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tobiasdrake · 8 days ago

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Digimon Adventure 01x53 - The Final Dark Digimon / Now Apocalymon

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Piemon put a lot of effort into collecting Digimon Adventure memorabilia but then Takeru mugged him and stole all of his shit.

Now the Chosen Children have been faced with a startling revelation: The Dark Masters were a symptom, not the cause. Who is the true enemy that they must face?

We open on the consumption of Spiral Mountain. What can only be described as the distortions of the Digital World finally made manifest and visible bleeds out over the wireframe of what had been Spiral Mountain, covering it all. At the top, the platform that had been the Dark Masters' home disintegrates into pixels.

The Chosen Children were up there so, y'know, they're fucked. They plunge together into the eldritch void where reality breaks. Their Digimon, still in their Perfect and Ultimate forms, fly in after them.

Garudamon: SORA!!! MetalGarurumon: YAMATO!!! AtlurKabuterimon: KOUSHIRO!!! Angewomon: HIKARI!!! Zudomon: JOU!!!

Nobody calls out for Taichi, Mimi, or Takeru. Rude.

One by one, the Children arrive at a space in the void where gravity stops pulling on them. They float, adrift in this space beyond reality.

In the dub, Tai narrates a bit for us.

Tai: Spiral Mountain is disintegrating! WATCH OUT!!! (The platform they're standing on disintegrates and the kids fall into the void) WarGreymon: TAI!!! Garudamon: SORA!!! MetalGarurumon: MATT!!! Lilimon: MIMI!!!

Tai yelling "Watch out!" as if the entire landmass you're standing on vaporizing as reality shatters around you is something you can dodge. XD He'd try, though. We all know he'd try.

They change up which Partners call out for their kid. Sora and Yamato/Matt get call-outs in both versions while both versions snub Takeru/T.K. That boy defeated Piemon and still gets no respect.

Together, the kids and their Partner Digimon come to realize their descent has ceased.

Jou: (relieved) We stopped.... WarGreymon: Taichi! Are you safe!? Taichi: Yeah.... Koushiro: What is this place?

As if on cue, Koushiro's laptop beeps to alert him to an incoming message. Not an email this time; Gennai transmits a live call, though the connection is fuzzy and starts breaking up immediately.

Gennai: This darkness probably goes on forever. Koushiro: Gennai-san! Taichi: Hey! What the hell is going on here!? Yamato: We already defeated the Dark Masters! Gennai: But the root cause of all this evil hasn't been defeated yet. Children: EHHHH!?!? Gennai: The source of darkness came from the Wall of Fire. Jou: Wall of Fire? Gennai: There was an inscription in the Ancient Dino Region. The inscription said this: Long ago in ancient times, something emerged from beyond the Wall of Fire. Just by existing, this creature warped the fabric of space-time, bringing the world to the brink of collapse. Gennai: The Digimon could not defeat it with their own power, so they called on Chosen Children from the real world to help them eradicate it. Taichi: Huh!? But that means.... Jou: There were Chosen Children before us! Sora: Then we were also called because something came through the Wall of Fire again! And that's the real enemy!

Well, that's an infodump and a half. This is what Gennai and Centarumon were talking about last episode. Something came through the Wall of Fire long ago and had to be defeated, and now it's back for more.

The revelation that there was another set of Chosen Children before the Hikarigaoka Eight raises all kinds of questions and it's unfortunate that Homeostasis is not around to answer them.

(Though it also kind of makes sense, since it hasn't been explained why Parrotmon and Hikari's Koromon "fell through a breach in reality", as Homeostasis explained. That was probably the first time the Wall of Fire creature was tearing down the fabric of reality. So Homeostasis summoned one set of Children then and there to face that one, then started preparing for the Hikarigaoka Eight to face it when it returned.)

Note: The five Chosen Children we see in the flashback here are... uh... not canon. Which is to say, what we're seeing here are silhouettes of Taichi, Takeru, Sora, Koushiro, and Yamato, along with their specific five Partner Digimon.

02 and Tri would later flesh out the Original Five more, including their own distinct set of Partner Digimon. But for the original anime, they reused five of the existing kids because the specifics of the Original Five don't really matter much to this story.

What I do find interesting, however, is that the O5 were summoned directly to Primary Village and received their Partners from some Digitama that happened to be lying around. It makes the O-5's summoning seem a bit more rushed than the careful processing of Partners, Digivices, and Crests in a lab that Homeostasis was trying to do for the H-8.

In the dub:

WarGreymon: Tai, are you alright!? Tai: Y-Yeah... Izzy: Uh, this may be a stupid question but how come we're not still falling? ...huh!?

As usual, details buried in sound effects get lost. There is no beeping sound to alert Izzy to Gennai's transmission; He suddenly has a psychic premonition and breaks out his laptop.

Gennai: Greetings. I hope nobody needed a barf bag on the way down. Izzy: It's Gennai! Tai: So you're the one who brought us down here! Matt: What do you want!? We already beat the Dark Masters. Gennai: It's true that the evil of the Dark Masters was destroyed, but the source that created that evil still exists. Children: HUH!?!? Gennai: And that source came from the Wall of Fire. Joe: What's that? Gennai: When I was searching through the Dino Ruins, I came across an ancient inscription. It told of a time long ago when a strange being appeared from behind the Wall of Fire and it was angry. You would be too if you lived with that kind of humidity. Gennai: The mere existence of this being caused a warp in space, and time was thrown completely out of whack. It threatened the collapse of the Digital World and, even worse than that, my new wristwatch stopped working. Gennai: The Digimon knew they didn't have the strength to defeat this being, so the original DigiDestined children were summoned from the real world and together they defeated the evil. Tai: What!? Then you mean...? Joe: That there were other kids just like us before we came along? Sora: And we were summoned because something else came out from behind that Wall of Fire, didn't it? Huh. And that's the real enemy.

Tai and Matt are so hostile to Gennai. XD Taichi and Yamato are frustrated too, but Tai outright accuses Gennai of kidnapping them into the darkness. Y'know, 'cause homebody Gennai who was too lazy to visit File Island in person despite having a wearable mech suit definitely conjured up the power to consume Spiral Mountain in darkness himself.

Speaking of which, I love how Gennai takes credit for all of Centarumon's research. "When I was searching through the ruins" no you weren't, you managerial shit. XD That he pronounces it "Deeno Ruins" is the icing on the cake. He doesn't even know the name of the place he's claiming to have personally done archaeology at. Management!

The dub again suggests that the creature from beyond the Wall of Fire created the Dark Masters, rather than them empowering themselves from its effects on the world. It also suggests that the thing that came through the Wall of Fire this time is something distinctly separate from the one that came through before.

I see where they're coming from. "Something came through the Wall of Fire again" could mean that the thing from beyond the Wall of Fire has returned or it could mean that a new thing has emerged. But I'm fairly certain we're meant to take both instances as the same creature. I think there's only one of him.

From here, Gennai continues.

Gennai: There was also a prophecy written in the inscription at the Ancient Dino Region. It said that, in time, a great darkness would once again emerge into this world from beyond the Wall of Fire. Yamato: A great darkness....

The children look around at the void of darkness they're in.

Jou: You mean this darkness? Taichi: Are you saying this darkness itself is our true enemy? Gennai: In a sense, I suppose. But I'm sure it has a body too. Fight with all your hearts, children!

The transmission goes fuzzy and Gennai fades away. Good luck! Gennai out!

Taichi: Wait! Don't go yet! (Transmission ends) Taichi: (angry) We're just grasping at clouds! How do we fight something we don't even understand!?

"Grasping a cloud" is a Japanese idiom about trying to do something that's flagrantly impossible.

Jou: (worried) What did he mean by that? Is it different from the enemy Digimon we've been fighting!? Koushiro: I think it means our enemy's fundamental nature is different. Yamato: We'll still win this. Because, back in the day, kids just like us defeated this same Digimon! Sora: You're right. There has to be a way.

Even Taichi seems shaken by the prospect of fighting this thing. But, at Yamato's words, Taichi nods and the rest of the team steels themselves for the battle to come.

In the dub:

Gennai: That's correct. But, unfortunately, that's just the good news. The bad news is, it also told of a great darkness that would blanket the entire Digital World. Matt: A great darkness... Huh.... Joe: Don't look now, but it's pretty dark. Tai: So is this the enemy? Gennai: In a way, yes. But I believe he has a form as well. He's, uhhh... (Static) Gennai: UH-OH, I'M OUT OF QUARTERS, GOTTA GO!!! Tai: WAIT!!! GENNAI, COME BACK!!!

