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tobiasdrake · 20 days ago

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Digimon Adventure 02x08 - The Loneliness of the Digimon Kaiser / Ken's Secret

Previously on Digimon Adventure: During a mission gone sideways, Hikari was left behind enemy lines. Daisuke, Takeru, and Taichi quickly swooped in to be nearby while she rescued herself and liberated the enemy territory. They returned home to find an irate Koushiro who had come up with this cool new name for their Digivices but then no one was around to hear him infodump.

For once, we don't skip straight to Computer Club. Instead, we find Daisuke practicing with his team at Soccer Club, while the other junior Chosen Children and Taichi watch.

Right before an opposing player can take the shot, Daisuke slides in and intercepts, scoring some applause from Takeru and Iori and some cheering from Miyako and Hikari.

Taichi: Daisuke! (English) Nice play! Daisuke: Ehehehe!

After practice, as the sun begins to set, the coach gathers his team with a toot of his whistle.

Coach: Gather up! We have a practice match coming up this Sunday. We're going to be up against the team that recently won the Tokyo Boys' Soccer Championship: Tamachi Boys' F.C. Players: (collective gasp)

The acronym "F.C." stands for "Football Club". Officially, the sport is called football in Japan, though it's colloquially better known as soccer. American Football, meanwhile, is "American Football".

I idly wonder if the name "Tamachi" is a reference to Tamagotchi, the V-Pet that Digimon shares a friendly rivalry with.

Daisuke: (excited) Coach, isn't that the team that genius kid plays on!? Coach: That's right. Ichijouji Ken-kun.

Oooo, the fucking chills from all that tension. Daisuke's about to have a destined rival battle with Ichijouji Ken. That's exciting, 'cause of how Ken's the best player in the league. Definitely not for other reasons.

In the dub, Tai playfully teases Davis for that slide.

Tai: You walk much, Davis? Davis: Ehehehe.... (After the match) Coach: Alright team, hustle in! Let's go! Quiet down! I've got an announcement to make. Alright, our first scrimmage is this Sunday. It's against last year's #1 team in the league. Players: (collective gasp) Davis: That's the team with that brainiac kid! He's good at soccer, sports, he's good at everything! Coach: Hey, hey! Watch the name-calling! He's Ken Ichijouji.

As localization goes, Dub Team did a great job Americanizing this dialogue to feel natural to the American conception of what a high school sports coach sounds like.

I personally prefer my dialogue un-localized because I want to experience as close to the original cultural context as I can. But for the assignment they had, this is perfect.

Though the dub coach doesn't actually tell the kids which team they'll be playing. Just "Last year's #1 team".

Cut to Computer Club, where Digimon activities for today have been postponed in favor of googling the shit out of Ichijouji Ken.

Miyako: Ichijouji Ken-kun from Tamachi Boys' F.C. hit a record of 45 goals in the last tournament, leading his team to victory. Taichi: That's amazing! It's more than twice the previous record! Iori: O_O Calling him a genius was not an exaggeration. Daisuke: He'll make for a great opponent. We never had a chance to face each other in the last tournament. Takeru: You never faced him because you didn't make it to the finals, right? Daisuke: Don't bring that up!

Takeru pointing out that Daisuke is a Krillin salivating about fighting a Vegeta. He has his skills, but he is no Ichijouji Ken.

Hikari: Can you win this? Daisuke: This isn't about winning or losing. Right now, he's the idol that soccer players across the country are all aspiring to become. I'm hyped just to have the chance to play against him! Miyako: (sweetly) ~Hey, Dai-chan...?~ Daisuke: Gck! D-Dai-chan?

Clasping Daisuke's hands between her own, Miyako seizes the opportunity to ask him a question that's burning in her heart.

Miyako: When you meet Ichijouji Ken-kun, can you get me his autograph? Iori: Didn't you say that you weren't interested in younger people? Miyako: (glare) What difference does one year make? My mom is a whole three years older than my dad. Iori: Ah.... Daisuke: Why don't you just get it yourself? Miyako: Oh. That's a good idea. Hikari: (to Daisuke) We'll all come and support you! Daisuke: (excited) Really!? Chibimon: (Suddenly in Daisuke's room) And I'll come too, Daisuke! Daisuke: YES!!! I'll show this prodigy everything I've got!

There's a super awkward cut to Daisuke's bedroom near the end of this conversation despite Chibimon seemingly continuing the conversation from the previous scene.

Aww. Poor Iori. Miyako was definitely his first crush and that wasn't gonna happen 'cause she's 12 and he's 9. We're all getting that vibe, right? There's not very many contexts in which she would have had to say that to him.

When you're 35, three years is nothing. But to a 12-year-old, it might as well be 15. Especially in that direction.

In the dub:

Yolei: As Captain of his soccer team, Ken Ichijuuji led his team to victory last season by scoring a record-setting 45 goals!

That's impressive but you should pronounce his name correctly. This is especially noticeable when the coach just said it right three seconds ago.

Tai: Whoa! This kid may even be better than I am. Cody: I bet he could be in the Olympics if he wanted to. Davis: He's not so tough! I never even got a chance to beat him, 'cause we never played his team last season. T.K.: You guys got knocked out early. You didn't even make the playoffs! Davis: Very funny, T.E.! Kari: You think you can beat him? Davis: Oh, I don't have to flat-out beat him. If I can just make it a close game against a guy like that, then I'd be a living legend. And everyone knows how much chicks dig living legends. Yolei: ~Oh, Davis~! Davis: Uh-oh, it's happening already!

Lot of ego floating around the room here. Tai's so full of himself that he'll only concede to Ken maybe being better than him. Daisuke's primary concern is the sheer competitive rush of being able to play against an athlete of Ken's level, while Douchebag Davis just wants to use his match against Ken as an opportunity to score with girls.

Davis is still doing the "Pronouncing T.K.'s name with the wrong letter" thing even though it was established last episode that he knows T.K.'s name. So he's definitely just doing it now to be aggro.

Yolei: When you see Ken on the soccer field, will you get his autograph for me? Cody: ~Yolei and Ken, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G~! Yolei: Hey, Cody, watch it! Besides, I didn't say I wanted to kiss him, DUH!!! I just want to marry him! Cody: Oh. Davis: If you want to meet him, ask for his autograph yourself! Yolei: Oh! I guess I could do that. Kari: Let's all go to the game and you can ask him then. Davis: Hey, don't you want my autograph? DemiVeemon: (suddenly in Davis's room) Can I come to your game too, Davis? Davis: Sure! You can watch me wipe the field with Mr. Perfect. I'll show them who's the man!

No sign of a doomed crush from Cody in this version. He pokes fun at Yolei for her crush on Ken, and she offers the worst defense I've ever heard in my life. XD

(An ironic one too, given that the dub team definitely didn't know what the future would hold for these characters.)

Bit of Japanese contextual confusion here. In the original, Kari's statement that "We'll come and support you," comes directly after Daisuke encourages Miyako to approach Ken herself. So the natural flow of conversation suggests that she's offering to support Miyako in her quest for Ken's attention.

Not helping is that Hikari is looking at both Daisuke and Miyako as she says this. It isn't until Daisuke's response that it becomes apparent that she meant, "We'll support Daisuke in his soccer game," returning to the original topic.

The dub splits the difference and has Kari phrase it in a way that offers support to both of them.

The dub also picks this moment, after Davis has gotten himself fired up, for their first commercial break. They're building anticipation for the impending soccer match.

Sunday morning. Daisuke and his team warms up on the soccer field, waiting for the Tamachi team to arrive.

Crowds are already gathering in the stands, including Taichi and the rest of the junior nakama. Iori and Miyako have brought Upamon and Poromon, though Tailmon and Patamon don't seem to be in attendance. Hikari's holding Chibimon instead.

Hikari: GANBATTE!!! Miyako: (excitedly tugging Poromon's wings) GET 'EM!!! Taichi: GANBARE, DAISUKE!!!

It would be typical to wish Daisuke ganbatte for an upcoming competition in general. It's used in many contexts in Japan, one of which is simply encouraging someone who has a big event coming up.

But with the reality of prodigy child Ichijouji Ken as Daisuke's rival, encouraging him to persevere through hardship and see it through to the end takes on a greater meaning.

The honking of a bus's horn, coupled with cheering from girls waiting by the road, heralds the Tamachi team's arrival. Miyako also turns to look, though the rest of Daisuke's crew remain focused on the field.

Daisuke: They're here. (Bus pulls up) Girls: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Miyako: Hmm? Daisuke: It's time, Ichijouji Ken.

