#koushiro is good

[koushirouizumi]

{D I G I M O N} ~ K O U S H I R O & T E N T O M O N

{From here!}

(2nd Re-size by Me) {Do Not Re-post} {Do Not Remove Caption} (Please Ask to Use)

[deathberi]

*ੈ✩⋆˙༄˖°..ೃ࿔*:･-ˋˏ┈˚⟡˖⋆౨ৎ ⋆｡

[jedizoro]

im gonna take every single content of "mihawk adopts zoro when hes a child" and consume them with the force of a thousand suns..... zoro was so small and already so alone and angry he DESERVED family he deserved a PARENT not just a sensei

[seventeenlovesthree]

Following up after yesterday's headcanon spree, I really felt a tremendous urge to draw some Yamashirou friendship art. It didn't turn out to be a full comic in the end, but I really liked the idea of having them "geek around" scientifically. Having them bond over either food, investigations or science is all very intriguing, especially because it's so rare to see them interact. Which is a shame, because while they have their clashing potential, they would absolutely have each other's backs. Always, no matter what.

Plus... I couldn't help but include smol jealous Taichi feeling a little left out. These dorks have such interesting dynamics, but... Let's say, Taichi may be more used to team up with Koushirou and Yamato respectively instead of being teamed up against. Don't worry, Taichi, they love you too!

[soline70]

Okokok last pictures on my digimon ramble (that doesn't make sense)

This one's based on a fanfic I'm making (biggest strengths biggest failures if you wanna read it but no need if you don't wanna I can't make you do anything!!) But also just stuff I wanted to draw idk

[beansproutsong]

[Proxy] Tsurune - Taito Limited Plush

Size: 10cm

Each doll will get the diorama background and a bow that can be taken off.

This is a crane prize, limited to taito online crane game. So price of plush might vary.

DM me here or at my twitter if you want me to get it for you

[ayukaze]

digimon fandom let people ship whoever tf they wanna ship in 2023 challenge - IMMEDIATELY FAILED !

You can find the original post here.

At this point, it's not about disliking a ship, because if it was as simple as that, then the haters and antis would block the tag and move on.

But belittling the event and the activeness of the fandom, is disturbing, why do you want us to give up something we all enjoy doing? Why do you want us to stop engaging within our community, sharing our love for the characters and ship that have mattered to us all our lives? Why does it matter to you so much that strangers on the internet like to see two fictional characters being in love with each other?

And I never see any other ship in the Digimon fandom getting this kind of hate regularly, it's only us YamaxMimi shippers who have to go through this like clockwork every year. 20+ years and the fandom hasn't moved on from the fact that this ship exist.......ya'll really need to sit down and reevaluate your life if one shipping community being active online in their own little circle fills you with hatred.

And you also need to get it into your head that getting something to happen in the canon is not the end-goal for every person engaging with a series.

Sometimes people are extremely creative and they're able to take characters from a series and breathe a new life into them with their skills. Just because you prefer to stick religiously to the canon doesn't mean the rest of us have to either. We don't care if it's not canon, because we have fanfics and fanarts and group chats filled with silly little headcanons and friends who drop by dms to scream about a silly little screencap and that's more than enough. for us

The event has sustained for three years because of the community and we dedicate our works to them, rather than to build a "cause" on the basis of canon.

AND FYI TOEI WAS TOTALLY FINE WITH SHOWING YAMATO AND MIMI AS FRIENDS

[koushirouizumi]

"You're going to {do all these amazing things} to

HELP Other children like Yourself---"

"IT DOESN'T MATTER. IT DOESN'T MATTER-"

"We're still going to--"

{Excerpts from Repeatverse Pt. 21} (Written by Me) (DO NOT Re-post) (DO NOT RE-PRODUCE MY WRITING Without My Permission UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE)

The next time people shove their Bad {/Negative} Koushiro and/or Taichi Takes in my face I'm showing them all these lines I wrote about them back in early Apr. 2k18, even if its A.U. inspired, and even if this part itself didnt get up-loaded until late May of the same year, because this was actually one of the first parts I wrote for the wider fic-verse.

And because I actually like what I wrote here using my interpretation of both Taichi and Koushiro.

{After the first cap, there is a line missing in-between because it reflects the A.U. plot, but I included a variation of it in the body of this post. Its basically a lead-in to younger Adventure-aged Koushiro realizing with a Start that this {Tri-era age-wise, but with the original concept in mind from before Tri}!Taichi Knows Koushiro Is An Adoptee, which means at some point Adventure!Koushiro got to actively TELL Taichi that Koushiro Is An Adoptee, and this Koushiro is Recognizing.}

[starmahgalaxies]

YES. YES. YES.

I could post more comments but that about sums it up. Drowning in a sea of denial won't save either of you, child. lmao.

Hikari, you look so much better! ❤️

This just made things a whole lot more difficult. I'm not blaming kitty. I could never blame a kitty mostly. I do love that the background for this episode is the digivice being herded around by a lot of animals and some motor vehicles.

Kid goes to to summer camp for one day (and everything I could gather is it's meant to be an overnight camp as the parents are shown surprised their kids suddenly came home) and acts like they were gone for months. I don't want kids but if I had them and this was the response I would be anxious to have them away again for a while.

Anyway, Taichi is a sweetheart and parent hugs can be the best.

You could have told them. "Hey, I would like some privacy, please knock and ask for permission before you come in." And I think they would have taken it fine.

I'm not against kids locking their doors if they need to. They should be allowed to set aside something that is simply their space. I'm more unnerved that there isn't a built in locks already, and Koushiro had to go out and buy one. He is shaken by the decision though, and that's why I'm bringing it up as a simpler situation would be asking.

Every adopted child experience I have heard about says that the children would have been preferred to be told at the earliest possible time, and it's a breach of trust to withhold that essential information and shows lack of faith that they could handle it, exasperating the problem.

Something that could lead to trust issues beyond that (see above with Koushiro installing a lock in his bedroom without mentioning it because he feels that it is the easiest solution despite loving his parents).

I'm not adopted and don't have personal experience, hence why I won't make shitpost jokes about it like I do with Yamato and Takeru dealing with their parents divorce (of which my experience is plenty), but I still feel like mentioning... yeah. Be honest with your kids.

Their faces are funny. Caught in the headlights there.

Child who is more logical and pragmatic coming up with a whole comedy routine on the spot. Respect.

Beyond the roadblock of Koushiro not being told about his adopted status, they could compete for the sweetest family in Adventure.

Koromon small enough to eat without notice under the table XD.

I respect you taking your sister's word for it, but no. Do not let the conversation drop. It's obviously her. AHHHH

In other news, sleepy Koromon is adorable.

Giant iceberg of slime ahead 😁

I knew the perverted old man files will corrupt Gennai eventually. This is a joke... mostly.

If I can't see through Tentomon's disguise from the back then I guess it's a pretty good disguise.

Knows her child came home more emotional than usual and seems to have had a long day vs. "I know he would be upset if I didn't wake him up and tell him his friend called and seemed troubled."

😆😁

He looks so happy ❤️

Yeah! If I child is comfortable enough to misbehave/be rebellious around their parents than that could be a sign that they are comfortable enough to not be seen as "perfect." Showing weakness around authority figures is a better sign than them putting on a perfect act to avoid disappointment or retaliation.

Two worried siblings concerned about two different things looking out into the distance forlornly:

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 02x14 - Shurimon of the Gale / The Samurai of Sincerity

Previously on Digimon Adventure: That is not dead which can eternal lie. And with strange 'mons, even death may disintegrate into pixels. Hikari had best sleep with one eye open, for they are coming for-- Oh, wait. It says here that was an error, nobody is coming for her. Okay then. Have a good rest, Hikari.

It's MIMI TIME, FUCKOS.

We open on a Japanese interpretation of what an American house party must be like.

One kid has a giant cup full of soda and another has a giant cup full of popcorn, and they clap them together like they're doing a toast - in the process, spilling popcorn everywhere. Down on the ground floor, the serving staff brings plates of food covered by cloches into the swarm of children to deliver each kid their order.

My favorite detail is the respectful lines of shoes left by the front door, where everyone has changed into the house slippers that the family's provided. That is a normal thing that people do in every culture in the world, of course.

At the front door, Mimi's getting ready to leave.

Girl: (English) Mimi! See you tomorrow! Mimi: (English) See you!

Mimi leaves the party and runs down the front steps to this huge mansion, where her father Keisuke is waiting with a big, red sports car.

Mimi: (excited) PAPAAAAAA!!!

From the tiny hole in the wall of an apartment they used to have to this fancy sports car. The Tachikawa family seems to be doing well for themselves in the U.S.

In the dub, some of the kids have dialogue.

Kid: Great party, huh? Other Kid: Yeah, Mimi throws the best parties! Boy: Hey Susie, wanna dance? Susie: Great! Let's go!

And then we get to Mimi saying bye to her friend.

Girl: We had a great time, Mimi. See you tomorrow! Mimi: Okay, see ya! (Mimi leaves the party and runs down the stairs) Mimi: DADDY!!!

...okay so right away we have issues. The dub... somehow thinks Mimi is throwing this party? The background kids compliment Mimi on her party skills and then the girl at the door says goodbye like she's the one leaving.

I'm sure Mimi throws incredible parties. Don't get me wrong. But. Like. Is this a Pinkie Pie thing? Did they hire Mimi as the party planner for their own party? This is obviously not her house.

I guess it could be a Pinkie Pie thing. She has the hair for it.

Anyways, back in Japan, Koushiro is in the Computer Clubroom struggling to make sense of what the hell happened to Hikari.

Koushiro: We shouldn't be able to enter the Digital World without using a D-3 to open the Gate. So why can Hikari-san...? Even though Miyako-kun expanded the functions of the D-Terminal, I can't imagine it would cause that to change. There must be something special about Hikari-san.

Oh, good news. Looks like Miyako's finished her upgrades, given that Koushiro talks about it in the past tense.

An email alert interrupts Koushiro's train of thought.

Koushiro: Oh, an email.

It's a message from Miyako.

Koushiro: (reading) "There don't seem to be any Digimentals around here." Koushiro: I see. (typing) "Will you be returning soon?" (New message) Koushiro: (reading) "We're going to look around a little more." Koushiro: (typing) "That's fine. They haven't built a Dark Tower in that area."

Suddenly, the Digital Gate pops up with an alert noise. On the little screen, it shows the continent of North America.

Koushiro: Eh!? A Gate just opened in America! Does Mimi-san know about this?

He looks up at the clock on the wall showing 6:10 PM.

Koushiro: At this time, it'd be around dawn in America. What to do... Well, very well, then.

Koushiro returns to typing.

(The time in America is a lot of things, Koushiro. The continent spans four time zones. But we can assume he means New York, where Mimi moved to. In which case, it'd be 4:10 in the morning.)

In the dub:

Izzy: Hmm... I just don't get it. We've never been able to travel to the Digital World without our Digivices or D-3s. But somehow Kari did. And not only did she not have her D-3, she was transported there without going through any Gate. There must be something special about Kari that we're not aware of. (Email alert tone) Izzy: Huh? An email!

As usual, the dub wipes the Japanese text from the email and rewrites the body without any subject or from lines. For some reason, the email alert plays again when Izzy pulls it up.

Izzy: (reading) "There's a Digi-Egg nearby. We're going to keep cooking." Going to keep cooking? Well, whatever you're making, be sure and save me some. (Izzy's message reads "Save some for me") (New message) Izzy: (reading) "Sorry, it was a typo. We're going to keep looking." Izzy: (writing) "That sounds good. There are no Control Spires in that area so feel free to take your time." (Suddenly the Gate comes up) Izzy: Hmm? Whoa! A Digi-Port has opened in America! Hey, wait! Mimi lives there! (Izzy looks up at the clock) Izzy: But it's not even morning there yet. I can't call her. Let's see... I'll send her an email!

Yolei's message says they have located a Digi-Egg while Miyako's says they have not found any trace of a Digimental. I can see where the dub's coming from; They are going to find a new Digimental in this episode so it's odd that Miyako couldn't get a signal. But there is a reason for that coming down the pipe.

Koushiro doesn't finish his train of thought and leaves us with a noncommittal まあいっか Maa ikka. Which is basically a verbal shrug emoji. Izzy says outright that he's going to get in contact with Mimi, which is the correct interpretation of Koushiro's shrug emoji. He was shrugging off the concern that it's too early to wake her.