Reliable as ever. XD The dub's handling of Gennai's disconnection is beautiful. Useless jiji strikes again. They put their first commercial break right here on this punchline and we return to Gennai disconnecting, take two.

Gennai: Next time I'll use a phone card, I promise! SEE YA!!! Tai: (despondent) GEEEEENNAAAAAAAAAAI!!! Oh great, how does he expect us to fight this thing if we don't even know what we're looking for!? Joe: Just my luck. The second I start enjoying my vacation, another monster tries to destroy the world. Izzy: Sorry, guys, but something tells me this isn't going to be like any other Digimon we've ever run into. Matt: Yeah? So what? The first DigiDestined kids were able to defeat something like this. Well then, so will we. Sora: Matt's right! We'll just have to find a way to do it.

"Something tells me". Was it Gennai's infodump, Izzy? Was that what told you?

Here we see the confusion over how many Wall of Fire creatures there are again. This one's less understandable. Yamato calls it, in no uncertain terms, 同じデジモン onaji Dejimon. "The same Digimon". Not another one; It is the same. Matt's description gets more wishy-washy, calling the O-5's enemy "something like this".

Suddenly, the children hear a strange groaning coming from every direction at once.

Hikari: (freaked) Whose voice is that...? Mimi: (whispers) It's creepy.... Angewomon: I can hear it coming from everywhere! Taichi: It's... It's saying something! Voice: That's right. Are our regrets to go unanswered? Sora: Regrets? Jou: Who's there!?

A giant dodecahedron appears to answer Jou's question.

Koushiro: Is this the Digimon that came through the Wall of Fire?

Yes. And no. This is about to get complicated.

As important sound effects go, the dub lands this one. They remember to include the groaning, though the kids aren't nearly as bugged by it.

Kari: What's that noise? Mimi: Sounds like a moose! Angewomon: Sounds to me like it's coming from every direction! Tai: Me too! But what does it mean!? Voice: I know who you are! You don't have the power to eliminate my sadness! Sora: Huh? Joe: Who's there!? (Dodecahedron appears) Izzy: I'll bet this has something to do with that Digimon Gennai was talking about! Tai: Either that or it's a giant cube puzzle!

I'm guessing it's a d12. The Wall of Fire creature is going to be our DM in a giant game of Dungeons and Dramons. Joke's on him, we have WarGreymon.

Already we're beginning to see the tonal difference between versions of this creature but more on that later. For now, the dodecahedron unfurls.

Aside from the top and bottom faces, all ten of the dodecahedron's other faces unfurl into podiums which release colossal metal claws. The bottom face unfurls into a spike, while the top unfurls into a podium with no claw. Instead, a cloaked figure emerges from there, revealing itself to be a humanoid creature organically connected to the rest of the structure - with blue and red pipes pumping into its gut and another black pipe pumping into its back.

Its chains are made from strands of DNA. So that gives an early hint as to where this is going.

Yamato: (stunned) What is that thing...?

The narrator chimes in to answer Yamato's question 'cause it's time for the rundown. That... is not any Digimon we've ever seen before.

Apocalymon is a Digimon in the sense that it began being included in V-Pets and Digimon games and stuff following the debut of this episode. Because of course it did.

But it's one of the few creatures in the franchise to exist beyond the Ultimate stage. As previously discussed, it didn't hatch out of a Digitama and grow up but instead entered the Digital World fully-formed from an unknown space beyond reality through an impassible barrier. Consequently, it doesn't have any evolutionary path to it. It's not from here.

Games it appears in usually give it things like "Jogress Piemon, Mugendramon, Pinocchimon, and MetalSeadramon together to create Apocalymon" or something like that. It's just there because it's the guy from the Adventure anime and it would be cool if you could have the guy from the Adventure anime.

It doesn't have a type, it doesn't have an attribute, and its level is listed as "Ultimate" purely for lack of a word to describe it.

Narrator: A mysterious Digimon whose true nature is shrouded in darkness. No, it can't even be determined if this creature is a Digimon. It can reduce all things to nothingness with its Darkness Zone.

It is to Digimon what Gozer the Gozerian is to ghosts. Even the narrator doesn't fucking know what this is, initially calling it a Digimon and then catching himself and backpedaling.

(Though an interesting detail about Apocalymon is that it has features reminiscent of some of the Nightmare Soldiers nonetheless. It's cloak gives Vamdemon vibes. Meanwhile, its coloration and overlong arms ending in sharp red claws are reminiscent of Devimon's arms and that one freakish claw that LadyDevimon has.

So it may be part of the Nightmare Soldiers lineage after all. Or, alternatively, drawing power from the reality distortions created by Apocalymon may have ironically caused Digimon to evolve in ways that resemble it. LadyDevimon in particular certainly doesn't look like that claw is supposed to be there.)

While it has no lines in this part of the original, the dub gives us more of its dub personality. As the camera lingers on the blue and red pipes coming out of its front, it quips:

Apocalymon: I am the ultimate evil, complete with hot and cold running water! Matt: What on Earth is that thing? Apocalymon: (rundown) I am Apocalymon, a mutant Digimon. My Darkness Zone attack transforms my enemy to nothingness. I have the power to turn everything I touch into total darkness.

A lot more verbose. Dub Apocalymon is just, like, a guy. A really evil guy. Completely stepping over the ambiguity of his true nature in the original, he comes right out and explains that he's a mutant Digimon. That's all. Nothing to see here. Just a big bad evil guy we need to punch.

Unfortunately, the final dissolution of reality that dumped the Chosen Children into this void isn't just happening on Spiral Mountain. In the human world, four sets of terrified parents, one single mother, and a brother all watch helplessly as the void appears in their sky.

Yuuko (Taichi's Mom): What... is that...?

Then, in the void, the eight Children appear with their Partners. All of the parents gasp in shock. In an easy to miss move, Yamato and Takeru's mom Natsuko suddenly grabs onto the arm of their dad Hiroaki for support. The other two couples clinging to each other had already been doing that before the kids showed up in the void.

Toshiko (Sora's Mom): (worried) Sora! Mimi's Parents: (worried) Mimi-chan!

In the dub, Apocalymon keeps talking, carrying on from his self-rundown about his Darkness Zone reducing all things to darkness. Which the parents, apparently, can hear?

Apocalymon: Perhaps I will start with Earth. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Susumu (Tai's Dad): I'd better get a new flashlight. But what about.... Yuuko: The... KIDS...! (The kids appear, as if on cue. Parents gasp.) Toshiko: (worried) Sora! Mimi's Parents: (worried) Our Mimi!

Susumu is having what we would call a himbo moment right now. Yuuko's line read gets messed up from having a line whose partition doesn't line up well with where the lip flaps need the break in the line to go.

Probably should have stuck with the original line for her, which divides very well at that spot in both Japanese and English. You can't go wrong with a half-whispered utterance of terrified uncertainty.

Back in the void, Apocalymon finally speaks directly to the Children.

Apocalymon: Hahahahaha... Do you find me ugly? It's true, isn't it? You all must have been thinking it. After all, we are the ones whose evolutionary course was blocked. Koushiro: The evolutionary process? Apocalymon: Digimon have continued to evolve again and again over the years. Did you know that some of them disappeared? Koushiro: It's inevitable that some species will disappear during the evolutionary process. If they aren't able to adapt to their environment-- Apocalymon: SILENCE!!! Children: (collective gasp) Apocalymon: (furious) "Inevitable". You think that one word can settle this matter!? Yamato: What do you mean by that? Apocalymon: (sarcastic) Does Your Highness deem us unworthy to survive? Koushiro: (backtracking) No, I wouldn't-- Apocalymon: Yes, we are the accumulated sorrow, bitterness, and regret from all those Digimon who vanished during the evolutionary process! Sora: You're the collection of all the dark hearts from the DIgimon who disappeared?

Some interesting linguistic notes. While they do use a couple of singular first-person pronouns, Apocalymon predominately refers to themselves by the plural first-person pronoun 我々 wareware. This is due to the true nature they reveal in this conversation: They are a gestalt entity formed of many beings.