In the dub:

Kari: GOOD LUCK, DAVIS!!! Yolei: DON'T FORGET TO HUG KEN!!! Tai: GIVE HIM A KISS TOO!!! Hahahaha.... Davis: Ha. Ha.

It's funny because it's the #1 ship in the 02 fandom. XD Yolei and Tai were ahead of their time.

Yolei makes no noise when the bus pulls up, so it's easier to miss her turning around.

Girls: EEEEEEEEEEE!!! Davis: Enjoy the attention while it lasts, pal!

Davis still thinks he's going to win this.

Miyako: (happily crushing Poromon like a stress ball) I'm really about to meet him~!

One by one, the Tamachi team disembarks from the bus. But excitement turns to disappointment as the final player steps off and the doors close. Ichijouji Ken was not among them.

Girl 1: Huh? Where's Ken-kun? Girl 2: He isn't here? Daisuke: Huh? Hikari: He's not.... Takeru: It seems he didn't come. Miyako: Why? WHY ISN'T KEN-KUN HERE!?!? Iori: I... I don't know how to answer that.... Miyako: (angrily crushing Poromon like a stress ball) WHY!?!? Poromon: Don't take it out on me!

Poromon made a terrible mistake in coming here. Iori is visibly distressed by the rough treatment of Poromon and will continue to be for the remainder of the soccer game. But he's also too polite to try and stop it.

In the dub:

Yolei: (happily crushing Poromon like a stress ball) Oh, I can't believe it's really him!

While the opposing team disembarks, Davis psyches himself up with some internal monologue.

Davis: (thinking) When I woke up this morning, I was just a regular kid. When I go to bed tonight, I'll be king of the world. Tai: I really hope Davis hasn't gotten in over his head. (The opposing team finishes; Ken isn't here) Davis: (thinking) Tai probably thinks I've gotten in over my head, but I'll show him. Davis: (surprised) Where's Ken!? Kari: Where is he? T.K.: Izzy? No, we're waiting for Ken. Yolei: Uhh, we know that. KEN'S NOT COMING, IS HE, CODY!?!? Cody: Will you stop asking me if I say yes? Yolei: (angrily crushing Poromon like a stress ball) No, I won't. Poromon: Lucky for me, I have no spine.

Lot of laugh lines in this section. The Tai and Davis bit is cute. XD Kari and T.K. play a very brief round of Who's On First. Yolei's comical abuse of poor Poromon is downplayed.

Well, there's only one good way to find out what's going on with Ken: Ask someone. Daisuke runs over to the Tamachi team to find out.

Daisuke: Umm... Is Ichijouji-kun coming today? Player 1: He knows about the match, but I have no idea if he'll show. Player 2: Unlike us, he's got a lot on his plate. Daisuke: (sigh) That sucks... Taichi: DAISUKE!!! COME HERE A SEC!!!

Taichi's gone down to the field to offer his kouhai a bit of coaching.

Taichi: Even if Ichijouji doesn't show up, these guys are still a championship team. Don't let your guard down. Daisuke: Y-Yeah.... Takeru: (from the stands) DAISUKE-KUN!!! THIS MIGHT BE YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AGAINST THE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM!!! Hikari: THAT'S RIGHT!!! GANBATTE!!! Daisuke: (cheering up) Yeah! I can do this!

Daisuke's disappointed because he isn't really here to win. He wants to play against Ken for the sportsmanship of it. But the encouragement of his friends gets his head back in the game. Though one person is still upset.

Miyako: (stretching Poromon like a stress ball) Why didn't Ken-kun show up!? What did I even come down here for!? Iori: Miyako-san....

That poor Digimon. XD Nobody warned Poromon that Miyako's the kind of person who hits things when they're excited.

In the dub:

Davis: Hello! Uh, excuse me? Any of you know when that Ken kid's gonna be here? Player 1: Well, he's got a soft drink commercial to shoot and a meeting about having a soccer ball named after him. Player 2: Ken hardly has time to play soccer anymore. Davis: (disappointed) I'll never get to play him. Tai: HEY DAVIS!!! Davis: Huh!? Tai: CAN WE TALK!?!? (Davis goes over to Tai) Tai: Even if Ken doesn't show, his teammates are still champions. If you're not careful, they'll use you as the soccer ball. Davis: No way. T.K.: (from the stands) BUT YOU GOTTA KNOW, IF YOU PLAY REALLY WELL AGAINST LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONS.... Kari: WIN OR LOSE, YOU'LL STILL BE A HERO!!! Davis: Yeah! I'll still be a living legend! Cool! Yolei: (stretching Poromon like a stress ball) Why do I have to stay here if Ken isn't here!? It's not like I don't have important things I could be doing, y'know! Cody: What about Davis?

The dub offers a concrete explanation for Ken's absence. Whereas, in the original, the implication that no one in this field is aware of is that Ken routinely skips out on his team to do Digimon Kaiser stuff.

He's withdrawing from the world to pour himself into his dominion over the Digital World, because he's disconnected so heavily from the people around him that it's the only thing giving him joy.

Play begins with a soccer montage, as Daisuke's team goes head-to-head against the Tamachi boys.

Davis leads the dub into the montage with one line.

Davis: (thinking) I've gotta play as well as Ken. I've just gotta!

But both versions let the soccer montage play out to only the sound of a lyrical background song. The Japanese version has 僕は僕だって Boku wa Boku Datte, or "Because I'm Me", a new track for this scene. The dub uses Let's Kick It Up, one of their big action fuck-em-up songs they've started using for their Show Me Your Brave Heart/Break Up action moments.

Both of these go really well with the scene, which sees the two teams competing for the ball until Daisuke lands a diving headbutt to score the first point of the game.

Hikari captures the moment on her camera.

Daisuke: WHOA!!! You caught the moment perfectly!

I disagree. That picture makes it look like he's illegally clutching the ball in his hand due to a trick of perspective. Hikari caught the worst possible angle for this photo.

Chibimon: YOU WERE SO COOL OUT THERE, DAISUKE!!! Daisuke: (boastful) Naturally! Takeru: Ganbatte for the second half. Taichi: You're leading by one point, but don't go on the defensive. The other team will notice and use it against you. Daisuke: I'm fine, I'm fine! I'm gonna go for a Hat Trick--

The sound of girls suddenly shrieking with glee pulls everyone's attention up to the road. Stepping out of a taxicab, Ichijouji Ken has arrived.

Daisuke: (serious) He's finally here.

In the dub:

Kari: It's rewinding... There! You look good on camera. Davis: Thanks, Kari. I so kicked butt out there, huh? DemiVeemon: And you kicked the ball really good too. Davis: Yeah, that too, huh? T.K.: You nailed that shot, Davis! Tai: Hey, you guys only lead by one goal. The game's still wide open and Ken could still show up! Davis: Yeah, so? What's Ken gonna do? Please, if he was here right now, I'd show him-- Girls: IT'S HIM!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! (Ken gets out of the cab) Davis: Me and my big mouth....

The dub opts for an irony gag in place of Taichi's coaching. It comes off a bit shallower but still vibes with the original scene. That also had Ken's arrival ironically cut down Daisuke's growing bravado over his successful goal.

It's basically the same moment, but filtered through Davis's braggadocious characterization instead of Daisuke's serious, competitive characterization and played for comedy.

As the girls in the stands shriek with joy, Miyako... is one of them.

Miyako: (happily crushing Poromon like a stress ball) It's really him! It's really him! (screaming over the chorus) IT'S ICHIJOUJI KEN!!!

Miyako screams so loud, it's impossible for Ken to overlook. He turns to glance over at whoever that was. He practically hisses at the sight, as startled and horrified recognition falls over his face. But then, after a moment, he composes himself into a sinister grin. Slowly, Ken descends the stairs to join his team on the field.

Coach: Glad you could make it, Ichijouji-kun! Ken: (cheerfully) I'm sorry I'm late. I had some important matters I needed to take care of. Coach: No, no. I'm just glad you made it. Will you be playing in the second half? Ken: It would be my pleasure.

This is about to get ugly.

The dub talks over the tension of Ken's arrival with a lot of silence-breaking banter.

Yolei: It's Ken! I don't believe it! I must be dreaming! Somebody pinch me! (Cut to Ken noticing them) Yolei: (offscreen) OW!!! (Ken notices the Chosen Children) Yolei: He's looking right at us! Ohh! I'm going to faint! Davis: (thinking) So that's what all the fuss is about? I don't know. He doesn't look so tough. (Ken composes himself into a sinister grin and slowly descends the steps.) Tai: For all the attention he's getting, that guy sure knows how to keep his cool. Davis: Hey, I'm cool! Tai: More like lukewarm! Haha! Davis: That's so funny I forgot to laugh.

