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tobiasdrake · 5 months ago

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Digimon Adventure 01x10 - Kentarumon, the Defender / A Clue from the Digi Past

Previously on Digimon Adventure: It was so cold. So unbearably cold. Unbelievably cold. Facing down hypothermia and impossibly low temperatures, Taichi and Yamato were able to solve their problems through judicious application of more snow.

Now we turn our attention to another pair of kids, separated from the others by the fracturing of File Island.

Today's episode opens with Mimi and Koushiro's beds descending into the fractured island shards. In the dub, Izzy offers us some narration to coax us through shots of the beds descending.

Izzy: Tentomon, I would say we're traveling at a very high speed, plummeting toward an unidentified island! And, uh... crash landing is imminent! Tentomon: Try to think of it as if we're just hitting the beach!

XD That one got me. Inappropriate time for dark puns, Tentomon.

Upon landing in the midst of a tropical jungle, Mimi and Palmon discuss where to go from here.

Mimi: Where are we? Palmon: Since we were blown away so suddenly, I can't be sure. But I think this is a jungle. Mimi: Well, even I know that. What will happen to us now? Palmon: I don't know, but we should try looking for someone in the meantime. Mimi: Yeah, you're right! There has to be someone close by.

It's a pretty basic dialogue exchange. We don't know where we are and we're separated from the others; Let's go looking.

A perfect time for the dub to spice things up with some goofs.

Mimi: Oh no, humidity! Palmon: Yeah, some kind of tropical rainforest but not one I'm familiar with. It all happened so fast. Where are we? Mimi: Have you any idea what humidity does to my hair!? It goes all poodle-ey. Not a pretty sight. Palmon: Uhhh, perhaps we ought to look around and see if we can find any of the others. Mimi: Yeah! Let's go! Maybe we can at least find some air conditioning or something.

Unfortunately, per usual, that means playing Mimi off as lacking perspective and not understanding the situation she's in. I like Mimi complaining about the humidity; It's the last line, where she's expressly more concerned with fixing her hair than finding safety or her friends, that bugs me.

Meanwhile, Koushiro finds his way to an interesting ruin. Tentomon notices Koushiro's interest and tries to urge him to move along; Finding their friends should be the priority. But Koushiro tells him no; He thinks if he studies these ruins, he may learn information that could be useful later on. As Koushiro enters the ruins, Tentomon reluctantly follows his Partner.

Meanwhile, Mimi finds a bunch of bananas hanging from a tree! Excited, she asks Palmon to retrieve them - though Palmon struggles with the unfamiliar word "banana", which should probably be Mimi's first warning that this isn't about to go well.

Overjoyed, Mimi exclaims:

Mimi: I haven't had food that actually looks like food in a long time!

That's depressing. We're on Day 6 of File Island and the emergency rations were only going to last 1-2 days after they started feeding the Digimon too, so that checks out.

Dub Mimi has her own plans for the bananas.

Mimi: I was really starved! Now we can pretend we're having banana splits!

I don't think Palmon knows what that is but good on you for keeping positive!

Tragically, when Mimi goes to open the banana, she discovers that there's nothing inside the peel. The whole bunch is nothing but empty peels. Palmon bites one of the peels in half and reports that it's surprisingly good, but Mimi isn't having it. She yells out in frustration and then sulks next to the poop that fell off the tree.

Wait, what?

"Is that hair mousse?" ~Dub Mimi trying very hard to censor the obvious poop on the ground.

The poop, it seems, came from these two lunkheads. Palmon IDs them as Scumon (the yellow one) and Chuumon (the mouse). The dub refers to the former as Sukamon, based on a different romanization of the kanji that forms his name. But you can clearly it pronounced "Scum-mon".

From there, the narrator gives us the rundown on Scumon, but not Tyuumon. He's an Adult-stage Virus-type Digimon. His name, of course, derives from the word "scum".

Narrator: Scumon. He's shaped like a sparkling golden poop. Because he has no talents of his own, the smaller Chuumon acts as his brain.

For her rundown, Dub Palmon avoids the poop conversation but otherwise conveys the same idea.

Palmon: Sukamon and his mouse buddy are always together because they share the same teeny-tiny brain.

