#hans kaiser

[germanpostwarmodern]

During the 1950s and 1960s the German Ruhr region was a hotbed of abstract art: artists like Emil Schumacher, Heinrich Siepmann and Gustav Deppe rekindled with the avant-garde and sought to make up for the anti-modern times of National Socialism and war. A lesser-known exponent of abstract art was Hans Kaiser (1914-1982), born in Bochum, autodidact and since 1950 residing in Soest, a middle-sized town on the outskirts of the Ruhr region. Up until his death Soest remained the center of his life and it is also here that he inscribed himself in many ways into the town’s face, most prominently in the form of different stained glass windows for the St. Patrokli church.

Stylistically Kaiser went through a number of changes but one aspect of his style remained persistent, namely a calligraphic, writing-like fastidiousness that is present in both his abstract works and in his portrait drawings.

In 2014 the Kunstmuseum Bochum under the title „Hans Kaiser - Imaginäre Räume“ dedicated an exhibition to Kaiser’s so-named „Losschreibung“, i.e. the development of his specific artistic language: as a result of the disentanglement from the image and the simultaneous discovery of writing as the form of conveying the meaning of words Kaiser created imaginary spaces that point beyond language and meaning. The accompanying catalogue in an impressive selection of works from the 1960s up until the 1980s documents Kaiser’s development of imaginary spaces on canvas and paper and demonstrates how the writing-like elements gradually give way to ever deeper spaces made up of colors alone.

In his portrait drawings, as shown in Erich Franz’s catalogue from 2003, Kaiser in turn dissolves the seeming contradiction of abstraction and object by letting the pen „write“ itself into the drawing, a modus operandi that creates obvious parallels between the portraits and abstract works: in both cases writing-like structures provide a self-determined dynamic that is unique to Kaiser’s post 1957 works. At the same time the drawings, unlike the paintings, incorporate the white of the sheet paper and activate them as integrative to the overall dynamic of the portrait and show that Kaiser was in no way afraid of the blank space.

Against the background of the previously discussed qualities and characteristics discussed of Hans Kaiser’s art it is irritating that he is still relatively unknown beyond Soest and the Ruhr region…

[doki-doki-imagines]

Not sure if you take requests but could you write about Shang Tsung (and others) with breeding kink?🙏

feat. Shang Tsung, Bi-Han, Liu Kang, Syzoth (aka the guy I think would be into it)

tw: smut, afab!reader

author note: requests are open! It's been a while since I wrote smut, I hope you'll like these.

Shang Tsung: -He is staining your soul, putting his seed of evil into you. -The thought gives him goosebumps, his right hand keeping your leg up and open wide, while to other play with your nipple and at the same time pushes your back against his front. -The hand that way playing with your chest slides lower, now drawing patterns on your tummy that in a few month will be round and full. -Shang Tsung bites his lower lip, and close tight his eyes, it's a sinful thought that is bringing him too fast to the end. -"Let me cum inside, you want it too right? You always tell me, don't you remember?" He whispers into your ear, voice weavering at each of his thrust in your core. -You seriously don't remember ever telling him that, but you nod, too fucked, too lost in the throes of pleasure to formulate a coherent thought. -"I knew it, you will be an excellent brood mare." He smirks, wide and wicked. -Shang Tsung almost hope he didn't impregnate you this time, the idea so good he wants to try again and again. -Not that he will stop anyway…

Bi-Han: -He is the Grandmaster, you know? He needs heirs! -But Bi-Han isn't doing this to follow orders, his eyes liquid lust while looking at your soft body, phrases way too broken and badly formulated to be of a man following his duty. -"I'll make you full of my cum, I'll fuck you so good-" The sudden grip of your core make Bi-Han stops in his track, lost in the pleasure of your pussy suiting his cock like a glove. -It's not like you are doing any better, legs up his shoulders, hands scratching his biceps the only stable thing to keep you anchored to this moment, mind wandering in the sea of bliss at each of his hard thrusts. -Bi-Han can't stop thinking of your chest, filled to the brim with milk, soft and round begging to be touched, nipples hard desperate for some attention, tummy full of yours and his child. -His mind plays a dirty trick and he cums with just one last thrust, falling on top of you, groaning into your neck, while he fills you with his cum. -"Keep it all in, don't make a single drop fall."

Liu Kang: -He waited his entire life to be in peace and in love. Now it's time to step up the game. -The idea of you carrying his baby, your entire body glowing of happiness make his brain vessels close really fast, blood flowing to his crotch pathetically fast. -That's why now you are on your hands and knees, taking him like a champ, his thrusts hard and fast, the fat of your ass red from the slaps you counted a minute ago, the sound you are both making obscenely lewd. -Liu Kang isn't a gentleman. He is a man with a goal that he needs to accomplish if he doesn't want to become crazy. -Something that you already are, tears running down your face, drool escaping your open mouth, moans escaping freely. -"Please, lemme cum-" You sob "I've been good." You gasp out. -Liu Kang whines after hearing your voice. You always sound so good, and he is too weak to you. -"Take it all, my darling, you can do it. I know it." He prompts you on, close to the end himself. -And you do, not even a sound escapes your mouth, too tired and desperate, total opposite of Liu Kang whom cum into you, an high pitched moan blessing your ears. -You lay down, knees and arms weak after the intense session, trying to stabilise your breath, while your lover stay behind you, pulling out and admiring his work. -Liu Kang notices some cum rolling down your core, so he scoop it up with his index and middle finger to plunge it inside you again, earning him a whine. -"Don't waste any of it, keep it inside. It's holy, you know?"

Syzoth: -He gets a bit insane thinking of you having his kids, honestly. -That's why for the longest time, Syzoth won't say anything and keep this thought for himself, ashamed you may get scared. -But then he finds out you share his kink and his wall drop. But he'll ask to repeat yourself because Syzoth thinks his intrusive thought pulled a bad joke on him. -Syzoth prefers to enjoy his kink when he isn't in "heat", when his mind is a bit more stable and he can control himself a bit more. You tell him he is fine either way, but please respect his decision one step at a time. -Doesn't mean Syzoth won't rock your world anyway; you should know how hot your shy boy is. -Syzoth would bite your neck, tell him if he is being too rough, he may not be in "heat," but the blood isn't pumping only in his brain right now. -Don't tap out! For lizards, it means you are being submissive, and it is like an okay sign to keep going, Syzoth didn't agree on a safe word with you just for fun. -"You are so fucking big-" You turn your head back as best as you can, face still pushed into the mattress, voice almost a little whine "Fill me up, please cum inside!" -Syzoth doesn't have to mind to reply, but he understands enough to act, filling you to the brim, the idea of your full tummy and soft glow the last push he needed.

[bluelocksource]

Blue Lock Egoist Diagnosis quiz results from the official site! (2/2)

click the images 'ALT' for the result translation.

The questions are in Japanese but if you use chrome, you can translate the page.

Here's a quick translation of the questions:

You’re a person who goes at your own pace.

You’re self-centered.

It’s better to make plans early.

You’re able to calmly deal with problems.

You are very curious.

You are impatient.

You are strong-willed.

You are a methodical person.

“I’m No.1”

You can choose either ‘yes/はい’ (the first option) or 'no/いいえ’ (second option) answer.

[gimyung]

when they're a chaotic neutral equipped w a god complex and a mouth running 1000kmph to spout the cockiest and most eccentric shit known to man >>

entp: the real menaces

[nicklloydnow]

“Monarchies are the semi-organic outgrowth of hierarchically structured natural - stateless - social orders. Kings are the heads of extended families, of clans, tribes, and nations. They command a great deal of natural, voluntarily acknowledged authority, inherited and accumulated over many generations. It is within the framework of such orders (and of aristocratic republics) that liberalism first developed and flourished. In contrast, democracies are egalitarian and redistributionist in outlook; hence, the above-mentioned growth of state power in the 20th century. Characteristically, the transition from the monarchical age to the democratic one, beginning in the second half of the 19th century, has seen a continuous decline in the strength of liberal parties and a corresponding strengthening of socialists of all stripes.” - Hans-Hermann Hoppe, ‘Reflections on State and War’ (2006)

[anadorablack]

My Spotify Wrapped makes me stupidly happy. 🥰

[pupsmailbox]

ELDRITCH ID PACK

NAMES︰ abacuc. abholos. abianak. aether. ahoth. aine. alala. alder. amadio. arkham. ba'al. basmach. bast. belial. blank. bonifatius. byagoona. byte. caelestoth. caine. calogerus. chaos. chrodechildis. cipher. clue. cthulu. custodia. cypher. daoloth. darkness. dethal. diaz. ebony. edwyn. elder. eldritch. elm. emereo. enigma. epiphagan. epoch. eternity. fortunatus. godid. habakkuk. han. haze. hitch. hydra. hynos. ieremahel. illuminathia. inpesca. istasha. juniper. kaiser. kallistos. kaos. kaprosistha. keme. kross. lapse. leto. lovecraft. luxoth. lythalia. maya. mechal. melekh. miasma. mirabilis. mirage. morana. mormo. mystery. nctolhu. nctosa. nightmare. nodens. noire. noxia. nyctelios. oddity. oroprimus. oroursus. ortun. oryx. oukranos. pandora. paradox. peregrinus. pseudo. pulse. renatus. rom. rowan. runa. rune. runfrid. sebek. sitheach. spy. sthanee. stitch. stranger. thasaidon. trojan. truth. unoch. user. veil. vibur. void. vulture. wylie. xitalu. yamath. yorith. zycanthe.

PRONOUNS︰ abso/absolute. absolute/absolute. answer/answer. blind/blind. book/book. chao/chao. chaos/chaos. cipher/cipher. claw/claw. clue/clue. code/code. confuse/confusion. corr/corrupt. corrupt/corrupt. cosmic/cosmic. curio/curio. curse/curse. cypher/cypher. danger/danger. dark/dark. death/death. deep/deep. deity/deity. delete/delete. depth/depth. destroy/destroy. dev/devour. devour/devour. diety/diety. doll/doll. dread/dread. eat/eat. eerie/eerie. eld/eld. elder/elder. eldritch/eldritch. en/en. end/end. eon/eon. ero/ero. error/error. eter/eternity. eternity/eternity. eye/eye. faith/faith. fear/fear. find/find. flesh/flesh. forgot/forgotten. glitch/glitche. glow/glow. god/god. hidden/hidden. hide/hide. hint/hint. horr/horror. horror/horror. hunt/hunt. hx/hxm. incompre/hensible. it/it. ix/ix. jolt/jolt. lack/lack. lord/lord. lost/lost. mad/mad. madness/madness. miasma/miasma. myst/myst. old/old. omen/omen. one/one. puppet/puppet. quiet/quiet. raven/raven. read/read. sanity/sanity. see/see. seek/seek. shx/hxr. space/space. spot/spot. spy/spy. star/star. stellar/stellar. step/step. string/string. submit/submission. sui/sui. that/thing. thon/thon. thxy/thxm. track/track. uncanny/uncanny. unknown/unknown. virus/viruse. void/void. what/what. whisper/whisper. ☄️ . 🎭 . 👁️ . 📜 . 🕳️ . 🧠 . 🧿 .

[anadorablack]

Ayant eu la chance de le voir en concert trois fois déjà (quatrième fois en juin... * - * ) je sais que ma sélection va comporter BEAUCOUP de live. <3

I'll try not to choose any of those you chose @redfurrycat. But a lot of yours are in my fave list too. ;)

10 Hans Zimmer compositions I absolutely ADORE:

Spectres in the Fog (The Last Samurai)

My all time favourite. <3 I can't count the number of times I've cried listening to this. It's a lot. XD

2. Electro Suite (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

Kill me by electric guitar. XD

3. Journey to the Line (The Thin Red Line)

Not gonna lie: live, this fucking SLAPS. <3

4. One Day (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End)

Tina Guo, you goddess. <3

5. Is she with you? (Batman VS Superman: Dawn of Justice)

Tina Guo, you goddess 2.0. <3 (Cello Queen)

6. Knights' March (King Arthur)

Yes, you beautiful men in armour, ride. :P

7. Frameshift (X-Men Dark Phoenix)

The movie was shit, the OST was a masterpiece. <3

8. Paul's Dream (Dune)

GOOSEBUMPS FUCKING EVERYWHERE!!!