Completely different vibe. They keep an ominous tune playing in the background but crack jokes over it to avoid letting the tension settle in.

Coach: Hey, Ken! We're really glad you could make it today. Ken: (neutrally) Sorry I'm a little late, Coach, but there was something important that I had to do first. Coach: Don't worry about it. We're just happy you found the time for us at all. Can I put you in the game now? Ken: If that's what you want.

On its surface, Ken's last line lacks the punch of the original's 喜んで Yorokonde. Original Ken wants to be put in the game. He's gotten over his initial shock at seeing who his competitors are, and now he's relishing the opportunity to publicly humiliate Daisuke. This one is for all the setbacks he's suffered in the Digital World.

With Dub Ken's line, you can infer some false modesty. He's playing a role, feigning subservience to a man who's about to give him what he wants anyway. He trades out the delicious, punchable smarm of the original for an eerie, almost inhuman neutrality.

The game reconvenes. At last, Daisuke and Ken meet on the soccer field.

Daisuke: Nice to meet you. I'm Motomiya Daisuke.

Ken doesn't respond. Instead, he looks over at the stands, where the others are watching.

Miyako: (squeezing Poromon tightly) He's even more handsome than he was on TV! I can't believe he's younger than me! Iori: (neutrally) I don't like him. Hikari: GANBATTE DAISUKE-KUN!!! Takeru: (English) FIGHT!!! Taichi: DAISUKE!!! YOUR OPPONENT IS JUST ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOLD STUDENT LIKE YOU!!! YOU CAN'T LOSE!!!

Oh, yeah. I've been thinking it with how closely and sadly Iori's been watching Miyako go off about Ken, but he is definitely jealous.

Ken listens to all of this, grins, and then finally returns Daisuke's introduction.

Ken: It's a pleasure to meet you.

In the dub:

Announcer: Now substituting #7: Ken "The Rocket" Ichijouji! Davis: You must be Ken! I'm Davis. Nice to meetcha. Ken: ... Yolei: (squeezing Poromon tightly) Oh my gosh! He looked right at me, Poromon! Can you believe he's even cuter in person than he is on TV!? Oh, I could just hug him all day! Cody: He's not an accordion, Yolei. Kari: HE'S JUST A KID LIKE YOU, DAVIS!!! T.K.: YOU GOTTA OUTRUN HIM!!! Tai: YOU CAN DO IT!!! AND EVEN IF YOU CAN'T, WE WON'T THINK ANY LESS OF YOU, MAN! Ken: (grin) Some nice friends you got there, Davis.

I think Cody's line is referencing the rough treatment Yolei's been piling onto Poromon in her overexcitement. But contextually, it sounds like he's saying Ken isn't an accordion which... Uh, okay, I don't know why he would be but thanks.

"You gotta outrun him." Thank you for explaining soccer to me from the stands, T.K. XD

I kinda love Tai's "Even if you can't, we won't think less of you." Culturally, that sense of perspective plays a big role in the American sense of sportsmanship. There is no shame in losing to #1. Hell, "We didn't beat the championship team but we played hard and earned their respect," is like the most common way that American sports movies end.

It's also about as far removed from the sentiment expressed by ganbatte as possible. Ganbatte isn't about doing your best or trying hard; It's about getting it done. Not about putting in the effort but about achieving the result. Focus up, harden your resolve, and do what is necessary to complete the task. Persevere and overcome.

And yet, that isn't entirely how Japan approaches competition. After all, the sentiment Tai expresses here is in line with how Daisuke is approaching his match with Ken: He's not playing to win. He just wants to test himself against the best. It's complicated.

The whistle blows and the match begins!

Ken flows past Daisuke before he even knows what's happening.

Tamachi Player: Ichijouji!

The player on kickoff passes to Ken, who dribbles around every single member of Odaiba Elementary's defense and shoots straight into the goal. In a single play, he's tied the game.

Daisuke: S-So fast.... Miyako: Ahaha! (English) Nice Play, Ken-kun! Iori: He just tied the score.... Miyako: Yeah, because Daisuke isn't nearly as cool as Ken-kun! Taichi: (defeated) They're on completely different levels. He's not on the level of an elementary school student. With technique like that, he could be playing for the youth league.

As Taichi speaks, Ken meets Daisuke on the field in the middle of another play. Ken flicks the ball up with his heel, passing it straight over Daisuke's head to catch it on the other side. Daisuke doesn't even slow him down.

Hikari: You're right. His plays are completely different from everyone else on the field. Takeru: He can see the whole field of play. Hikari: You can tell, Takeru-kun? Takeru: It's the same way with basketball. He's able to keep track of where all his teammates and opponents are, and that's why he's able to score so many goals. Miyako: KEN-KUN IS EVEN COOLER THAN I THOUGHT!!! Iori: Miyako-san....

While they're discussing how cool Ken is, a montage of Ken plays out on the screen. He's unstoppable, managing to score 9 goals to Daisuke's pitiful 1.

The dub adds some dialogue over Ken's initial play.

Tai: (excited) Did you catch that move!? Kari: He's fantastic! Yolei: Back off! I saw him first!

XD For all the dub's foibles, they understood the assignment with Yolei today.

(Ken scores) Announcer: Goal scored by The Rocket! Davis: Houston, we have a problem. Yolei: He's so amazing! And did I mention dreamy? Cody: Would you like for me to pinch you again? Yolei: Yolei Ichijouji. Ken and Yolei Ichijouji. Tai: (defeated) Now that Ken's tied up the game, I wonder how it's going to affect Davis's confidence? (Ken flicks the ball around Davis) Davis: WHOA!!! (Montage of Ken scoring) Tai: Davis isn't looking too good out there. (Ken scores again) Tai: Ouch. (Ken scores again) Kari: He's running circles around him. It's like Davis isn't even there. T.K.: Easier shooting goals into an empty net. Ken has more than just skill; He leads his team like a general leads an army!

The general vibe that Ken's better than Davis makes it across, but the dub undersells how wide that gap is.

Ken isn't just good; He's playing at a professional level in a game between school clubs. It's just like his award-winning computer programming; He's gifted far beyond his years, operating at a level that is achievable but is inexplicable for a child of his age and experience.

Daisuke had as much hope of beating Ken in this match as a high school baseball team might have of beating a Major League team. Fortunately, Daisuke isn't here to win. By his own admission, he just wanted a chance to play against someone of Ken's caliber. So. Y'know. Wish granted.

But rather than analyzing Ken, the dub uses this space to assess Davis. He's losing. That's. That's really all there is to say about Davis. He's getting murdered out there.

They do finally bring up Ken "commanding his team like a general" to segue into the next bit, which sees Ken calling out the play for his team.

Daisuke: Shit! It's really come to this.... Ken: Open the right side! Defenders, raise the line three meters! Last Formation D!

As usual, Ken's team easily scoops the ball and passes to Ken, while he gets into position to strike.

Girls: SCORE THE TENTH!!! Daisuke: YAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Ken: Huh?

Out of nowhere, Daisuke slides in with that same technique we saw him practicing at the start, intercepting the ball before Ken can shoot and sending Ken tumbling to the ground. The toe of Daisuke's shoe rips Ken's sock, drawing a thin but visible line of blood.

Taichi: No foul! (English) Nice, Daisuke!

The ball rolls away out of bounds and the match is called for time. Tamachi will have to settle for only nine goals today.

Announcer: 9-1, Tamachi Boys F.C. wins! Crowd: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

In the dub:

Davis: I don't believe this guy! He's not just good, he's great! Ken: Stick to the playbook I wrote, everybody! We have got him on the run! All fullbacks and midfielders, move up! (Ken's team scoops the ball and passes to him) Girls: GO ROCKET GO!!! Davis: NOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Ken: Huh? (Davis intercepts the ball, tripping Ken in the process) Tai: Nice tackle! Have a good trip, Ken! See you next fall! Announcer: Time's run out and the green Tamachi team led by Ken "The Rocket" Ichijouji wins nine to one! Crowd: YEAH!!! WOOHOO!!!

Surprisingly, Ken's blood makes it into the dub uncensored. Probably because it's too plot relevant to try and cut.

After the match, Daisuke makes his way over to the Tamachi team's huddle to talk to Ken again.

Daisuke: Hey! Ichijouji-kun! Are you okay? After what happened to your leg, I mean.

Daisuke looks down at Ken's leg, which now has noticeable red stains around the injury.