She also IDs Sukamon and Chuumon as "Sukamon and Chuumon, also known as the Digi-Losers", so apparently in the dub they have a reputation for being pathetic. Meanwhile, Dub Mimi calls Sukamon a "talking dessert", which is probably the grossest possible way to disguise him being a poop.

Scumon attacks, hopping across tree branches and hurling poops down at Mimi and Palmon. Mimi flees at first, but then she loses her temper and whips around to confront the pair.

Mimi demands to know what this is about, and Scumon explains that she's being robbed. He orders her to turn over all of her belongings. Naturally, Mimi refuses, so the assault renews.

Fleeing from the disgusting onslaught, Mimi tries to take cover behind a tree. The dub adds this line:

Mimi: That's it, I give up! I want to see the camp therapist!

Which is gold. Absolutely. Therapy for Mimi. Therapy for all of these children.

It's there that Scumon seizes his moment, sliding quietly down a tree to sneak up on her.

Scumon grabs the strap of Mimi's purse to take it from her, but his hand touches her Digivice in the process. Light erupts from the Digivice, blanketing Scumon and Chuumon.

The light seems to have done something to Scumon and Chuumon,

Scumon: My heart somehow feels refreshed! Chuumon: Very refreshed! Mimi: Well, we're not refreshed at all! Scumon: I feel like I've turned into a good poop! Chuumon: Good one! Good one! Mimi: (skeptically) I wonder if that's true. Palmon: Let me ask: Have you seen any humans around here? Scumon: Humans? Mimi: (gestures to Mimi) Something that looks like her. Scumon: (considers) Oh! Yes! Mimi: You saw them!? Scumon: It was far off so I can't be sure but I saw something like you and a Tentomon fall in the Ancient Dino Region. Mimi: Really!? If Tentomon was there, that must mean Koushiro-kun is there too! Palmon: But have you really become good Digimon now? Scumon: (dismissive) Yeah right, ahahaha! Palmon: You don't deny it!? Chuumon: At the very least, we feel like being good right now! Palmon: Then take us to the Ancient Dino Region.

Virus-types gonna Virus-type but at least they're feeling helpful. They're going to take us to Tentomon and Koushiro!

Meanwhile, in the dub:

Chuumon: That's better than chewing tin foil! Sukamon: I feel all tingly and refreshed, like a whole new person! Chuumon: Yeah! We're a whole new person! Mimi: Is this one as much of a pain as the last one!? Sukamon: No, really! We'll be nice from now on! Really! Mimi: So you'll leave us alone? Palmon: Wait! First, tell us if you've seen any other humans around here. Sukamon: Any what? Palmon: (gestures to Mimi) Creatures that look like this one! Sukamon: Uhh.... Chuumon: Well, as a matter of fact! Sukamon: Oh, yeah! I forgot! Mimi: Tell me! Sukamon: Well, it wasn't nearly as pretty as you are, of course. But we saw something fall into the old ruins with a Tentomon! Mimi: So when were you planning on telling us!? Next week!? They must have seen Izzy too, Palmon! Palmon: Listen, you two: Can you take us there? It's important that we find him. Sukamon: Sure! Okey-dokey! Palmon: No funny business! Sukamon: Cross our heart. Chuumon: And hope to die! Palmon: Well, of all the absolutely ridiculous things to say.

The bit about being a good poop is removed, of course. But in its place, we have the "chewing tin foil" line and an assertion that Koushiro cannot rival Mimi in prettiness.

Though, between the two endings to this conversation, Scumon and Chuumon responding to "Are you really good Digimon?" with "LOL NO but we're cool right now!" is my favorite.

Scumon and Chuumon lead the way to the Ancient Dino Region. There's. Uh. There's one small problem.

It's on a different shard.

While Mimi and Palmon contemplate how to solve this problem, Scumon and Chuumon reveal their true motives for being so helpful.

Mimi: Do we have to jump to get over there? Palmon: That's really scary. Chuumon: Hey, are you happy we helped you? Mimi: Yeah.... Scumon: Then, as thanks for helping, let's go on a date! (blows kiss) Mimi: YOU MUST BE JOKING!!! Palmon: (Poison Ivy's the other side) LET'S GO!!! GRAB ON!!! (Palmon swings them across to the other shard) Scumon: ...she left. Mimi: (cries) This keeps happening. I hate it. Scumon: (calling across) Let's meet again some time! Mimi: NO WAY!!! (akanbe)

For real, this does keep happening.