9. Mombasa Live (Inception)

You chose 'Mombasa' so I had to do you one better. :P

10. Discobombulate (Sherlock Holmes)

This whole OST is bomb. <3

I'll come back to this when I've got my Hans Zimmer tattoo. :P That man has my heart and soul in a chokehold. <3

🎶Special Hans Zimmer List🎶

@anadorablack

Spécialement pour toi. =P

Totally agree with you: there wasn't enough Zimmer music in the tag game post! But I think the shuffling option of the phone is of the opinion that I listen to his music too much! XD

Avant que tu ne dises quoi que ce soit, j'ai retiré de la liste les soundtracks de The Last Samurai et Top Gun: Maverick. C'est hors-catégorie!!!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Here are ten Hans Zimmer OSTs that I love.

King of Pride Rock from The Lion King

Homeland from Spirit - Stallion of the Cimarron

Games from Wonder Woman 1984

160 BPM from Angels & Demons

Driving from Driving Miss Daisy

Opening theme from Mission Impossible II (Bonus featuring Ethan Hunt rock climbing:P)

Monbasa from Inception

Crimson Tide theme from Crimson Tide

Rain Man theme from Rain Man

I Don't Think Now Is The Best Time from Pirates of the Carribean - At World's End

[yunamedkostobot]

How to hit a new line below

I am sorry?

So, the goverment can be corrupt, but their enforcing organization is not and can not can be called out for their mistakes?

I can see the pattern though...

"Freikops was not corrupt, they continued to do their job! So, it is perfectly fine to kill opposition leaders on the streets(Carl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg) without giving them a fair trial!"

"Berlin police was not corrupt, they continued to do their job! So, it's fine to start shooting the peaceful demonstration at May 1929! And of course, Hans Litten is not right for attempting to sue Noske and Zorgiebel for this massacre!"

"Ohio National Guard was not corrupt, they continued to do their job! So, they were justified in attacking anti-war demonstration in Kent University, killing four people, two of whom(Sandra Lee Scheuer and William Knox Schroeder) were not even part of it, and wounding many!"

"West Berlin police at 1968 was not corrupt, they continued to do their job! So, it was fine for them to shoot Benno Ohnesorg, while aiming at Thomas Giefer, and brutally repress people protesting Shah's visit!"

"South Korean army and police at 1980 were not corrupt, they continued to do their job! It was fine for them to start shooting and arresting Gwanju students who were demanding democracy!"

"USA poilce at COVID was not corrupt, they continued to do their job! So, they were fine with strangling already apprehended George Floyd to the death!"

Ironically it stance have one really weak point. It reminds quite a bit of one Nuremberg trial defence, made by no other by Otto Noelte:

Noelte: What was your attitude, as a soldier, officer and general, to the problems you had to face in your profession?

Keitel: I can say that I was a soldier by vocation and conviction. For more than 44 years without interruption, I served my country and people as a soldier (...). I did this with equal dedication under the Kaiser, under President Ebert, under Field Marshal von Hindenburg, and under the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler.

No matter, what goverment, no matter how corrupt, no matter what it did(like allowing Kalee to starve or ignoring Jabiim being attacked by pirates), you should serve and not ask any poignant question! Woah!

Dear Jedi cult, I know how much you love to compare Order 66 to Holocaust, but remmember, please, that references to the World War 2 doesn't stop here.

"Just serving" does not absolve you of your actions. "Just following orders" is not an excuse since 1946, especially in the fiction. Hope it helps.

[mchlgayser]

☆ we've met again ft michael kaiser

synopsis: Four years past since you left and raised his kid alone until fate decides to bring him back to the picture.

─── ୨୧ warning: slight angst

─── ୨୧ notes: Is the fandom dying?? Why hadn't my post gotten as many hype as before lmao! It's sad but anyway I'm back with another drabble to feed you all!! Happy reading everyone xoxo!

You hastily pick up your car key and grab a few of your works essential stuffing them inside your suitcase. Your four-year-old son is by the patio sitting and playing games with his nanny when you tread to him 'Kay, mama had some work to do. I promise I'll be back for dinner. Be a good boy for me and do not cause trouble alright? Have a nice day at school.: He nods putting down his gadget, and wrapping his arms around your neck to hug you 'I love you' You give the side of his head a chaste kiss before letting go.

'I had some leftovers from last night you can use as his lunch and as for the dinner I'll just buy takeouts.' You inform his nanny giving her an advance payment before you left the house.

You drove to your office receiving an unknown call on the way. You pick it up and greet the caller but silence. They said nothing before it abruptly ended. You stare at your phone before shaking your head. It didn't occur to you about anything serious as you continue steering the car and parked at the basement parking lot.

Your secretary, Miss. Juliette is already by the automatic door waiting for you with a clipboard in her hands. You got out of the car and rush to her 'What's my schedule for today?' You punch the elevator button while your secretary notify you about every single of your tasks today.

You got a lunch with one of your important client, a meet -up with your temporary business partners and a dinner with another client -

'Cancel my dinner with Mr. Han. I'm having dinner with Kayden tonight.' Juliette didn't need to be asked twice knowing how firm you can be when it comes to your son. For him, everything comes first. No matter how important your job is. She immediately postponed the dinner meeting to another date before moving along with you to your cabin.

'Do you need your coffee today?' You rapidly nod and start doing your tasks, bringing out works and files so that you can finish faster. 'Make it two, I need extras.' You lend a sweet smile before you got to work.

The clock almost strikes six - just enough time for you to finish all of your work for the day and get the takeouts you ordered online. You pack your stuff and your necessities when your phone rang for the nth times of the day. You didn't think twice before picking up 'Hello?' It was silence... Again before a sharp and low 'Hey' is heard.

You blink in surprise asking them to know who they are but no answer and it ended again. You rolled your eyes and left the room to the car park. Yo throw away your bag in the back seat and resounded the car, cooling off the engine and blowing on some loud music to distract you from the suspicious spam calls.

'Yes, thank you so much! Have a nice day!' You rolled up the window putting down the food beside you on the shotgun seat. You maneuver the car to Kayden's school in silence but the radio.

You arrive at Kayden school's main gate and got out to meet with his teacher 'Hello ma'am. I'm here to pick Kayden up.' She was looking at you back and forth 'A man has already picked him up claiming to be your husband. Kayden went along with him.' You started to panic bringing out your phone and calling his nanny asking her to come by his school and help you look around.

You bow down at his teacher and run around the neighborhood, looking for your son. Thick tears threaten to fall when you look around but find him nowhere.

You call for his name again but are abruptly interrupted when you see a vogue silhouette of your son with a familiar blond and blue streaks hair sitting together on a bench near the playground.

'Kayden!' You yelled his name averting his whole attention toward you 'Mama!' He cries out running your direction to hug your trembling form 'You scared me!' You scolded him with tears now cascading down your cheeks 'I'm sorry...' You sigh tightening your hug and breaking it off after some moments.

You suddenly remembered the familiar blond guy with your son 'And who are you with-'

'He is with me.' The familiar voice brings you out of your trance. You pick Kayden up and rush away but he holds your hand 'I met him already, no need to hide away.' You carefully yank his hand away and sigh.

You put Kayden down and hide him behind you out of instinct.

His irises collided with yours, the identical smile adorning his complexion. 'This weird uncle said that he's my father. I don't believe him because he is so ugly. I don't have an ugly father right, ma? I'm too handsome to be his son.' He absentmindedly roasted his biological father that succeeded to bring a smile and a chuckle from you.

You pull his hand gently and turn to Kaiser 'He got all your traits.' You mentioned bringing confusion written all over Kayden's face.

'You are making my mama cry.' He said creating a dagger on Kaiser 'Am not.' He challenged, his hand on his midriff with his head tilt aside 'You are. If you are my father then you are the reason my mama cried almost every day because... She missed you.' A soft gasp elicited from you, your eyes sheet moist with tears once more.

'Then tell her, she should've not run away.' Kaiser held your hand, one brow furrowing. You push him away and wipe your tears. 'Kayden, stop spouting nonsense.' He huffs and pouts away.

'How do you find out about us?' He shrug 'I had my ways and that is not your concern. Not at all.' He lifts your chin and smirks 'You are still as beautiful as I remember.' You scoff but could not help the bright red hue on your cheeks.

'And I suppose it was you too, the one that's been calling me?' He laughs but nodded 'But I'm sure with my calls it helps to remind you of one thing.'

'And that is...?'

'It would be dangerous for such a gorgeous lady as you to be in a house that's not with your husband.'

'Can you stop flirting with my mama, weird uncle.' Kaiser is about to bite the tongue of his son but you prevent him from doing so 'Kay, I need you to start getting along with this uncle from now on.' He groan cut obligated

'Do you finally accept me back? Oh, and I need an explanation as to why you left. It can't be because of you are pregnant...' You look down at Kayden and ignored his question.

His mouth formed an 'o' shape but then he smiles 'I guess I can forgive you.'

'I think I need some time...' You suddenly mention making Kaiser confused 'About what?' You held his forearm 'About us.'

He nods picking Kayden up and make him yelps in surprise 'Sure. Let's go now little K.'

He places an arm around your waist and the other used to hold Kayden. You smile feeling somehow relieved - Kaiser and Kayden ended up bickering as to who you loves more all the way home and they both get a nice scolding after.

[gachagon]

Is Kaiser really a king or just a thief?

I was thinking a bit more about Kaiser and his backstory, and I revisited that old fable "The Emperor's New Clothes" by Hans Christian Anderson. I was a little mistaken about the meaning of the story since I haven't read it since I was a child, but it's worth mentioning that this isn't just a "folktale" but a fairytale as well and was written by the same guy who wrote The Little Mermaid.

In the story, it's less about the King being naked for everyone to see, and more about how everyone refuses to admit that they can't see this magnificent cloak that the king is wearing for fear that they will be mocked for it. In the story, the two "weavers" are actually thieves who trick the King into letting them make him the finest cloak imaginable, with the added caveat being that anyone who's stupid or foolish can't see the cloak at all. Obviously, however, what's really happening is that every time the king gets them more materials to make said cloak, the thieves just stow it away in a sack for later.

This made me think more about Kaiser's backstory as a thief himself and it's made me wonder if Kaiser's real position in the story has always been that of the thieves and NOT the king who's wearing the invisible cloak. I wrote in my earlier post about Kaiser's backstory that Kaiser is the "Naked Emperor" in that he hadn't realized he wasn't the best on the field until that very match with Isagi. And it makes sense for him to be the "king" metaphorically speaking if we're comparing his experience to the fairytale.

Especially with this newest chapter, where he quite literally learned humility for the first time ever mid match and said "please" to Raichi Jingo of all people.

But after I reread the story and looked back at Kaiser's background and behavior in the last match, it's made me really question him. Was he always the king, or has he always just been the Thief trying to trick everyone?

You could even say that the "second thief" is Ness in this situation, and that with Ness' help he's clawed his way up to a place he doesn't deserve to be at yet. No one around Kaiser want's to really tell him the truth about himself, and he doesn't have any real "friends" outside of Ness. So in a way, he has managed to trick everyone into believing he really is the ace on that team.

I should mention that the Emperor's New Clothes ends with a child telling everyone that the Emperor has no clothes on. The point of the story being that even someone who is completely blind to the world like a child can admit when they cannot see something, unlike the adults in the story who were so afraid of being perceived as foolish that they lied to themselves repeatedly.

Isagi is that kid essentially. He has no relation to Kaiser, and he doesn't care about dethroning him as a "King" since while this rivalry is ongoing, it's not one that's centered around Kaiser himself. He's just a face in the crowd telling it like it is.

Anyways, there's actually like so much more depth to that one panel taunt than I ever realized lol. The doubt that comes with wondering if you deserve your place and title is the entire point of the short story as well. Each person who can't see the "invisible cloak" immediately believes that it must mean they're too foolish for the job the king has given them, so they lie about being able to see the cloak to the King.

I really feel like that can apply to not just Kaiser but also Ness. If Ness really knew Kaiser that well has he been lying about what he's been seeing this whole time to himself? Has he just been keeping his own thoughts about how he really feels about Kaiser to himself? I mean, I know a lot of people think Ness might be the one to leave first and if that's the case maybe this is the answer for why and how it starts.

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x11 - Blue Lightning, Lighdramon / Storm of Friendship

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Ken finally got enough Gym Badges to make Agumon listen to him in battle and took off running with his new main.

We pick up where last episode left off. It's evening now and the Kaiser is rampaging across the Digital World with MetalGreymon. He's still flanked by those three Airdramon, but I guess MetalGreymon got tired of flying around punching rocks 'cause he's marching on foot now.

The Kaiser's moved from standing on MetalGreymon's head to a riding position on his neck. He holds his laptop in one hand while he works. On the screen is the map of the Digital World; Several white squares turn to black.