Ken: (smiling) Ehh, that's no big deal. Daisuke: I'm glad to hear it. Man, you really do live up to your reputation! I couldn't keep up with you at all! Ken: You made a magnificent play right at the end there. I was expecting you to come from the other side. Daisuke: Well, when we were losing that hard, it only made sense to go straight for the leader. Ken: Mm... But that was the first time we've ever failed to score with that formation. Daisuke: (excited) Wow, really!? Ken: Motomiya Daisuke-kun, was it? (Ken holds out his hand) Ken: Until next time. Daisuke: Ah! (Daisuke shakes Ken's hand) Daisuke: You too!

Daisuke and Ken part on good terms, leaving Daisuke with a sense of fulfillment for playing so well against the legend.

In the dub:

Davis: Hey Ken, is your leg alright? Sorry about that tackle. I guess I caught you off-guard.

Again, the blood makes it uncensored into the dub.

Ken: (smiling) I barely felt it. Too busy thinking about scoring goals. Davis: So I guess you heard? Your teammates probably told you about how I was dominating the field, how unstoppable I was before you got here? Ken: I dunno, someone may have mentioned something about your play. If you keep it up, you might win a championship. Davis: Well, once you came along and you guys got so far ahead, I just figured it was all or nothing. So I just went for it on that last play! Ken: I was obviously focused on scoring another goal and didn't see you coming. That play never fails. Davis: Well, it did against me! Ken: Indeed. Well, my worthy adversary, farewell. (Ken holds out his hand.) Ken: Until we meet again in battle! Davis: Huh? (Davis shakes Ken's hand) Davis: "Worthy adversary"?

The words are similar but the tone is completely different. Davis is just trying to gloat and Ken's being passive-aggressive, lacking the cool confidence and friendly demeanor he shows in the original.

Dub Ken even makes excuses for his temporary embarrassment. He plays his bit about "I expected you to come from the other side; This is the first time that play ever failed!" as defensive whining.

With that match behind him, Daisuke walks home with Taichi and the junior Digimon team, while they unpack everything that just happened.

Hikari: You don't even seem upset that you lost. Daisuke: "Daisuke-kun," he said! The genius remembered my name! Oh, I'm probably gonna brag about that for weeks! Miyako: (tugging Poromon's face) Mrrrrrgh! I missed out on getting Ken's autograph! Iori: Miyako-san.... Takeru: But that Sliding Tackle at the end was amazing! Hikari: Yeah! Chibimon: I was excited too! Daisuke: Really!? Pretty soon, maybe they'll pick me for the Japanese National Team! Taichi: At least play a decent game before you start talking like that. Apart from that one play, this was a total stomp. Daisuke: (deflated) You're too strict, Taichi-san!

"Sliding Tackle" is in English. Poor Daisuke. Taichi's not wrong but still. Rude.

As the group passes by a pedestrian bridge, we zoom in on the bridge to find Ken still in his uniform, stalking them. His face curls into a wicked grin as we go to commercial.

In the dub, Davis has already begun the bragging Daisuke said he'd be doing.

Davis: Then we shook hands and he said he admired me! Tai: (sarcastic) Oh, come on! Kari: I've never seen you this happy about losing a game! Davis: It wasn't so bad! And guess what! He called me his worthy adversary! I mean, The Rocket practically said I'm just as good as he is! Yolei: (tugging Poromon's face) I can't believe you didn't get me his autograph! Cody: Need a pinch?

Cody's stuck on that pinch and it's starting to get weird.

T.K.: That sliding block you did was ultra-cool, Davis! Kari: Yeah, cool! DemiVeemon: It made my toes tingle! Davis: You know what I predict? I betcha that Ken and I are gonna be on the same championship team some day! Tai: I think you're getting ahead of yourself. Maybe you ought to try something first: How about you try scoring at least one goal against him! Davis: Ugh... Very funny, Tai, but I guess you got a point. I'll have to try that....

I would say, "Sorry, Davis, but Yolei already called dibs; We've talked about this".

But. Uh.

The shippers have spoken.

The dub gives Ken some silence-breaking dialogue for his parting shot.

Ken: Hehehehehehe.... Ken: (thinking) Go ahead. Laugh while you are still able. For the time draws closer to when you shall bow before me. No one is my equal, as you shall find out soon!

From there, they agree that their second commercial should go here.

The next day, in Computer Club, Miyako has something very important to talk to Daisuke about.

Miyako: Daisuke. Hold out your right hand. Daisuke: Ehhh!?

He has no idea what's going on, but he complies.

Daisuke: Like this? Miyako: If I hold this hand, then it will be like I'm shaking hands with Ichijouji Ken-kun.

Miyako reaches for Daisuke's hand and gets almost to the point of skin on skin contact before she recoils and pulls back.

Miyako: No! I can't!

Cut to outside the school, where students can be seen walking home. Miyako screams so loud it can be heard from all the way out here.

Miyako: MY STRONG PERCEPTION WON'T ALLOW ME TO SHAKE HANDS WITH DAISUKE!!! Daisuke: @_@ .... Takeru: What is going on over there?

The disastrous yet inevitable consequences of combining Love and Purity into a single character, that's what. Poor Daisuke just walked into this room and got yelled at for being undesirable. XD It's gonna be that kinda day, huh?

In the dub:

Yolei: Gimme your hand! Davis: Why!? Yolei: I'll tell you why: Because I said so! Davis: Huh!? (Davis holds out his hand) Davis: (reluctant) Here ya go.... Yolei: Since you shook hands with Ken, if I shake hands with you, it will be almost like I'm shaking hands with him! (Yolei tries, but pulls back) Yolei: Ugh! Oh, I can't do it! It's not the same! (Exterior shot of the school) Yolei: I'll wait to shake hands with my beloved in person. Cody: (sarcastic) Oh, brother.... T.K.: Just what are you doing, Cody?

Awkward. Yolei refuses to tell Davis why she wants him to hold out his hand only to immediately explain herself anyway one line later.

They don't use the gag of Miyako screaming about Daisuke's undesirability so loud that the entire building can hear it, so the exterior shot of the school ends up being a weird, random cut.

Then, because they didn't have Yolei scream all of a sudden, T.K. has nothing to react to. So instead he asks for an update on Cody's activities at the computer, while clearly not looking at Cody at all.

Suddenly, a beep at the computer alerts Iori to new activity.

Iori: What's this? Upamon: Iori, what's wrong dagyaa? Iori: Take a look at this.

The map shows a single black square amidst an ocean of white squares.

Hikari: He put a Dark Tower in a place like this? Takeru: That wasn't there yesterday.

Behind them, Daisuke remains frozen in confusion while Miyako stares down his hand, steeling her resolve.

Iori: He must have built it last night. Takeru: What's this area like? Iori: (English) "Death Valley". (Japanese) Which means it's called 死の谷 Shi no Tani. Upamon: But there's nothing there dagyaa. Hikari: Why is it in the middle of nowhere? Takeru: What is the Digimon Kaiser planning to do there? Iori: He may be establishing a foothold, which he can then use to expand his territory outwards. Takeru: We should do something about that now! Hikari: Yeah! Takeru: LET'S GO, DAISUKE-KUN!!!

Daisuke remains where we left him, with Miyako trying to bring herself to touch him.

Miyako: Mrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh.... Daisuke: Could you hurry up and decide?

XD At least he's a good sport about it.

The dub doesn't have the sudden alert chime. It does have T.K. prompting Cody about his activities, but Cody doesn't respond like he's answering T.K.'s question.

Cody: I can't believe it! Upamon: You're dreaming! Let me pinch you! Cody: It's a Control Spire! Kari: What's it doing there!? Gatomon: Controlling. Spiring. The usual. Cody: It must have been built overnight. Amazing.... T.K.: So just where is it located? Cody: I'm not sure. This map doesn't list the points of interest. Upamon: It's the Forbidden Valley of No Return. Kari: Why do bad guys always name things like that? T.K.: It's in the job description. It's right after really stinky breath. Cody: Even if this place was called the Valley of Duckies and Bunnies, with a Control Spire there, there's trouble. T.K.: We've got to destroy it before it's used to control all the Digimon, yeah? Kari: (gasp) Right! T.K.: What are we waiting for!? LET'S GO, DAVIS!!! (No urgency from Davis and Yolei) Yolei: .......... Davis: Are you really sure about this? Digi-Port Open.

The dub kids treat this like it's an ordinary Control Spire situation. We lose both:

Why we shouldn't care: It's in the middle of nowhere. There's nothing there for the Kaiser to threaten. Why we should, actually: The Kaiser might use it as a staging ground to invade other territories.