The dub version plays it this way:

Mimi: How are we supposed to get over there? Chuumon: You're the one with the big hat; You think of something! A gorgeous girl like you must have a big brain! Mimi: (sarcastic) Thanks a lot. Really. Sukamon: Before you go, maybe you'd give us a big Thank You kiss, huh? (blows kiss) Mimi: OH, PLEASE TELL ME THEY'RE KIDDING!!! Palmon: (Poison Ivy's the other side) CLIMB ABOARD QUICKLY!!! (Palmon swings them across to the other shard) Scumon: (sigh) Maybe we jumped the gun. Mimi: Ugh. Blegh. Just the thought of that kiss is making me queasy. Scumon: (calling across) That's okay! We'll wait 'til you come back! Mimi: Don't hold your breath! (akanbe)

The dub version doesn't hit quite the same intensity, but it still works. Losing the setup of Palmon being afraid to jump across costs it a bit, as we don't have that contrast for the "CLIMB ON LET'S GTFO" punchline. Palmon didn't want to make that jump, but she found her courage fast once this turned gross.

The biggest loss in the dub version is the callback to the Numemon earlier. Mimi has been on File Island for six days and been harassed twice now; She deserves to vent about it.

Meanwhile, Koushiro explores the ruin and discovers one of Devimon's Black Gears moving their shard. He speculates that he can make the shard stop moving if he can disable the Gear.

Koushiro: If I can stop this, I'm sure the island will stop moving. Tentomon: Even if that's the case, we aren't enough to stop this large thing. Let's leave it and go look for the others.

Continuing his efforts to convince Koushiro that finding their friends is more important, Tentomon tries to get clever with it. Playing on logistics to try and weasel Koushiro out of this ruin.

Dub Tentomon, on the other hand, sees no value in passive-aggression when aggressive-aggression is right there.

Izzy: You know what I think? If we keep this gear from turning, we'll completely jam that creep up! Tentomon: Or even better, we could not do that! Wouldn't that be fun? And then we can go look for the others like we should have done in the first place!

"Jam that creep up"? Izzy, what does that even mean?

Sadly for Tentomon, Koushiro next gets invested in the data code printed on the walls. It's the same characters as the code from the factory.

Koushiro: I inputted all that data I found then on my computer... If I could just find a power source.... Tentomon: You won't find something convenient like that here! Let's hurry up and go look for everyone.

Tentomon takes another swing. This too misses but at least he tried.

Meanwhile, his Dub Counterpart is at his wit's end.

Izzy: All that data is stored on my hard drive. If only there was a power source here.... Tentomon: Get a power source! Stop the Gear! Is "find our friends" on that list!?

Either way, no dice. Koushiro observes that the ruin has electric lighting, then follows that train of logic until he finds exactly what he needs.

(Sure, an electrical outlet sticking out of a tree root is weird, but at this point, Koushiro doesn't even question it. It's File Island. Shit's like that here.)

To Tentomon's supreme dismay, Koushiro is able to turn on his laptop. He sits down to start deciphering these symbols.

Fortunately, even if they can't go looking for their friends, their friends can come to them.

Mimi also tries to convince Koushiro that searching for the rest of their group is imperative, but he refuses. He thinks that making sense of this data will be the key to understanding File Island and its mysteries.

With nothing else to do, Mimi's left to sit with Tentomon and wait impatiently for him to finish his computer stuff. It's not clear how much time passes, but a transitory wipe tells us that this is some time later.

Mimi: How long are you going to keep doing this? Koushiro: ... Mimi: Will something good happen if you find out what that is? Koushiro: ... Tentomon: Koushiro-han, Mimi-han is talking to you. Mimi: Hey, do we get to go home if you find out what that is? Koushiro: ...well-- Ah! I see! This goes here.... (Mimi stands up impatiently) Tentomon: (panicking) Koushiro-han! Mimi: Are you listening!? When are you going to be done!? Koushiro: ... (Mimi begins to pop a vein from fury) Koushiro: Ah! This is.... (The data on his screen turns into a map of the labyrinth) The ruins are a maze! Mimi: KOUSHIRO, YOU IDIOT!!!

It's at this moment that Mimi breaks down and starts bawling. Full-on ugly crying. Palmon watches Mimi for a moment, then joins in and starts crying too.