In the Digital World, V-mon's stomach gurgles. He grabs it and falls on his butt.

V-mon: I'm so hungry! Is there any more chocolate? Daisuke: Come to think of it, I'm starving too. Miyako: We should have brought more snacks.

Armadimon shakes an I-Mart bag upside down to demonstrate how empty it is.

Armadimon: No more Chu-Chu Jelly dagyaa. Hawkmon: Isn't it said that "One cannot do battle on an empty stomach"?

It is, yes. 腹が減っては戦ができぬ is a Japanese proverb about the importance of a good meal. That Hawkmon reaches for proverb when he could just say "We're too hungry to fight" speaks a little to the rigid formality of his character.

Tailmon and Hikari exchange glances. Tailmon gives Hikari an exhausted shrug while Hikari gives Tailmon an amused giggle.

Hikari: So, are we going back after all? Daisuke: Looks like. Iori: We're out of options. Takeru: (distant) GUYS!!!

A short ways ahead of the group, Takeru stands by the edge of a great lake, pointing across it.

Takeru: There's a restaurant by the lake! V-mon: (ecstatic) RESTAURANT!?!? Armadimon: HOORAY DAGYAA!!! Hawkmon: NOW WE'LL BE ABLE TO FIGHT AGAIN!!!

A restaurant. By the lake. If that raised the hairs on the back of your neck a bit?

Yes.

In the dub:

Veemon: Bwaaaugh... I can't walk another step! I gotta eat something now! Davis: Yeah, I'm getting kinda hungry too. Yolei: But we're very close to finding the new Digi-Egg! (Armadillomon shakes out the empty bag) Armadillomon: When we find that Digi-Egg, I'm gonna eat it. Hawkmon: You'll do no such thing! And besides, your cholesterol's too high. (Kari and Gatomon exchange glances; Kari giggles) Kari: Well, if we want to eat, we'll have to go back. Davis: Sounds good to me. Cody: (defeated) So long, Digi-Egg.... T.K.: (distant) HEY, LOOK!!! Kari: Huh? (Everyone looks at T.K., who's pointing across the lake) T.K.: On the other side of the lake, I think it's a restaurant! Veemon: A RESTAURANT!?!? Group: HOORAY!!! Armadillomon: WE'RE SAVED AT LAST!!!

Solid, though we shift characterization for Hawkmon. Instead of the poetic warrior of the Japanese, we get the stuffy and posh take of the English.

It's a bit different, but captures the spirit of the original. In the original, everyone was disappointed about leaving because Miyako told Koushiro five seconds ago that they were going to stay and look around more. In the dub, it's because they have a bead on a Digi-Egg and they don't want to abandon it.

Different reasons but the result is the same: They want to stay here and search, and are only withdrawing out of biological necessity. Until the restaurant discovery offers them a new option.

A short hike later, it's dinner time in the Digital World! Uh. As long as we're ready for just one complication, one very specific mistake Jou made way back when that I don't think Takeru or Hikari actually know about.

At the restaurant, Daisuke and V-mon get a booth to themselves. Miyako and Iori take a second booth while Hikari and Takeru get the third.

Daisuke & V-mon: (setting down utensils on an empty plate) AHHHH SO GOOD!!! Miyako: I had no idea we could eat this well in the Digital World! Iori: Isn't that right!? Hikari: What's wrong, Takeru? Takeru: This has been bothering me. I feel like I've been here before.... Hikari: Here? But I don't remember anything like that. Miyako: Excuse me! Check, please!

Digitamamon emerges from the back.

Digitamamon: Of course! Thank you very much.

Poor Hikari. Takeru has been here before but it was before her time. She missed so much of that first adventure.

In the dub, as we close in on the restaurant, we get an extra line from Digitamamon.

Digitamamon: Would you like to sit in the Digivolving or Non-Digivolving section?

It's a gag about "Smoking" and "Non-Smoking" areas of a restaurant; a futile gesture given that smoke wanders through the air, but a division that most restaurants had back in the day.

In context, however, I am intensely curious about what this distinction means for Digimon.

In any case, Digitamamon's voice is still doing a Peter Lorre impersonation for this version, like in the previous series.

Davis & Veemon: AHHHH, THAT WAS DELICIOUS!!! Yolei: I'm going to recommend this restaurant to all my friends who dine in the Digi-World! Cody: Yeah! Me too! Kari: What's wrong, T.K.? T.K.: Something about this place is really bothering me. I feel like I've been here before and it wasn't good. Kari: Maybe the last time you were here, you ordered the wrong thing? Yolei: Excuse me, waiter? We're ready for our check, please! (Digitamamon emerges from the back) Digitamamon: Okay, hold your horses! After all, I've only got one shell!

In the original, Digitamamon is polite and courteous. Dub Digitamamon is kind of rude from the get-go.

The other kids go peruse a small stock of inventory by the door while Miyako-senpai pays the check. And... here it comes.

Miyako: How much is it? (Cash register ka-ching) Digitamamon: That will be 87 dollars for all of you. Miyako: Ack--! Digitamamon: Eh? Like I said, that's 87 dollars. Miyako: Uh... ^_^;; How much is it in yen? Digitamamon: (dropping politeness) Huh? Miyako: So, in yen, that's-- Digitamamon: (firmly) We only accept dollars!

At this point, realizing the transaction is not going as smoothly as they'd expected, the other kids come over to see what's up.

Takeru: What's wrong, Miyako-san? Miyako: It's 87 dollars! Daisuke: Dollars? Hikari: But we don't have dollars. Miyako: (horrified) ...which means.... Digitamamon: You're trying to dine and dash!

Miyako shoves her open wallet in Digitamamon's stupid face.

Miyako: NO, WE HAVE MONEY!!! SEE!?!? Digitamamon: WE TAKE DOLLARS!!! ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST SCRAPS OF PAPER!!! Miyako: WHAT DOES IT MATTER!?!? DOLLARS AND YEN ARE THE SAME THING!!! Digitamamon: How are they the same!? If you don't pay in dollars, then YOU'RE TRYING TO LEAVE WITHOUT PAYING!!! Miyako: YOU WRETCHED....

Miyako is a hair's breadth from losing her temper. She bites her tongue and shakes with fury.

Digitamamon does have one other option to offer, to make this problem go away.

Digitamamon: Would you like to work off the money you owe? Takeru: I swear I've heard this story before. Iori: We would be willing to work it off, but then we won't be able to get home. Digitamamon: That isn't my problem!

For emphasis, Digitamamon angrily jumps up on top of the counter, putting one foot down on the cash register so hard it dings.

Takeru is right. This is literally the exact same hurdle that got Jou caught up in his miserable weeks of slavery. Though, obviously, these kids can't not go home for several weeks of labor. There are whole new complications that it would bring.

For their part, the dub still isn't willing to do the "yen vs dollars" bit and brings out Digi-Dollars again.

Yolei: What's our bill come to? Digitamamon: 87 Digi-Dollars plus tip. Yolei: Huh!? Digitamamon: What's the problem? Don't you have any money? Yolei: Eheh... We don't have Digi-Dollars but we have plenty of money-- Digitamamon: Forget it! Yolei: Huh? But our money's just as good! Digitamamon: Since the Dark Masters left, we only accept Digi-Dollars!

In the first series, this was a weirdass dub-induced plot point. Digitamamon only accepted payment in regular dollars but all Joe had were Digi-Dollars. Somehow, Digi-Dollars were a fictional currency that the children have but that would not be accepted here.

The dub flips the script here. They acknowledge the change from how the old episode was... and say that the diner now only accepts Digi-Dollars, which the children do not have.

That makes a lot more sense...

But also. Like. This would be a fine opportunity to abandon Digi-Dollars entirely and play the yen vs dollar thing straight. Even the dub of that episode established that the place takes American dollar bills, so they could just... continue with that. Why go out of your way to change it like this?

T.K.: What's the problem? Yolei: The lunkhead waiter won't take my money! Davis: Uh-oh! Kari: I see you're being your usual blunt self. Yolei: I'm just trying to be honest. Digitamamon: I think you kids are trying to skip out on the bill! (Yolei shoves her wallet in Digitamamon's face) Yolei: I TOLD YOU, WE HAVE 87 DOLLARS!!! Digitamamon: ONLY DIGI-DOLLARS!!! Or the Digi-Express Card. Yolei: THAT'S IT!!! I'm not gonna recommend this restaurant to anyone! Digitamamon: GOOD!!! I don't want any Human World deadbeats in here! No wonder the French detest tourists! Yolei: RRRRRRRRRGH!!! DIgitamamon: Now, are you gonna work off your bill or do I have to call a cop? T.K.: I think I've heard something like this before.... Cody: If we work here, we'll be late getting home. Davis: Can't we just pay you the next time we're here? Digitamamon: THERE WON'T BE A NEXT TIME!!! YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED IN HERE AGAIN!!!

I see you unsubtly signaling that this is a Sincerity episode, Kari. XD

This sets up the dub's new arc that they've created for Yolei. In true form as Mimi's successor, Yolei is utterly tactless which Kari calls her out on. There's not a lot of difference between what she says between versions, but Kari's line is the first cobblestone in a very different road that the episode intends to take her on. They want to actually talk about Yolei's behavior.

In any case, there's no getting out of this one. Digitamamon accepts payment in USD or work. Anything else, and they're going to feel the wrath of an angry Perfect.

Digitamamon: If you can't pay, then you'll repay me by work-- Boy: I'll cover it.

Some blond human boy the kids have never met before enters the restaurant. He speaks up to help them out of this. Startled, the Chosen Children turn around to face the unexpected sight of another human being.

Group: EHHH!?!?

Miyako instantly gets hearts over her eyes.

Miyako: SO HANDSOME!!! Hikari: Uh... who are you...?

Suddenly, Mimi pops out from behind the boy's back.

Mimi: (English) Hello! (Japanese) How are you all doing? Group: MIMI-SAN!!! Miyako: (ecstatic) Mimi-oneesama! It's been so long! Iori: What are you doing here, Mimi-san? Mimi: A Gate to the Digital World opened in America, so Koushiro woke me up. And since I had to come either way, I brought Michael to hang out.

Palmon takes the opportunity to introduce Michael's Partner Digimon, while they're at it.

Palmon: This is my friend Betamon. Betamon: (bows) I'm Betamon. It's nice to meet you.

Betamon is a Child-stage Virus-attribute Amphibian Digimon. He's from the very first release of the Digital Monster V-Pet. Betamon was the other Child Digimon you could evolve from Koromon, opposite Agumon. So on a metal level, it's a significant choice for the first American Chosen Child we ever meet to have Agumon's counterpart for a Partner.

Essentially, Betamon is the Eevee to Agumon's Pikachu.

By this point, all of the first V-Pet's Adults have been established. Betamon's evolutions are Airdramon, Devimon, Meramon, Seadramon, and if you fuck up, Numemon.

Narrator: Betamon! An amphibian Digimon with a gentle demeanor. However, if provoked, they will lash out with a current of one million volts!

Hahahaha Don't piss off that guy! That's not quite getting struck by lightning but it's up there.

Hikari: Hang on... Palmon, is it okay for you to be here? Takeru: What about the area you're guarding? Palmon: I asked Koushiro to have Tentomon cover for me. Miyako: Mimi-oneesama, why is Michael-san in the Digital World? Mimi: Ehehehe! Why him? Because he's a Chosen Child just like us!

Michael holds up his Digivice to confirm. It's an old-model Digivice like the veterans have.

Group: EHHHH!?!? A CHOSEN CHILD!?!? Daisuke: That's the same kind of Digivice that Taichi-san and the others have!

As this conversation continues, I want to give some props to Digitamamon who still has not been paid but is entirely content to chill up there in their threatening position and let the children talk it out. They just want their dollars.

In the dub:

Digitamamon: NOW GET IN THAT KITCHEN AND START WASHING DISHES OR I'LL-- Boy: FEAR NOT!!! I'll pay their bill! Group: Huh!? Yolei: (heart eyes) How sweet! Prince Charming! Kari: Who are you? Mimi: This is Michael! (Mimi pops out from behind Michael) Mimi: He's a friend of mine I brought with me from America! Group: It's Mimi!

The dub uses the shock of Mimi's arrival for their first commercial break. When we return from commercial, we pick right back up where we left off.

