he pulled today?

This sucks. Terrible job. 0/10.

Meanwhile, Miyako, Iori, and Tailmon watch Chibimon, Poromon, and Upamon devour what's left of Miyako's grocery snacks. Miyako seems to find them adorable but Tailmon remains unimpressed by the Kids These Days.

Iori: By the way, our Digimentals seem to vary from person to person. Daisuke: Huh? What do you mean? Iori: Daisuke-san, Miyako-san, and I all had our Digimon emerge from the Digimentals, but it was different for Takeru-san and Hikari-san. No new Digimon emerged, but instead their original Digimon became capable of Armor Evolution. Takeru: Yeah, I wasn't expecting that. Hikari: I was happy about it, though.

Iori raises an important point. Going forward, we can't expect consistent behavior from the Digimentals. This isn't like the Crests where we all get a Crest the same way and they all have the same rules and work the same way. The Digimentals are more scattershot and arbitrary. We can assume nothing.

Miyako, who was too busy having cuteness overload from the snacking babies to get in on the Kaiser Sucks conversation, finally weighs in.

Miyako: That guy pisses me off! Iori: Eh? The Digimon Kaiser, right? I wonder who he really is? Daisuke: Whoever he is, the things he's doing are unforgivable! Group: Mhm! Iori: (thinking) But I'm not cut out for fighting other people....

A reservation that Iori should probably share with the class, but is keeping to himself.

Miyako: Ahh! Isn't this like an adventure game? Daisuke: What's this now? You were freaked out at first!

Miyako crouches down to resume basking in the cuteness.

Miyako: Mm... (singsong) Don't care!

Finally, we close where we began: One last brief snippet of Ken in his room, working at his computer. Doing... something... with the program for his Digimon Kaiser goggles on the screen.

In the dub:

Cody: T.K. brings up a very interesting point we should all consider. Davis: (aggressively) Oh, yeah!? What point is that!? Cody: Well, this is quite a little army we've put together so far. We've met our three new Digimon and they've been able to Armor Digivolve. And even Gatomon and Patamon have found a way to bypass the Digimon Emperor's Dark Digivice as well. But even with all our power combined, we still haven't had the strength to defeat the Digimon Emperor in the Digital World! Yet we still keep forgetting the fact that he's human. T.K.: Yeah, but I still don't get it. What's your point? Kari: He means we have to fight differently? Yolei: How do you suggest we do that!? Cody: If we find out his human identity, maybe we can defeat him from this side where his powers aren't as strong! Davis: What do we do, knock on doors asking for the Digimon Emperor!? Yolei: Hmph! Cody: (thinking) I knew I shouldn't have expressed my opinions. Now they'll all just make fun of me. Yolei: Well, you're a little young to be worrying about those things, Cody. Davis: Yeah! Just let us older kids come up with a plan! (Yolei crouches down to bask in cuteness) Yolei: Aren't they cute!

This scene continues to be holy shit terrible.

Cody still brings up the Armor Evolution, but only to point out that our Digimon are killer powerful but the Emperor is too strong to defeat. How he got that impression from our three consecutive victories, I have no idea.

However, Cody proposes a solution: Hunt him down in the human world and I guess jump him? Beat the ever-loving shit out of him on this side? IDK but it's a wild interpretation for a character who, in this scene, actually has the line, "I'm not cut out for fighting other people".

But everyone else thinks Cody's idea sucks. They all promptly bully him into shutting the fuck up and learning his place. The end.

This isn't quite "The gang swipes Joe's money and leaves him to starve haha" but it's up there. Dub Team really shit the bed in the final leg of this episode.

Finally, they give Ken a line in the final shots.

Ken: Tomorrow's another day. Narrator: Will the DigiDestined find out the human identity of the Digimon Emperor? Don't miss the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

The answer is no, they will not. That's several episodes away. But okay, clickbait.

Assessment: Just like that, our team is complete. Still more Digimentals to go, but we have a full roster for the Kaiser arc.

And I'm happy to see it because Nefertimon and Pegasmon are my favorite Armor Digimon. Horusmon's pretty cool too. I guess I just really like that sleek "Armored flying quadruped" design.

It's funny how the setup here seemed like it was gearing up for a five-on-five battle once Nefertimon and Pegasmon joined the crew. Like how the previous episode did a three-on-three with Fladramon, Horusmon, and Digmon each taking an opponent.

But no. Nefertimon and Pegasmon are so fucking awesome that they'll take care the five Tyranomon themselves. Y'all can relax.

You can kinda feel the experience gap between Hikari and Takeru's 'mons and the others.