Kaiser: The Evil Spiral has full control over even the Perfect level. Everything's going according to plan. MetalGreymon: (roar) Kaiser: You want to fight more too, don't you? Good boy.

Linguistic note: The Kaiser here says お前も omae mo before もっと戦いたいのだな motto tatakaitai noda na.

The connective word も mo means "also", basically. MetalGreymon wants to fight more in addition to someone else. Implicitly, this line is the Kaiser admitting that he, the Kaiser, wants to go another round with the Chosen Children too.

As we saw back when he dramatically and pointlessly revealed himself to Daisuke basically just to GG him, I think Ken is enjoying this more than he lets on.

(It's notable that he peaced out with MetalGreymon after beating them last episode, rather than try to finish the job.)

In the dub, the Emperor kicks us off by implying that at least a few days have passed since last episode.

Emperor: Now that I've got my Air Force and my Armor, I'm conquering more and more territories each day. With these new and improved Dark Rings, not only will I control MetalGreymon but all other Digimon as well. MetalGreymon: (roar) Emperor: (pet babytalk) You're ready for a fight now too, aren't you? LET'S GO!!!

The Emperor talks to MetalGreymon the way a pet owner talks to their dog while ruffling their fur, and it's adorable.

From there, we join the Chosen Children, still in the two sailing minecarts we left them in.

A fluttering of gossamer wings alerts them to a new arrival.

Hikari: Ah! Tentomon! Tentomon: Is this where you've been? I've been looking all over! Seems you've had it rough.

Tentomon descends and joins the junior team in the rear cart. As he lands, Iori's D-Terminal sends out an alert tone. Changing shots to view Iori from the front, we see the older boys and Daisuke taking note as well.

Iori: An email from Koushiro-san! Tentomon: What does Koushiro-han have to say? Iori: The Digimon Kaiser is moving south. Yamato: And that means...? Tentomon: That we should stay on course. Taichi: Yes! This time for sure, we're taking Agumon back! Yamato: Yeah! We won't let that jerk have his way! (realizes) Oh yeah. Tentomon, I have a favor to ask. Tentomon: Sure, what is it? Yamato: Could you go find Garurumon? Tentomon: Garurumon, huh? Understood! By all means, leave it to me!

With new instructions, Tentomon takes to the air once more and flies away to carry out Yamato's request.

In the dub:

Kari: (gasp) It's Tentomon! Tentomon: Aaaaaaaaaaall aboard! (Tentomon lands) Tentomon: I just love riding trains! Where's the dining car?

No alert tone, of course. But we'll live. It's hardly a plot-critical sound effect.

Cody: An email from Izzy! Kari: Has he found them yet? Cody: Apparently Ken and MetalGreymon have been seen south of here. Matt: We're on the right track. Tentomon: Well technically, Matt, we're on the only track. Tai: Alright DigiDestined, this time we'll get Agumon back for sure! Matt: Yeah! There's no way that Ken can stop all of us! (realizes) Uh, but, just in case... Tentomon, I need your help. Tentomon: Now!? I was gonna have my shell waxed! Matt: I want you to go and search for Garurumon. Tentomon: Garurumon, huh? Okay! I'll be back in a flash!

Solid. I like that Tai just ignores Tentomon's Um Actually, and the way they handle Matt's "Oh yeah" moment is neat. Matt's gungho about taking on the Digimon Emperor and then suddenly realizes he's, uh, missing something.

Tentomon flies off to fetch Garurumon, but now Daisuke has concerns.

Daisuke: (to Taichi and Yamato) Hey, wait a second. Do you mean we are going to fight MetalGreymon? Taichi: Yeah. Yamato: If we hesitate, then we lose. We have to do what we have to do. Isn't that right, Taichi? Taichi: Yeah. Daisuke: But I... Will I even be able to attack Taichi-san's Digimon? Takeru: But we don't have a choice. Daisuke: Eh? (angry) What was that!? Takeru: I don't like it either but we have no choice! If we don't fight, then there's no way to save Agumon, so there's no other choice! Daisuke: So you're saying we should defeat Taichi's Agumon!? Is that what you mean by "We have no choice, we have no choice"!? Takeru: I'm not saying we defeat him! We can remove the Evil Spiral! Daisuke: But we couldn't do it, could we!? We won't be able to remove the Evil Spiral without defeating the Digimon! Takeru: (stands up) Well that's what Taichi-san has decided! We all have to see this through (ganbaru) together! Daisuke: IT'S THAT EASY, HUH!?!?

Furious, Daisuke leaps into the rear car and grabs Takeru by his shirt.

Of note: They use the toned down 倒す taosu or "to defeat" verb here. The subs translate this as "destroying" Agumon but I'm not 100% sure that's correct. I remember this argument being about killing Agumon, but the line, "We won't be able to remove the Evil Spiral without defeating the Digimon" stands out to me.

If we're just using 倒す taosu as a kid-friendly way of saying "kill", then that's an odd line. We've removed Dark Rings from Digimon without killing them plenty. Pretty much all of them except poor Ebidramon.

So Daisuke's concern may be exactly what it sounds like: He isn't thinking about killing at all. Rather, he doesn't want to hurt Taichi's Digimon. He can't bring himself to throw hands with someone he cares about.

Or we could be talking around a darker conversation about potentially killing Agumon. We'll see. I'm gonna take him at face value for now.

In the dub:

Davis: Hold on a minute. Are you saying you're planning for us to fight MetalGreymon? Tai: Yeah. Matt: With all of us together, I think we stand a chance. There are just some things that have to be done. Am I right, Tai? Tai: Yeah. Davis: I'm not so sure, guys. What makes you think we'll be able to defeat Ken and MetalGreymon? T.K.: What makes you think we can't!? Davis: Who asked you!? T.K.: I'm speaking from experience! We have to fight because, if we don't, we'll never save Agumon! What are you so afraid of, anyway, Davis!? Davis: Who said anything about being afraid!? I just don't want to see Agumon get hurt! That's all, T.S.! T.K.: No one said we have to hurt him! All we have to do is get rid of that Dark Ring! Davis: And how do you propose we remove it!? Especially without hurting Agumon! Any bright ideas under that fancy hat!? T.K.: At least I'm trying, Goggle Head! And don't make fun of my hat! Davis: THAT'S IT!!!

In the dub, this goes a bit off-course as Davis's reluctance comes from a place of fear that they can't win the fight.

I think this might be a mistranslation rather than a conscious change. They may not have understood what he meant when he said he doesn't know if he'll be able to attack MetalGreymon. It's wrong, but I can see how they might have hit an ambiguous line and then spiraled.

Speaking of which, I guess we're referring to the spirals as "Dark Rings" still. Ken did it once before and now T.K.'s saying it. Force of habit maybe?

All the same, they still manage to find their way back to "How do we remove the Dark Spiral without hurting Agumon?" which is the key question here. The main difference is that both Davis and T.K. come off more flawed here. Davis sounds like his chief concern is just that he's scared, while T.K.'s dialogue has a sharper, meaner edge to it; He even provokes Davis twice.

Iori stands by helpless while the sudden violence unfolds. Hikari and Miyako try to pull the boys apart.

Takeru: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!? Hikari: STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!!! Miyako: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!? Taichi: DON'T STOP THEM!!!

Taichi's voice brings everything to a halt. Even Daisuke and Takeru freeze mid-grapple.

Hikari: Why!? Iori: Shouldn't we stop them!? Taichi: (on himself and Yamato) We used to fight a lot too. If we hadn't, we never would have become friends. So it's better to let them fight.

This is pretty standard "boys will be boys" rhetoric. Nobody seems to be buying it, though. The girls release Takeru and Daisuke, but they just stand there looking pissy. No further fists are thrown.

Miyako: "It's better to let them fight"? What's that supposed to mean? Iori: I don't know, but I think there must be some meaning to it. Yamato: Exactly right. You'll understand in time. Taichi: Anyways, we need to go after the Kaiser!

It means these two had a fucked-up childhood and now they think their experience is normal.

With the topic settled, their minecart rolls on southward.

In the dub:

Kari: Stop fighting! Do I have to separate you two like a couple of children!? Tai: LET 'EM FIGHT!!! Kari: Huh? What do you mean? Cody: Isn't that bad for team morale? Tai: When Matt and I were younger, we fought a lot too. But if we hadn't fought all those times, we probably never would have become such good friends! So just let them fight it out of their systems. Yolei: Leave it to boys to think they have to fight to become friends. Cody: Well, I think the best way to make friends is over a good game of checkers. Matt: Sounds great! I get the winner. Tai: Hehe. But for now, what we need to do is catch up to Ken! Matt: Everybody blow! Group: (blowing sounds)

XD The dub kids try to accelerate their minecart by blowing at the sail really hard. A hopeless endeavor but absolutely something children would think up.

The dub plays the "boys will be boys" angle to a T, with Yolei explicitly calling out the gendered advice for what it is.

The dub takes its first commercial break here.

Cutting over to Tentomon, we see new Dark Towers have been erected in various parts of the Digital World. Tentomon comes across one in a desert region filled with rock columns.

Tentomon: The Kaiser's even made it to places like this... EEP!!! DYAHHHH!!!

Realizing he's exposed, Tentomon quickly flutters around behind a column. Down below, he watches a squad of six Pagumon patrol the area, each with an Evil Ring affixed around their left ear.

Tentomon: I have to tell Garurumon as soon as possible!

In the dub:

Tentomon: (calling, singsong) GARURUMOOOOON!!! OH~ GARURUMOOOOON!!! (speaking) Where could he be? (Tentomon finds the Control Spire) Tentomon: Huh. That's either the biggest sundial I've ever seen or it's one of the Digimon Emperor's Control Spires. Hold your horses! (Tentomon hides behind the column and spies the Pagumon) Tentomon: What's that? A squadron of Pagumon and they're all being controlled by those Dark Rings! I'm definitely going to need some backup. I've got to find Garurumon!

Dub Tentomon overtly explains what everything he's seeing is for the benefit of kids at home, while the original leaves it to the audience to be familiar and need no explanation.

Cutting back to the minecart, Iori's D-3 begins beeping with an unexpected signal.

Iori: Huh? Is that.... Yamato: What? (Iori stands up to show the front car) Iori: It's a Digimental's signal! Daisuke: Huh!? A Digimental!? Hikari: Are there more?

They hit the brake, bringing the minecart to a stop beneath a very familiar carving in the cliffside: Yamato's Crest of Friendship.

Yamato: Huh? That Crest...! Daisuke: Should we go? Hikari: Let's go.

It's a small detour but we can use whatever help we can get. And I mean very small 'cause like it's right over there, like twenty feet from the railroad track.

In the dub, Tai's agitated by the failure of our "blowing on the sail" plan.

Tai: Can't this thing go any faster!? (Cody's D-3 starts beeping) Cody: Hey everybody, look at this! (Cody stands up to show the front car) Cody: My D-3 has found a Digi-Egg! Davis: Well, don't just sit there! Hit the brakes! (Minecart comes to a halt) Kids: (wailing) WHOAAAAAAA!!!

They're offscreen but the dub kids implicitly have a very hard time with the cart's sudden deceleration. Particularly Yolei, who wails the loudest.

Yolei: Who could have carved that!? T.K.: Someone with a really big chisel? Matt: It kind of looks like my Crest of Friendship. But why would someone go to the trouble of carving that into the side of a wall?

Valid question that the dub kids are asking. Amazing how accustomed we've become to just nodding along with the Digital World's oddities. Oh, sure, giant sigil of Yamato's crest carved in the cliffside. That might as well be there. Let's go check out what it's pointing us to.

Iori's the only one who has lip flaps for this segment, so the dub was free to have whoever they want say whatever they want. Sadly, we lose Hikari's question, "Are there more!?" which isn't super important but does highlight how surprising this is supposed to be.

All five junior team kids have their Digimentals now. So. Why would there be a sixth? Who would a sixth Digimental even be for?

The dub kids just shrug and go along with it. Check it out, new Digi-Egg just dropped! They're more put off by the wall carving.

Unsurprisingly, following the signal leads the kids straight to that carving.

Iori: So it is coming from here! Daisuke: Is that...!? (Daisuke runs forward) V-mon: What is it? (V-mon follows)

While everyone else was looking up, Daisuke was looking down. He draws everyone's attention to a shallow pit in the ground. Inside is precisely what they were looking for: A new Digimental bearing Yamato's Crest.

Daisuke: It is! Taichi: That's.... Yamato: The Crest of Friendship. Daisuke: Friendship? Taichi: It's the proof of all those fights Yamato and I used to have. Yamato: (affectionately) We'd bicker over the stupidest of things. Daisuke: Fighting can be a proof of friendship? What does that mean? Taichi & Yamato: (exchanging glances) Ehehehe....