Yolei: Oh, Mimi! It's so good to see you again! Cody: What are you doing here in the Digi-World? Mimi: Izzy sent me an email saying there was a Digi-Port open in America, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to come visit everyone! And since Michael's a good friend of mine, I thought I'd bring him along. Palmon: and I want everyone here to say hello to a good friend of mine too. Betamon: Pleased to meetcha! My name's Betamon. Palmon: (rundown) Betamon is really cool! He lives in the water and uses his Beta Slugger attack to wipe out his enemies! Kari: Hey, Palmon? Are you sure it's okay that you're here? T.K.: What about the area you were protecting? Palmon: No problem! Tentomon said he'd watch it for me if I brought him back a souvenir T-shirt. Yolei: I don't understand something, Mimi. How were you able to bring Michael to the Digital World? Mimi: Oh, that's easy. I forgot to tell you, Michael has a Digivice just like us! (Michael holds up his Digivice) Group: HUH!?!? Davis: Wait a minute! If he has a Digivice then he's a DigiDestined!

Solid.

The dub elaborates a bit on Mimi's goals here, stating that she's here to visit the Junior Team.

The original never really explains what, exactly, she had to wake up at 4 AM for. What was so urgent that Koushiro got her out of bed at this hour.

A Gate mysteriously opens in America. Koushiro wakes up Mimi to investigate. Something something something. Mimi meets the Junior Team here and the mystery Gate is never spoken of again.

Whatever the deal was... I guess she and Michael already did it? IDK. So the dub's elaboration is as good an explanation as any, really.

We transition from here back into the restaurant proper. This transition also serves to skip us a bit of the way forward in the conversation.

Miyako: Last year? Mimi: That's right. He activated in 2001. He says he's always admired us. It's really flattering. Daisuke: So there's Chosen Children like us in America too.... Iori: That means there may be more in other countries too. Miyako: Michael is so handsome! Boys: Huh?

Neither Daisuke nor Iori is impressed by Miyako's contribution to this conversation. XD That remark even earns her a confused look from Armadimon.

Michael: In 1999, I saw a Digimon in New York. It was an Adult-stage Digimon called Gorimon. Takeru: That was during Vamdemon's invasion of Tokyo, right? Michael: That's right. Looking back, I think that was what caused me to become a Chosen Child.

Michael's theory checks out. We learned in the first series that the eight Chosen Children were called after first being exposed to the battle between Hikari's Agumon and Parrotmon during the original OVA. Encountering a Digimon is the first step of becoming a Chosen Child.

In the dub, the conversation continues without a short skip.

Davis: If he has a Digivice, then he's a DigiDestined! Mimi: That's right! And his Digivice is the same kind as mine and the others. So he became a DigiDestined in America at the same time our original group did in Japan! Davis: Tell us something, Michael. Are there more DigiDestined kids like you in America? Cody: And tell us how you became a DigiDestined in the first place! Yolei: And tell me you're single! Boys: Huh?

XD Nicely executed. They nailed that joke perfectly.

Michael: All I know is, everything happened four summers ago when I first saw Gorillamon in New York. I thought it was simply another ape climbing the Empire State Building. T.K.: That's the same time Myotismon was taking over Tokyo! Kari: T.K.'s right! Michael: My, that's strange. I wonder if that means we all had an encounter with the Digimon at the exact same time?

The dub seems a little confused on this point, as it seems to think Michael and the veterans were called simultaneously.

What's going on here is that the fracturing of reality three years ago as the Digital World was breaking down from Apocalymon's influence has... basically snowballed the concept of Chosen Children.

It started at Parrotmon and Hikari's Agumon battling in Odaiba. Children in Odaiba witnessed that, and were called as Chosen Children.

Then the Chosen Children fought Vamdemon in Tokyo in a battle that leveled Odaiba. And then they returned to face the Dark Masters while the fabric of reality began to break down around the globe. What's happening with Michael is the natural extension of that: Children who witnessed Digimon during that global catastrophe were then called as the next generation of Chosen Children.

And during all of that, there were Digimon appearing around the world while the Chosen Children were fighting the Dark Masters. That was what made them have to return to the Digital World in the first place; things had gotten so bad that Digimon were now bleeding through the veil between realities and attacking the human world. In fact, Gorimon's attack on New York was even briefly shown then.

Not to mention there's one other major instance where children around the globe have been exposed to Digimon.

So, the original five's fight with Apocalymon briefly caused our first-gen Chosen Children to be called. And then their battles with Vamdemon, the Dark Masters, Apocalymon, and Diablomon have now triggered another wave of Chosen Children to be called. Michael wasn't called at the same time as Mimi and the others, but as a consequence of their incredibly public war against the dark forces destabilizing reality.

The dub also states that they went forward four years rather than the three from the original, which checks out with other dub changes like Tai being in high school. He'd be in 9th grade, which is last year of middle school in Japan but first year of high school in the U.S.

So by adding an extra year to Tai's age and reconfiguring the education system to American standards, Tai is able to arrive in high school two years early.

In any case, talking about how Michael got called gets the children thinking about their own inciting incidents.

Michael: That's right. Looking back, I think that was what caused me to become a Chosen Child. Iori: The cause... Speaking of causes, in 1999... I was on a plane back then....

Iori flashes back on the day that the Chosen Children returned to fight the Dark Masters. A Kuwagamon crossed over from the Digital World through the breach in the sky and had shorted out a plane. AtlurKabuterimon and Garudamon were able to keep the plane from crashing and set it down in the water.

At 6 years old, Iori, his mother, and his grandfather were in a life raft staring up at the sky as AtlurKabuterimon and Garudamon disappeared into the distance.

Daisuke: Back then, I was being held by Vamdemon at Big Sight.

Daisuke flashes back on the Big Sight convention center, when Vamdemon launched his full-scale occupation of Odaiba. Daisuke, Jun, and their parents were among the families pulled from their homes by the Bakemon and gathered up.

Miyako: I wasn't involved with the summer of 1999, but I did send emails during the fight with Diablomon in the spring of 2000.

And she did, too! Baby Miyako appeared very briefly in Our War Game.

Mimi: And that's where all of you came from. Palmon: Fate works in mysterious ways.

Of note: The word Palmon uses here, 縁 En, simultaneously refers to fate and destiny, to chance and opportunity, and to forging relationships between people. Which one is she saying happened to these four children on those respective days?

Yes.

In the dub:

Michael: I wonder if that means we all had an encounter with the Digimon at the exact same time? Cody: It's possible... That's when I was on that airplane that had to make an emergency landing in the water. I didn't know it then, but that's when I saw my first Digimon. Davis: I remember that summer. I was one of the people being held at the convention center by the Bakemon. Yolei: I wish I could say that summer was as terrifying for me as it was for all of you guys, but it wasn't 'cause nothing happened. Although I did send a bunch of emails during the battle with Diaboromon. Mimi: So then everyone was involved somehow! Palmon: It's like we're all connected!

That Yolei's account disproves Michael's theory goes completely unremarked upon. They did not all have an encounter with Digimon "at the exact same time". But they did all have an encounter with Digimon at separate times, which is the real point here.

Digitamamon emerges from the kitchen, joining the conversation.

Digitamamon: Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt while you're all reminiscing. Michael: Oh, sorry! I'll pay right now. Takeru: THAT'S IT!!!

Takeru stands up from the booth suddenly, finally having realized.

Takeru: I'm sure it was Digitamamon! Onii-chan and Jou-san were forced to work here and then assaulted by Digitamamon, who was working for Vamdemon!

Takeru flashes back on that episode, recalling Jou and Yamato's work in Digitamamon's kitchen as well as the fight against them. When we return from the flashback, the kids are up at the counter. Michael's paying the check as promised.

Miyako: So, you're the minion of an evil Digimon? Digitamamon: No no no. Sure, I used to be pretty rough around the edges, but ever since the Dark Masters were defeated, I've just tried to earn an honest living. Hikari: So you've had a change of heart and now you're carrying it out? Mimi: Then keep up the good work. Digitamamon: Of course! It's very encouraging to hear that from you ladies. Miyako: What are the Dark Masters? I've never heard anything about them. Mimi: We had to fight them back in our day. Haven't Takeru-kun and Hikari-chan told you about that? Miyako: No, not at all. Takeru: We haven't reached that part yet.

Gonna put Takeru on the spot here 'cause. Like. It's been a few months, right? He and Hikari are dragging their heels with explaining the history to the new recruits.

Also, I still have to give props to Digitamamon for their patience. After everyone agreed that Michael would cover the bill, they all went back to the seats to continue the conversation, leaving Digitamamon up there at the register like, "Um. Okay but. Am I being paid or not?" XD

In the dub:

Digitamamon: But there's still one question: WHO'S GOING TO PAY THE BILL!?!? Michael: Don't worry about it! The entire meal is on me! T.K.: That's it! Now I remember where I saw him! He used to be one of Myotismon's henchmen! He made Matt and Joe work in the kitchen here! He got really mad when Matt asked if he could get half price on his meals.

...I think that's supposed to be a joke? Because it's not even remotely what was happening in the scene T.K.'s flashing back on.

Yolei: I can't believe you used to be one of the bad guys! Digitamamon: Alright, I admit it. I was a rotten egg. But that was in the past! After the Dark Masters were all defeated, I knew I had to break out of my shell. I'm a whole new 'mon! Kari: We're all very proud of you since you changed your ways. Mimi: And don't you feel a lot better about yourself? Digitamamon: Well, now that you mention it, it is kind of nice making an honest living. Yolei: It seems to me you're still one of the bad guys after the way you treated me! Mimi: Come on, Yolei! Everyone gets a little cranky. If he says he's changed, I believe him. Yolei: I guess you're right. T.K.: Sometimes it's easy to get cranky with you.

WOW. UNCALLED FOR, T.K.

Yeah, they cut out the bit about the Dark Masters to have Yolei voice skepticism of Digitamamon's changed behavior, resulting in her being talked into walking it back and then inexplicably insulted for it.

Miyako is skeptical of Digitamamon, which she'll get to in a moment. But Yolei says it out loud, being her "usual blunt self" as Kari put it, then gets scolded by Mimi for it.

This is where the two stories begin to diverge. The new character arc they wrote for Yolei is that her opinions are bad and she should cut it out. Just cut out all of this. The lesson she's here to learn is to stop being the way that she is.

It's hard to take it in good faith when they tweaked the dialogue to have T.K. call her a piece of shit even after she'd already conceded the point. Appropriately enough, I'm getting Mimi flashbacks.

Digitamamon: (ashamed) I don't want to think about those days anymore. Miyako: (thinking) A change of heart, huh? After they accused us of trying not to pay? They're just a miser. And, regardless, they look so weird! I can't even see their face to tell what they're thinking!

Digitamamon notices Miyako's skeptical gaze burning into them. They look up at her for a moment, then back to the rest of the group.

Digitamamon: But it seems not everyone is so understanding. Miyako: (busted) Oh! Mimi: It's not like that at all! We're all very understanding. Right, Miyako-chan? Miyako: Eh!? Y-Yeah.... Takeru: (excited) That's right! Even if no one else understands, you can still rely on yourself. Digitamamon: Even if no one else understands, I can still rely on myself... Of course, that makes perfect sense! I will work hard and stick it out. Thank you, everyone!

Crest of Hope over there would be passionate about restorative justice, wouldn't he?

Michael: Mimi-san, the honest faith you have in your heart for other people gives them courage. I want to be more like you! Mimi: (boastful) Then you go right ahead and follow in my footsteps.

I see you unsubtly signaling that this is a Purity episode, Michael. XD

They can only keep a straight face for a moment before they both crack up and start laughing.

Daisuke: They get along pretty well, huh? Miyako: (thinking, bitter) Michael only wants to talk to MImi-san! This isn't any fun at all!

Miyako is so jealous right now that Mimi got downgraded to a chilled -san.