Scrubbing both of these elements balances to zero and leaves us right back at business as usual. "The Emperor is setting up shop in some random place and we should go stop him."

I really like Davis awkwardly giving the deployment phrase.

The Chosen Children cross over and enter Death Valley. It's a barren, lifeless desert. Utterly unremarkable save for the Dark Tower in the distance and the Gate television they came from.

Hikari: There really is nothing here. Daisuke: (spotting the tower) There it is! Takeru: Still, we can't get careless. We don't know where the enemy might be hiding. Iori: That's true.

The children make their way across the desert, keeping an eye out for where the attack might come from. Unfortunately, they don't consider down. Miyako and Hawkmon suddenly plunge into the ground, vanishing in a second.

Miyako: WAUGH!!! Hikari: Miyako-san! Tailmon: Hawkmon!

Then it takes the rest too. Hikari, Takeru, and Iori vanish into the earth, along with their Partner Digimon.

Group: AHHHHH!!! Daisuke: W-What the... What just happened!? V-mon: Careful, Daisuke! This might be the enemy's trap!

I'd place good odds on that. Leaving Daisuke and V-mon topside, the rest of the team plunges into a mysterious dark abyss.

Group: AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Takeru: WHAT'S HAPPENING!?!?

In the dub:

Kari: Wow, this Valley sure does look Forbidden alright. Davis: A few Duckies and Bunnies would spruce it up!

XD That got me.

T.K.: Come on, quit kidding around! The Digimon Emperor could be around here anywhere so stay sharp! Cody: Let's stay together.

As they start walking, the team's given some extra dialogue to break the silence.

Yolei: I think this valley is kind of quaint and homey. Davis: More like homely! Kari: Quiet, you guys. We don't want the Emperor to hear us coming. (Yolei vanishes) Yolei: WHOA!!! Kari: I bet he heard that. Gatomon: My gosh, they're gone! (The rest of the group vanishes except Davis) Group: WHOA!!! Davis: GUYS!!! Did you see that, Veemon? You okay? The ground just ate our friends! Veemon: Maybe it will swallow us next! (Cut to the dark abyss) Group: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Takeru does have lip flaps for the very short line they cut from him during the fall, but it happens so fast that you probably won't notice if you aren't looking for it.

The extra dialogue is cute. I do feel like they missed an opportunity here to have the ground eat Yolei while she's talking about how it's actually kind of nice here.

Davis and Veemon flatly explaining the tension to each other loses me, though.

Up topside, Daisuke digs frantically in the sand to try and get to the rest of his team.

V-mon: Daisuke, shouldn't we contact Taichi and the others!? Daisuke: No! That would take too long! Worthless piece of shit Digimon Kaiser! Kaiser: (disembodied voice) You seem to be in a lot of trouble. Daisuke: Ah!

Apparently the secret incantation to make the Digimon Kaiser appear is to curse him out. That explains why he seems to be everywhere in the Digital World.

Daisuke: DIGIMON KAISER!!! IS THIS YOUR HANDIWORK!?!? Kaiser: I've taken custody of your precious nakama. You'd better come quickly if you ever want to see them again.

Daisuke and V-mon break into a sprint, gunning it for the Dark Tower. with Daisuke cursing some more while they run.

Daisuke: GODDAMMIT!!!

Finally, they cross the sands and reach a rockier set of hills where the Dark Tower is mounted. They climb the first rocks and find the Kaiser waiting above.

Daisuke: DIGIMON KAISER!!! Kaiser: Huhuhuhuhu... Thank you for coming all this way.

For real, I half expected him to have a makeshift soccer field set up like, "Apropos of nothing I CHALLENGE YOU!!!" Etemon used to have one; We could repurpose that. XD

The dub, of course, will not let Davis swear like that.

Veemon: I think you better call Tai to help us out. Davis: No way, Veemon! That will take way too long! Help me dig before we find more trouble! Emperor: (disembodied voice) More trouble has found you! Davis: Huh!?

Okay, that's a sick line. A+

Davis: Digimon Emperor, what have you done!? Where are my friends!? Emperor: Your friends, as you call them, are here with me. Come and see for yourself if you dare.

As Davis and Veemon take off running, they're again given some extra dialogue to break the silence.

Davis: Run, Veemon! The ground could open up and swallow us at any second! Veemon: I wanted to start getting some more exercise but running for my life wasn't what I had in mind! Davis: I'm more worried about our friends right now! Veemon: We're coming! (Davis and Veemon crest the lower rocks) Davis: The Emperor's voice came from this direction! Veemon: I hope so! Whew! Davis: There he is! You're gonna get it! Emperor: Huhuhuhuhu! (sarcastic) Oh, I am so scared!

...I think Davis has failed to make the connection between the pitfall traps and the Emperor's challenge. XD He's dim, it's fine.

Daisuke: WHERE ARE THEY!?!? Kaiser: Can't you see them right in front of you? Daisuke: What?

The Kaiser raises his right arm to the side, drawing Daisuke's attention to a nearby land bridge. The rest of his nakama and their Digimon are all tied up and dangling from the bridge.

Most of the Digimon are tied simply with bindings around their midsection. But for some reason, Patamon's wings are bound separately and then the Kaiser stuffed the rest of him in a bag.

(I'm gonna guess that this is because his Air Shot/Boom Bubble is fired from his mouth.)

Daisuke: GUYS!!! ARE YOU OKAY!?!? Hikari: I'M SORRY, DAISUKE-KUN!!! Takeru: WE GOT CARELESS!!! Iori: BE CAREFUL, DAISUKE-SAN!!! Miyako: (angrily) HURRY UP AND SAVE US, DAISUKE!!!

Everyone else is worried and apologetic but Miyako's like, "Get me the fuck down from here before I spit on you from range."

In the dub:

Davis: LET MY FRIENDS GO!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THEM!?!? Emperor: Take a look! Your friends are at my mercy! And so, it would appear, are you. (Emperor draws Davis's attention to the dangling team) Davis: OH NO!!! GUYS!!! Kari: DAVIS, SAVE YOURSELF!!! T.K.: RUN!!! YOU CAN STILL ESCAPE!!! Cody: DON'T TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE EMPEROR!!! Yolei: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!?!? SAVE ME!!!

Rather than apologizing, Kari and T.K. encourage Davis to abandon them to their fates. Cody offers tactical advice, while the gag of Yolei having a very different reaction to the rest of them makes it through.

Unfortunately, this isn't the full extent of the Kaiser's trap.

Daisuke: I'LL GET YOU DOWN RIGHT NOW!!! Kaiser: STOP RIGHT THERE!!! Aren't you worried about the lives of your nakama? Daisuke: What!? Kaiser: COME OUT, DELTAMON!!!

The mountain behind the land bridge suddenly explodes, revealing the colossal Digimon that's been lying in wait.

Deltamon is an Adult-stage Virus-attribute Composite Digimon. Deltamon came from the same evolution tree as Gazimon and Gizamon. A Gizamon that was poorly cared for would become Raremon, but if they were at least trained exceptionally well, they'd become Deltamon.

Narrator: Deltamon! A Dragon-type Digimon with a metal head on their right arm and a skull head on their left. Their special attack is Triplex Force!

The narrator says they're 竜型 Ryuu-gata or "Dragon-type" but the Digimon Analyzer blurb reads 合成型デジモン Gosei-gata Dejimon or "Composite-type Digimon" plain as day. I think Gennai might have licensed this rundown out for the American Izzy to write.

An interesting detail that goes unmentioned in the rundown is that all three heads are separately aware and generally pretty selfish. This is an easy detail to overlook as the other two heads could just as easily be interpreted as decorative blasters or something. Omegamon's Garuru Cannon doesn't have its own distinct consciousness.

Questions for later. Right now, we have a kaiju-sized Digimon to deal with.

Kaiser: It's about time to feed this Deltamon. Your nakama will make for a good meal. Hikari & Miyako: NOOOOOOOO!!!

...I guess Takeru and Iori are fine with it because they don't pipe up.

Daisuke: STOP IT!!! I'LL NEVER LET YOU DO THAT!!! Kaiser: Let me!? Who do you think you're talking to? Their lives are in my hands now. Daisuke: Tch!

In the dub:

Davis: DON'T WORRY, I'LL THINK OF SOMETHING!!! Emperor: Think fast! Davis: Huh!? Emperor: Your time is running short. Whoops, time's up! Haha! Davis: Oh no! Nrgh! Emperor: AWAKEN, DELTAMON!!!