Once Taichi and Yamato have finished laying the theme of "Fighting = Friendship" on pretty thick, Iori brings the conversation back to the topic at hand.

Iori: Whose Digimental could this be? Miyako: Are there more kids like us? Yamato: Or it could be mine, like Takeru and Hikari-chan. Taichi: Try lifting it, Yamato. Yamato: Right, I'll give it a try.

Yamato's first up to try.

In the dub:

Cody: I think the Egg's in there! (Davis and V-mon silently run forward to the shallow pit) Davis: Bigfoot was here! Tai: What's down there? Kari: Looks like a flipflop with a bent nail in it. T.K.: Has everyone had a tetanus shot?

In the original, Daisuke's the first to notice the hole and find the Digimental. The dub makes it seem like he was just trying to quip and then got lucky.

Kari and T.K. riff on the Digi-Egg's design but, I mean, that blade sticking out the front of it is pretty freaky.

Davis: It's got that same symbol! Tai: Yep, it definitely has the Crest of Friendship on it, alright. I wonder if it's meant for you, Matt? Matt: Or maybe it's meant for the one with the most friends. Davis: Or maybe it's meant for the one with the fewest friends. Like me. Tai & Matt: (exchanging glances) Ehehehe....

The dub is having none of that "fighting is proof of friendship" stuff this time. They're kinda shitting on Davis here, but this does tie into his arc for the episode.

Cody: Someone should try to pick it up. After all, what's the worst that could happen? Yolei: Well, it could be a trap set up by the Digimon Emperor. Matt: I don't think it would be booby-trapped. After all, it's emblazoned with the Crest of Friendship. Tai: Then I think you should go for it, Matt. Matt: Wish me luck! Just in case.

In the original, the kids continue to circle the topic of who a sixth Digimental would even be for. The dub kids instead discuss the possibility of a trap.

Which... is a possibility worth considering, regardless of what Matt thinks. Rigging a Digi-Egg with traps to screw over the team when they find it or even going so far as to create a fake Digi-Egg are ideas that seem entirely within the realm of possibility.

I'm pretty sure the main thing stopping the Kaiser from doing just that is simply that... I don't think he actually knows about the Digimentals? Like. I don't think he knows what these are or what their connection to Armor Evolution is. The kids are always isolated when they find them, and then the Digimentals nest inside their D-Terminals. I don't think Ken's had a chance to learn about them.

But if he did know, hoo boy, Yolei raises some scary possibilities.

So begins the inevitable Digimental montage of failure.

Yamato is the first to try, but when the Digimental won't come up, they call up the next.

Yamato: (groan) No good. Taichi: Iori, you try. Iori: Oh, uh... yes!

Among the junior team, Taichi pegs Iori for Friendship first. He fails. Next!

Yamato: Taichi, you try it. Taichi: Me?

That would be wild, but no dice.

Yamato: The rest of you should try too.

Takeru, Hikari, and Miyako each take turns next.

Takeru: (groan) It's no good. Hikari: (groan) I can't...

Miyako pulls so hard that her hands slip off, causing her to fall backwards and crack her head on the edge of the pit. Good thing she has that helmet.

In the dub:

Matt: (groan) No luck. Tai: Cody, why don't you give it a try? Cody: Okay. (Cody fails) Cody: ...I should have had a bigger breakfast. Matt: Alright, Tai, it's your turn. Tai: Okay! (Tai tries) Junior Team: LIFT, TAI, LIFT!!! LIFT, TAI, LIFT!!! LIFT, TAI, LIFT!!! (Tai fails) Junior Team: Awww.... Matt: Alright, which one of you is next? (T.K., Kari, and Yolei try and fail) T.K.: (groan) I think I'm done.... Kari: (groan) Me too.... (Yolei falls and cracks her head)

A little sad we don't get Tai sounding absolutely bewildered at the thought that the Digimental could be his.

Though it's funny that Tai - and only Tai - gets a cheer squad when he makes his attempt.

Only one person left to try it.

Daisuke: The Digimental of Friendship, huh? Taichi: Daisuke, it's your turn. Daisuke: I don't think it's mine. Yamato: Why's that? Daisuke: Because... This is the Digimental of Friendship, right? And I don't really know anything about all that friendship stuff! Taichi: It's fine if you don't know! Iori: ...huh?

The shot hangs on Iori's confused reaction to that statement for a moment.

Daisuke: I have no idea what you and Yamato-san meant when you were talking about Agumon. It doesn't make sense to me that you think it's better to fight Agumon. Yamato: Quit harping on the same string and just do it!

Yamato and Taichi grab Daisuke to force him into the pit.

御託を並べ Gotaku wo narabe is a Japanese turn-of-phrase. The subs I have translate it to "making excuses" which is pretty close, but it's more like "sounding like a broken record". He doesn't have excuses, plural; He has one excuse that he keeps repeating over and over.

Yamato: Didn't you hear what your senpai said!? Taichi: We're in a hurry, so hurry up and do it!

Yamato and Taichi shove Daisuke down into the pit hard enough that he nearly impales his face on the Digimental's blade. Great. Thanks, guys.

Daisuke: Okay, I get it.....

Daisuke plants his feet, gets a firm grip, and then applies the tiniest bit of pressure.

Daisuke: (gasp)

Then he gives the smallest pretense of trying to lift it before letting go.

Daisuke: Ehh, I knew it wouldn't work!

It kinda seems like he's faking it here. His body language seems to imply that he felt the Digimental move and then "failed" on purpose because he didn't want to accept that it was his. But he'll later be surprised when it turns out to be his after all so IDK.

In the dub:

Davis: I think you guys are going about this all wrong. Tai: So, you think you can lift it up? Davis: Yeah! You just have to use physics. Matt: What do you mean? Davis: You see, in physics, there's this little thing called equilibrium. When you have two libriums that weigh the same, they're equilibrium! Tai: That makes perfect sense to me! Cody: ...huh?

Contrary to Daisuke's hesitance, Davis is confident that he knows what's up and makes a stand-up comedy bit out of it. But once he's done making jokes, Davis catches up to Daisuke's reticence.

Davis: Um, you know, Tai... I was just making that stuff up! I really don't know anything about physics. I usually leave all that stuff up to professors and scientists and Izzy. I didn't think you'd take me seriously! (Tai and Matt grab Davis) Matt: Ugh, I'm sick of all your blabbering, Davis! You're the only one who hasn't tried yet so just get in the hole! Tai: Yeah, lift that Digi-Egg up so we can get out of here! (Tai and Matt shove Davis into the pit) Davis: Hey, I could've put my eye out! (Davis prepares to try and lift it) Davis: Okay, this shouldn't be too hard. One-- (gasps) ...two! Three! (Davis fails, possibly on purpose) Davis: IIIIIIIIII can't do it! I give up!

I like that Davis feels it move or whatever that gasp is for while he's making gentle warm-up tugs. That's neat.

In the original, Daisuke's... He's kind of intimidated by the Digimental. He doesn't think it'd be appropriate for him to bear the Digimental of Friendship. Neither does Yamato; He expected it to be Iori.

This reluctance parallels Yamato's own struggles with understanding why he, of all people, would bear the Crest of Friendship. Both of our Friendship boys have trouble understanding the capacity for friendship that lies in their hearts. And yet, just as Yamato couldn't help but reveal it whenever he wasn't thinking about it, we've already seen Daisuke's loyalty and love for his nakama play out again and again. He may not see it but we do.

In the dub, he just makes jokes and then gives up.

When Daisuke "fails", Yamato and Taichi exchange surprised glances but there's no time to follow up on that. An high-pitched earsplitting whistle takes everyone by surprise, forcing them to cover their ears in pain.

Daisuke: AUGH, WHAT IS THAT NOISE!?!? Miyako: MY EARS HURT!!!

They get their answer quickly enough. An enemy Flymon descends from the sky.

Miyako: SOMETHING'S FLYING THIS WAY!!! Yamato: WATCH OUT!!!

Flymon makes their first attack run, rapid-firing their stingers at the children below. The kids and their Digimon are able to evade the line of shots, except for Patamon; He takes a glancing shot to his left wing and crumples to the ground next to the stinger.

Takeru: Patamon!

Flymon is an Adult-stage Virus-attribute Insect Digimon. The senior team were attacked by a Flymon back on Server Continent, when they were trying to bring Sora back into the fold.

Narrator: Flymon! Adult-stage. Virus. They fly at lightning speeds using their gigantic wings while paralyzing the enemy with their Howling Noise. Their special attack is Deadly Sting!

"Howling Noise" is in English, so it's probably a formal attack name too. Flymon is a feral Digimon who doesn't have the language capacity to call attacks, but they used Howling Noise to incapacitate the kids before following up with Deadly Sting.

In the dub:

Davis: AUGH, WHAT'S THAT TERRIBLE NOISE!!! Yolei: IT'S HURTING MY EARS!!! T.K.: SOMETHING'S COMING!!! Flymon: DEADLY STING!!! (Flymon makes their attack run) Matt: (dodges a stinger) Watch out! (Everyone has to dodge) Yolei: Avoid the stingers! (Patamon takes a glancing hit) T.K.: Patamon!!! Armadillomon: (rundown) It's Flymon. The only thing worse than his Deadly Sting attack is the noise he makes when attacking! When I hear him coming, I usually just dig a hole until he blows over.

The timing on Matt's "Watch out!" is different here. In the original, he shouts it as soon as he lays eyes on Flymon. The senior team have fought this Digimon before; They know what's coming.

The dub has him say it after he dodges the first of the stinger volley, when the threat is more apparent.

V-mon: Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah! DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (V-mon Armor Evolves) Fladramon: FIRE ROCKET!!!

He makes a valiant effort, but Flymon simply buzzes to the side to avoid Fladramon's attack. Aerial agility remains OP.

Miyako punches the air and then hoists her arm over her head in what's probably supposed to look like a badass martial arts pose.

Miyako: Hawkmon! Hawkmon: Right! Miyako: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Hawkmon Armor Evolves) Horusmon: TEMPEST WING!!!

Yeah. Uh. Flymon buzzes to the side and avoids that too.

In the dub:

Veemon: Let's do it! Davis: Right, pal! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Veemon Armor Digivolves) Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!!

In a rare deviation from the norm, Fire Rocket is actually Fire Rocket this time.

Yolei: Hawkmon! Hawkmon: Right! Yolei: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Hawkmon Armor Digivolves) Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!!

And Tempest Wing is Tempest Wing but that's normal.

After Horusmon misses his attack, Flymon goes back on the offensive.

Sigils on Flymon's wings glow yellow, producing their terrible Howling Noise. Everybody's forced to shut their eyes and cover their ears to try and ride out the horrible sound. When it abates, Takeru opens his eyes to realize that his Partner is missing.

Takeru: Ah!? Patamon? PATAMON'S GONE!!! Yamato: What!? Daisuke: Patamon is--? Miyako: THERE!!!

Miyako spots him in the air, clutched in Flymon's left talon. The enemy Digimon withdraws into the sky, taking Patamon with them.

Takeru: Patamon!

This seems like a fine time to go to commercial!

In the dub:

Matt: Here he comes again! (Flymon uses Howling Noise, forcing everyone to shut their ears until the noise abates) T.K.: Huh!? Patamon is gone! Kari: Where'd he go? Matt: Did he run away? Yolei: No! Look up! There he is! (Yolei points out Patamon in Flymon's talon) Patamon: HELP, T.K.!!! HELP!!! T.K.: HANG ON, PATAMON!!! WE'LL SAVE YOU!!!

The dub foregoes the commercial break here, continuing on with the scene.

Hikari: He can't... Not Patamon too! Takeru: PATAMON!!!

Takeru tries to go after Patamon on foot. It takes little time for Fladramon, Horusmon, and the more athletic Daisuke to catch up to him, and the four chase Flymon together.

They don't get very far, however. Out of absolutely nowhere and with a genuinely shocking level of stealth for a behemoth of that size, MetalGreymon suddenly stomps down in their path.

Taichi: METALGREYMON!!! Yamato: TAKERU!!! DAISUKE!!! BE CAREFUL!!! Kaiser: Huhuhuhuhuhu....

The Kaiser, of course, is still up there. He's standing on MetalGreymon's shoulder, amidst his hair.

(Bold choice. He's gonna be really unhappy if MetalGreymon has to whip his head around real fast.)

This pays off the bit about "You want to fight more too, huh?" They didn't have to catch up to the Kaiser because, rather than continuing on south, he doubled back to go fuck with them some more.