In the dub:

Digitamamon: Gee, I really feel pretty bad about how I treated you last time. Yolei: (thinking) He had a change of heart, huh? Well, it didn't seem like that when he was yelling at us for trying to eat and run! I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. Yolei: It's okay, Digitamamon. I'm sure you're not a total loser anymore. Digitamamon: (offended) Huh!? I don't want your pity, I want your MONEY!!! FORK IT OVER NOW!!! Yolei: Huh!? Mimi: Relax! Don't get upset! She was just trying to make you feel better! Right, Yolei? Yolei: Um... yeah.... T.K.: Besides, we always intended to pay the bill! If you would have been more patient, we probably could have avoided this whole thing! Digitamamon: You're right, I'm sorry. My brain's a bit scrambled lately. I've got to look at the sunny side. I've got a good job, I've got my health, and someday I might even have friends! Tell you what, forget the bill; It's on me! Michael: You know, Mimi, I admire you because no matter who you meet, you bring out the best in everyone. You're really special! Mimi: Plus, I saved you some DigiDollars! (Both crack up laughing) Davis: Looks like someone has a crush on Mimi. Yolei: (thinking, bitter) "Looks like someone has a crush on Mimi!" How come I never get the cute guy!?

Here we go with more arc divergence. Miyako thinks Digitamamon's an ugly creep. She resents them for the way they treated her earlier and also for being an ugly goober. Digitamamon is gross and she doesn't like looking at their stupid face.

But she keeps all this to herself. Digitamamon can tell what she's thinking from the look on her face even if she can't with them and calls her out on it, and Mimi goes to bat for her. But Miyako keeps quiet about her actual opinions and avoids the kind of response that Yolei's getting.

Yolei, for her part, actually agrees to give Digitamamon a second chance. She's resentful of his earlier behavior but puts it behind her and agrees to give him a shot. After her scolding from Mimi a moment ago, she's come around and stopped being so judgmental.

Dub Digitamamon's been characterized completely different from their Japanese counterpart all episode, and we see it on full display here. They're mean and oafish until they suddenly walk it back and decide, out of nowhere, to let them all have their meals free-of-charge!? Uh. Okay, I guess?

It's not clear what, exactly, Mimi did to earn that praise from Michael. But the same is true in the original, where it was Takeru who said the thing that Digitamamon found so touching. Fuck Takeru, I guess.

Suddenly, Digitamamon's business is interrupted by a huge quake. A loud, repeating crash shakes the building, sounding like massive footsteps.

Daisuke: It's coming from the lake!

Emerging from the restaurant, Daisuke points across the lake at the forest beyond.

Daisuke: Over there!

He's correct. A massive, lumbering beast emerges from the woods; A white-furred gorilla with a cybernetic cannon mounted in place of their right arm.

Michael: It's Gorimon!

Gorimon is an Adult-stage Data-attribute Beastman Digimon. They're one of the Digimon created for the Sega Saturn V-Pet, where they can evolve into Mammon or SaberLeomon. The name, of course, comes from the word "gorilla".

Narrator: Gorimon! Their special attack is Power Attack.

Wow, okay. Fuck Gorimon, I guess.

While Gorimon roars aggressively at the children, their attention is drawn to the clearly visible Evil Spiral on Gorimon's left bicep.

Hikari: An Evil Spiral! Daisuke: But aren't Evil Spirals supposed to be used on Perfect level Digimon? Iori: if they're being used on Adult level Digimon as well, then there must be a lot of them.

While the boys discuss the logistical ramifications of Gorimon's means of enslavement, the big ape takes aim at the restaurant and charges up the cannon in their arm. Aaaaaand break for commercial!

The dub refers to Gorimon by the full word: Gorillamon.

Davis: It must be an earthquake! Run! (Everyone runs outside, where Davis points across the lake) Davis: Look over there! (Gorillamon emerges from the woods) Michael: It's Gorillamon! Michael: (rundown) Gorillamon was the Digimon I saw in New York. Watch out for his Energy Cannon attack; It'll drive you bananas! Yolei: He's got a Dark Spiral! Davis: I thought that the Dark Spirals only worked on Ultimate level Digimon! Cody: If they can control Champion level Digimon too, then there must be different kinds! Gorillamon: ENERGY CANNON!!!

Gorillamon is another on the list of voiceless Digimon in the original who call their attacks in the dub.

Daisuke recognizes the sound of footsteps and takes charge of the team. Davis mistakes it for an earthquake and only changes his tune when he sees the trees rustling across the lake.

Michael's rundown wins by default. It's a pretty good diegetic rundown, only enhanced by the lack of competition.

Dub Team gets confused about the Evil Spirals. They're only supposed to go on Perfect Digimon because they're rare. It was a lot of effort for the Kaiser to produce even one. If they're incredibly hard to make and capable of controlling Perfect Digimon then it naturally follows that they would only be used on Perfect Digimon, with Adults getting standard Evil Rings.

We saw that last episode with Starmon's Evil Ring.

Iori deduces, then, that if we're seeing them on Adult Digimon now then scarcity must not be a problem anymore. The Kaiser must have a surplus if he isn't reserving Evil Spirals exclusively for Perfects anymore.

(Of note: That an Evil Spiral can control a Digimon without a Dark Tower is a valid reason to Spiral Adults. There are still benefits to Spiral over Ring. But it's still only worth doing if you have enough.)

The dub mistakenly presents this as a mechanical limitation of the Spiral itself. You cannot apply a Spiral to a Champion. With Cody then deducing that there are different kinds of Spirals, which is not a thing. There's just the one kind, and it functions on any level of Digimon. Well, except maybe Ultimate/Mega; That hasn't been seen yet.

Returning from commercial break, Gorimon opens fire.

Gorimon fires in an upward arc above the lake so that the weight of their... uh... plasma blast... will carry the shot back down towards the restaurant.

Daisuke: LOOK OUT!!!

Suddenly, Digitamamon rushes out of the restaurant in front of the gathered children.

Mimi: Ah! Digitamamon!

Digitamamon leaps into the sky above the restaurant, tucking in their legs and closing up the openings in their eggshell. Armored up, they take the blast head-on. The shot disperses and sends Digitamamon flying, smashing through a portion of the restaurant's roof and bouncing off into the distance.

Miyako: (thinking) ...did they just protect us? Digitamamon?

Okay but they should still consider posting a sign in the window about what forms of currency are accepted in their business so the yen thing doesn't keep happening to people.

The dub skips this placement for a commercial and goes straight from charging up the cannon to Gorillamon taking the shot.

Davis: HEADS UP!!! (Digitamamon emerges) Mimi: Digitamamon! (Digitamamon takes the shot) Yolei: (thinking) Digitamamon tried to protect us! Why would he do that!?

Solid.

With the first shot fired, the battle is on.

Daisuke: That Gorimon...! Gorimon: (roars and pounds chest) Daisuke: (pulls out D-3) V-mon-- Michael: Please leave this to us! (pulls out Digivice) BETAMON!!! Betamon: (English) Okay!

Time for the Americans to show their stuff. Betamon SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Seadramon is an Adult-stage Data-attribute Aquatic Digimon.

They were one of the very first Digimon that the first-generation Chosen Children ever encountered, in a fight that was entirely the children's fault. Having won their libel lawsuit over wrongful classification as an evil Digimon when they just wanted to sleep, they were awarded a new role in the following series as a Partner Digimon.

Narrator: Seadramon! An Adult-stage Digimon with a long serpentine body that lives in the water. Their special attack is Ice Arrow.

The demonstrably litigious Seadramon also gets a full rundown despite the half-assing of Gorimon's.

In the dub:

Davis: Get him before he gets us! Gorillamon: (roars and pounds chest) Davis: (pulls out D-3) Veemon, now! Michael: Please! Allow me to handle this! (pulls out Digivice) Okay, Betamon? Betamon: Okay! (Betamon Digivolves) Mimi: (rundown) Wow, Michael! Seadramon's your Digimon!? I still get chills remembering his Ice Blast and Icewinder attacks!

I'm a little surprised that Mimi's just now learning about this for the first time.

Daisuke and Davis are conflicting again. Daisuke's angry and raring to fight. Davis is panicking.

Roaring aggressively, Gorimon lunges straight into the lake to fight Seadramon.

It does not go well.

Gorimon lands on Seadramon's head and they plunge into the murky depths together. Michael's initially optimistic about this.

Michael: If they go underwater, this fight is ours!

Sure enough, Seadramon has a pretty significant grappling advantage. Gorimon grabs Seadramon by the throat, but Seadramon is able to bind their whole body around Gorimon and constrict them as the pair sinks.

Gorimon lets out a pained gasp, releasing much of their limited oxygen.

But they aren't out yet. They charge up their energy cannon for a point-blank shot. Realizing how bad this is about to go, Seadramon releases Gorimon and backs off. When Gorimon fires, Seadramon counters with a blast of ice breath.

Carried inside the cone of ice is a single Ice Arrow spike, which drives straight into Gorimon's cannon and jams the barrel. Once the gun's out of the picture, Seadramon's tail snares Gorimon once again.

In the dub:

Michael: Now that they're in the water, Seadramon will win! (Seadramon constricts Gorillamon) Gorillamon: ENERGY CANNON!!! Seadramon: ICE BLAST!!! (Seadramon's Ice Blast wins)

Even being underwater will not stop voiceless Digimon from calling attacks!

Honestly, it's ceaselessly amazing to me that the American version likes calling out elaborate attack names more than the Japanese version. They add so many of these.

Up topside, no one has any idea how the fight is going but they see the glow from Gorimon's energy cannon shining beneath the waves.

Michael: (nervous) ...Seadramon...? Mimi: Palmon, go help Seadramon. Palmon: I'll take care of it.

Palmon evolves into Togemon. It's not clear what Mimi expects her to do from the surface, but fortunately, it's a non-issue. Michael was in fact correct when he said Seadramon's unbeatable down there.

Seadramon hurls Gorimon's beaten and limp, crashing through the surface and sending them high into the air. Togemon's positioned perfectly to receive them.

Togemon: CHIKU-CHIKU BANG BANG!!!

Togemon meets Gorimon with an unrelenting flurry of punches, eventually shattering the Evil Spiral. Gorimon falls defeated to the ground.

Mimi: (English) Nice, Togemon! Seadramon: (emerges with triumphant roar) Michael: Seadramon!

In the dub:

Michael: ...he's in trouble! Mimi: Okay, Palmon! You'd better Digivolve and help Seadramon! Palmon: Ready when you are! (Togemon evolves; Gorillamon's thrown from the water) Togemon: LIGHTSPEED JABBING!!! (Togemon pummels Gorillamon until the Dark Spiral shatters) Mimi: Togemon, you did it! Seadramon: (emerges with triumphant roar) Michael: Victory at last!

Togemon uses the wrong attack name in the original, as Chiku-Chiku Bang Bang is the attack that the dub typically calls Something Something Needle Spray. The dub correctly uses Lightspeed Jabbing.

Following the battle, Mimi explains things to the newly released Gorimon.

Mimi: Sorry we had to be so rough, but there was no other choice. You should go home. Gorimon: (grunt)

Gorimon gets up and leaves

Palmon: Without the Evil Spiral, they aren't a bad Digimon at all. Mimi: Of course not. There are no Digimon who are just bad from the start. It was all because of that Evil Spiral.

Mimi makes a bold statement there, but also a valid one. This connects to her own experiences with the "bad Digimon" Ogremon. Digimon evolve in response to their surroundings and circumstances; They're a product of their environment. (And so are people.)

You can see how this connects with the question of whether we should give Digitamamon a second chance too.

Michael: Mimi-san.... Mimi: Michael, this was the work of that Digimon Kaiser I was telling you about. Michael: The Digimon Kaiser... A kid just like us is trying to conquer the Digital World? It's hard to believe. Daisuke: But it's true. Miyako: Michael is so dreamy... Daisuke: Eh? Did you say something? Miyako: Nothing!

Fittingly for Mimi's kouhai, Miyako is the worst at hiding her crush.

In the dub:

Mimi: Sorry we had to treat you so rough but it was the only way to get that Dark Spiral off you. You should be safe from now on but stay away from the Digimon Emperor. Gorillamon: Thanks! (Gorillamon leaves) Palmon: Without that Dark Spiral, he doesn't seem like a bad little monkey after all. Mimi: I don't think any Digimon is born evil but when they get those Dark Spirals on them, they're not responsible for their actions. Michael: How do you get them? Mimi: Remember what I told you about the Digimon Emperor? He captures the Digimon and makes them his slaves. Michael: I can't believe it! Why would a young kid want to take over the Digital World when he could be playing polo or practicing the violin!? Davis: To him, it's a hobby. Yolei: Do you want to know what my hobby is, Michael? Davis: Boys don't count, Yolei. Yolei: Who asked you!?