In the dub, we have:

Mimi: Izzy, any idea how long this is going to take? I mean, can we go sometime before winter sets in!? Izzy! Tentomon: Izzy, your friend is asking you a question. Mimi: Yeah, and her rear end's getting cold sitting on this stone floor doing nothing! Izzy: Hmm? Oh! Wait... Wait! Yeah, yeah! That might work! (Mimi stands up impatiently) Tentomon: Uh-oh. Izzy! Mimi: Are you ignoring me, you computer geek pipsqueak!? Izzy: (muttering to himself) Okay, so if I make the variable constant and search for file patterns... (Mimi begins to pop a vein from fury) Izzy: HEY! Here's something! (The data on his screen turns into a map of the labyrinth) Prodigious! These ruins are a gigantic maze! Mimi: I'M LEAVING!!! RIGHT NOW!!!

Similar to Taichi and Yamato's fistfight from last episode, both Mimi and Koushiro are sympathetic here and yet we can see how their characteristics are hurting each other.

The start of this exchange flows better in Japanese; There are pauses inserted between Mimi's questions to give Koushiro space to ignore her. In English, she never stops talking so we don't get to see for ourselves that her words are falling on deaf ears.

Nonetheless, there's good bits in both versions. I like the Japanese "Do we get to go home if you find out what that is?" and the English "[My] rear end's getting cold sitting on this stone floor doing nothing!"

Both of these remarks do a good job of conveying Mimi's problem with Koushiro's behavior; Like Taichi and the other side of the ocean, we're in the most dire crisis situation we've been in yet, and he's more interested in satisfying his curiosity than in the wellbeing of his fellow survivors. He doesn't even know what he expects to find here; Just. Something. Anything. Whatever the wall has to offer, honestly; He's not picky.

In conclusion, Koushiro made my kid cry so he needs to die the death of a thousand knives I AM A FAIR AND IMPARTIAL--

At the same time, maybe this is the key to cracking that Black Gear. We'll never know until we find out, right? As easy as it is to sympathize with Tentomon and with Mimi, it's as easy to sympathize with Koushiro. He's trying to concentrate on deciphering a computer code that has already demonstrated its influence over reality in the past, and we're making that harder.

They may not get into a knock-down brawl, but Mimi and Koushiro hurt each other. They struggle to see each other's point of view until it hits a breaking point.

Well, this escalated. Tentomon puts in his best effort to try and calm things down.

Tentomon: P-please don't cry! (turning to Koushiro) Koushiro-han! Koushiro: Y-your crying is bothersome. Tentomon: Koushiro-han, do something! Koushiro: Do what? Mimi: I'm hungry! I'm thirsty! I want to see everyone again! I don't want to stay in here any longer! Palmon: Me neither! Why are you ignoring us, Koushiro? Koushiro: I'm not ignoring you. Palmon: Then why aren't you listening to us? Koushiro: What's important right now is analyzing this data. You might not understand now but ultimately this will be very useful to Mimi-san and-- Mimi: No more! I hate you, Koushiro-kun! Palmon: You're not doing this for Mimi! You just like working with machines more, don't you! Koushiro: No, that's not true. Palmon: It's true, it has to be!

In total meltdown mode, Mimi flees from the room, but the door she exits from leads deeper into the ruin rather than outside. Tentomon flies after her to try and calm her down, leaving Palmon with Koushiro.

The dub seems a little more sympathetic to all sides of this altercation. Well, except Palmon.

Tentomon: Oh, don't cry, Mimi! (Palmon starts crying) Oh no, not you too! (turns to Izzy) Izzy, do something! Izzy: Do what!? My laptop can't do everything! Tentomon: I don't know! Tell her you're sorry! Izzy: Sorry for what!? Mimi: I can't take it anymore! I haven't had anything to eat and my feet are killing me and a giant lemon custard tried to kiss me and all I want to do is get out of here! Palmon: We just want to leave; Is that so wrong!? Honestly, Izzy, how can you be so insensitive!? Izzy: Insensitive!? What do you mean!? Palmon: You ignore us while you poke away at your computer. Izzy: I'm not ignoring you! I'm doing something ultra-important like maybe saving this world! If I can just decipher these hieroglyphs then maybe we could-- Mimi: Just keep your stupid hieroglyphics! Palmon: You just like playing on your computer, that's all! Izzy: You think I'm just playing around here!? Palmon: I almost think you like computers more than people!