That Davis takes the Emperor at face value when he says "time's up" and reacts before there's anything to actually react to is amazing.

Veemon: Maybe it's a Ducky or a Bunny! (Deltamon explodes from the mountain) Davis: OH NO!!! Just what is that thing, Veemon!?

Goddammit, Veemon. That got me again. XD Getting a lot of mileage out of Cody's flippant observation.

Veemon: (rundown) Deltamon is a Dragon-type Digimon with a metal head for one hand and a skull for the other! His attacks are Triplex Force and Serpent Bite! Emperor: What luck that you all dropped by. See, it's Deltamon's dinner time and I think eating all of you will make a well-balanced meal, don't you!? Daisuke: Oh no you won't! I'll never let let you get away with this! Emperor: It appears that you have no choice! If you want me to show mercy, you must beg for it! Davis: Huh!?

See what you did, Gennai? Now the Americans think this is a Dragon Digimon too. Go to the timeout corner.

Apart from the Japanese script tricking the Dub Team into regurgitating bad info, this is all pretty solid. Though they do start the "beg for it" bit early, which has some subtle characterization effects.

There is one funny thing though. They kept the name Triplex Force which will be convenient for dealing with lip flaps later but renamed Skull Fang, Deltamon's other attack which is listed on their Digimon Analyzer readout but will not be used in this episode. They brought it up just to rename it. Okay, guys. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

...oh hey, the shrug emoji's face is the letter tsu in Katakana. Neat.

Sorry. ADHD.

Now that their predicament is clear, it's time for the Kaiser to lay out his conditions.

Kaiser: If you want to save them then, let's see... Why don't you kneel before me? V-mon: Do what!?

Daisuke does it immediately and without hesitation.

V-mon: Daisuke...? Daisuke: Please. Let them go. Kaiser: "Please"? How about "I beg you".

Daisuke bows low, in supplication.

Daisuke: I beg you. Please let them go. Kaiser: (enjoying this) V-mon! Step on his head! V-mon: Ehhh!? Daisuke: It's fine. Do it, V-mon! V-mon: But-- Daisuke: Everyone's lives depend on us, so hurry up and do it!

V-mon swallows down his reluctance and does it, stepping down on the back of Daisuke's head.

V-mon: Sorry. I'm sorry, Daisuke. Kaiser: Hahahahaha HAHAHAHAHA!!!

Here we see the extent of Daisuke's loyalty to his nakama. For their sakes, he swallows his pride without hesitation.

In the dub:

Emperor: You heard me, pathetic loser. On your knees and beg! "Please, Master, spare my friends." Davis: Ugh. (Davis kneels) Veemon: Don't, Davis.... Davis: Please, Master, spare my friends. Emperor: "Please, Master, spare my worthless friends." Davis: (bows low) Please, Master, spare my worthless friends. Emperor: That's excellent! Now, Veemon, restrain him! I command you! Veemon: NEVER!!! Grrrrr grrrrrrrrrr.... Davis: It's okay, Veemon. Do what he says. Veemon: Davis.... Davis: Do it for the others. If it will save our friends, obey the Emperor. (Veemon steps on Davis's head.) Emperor: Hahahahahahahahaha!

It's a minor nitpick, but starting the "beg me" bit a line early means Davis does actually have to overcome some hesitancy here. We don't get the same effect where Daisuke just drops down and does it on the spot.

Still, the heart of this moment rings true. We still see how dedicated and loyal Davis is to the others.

The one issue here is that the Emperor says to "restrain" Davis but. Like. Stepping on his head isn't doing much to restrain him, so that's awkward. Especially when Veemon lets Daisuke up a moment later.

Kaiser: This is so pitiful to watch, I actually will show mercy. Daisuke: Really!? Kaiser: But, it can't be everyone. Daisuke: (gasp) Kaiser: Deltamon is very hungry after having to wait for so long. I'll only spare one person. Your choice. Daisuke: What!?

Deltamon roars, waiting for Daisuke's choice.

Daisuke: Then... Only one person....

The Kaiser holds up a small hourglass.

Kaiser: You have until the sand runs out to make your choice. If I don't have your answer by then, they all die. Hikari: DAISUKE-KUN!!! I'LL BE FINE!!! CHOOSE SOMEONE ELSE!!! Takeru: I'LL SACRIFICE MYSELF; PICK SOMEONE ELSE!!! Miyako: I DON'T WANT EVERYONE ELSE TO DIE!!! I DON'T WANT TO BE THE ONLY ONE SPARED!!! Iori: WE WILL RESPECT YOUR DECISION, DAISUKE-SAN!!! Daisuke: W-What do I do? Who do I choose...?

It honestly speaks well of Daisuke that he doesn't immediately and reflexively pick Hikari.

In the dub:

Emperor: Seeing you squirm is so delicious. You're so entertaining, maybe I should take pity on you. Davis: Yeah? Emperor: As you can see, Deltamon has only three mouths but there are four children. Therefore, you may have one. Sadly, I cannot spare them all. Choose who will be spared.

I love that rationale for only sparing one. That's clever. A+

Davis: So I have to choose!? (Deltamon roars) Davis: I can't do it! How do I pick one over the others!? (Emperor holds up an hourglass) Emperor: This must be done delicately. Delicately! You have until the sands run out to choose. And it isn't long, pretty boy. It isn't long! Kari: DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME!!! SAVE ONE OF THE OTHERS!!! T.K.: GET OUT OF HERE, DAVIS!!! GO AHEAD, SAVE YOURSELF!!! Yolei: OH SURE, MAKE ME LOOK BAD!!! FINE THEN, DON'T SAVE ME!!! Cody: WHATEVER YOU DECIDE TO DO, DAVIS, WE TRUST YOU!!! SO THINK OF SOMETHING!!! Davis: I, uh... I just don't know what I should do! The sand's running out! How am I supposed to choose only one of my friends and sacrifice all the rest!?

I also really like Yolei's line here. Caving to social pressure is a good way of explaining her jump from "GET ME THE FUCK DOWN" to suddenly offering herself up to be eaten like Kari and T.K.

While Daisuke is paralyzed with indecision, the sand in the hourglass counts down.

Kaiser: Better hurry up before the sand runs out. Daisuke: I... I.... Kaiser: Are you just going to abandon your nakama? (amused) Guess they aren't your friends. Daisuke: I...! Fuck! FUCK!!! Kaiser: Hahahahaha! Kaiser: (thinking) You wounded my pride. This anguish is exactly what you deserve.

Yeah, in case it wasn't already obvious, the Kaiser's inner monologue states it outright. This is revenge for Daisuke intercepting one of his shots in the soccer match. All of this is because he didn't get to make that tenth goal.

Clearly, Ken is the real victim here.

In the dub:

Emperor: Like sands in the hourglass, so are your friends' lives. Davis: I just, I... I can't do it! Emperor: Will you throw all their lives away? Is that what you call friendship!? Davis: THEY'RE ALL MY FRIENDS!!! Davis: (thinking) Kari! T.K.! Cody! Yolei! Davis: AUUUUUUUGH!!! Emperor: Hahahahahaha! Emperor: (thinking) You brought this on yourself. You made me look like a fool! Now you must suffer!

Solid. The dub's doing a pretty good job of handling the sadistic choice with all the dramatic gravitas that it deserves. And, contrary to several previous episodes, are playing Davis completely straight.

Kaiser: Time's up.

Kaiser: Chosen Children! YOU MAY DIE RESENTFUL OF MOTOMIYA DAISUKE!!!

He finally knows one of their names and this is what he does with it.

Daisuke: WAIT!!! TAKE ME INSTEAD OF THEM!!! Kaiser: YOU ASK FAR TOO MUCH!!! BUT I'LL GRANT YOUR WISH!!! DELTAMON!!!

Deltamon's heads all turn together away from the children. Now they advance on Daisuke instead.

In the dub:

Emperor: AND NOW, DIGIDESTINED, IT'S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE!!! Davis: WAIT, TAKE ME INSTEAD OF THE OTHERS!!! Emperor: Hmm... YOU THINK YOU CAN SATISFY HIS HUNGER!?!? ALRIGHT THEN!!! DELTAMON!!! T.K.: LOOK OUT, DAVIS!!!

Helpful. Thanks, T.K.! I'll be careful where I step!

Daisuke and Veemon freeze up as Deltamon advances. The colossal monster stomps towards them and--

--suddenly stumbles when their massive foot collapses a sinkhole underneath.

Kaiser: What!?

Digmon emerges from the dust cloud.