They're also surprisingly emotional. They get suddenly triggered by Koushiro's use of the phrase 仕方がない Shikataganai, which means... It can't be helped. It's inevitable. This is just the way it is. Nothing we can do about it.

Poor socially awkward Koushiro was just answering the question academically without realizing he was verbally slapping Apocalymon right in their goddamn gestalt face.

Which is why Apocalymon responds aggressively with the second-person pronoun 貴様 kisama. This is on paper a very respectful term from samurai days of old used to address one's superior but has had its meaning corrupted through sarcastic and ironic usage. It's the equivalent of saying, "Oh, yes, your highness. Right away, your worshipfulness."

When Apocalymon uses it here, they're being salty and accusing Koushiro of looking down on them. They're, shall we say, a little bit bitter. Just a smidge. You might not have noticed!

In the dub:

Apocalymon: Hahahahahaha! Are you repulsed by my appearance? Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings; They're already hurt! Hahahaha... You see, I was created from all that was lost during the Digivolving process. Izzy: What do you mean by 'lost'? Apocalymon: Digimon have been Digivolving for many years now, over and over again. But there were some who weren't up to the challenge and simply disappeared. Izzy: That makes sense. Even on Earth, some species became extinct during the process of evolution. In fact, the Tasmanian tiger wolf was one of those-- Apocalymon: SILENCE!!! Children: (collective gasp) Apocalymon: Who's the one telling this story, anyway? Me or you? Matt: (snide) Alright, go ahead. Apocalymon: First, I have a question to ask. Do you believe that I am worthy of coexisting with you? Izzy: Uhh, well... Yeah, sure! Apocalymon: Oh, really? Even though I was forged from the pain and misery of all the ill-fated Digimon who vanished while attempting to Digivolve? Sora: You're entirely made up of grief and sorrow? How sad for you. Apocalymon: Sure, rub it in.

There's no verbal misstep in this version; Apocalymon just cuts Izzy off before he can start infodumping.

He also sticks with first-person singular pronouns here. In general, he's much more composed than his Japanese counterpart. Rather than throwing out bitter accusations, he randomly asks, "Am I worthy to exist?" That Izzy struggles to answer the question reflects poorly on him, but we already know he's a dick.

The language here is a bit... confusing.

The language is already a bit confusing because Apocalymon seems to be talking about species lost to the evolutionary process, not Digimon randomly dying during a level-to-level evolution. At least, that's the impression I get. They and Koushiro reference 進化の過程 shinka no katei, the evolutionary process, rather than saying that Digimon suddenly drop dead during 進化 shinka.

This makes Izzy's reference to the Tasmanian tiger wolf rather apt. Which, by the way, is also known as the thylacine, and is colloquially known as the Tasmanian tiger or the Tasmanian wolf. So far as I know, nobody calls it a "tiger wolf" but I might be wrong. Either Izzy's mouthing off again or he's actually got the better of me on this one.

The dub's been swapping out "evolve" for "Digivolve" for so long that they forge right ahead here and say "Digivolving process", the unique fantasy mechanism by which Greymon becomes MetalGreymon.

So while there's some uncertainty as to what they're talking about in the original, the dub clearly asserts that sometimes Digimon spontaneously drop dead while Digivolving. Those individuals' resentment, rather than the resentment of entire species lost to history, is what makes up Apocalymon.

Which... might also be how it's meant to be taken in the original too. It's a little confusing. To my knowledge, individual Digimon spontaneously ceasing to exist during an evolution isn't a thing that can happen but... IDK.

Now that their identity is explained, Apocalymon continues.

Apocalymon: The Chosen Children and their Digimon... We've been looking forward to meeting all of you. WarGreymon: (quietly) What...? MetalGarurumon: What do you mean by that!? Apocalymon: Listen! While we lay buried in a cold and sorrowful darkness, you were on the other side enjoying yourselves and laughing happily in the warm light. WHY!?!?

Furious, Apocalymon attacks. A burst of electricity fires out from their dodecahedron, which hits all eight children and their Digimon.

Once the shocks have passed, Taichi calls out to the team.

Taichi: Is everyone okay!? Yamato: Yeah, I'm managing. Koushiro: Yes. Sora: We're okay, Taichi.

I'm beginning to get the impression that Apocalymon is not emotionally stable.

An interesting note is that we generally don't get an explanation for why light is good and darkness is bad in media that use those things. It's considered self-evident. But in this speech, Apocalymon actually explains why the forces of darkness are forces of darkness.

Because the forces of darkness are drawing their power from them, Apocalymon, whose component entities are species banished from the light of existence, whose spirits live on only in this void.

In the dub:

Apocalymon: And now, DigiDestined and Digimon, I have been waiting an eternity for this encounter. WarGreymon: What!? MetalGarurumon: What do you mean!? Apocalymon: As I sat alone in the cold, miserable darkness of my world, I watched all of you on the other side laughing and having fun in the light! Well, now it's my turn... TO SHINE!!! (Apocalymon hits them all with a sudden electric burst) Tai: Is everybody okay? Matt: I think so. Izzy: Yeah. Sora: I'm okay, Tai. Apocalymon: Not for long.

Basically the same, but Apocalymon again doesn't sound as aggrieved as his Japanese counterpart, who is basically frothing at the mouth with jealous fury.

Speaking of which, shit's about to get gross.

Apocalymon: WHAT DID WE DO WRONG!?!?

Apocalymon proceeds to self-harm, digging their own claws into their shoulders and wrenching open their flesh. The blood and underlying gore is painted green to reduce the ick factor but. Uh. Ick.

Apocalymon: Why should you get to laugh when we have to cry!? Mimi: (shrieks and covers her eyes) NO!!! I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS!!! Apocalymon: Even those such as us have tears and emotions!

They suddenly wrench their claws back out of their shoulders.

Apocalymon: WHAT RIGHT DID THEY HAVE TO TAKE AWAY OUR LIVES AND BANISH US FROM THIS WORLD!?!?

I think Mimi's face says it all. Jesus.

This section, which is so gruesome that a 10-year-old in-universe screams "I don't want to see this," gets one big NOPE stamp from Fox Kids.

Apocalymon continues.

Apocalymon: We wanted to live. To survive and talk about friendship, justice, and love!

Apocalymon curls into themself and stabs their claws back into their shoulder wounds, with a spurt of green blood from both sides. Reaction shots of the children show that Sora, too, is averting her gaze from the gruesome sight while Jou, Takeru, and Hikari watch in horror.

Apocalymon: We wanted this body to be useful to the world! Are you saying this world has no need for us? That we're meaningless!?

(Apocalymon is the voice of my entire generation and I was not prepared for that. The kids better do something quick 'cause I'm starting to root for the Failure Amalgam.)

A close-up of Apocalymon's bleeding shoulders (I guess they pulled their claws out again) shows the bloody wounds closing themselves back up and disappearing from their body.

Koushiro: They have the ability to self-regenerate! Apocalymon: We will take control of this world. We'll establish a place for ourselves here. Anything that gets in our way will disappear! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! A CURSE ON EVERY PLACE THE LIGHT TOUCHES!!!

The dub continues scrubbing shots with all this ick in them. They do, however, use one shot of Apocalymon with the visible claw marks in his shoulders. What those are goes unexplained.

Apocalymon: Do you think it's fair that I should have to live with all this agony!? Why should you get to laugh when I am forced to cry?

The reaction shots from the kids, including Sora averting her gaze, are kept in. Though it's not clear what Sora's so freaked out and unwilling to look at.

Apocalymon: Why do you get to taste the best life has to offer while all I do is choke on its leftovers!? Answer me this! WHY DO ALL OF YOU GET THE PIZZA!?!? WHY DO I GET THE CRUST!?!?

Then we finally get Mimi's reaction.

Mimi: (shrieks and covers her eyes) Oh, I can't take all these metaphors!

Before finally rejoining the original scene order with Izzy, who is no longer commenting on the regeneration because all shots of the gore were cut out.

Izzy: Boy, this guy really holds a grudge. Apocalymon: I will rule the world and plunge it into darkness so that I don't have to be alone anymore in my misery! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Wait a minute, what am I laughing at? I'm supposed to be depressed!

It's been the case multiple times throughout the series that the dub is written as if they were doing an Abridged Parody for YouTube, and Apocalymon tops that chart.

"Why do you get the pizza and I get the crust?" is pretty out-there. They are absolutely making fun of the original through this script. Literally a bit that happens between TFS Goku and TFS Frieza.