XD Filthy rich coming from Davis. This is good. I like this. They even nailed the key point from Mimi.

You know, it's only at this moment as he talks about playing polo that I realize they've given Michael a posh and slightly British accent. I guess they figured he must be upper-class if he, a preteen boy, can walk in and throw $87 in 2002 money at random strangers. Which is fair. I certainly didn't have that kind of pocket change when I was his age.

Plus he runs in the same social circle as Mimi who the dub's been characterizing as a daughter of wealth and privilege since we met her. So that makes sense.

Suddenly, Miyako lets out a gasp. There's someone they've all forgotten about.

Miyako: Ah! What about Digitamamon!? Mimi: That's right! They protected us just now! Wherever they are, they must be hurt!

Takeru and Hikari exchange glances.

Takeru: We'll go search from above.

Tailmon and Patamon nod to one another. Then, after a quick offscreen Armor Evolution, Takeru and Hikari take to the sky on Pegasmon and Nefertimon's backs.

Mimi: (to Michael) We should go look around too. Michael: (English) Okay-- Mimi: Huh?

Mimi's the first to spot it, but the others quickly turn to follow her gaze. A very large, familiar egg comes rolling down a hill out of the woods. It rolls to a stop, still all sealed up and facing the children.

In the dub:

Yolei: (gasp) Hey! Where's Digitamamon!? Mimi: He tried to protect us and now he's gone! He could be all alone somewhere scared and hurt. T.K.: Don't worry! Kari and I will go off and look for him! Gatomon & Patamon: Mhm! (T.K. and Kari leave) Mimi: I'm sure they'll be able to find him in no time! Michael: I hope so-- Mimi: Huh? (Digitamamon rolls down the hill) Digitamamon: Is this fast enough!?

Original Mimi is planning to join in the search and possibly also to spend some alone time with Michael; The way she turns away from Daisuke, Miyako, and Iori to suggest that only to him after Takeru and Hikari leave? There's a bit of a "pairing off" vibe to it.

Dub Mimi's content to let T.K. and Kari form the entire search party.

Mimi: Digitamamon! You're safe! Digitamamon: Yeah, no thanks to you. Mimi: That's great! Miyako: (thinking) I should thank them for helping us just now....

Digitamamon's shell opens back up, revealing furious red eyes.

Digitamamon: (snarling) I was blown far away from here! I just barely made it back!

Never mind on that thank you. Miyako picks up the tone of this conversation and her face hardens. She sees where this is going.

Mimi does not; She cheerfully sprints forward towards Digitamamon.

Mimi: Thanks for earlier! You really saved our-- Miyako: MIMI-SAN, STOP!!!

Mimi stops, looking back at Miyako.

Miyako: Something about this seems different.

Digitamamon's legs extend from their shell and they rise up menacingly.

Digitamamon: I'm going to blast all of you even farther than that! Miyako: I knew it!

Digitamamon is a Perfect-stage Data-attribute Perfect Digimon. The most perfect that a Digimon can be. The ideal Digimon. That which all Digimon should aspire to become.

I don't really have anything to say here. We've met this Digimon before and already covered the recap pretty extensively. Weird place to put a rundown.

Narrator: Digitamamon! Perfect-stage. Their egg-shaped exoskeleton nullifies all attacks against it! Their special attacks are Enigma and Nightmare Syndrome.

Hahahaha the eggshell is an "egg-shaped exoskeleton". Their eggshell is a shell. I am not okay with this revelation.

In the dub:

Mimi: Digitamamon! Are you okay? Digitamamon: Yes, no thanks to you! Mimi: We're so glad you're back! Digitamamon: Yeah, well don't be! Because now I'm going to make you pay! Yolei: (thinking) I knew he was a bad egg!

The dub takes its second commercial break here, with the reveal of Digitamamon's wickedness. To re-establish the scene when we return, they replay the footage of Digitamamon's shell opening and revealing red eyes.

Digitamamon: Now who wants to be destroyed first!? (Mimi runs forward towards Digitamamon) Mimi: But Digitamamon, we're your friends! You tried to protect us-- Yolei: Mimi! Careful, he's acting differently now! (Digitamamon stands up) Digitamamon: You're egg-xactly right! Before I was soft and runny but now I'm hard-boiled! Yolei: I knew it! Digitamamon: (rundown) Nothing can penetrate my shell and when I poach my enemies with my Nightmare Syndromer attack, their minds get cracked!

...Syndromer? Why is that a thing? That is not a word. You made that up. Why did you make that up?

Yolei claims victory for the brilliant observation that Digitamamon's behavior is off after he (checks notes) openly said that he's going to do the violence to everyone here.

They went off-script before the commercial to establish Digitamamon's turn early so they could have that cliffhanger and motivate the audience to stick around. But then tried to rerail back to the original script upon return, with Yolei delivering her lines exactly as in the original despite the changed context.

Digitamamon takes one menacing step towards Mimi and that's all it takes for the situation to erupt into violence.

Michael: Mimi-san! Hawkmon: Miyako-san! Miyako: Mhm! DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Horusmon Armor Evolves) Digitamamon: TAKE THIS!!!

Digitamamon throws themselves forwards, charging Mimi. Horusmon jumps in the way and takes an unbreakable Perfect-strength eggshell to the face. The impact is so strong, it puts Horusmon down for the count in one hit.

Mimi: HORUSMON!!!

First round to Digitamamon.

In the dub:

Michael: Watch out, Mimi! Hawkmon: Well, Yolei? Yolei: Mhm. DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Halsemon Armor Digivolves) Digitamamon: RRRAAAGH!!!

The dub censors out the closeup of Digitamamon hitting Horusmon in the face. Digitamamon charges in, Halsemon lands in front of Mimi, then a white flash to convey impact before the wider shot of Halsemon crumpling to the ground.

Nobody shouts Halsemon's name either.

V-mon: Daisuke! Daisuke & Iori: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Daisuke pulls Courage for this one, and the two remaining new Partners evolve into Fladramon and Digmon.

Digitamamon hops back from the crumpled Horusmon, gaining distance.

Fladramon: KNUCKLE FIRE!!!

Digitamamon withdraws into their invulnerable shell. Fladramon's shots strike Digitamamon dead-on, but achieve nothing.

Fladramon: What!? Digmon: How about this dagyaa!?

Digmon spins up their drills and applies them to Digitamamon's shell. The drills grind uselessly against it, putting off sparks and failing to so much as scratch the unyielding egg.

Digmon: (dejected) That makes no sense at all....

I don't know what to tell ya, man. This guy isn't just Perfect, they're the perfect Digimon. I'm sorry your evolution isn't as good as theirs and never will be.

In the dub:

Veemon: We'd better help! Davis & Cody: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Flamedramon and Digmon Armor Digivolve) Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Digitamamon tanks the attack) Flamedramon: Huh? Digmon: ROCK CRACKIN'!!! (Digmon's drills fail to break through) Digmon: Hmm? I need an Egg Crackin' attack!

Dub's punchline isn't as funny as original Digmon's distressed confusion. I appreciate that they call the attack, though; I was a little dismayed that I couldn't make a joke about Digmon's Big Crack.

Digmon's attack fails, but Horusmon's had time to get a second wind. Fladramon has a suggestion.

Fladramon: Let's attack them together! Mimi: WAIT!!!

Before this can continue, Mimi races out onto the field, putting herself between the boys and Digitamamon.

Fladramon: Eh? Mimi: Wait just a second before you go attacking Digitamamon! Fladramon: Why!?

Mimi doesn't answer them. She turns around and addresses Digitamamon.

Mimi: Digitamamon, you have to find yourself again. You're being controlled by something evil right now. That has to be what's happening!

Digitamamon reopens the eye portion of their shell to talk to Mimi.

Digitamamon: I'm not being controlled by anything. This is my true self. Mimi: No, it's not! Digitamamon: Yes, it is!

This is going nowhere. The other Children catch up to Mimi, also coming inbetween the Armor Digimon and Digitamamon.

Miyako: What are you trying to do, Mimi-san? Mimi: If I can just talk to them, I'm sure they'll understand. Miyako: That's ridiculous! Daisuke: Yeah, there's no point in even trying. Mimi: Quiet, all of you! Miyako: (thinking) But why...? It's completely impossible to reach a Digimon that isn't even our ally....

Somebody doesn't know about Mimi's overclocked Charisma score.

In the dub:

Flamedramon: None of our attacks are working on him! Mimi: WAIT!!! (Mimi gets in the middle of the fight) Mimi: You guys have to leave Digitamamon alone right now! Flamedramon: Why? (Mimi turns around and faces Digitamamon) Mimi: Digitamamon, listen! You're being controlled by something evil! Remember what you said to us in the restaurant? That you're not like that anymore? (Digitamamon opens his shell) Digitamamon: I'm not being controlled by anything! The one in the restaurant was a fake! This is the real me. Mimi: I refuse to believe that! Digitamamon: That's your problem!

I also refuse to believe that. A fake? What, like a body double? I think they were trying to say that Digitamamon's personality was fake in the restaurant but it comes out like he's claiming they met an impersonator.

Yolei: Mimi, stand back! Let us attack him! Mimi: No! I'm sure if I can just talk to him, he'll come around! Yolei: But Mimi, he's evil! Davis: Right! Let's scramble that egg! Mimi: I have to try! Yolei: (thinking) I don't understand Mimi. Why is she doing this? Digitamamon's not even our friend!

Subtle difference, but Miyako and Daisuke are concerned that Mimi's idea will fail. They repeat the word 無理 muri at her, which means impossible, unreasonable, useless, futile. Which is a fair assessment. Mimi clearly thinks Digitamamon's picked up an Evil Spiral. We've seen no evidence that a Spiraled Digimon can even be appealed to, let alone one we have no emotional connection with whatsoever.

Yolei and Davis don't engage with Mimi's plan at all. They want her out of the way so they can fuck up Digitamamon.

Once Mimi has silenced the juniors, she turns her attention back towards Digitamamon.

Mimi: Didn't you say earlier that, even if no one else believes in you, you can still rely on yourself?

Actually, Takeru said that but fuck him, I guess. Zero respect for Takeru this episode.

Mimi's words actually have an effect, as Digitamamon's eyes soften for just a moment.

Digitamamon: (choked up) That was...

But then they catch themself.

Digitamamon: You were so naive to believe those words! I only said that so you would let down your guard! Miyako: (thinking) See? Mimi: (smiling) No, you're lying. Miyako: Eh!? Mimi: Even if nobody else believes in you, I believe in you.

Once again, Digitamamon's eyes soften, only for a brief moment.

Miyako: (thinking) Mimi-san, why are you trying so hard? Digitamamon: Hmph, you must be kidding me. Stop saying those disgusting things! Mimi: No, I won't stop! I'll never stop! Not even if you beg me!

Digitamamon's Spiral-induced stubbornness is no match for the raw intensity of Tachikawa Mimi.

In the dub:

Mimi: Think back to the restaurant. Do you remember when you said that one day, you hope to have friends? Well, today is that day because we're your friends! (Digitamamon's eyes soften) Digitamamon: ...friends...? (Digitamamon's eyes harden) Digitamamon: No! That was just a trick so you would let your guard down! Just like when I said "Forget the bill" which reminds me, you still owe me 87 DigiDollars! Yolei: Huh!? Mimi: I don't care how rough and tough you try to act on the outside. Deep down inside, I know you're not evil.

Digitamamon's line lasts so long that he talks over both Miyako's internal monologue and Mimi's "You're lying" line. Consequently, Mimi moves her lips and says nothing while Digitamamon's yelling about the money.

Miyako's internal monologue asking why Mimi would go to these lengths was removed and replaced with nothing. The camera awkwardly hangs on Yolei's silent face for a moment before Mimi and Digitamamon's argument continues.

Yolei: .... Digitamamon: Quit trying to butter me up. What do I look like, a piece of toast!? Mimi: Stop pretending you don't want to be friends! Otherwise, you wouldn't have tried to protect us!

Original Mimi expressing an unwavering faith in Digitamamon to be the better person that they want to be is an awful lot of faith in another person to be offering based on their history together. That's exactly why Miyako's so bewildered by it.

But it's an expression of Mimi's sincere faith in people. Her optimism and faith that anyone can choose to become their better self. She believes in Digitamamon with every ounce of the passion that she once shared with Ogremon.