Mimi, Izzy, and Tentomon all walk away from this dub with something extra. For Mimi, they rope in the context of her Sukamon encounter earlier leaving her high-strung and stressed out, to make her blow-up feel more understandable.

Tentomon offers more helpful suggestions than "Do something!", specifically encouraging Izzy to apologize to Mimi.

For Izzy, they cut out the line where he expressly calls Mimi bothersome and have him heroically claim that this research is meant to save Digi-World. In the original, all he's said on the matter of his motives is that he wants to understand this world's mysteries.

Everyone comes off a little rosier for these changes except for Palmon; Her new dialogue is a lateral shift.

Fleeing blindly into the labyrinth, Mimi trips over a tree root and falls flat on her face. Tentomon flies in after her, trying to help. But she is inconsolable, screaming that she wants to go home and running deeper inside.

Outside the ruins, Palmon and Koushiro search for them. Realizing they aren't out here, the only alternative is deeper inside. That's a problem, given what Koushiro learned earlier: These ruins are a huge maze. If Mimi and Tentomon went deeper in, they might never come back out.

Mimi calms down offscreen, and she and Tentomon begin to find their way together. The sight of a familiar marking on the wall, however, reveals that they're going in circles.

Back out front, Palmon wants to go in after Mimi, but Koushiro talks her out of it. She'd get lost too.

Though it's a bit more dangerous in the original version.

Koushiro: It looks like there are many traps set up inside this maze. Unless I finish this data analysis, we'll both get lost with them.

Whereas in the dub, he has this to say:

Izzy: We won't [leave them] but this is one super-complicated maze. I've gotta try to get a handle on it! Then maybe I can help get them out.

No mention of the traps; Only that it's complicated.

I like that the original expressly mentions finishing his data analysis, as that directly connects back to what he was saying about this research helping Mimi-san. The story's conspired to put Palmon in a situation where the way to save Mimi is by letting Koushiro complete his work.

Meanwhile, in the maze, a rock falls on Mimi's head because today doesn't suck enough yet.

This provokes her to vent about Koushiro.

Mimi: Owww.... Tentomon: Are you okay, Mimi-han? Mimi: That, and all of this, is Koushiro-kun's fault! Really! The way he ignores people makes me so mad! Tentomon: Well, it's true that Koushiro-han lacks charm, but he's not a bad boy! Mimi: But it's true that in his eyes, I'm not a consideration! Tentomon: When he gets caught up in something, he just doesn't notice anything else! I think he's a really good guy.

Tentomon, I don't think roundabout agreeing with her is the way to convince her that Koushiro's better than she thinks.

The dub keeps the falling rock but uses the vagueness of where it landed on her hat to spare her the impact.

Mimi: Great! Tentomon: Oh, dear! Are you hurt? Mimi: No, I'm fine. I'm getting used to it by now! (angrily muttering) If I'd just gone to cheerleading camp, none of this would have happened! Tentomon: Let's try a systematic approach to this. Maybe if we just keep turning to the left.... Mimi: Why should I listen to you? It's your friend Izzy that got me into this mess in the first place! Tentomon: Wait, don't be too hard on him! Yes, he gets a little wrapped up on his work and doesn't always interact well with others but he's a good boy!

...cheerleading camp for fourth-graders? Is that a thing? I'm not going to google that.

Tentomon's flailing to find a way to defend Koushiro in both versions. His arguments boil down to, "Yes, Koushiro sucks in the ways you describe, but I like him anyway!" I'm glad Koushiro isn't here to hear himself defended this poorly. XD

It's hard for Tentomon because he isn't equipped to win this argument. He agrees with Mimi, so what defenses can be made of Koushiro's choices aren't arguments Tentomon can make. He was saying the same things to Koushiro before Mimi arrived. But he wants to defend Koushiro anyway because that's his Partner. They have an emotional bond.

Speaking of which....

Koushiro finishes his analysis, activating new functionality on his map. Now he has a glowing dot revealing Mimi's precise location within the labyrinth, which he can click on to hear her and Tentomon.

Reasoning that an audio channel should work both ways, he takes out a headset and plugs it in. Calling out to Mimi, Koushiro offers to guide her through the maze. Palmon backs him up, assuring Mimi that he can handle this. Mimi accepts Koushiro's guidance.