Nonetheless, "I will plunge the world into darkness so I don't have to be alone in my misery" hits the nail on the head. That is what Apocalymon wants. They aren't trying to build themselves up. They don't want to come out into the light. This isn't an act of hope.

It's despair. They're mad at the other species who outcompeted them evolutionarily, and they want everyone to have to suffer the way they've suffered. They want to punish the world for leaving them behind, rather than to improve their own circumstances by being accepted into it.

If this were a consequence of man-made forces, Apocalymon would be a complicated and sympathetic figure. If Captain Planet started dropping billionaires from skyscrapers to thwart the impending climate apocalypse, I think a lot of us would be okay with that. It'd be a conversation, at the very least.

However, "Should we let Revenge of the Mastodon tear the fabric of reality in half out of spite?" is a bit more cut-and-dry. Dude literally just said he wants to curse everything the light touches. There is no nuance to be had here. I'm sorry your species couldn't handle the Ice Age or whatever but you don't get to take it out on the ones that did.

Once again, worked up into a frenzy, Apocalymon attacks.

Apocalymon: ULTIMATE STREAM!!!

One of Apocalymon's DNA claws morphs into the head of MetalSeadramon, then fires Ultimate Stream from his emitter straight at Hikari.

Taichi: HIKARI!!!

Angewomon throws herself at Hikari, wrapping the girl up in her arms while taking Ultimate Stream straight to the back.

Angewomon: AUGH!!! Hikari: ANGEWOMON!!! Apocalymon: Kindhearted children, that was a sign of our friendship. The next is LOVE!!! BLOODY STREAM!!!

A DNA claw morphs into Vamdemon, swinging his Bloody Stream whip at Mimi. It's Lilimon's turn to block, taking Vamdemon's lash.

Lilimon: MIMI--AHHHHHHH!!! Apocalymon: JUSTICE!!! MUGEN CANNON!!!

Mugendramon's Mugen Cannon is going for Sora. Garudamon claps her hands around Sora and takes that one to the back.

Garudamon: Sora! AUGH!!!

Kinda sexist that you're only shooting at the girls, my composite dude/tte.

In the dub:

Apocalymon: RIVER OF POWER!!! (Apocalymon shoots at Kari) Tai: KARI!!! Kari: AHHHH!!! Angewomon: (takes the hit for her) AUGH!!! Kari: AHHHH ANGEWOMON NO!!! Apocalymon: That was MetalSeadramon with his classic River of Power. And now here's Myotismon with his #1 hit, CRIMSON LIGHTNING!!! (Apocalymon shoots at Mimi) Mimi: AHHHHH!!! Lilimon: (takes the hit for her) AHHHH!!! Apocalymon: Next, Machinedramon! GIGA CANNON!!! (Apocalymon shoots at Sora) Sora: WHAAA!!! Garudamon: SORA!!! (takes the hit for her) AUGH!!!

The only point of note is Dub Apocalymon DJing the attacks he's firing.

So, yeah, that's a hell of a thing. Koushiro assesses what's happening here.

Koushiro: Could it be... Are they able to use all of the techniques from every Digimon up to this point? Jou: Then... isn't this like fighting every single one of those Digimon at once? Sora: So does that mean there's no chance of winning? Taichi: Guys! Don't let them freak you out. Get back in positions! Takeru: We just need to stay together! Hikaru: (nods) Mhm! Yamato: That's right! There's no going back from here.

This Final Fantasy-style final boss fight against a primordial concept that's been secretly powering all the villains we've faced to this point is shaping up to be a hell of a thing. But the children steel themselves for it nonetheless. There's nothing else they can do.

In the dub:

Izzy: Inconceivable! He's using all the attacks of the evil Digimon we've defeated in the past! Joe: You mean we have to fight them all over again? This is the worst recurring nightmare I've ever been awake for! Sora: Hey, we were able to beat them once! Tai: Sora's right! We did beat them! And we can do it again! T.K.: We just have to fight together as a team! Kari: (nods) Mhm! Matt: I agree. We've sacrificed too much to give up now.

Izzy deduces only that Apocalymon has the attacks of the "evil Digimon we defeated", and not every Digimon. In his defense, that is just as valid of a conclusion to draw from the evidence shown.

Joe still freaks out, but the lowered challenge level does seem to make Sora a lot more confident than her Japanese counterpart is about facing this threat.

I appreciate Matt bringing up the sacrifices they've made. The road to this point is paved in corpses, both friend and enemy alike.

Unfortunately, as the children prepare themselves to fight, Apocalymon takes it as an invitation to ramp it up.

Apocalymon: You haven't even seen how terrifying I can truly be. DEATH EVOLUTION!!!

Rare singular pronoun from Apocalymon there.

At once, Apocalymon sends all of their claws forward, snatching each and every one of the Partner Digimon. This goes uneventfully for most, though Lilimon does have to shove Mimi away so she doesn't get caught in the claw too.

Mimi: LILIMON!!!

Once all of the Digimon are in Apocalymon's grasp, they address the crowd once more.

Apocalymon: I'll make you understand how we felt, as we vanished from the evolutionary process.

Within the grip of Apocalymon's claws, the eight Partner Digimon glow brightly. Then their light fades and the claws retract, leaving the eight of them reduced to their base stages.

(Oh, so that's where the power behind Etemon's Love Serenade came from.)

Yamato: No way.... Takeru: Everyone changed back...? Patamon: Takeru, I'm sorry. Takeru: There's nothing to apologize for, Patamon. Hikari: But we can't win like this! Tailmon: Don't give up! Gabumon: It's fine. We can still fight like this! Tentomon: All we have to do is evolve again. Jou: That's right! Evolve again, everyone! Gomamon: We're on it! Palmon: I am a little hungry, though.... Agumon: That's fine. Just get fired up! Gabumon: (to the children) We're counting on all of you!

We have a plan of attack. Having the team's evolutions stripped away sucks, but there's nothing stopping them from re-evolving and getting back to business.

In the dub:

Apocalymon: You fools! You haven't even seen my true power yet! REVERSE DIGIVOLVE!!! (Claws grab everyone. Lillymon shoves Mimi away.) Mimi: LILLYMON!!! Apocalymon: I'll make you understand how it feels to be one step closer to extinction! (Apocalymon regresses all of the Digimon) Matt: They're Rookies! T.K.: He changed them back so easily! Patamon: I'm sorry, T.K.! T.K.: It's not your fault, Patamon; It's him! Kari: Great. This time, we're finished. Gatomon: You'd better leave that 'tude, Kari! Gabumon: Just because we're at the Rookie level doesn't mean we still can't fight. Tentomon: We'd Digivolve if we had the energy. Joe: That's it! Start from scratch! You can Digivolve again! Gomamon: We'd have to eat something. Palmon: Come to think of it, I am kinda hungry. Agumon: Forget food! We have the power within us! Gabumon: (to the children) But we need your help!

Palmon and Agumon's cute little exchange is turned into a full-blown problem that all of the Rookie Digimon need to overcome. But nonetheless resolved as easily, with some gumption and can-do spirit.

"I'll make you understand how it feels to be one step away from extinction" is a raw line. I love it.

The children go for their Digivices--

Apocalymon: DEATH CLAW!!!

One of Apocalymon's claws morphs into four pairs of Devimon hands. They extend, snatching the children's Crests away from them. Within the grip of Apocalymon's Death Claws, the Crests and their Tags shatter into dust.

The Chosen Children watch helplessly as their Crests are destroyed utterly.

Taichi: THE CRESTS!!! Takeru: They broke! Sora: Now we can't make them evolve! Apocalymon: I see you're beginning to realize the despair we felt from being unable to evolve! Jou: Oh my god, they broke the Crests! Mimi: If we can't evolve then how are we supposed to win this fight!?

Mimi's question is left hanging in the air as we go to our commercial break.

In the dub, Tai queues us up for what's about to happen.

Tai: Everybody, get your Crests ready! Apocalymon: DEATH CLAW!!! (Apocalymon destroys the Crests and Tags) Tai: Ah! Our Crests and Tags! T.K.: He broke them all! Sora: They won't be able to Digivolve without them! Apocalymon: I hope you learned your lesson: Always save your receipts! The warranty was probably still good on those things. Joe: Isn't this usually the time when one of us comes up with a brilliant idea? Mimi: I don't think anything can save us this time, Joe! I'm afraid we're done for!