In the dub:

T.K.: HANG ON, PATAMON!!! WE'LL SAVE YOU!!! Kari: But how!? He's getting away! T.K.: PATAMON!!! (T.K. runs after Patamon; Davis and the Armor Digimon join him) Flamedramon: I think we're gaining! (MetalGreymon arrives) Emperor: Where do you think you're going? Tai: METALGREYMON!!! Matt: T.K.!!! DAVIS!!! GET OUT OF THERE!!! Emperor: Huhuhuhuhuhu....

Flamedramon's hopeless optimism got me. XD

Flymon circles back around to MetalGreymon and brings Patamon to the Kaiser.

Takeru: Patamon! PATAMON!!!

The Kaiser reveals an Evil Spiral, chuckling triumphantly.

Kaiser: Huhuhuhuhu.... Hikari: AN EVIL SPIRAL!!! Taichi: What are you going to do with that!? Kaiser: I managed to create a second Evil Spiral. I'm going to test it out on this Digimon. (to Patamon) Do you feel honored? You get participate in experimenting on my brilliant invention. Takeru: WHAT WAS THAT!?!? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?!? Kaiser: You'd better watch your mouth!

From a strictly scientific perspective, this is a good idea. The Kaiser spent a lot of time creating a control device that would work on Agumon, but it's good to run more trials on other Digimon. Just to make sure he hasn't accidentally created a device that specifically works on Agumon.

From an emotional and moral perspective, the Kaiser deserves sequential swift kicks to the junk from everybody here. But scientifically, further tests would be wise.

In the dub:

Flymon: Here's your new playtoy, Your Evilness! (Flymon brings Patamon to the Emperor) T.K.: PATAMON!!! PUT HIM DOWN!!! Emperor: No. I'm just getting started with him! (Emperor reveals the second Dark Spiral) T.K.: He's got more Dark Rings! Kari: What does he have planned!? Tai: You can be sure it's something bad! Emperor: When I put this on your little friend here, I will have complete control over him and I can make him do anything I want! (to Patamon) Do you hear that? I'm gonna make you do my laundry one piece at a time and then-- T.K.: I'll never let you get away with it! Emperor: Don't interrupt me while I'm planning my evil deeds!

The dub plays Patamon's plight as goofy as they can, and continues referring to the Dark Spiral as a Dark Ring.

Fladramon's had enough of the Kaiser's shit.

Fladramon: Shit... FIRE-- Daisuke: Stop it, Fladramon! What if you hurt Patamon!? Fladramon: Sorry, Daisuke... But.... Horusmon: Patamon's too close to the Kaiser! Daisuke: T-There's nothing we can do-- Takeru: What are you doing!? Daisuke: Huh? Takeru: We have to get Patamon back, and fast! Daisuke: I KNOW THAT ALREADY!!! Takeru: THEN DON'T JUST STAND THERE AND WATCH!!! Daisuke: WHO'S JUST STANDING THERE WATCHING!?!?

Who starts the fight this time is complicated. The simple answer is Daisuke but the complicated answer is both. It happens quickly in individual frames, but Daisuke raises his arms and moves in on Takeru only for Takeru to rush forward and push Daisuke back to his starting position. Takeru then reaches around under Daisuke's arms and grabs his shoulders.

Daisuke's still the aggressor but Takeru's pushing back, and it all happens so quickly that you could easily mistake either one of them for it.

Their fight gets nowhere, however. Miyako cuts in the middle, putting herself between them and prying them apart with her body.

Miyako: STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!!! WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO FIGHT EACH OTHER!!! Kaiser: Hahahahaha! And what are you rats doing? Are you having a falling out? Is that all your friendship amounts to?

Thank you, Kaiser, for explaining the theme.

In the dub:

Flamedramon: Rrrgh... FIRE-- Davis: HOLD IT, FLAMEDRAMON!!! You might accidentally miss and hit Patamon! Flamedramon: I'm such a hothead. Sorry. Halsemon: We have to separate Patamon and the Emperor. Davis: I don't see how we can! T.K.: We've got to try! Davis: Oh yeah, how!? T.K.: We can trap him by using you as bait! Davis: Me!? Why do I have to be the one!? T.K.: We have to use some kind of bait that we could do without! Davis: Oh yeah!? Well, we could easily do without your hat! (Davis and T.K. fight; Yolei intervenes) Yolei: STOP FIGHTING!!! NOW'S A GOOD TIME TO REMEMBER THE CREST OF FRIENDSHIP, OKAY!?!? Emperor: Hahahahaha! I'd love to see how this turns out, but I've gotta run. I have a few chores to take care of, like taking over the Digital World.

This time, it's Yolei who awkwardly cites the theme.

The dub continues to talk around the topic of attacking even though our friends are in the line of fire. Avoiding this topic leaves T.K. and Davis with nothing to fight for, so T.K. takes a level in jackass and just starts shit-talking Davis. Great.

Takeru: I'LL NEVER LET YOU HAVE YOUR WAY WITH PATAMON!!! Taichi: OR AGUMON!!! Kaiser: Ha! What a joke. If you can take them back, then take them back.

With that, the Kaiser turns his attention to Patamon.

Patamon: (wince) You're... going to make me wear that?

Patamon wriggles in a desperate but futile attempt to escape Flymon's grasp.

(...Hey Takeru, what would happen if he suddenly Armor Evolved just now? Food for thought.)

Kaiser: Exactly. And your dimwitted nakama gets to watch our magnificent experiment. Huhuhu.... Takeru: PATAMON!!!

Takeru rushes forward, trying to get to his Digimon. MetalGreymon responds by firing his Trident Arm.

Taichi: TAKERU!!!

Taichi tackles Takeru to the ground as the Trident Arm shoot past overhead, embedding itself in the earth where Takeru had been.

In the dub:

T.K.: THERE'S NO WAY WE'RE GONNA LET YOU USE PATAMON TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR PLAN!!! Tai: THAT GOES FOR AGUMON TOO!!! Emperor: That's really funny... because I don't remember asking for permission! (Emperor turns towards Patamon) Patamon: You really should have Flymon trim his nails back! (Patamon wriggles) Emperor: Just hold still. In a few seconds, you won't remember a thing except what it's like to be my slave!

Here is where the dub places its second commercial break, using the cliffhanger of Patamon's impending doom. We return to the Emperor's smug face.

Emperor: Huhuhuhuhuhuhu.... T.K.: PATAMON!!! (T.K. runs forward; MetalGreymon shoots Trident Arm) Tai: GET DOWN!!! (Tai tackles T.K. to the ground)

Patamon's up there quipping to try and keep things light and the Emperor's going for smug wickedness instead of cruel intellectualism.

The Kaiser slowly advances on Patamon, bringing the Evil Spiral closer and closer, when suddenly--

Garurumon makes this stop all happening in a single stroke. Bounding from a nearby hillside, he sweeps across MetalGreymon's shoulder. He snatches up Patamon, knocks the Evil Spiral from the Kaiser's hand, and breaks the Evil Ring on Flymon's leg for good measure.

Kaiser: (confused) Wait, what?

Garurumon lands triumphantly in front of the Chosen Children.

Yamato: Garurumon! Garurumon: Tentomon told me everything!

Garurumon opens his mouth, releasing Patamon into Takeru's arms.

Patamon: Thank you, Garurumon! Takeru: Are you okay, Patamon? Patamon: It hurts a little, but I'm okay. Sorry for making you worry. Daisuke: Takeru put himself in danger to protect Patamon.... Fladramon: Would you do the same for me, Daisuke? Daisuke: Huh!? Uh... Maybe? Fladramon: Maybe? Did you say "Maybe"!? You're supposed to say "Definitely"!

Daisuke opens mouth and inserts foot. Though it's honestly not surprising that he and his Partner aren't as tight-knit as the veterans.

(The answer, of course, is yes. It's just that it's something Daisuke would do without thinking, and so hasn't really thought about it.)

Y'know, it's easy to overlook at times the fact that some Digimon don't move their mouths to talk and instead just sort of psychically convey sounds. But the fact that Garurumon delivers a line of dialogue while holding Patamon in his mouth makes it really noticeable.

In the dub:

(Garurumon seizes Patamon and breaks Flymon's Dark Ring) Emperor: Huh!? (Garurumon returns to the others) Matt: Nice going! Tai: Garurumon! You came just in time! (Garurumon delivers Patamon to the T.K.) Patamon: T.K.!!! T.K.: Patamon, how do you feel? Patamon: Kinda like a big piece of dental floss but other than that, I'm fine! Davis: I have to hand it to T.K. He really risked himself to save Patamon. What a friend. Flamedramon: Would you try to protect me if I was in danger, Davis? Davis: Huh? Um... maybe. Flamedramon: Maybe!? MAYBE!?!? WHAT ABOUT "DEFINITELY"!?!?

Flamedramon bit comes through perfectly.

Guess the dub team felt weirded out about Garurumon talking with his mouth full too 'cause they gave his talking space to Tai. XD

Unfortunately, Fladramon is only the second-most upset person about this development.

Kaiser: How dare you mess with me like that!? Are you trying to piss me off!? That's it! No more playing nice with make-believe friends! METALGREYMON!!!

As is becoming increasingly common, the Kaiser's outburst here is revealing about his sense of isolation. He says he's fed up with 友情ごっこ yuujou-gokko or "Pretend Friendship". To my understanding, this means people who aren't actually your friends but, for the purpose of whatever you're doing, you'll engage with them as if they were. You're not really friends, so much as you're playing at friendship.

This was all him playing nice, as if he'd invited them over for a night of Smash Bros. But as we established a few episodes ago, he's violently insecure about even the smallest of slights. So now he's fed up and is going to smash, bro.

That was awful. I do not apologize for it.

As MetalGreymon stands up to his full height, the Chosen Children brace themselves for battle.

Taichi: Damn it! We're definitely taking you back! Yamato: (riding Garurumon) We'll take that Evil Spiral off MetalGreymon! Garurumon: COME TO YOUR SENSES!!!

Garurumon rushes forward. But without the element of surprise, a stomp from MetalGreymon is enough to force him to back off.

Garurumon: DON'T YOU RECOGNIZE ME!?!?

MetalGreymon's answer is to fire off his Trident Arm. Garurumon evades away before his metal claw pierces the ground.

Yamato: Garurumon! We have to destroy the Evil Spiral! Garurumon: But to do that, we'd have to attack MetalGreymon.... Yamato: Then do it! And don't hold back. If we don't take this seriously, then we go down together. Isn't that right, Taichi!? Taichi: (nods) Do it! Daisuke: You can't....

Garurumon wasn't there for the "Next time we see MetalGreymon, hit him with everything you've got" conversation.

Daisuke was but he still doesn't wanna.

In the dub:

Emperor: Oh, you guys are gonna make me cry! If you really want a test of your friendship, I'll be more than happy to give you one. Prepare for the fight of your life! METALGREYMON!!! (MetalGreymon stands up to his full height) Tai: Don't listen to him, MetalGreymon! Don't you recognize me!? I'm your friend! Matt: (riding Garurumon) Garurumon and I are going to try to get those rings off MetalGreymon's arm. (Garurumon moves up, but MetalGreymon's stomp forces him to back off) Emperor: Squash them like a bug! (MetalGreymon fires Trident Arm. Garurumon evades) Matt: Garurumon! That was close but we've got to attack him with all of our strength. Garurumon: I'm afraid of hurting MetalGreymon. Matt: We have no choice. If we don't use our full power, he'll crush us like grapes. Isn't that right, Tai? Tai: (nods) Mhm. Go get him! Davis: But Matt...!

In this version, Garurumon does not try to appeal emotionally to MetalGreymon. Tai does, however. Taichi, at this point, is has already resigned himself to fighting MetalGreymon but Tai's still holding out hope.

Daisuke may be paralyzed by his empathy but Yamato's still got backup nonetheless.

Iori: We're in this battle too! DIGIMENTAL UP!!! Hikari: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Digmon and Nefertimon armor up, and the battle roars without a moment's hesitation.

Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! Horusmon: TEMPEST WING!!!

Digmon takes the first shot, aiming for the Evil Spiral. MetalGreymon sidesteps the attack, right into Nefertimon's line of fire. Her Rosetta Stone strikes the ground right in front of his foot, forcing him once again to back off, disoriented.

With all this pressure on MetalGreymon, Horusmon can drive his Tempest Wing straight into MetalGreymon's chestplate. The sound of metal scraping on metal does little to mask the sound of MetalGreymon crying out in pain.

After wounding MetalGreymon, Horusmon falls back to where the kids are.