Dub Mimi saying "We're your friends" to someone she'll probably never think about again after today just sounds like cheap talk. Sure, okay. But, like, "hanging out and going to the movies together" friends? Or "Friending someone on Facebook because you chatted for five minutes at the corner store and then never speaking to them" friends?

Because I'm pretty sure Digitamamon was talking about the former. And I don't think anyone here is going to actually make that commitment.

Digitamamon: THAT'S ENOUGH!!!

Having lost at verbal jousting, Digitamamon resorts to violence. They headbutt Mimi in the gut, knocking her off her feet.

Iori: MIMI-SAN!!! Palmon: MIMI!!!

Palmon hurries to Mimi's side, sitting her up and holding her.

Miyako: MIMI-SAN!!! Mimi: (weakly) I believe in you.... Miyako: (gasp) Digitamamon: (gasp) Mimi: So... you have to regain your true self.... Miyako: "True self"...? (firmly) ...true self.

With those words, Miyako steels herself for what lies ahead.

In the dub:

Digitamamon: YOU THINK I'M PROTECTING!?!?

The shot of Mimi taking an invulnerable eggshell to the gut is cut. Digitamamon angles his body to strike, white flash, and then Mimi crumples to the ground.

Group: (collective gasp) Yolei: ARE YOU OKAY!?!? Mimi: I'm alright. He didn't mean it. Yolei: Huh!? Digitamamon: Huh!? Mimi: Please, Yolei... Don't hurt him. I know you can get through to him. Yolei: But he's a phony. Mimi: It doesn't matter. Talk to him. Yolei: It won't be easy but I'll try.

Original Mimi implores Digitamamon to be honest with themself, and accidentally hits Miyako with a ricochet. It's Miyako, touched by seeing Mimi's pure expression of herself, who realizes she's been dishonest and closed off about her own feelings.

Dub Mimi gets extra dialogue to convince Yolei that she should put aside her own feelings and try diplomacy. Something that Yolei doesn't believe will work, but ultimately agrees to try.

Digitamamon: (troubled) S-Shut up... (angry) SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP-- Miyako: (imitating) SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP!!! Digitamamon: Ack!?

Miyako stands up suddenly and unloads on Digitamamon.

Miyako: What the hell are you thinking, Digitamamon!? Why would you attack Mimi-san!? Mimi-san who, unlike me, believed you were a good person from the start!

Miyako slowly, forcefully approaches Digitamamon as she speaks.

Miyako: Let me be very clear about this: I hate you. I'm disgusted by you. I can't tell what you're thinking! But when you protected us from Gorimon just now, I got to thinking that maybe you were a good guy after all. I really did. And for what!? For you to betray our trust!? Digitamamon: What are you talking about!? You've been suspicious of me this whole time! Miyako: Yeah, I have been suspicious. Because I judge people by their appearance! Of course I do! It's better to look cool! So yes, I prefer good-looking people! That's why I prefer people as handsome as Michael-san! Daisuke: What. Miyako: I CAN'T HELP IT, OKAY!?!? NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS, THIS IS WHO I REALLY AM!!!

Poor Daisuke's been relegated to Miyako's straight man for this entire episode. XD

In the original, Digitamamon responds to Mimi continuing to appeal to them even after being struck. In the dub, he responds to Yolei agreeing to try to reach him.

Digitamamon: Oh, so you want a piece of me too? You think you'll do any better than her!? I'LL KNOCK YOU FOR A LOOP!!! Yolei: I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER WORD FROM YOUR MOUTH!!! Digitamamon: Huh? Yolei: Digitamamon, you're the rudest Digimon I've ever met! At first, I thought you were just an obnoxious waiter looking for a tip but when you told everyone you had a change of personality, I gave you the benefit of the doubt! (Yolei slowly marches towards Digitamamon) Yolei: But when you pushed Mimi to the ground, it was absolutely the last straw! All she was trying to do was make you our friend! And how did you thank her!? Digitamamon: But...? Yolei: By viciously attacking her without any cause! Digitamamon: But... But...! Yolei: Mimi doesn't have a mean bone in her body and you couldn't see that! Well, I want you to know that I will not tolerate that kind of behavior any longer! Digitamamon: You're one to talk! You want to be friends and then call me a phony! You're the phony! Yolei: Okay, I admit it! I have a problem judging others by my first impression of them! I see a cute looking boy and I instantly fall in love. I never stop to think what kind of person they might be. They could be really cool like T.K. or a real jerk like Davis! Davis: Gckkk...!? Yolei: WELL THOSE DAYS ARE FINALLY OVER!!! From now on, I promise to be as sincere with people as I possibly can!

Here we come to the climax of the two divergent character arcs.

Mimi's Crest is the Crest of Purity. Sincerity in the dub. But they mean the same thing. Mimi's Crest is about the unfiltered expression of the self. It's about being genuine, being true to yourself. It's, in a sense, values-neutral because... it is tactless, it is raw. It's the baring of one's soul, the good along with the bad. Love me or hate me, this is who I really am.

It doesn't come as naturally to Miyako as it does to Mimi. Unlike Mimi, Miyako does have filters. She does think twice before saying some things. She keeps bad opinions to herself. She doesn't always do a great job of it; Everyone is vividly aware of how abruptly she falls in and out of love. But she does have them.

So Miyako throwing caution to the winds and saying, "Love me or hate me, this is me, warts and all," is her expression of Purity, her embracing of the virtue that Mimi embodies. This is her self-actualization as the inheritor of Purity.

But Yolei's arc has been rewritten to not be about her accepting her flaws, but rejecting them. Rejecting her flaws and seeking to improve herself instead.

"I'm going to stop being judgmental of other people," is a fine enough moral lesson.

But "I'm going to stop judging people on their looks and instead be sincere," is gibberish. Purity/Sincerity is values-neutral. Judging people by their looks is sincere. It's the sincere expression of Yolei's opinions. This works as a moral lesson in a vacuum but it doesn't work as the self-actualization of Yolei embracing Sincerity.

This moment is supposed to be about Yolei accepting who she is, and they made it about Yolei apologizing for who she is.

Also they have her make a valid point of "I don't stop to think about if that cute boy is actually a piece of shit," which is relevant in the context of Ken. That is something that happened to her with Ken. But Ken isn't here. He doesn't appear even once in this eipsode.

The only cute boy involved in this episode is Michael. And she can't be talking about Michael if she's saying that. That doesn't make sense in the context of Michael.

So she verbally slaps Davis in the face out of nowhere to make it work. XD It works because they have that shot of him mortified by what Miyako just said. Him making that face along with bewildered throat noises does sell the punchline.

But. Still. They are torturing Miyako's arc for Yolei's story.

As Miyako makes her self-actualizing exclamation, a bright green glow suddenly shines from the ground beneath her feet.

Digitamamon: NYORGH!!!

Digitamamon takes a quick step back from the sudden glow. Miyako looks down to see a brand new Digimental rise into the air, marked by the Crest of Purity.

Miyako: What's going on!? Iori: The Digimental.... Mimi: Is that... the Crest of Purity?

Miyako cups her hands under the Digimental and takes it.

(It's a good thing she's wearing gloves because the bottom of that thing looks sharp as hell and not in a cute boy sort of way.)

Daisuke: Why? Iori: Maybe... It could be reacting to naked expression of Miyako's heart! Daisuke: The naked expression of her heart? Miyako: I... have two...? Horusmon: Miyako-san!

Horusmon's voice shakes Miyako out of her funk. While he reverts to Hawkmon, she gets her head back in the game and nods to him.

Miyako: Mhm. DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Iori's theory is super interesting. Earlier, they couldn't find any trace of a Digimental here. What Iori suggests recontextualizes everything we thought we knew about the Digimentals.

Implicitly, the reason nobody could get a signal for the Digimental of Purity is because... nobody was worthy of it. It was only in this moment, in Miyako's sudden outburst, that she became worthy to inherit Purity. It's not responding to the individual, but to her acceptance and embrace of its virtue.

In a sense, Miyako chose the Digimental, rather than the Digimental choosing her.

By contrast, that they were getting a signal just fine on the Digi-Egg in the dub also makes sense because Yolei has been expressing Sincerity this whole time. It's just that the episode thinks she's a bitch and needs to stop.

In the dub:

Digitamamon: Huh!? (Digitamamon backs up. Digi-Egg appears.) Yolei: Was it something I said? Cody: It's the new Digi-Egg! Mimi: It's got the Crest of Sincerity! (Yolei takes the Digi-Egg) Davis: Careful! Cody: It must have responded to Yolei when she started to talk so sincerely about her feelings. Davis: I guess she sincerely thinks I'm a jerk. Yolei: It's my second... I've got two Digi-Eggs.... Halsemon: Then let's use it! (Yolei nods; Halsemon reverts to Hawkmon) Yolei: Mhm. DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

Solid. This part works with Sincerity. Even Davis's laugh line.

Also, I appreciate that Davis had the same concerns I had with Yolei wrapping her hands around that shuriken.

Now, it's time to call on the best Crest to finish this. Hawkmon ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Shurimon: BURSTING PURITY, SHURIMON!!!

Shurimon is an Armor-stage Free-attribute Mutation Digimon. His name comes from the word "shuriken", which is also what inspires much of his design. He's based pretty blatantly on a ninja, with giant leaf camouflage shoulderpads and extendable vines for limbs to grant a bit of Palmon's plant aesthetic.

Narrator: Shurimon! Hawkmon Armor Evolved into this Armor level Digimon. His special attack is Kusanagi!

Okay but was there Armor involved?

Shurimon: MOMIJI OROSHI!!!

I love it when the narrator says "Their attack is X" and then they immediately use something else. Momiji oroshi is one of the rare few attacks that are named in Japanese instead of English. Possibly because Shurimon is so Japanese-coded?

I am not 100% on what it means but... 紅葉 Momiji refers to the red or orange leaves of Autumn. 降ろし Oroshi is a verb of many meanings but I believe the relevant one here is pruning. As in, cutting down bits and bobs from a tree or hedge. The attack is, to my best understanding, called "Pruning the Autumn Leaves".

It's also a condiment you can make from chili peppers and daikon. I don't think the attack is meant to reference the condiment. But IDK.

Shurimon extends both of his arms, sending his twin shurikens forward. They clatter uselessly against Digitamamon's impenetrable shell.

Digitamamon: Attacks like that are useless! NIGHTMARE SYNDROME!!!

Digitamamon responds by launching a shadowy creature from the eyehole in their shell.

In the dub:

Shurimon: SHURIMON, THE SAMURAI OF SINCERITY!!!

They were going for alliteration there, but...not quite? That is a ninja, not a samurai. The two aren't diametrically opposed; some ninjas came from the samurai class. The real history of samurai and ninja/shinobi culture is complicated. But regardless of class, that is clearly a ninja.

Shurimon: (rundown) I am Shurimon. As Hawkmon, I used the Digi-Egg of Sincerity to Armor Digivolve. My Double Stars attack is double trouble. Shurimon: DOUBLE STARS!!! (No effect) Digitamamon: Not even you can penetrate my shell! NIGHTMARE SYNDROMER!!!

For some reason, the extending and retracting of Shurimon's vines are given hydraulic sound effects. Are they trying to make Shurimon cooler by implying that he's a cyborg?

Shurimon: You handle this, Fladramon and Digmon. Fladramon & Digmon: Leave it to us!

Shurimon abandons the defense entirely, using his springy legs to bound up into the air for a bird's eye view. Fladramon and Digimon replace him, each grabbing one arm of the Nightmare Syndrome beast and restraining it from reaching Miyako.

As Digitamamon looks up, following Shurimon's movement, the sunlight very briefly glints off of something deep inside their shell.

Shurimon: Hm? So that's it.

Spiral located.

Shurimon: KUSANAGI!!!

Shurimon pulls the giant shuriken from their back and throws it with expert precision. It strikes as deep as it can go into Digitamamon's eyehole and sticks there... but it doesn't hit the Spiral.

Digitamamon: GWOARGH!!!

As Shurimon lands back on the ground, Digitamamon turns right around and runs for it.