The dub forgot that they renamed Death Claw to Touch of Evil. ...wait, why was this "death" okay but Death Evolution wasn't? Is it because it had the world "evolution" in it? Was that the naughty word?

In any case, the dub agrees that this is a good spot for the second commercial.

Following the commercial, we return to the Chosen Children freaking the fuck out. The conversation picks right up where it left off, replaying Mimi's line.

Mimi: If we can't evolve then how are we supposed to win this fight!? Koushiro: It's impossible! No matter how hard they try, Child-stage Digimon cannot defeat an enemy with the combined power of all the strongest Digimon we've ever faced! Taichi: I won't accept that! There must still be a way to win this! Yamato: How did the previous Chosen Children defeat this enemy!?

Koushiro's done the math and hahahaHAHA no, these circumstances are not winnable. Not by a long shot. We are up shit creek without a paddle here. Though Yamato raises a good counterpoint.

In the dub:

Mimi: How can we fight Apocalymon without Digivolving!? Izzy: There's no way! All the Rookie Digimon combined couldn't beat an enemy who has the power of all the evil Digimon from the past! Tai: How can you be so sure!? There's got to be a way somehow! Matt: How did the original DigiDestined kids defeat this enemy?

Basically, the same, except Mimi addresses Apocalymon by name.

In the original, they're just calling Apocalymon "the enemy". Possibly because they might not even know that the enemy is called Apocalymon. That rundown was for our eyes only; Apocalymon might not even be in the in-universe Digimon Analyzer, and even if they are, Koushiro hasn't analyzed them.

Fortunately for the dub kids, Apocalymon's rundown there was diegetic so he's formally introduced himself. Mimi can use his name. No problems there.

Sadly, we are out of time for figuring out how to fight. Apocalymon's ready to end this.

Apocalymon: (chanting) Runani tade wa chita-emao! Runani tade wa chita-emao!

ルナーニタデーハチタエマーオー

By themselves, these noises are gibberish. However, that's because they're doing a backwards-talk spell incantation.

if you spell their words backwards (and with hiragana and kanji, which mean things), you get "お前たちはデータになる Omae-tachi wa deta ninaru." Or, "You all become data. You all become data."

Jou is the first to realize what's happening and start screaming. This grabs Sora's attention, who whips around to see Jou pixelizing before realizing it's happening to her too.

The bodies of all eight children are being broken down, reduced to data as the spell suggested.

Yamato: (alarmed) This is-- Koushiro: It's really bad! Our bodies are being broken down into digital data! Taichi: What did you say!?

The Digimon, too, are breaking down.

Piyomon: Then we.... Gabumon: ...we.... Agumon: ...WHAT'S HAPPENING TO US!?!?

There's nothing anyone can do but scream until they no longer have mouths to scream with. Then they're gone. All sixteen.

Now, in the U.S., we kinda had a big hubbub in the late 20th century about "Satan is sending messages to your children through backwards-talk on records!". So that's not happening. Apocalymon instead intones a rhyme to cast his spell.

Apocalymon: I'll take these children and use their fear / to make them digital and disappear! Ahahahahahaha! (The kids notice they're disintegrating) Matt: What's this!? Izzy: Fascinating. Our bodies are being broken down into little bits of digital information. Tai: FASCINATING!?!? Biyomon: Let's stay calm, everyone! Don't fall to pieces. Agumon: (jokey) Too late!

Tai and Matt are the only ones appropriately horrified by this. The Digimon are quipping and Izzy's downright intrigued.

The "fascinating" gag is pretty funny, though. That got me. XD

We find the children in a white void that is probably a hyperbolic visual representation of what's happening to them? IDK.

They fade in and out of existence whenever they speak. Except, briefly, Koushiro who has more to say. Naturally, the children begin to panic.

Taichi: Where are we!? Koushiro: The world of data. We've all been broken down into data. Mimi: Broken down!? Can't we go back to normal!? Koushiro: I don't know. Jou: What will happen to us if we can't turn back!? Hikari: Is this the end? Sora: I don't know! This is the first time this has ever happened to me. What do we do!? Taichi: ...did we lose? Yamato: Is it all over?

Sora, I'm pretty sure this is a universal first for, like, humanity. XD

Felt, though.

In the dub:

Tai: Ah! Where are we!? Izzy: We're information now. This is where all information gathers. It's the world of data! Mimi: Data!? I'm too young to be dating! Izzy: It's not the same. Joe: Sometimes too much information's a bad thing. Kari: Can we get back? Sora: I don't know, Kari. Nothing like this has ever happened to us before. I don't know what to do. Tai: Is this it? Have we lost? Matt: I'd say that's a pretty good conclusion.

About the same, but with less panic and more quipping.

But despite everything, the Digimon refuse to give up and let this be the end.

Agumon: Don't lose your nerve now! Taichi: Agumon? Gabumon: I'll fight to the bitter end. So don't give up hope! Piyomon: That's right! There were many times up to now when I thought it was over, but we always fought through it together! Sora: Sure, but we've been broken down into data! We don't even know if we'll be able to return to human form, let alone defeat our enemy! Jou: Even if we could make it back, they can't evolve without our Crests! Koushiro: This has never happened before. How is anyone supposed to handle being broken down into data!? NOBODY KNOWS!!! Tentomon: Tell me, Koushiro-han, In all the battles you've fought up to this point, did you always know how you were going to win? Koushiro: Eh? Gabumon: Right! There's a lot of 'firsts' on an adventure!

The Digimon have a point. This entire adventure has involved setting foot where no human has only five other humans have ever tread. Remember that time we made a cave into a wormhole between Etemon's pyramid and a random patch of desert miles away? Good times.

In the dub:

Agumon: Come on, you guys! Don't quit now! Tai: (resigned) Why not? Gabumon: Look, we can't stop fighting now just because of a little setback! Biyomon: So what if we're bits of information, we have no Tags and Crests, we can't Digivolve, and we're facing the most powerful enemy of all time. I don't see what the problem is. Sora: Listen, Biyomon. You guys have a great attitude about this whole thing, but all the positive thinking in the world can't guarantee that we'll find a way to get back to our original forms. Joe: I tried positive thinking once and I was positive about one thing: I positively hated it! Izzy: (excited) Speaking scientifically, we're the first humans to be digitally processed! Technically, we're pioneers! Like Marco Polo! Tentomon: Oh, I know what he's famous for! Marco! Agumon: Polo! Tentomon: Marco! Gatomon: Polo! Tentomon: Marco! Biyomon: Polo! Izzy: ...huh? Gabumon: In every battle, you're bound to face a number of unknowns.

Up until Gabumon's last line, the vibe on the Digimon talk is totally different here. Rather than inspirational and unyielding, the Digimon are presented as dim-witted rubes, utterly failing to grasp the severity of the situation.

Though the kids don't seem to grasp it either, as they're still delivering laugh lines. Izzy is downright thrilled to have been wiped from existence, and also queues up Tentomon for a wacky skit.

Finally, the Digimon break through. Jou-senpai is the first to come around.

Gomamon: We never knew what to do in situations like this! Jou: Jou're right! All those times....

Jou flashes back on meeting Pukamon for the first time, way back when they arrived on File Island and being attacked by Kuwagamon.

Jou: I didn't know anything about this Digimon World. It was just one thing after another that nearly made my heart stop! Gomamon: But because of you and your nakama, we were able to push through together. Jou: Yeah.... At first, I just wanted to escape this place as soon as possible....

A gentle, somber remix of the series OP Butterfly picks up.

Jou's memories turn to the Tokyo Bay, fishing Takeru out and saving him from nearly drowning when they were attacked by MegaSeadramon. Very nearly sacrificing his own life for Takeru's, and activating his Crest of Sincerity/Responsibility.

Jou: But it's because of all this that I could have experiences I never would have learned about from studying for my entrance exams. Mimi: There was a lot of gross stuff and things that made me cry. Palmon: But are you glad we became friends? Mimi: Yeah. I think meeting all of you has made me stronger.

Mimi, for her part, flashes back on the battle at Big Sight convention center when her Crest activated. She has nothing further to say as the memory plays out, with only Butterfly playing in the background.