Horusmon: It's not much.... Taichi: That's fine, Horusmon. Don't worry about it.

In the dub:

Cody: It's time to call in the cavalry. DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! Kari: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Digmon and Nefertimon digivolve) Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! (Halsemon scores a direct hit on MetalGreymon) Tai: Careful, you'll hurt him! (Halsemon backs off) Halsemon: Sorry... Tai: You did what you had to do! Don't worry about it.

In the original, it takes all three Armor Digimon to do just a bit of damage. We're so outmatched by Perfect might that we're in "All that for a drop of blood" territory. But Taichi encourages Horusmon that it's still good, all the same.

The dub goes the exact opposite route with it. They have Tai call Halsemon off because he's hitting MetalGreymon too hard. They are not committing to this "Gloves are off, hit him with all you've got" thing.

With MetalGreymon's attention pulled by the Armor Digimon, Garurumon moves in to finish the job.

Garurumon bounds to MetalGreymon's bicep, latching onto the Evil Spiral with his teeth. Once MetalGreymon realizes what they're doing, he shakes them off. Garurumon hits the ground, but comes straight back for another round.

Garurumon: FOX FIRE!!!

Though he shoots for the Evil Spiral, Garurumon's shot goes wide and hits MetalGreymon in the side of his face. MetalGreymon recoils in pain from the hit.

Yamato: I'm sorry, MetalGreymon! But this is the only choice we have right now!

The only reply MetalGreymon gives is another attempt to crush them with his foot. Fortunately, Garurumon remains quick on his feet and backs off once more.

In the dub:

(Garurumon bounds up and bites the Dark Spiral) MetalGreymon: You're getting annoying! (MetalGreymon shakes Garurumon off) Garurumon: HOWLING BLASTER!!! (Garurumon hits MetalGreymon instead of the Spiral) Matt: MetalGreymon, I'm sorry! We're only doing this out of friendship!

Pretty close to script, with an added line for MetalGreymon himself because the dub likes to make all Digimon verbal regardless of context.

Yamato and Garurumon are giving what they can, but Daisuke continues to struggle with what's being asked of him.

Taichi: Please, Daisuke! Fladramon: Aren't we going to fight, Daisuke? DAISUKE!!! Taichi: But that's... Taichi's Agumon.... Fladramon: If that's how you feel, then I....

Fladramon loses his evolution. The Digimental of Courage leaves him and returns to Daisuke's D-Terminal.

Daisuke: Ah! I... I....

MetalGreymon launches his Trident Arm down at Daisuke and V-mon, forcing them to scurry out of the way. V-mon dives forward and hits the ground, while Daisuke flees the opposite direction.

V-mon: What are you doing, Daisuke!? Are we just going to run away from MetalGreymon!? Daisuke: Stop it! If this keeps up, we'll all be killed-- Taichi: That won't happen!

While Daisuke's having this crisis, Yamato rides up on Garurumon behind him, backing him up.

Taichi: We have faith in Garurumon and Agumon. Yamato: (nods) Daisuke: Faith...? Yamato: PREPARE YOURSELF, AGUMON!!! WE'RE GETTING THAT EVIL SPIRAL THIS TIME!!! Taichi: Yamato! Garurumon! I'm counting on you!

Garurumon returns to the fight, leaving Daisuke behind.

In the dub:

Tai: Davis, help us! Flamedramon: Come on, Davis! Aren't you going to help them fight!? Davis: I just can't do it! There's a chance I'll hurt MetalGreymon! Flamedramon: (furious) You don't understand about friendship! (Flamedramon reverts to Veemon) Davis: Ah! Veemon... Oh no.... (Davis and Veemon dodge MetalGreymon's Trident Arm) Veemon: Davis, you have to fight! How can you just stand there and let him try to hurt me!? Davis: Lay off! What do you want!? I don't want to hurt anybody! Tai: It's not about what you want to do! (Matt rides up behind Tai) Tai: It's about the things you have to do for friendship! Matt: Right! Davis: Huh? Friendship? Matt: Agumon, don't worry! We're going to try one more time to remove those rings from your arm! Tai: Matt, Garurumon, do your best!

Daisuke is having a full-blown panic attack at this point, and that comes through pretty well in Davis's dialogue.

The dub's language is pretty on-the-nose here, directly citing friendship twice. Fladramon loses his form because Daisuke doesn't have faith in him to do this, which Taichi then presses him about. Taichi and Yamato both have faith in their Partners, and that's why they trust Yamato's Partner to fight Taichi's.

Flamedramon makes a furious accusation that's pertinent to their conversation yet feels a bit oversimplified and on-the-nose to be an organic response. Then, I guess, he devolves out of spite? I remember, as a kid, being confused by why he changes back.

For their part, Tai and Yamato assert that friendship demands they do what they have to do, like it or not. Matt's tone when he calls out to MetalGreymon is softened to match the more reluctant vibe of the new scene.

So Taichi and Yamato are confident and dedicated to taking Agumon back no matter what, while Tai and Matt are hurting but resigned to do what they must. Given the way the dub typically handles the characters, it's kind of wild that the American version are the ones being emotionally vulnerable while the Japanese originals are tough and ready to fight.

Garurumon lunges for the Evil Spiral once more, clamping on with his jaws. Left behind, Daisuke's mind reels.

Daisuke: (thinking) Takeru and... Taichi-san too... Their bond with their Digimon is so much stronger than I thought. It must have been hard for them to say that we had no choice but to attack Agumon.

MetalGreymon shakes off Garurumon once again, then goes to stomp on V-mon. Patamon swoops in, grabbing V-mon and pulling him out of harm's way.

V-mon: Patamon.... Patamon: V-mon, ganbatte....

The subs translate ganbatte here as "Don't give up". Which is a fairly accurate description of how it's being used; Patamon's offering encouragement to keep going and persevere. To see this through to the end. Get it done.

But in English context, saying "Don't give up" to someone after saving their life kinda sounds accusatory. V-mon wasn't giving up, and neither is Patamon intending to imply that he had. The tone is more of a "We got this, bruh."

As usual, this deeply important word is just infuriatingly hard to translate accurately.

Daisuke: (grateful) Patamon! Takeru: (commanding) Daisuke-kun! Daisuke: Huh?

Takeru approaches the kneeling Daisuke, towering over him.

Takeru: Don't worry about us. Go for MetalGreymon! Daisuke: Takeru... Daisuke: (thinking) I couldn't understand how Takeru felt. I couldn't even save Patamon... Daisuke: Damn it...

Finally, Daisuke's feelings explode out of him. He throws his arms to the side and screams into the sky:

Daisuke: I'M PATHETIC!!!

Not the most graceful of battle roars but if it gets you in the fight, we'll take it.

In the dub:

Davis: (thinking) T.K. and Tai both have such a deep bond with their Digimon. Much deeper than I would have ever imagined. Must have taken a lot for Tai to be able to say we had no other choice but to attack MetalGreymon! (MetalGreymon shakes off Garurumon and goes to stomp Veemon) Patamon: I GOT YOU, VEEMON!!! (Patamon carries Veemon to safety) Veemon: I owe you one! Patamon: Don't worry. I'm keeping track! Davis: Veemon, you okay? T.K.: He is, but no thanks to you! Patamon risked his life to save him, and all you did was stand there and watch! Davis: T.K., I.... Davis: (thinking) Now I'm beginning to understand what makes friendship so powerful. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to protect them because they would do the same for you. Davis: VEEMON, I'M YOUR FRIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEND!!!

Again, T.K. is much more aggressive in the dub. Takeru is visibly angry and forceful with his words, but he doesn't disparage Daisuke in the process. T.K. basically just came over here to tell Davis to jump off a bridge.

His frustration is understandable but "Hey, Davis? Go fuck yourself," is not helpful.

Daisuke's outburst suddenly causes his D-3 to glow.

A similar glow emerges from the Digimental.

Daisuke: (examining his D-3) What the.... Iori: Daisuke-san's D-3 is reacting!

The Digimental levitates into the air, floating slowly through the group. Hikari and Miyako watch it pass.

Hikari: The Digimental!

Then it arrives in front of Daisuke.

V-mon: The Digimental from earlier! Daisuke! That was your Digimental! Daisuke: My Digimental? Iori: Daisuke-san already had the Digimental of Courage. If both Digimentals belong with Daisuke, then.... (Iori turns to Takeru for support) Iori: ...what would that mean?

It means we have no idea what the rules on Digimentals are. Not only have we established zero consistency between whether they go to new kids or veterans, but we've now broken the assumption that each kid only has one Digimental assigned to them like how the Crests worked.

The neat and orderly structure of Crest assignments has completely broken down into chaos with the Digimentals.

(And that's not even the last assumption to be broken.)

In the dub:

Davis: This is new! Cody: His Digivice is responding to the new Digi-Egg! (Digi-Egg flies past Kari and Yolei) Kari: What's it doing? (It arrives in front of Davis) Veemon: Look! It stopped right in front of you! Take it. It's your Digi-Egg of Friendship, Davis. Davis: My Digi-Egg of Friendship? Cody: Davis already has the Digi-Egg of Courage so how can he now have another one? I think that means that Veemon can become twice as powerful! (Cody turns to T.K.) Cody: We can win now!

...is that how it works? I think Cody pulled that straight out of his ass. Thus finally marking him as a true successor to Izzy.

Well, whatever the Digimental does, what matters is that Daisuke's found his will to fight.

V-mon: Daisuke! Daisuke: Yes! Let's do it! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

With a whole new Digimental, V-mon ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Lighdramon: THUNDERING FRIENDSHIP, LIGHDRAMON!!!

Lighdramon is an Armor-stage Free-attribute Beast Digimon. His name, ライドラモン Raidoramon, takes its first two letters from the English word ライトニング Raitoningu, or "Lightning". Thus, the official romanization of "Ligh" for ライ Rai, which I will not dispute.

This can be confusing as initial assumption may be that "Lighdramon" is supposed to be "Light Dragon Monster" and not "Lightning Dragon Monster" but that's just because English is fucky. That's on us.

Narrator: Lighdramon! A Beast Digimon who challenges enemies with lightning speed! His special attacks are Lightning Blade and Blue Thunder! Iori: So a single Digimon can Armor-Evolve in two different ways!

Technically all Digimon can evolve in multiple ways but we're kinda used to our set evolution paths over here.

In the dub:

Veemon: Hey, that's cool! Davis: Hey, let's give it a try! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! Veemon: (Digivolution stock animation) VEEMON, DIGIVOLVE TO... Raidramon: RAIDRAMON, THE STORM OF FRIENDSHIP!!!

For the dub's preference of "[Noun] of [Virtue]" in place of "[Adjective] [Virtue]", Storm of Friendship is perfect.

The dub opted to directly translate ライドラモン Raidoramon into Raidramon. ライ into "Ligh" is complicated enough, especially without the rest of the word there to lend it context, that this is probably an innocent mistake.

If you are familiar with the word ライトニング Raitoningu enough to recognize a piece of it then you can catch their meaning easily, particularly with all the lightning and thunder and storms and stuff going on with this character.

But for someone who doesn't know a lick of Japanese looking at the word ライド���モン Raidoramon? I mean. What are you supposed to do with that? I'm surprised they didn't call him Raydramon. That is how they pronounce it, though.

Raidramon: (rundown) I am Raidramon! As Veemon, I used the Digi-Egg of Friendship to Armor Digivolve! My Blue Thunder and Electric Bite attacks annihilate my enemies! Cody: Finally someone who can stand up to the Emperor: Raidramon!

Iori's marveling at the ramifications of branching Armor forms, but Cody's still stuck on "This one's power level is over 8000 probably!"

Up top, even the Digimon Kaiser's staring in slack-jawed awe at Lighdramon, but he catches himself and tries to play it off.

Kaiser: Hmph! GET HIM, METALGREYMON!!!

Down comes the Trident Arm. Lighdramon bounds over the attack, taking to the air.

Lighdramon: BLUE THUNDER!!!

The three spikes on Lighdramon's back crackle with electricity, forming a surge of energy that he sends straight into the Evil Spiral. A direct hit, and the hardest anyone's managed to land a strike on that thing yet.

Daisuke: IT'S A HIT!!!

It does not budge.

Yamato: No good! It didn't come off! Kaiser: Huhuhuhu... It's futile.

In the dub, the Emperor does the Kaizer one better and gasps in alarm.

Emperor: (gasp) ...hmph. Show him who's in charge here! (Raidramon dodges MetalGreymon's Trident Arm) Raidramon: BLUE THUNDER!!! (Raidramon shoots the Spiral) Davis: Gotcha! (No good) Matt: It's no use! It won't come off! Emperor: Hahaha! Your weak attempts make me laugh!