As Koushiro guides her through, suddenly a yellow blinking dot appears, slowly approaching Mimi's red dot. Uncertain of what that could be, Koushiro tells Mimi to run.

It takes no time at all for the yellow dot to reveal himself to Mimi.

Kentarumon, an Adult-stage Data-type Digimon. His name is derived from the word "centaur", obviously. The narrator gives us his rundown.

Narrator: Kentarumon. A proud Digimon who is half-man, half-beast. With high pressure air spurting from his back, he can move at the speed of sound.

Kentarumon himself is another voiceless Digimon given dialogue in the dub, which also pronounces his name with a soft C sound instead of a hard K.

Centarumon: Tentomon? It's been such a long time! Tentomon: Oh no! Centarumon! Half-man, half-horse! You really don't want to get on either of his bad sides!

This dub exchange implies a bit of a history; Centarumon recognizes Tentomon on sight, but Tentomon reacts to Centarumon with fear and trepidation before even knowing about his Black Gear.

Fleeing from Kentarumon, Koushiro directs them into a dead end. They don't understand, but when they try to ask him about it, he's gone. We cut back to his laptop and mic lying on the ground, abandoned by Koushiro and Palmon.

Kentarumon approaches, converting his arm into a cyberpunk pulse cannon. He can't call it because he doesn't speak, but this is his signature move: Hunting Cannon.

(Seems like overkill for hunting but, then again, I've seen the wildlife on this island so maybe not.)

Kentarumon misses his first shot, breaking open a chunk of the wall and letting light spill in. Mimi desperately asks Tentomon to evolve, but he can't; Not without Koushiro.

Fortunately, he won't be without Koushiro for long. Leaving the computer behind and taking action, Koushiro and Palmon break down the weak outer wall in the room he sent Mimi too.

And now it's a fight. Palmon evolves into Togemon to protect Mimi from Kentarumon. Tentomon also evolves, but this decision is... questionable.

Room ain't big enough for Kabuterimon. His size increase also ends up pushing Togemon over, nearly killing Koushiro.

Bad choices were made. Fortunately, Kentarumon fixes it by blasting everyone through the wall and sending them outside. Once they're free to move, this fight is over in an instant.

A combination Chiku Chiku Bang-Bang and Mega Blaster hit Kentarumon hard enough to destroy his Black Gear. Easy as pie.

As with most corrupted Digimon, the act of being corrupted messed with Kentarumon's linguistics in the original. Once he wakes up, he's able to speak. He recognizes the Digivice on Mimi's bag and brings the kids back inside the ruins, officially introducing us to the device the kids have had on them for so long.

Kentarumon explains the Digivices to Koushiro and Mimi, though he doesn't have much information to offer beyond vague gesturing at goodness.

It's a holy device that "guides the world towards light while driving out the darkness". We've seen that in action a few times by this point, but it's good to have it finally put into words. These ruins are dedicated to the Digivice, with Kentarumon as their guardian.

He doesn't have time to say any more, because they have a visitor.

Kentarumon demands an explanation for the weird shit Leomon's saying. But Leomon goes straight to work, lunging for the kids and firing off his Juuouken. Kentarumon blocks his shot, refusing to let Leomon attack these children.

Kentarumon: These children hold the holy devices. After protecting these ruins for so long, it is now my duty to also protect these children!

Leomon breaks free from Kentarumon and fires off his Juuouken, but Kentarumon darts away from the shot and returns fire with Hunting Cannon. This exchange lets the dub officially name both of these attacks: Fist of the Beast King and Solar Ray.

Leomon tanks Kentarumon's Hunting Cannon, then returns fire with a point-blank Juuouken to the face. His shot puts Kentarumon down for the count.

Well, that's settled. Nothing left to do but kill the children.

Leomon advances on the kids. Mimi shrieks, raising her purse to hide behind. In the process, activating her Digivice attached to the purse strap and shining its purifying light on Leomon.

Seeing Leomon falter, Koushiro understands. He grabs his Digivice and encourages Mimi, and together they drive Leomon away.

"Bad kitty! Out! Go on, out!" ~Dub Mimi, in what may be the best line of the episode.

Leomon retreats, allowing the kids to regroup with Kentarumon.