In the dub:

Gomamon: Yeah, you didn't know how those other fights would turn out but you fought them anyway, didn't you? Joe: Yeah, that's right. We did fight! (File Island flashback) Joe: When I first got to the Digital World, I was afraid of any little thing that moved! We faced all kinds of new monsters. Gomamon: But no matter who they threw at us, we always found the strength to beat the enemy! Regardless of how big it was. Didn't we, Joe? Joe: That's right! We did! We worked together as a team. (Flashback to Joe's Crest activation) Joe: Even that time when we almost lost T.K. because he couldn't swim. Of course... (sheepishly) I forgot that I couldn't swim either... Mimi: I remember times when all I wanted to do was break down and cry. Palmon: But instead, you fought on with your new friends! Mimi: Mhm! I feel like I've become a stronger person since I met all of you! (Flashback to Mimi's Crest activation) Mimi: Like that time at the convention center when all those Bakemon were attacking. I didn't cry a single drop! ...alright, maybe just one drop.

And so we draw near the conclusion of this series the way we began it: rewriting the characters to strip out their emotional sincerity and emphasize how fierce and raring to fight they are.

Mimi's speech is pretty close to the original, but Joe's sucks. Joe's speech completely sucks. The heart has been completely torn out of it, replaced with "Yeah we kicked so much ass my dude" and a laugh line that turns Joe's sacrifice into a "Whoops, my bad!"

Moving right along, Takeru is next.

Patamon: Before I met Takeru, I thought I didn't need to evolve. But....

Nope, sorry, Patamon first.

Patamon flashes back on his first evolution into Angemon, way back when. The battle with Devimon on File Island.

In the process finally and unambiguously confirming that Patamon does, in fact, retain memories from his past life. The dub staked that position as early as the Pagumon village so that's a cookie for them that's been a long time coming.

Even if you assume the Devimon flashback is Takeru's, Patamon even being able to reference a time "before I met Takeru" is itself proof that he remembers his past life.

For his turn, Takeru takes HolyAngemon's evolution in the battle against Piemon.

Takeru: Me too. Because I met you, Patamon, I feel like I've learned how important it is to fight.

Sora's turn.

Piyomon: Sora, you were always so thoughtful. Sora: (smiling) Piyomon.... Piyomon: That's why everybody adores you so much!

Sora's flashback is the debut of Garudamon, when she let Piyomon fight Vamdemon despite fearing for her safety.

In the dub, they continue talking over the flashbacks and making jokes.

Patamon: Before I met you, T.K., I didn't think it mattered if I ever DIgivolved or not. (Flashback) Patamon: But when Devimon went to grab you and got me, I knew it was my time to shine! I became Angemon for the first time and I've been flying high ever since! T.K.: I learned something from you too, Patamon. (Flashback) T.K.: I learned that sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in! Biyomon: I want you to know that you've changed my life in many ways too, Sora. Sora: Really? Biyomon: Of course you have! After all, I've never had a best friend before! (Flashback) Biyomon: I would do anything for you! Like that time I took Myotismon's Crimson Lightning attack right in the chest! Talk about heartburn!

Patamon's recollection of events is leaving out some, uh, significant things that happened to him between then and now.

T.K.'s bit is pretty much verbatim.

Awkward joke aside, the main difference between versions for Biyomon is that she keeps it narrowly focused on herself and Sora. Piyomon said that everyone loves Sora while Biyomon focuses on her own personal feelings for Sora.

Next up: Koushiro.

Tentomon: Koushiro-han. I learned a lot by being with you. Though it did upset me sometimes when you couldn't look past your computer. Koushiro: Tentomon.... Tentomon: But that's just another part of you that I like.

Koushiro's Crest flashback is a little different, as we don't get to see his Crest shine. We only see Vademon pummeling Kabuterimon with asteroids and Koushiro looking concerned, and then the opening bit of AtlurKabuterimon's stock animation for his evolution sequence.

Gabumon: Yamato.... Yamato: You don't have to say anything. I already know.

Yamato's like, "My dude, we did not spend a whole episode in that cave just to have beef now."

He's ahead of the curve. He already had his ultimate self-actualization into his final form. It's all-a y'all motherfuckers that need to catch up.

His flashback is, of course, Digitamamon's diner.

In the dub:

Tentomon: You know, Izzy, when I first met you, I thought you were just one of those computer geeks. But after I got to know you, I realized you are one of those computer geeks! And I'm glad you are! Because where would the rest of us be without you? Izzy: Thanks, pal. Tentomon: (sniff) I promised myself I wouldn't cry! (Flashback) Tentomon: Although I wanted to cry when I felt that asteroid belt tightening around my waist but you and I took care of Vademon together! Gabumon: As for you, Matt. Matt: You don't have to say anything. I know. (Flashback) Gabumon: There was that time when-- Matt: Yeah, that's right. I remember. Gabumon: And then you and I-- Matt: (annoyed) I know. Gabumon: Remember when we-- Matt: Didn't you hear me!? I said you don't have to say anything!

Poor Gabumon. Matt's trying to have his cool guy moment from the original but unfortunately Gabumon is contractually obligated to fill the silence of the flashback, so no dice.

Tentomon's speech here isn't great, but it's not awful either. Kinda mid. Though I will say that "I felt that asteroid belt tightening around my waist" is fantastic wordplay. Well punned.

There's only two children left. Onward to the Yagami siblings.

Agumon: Hey, Taichi! When we're together, we're invincible, right? Taichi: You know it!

Yeah, okay, those two have been on the same wavelength since day one. They may be reckless idiots at times, but they've always been reckless idiots together.

Taichi's flashback is split, since his was the first Crest sequence and didn't happen as suddenly as the others. We first see his Crest activating when he braved the firewall in Etemon's pyramid, after having to come to terms with the reality that he can die for real here.

Then the other part: Rushing Etemon in the desert with his shining Crest held aloft, having learned from the Skull/MetalGreymon arc the true meaning of courage.

Tailmon: We can't let ourselves fall here. If we do, then what was my long search for Hikari even for? Hikari: Tailmon.... Tailmon: I waited so long for the day when I would meet you and protect you.

For her part, Hikari gets the death of Wizarmon and tearful activation of her Crest.

In the dub:

Agumon: You and I knew from the beginning that together we'd be an invincible team. Right, Tai? Tai: You got that right! (Flashback) Tai: Of course, I probably could have taken care of Etemon without you. But it was nice having you around. It did get me out of a few jams. Gatomon: We can't give up now! 'Cause if we do, what was the whole point of searching for Kari in the first place? Kari: Hehe, Gatomon! Gatomon: I've waited my whole life to meet you and find my purpose, and that is to protect you no matter what the cost. (Flashback) Gatomon: Whether that meant facing Myotismon's Grisly Wing attack or facing the reality of losing Wizardmon... You know that we'll always be there for you.

Gatomon and Kari's segment is pretty solid.

Tai seems allergic to emotional sincerity. However, his "I could have taken Etemon myself but YOU HELPED I GUESS" bit is pretty clearly just him ribbing his pal, and not an honestly held belief. So, in its own way, it's still an expression of the bond they share. Just, in a more macho American way.

The eight children bring it in together.

Hikari: If I'd never met Tailmon.... Jou: If I hadn't come to the Digimon World.... Mimi: If I hadn't taken this journey with all of you.... Koushiro: We wouldn't have become who we are now. Yamato: That's right! It's because our Digimon were always with us.... Takeru: Because our nakama was always with us.... Sora: Because we learned the importance of helping each other.... Taichi: We could be ourselves!

In the dub:

Kari: Boy, if I had never met you, Gatomon.... Joe: And if I had never come to the Digital World.... Mimi: And if none of us became friends in the first place.... Izzy: Then we wouldn't have become the people that we are today. Matt: You're right! We never would have won all those battles without each other. T.K.: I feel like I've grown up a lot! Sora: I think we've all grown up in a lot of ways. Tai: I've grown up too! I'm a much better fighter now!

They stay on script up through Izzy and then lose the plot. Matt and Tai talk about how cool fighting is. T.K. and Sora just say "We grew up a lot" rather than talking about the specific ways this journey has shaped them and their group.

The dub ends this bit on "I'm a much better fighter now," which. Like. Okay. Sure. That's it. That's what this journey was about. It was about Tai learning how to punch things good.

From here, we return to the human world and the frightened parents who watched their children dissolve into nothingness.

BECAUSE BY THE WAY THEY WERE WATCHING THAT. THERAPY. THERAPY FOR YEARS. THERAPY FOR THE KIDS. THERAPY FOR THE PARENTS. THERAPY.