In the dub:

Shurimon: Protect Yolei. I'll take care of Digitamamon. (Flamedramon and Digmon replace Shurimon) Digmon: Don't let it get through! (They catch the Syndromer creature. Digitamamon looks up) Digitamamon: Hm? What's he looking at? Shurimon: I see the Dark Spiral! (Glint) Shurimon: It's inside his shell! DOUBLE STARS!!! (Shurimon throws his giant shuriken)

Yeah, they definitely don't think Shurimon is sufficiently cool and are trying to spice him up. He gets more mechanical motion noises when he reaches for the shuriken, which itself is made to sound like a whirring buzzsaw as it flies. They want so badly for you to see this character as a cool cyborg like Cable or that guy from the Teen Titans; I forget what he's called.

It's deliciously ironic that they're straight up trying to lie about what kind of being the Samurai of Sincerity is.

Nonetheless, at the same time they're trying to make this cooler, the shuriken slamming into Digitamamon's eyehole is way too graphic for them. They cut the shot of impact, replacing it with a white flash covered by the sound of a spring comically going "Doink". Then Digitamamon says this gem with the shuriken sticking out of his face:

Digitamamon: Hey, careful! You almost hit me in here!

It is of the utmost importance that parents know that our cartoon heroes did not just stab someone in the face.

Shurimon: Quit running! Nefertimon & Pegasmon: We've got him. SANCTUARY BIND!!!

Triumphantly returning from their search, Nefertimon and Pegasmon move in from the direction Digitamamon's trying to flee to.

Hikari: Is that... Hawkmon? Takeru: A new Armor Evolution?

Nefertimon and Pegasmon sweep low, tripping Digitamamon with Sanctuary Bind and tying the golden chain around their ankles. Rising into the sky, they suspend Digitamamon helplessly.

Shurimon: The Evil Spiral is inside their shell! MOMIJI OROSHI!!!

Shurimon extends his right shuriken straight into the eyehole.

The space inside Digitamamon's spell is a colossal dark void filled with vast empty space and also planets, not unlike the abyss that Vademon once brought Koushiro to. The Spiral is free-floating in the void. It's just... in there, hanging out.

Shurimon's vine extends all the way out to it, striking the Spiral and shattering it. He withdraws his vine and, a moment later, Digitamamon chokes and coughs out chunks of broken Evil Spiral through their eyehole.

Daisuke: They threw up the Evil Spiral! (Nightmare Syndrome creature disintegrates) Miyako: You did it, Shurimon!

I just want to gush for a moment over how good this choreography is for showcasing Shurimon's skillset.

The problem: Digitamamon's shell is unbreakable. They can just block whatever we throw at them.

The solution: Shurimon bounds into the sky. As a general rule, attacking with the sun to your back makes your movements harder to see. That's a good ninja trick. From there, he spots the Spiral, immediately realizes what he needs to do, and hits Digitamamon with Kusanagi.

The shuriken can't reach the Spiral but what it does is jam Digitamamon's eyehole open. They can't seal up their shell now and are forced to turn around and run for it instead - only to flee straight into the returning cavalry, back from their search.

Sanctuary Bind remains OP, its temporary effectiveness on Perfect Digimon already demonstrated. It won't end the fight, but it can buy a moment of time to set up a follow-up attack.

And then Shurimon finishes up by demonstrating the incredible reach of their springy vine limbs.

Armor Digimon are no match for Perfects in a straight fight, which Digitamamon helpfully reminded Horusmon of. The Evil Spiral is a single point of failure that can be exploited tactically, but the one planted on Digitamamon was placed brilliantly. All in all, a great first fight for Shurimon demonstrating their versatility in solving the puzzle of Digitamamon's power.

In the dub:

Shurimon: Pegasusmon, Nefertimon, get him! Nefertimon & Pegasusmon: GOLDEN NOOSE!!! Kari: He's trying to get away! T.K.: Not if we have anything to say about it! (Nefertimon & Pegasusmon string Digitamamon up by his ankles) Shurimon: Now to take care of that Dark Spiral. DOUBLE STARS!!! (Shurimon breaks the Dark Spiral and Digitamamon coughs up the pieces) Yolei: He coughed up the Spiral! That egg is over easy!

Shurimon orders Nefertimon and Pegasusmon to attack, so I guess he saw them flying back.

Kari and T.K. are utterly disinterested in Hawkmon's new Digivolution. They're too focused on the fight to notice.

The dub takes its third commercial break here.

Digitamamon wakes up on the ground, surrounded by the Chosen Children.

Digitamamon: I... I was.... Mimi: (gently) Are you okay, Digitamamon? Digitamamon: Did you guys save me? Mimi: Yes, Miyako-chan did. Miyako: Eh!? M-Me!?

Digitamamon stands up and approaches Miyako.

Digitamamon: Thank you, Miyako-san. Miyako: No, really, it was nothing. And, also, I'm sorry for saying that I hate you. Digitamamon: It's fine! Please don't worry about it. Miyako: From now on, I'm going to try and be more honest. Digitamamon: That's okay. You're honest enough already. Miyako: (pleased) Y-yeah? Ahaha. Mimi-oneesama, this is all because of your Crest of Purity! I'll hold on tight to your legacy. Mimi: Mm! Work hard (ganbatte), okay?

Mimi's been promoted back up to oneesama. There were some bumps in the road getting here, but Miyako's admiration has been restored.

Suddenly, out of absolutely fucking nowhere, Scumon appears and taps on Mimi's shoulder.

Scumon: Onee-chan! How about a date?

Mimi's initially taken aback by the sudden intrusion. Then her shock turns to disgust, followed by rage.

Mimi: NOT WITH YOU!!!

She throws a right haymaker straight into Scumon's stupid face, hitting them so hard that they fly across the lake and into the woods beyond.

Group: (collective shocked gasp) Miyako: Ahaha! I knew Mimi-oneesama was something special!

And that haymaker lands Miyako right back into worship territory.

I love how Scumon literally just popped up here so that Mimi, now 13 and a veteran of the first series's war, could finally get some revenge for the gross way she was so often treated back then.

In the dub:

Mimi: He's waking up! Digitamamon: Nnn... what happened...? Mimi: You had a Dark Spiral in you. Digitamamon: You saved me? Mimi: Actually, Yolei was the one. Yolei: W-What do you mean, it was me!? (Digitamamon gets up and approaches Yolei) Digitamamon: I want to thank you, Yolei. Yolei: Huh!? Well, there's no need to thank me! But I do want to apologize for those things I said about you earlier. Digitamamon: I'm the one who should be apologizing. Yolei: From now on, I promise not to judge a book by its cover. Digitamamon: And I promise not to put all my eggs in one basket. Yolei: (dismissive) Yeah, that's great.

XD Hahahahahaha even after all this, Yolei still does not give a shit about what Digitamamon thinks. She says what she needs to say to feel better about herself and then shuts him down and moves right on. That's beautiful.

Yolei: A-Anyway, Mimi! Thanks to you, I'm going to be totally honest with people, especially boys! And I won't be friends with them just 'cause they're cute. Mimi: Great! Then neither will I. (Sukamon taps Mimi on the shoulder) Sukamon: Oh, Mimi~? If you don't care about looks, hehe... How would you like to go on a date with me? (haymaker) Mimi: RRRAAAAUGH!!! Sukamon: (ejected) Whoa, I'll take that as a no! Group: (collective gasp) Yolei: Ooh, now I know what to do if someone asks me out on a date!

This sequence is the conclusion for Yolei's dub-added arc about how she should try and be less shallow. And it still doesn't... really... make sense? Yolei's going to try and be more honest... by not expressing her real feelings and instead trying to change how she acts.

If she were inheriting Joe's Crest, this would work a lot better. But the moral lesson they're trying to bolt onto the episode just doesn't connect with the specific virtue she's inheriting from Mimi.

Also they're just... They are really fixated on "Don't trust cute boys", something that has nothing to do with anything that happens in this episode. The cute boy we have here is fine! Michael has done nothing to deserve this slander!

As the sun sets over the Digital World, it's time to part ways.

Daisuke: Someday, I'm sure a time will come that we can work together again. Michael: Yes! We should be even stronger by then. Mimi: Come on, Michael. It will be time for the Gate to close soon. Miyako: (dismayed) Aww, already? There's so much more I wanted to talk to you about!

Michael walks slowly over to Miyako, holding out his hand for hers.

Michael: (English) See you again, Miyako-san.

Miyako stares at him for a moment. Then she smiles and happily shakes his hand.

Cut to Mimi and Michael disappearing into the distance. Mimi waves farewell as they depart.

Mimi: (English) BYE-BYE!!! Miyako: (English) BYE-BYE!!! (softly, Japanese) Until next time.

We close here, on Miyako's pleasant anticipation of her next meeting with Mimi and Michael.

In the dub:

Davis: Well, Michael, it was pretty cool meeting you. And I hope we'll get to hang out together again real soon. Michael: Thanks. I feel the same way. Mimi's always telling me stories about how great all of you are, and now I know it too firsthand. Oh, before I go, there's one thing I've wanted to do since I got here. (Michael holds out his hand for Yolei's) Michael: Yolei, I want to ask you something. Yolei: ...huh? Michael: Would you like to go out on a date with me sometime?

(spit take) Excuse me, what!?

Yolei: ... (ecstatic noises) (Michael and Mimi depart) Yolei: Goodbye, Michael! Friday night's good! Or any other night works too~! Hahahaha! Narrator: Will they encounter more DigiDestined kids from around the world? Find out on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters.

We will not.

Uh, not find that out, I mean. The answer is yes. There will be more DigiDestined kids from around the world. But that's not coming down the pipe for a long time. Narrator is getting way ahead of himself.

Also. Just. What. The fuck. Yolei gets the boy in the end? What? What? How? What?

Is this why they've been hammering "Don't trust cute boys"? For a punchline where she suddenly walks it back for Michael? IDK.

Gonna be really hard going on a date between Japan and New York. I guess they can meet up in the Digital World but... what? What?

Oh, and Mimi gets snubbed out of having any lines in this departure too. It's strictly focused on Yolei and Michael's absolutely bizarre parting.

Assessment: I never liked Shurimon as a kid. Couldn't put a finger on why; I just thought they were the dumbest of the Armor Digimon.

Looking at it now, I'm pretty sure it's the inexplicable mechanized sound effects. The disconnect between a leafy viney boi making cyborg noises whenever he moves is weird and I don't think I knew what to make of it.

But Shurimon's pretty cool, in fact. He's not my favorite Armor Digimon, that honor goes to Nefertimon, but he's cool.

This episode was a lot of fun. I like that Mimi's episode features an old nemesis trying to change their ways and I also like that it isn't really dwelt on. When Digitamamon shows up with glowing red eyes, Mimi takes it on faith that they must be under the Kaiser's control even if she can't see a Spiral anywhere. And she's right.

We get some interesting background on how the new kids got roped into this. As well as some fascinating implications regarding how the Digimentals work, reinforcing that we don't really know anything about them.

There's only one Digimental left out there now. And it's going to have to wait because next episode is movie time.

[reliablejoukido]

Digimon LOST AU Headcanons part 2/? - Early Koushiro-centric stuff

Made for @izumikoushiroweek and also for my Digimon Lost AU! Headcanons under the cut

Koushiro Izumi:

Age: 25

Flight main section/beach camp

Koushiro is technical minded and analytical, and also deeply curious.

He has a hard time believing the Island contains real supernatural elements. He believes it’s digital, a realistic simulation/virtual reality like a holodeck from Star Trek. His beliefs are constantly being put to the test as he dedicates himself to studying the Island

From the moment they land on the island and Koushiro is alert, he searches desperately for his carry on luggage that contained his laptop. His smart watch screen shattered in the crash and doesn’t work. His phone seems to be somewhere in the wreckage or in the ocean

It seems no one has cell phone that will turn on or function in any capacity, which distresses Koushiro a great deal. He can’t even check to see if there’s cell service wherever they crashed. Statistically speaking since there are two dozen people here both alive and dead, shouldn’t someone’s phone work? He is still determined to get to his laptop in the off chance it functions

Koushiro watches as Jou and Taichi try to save people after the initial crash. He doesn’t know what he can do right now— he’s squeamish and definitely feeling the shock and trauma of surviving a plane crash. So he just continues looking for working tech. He does not find his laptop (at least for now) and is REALLY mad he didn’t bring his satellite phone on the flight

When they retrieve a radio transceiver from the cockpit, Koushiro goes on an expedition with Mimi and Jou to find a high enough area to get a signal. When they finally do get a signal, it’s a repeating distress call from someone who claims she’s been stranded on the Island for three years (this eventually turns out to be Meiko Mochizuki)

Flashback: For two years, Koushiro has been the CEO of a tech company in Tokyo that focuses on virtual reality. They have been making astounding breakthroughs since he started, and are almost ready to launch the next generation of virtual reality that can help people who are sick or bedridden. He wants to prove that even though he’s young and not very personable, he can be a good CEO and make a difference in the world through his technology.