Mimi: Did he run away? I guess we're saved. Koushiro: Is this the power of the holy device? Mimi: Who cares about that? I'm hungry.

Koushiro's awed by the power of the Digivice, but Mimi's still as hangry as she was when she entered the labyrinth.

Dub Mimi's more excited about all this.

Mimi: Well, that got rid of him! These things really are kind of amazing! Izzy: A preserver of light against the darkness.... Mimi: Can you order a pizza with it? I'm still starving.

How mad do you think these kids would be if it turned out their Digivices could summon pizza this entire time? I'd be furious.

With Leomon driven off, the kids turn their attention to the Black Gear out front.

Koushiro asks Kentarumon to stop the Black Gear, but he refuses. The evil power inside the Gear is too much for him. This leaves Koushiro with no choice but to return to his computer.

Mimi: Even after I said I was hungry, he's still doing this. Koushiro: As I thought, I'll have to analyze this data with the data from these other characters. I'm sure I'll find a hint in here. Mimi: Bah! We'll be waiting 10 billion and 10 thousand years for that to be deciphered! Koushiro: But-- Mimi: (storms over to the Gear) This Gear can't even fill my stomach!

We are right back where we started. Koushiro dives back into his computer, setting off Mimi again.

The irony is not lost on Dub Mimi.

Mimi: Are you still going on about that? We need to start looking for something to eat! Izzy: Guess I'll just have to keep deciphering and analyzing these two sets of hieroglyphs. I'm sure all the answers are in here somewhere. Mimi: Excuse me!? Isn't this where I came in!? You're not seriously starting all that again, not right now! Izzy: Just a nano! Mimi: (storms over to the Gear) This Black Gear! Who cares about that dumb old thing!? All I want is lunch!

Mimi's furious punt wins the day. While Koushiro had been approaching this analytically, Mimi lashing out and taking direct action does the trick. The Black Gear kicks into reverse, sending the shard back towards Infinity Mountain.

Mimi and Koushiro go outside to see the effects for themselves. There, the practical evidence convinces Koushiro of the wisdom in what the others have been expressing to him.

Koushiro: The island is moving backwards! I see! Just like you said, Mimi-san, there are many things I should try out physically! Mimi: I'M HUNGRY!!!

I wonder how different this episode would be if that banana bunch had actually contained any bananas in it.

I don't know if they did it on purpose or not but the dub's version of this sounds a little condescending.

Izzy: Look! The process has reversed itself. Excellent work, Mimi; It just goes to show you that sometimes the simplest solution is actually the best. Mimi: That's not much of a compliment.

It's not much of a concession either. Koushiro's vindication from their argument came when his data was useful in rescuing Mimi from the labyrinth. This moment is supposed to be Mimi's vindication, with Koushiro acknowledging the merit in getting up and doing things rather than simply analyzing.

But the way Izzy says it doesn't make it sound like he learned anything from this, but rather that he's simply acknowledging Mimi for a task completed. He's imparting the lesson on a non-specific "you" rather than claiming ownership of it.

With the two island shards now drifting apart, with close on one last attempt by Scumon, who's been waiting this whole time for Mimi to return. He calls out to her, asking one last time for a romantic date, and we clone on Mimi shooting him another akanbe.

Assessment: Like the previous episode did for Taichi's boldness and Yamato's selflessness, this episode shines a light on the darkness buried in Koushiro's curiosity and Mimi's sincerity. The two characters have diametrically opposed ways of experiencing and engaging with the world around them, and so their collision hurts them both.

But we also see those characteristics shine through in the end, as the episode builds them both up to a triumphant vindication. Ending on the implicit statement that neither Mimi nor Koushiro is wrong for how they are, but rather that they could stand to learn a few things from one another.

Mimi could stand to be more thoughtful in the choices that she makes, and Koushiro could stand to jump off a cliff because he made my kid cry be more active in his approach to problem-solving. The data he uncovered was vital in saving Mimi's life from the labyrinth but also the Black Gear he'd been contemplating was trivially easy to reverse as soon as anyone bothered to try.

For the dub, this is one of the stronger localizations. A lot of their jokes landed. While their take on these scenes was weaker in some places, they added a lot to others. It's not perfect; As with Tai last episode, they sand off some of Izzy and Mimi's rough edges. But I think it's the best dub we've gotten thus far.

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

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