The parents, too, refuse to give up hope.

Hiroaki (Yamato's Dad): Ganbare. (Keep going and persevere.) Shin (Jou's Brother): For the Earth. Toshiko (Sora's Mom): All of you are our pride. Masami (Koushiro's Dad): Ganbare.

From there, we move around the world to see this same distortion in the sky everywhere. People in the United States, in Italy, and in Russia gather without truly understanding what is happening to see the fate of reality decided.

In the dub:

Hiroaki: You can do it! Jim: Come on! For Earth! Toshiko: We're so proud of you, no matter what happens! Masami: Give it your all!

Solid. Hiroaki and Masami both say ganbare in the original but the dub translates them differently to avoid repetition.

After this short break to remind us what the stakes are, we return to data.

Taichi: That's right! We can't let it end like this! Sora: We can't let our adventure go to waste! Yamato: For the Digimon we've met and our nakama and our friendship! Koushiro: And for everyone else we love, waiting for us on Earth! Mimi: We.... Yamato: We.... Takeru: All of us.... Jou: ...will never look back again! Hikari: We won't allow the light in our hearts to fade out!

With that declaration, the symbols from their Crests shine from their chests as if they were still wearing the things.

(They're divided along gender lines left to right but Koushiro's an honorary girl 'cause they don't have enough to make it four and four. XD)

Dry exposition can be difficult to absorb when you aren't poring over two different sets of it for differences, which is why I don't blame the children for being surprised here. However, it's worth noting that Homeostasis explained this to them already.

It's implicitly how Hikari's unexplained Glowy Form worked in the Mugendramon sub-arc. The Digivices and Crests are just tools to help manifest and control the light that's already within the children themselves.

In the dub:

Tai: I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to quit yet! Sora: I'm with you, Tai! I won't let this whole experience be for nothing! Matt: Me neither! There's no way I'm about to let my friends down. Izzy: And besides, there's still a lot of people counting on us down on Earth! Mimi: Let's find a way! Matt: Let's fight! T.K.: We're ready! Joe: We've reached the point where there's no turning back! Kari: Crests of no Crests, we're going to win!

Tai and Sora are on-script and Matt's pretty close. Things start veering off-course at Izzy with the subtle shift from "This is for the people we love" to "Lots of people are counting on us". That's not a super big deal, though.

It's Kari's line that's the major divergence. "The light in our hearts" is... kind of an important concept for understanding why their Crest lights suddenly start shining out of their chests. But Kari just gives a "Ra-ra Let's get 'em!"

However, the dub places their final commercial break here. They come back to another take on that last bit.

Mimi: Are we together? Matt: We are! T.K.: Then let's fight! Joe: It's gonna be pretty tough without our Crests. Kari: Crests!? We don't need no stinking Crests!

It's basically the same as the first take. No explanation is given for why Kari suddenly, confidently thinks they can beat Apocalymon without their Crests.

From here, it's time to unpack what these shining symbols mean.

Agumon: The Crests! The symbols engraved on the Crests were actually your hearts! Team: (collective gasp) Taichi: Our... hearts...? Koushiro: Like the knowledge inside me and the sincerity inside Jou-san. As long as we carry these characteristics in our hearts, we don't need the Crests. Yamato: No, you're wrong. Koushiro: Eh!? Yamato: It isn't the friendship inside of me that's shining. All of your friendship is gathered inside me, and that's what made my Crest of Friendship glow! Taichi: One Crest for everyone and all Crests for one! Hikari: Then the light inside of me is for all of us!

Again, Homeostasis explained all this but I can't blame the children for not paying attention to twenty minutes of a history lecture. Homeostasis is not a very good teacher. Needs to work on improving their methods of engaging children in learning.

(Also, this is definitely what Piccolomon was talking about when he said they needed something more than just to make their Crests glow and be physically together.)

The dub takes its second crack at explaining. They fumbled the setup but at least they land the exposition.

Agumon: It's your Crests. You don't need to carry them anymore because their power has been inside of you this whole time! Tai: You mean, like... in our hearts!? Izzy: Prodigious! That makes perfect sense. It's like my knowledge and Joe's sense of responsibility. If your special traits are within you, then you don't need your Crest because your power will be within you as well! Matt: You're wrong! Izzy: Huh!? Matt: It wasn't the friendship inside me that made my Crest glow, Izzy. It was the friendship I felt from all of you gathered inside my heart and that brought the power of my Crest to life. Tai: So each person's Crest isn't powered by themselves. It's powered by the faith we have in each other! Kari: Then the light inside of me is for everyone!

Yeah, that about covers it. Good job, everyone.

Hikari's light erupts from her chest and Super-Evolves Angewomon. The other children quickly follow suit. The next like two straight minutes are the children reciting their Crests and playing their respective stock animations, which is fun to watch especially with Show Me Your Brave Heart blaring behind it but boring to talk about.

Takeru: And everyone's hope is my hope! (HolyAngemon) Koushiro: Knowledge. (AtlurKabuterimon) Mimi: Purity. (Lilimon) Jou: Sincerity. (Zudomon) Sora: Love. (Garudamon) Yamato: Friendship. (MetalGarurumon) Taichi: Courage. (WarGreymon)

I'm not typing that again. It's exactly the same in the dub except Mimi and Joe call out different Crest virtues.

With the light of their hearts, the children are able to re-establish themselves and recompile their data back into reality, in Apocalymon's void.

Apocalymon: What!? Taichi: WE WON'T LET YOU HAVE YOUR WAY!!!

We end here, with the Children powered up and ready for round 2 with Apocalymon. Some of whom, I'm sorry, look absolutely adorable in their Get Fierce poses. XD Jou, Mimi, Koushiro, and the two eight-year-olds really can't pull off the Let's Throw Down look.

In the dub, Izzy offers some narration in case what just happened was unclear.

Izzy: We did it! We reassembled ourselves! Apocalymon: What!? Tai: You're dealing with the new and improved DigiDestined! Narrator: You won't want to miss the final battle that decides the fate of two worlds. Tune in to the next Digimon: Digital Monsters.

Because the narrator pauses the animation to talk, we get to really linger on the combination Fierce Looks and Attempted Fierce Looks. XD

Assessment: So here we are. The true threat behind the veil of reality itself that's been creating the distortions in the Digital World. The Actually Truly Seriously For Realsies final boss. Until sequels happens.

With regard to the "Did Apocalymon create the villains or did they just draw power from Apocalymon?" question, it's not super clear. Gennai said only that Apocalymon is the root cause of their evil and that they drew power from the distortions Apocalymon made in reality.

But Apocalymon's ability to conjure up images of the villains and use their attacks makes the matter murky. It was said that Apocalymon can use the powers of every Digimon they've faced up to this point. But Apocalymon only uses the villains, so it's ambiguous whether that means "Every Digimon" or "All the villains we had to fight".

The dub stakes out "Apocalymon created them" pretty unambiguously. I can't say with certainty that they're wrong or right. I can say that if they were all in league with one another, they didn't act like it. Devimon and Etemon, in particular, seemed to be doing their own thing and had no sense of alliance with the other villains.

There's no indication that any of them even knew Apocalymon existed. Which doesn't necessarily mean Apocalymon couldn't have created them, but if they did, then the villains didn't seem to know that they did. IDK

In any case, whether it's reality or the children's journey, everything comes to an end next episode.

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

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izzyizumi · 4 years ago

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Digimon Adventures + Digimon Adventure tri. ~ (AUTISTIC HEADCANON!) KOUSHIRO IZUMI Character Analysis (Japanese version) {see Part 2 of Autistic!/Neurodivergent!Koushiro canonical traits here}

+ INFODUMPING in various ways - about Interests, be they possible Special Interests and things he HIGHLY ENJOYS & infodumps about in an extremely INTENSE way {such as the Oolong Tea, and even Science & Knowledge in general} - about information / Team Analyzing & Strategy / Special Interest in KNOWLEDGE in general -- + Infodumping in both GOOD WAYS and BAD WAYS ... (also depending on the certain framings of both these scenes)

{ the following post will have tri references from Soushitsu [Movie 4] } { and also Kokuhaku [Movie 3] }

READ FURTHER: What is a Special Interest?