Daisuke: Digmon!? Horusmon: V-MOOOOOOOON!!!

Horusmon, Pegasmon, and Nefertimon fly in from the rear.

(Horusmon flies by) V-mon: Horusmon! (Nefertimon flies by) V-mon: Nefertimon! (Pegasmon flies by) V-mon: Pegasmon!

The other four children then arrive on foot, catching up to Daisuke.

Takeru: DAISUKE-KUN!!! We're all safe! Daisuke: Guys!? Then what are--

The jig is up. All of the dangling captives transform back into their true forms: Those shapeshifting impersonators, the Bakemon.

Bakemon is an Adult-stage Virus-attribute Ghost Digimon. We saw a lot of them during the Vamdemon arc. They were pretty much the default Nightmare Soldier of Vamdemon's forces. They also featured in Jou and Sora's duo episode for the initial File Island arc.

By this point, their capabilities as bakemono, supernatural shapeshifters who pretend to be other things in order to deceive humans, are well-established. This was pretty clever of the Kaiser; I guess he's been brushing up on his Digimon after Gomamon embarrassed him.

Narrator: Bakemon! A Ghost Digimon whose head is covered by a cloth. Their true identity is shrouded in mystery. Their special attack is Hell's Hand!

Yeah, turns out this was just the meanest prank. The Kaiser wasn't actually going to execute 4/5 of the human kids; He was just weaving an illusion to traumatize Daisuke. This whole trap was just so he could flex on Daisuke for a bit and feel better about himself.

In the dub:

Veemon: Davis! If you've been holding back and planning a surprise attack, now would be a good time to yell "Surprise!" Emperor: Haha! (Deltamon stumbles into the sinkhole) Davis: Surprise? Veemon: Very funny! Emperor: What's going on!? Digmon: Surprise? It isn't even my birthday! Davis: It's Digmon! Huh!

Really should listen to the original lines when dubbing audio to get the delivery down right. This line is supposed to be a confused WTF "It's Digmon!?" Because, y'know, this character currently exists in two separate places. That's weird and surprising.

But Davis delivers it with a jubilant "It's Digmon!" Like. Yay! Digmon is here! He made it! The only indication that there's anything weird about that is the little "Huh!" at the end of it.

Halsemon, Nefertimon, and Pegasusmon: INCOMING!!! (Halsemon flies by) Veemon: Pegasusmon! (Nefertimon flies by) Veemon: Halsemon! (Pegasusmon flies by) Veemon: Nefertimon!

...

(face palm)

Veemon calls them all out as they fly in, like he does in the original script, but he calls them all by the wrong names. What the fuck, Dub Team.

Obviously, this is a sorting error. It's supposed to go Horusmon, Nefertimon, Pegasmon but instead they have Pegasusmon, Halsemon, Nefertimon. Pegasusmon got moved to the front of the list by mistake.

But. Fuck, that is embarrassingly sloppy. Again, I am left baffled by the fact that they clearly didn't watch the finished episodes of their show just once before releasing them to broadcast.

T.K.: It's an illusion! We're alright! Davis: But if you're here, who's that!? (The Bakemon reveal their true selves) Yolei: Eww, gross! Davis: What are those things!? Veemon: (rundown) Despite their obvious dental hygiene problems, Bakemon are able to accurately impersonate any other creature! Their attack is called the Dark Claw!

I would have had T.K. or Kari do the rundown since they have so much experience with these things, but this works too.

V-mon: They were just Bakemon! Kaiser: YOU FUCKWIT!!!

Wormmon finally enters the scene, crawling meekly over towards the Kaiser.

Kaiser: Why couldn't you hold them off just a little while longer!? Wormmon: Sorry, Ken-chan.... Daisuke: What a cowardly trick! Let's go, V-mon! V-mon: Got it, Daisuke! Daisuke: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Fladramon Armor Evolves, which is great for him but the fight's happening in the air right now.

Kaiser: GO, BAKEMON!!! FORMATION A!!!

The Bakemon cluster together and advance as a unit. But then, as they approach Horusmon, Nefertimon, and Pegasmon.

Kaiser: FORMATION C!!!

At his command, the Bakemon split into three groups of three. Where the ninth came from is beyond me since there should be four for the Children and four for the Digimon. They circle rapidly as they advance, disorienting their opponents.

Kaiser: (English) ATTACK!!!

The Bakemon suddenly attack at once, pummeling the Partner Digimon.

In the dub:

Veemon: He made the Bakemon look like our friends! Emperor: I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! YOU DUMB BAKEMON!!! I HAD THAT KID RIGHT WHERE I WANTED HIM!!! Wormmon: (whining) It's not my fault...!

They have the Emperor yell at the Bakemon instead of at Wormmon, only for Wormmon to then react as if he were the one being yelled at anyway.

Davis: I can't believe he pulled that trick on me! Go get him, Veemon! Veemon: It will be my pleasure. Davis: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Veemon Armor Digivolves to Flamedramon) Emperor: BAKEMON, YOU GAP-TOOTHED FOOLS!!! ATTACK!!! (The Bakemon approach the Partner Digimon as a cluster) Emperor: NOT ME, THEM!!! (The Bakemon split up) Pegasusmon: HERE THEY COME!!! Halsemon: They're everywhere. Nefertimon: Like mosquitos! Emperor: ATTACK THEM!!! (The Bakemon pummel the Partner Digimon) Davis: I never saw mosquitos do that!

They fucked this up so bad. The point of the formations here is to callback to Ken's "Last Formation D", the movement that nearly scored his tenth goal before Daisuke intervened. Ken is leading the Bakemon the same way he leads his soccer team.

They cut the formations from the soccer match and they cut them out again here. Instead, they replace them with a bumbling minions joke that doesn't even work, because the animation clearly shows the Bakemon approaching the enemy before Ken cuts in with "Not me!" Zero effort went into this gag.

They took out a deliberate parallel and replaced it with a stock Cartoon Supervillain gag that doesn't fit the animation.

Watching the Bakemon attack, Takeru offers his assessment.

Takeru: The Digimon Kaiser! He's keenly aware of where his enemies and allies are at all times, and he's using that to call out effective instructions! Daisuke: The Digimon Kaiser, huh?

While everyone's focused on the fight, Daisuke slips away from the group.

Fladramon: KNUCKLE FIRE!!! Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Kaiser: FORMATION F!!!

Fladramon and Digmon cut loose with fireballs and flying drills. But at the Kaiser's command, the Bakemon all back off in unison, evading every last shot.

Kaiser: And next is-- Daisuke: YAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

Out of nowhere, Daisuke tackles the Kaiser, throwing them both off the edge of the hillside and sending them tumbling down together.

Wormmon: KEN-CHAAAAAAN!!!

Yell that a little louder, why don't you?

In the dub:

T.K.: The Emperor is controlling them! The Dark Rings the Bakemon are wearing are the key! He's ordering them around like a general leading his army! Davis: Not for long! I'm gonna get that guy!

Credit for recognizing the important parallel to the soccer game here. T.K. compares the Emperor to "a general leading his army" just like he did for Ken back at the game. But since they cut out all the strategic assessment of Ken's abilities, all they have to support it is an awkward re-explanation of how Dark Rings work announced as if it were a shocking realization.

Flamedramon: RRRGH!!! Digmon: HRR EUGH!!! Halsemon, Nefertimon, & Pegasusmon: AHHHH!!! Emperor: BAKEMON, FINISH THEM!!!

I don't know why they don't call their attacks but just make grunting exertion noises.

That said, XD The animation for Fladramon and Digmon unloading on the Bakemon is super janky and honestly looks like they're shooting at Horusmon, Nefertimon, and Pegasmon. So the dub has the three of them react to being friendly fired at and it's amazing.

WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE

And then we whiplash right back into shit, as the order for the Bakemon to back off and avoid the attack is inexplicably "Finish them".

The fact that all of the Kaiser's commands are just the English words "Formation [Letter]!" seems to have stumped the Dub Team when they got the translated script.

Emperor: I have them now. Davis: NEVER!!! (Davis tackles the Emperor) Wormmon: I'll stay and guard the hill!

Not sure if that's meant to be a Star Wars reference but it does feel like a Star Wars reference. Comparing Ken to Darth Vader is... Yeah, that's fair.

Sliding down the hillside, Daisuke wrestles with the Kaiser, using the Kaiser like a sled. The Kaiser seems remarkably nonchalant about it so that cape must be really good for tumbling.

Daisuke: I won't be beaten by a hostage-taking coward like you! Kaiser: I'm on a completely different level from all of you! I'm a genius! Daisuke: Who cares!?