The dub takes its third commercial break here, on the complete failure of "twice as powerful" Raidramon's attack. So much for that hypothesis, Cody.

Taichi: Is there no way to get it off!? Will he be like this forever!? Yamato: No, we'll get it off for sure! Trust me! Garurumon: Agumon! You have to remember! Remember Taichi! Remember me! Yamato: Daisuke! You have to believe in Agumon! Believe in yourself! Daisuke: Yamato-san.... Takeru: Daisuke-kun! You and Lighdramon need to fight together! Daisuke: Together? Lighdramon: Daisuke, get on my back! Daisuke: Right. With Lighdramon with me, I'm sure we can do it. No, we're the only ones who can do it! Yamato: (commanding) DAISUKE!!! LET'S GO!!!

Daisuke rides up on Lighdramon, joining Yamato and Garurumon at the front.

Daisuke: Yes! Lighdramon, let's give this everything we've got! Lighdramon: Yeah, we can handle this!

Daisuke is finally ready to fight MetalGreymon with full force - and, in the process, to commit himself to his Partnership with V-mon.

In the dub, we return from commercial to briefly replay the Emperor's taunts.

Emperor: Huhuhu... Give up yet? Tai: There's got to be a way to get through to MetalGreymon! Somehow! Matt: Don't worry, Tai! We won't give up! We'll get him back for you! Right, Garurumon? Garurumon: RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRIGHT!!! Matt: Davis, this is a team effort! We're both going to attack him at the same time! We need you! Davis: I'm not sure.... T.K.: Not sure!? This time you're going to do things the right way! Davis: How can I!? Raidramon: It must. We'll fight together. Davis: You're right! All this time, I've been worrying about what's best for me and not the team! Well, you guys can count on me now! Matt: (agitated) Let's go! Now! (Davis rides up on Raidramon) Davis: Right! Raidramon, are you ready? Let's give it our best shot!

That is. Wildly not what he's been worrying about. In fact, it's exactly wrong. Daisuke's been held back by his empathy and sense of loyalty to Agumon. He couldn't bring himself to hurt Agumon, even if it was for Agumon's best interest.

Davis's crisis is that he's a coward who wouldn't risk peril for his friends. He doesn't care about Agumon; He's just scared of getting hurt. Which plays off the angle of the whole "Takeru risked himself for Patamon; Would you do that for me, Daisuke?" thing but is only a small piece of what we're talking about here.

Also, the adaptation remains much harsher and more aggressive towards Davis's behavior than the original is with Daisuke's.

Onward to battle! Garurumon and Lighdramon surge forward.

Taichi: I'm counting on you! Garurumon: FOX FIRE!!!

Garurumon takes the first shot at the Evil Spiral. MetalGreymon roars and sidesteps the attack so hard it nearly shakes the Kaiser free from his shoulders. While he's distracted, Lighdramon moves in.

Lighdramon: LIGHTNING BLADE!!!

Lighdramon conjures a bolt of lightning into the blade at the end of his nose, then concentrates and fires it out at the Evil Ring. His attack hits home and finally the Evil Spiral breaks off from MetalGreymon's arm.

Daisuke: Huh!? Taichi: We did it! Yamato: It came off! Kaiser: WHAT!?!?

It's over.

In the dub, the insert song Change Into Power picks up here as the kids begin their final assault.

Tai: Good luck, guys. Garurumon: HOWLING BLASTER!!! (MetalGreymon dodges) (Raidramon blasts the Dark Spiral, finally breaking it) Chosen Children: (collective gasp) Matt: Look, it's off! Emperor: WHAT!?!?

Lightning Blade is called as nothing at all. Raidramon silently shoots the Dark Spiral with lightning.

With the Spiral finally broken, MetalGreymon regresses into Agumon. A lone Airdramon swoops in, snatching up the Digimon Kaiser before he has to fall that whole distance.

(Though we've seen that he can handle fall damage for some reason.)

Without a second's hesitation, Taichi runs over and hugs Agumon.

Agumon: Ack! That hurts! Taichi: Agumon! I'm so glad it's you.... Agumon: I came back to you, Taichi. Taichi: That's right! Be more careful from now on, okay? I was so worried about you! Agumon: (crying) Taichi!

While Agumon and Taichi are having their private moment, Daisuke unpacks what just happened with the rest of the junior team.

Hikari: That was amazing, Daisuke-kun! You brought Agumon back! Miyako: You did surprisingly well. Daisuke: (stunned) ...we did it...? Raidramon: (stunned) ...seems like.... Hikari: ...Daisuke-kun? Takeru: What could be wrong with him? Iori: It seems he's having difficulty comprehending what he's just accomplished.

Well, he's out of time to figure out. Yamato appears out of nowhere with the sneak attack, grabbing Daisuke's head and mussing his hair.

Yamato: Good job, Daisuke! You did great out there! Daisuke: Eh...? Ahh....

Miyako's only willing to hand out qualified praise. Daisuke gets an ambiguous "exceeded expectations" from her. But Yamato's proud of him.

In the dub:

Tai: I'm sorry we attacked you, Agumon! Agumon: I'm sorry too! Tai: I'm sorry that you're sorry! Agumon: Well, I'm sorry that you're sorry that I'm sorry! Tai: Tell you what? I won't be sorry anymore and you don't be sorry either, okay? Agumon: ...sorry.

Aww, this is cute.

Kari: Davis, you saved the day! We thought you were wonderful. Yolei: Raidramon too! Davis: Ugh... uck uck... glrk.... Kari: Are you sick? T.K.: What's the matter with him? Cody: I'm not sure but I'm getting out of here before the throws up. (Sudden Matt Attack Affection) Matt: Davis, you saved Agumon and you didn't even lose a single hair! Davis: (pained) Not yet!

Davis being airsick from all that flight time he has no practice for is as good an explanation as any.

While the team celebrates their victory, one unhappy camper sails off into the distance atop his Airdramon slave.

Kaiser: (calmly) That's odd. According to my calculations, the Evil Spiral couldn't possibly be destroyed by an attack like that. Wormmon: Hey, Ken-chan? They all get along pretty well, right? Maybe that bond allowed them to work together and become stronger? Kaiser: (livid) ARE YOU SAYING THEIR FRIENDSHIP IS WHAT CAUSED THIS!?!? Wormmon: ...

He doesn't dare answer that question. Wormmon shuts right the fuck up before this goes badly for him.

Kaiser: (quietly) That's ridiculous. What ridiculous people!

It's interesting that he pivots from being furious at the suggestion to then calling them ridiculous. As if he's accepted Wormmon's suggestion despite the fact that he can't fathom it.

In the dub:

Emperor: I can't believe they were able to defeat one of my new Dark Spirals! I'm just gonna have to make them even more powerful! Wormmon: Hey, Ken? Is it okay if I drive for a while? You said once we took over the Digi-World that I could drive. Well, can I? Emperor: How many times have I told you!? When I'm thinking, don't talk! And I am always thinking so never talk! Why are evil geniuses always surrounded by fools!?

They strip the scene entirely and replace it with banter. The only thing that gets carried across is that the Emperor's mad that his Dark Spiral was destroyed.

Though at least the episode finally calls it a Dark Spiral again. We haven't heard that term since last episode.

While the Kaiser heads back to his lair, the other children finally make the trip back to the human world and return to Computer Club. Koushiro closes things out with one last transmission to Tentomon.

Koushiro: We managed to reclaim Agumon but, moving forward, we can't let down our guard. Please continue to gather intel for us, Tentomon. Tentomon: Sure, leave that to me!

Then the Gate closes, ending their transmission.

Meanwhile, Daisuke stares baffled at his D-Terminal. He can clearly see two egg-shaped symbols inside of it now. While he's baffled by this, Taichi and Yamato flank him from both sides.

Taichi: Daisuke, this was all thanks to you. Thank you. Daisuke: Eh? Uh, me...?

Yamato grabs Daisuke and noogies the side of his head.

Yamato: That's right, you! I'm proud of you for inheriting the Crest of Friendship.

Once Yamato lets Daisuke go, he approaches the rest of the junior team, fishing for compliments.

Daisuke: I don't really get what happened. Was I really that cool? Chibimon: Well, at the time, I didn't just feel my own power but the power of Taichi, Yamato, and everyone else too! That must have been it!

Turns out, Wormmon is right. It shouldn't have been possible to break the Evil Spiral, but Lighdramon was channeling everybody's power to make that last attack.

(This probably connects back to the final revelations about the Crests during the battle with Apocalymon. How the Crest of Friendship embodies everybody's friendship converged within Yamato and such. Not just Yamato's feelings of Friendship towards them but the Friendship he brings out of them.)

Daisuke doesn't like that answer, though, because it detracts from how cool he is. He picks up Chibimon and shakes him.

Daisuke: What are you talking about!? It had to be me! This was all thanks to me! Yamato: Turns out he's still got a long way to go. Taichi: Hehe. Daisuke: Eh!? Why!? Yamato: You keep saying "Me, me!" like you're still just a kid. Hikari: That sounds like Daisuke! Daisuke: Oh no.... (Cut to slow zoom out from the building) Everyone: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Taichi and Yamato inflate Daisuke's ego only to swiftly puncture it and bring him back down to ground once they see what they've done to him. We close the episode on this moment of levity at Daisuke's expense.

In the dub:

Izzy: Okay, we've managed to get Agumon back safe and sound but we can't relax with Ken still out there. Tentomon, I need you to be a spy and find out what he's up to. Tentomon: The name's 'mon. Tento-mon! (Davis inspects his D-Terminal) Davis: WHOA, TWO DIGI-EGGS!?!? That's cool! Tai: Davis, thanks a lot for saving Agumon. You were a good friend. Davis: Who, me? A friend? (Matt grabs and noogies Davis) Matt: That's right! C'mere! You're officially part of the team now. Time for a noogie!

Has he... Has he not been part of the team for the past ten episodes?

Davis: Hey, did you see that? I got a noogie. That means I'm one of the guys now! DemiVeemon: I have a question. If you're one of the guys now, does that mean you used to be one of the girls? And how come you never told me about it? I wish you humans would just make up your minds! (Davis picks up and shakes DemiVeemon) Davis: Okay, then how's this for friendship!?

DemiVeemon takes the revelation that Davis is transmasc pretty hard. :P

Matt: He's not the only one who's got a lot to learn! Tai: Hehe. Davis: Great! Teach me! Matt: You'll learn soon enough, Davis. Let's just take it one step at a time. Kari: Starting with the noogies. Davis: Right! (Cut to slow zoom out from the building) Davis: ACK!!! OW!!! AUGH!!! Everyone: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Narrator: Will the Digi-Destined ever stop the evil Digimon Emperor? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

What!? No, we won't! We aren't even like halfway through the Kaiser arc.

I do like the way the dub recontextualized Daisuke's despondent sideways bend as him presenting his head for further noogies. That's pretty clever.

Assessment: This is one of the episodes for 02 that I've been greatly anticipating. And it is absolutely nothing like what I thought I remembered.

I blame the word 倒す taosu. The subs were translating that as "kill" pretty consistently in the first anime, but it wasn't really a big deal. When Leomon would show up places chanting 子どもーたち倒す Kodomo-tachi taosu, it would get translated as "Kill the Children".

Linguistically, it's more accurately "Defeat the Children". But when your method of defeating them is to cut them to ribbons with a machete, that's really not a linguistic hill worth dying on. Contextually, they were trying to kill the Chosen Children. They were just doing the Japanese equivalent of a cartoon villain shouting "DESTROY THEM!!!"

So cutting out the verbal middlemon and just having them say "kill" is a decision I can understand, even if it's not entirely accurate.

But in this episode, the difference between "We may have to defeat Agumon" and "We may have to kill Agumon" is vast. That distinction kinda matters here, and I think translating it as "kill" changes the entire tone of the discussion.

Daisuke's crisis, as I remembered it, was that Taichi and the others were pushing for potentially killing Agumon if that's what it takes, and he can't bring himself to do that.

Daisuke's crisis as presented here is that he can't bring himself to even throw a punch at Agumon. It's not that he's afraid to kill his friend; It's that he's afraid of hurting him at all. That's a very different character journey.

So. Yeah. I was super excited to get to this episode, but what I remembered of it was completely wrong.

Not the first time that's happened. It will be interesting to see what else I remember incorrectly moving forward.

[wgabry]

On 26 July 1898 in Bavaria's capital, Munich, Sophie Adelheid married Count Hans Veit of Toerring-Jettenbach.