Special interests are (not named) literally a part of the diagnostic criteria for Autism. From the DSM-V directly: Highly restricted, fixated interests that are abnormal in intensity or focus Note: abnormal in intensity or focus that means that if “everyone” has special interests, they aren’t ‘abnormal’ in intensity or focus, because that’s everyone. In the examples, directly from the DSM-V, specifically referring to interests: excessively circumscribed or perseverative interests (circumscribed=restricted perseverative=repeat insistently/redundantly)

also from that post:

INFO DUMPING

Yes, people like to know things about interests. But autistics often can’t stop. We repeat ourselves about them, and because of the social aspects mentioned above,

we know people think we’re annoying.

But we can’t stop.

We store the information and when it comes up its like they’re kicking over the file cabinet.

DOES KOUSHIRO GENUINELY ENJOY HIS {SPECIAL?} INTERESTS?:

“WHEN YOU’RE DOING RESEARCH,

OR LEARNING SOMETHING NEW,

YOU TRULY LOOK HAPPY

LIKE YOU’RE ENJOYING IT.”

- Tentomon in Kokuhaku {Confession}, Movie 3 with FULL memories of Koushiro

“I UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH YOU LOVE THIS.”

- Motimon in Soushitsu {Loss}, Movie 4 post-Reboot, at the time, SEEMINGLY NOT remembering Koushiro

And yet, the above scenes all together provide a DIFFERENT picture.

[And maybe a slightly smaller Relevant comparison moment BUT.....]

{“HOW WAS I?”} - Adventure episode 28, the episode with the Gate to the Real World Motimon asking about his overall performance.

{“I’M SORRY, AM I HEAVY?”}

... Motimon asking about his overall performance. + “am I inconveniencing you?” {basically}

“...” Koushiro has a significant pause as he’s realizing.

“Koushiro-han?”

“...so WE STILL had A {BOND}...”

- the point of this comparison being

EVEN WHEN MOTIMON SEEMINGLY DOESN’T HAVE ALL MEMORIES, MOTIMON REMEMBERS THINGS ABOUT KOUSHIRO IZUMI, INCLUDING IMPORTANT, CONSTANTLY CEMENTED-IN-CANON TRAITS OF KOUSHIRO’S WIDER PERSONALITY

such as that

“WHEN YOU’RE DOING RESEARCH,

OR LEARNING SOMETHING NEW,

YOU TRULY LOOK HAPPY

LIKE YOU’RE ENJOYING IT.”

and by the way,

regardless of some small differences between versions so far,

this same side of his personality is KEPT so far in Adventure 2020:

“YOUR BRAIN!

YOUR {KNOWLEDGE}!!”

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BAD SIDE YOU SHOWED EARLIER?? when they TALKED OVER HIM THEY’RE BEING SO OOC AREN’T THEY??? Um... not wholly / it’s COMPLICATED.

[ note everyone’s expressions in the moment above. most {all} are looking at him rather dismayed. he’s clearly been at this for a while to the point even Tailmon was snoozing and had to ASK HIM DIRECTLY “KOUSHIRO. What are you doing” she even asks this in a straight deadpan ]

{Taichi didn’t exactly have the best patience here either.}

Reading the emails, missing the atmosphere / not reading the room {essentially, missing Taichi’s social cues}

{this scene was also related in the previous posts regarding Koushiro constantly missing social cues [EVEN/SOMETIMES WITH TAICHI] and yet the others {INCLUDING/ESPECIALLY TAICHI} ... eventually recognize Koushiro DOES NOT MEAN THIS. GENUINELY Tri!Taichi even defends Koushiro in the later scene in the 3rd movie:}

please relate back to the above contexts:

... and because of the social aspects mentioned above, we know people think we’re annoying. But we can’t stop. We store the information and when it comes up its like they’re kicking over the file cabinet.

WE CAN’T STOP

and neither can Koushiro when he’s infodumping or specifically infodumping on his Interests POORLY.

The Chosen Children know this. {Eventually} [because out of all of them, Taichi knows Koushiro best]

TAICHI YAGAMI KNOWS this. {a bit earlier on compared to the rest} BUT IT TAKES TAICHI A ... Bit TO Learn about Koushiro Izumi, TOO.

{ Koushiro is *sighing* here }

“AT TIMES LIKE THIS, YOU JUST HAVE TO HIT IT!”

{ a part of Taichi and Koushiro’s relationship is learning patience with each others’ issues, if slowly at times/briefly }

{notice how here...}

this scene with the Oolong happens much later on in tri, and everyone just... casually doesn’t mind that he’s obviously infodumping with everyone in a much more pleasant mood & SITUATION {kind of} than they were in the Movie 1 scene. the contexts of the scenes are different they have their Digimon back regardless and are attempting to RELAX and re-bond with them. { including Koushiro + Motimon }

They are all {including Koushiro} clearly very COMFORTABLE here.

And, would I, as an Autistic fan who has info dumped often about my Special Interests myself, have preferred they handled the scene from Saikai better? MAYBE.

Do I also think they improved with later scenes by highlighting that infodumping comes naturally to Koushiro, to the point TENTOMON even points it out? showing the Chosen sitting all together happily despite his infodumping?

considering literally all the contexts I’ve mentioned above about why Tri!Koushiro’s scenes in general are STILL important to his OVERALL personality, AND this wider headcanon,

YES.

And here’s another thing...

When people LET US ramble on about our Special Interests without interrupting us, even if we’re being slightly (or VERY) missing-reading-the-room about it,

IT CAN ACTUALLY EVEN BE A SIGN OF RESPECT especially if it’s to a point you’re COMFORTABLE AROUND US

Autistic people love it when we’re allowed to ramble on without interruption.

We don’t necessarily EXPECT people to absorb or even understand EVERY single word we say. We’re just happy and pleased they’re letting us ramble, without making it out {directly to us, as in DELIBERATELY interrupting us or directly insulting us & our interests, is the literal WORST way} to seem like it’s a huge problem in the moment.

for example, if Tri!Taichi or co had deliberately interrupted Koushiro’s rambling in the 1st movie scene, i.e. if to YELL at him to “stop and pay attention, you’re being so ANNOYING!” for example, that would have been SO MUCH WORSE.

Koushiro’s friends are, in the wider plot of the series,

GOOD friends to him.

A bit later on in Movie 4:

{TAICHI NOTICING KOUSHIRO’S EYES ARE CLEARLY GLASSY / FIRM / WATERY / MAYBE A BIT TEARY FROM ALL THE FRUSTRATION & STRESS. And that Koushiro is clearly holding it all in for Taichi & the team’s comfort.}

Despite some bumps along the way they really do care.

{‘SEE HOW MUCH WE CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER AS A TEAM?’} {‘SEE HOW MUCH YOU AND TAICHI CARED ABOUT EACH OTHER, AGUMON?’ - Koushiro Izumi, probably, as he shows them to Agumon - Koushiro even takes the ‘stealth’ photos HIMSELF as a hobby!!!}

...And in the 2nd scene from tri with Motimon (Movie 4), Mimi does GENTLY interrupt at the end... but note the reasoning: Koushiro has rambled on too long to the point he hasn’t eaten his food.

If he doesn’t eat his food, Koushiro isn’t practicing proper SELF CARE, and the Chosen {and later on, even Tri!Mimi!} know this.

They’re also looking out for him at various such times, in such moments.

Because they CARE.

I’d just, UM, also like to point something out here...

I’M. literally infodumping to you all by making this post & analysis. I understand and expect not every single word will be completely understood, either by more casual fans of the series or by people who aren’t Autistic / Neuro-divergent.

I’m fine with that. Mostly, I’ll be happy if you can at the very least please try to seriously consider what I’m saying about everything here, and how I personally analyze canon!Koushiro’s infodumping and the Chosens’ various responses.

[ NOTES: THIS IS A FAN META POST. This is also my particular headcanon / analysis of Koushiro Please keep this in mind before you comment This post was made with the intention of pointing out CANONICAL character traits of Koushiro in the various media, regardless of wider headcanons. There is a bit further commentary in the tags of the original post in regards to headcanons. If you choose to read this post / commentary, please be respectful. Please be aware I am making this post and speaking as someone who is Neuro divergent MYSELF. ]

{While I am grateful this series is now gaining some positive reception, I respectfully ask that you do not comment on the post or tags with canon hate or use these headcanons as reasons for further bashing canon.} {PLEASE read everything carefully before commenting. Thank you}

( FINAL NOTE: This and this are also very good posts. }

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