Once they reach the bottom of the hill, the Kaiser uses their momentum for a skillfully-executed throw, tossing Daisuke across the chasm.

Daisuke: WAUGH!!! Kaiser: DELTAMON, TRIPLEX FORCE!!!

Deltamon charges up the attack with all three of their heads, leveled straight at Daisuke.

Kaiser: Goodbye, Motomiya Daisuke-kun.

Yeah, the Kaiser so far has been out to capture or force the Chosen Children into surrender. But he's out for blood this time. He is unambiguously about to kill Daisuke.

In the dub:

Davis: You tried to take over the Digital World and destroy me!? Well, I'm taking you with me!

The dub takes its third commercial break here, with Davis and the Emperor sliding down the hill. We return on Davis talking again.

Davis: You call yourself the Digimon Emperor!? What's with that!? Emperor: I am a genius! I cannot lose to a child like you! Davis: Like me!? You are like me! (Emperor throws Davis off at the bottom of the hill) Davis: You're a kid just like us! Emperor: I THINK NOT!!! DELTAMON, TRIPLEX FORCE!!! (Deltamon charges up the attack) Emperor: SAY GOODBYE!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Dub's still pushing that point that for all his grandeur, the Emperor is just another kid. And I appreciate them for that.

They also don't softball this moment. Ken is going for the throat here even in the dub.

Where the dub is weaker is that, again, we don't have the Emperor saying Davis's name. It's such a twist of the knife in the original. Daisuke was so happy that Ken remembered his name, and this is what the Kaiser does with it. It's a betrayal of the pedestal that Daisuke's placed Ken on.

Fladramon: NOT SO FAST!!! Daisuke: FLADRAMON!!! Fladramon: We won't lose to anyone! FIRE ROCKET!!!

As Deltamon fires, Fladramon wreathes himself in fire and dives straight down the beam. He closes distance and slams into the Evil Ring around Deltamon's waist, shattering it.

In the dub:

Flamedramon: Hello! Davis: Flamedramon! Flamedramon: Why leave so soon? The party's just starting. FIRE ROCKET!!! Davis: Flamedramon, aim for the Dark Ring!

You know, I'd think Flamedramon would be used to this by now and wouldn't need the guidance. But it doesn't hurt. Last thing we want is to get overenthusiastic and kill one of these guys again.

While the Kaiser's busy with Daisuke, Daisuke's plan proves successful. The Bakemon are disoriented for lack of clear leadership, floating aimlessly around and trying to figure out what to do.

Nefertimon: Without the Kaiser's instructions, the Bakemon are panicking. Pegasmon: Leave this to me and go for the Dark Tower! Nefertimon & Horusmon: Understood!

Nefertimon and Horusmon peel off, leaving Pegasmon behind.

Pegasmon: SHOOTING STAR!!!

Pegasmon's stars cut through the aimless Bakemon, breaking off their Evil Rings en masse. The rest of the team converges on the Dark Tower.

Horusmon: TEMPEST WING!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! Digmon: BIG CRACK!!!

(That second shot isn't misaligned; There's a weird black line that fills in just a tiny bit of the right side of the frame during all three of the stock animation attacks here. No idea what that's about.)

Together, their combined attacks bring the obelisk crashing to the ground.

Chosen Children: HOORAY!!!

See, Ken? This is where smugness gets you. So proud of his super-intelligence but he's also set himself up as the single point of failure. Horusmon, Nefertimon, and Pegasmon were able to adapt to changing circumstances and make plans without their squad captain needing to order them around. That's why they beat his ass just now.

Individual exceptionalism falters in the face of collective cooperation.

In the dub:

T.K.: It's working! The Emperor's power over the Bakemon is weakening! Pegasusmon: It's now or never! This is our chance to attack! (Nefertimon and Halsemon peel off) Pegasusmon: STAR SHOWER!!! (Pegasusmon takes out the Bakemon) Digmon: Target the Control Spire! Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! Digmon: ROCK CRACKING!!! (The team brings down the Spire) Digmon: There she blows! DigiDestined: THEY DID IT!!! Davis: They sure did! Yes!

"The Emperor's power over the Bakemon is weakening"? Uh. Why? Was Deltamon a load-bearing conduit he was routing the Dark Digivice's power through or something?

With the tower brought down, that just leaves Daisuke facing down a now defenseless Digimon Kaiser.

Kaiser: (gently) Unbelievable. To think that I'd be beaten the same way twice. Daisuke: Twice? Kaiser: (smiling) That was a tactical error on my part. I forgot that when your back's against the wall, you stop caring about what's happening around you and just go straight for the leader. Daisuke: What are you talking about!? Ah!

It's at that moment that Daisuke notices a bloody stain on the Kaiser's right ankle

Daisuke: (gasp) That wound on your leg! (realizing) That's impossible. It has to be a coincidence.... Kaiser: It's no coincidence.

The Kaiser stands up, pulling off his dark glasses and revealing his eyes to Daisuke.

Ken: It's exactly what you think. Daisuke: It... It can't be. Ichijouji Ken! Ken: I'll concede defeat for today. But from now on, I'm going to fight you seriously. AHAHA AHAHAHAHA!!!

An Airdramon swoops past out of nowhere. Ken leaps into the air, mounting his Airdramon and vanishing into the sky. Leaving behind a dumbstruck Daisuke struggling to deal with this revelation.

Daisuke: I... I admired you so much.... You're the same age as me, but you're amazing... So why... WHY THE HELL IS THIS HAPPENING!?!?

Poor Daisuke. The funny thing is, Ken wasn't even hiding it this whole time. He reveals his identity himself at the end. He wanted Daisuke to know.

He must have been so disappointed when Daisuke didn't pick up on the subtle hint of name-dropping him twice.

In the dub, Ken isn't as civil and oddly friendly about his defeat.

Emperor: No... NO!!! WHAT WENT WRONG!?!? MY MASTER PLAN WAS INVINCIBLE!!! (smiling) I see I neglected to factor in that you're one of those "all or nothing" types. I can't believe the same person made me look like a fool twice in the same day! Davis: What do you mean, twice? (Davis notices the bloodstain) Davis: Hey, how'd you get that cut on your leg!? ...wait, are you...!? Could you possibly be...!? Emperor: I COULD AND I AM!!! (The emperor stands up and pulls off his glasses) Ken: KEN ICHIJOUJI!!! Davis: WHOAAAA!!! I'm dreamin'! Ken is the Digimon Emperor!? Ken: The one and only. Well, Davis, farewell for now, my worthy adversary. Until we meet again in battle! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Ken escapes on an Airdramon) Davis: I really looked up to you, Ken! I dreamed of being just like you some day. Now that I know you're my sworn enemy, all I can say is... And I mean this... YOU CAN KEEP YOUR CRUMMY AUTOGRAPH!!! Narrator: Now that Ken's secret is revealed, can the DigiDestined find a way to defeat him? Keep watching Digimon: Digital Monsters!

...did you look up to him? I sure didn't get that impression. The way I remember it, you were just hyped because you thought if you could beat him, you'd win over all of his fangirls.

This kinda blends into the Assessment so we'll just put this here.

Assessment: This ending continues to be loaded with callbacks. Ken basically repeats the same parting line he gave Davis at the soccer game. They understood the assignment; I just don't think they did a very good job executing it.

The eerie civility from the original is completely lost, despite that being so critical to the heart of this episode that it's literally titled for it. "The Loneliness of the Digimon Kaiser." That's what this episode is about.

Somewhere inside of him, Ken kinda likes Daisuke. He's lonely. There's a part of him that wants to connect. That wants to be friends and rivals and all those things with this kid.

It's why he goes to all the trouble of revealing himself. There's no pragmatic purpose to that. Ken gains nothing by letting Daisuke in on the ironic symmetry. He just. He wants Daisuke to know that it's him. He wants their relationship to be Daisuke and Ken, not Daisuke and the Digimon Kaiser.

But this is all stuff that he doesn't know how to process. He can't even connect emotionally to his Partner Digimon. And so he expresses himself in the only way he knows how: Through violence, domination, and destruction of an enemy.

Ken is, and I mean this in the best way, a My Little Pony villain.

While the dub goes for, in his own words, a "Worthy Adversaries" rivalry. Davis has earned Ken's respect as an enemy, but that's as far as they go. For the dub, this episode is just about the revelation of Ken's identity. It goes no deeper than that.

...and also Iori definitely has a doomed crushed on Miyako. Poor kid.

#digimon #digimon adventure 02 #revisiting digimon #revisiting digimon adventure 02

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