Flashback: Through a mysterious informant, Koushiro learns that there is a handful of engineers in the company working behind his back to steal tech secrets and start a company of their own or possibly sell information. Koushiro is non-confrontational and doesn’t know what to do with this situation

Flashback: He learns that a few of these conniving employees are traveling to California to potentially make a deal with a US tech company to sell Koushiro’s company’s secrets. He takes time off work to follow them, but still doesn’t know what to do.

Flashback: Koushiro lands at LAX and plans to take a connecting flight to Silicon Valley. But his informant suddenly asks to meet him in person in Los Angeles. Koushiro feels like he’s being strung along on a potential wild goose chase at this point, but agrees to meet. The informant, who Koushiro doesn’t recognize, is a man named Haruhiko Takenouchi, who researches mythology, folklore, and anthropology. He believes Koushiro’s company can bring folklore creatures to life in the real world and can be used to study them. Koushiro is skeptical that his technology could bring to life something worth studying, as they can only input data they already have. They can’t “create life”, digital or otherwise. Mr. Takenouchi is insistent. He’s concerned the people trying to steal tech secrets from Koushiro are going to use it for the wrong reasons, and he wants to stop that. Koushiro… doesn’t know what to make of this. Mr. Takenouchi and Koushiro fail to track down the conniving employees, and it is suggested Koushiro return home to Tokyo from Los Angeles.

As the story on the Island progresses and they encounter monsters and strange occurrences, at first Koushiro believes this place is virtual reality, possibly his own company’s doing. That this place is inorganic and digital. As Koushiro learns more about the Island, he starts to doubt his theories. He wonders if Haruhiko Takenouchi sent him here on purpose to study the kind of tech that can create “life” without a data input. He becomes deeply entrenched in the lore of the Island. He wants to know why everyone was called here, why he was called here, and if there’s something they’re supposed to do. Koushiro wants to know what makes the Island tick— he wants to rip it apart at the seams.

He is sometimes at odds with those who are trying to get off the Island. At first he thinks the people aren’t real to begin with. But as it becomes apparent the people around him are very real, he starts to think they need to stay on the Island to accomplish something important.

[sillypiratelife]

Kuina is probably my favorite female character of One Piece, but that's because she represents just perfectly the experience of being a little girl that's into martial arts— and some other stuff.

Kuina would never be enough because she could not be man enough to inherit the dojo, according to her dad, but she was also not lady-like enough to be considered a "woman". To the eyes of other people (and what they make her believe), Kuina's dream marked her as an eternal outcast, someone who would never reach one shore or the other.

To Kuina, her body was a cage. Even if she had everything within her, her body would make her naturally weaker. Similar to being condemned to fight with a bad sword, a blade that would break. Being a child was safe. Little boys and little girls are equals. Growing up meant losing time, losing ground. Every year must have to be a burden to her, with the constant reminder that her time as the best was running out.

The fear and hatred of puberty, the horror of the way your body changes without your permission, the experience of girls who feel uncomfortable in her bodies because they don't want breasts, they don't want to be weaker once a month because their bodies are bleeding and their hormones are ruining everything— I've seen it all.

Worst even, the way people would stare at those bodies and lust for them. The trauma of being desirable. Now they think that they're entitled to your body, that they can disrespect you. You're a toy, an object, you're a woman so you're weak and fragile, you're a woman so give up, you're not in control of the situation anymore.

When Koushiro said that a woman could never be the best swordman in the world, there are soooo many things in between the lines. Why not?

As if it wasn't enough, the boys accused Kuina of being that much better than them because her dad was the leader of the dojo, so he must be teaching her in secret. Her merits were never hers, just the results of another man. "Ah, that girl can't be that good, she must be getting help, receiving special treatment, getting extra training, etc". It's infuriating and Kuina shows it. They disrespect her like it's nothing, like it's natural. Her own dad allows it and participates in that.

Before Zoro, Kuina had no one to tell her that her skills were only hers. Her body, her heritage, not of that mattered. She was the rightful winner of their matches, at least so far.

When Zoro cries out of frustration and Kuina asks him if he even knows why she should be the one crying for it? Life changing moment. Zoro got the praise and loyalty of the dojo boys, the admiration of the older people training there, he was even the special boy of her dad— Koushiro let Zoro clown around with multiple swords and watch Kuina beat his ass, but it'd never matter.

Zoro wouldn't be betrayed by his own body, his own family, his own dojo and his own hometown. He was an outsider accepted by the community, their pride even. He came out of nowhere and they gave him everything she wanted and both of them deserved. It's just that it wasn't a fair fight: Zoro was a boy and Kuina was a girl. She'd always have to fight harder even if she was better.

For me, I really think that only Zoro could carry Wado Ichimonji with him. He was the only one who respected Kuina as a person and a rival, not seeing what others saw in her. Zoro honored all their fights, never tried to discredit her, because even when Koushiro tried to give Zoro an excuse "you forgot that she's a little older than you", Zoro brushed it away. No, he could beat grown-ups. That was not it.

Kuina was better than him. Period.

The fact that she died in such an accident and the way Koushiro said "humans are fragile things"... It is just so amazing. What Kuina feared the most: all her potential, wasted. When she was finally ready to go after what she wanted, she fell down the stairs and died. Simple. The promise Zoro and Kuina made was wasted too. Now Zoro had all the time in the world and Kuina had no time at all. She was always against fate and Zoro rode with it.

I still think about how Zoro plans to make it all worth something: if she can rightfully fight for the title, then he won't let anyone have it but him. If Kuina was able to beat 2001 times the boy who would become the best swordman in the world, then no one could insult him ever again. And if he won that title with her sword, then he'd elevate both their names. If he could fulfill his promise to her, then that night would hold its meaning.

I love Kuina soooo freaking much and I love how much Zoro values her, even to this day.

[izzyizumi]

U.S. Dub 2020!Tai: You GOT THIS!!! Now GO!!! Izzy, softly: ...A-Are you sure? TAI, SOFT BUT FIRM: *NOT A DOUBT* IN MY *MIND*. IZZY: ...!!

[izzyizumi]

EVERYONE PLEASE LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE

+THE RINGS!!!!! THE R I N G S---

"Shall we dance... Again?" Unfortunately, I didn't have a lot of time to work on this, but it's been a few years since I gifted @izzyizumi a birthday gift, so... This can definitely be seen as a little sequel to back then. 🧡💜

[beansproutsong]

[Proxy] Tsurune ViewCot Plush vol 3 and 4

Crane plush, it’s hard to estimate price at the moment, but it usually costs around 3000JPY

Vol 1 and 2 also available upon request

[ayukaze]

New collaboration with Loft & Amnibus was announced for Digimon Adventure!

Details about exact merch will follow soon, but the tweet states that the concept was decided by keeping the idea of 25th Anniversary in focus but the art itself is flower + wedding outfit themed. The collab will start in June which is considered a good month for brides in Japan and so we see many wedding themed anime illustrations get released during this time every year.

Now it is time for another certified Ayushi breakdown 🫡

Taichi and Agumon are seen holding Edelweiss, with a pattern of the flower drawn beautifully on Taichi's shirt as well. Edelweiss in Japanese Language of Flowers (Hanakotoba) is meant to symbolise 'cherished memories/大切な思い出' and 'courage/勇気', while in Western Language of Flowers it's meant to symbolise 'noble courage' and 'daring' - both of which are apt for our best leader 🧡

Yamato and Gabumon are seen holding Alstroemeria (Lily of the Incas, Peruvian Lily), and while the flower motif is not drawn onto his clothes, Yamato's coat's breast pocket is decorated with the flower as well. In Hanakotoba, Alstroemeria is meant to symbolise 'persistence/持続' or 'longing for the future/未来への憧れ', while in Western Language of Flowers it's meant to symbolise 'friendship' and 'devotion'. All meanings are apt for him imo, but especially persistence and longing for the future are very representative of his arc from the first series till Kizuna.

Sora and Piyomon are seen with Pink Carnations, with the neckline of Sora's jumpsuit lined with a bunch of the flowers. I personally love the visual of Sora in this pink jumpsuit, it plays into her slightly tomboyish yet extremely gentle personality so well! In Hanakotoba carnations symbolise 'innocent and deep love/無垢で深い愛' and pink carnations specifically symbolise 'love of a woman/女性の' 'passionate love/熱愛' and "beautiful gesture/美しいしぐさ'. In Western Language of Flowers carnations symbolise 'fascination' and love'. All meanings are pretty accurate for Sora, but red carnations are used to symbolise Mother's love in Japan so it would've been nice if they threw in a mix of red and pink to hint at her relationship with her mother!

Koushiro and Tentomon are seen holding Violet Sage, which at first glance I thought was Lavender. The flower pattern is also visible on his waistcoat and bowtie, which ties together his outfit very nicely! In Hanakotoba, Sage seems to have many symbolisations, 'respect/尊敬', 'wisdom/知恵', 'good home/良い家庭', and 'family love/家族愛'. But Blue (Violet) Sage specifically signify respect and wisdom. In Western Language of Flowers, Sage symbolises 'esteem', 'wisdom' and 'domestic virtue'. Again, a perfect choice for Koushiro, I personally would prefer to believe that they picked this not because of his crest but because of 'good home' and 'family love' since that part of Koushiro's arc in the first series was probably the most impressionable aspect of his character.

Mimi and Palmon are seen holding baby's breath, with Mimi's dress covered in a pattern of it. Even keeping my bias towards Mimi aside, this is possibly one of the prettiest outfit of hers till date, it genuinely looks like she's about to walk down the aisle as a flower girl for a very happy couple! In Hanakotoba, Baby's Breath or Kasumisou, symbolises 'pure heart/清らかな心', 'innocence/無邪気', 'kindness/親切', and 'happiness/幸福'. In Western Language of Flowers it symbolises 'everlasting love', 'purity of heart', and 'innocence'. All meanings apply to Mimi to the T, but they're also very apt for the whole wedding theme of the merch which makes this particular outfit + flower choice my favourite from the lot.

Jou and Gomamon are seen holding Violets or Sumire. I honestly struggled to figure out the flower for a while, at first glance I thought it was Periwinkle but since that was not mentioned in the Hanakotoba reference anywhere, I searched other people's interpretations and settled with Violets. His tie also has a cute pattern of the flower, and it makes me wonder if Koushiro and Jou went shopping for their outfits together! In Hanakotoba, Sumire symbolise 'modesty/謙虚', 'sincerity/誠実', and 'small happiness/小さな幸せ'. Depending on the colour, the symbolism can change in Hanakotoba, and purple Violets specifically represent 'fidelity' along with 'love'. In Western Language of Flowers it symbolises 'modesty' and 'faithfulness'. This is as Jou as a flower can get lol.

Takeru and Patamon are seen with White Gerberas. Like Yamato, Takeru's outfit doesn't have a pattern of the flower, but the Gerberas themselves are pinned to his suspenders. In Hanakotoba, Gerbera symbolises 'hope/希望' and 'always moving forward/常に前進'. White Gerbera specifically are used to symbolise 'hope' and 'honesty/律儀'. In Western Language of Flowers it is meant to symbolise 'cheerfulness' and 'beauty'. All meanings are accurate for Takeru, no comment needed!

Hikari and Tailmon are seen with Sunflowers. I personally feel that Hikari's outfit is a little too much compared to the rest, just the sunflower belt would've been enough but they added that extra line at the hem and it's kind of an overdose. In Hanakotoba, Sunflowers symbolise 'I gaze only at you/私はあなただけを見つめる', 'adoration/愛慕', and 'worship/崇拝'. In Western Language of Flowers, it symbolises 'adoration' and 'false riches'. I understand that they wanted to go with a bright or perky flower for Hikari but something like a Pink Aster which symbolises patience or Cosmos which symbolises harmony, peace etc. might suit Hikari better given the overall theme of the illustration. The only miss in the otherwise perfectly depicted theme and art!