Source "Das Familienalbum von Kaiser Franz Joseph und Elisabeth"

[mxyirin]

⸻ 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦.

❝[Name], will you be my valentine?❞

❝I would love to.❞

𝐈𝐍 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐂𝐇, Valentine's week this year is a bit special because you're celebrating it with someone special.

― mxyirin

❛❛ 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐎 ❜❜ 

[𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘] / 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥

― The one who

fell in love

with a soccer player.

[𝗡𝗔𝗠𝗘] / 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥

― The one who

is loved by

a soccer player.

❛❛ 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ❜❜

𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞

This Valentine's Week, you can read oneshots for all the days.

There's no face claim, I just found the above manhwa characters hot.

Here's the index:

01. ROSE DAY ― 07/02/2025 michael kaiser x reader

02. PROPOSE DAY ― 08/02/2025 itoshi sae x reader

03. CHOCOLATE DAY ― 09/02/2025 otoya eita x reader

04. TEDDY DAY ― 10/02/2025 itoshi rin x reader

05. PROMISE DAY ― 11/02/2025 isagi yoichi x reader

06. HUG DAY ― 12/02/2025 nagi seishiro x reader

07. KISS DAY ― 13/02/2025 mikage reo x reader

08. VALENTINE'S DAY ― 14/02/2025 all x reader

Comment 'tag me' if you want to be tagged in the chapters.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥

Blue Lock does not belong to me. It belongs to  Muneyuki Kaneshiro. However, I do own any original character(s), plot(s), and dialogue(s) outside of the franchise. I also do not own any of the picture(s) or gif(s) used in the book.

𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

strong language, canon alteration, spoilers, grammar errors, spelling errors, etc.

𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗬𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧

❛ SHOWED ME WHAT MY HEART WAS WORTH ❜ — my love mine all mine ;  mitski

❛ SECRETS I HAVE HELD IN MY HEART ❜ — wanna be yours ; artic monkeys

❛ IF I'M THE MOON, YOU'RE THE TIDE ❜ — casablanca ;  riell x besomorph

❛ I JUST NEED YOUR EYES TO MEET MINE EVERYDAY ❜ — i'll be waiting for you ; han pham

❛ YOU LOOK SO PRETTY AND I LOVE THIS VIEW ❜ — we fell in love in october ; girl in red

[princesssarisa]

Opera on YouTube

I've shared links to complete opera performances before, but I love to share them, so I thought I'd make a few masterposts.

These list are by no means the only complete filmed performances of these operas on YouTube, but I decided that ten links for each opera was enough for now.

By the way, some of the subtitles are just a part of the video, while others require you to click CC to see them.

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Hamburg Philharmonic State Opera, 1971 (Nicolai Gedda, Edith Mathis, William Workman, Christina Deutekom, Hans Sotin; conducted by Horst Stein; English subtitles)

Ingmar Bergman film, 1975 (Josef Köstlinger, Irma Urrila, Håkan Hagegård, Birgit Nordin, Ulrik Cold; conducted by Eric Ericson; sung in Swedish; English subtitles)

Salzburg Festival, 1982 (Peter Schreier, Ileana Cotrubas, Christian Bösch, Edita Gruberova, Martti Talvela; conducted by James Levine; Japanese subtitles)

Bavarian State Opera, 1983 (Francisco Araiza, Lucia Popp, Wolfgang Brendel, Edita Gruberova, Kurt Moll; conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch; English subtitles)

Metropolitan Opera, 1991 (Francisco Araiza, Kathleen Battle, Manfred Hemm, Luciana Serra, Kurt Moll; conducted by James Levine; English subtitles)

Paris Opera, 2001 (Piotr Beczala, Dorothea Röschmann, Detlef Roth, Desirée Rancatore, Matti Salminen; conducted by Ivan Fischer; no subtitles)

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 2003 (Will Hartman, Dorothea Röschmann, Simon Keenlyside, Diana Damrau, Franz Josef Selig; conducted by Colin Davis; no subtitles) – Act I, Act II

La Monnaie, Brussels, 2005 (Topi Lehtipuu, Sophie Karthäuser, Stephan Loger, Ana Camelia Stefanescu, Harry Peeters; conducted by René Jacobs; French subtitles)

Kenneth Branagh film, 2006 (Joseph Kaiser, Amy Carson, Benjamin Jay Davis, Lyubov Petrova, René Pape; conducted by James Conlon; sung in English)

San Francisco Opera, 2010 (Piotr Beczala, Dina Kuznetsoca, Christopher Maltman, Erika Miklósa, Georg Zeppenfeld; conducted by Donald Runnicles; English subtitles)

La Traviata

Mario Lanfrachi studio film, 1968 (Anna Moffo, Franco Bonisolli, Gino Bechi; conducted by Giuseppe Patané; English subtitles)

Glyndebourne Festival Opera, 1987 (Marie McLaughlin, Walter MacNeil, Brent Ellis; conducted by Bernard Haitink; Italian and Portuguese subtitles)

Teatro alla Scala, 1992 (Tiziana Fabbricini, Roberto Alagna, Paolo Coni; conducted by Riccardo Muti; English subtitles)

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1994 (Angela Gheorghiu, Frank Lopardo, Leo Nucci; conducted by Georg Solti; Spanish subtitles)

Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, 2003 (Stefania Bonfadelli, Scott Piper, Renato Bruson; conducted by Plácido Domingo; Spanish subtitles)

Salzburg Festival, 2005 (Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón, Thomas Hampson; conducted by Carlo Rizzi; no subtitles)

Los Angeles Opera, 2006 (Renée Fleming, Rolando Villazón, Renato Bruson; conducted by James Conlon; English subtitles)

Opera Festival St. Margarethen, 2008 (Kristiane Kaiser, Jean-Francois Borras, Georg Tichy; conducted by Ernst Märzendorfer; English subtitles)

Teatro Real di Madrid, 2015 (Ermonela Jaho, Francesco Demuro, Juan Jesús Rodríguez; conducted by Renato Palumbo; English subtitles)

Teatro Massimo, 2023 (Nino Machiadze, Saimir Pirgu, Roberto Frontali; conducted by Carlo Goldstein; no subtitles)

Carmen

Herbert von Karajan studio film, 1967 (Grace Bumbry, Jon Vickers; conducted by Herbert von Karajan; English subtitles)

Vienna State Opera, 1978 (Elena Obraztsova, Plácido Domingo; conducted by Carlos Kleiber; English Subtitles)

Francisco Rosi film, 1982 (Julia Migenes, Plácido Domingo; conducted by Lorin Maazel; English subtitles)

Metropolitan Opera, 1987 (Agnes Baltsa, José Carreras; conducted by James Levine; English subtitles)

London Earls Court Arena, 1989 (Maria Ewing, Jacque Trussel; conducted by Jaques Delacote; English subtitles)

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1991 (Maria Ewing, Luis Lima; conducted by Zubin Mehta; English subtitles) – Acts I and II, Acts III and IV

Arena di Verona, 2003 (Marina Domashenko, Marco Berti; conducted by Alain Lombard; Italian subtitles)

Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 2006 (Anna Caterina Antonacci, Jonas Kaufmann; conducted by Antonio Pappano; English subtitles) – Acts I and II, Acts III and IV

Metropolitan Opera, 2010 (Elina Garanca, Roberto Alagna; conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin; English subtitles) – Acts I and II, Acts III and IV

Opéra-Comique, 2023 (Gaëlle Arquez, Frédéric Antoun; conducted by Louis Langrée; English subtitles)

La Bohéme

Franco Zeffirelli studio film, 1965 (Mirella Freni, Gianni Raimondi; conducted by Herbert von Karajan; English subtitles)

Metropolitan Opera, 1977 (Renata Scotto, Luciano Pavarotti; conducted by James Levine; no subtitles)

Teatro alla Scala, 1979 (Ileana Cotrubas, Luciano Pavarotti; conducted by Carlos Kleiber; no subtitles)

Opera Australia, 1993 (Cheryl Barker, David Hobson; conducted by Julian Smith; Brazilian Portuguese subtitles)

Teatro Regio di Torino, 1996 (Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti; conducted by Daniel Oren; Italian subtitles)

Teatro alla Scala, 2003 (Cristina Gallardo-Domâs, Marcelo Alvarez; conducted by Bruno Bartoletti; Spanish subtitles)

Zürich Opera House, 2005 (Cristina Gallardo-Domâs, Marcello Giordani; conducted by Franz Welser-Möst; no subtitles)

Robert Dornhelm film, 2009 (Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón; conducted by Bertrand de Billy; no subtitles)

Opera Australia, 2011 (Takesha Meshé Kizart, Ji-Min Park; Shao-Chia Lü; no subtitles)

Sigulda Opera Festival, 2022 (Maija Kovalevska, Mihail Mihaylov; conducted by Vladimir Kiradjiev; English subtitles)

[isthepame]

Revisión y análisis del capítulo 285 de Blue Lock: "Contrato"

La alianza que redefine el ego

En las primeras páginas del capítulo 285, encontramos una conversación clave entre Kaiser e Isagi. Aquí, Isagi propone al Emperador unir fuerzas para derrotar a los genios del PXG, específicamente a Rin Itoshi.

Isagi reconoce su limitación: está consciente de que no puede derrotar a un genio como Rin por sí solo. Rin es impredecible, y esto hace que sus movimientos superen cualquier expectativa. La única forma viable para Isagi de detenerlo es trabajar en equipo. Este planteamiento lleva al protagonista a sugerir que los aprendices talentosos —como él y Kaiser— unan sus habilidades para superar a los genios.

Sacrificio y lógica por encima de las emociones

Para lograr esta alianza, Isagi decide dejar de lado sus emociones y apostar por un enfoque frío y calculado. Su objetivo es claro: ganar. Este sacrificio emocional se refleja en su propuesta de eliminar cualquier rastro de ego entre ambos, trabajando como una máquina diseñada exclusivamente para ganar. Kaiser, aunque inicialmente incrédulo, termina aceptando el "contrato", reconociendo que sus objetivos coinciden: superar a Rin y aplastar a Noa.

El momento en que Isagi y Kaiser chocan las palmas simboliza esta alianza, sellando un pacto temporal que les permitirá buscar la victoria juntos.

Reemplazo de los maestros y reanudación del partido

Con el pacto establecido, el partido final de la Liga Neo Egoísta continúa su curso. Los maestros abandonan el campo y son reemplazados por otros jugadores: Kunigami ingresa por Noa en el equipo Bastard München, mientras que Gabin sustituye a Loki en el PXG. La intensidad del enfrentamiento aumenta mientras el saque de banda de Nanase reanuda el partido, entregando el balón a Rin.

Revelaciones entre los maestros: la verdadera intención de Ego

Mientras el partido sigue su curso, los maestros reflexionan sobre el impacto de la Liga Neo Egoísta. Noa finalmente comprende la verdadera intención de Jinpachi Ego: los genios fueron arrastrados a este escenario para generar una evolución rápida en los jugadores jóvenes. Ego no solo buscaba entretenimiento o dinero; quería provocar una chispa que los forzara a mejorar a través del fuego competitivo.

Según Ego, esta chispa ha dado frutos: Isagi Yoichi y Rin Itoshi han desarrollado mentalidades y técnicas que los diferencian del resto. Esto demuestra que estos dos jugadores son los únicos capaces de soportar la presión extrema generada por el ego de los maestros y canalizarla hacia su propio crecimiento.

Preparativos para el desenlace final

La narrativa del capítulo cierra con una escena cargada de tensión. Rin recibe el balón de Nanase, mientras Isagi y Kaiser se movilizan como una dupla, listos para ejecutar su plan y buscar la victoria. En paralelo, Ego declara que las semillas de la evolución han germinado, y ahora es el momento para que un nuevo héroe egotista cambie el rumbo del mundo del fútbol.

El capítulo concluye mostrando las miradas determinadas de los tres delanteros protagonistas: Rin, Kaiser e Isagi. Cada uno de ellos representa una visión distinta del ego y la ambición, prometiendo un desenlace espectacular en los próximos capítulos.

El capítulo 285 no solo establece la alianza estratégica entre Isagi y Kaiser, sino que también revela la profundidad de la visión de Jinpachi Ego. Este episodio destaca cómo el ego puede ser un arma poderosa para el crecimiento, y cómo incluso los genios pueden ser manipulados para un bien mayor. La acción promete intensificarse aún más mientras los jugadores restantes se enfrentan en una batalla que definirá no solo el partido, sino el futuro del fútbol egotista.

Próximo capítulo: "Porque tú estabas ahí".

Por: @isthepame / isthepame