#koushiros analyzing

[tobiasdrake]

Digimon Adventure 01x20 - Perfect-Stage Evolution! MetalGreymon / The Earthquake of MetalGreymon

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Taichi goofing around in the middle of a raid quest got the party wiped and caused Sora to be left behind in the raid dungeon to fend for herself. Sora furiously told Taichi to uninstall, while Koushiro offered some gentle correction for his behavior.

Now Sora's in the custody of one unbeatable Perfect-stage Digimon with another (Strongest in Konoyo!) hunting for her head in the same building. And we have to get in the middle of that. Go team!

The kids take another night to camp out and plan their next move. We join them eating dinner and discussing what to do about Sora and Nanomon.

Koushiro's over in the shortcut tunnel analyzing the layout of the pyramid. They've also sent Takeru to eat with the Digimon while Taichi, Yamato, Jou, and Mimi have grown-up discussions about Sora's fate.

Narrator: Everyone in the group wanted to save Sora and Piyomon. However.... Jou: We don't know where they are. There's nothing we can do but wait for Nanomon to make his move. Taichi: But what if he hurts Sora while we're sitting around waiting!? Yamato: Nanomon's goal is to defeat Etemon. Maybe if we beat Etemon first, he'll let her go. Mimi: But we lost to him before.... (Pan over to Takeru and the Digimon, who are all clearly listening in on the conversation) Takeru: Make sure you all eat well so you're ready to fight at any moment!

Sure. Sure. All we have to do is fucking defeat Etemon to save Sora. Piece of cake. She'll be back before we know it.

Tentomon handles our narration for the dub. This is fairly standard fare, as the dub usually has a character offer a brief recap snippet at the start of an episode. The narrator in the original usually doesn't, however, so this is rare on their side.

Tentomon: When Datamon was unable to get his revenge on Etemon, he kidnapped Sora and Biyomon and took off! Joe: We don't have a clue where to start looking for him. Besides, we could all end up dead! Or worse! Tai: What if Datamon does something to harm Sora while we sit here on our butts! Matt: Look, Tai, he's already beaten our brains out once! What makes you think he won't do it again!? We need to come up with a plan before we go anywhere! Mimi: This is more depressing than a soap opera.... (Pan over to Takeru and the Digimon, who are all clearly listening in on the conversation) T.K.: We'd better get some sleep. I'll stay next to you guys just in case any of you get scared.

Holy shit, the dub changed Joe's line to add a death mention. Speaking of rarities....

The whole topic of conversation, however, is changed significantly. The original is on-point about everyone's positions. Jou wants to wait for Nanomon to emerge, Taichi wants to do something even if he doesn't know what, Yamato diplomatically wants to give Nanomon what he wants and then he'll let Sora go, and Mimi accurately points out that fighting Etemon is a fool's endeavor. Takeru isn't allowed to contribute but urges the Digimon to be ready for whatever the plan ends up being.

In the dub, they aren't so much trying to make a plan as they are discussing whether or not to start discussing trying to make a plan. Matt gets it the worst; Not only is his idea swapped out for just butting heads with Tai, but he also suggests that it was Datamon that kicked everyone's asses last episode? Which is not how that went down.

Once Takeru and the Digimon are asleep, Taichi expresses his regrets for how everything went down.

Taichi: If I'd just gone to save Sora back there.... Jou: Quit blaming yourself! We couldn't help her either. Yamato: There must be something we can do. Koushiro: (emerging from the shortcut tunnel) EVERYONE!!! I've figured it out!

The others return inside the shortcut tunnel to review Koushiro's findings. Takeru also joins them so I guess Koushiro's shouting woke him up. We cut to the projection of the pyramid he showed us before.

Koushiro: Nanomon only pretended to escape somewhere. In truth, he hasn't gone far at all. Yamato: Then.... Taichi: Is he still inside the pyramid!? Koushiro: Yes. I've found a hidden room that exists underneath the pyramid, in its deepest depths. There's no doubt that Nanomon and Sora are there. Jou: He's hiding right under Etemon's nose.

This is all more or less the same in the dub, except that the Jou's last line is worked into Izzy's explanation so that Joe can lay down a quip instead.

Izzy: I've discovered that, way down below the pyramid, there's a secret room. And I just know that's where he's holding them. He's found the perfect hiding place right under Etemon's nose. Joe: Not a bad place, as long as he isn't sneezing.

Gross, Joe. But also metaphorically apt, so points for that.

Approaching the map, Taichi utters:

Taichi: Sora is here.... Everyone, I know this will be dangerous but I want to do whatever it takes to save Sora. So-- Yamato: We know, Taichi. We feel the same. Mimi: Sora-san's a close friend to everyone here! Takeru: Let's save her together! Taichi: (fondly) Everyone....

Now that we know where Sora is, the team agrees: We're going in.

This is a big hoorah moment in the dub, but it's tonally different.

Tai: There's gotta be a way in. I don't care what I've gotta do, I'm gonna find that room! And I'm gonna bring Sora back! Guys, I totally understand if you'd rather wait here. Matt: Enough with the guilt trip; I'm comin' with ya! Mimi: Remember the old saying, Tai: There's no 'I' in 'Team'. T.K.: Can I come too if I'm brave? Tai: Alright, then! Now LET'S! GO! GET! SORA!!!

Tonal shift. In the original, everyone takes turns expressing their feelings about Sora. The emphasis is on how much she means to the whole group. The dub makes it about the mission, and everyone's eagerness to be a part of it. None of that feelings stuff.

Sora wakes up, finding herself strapped to a table. It's unclear what she's waking up from since she was awake and screaming when Nanomon dragged her away, but she has regained consciousness. Up above her, Piyomon is strapped to the wall with similar restraints. She's still out.

All Sora says in this bit are reaction noises and one "Piyomon!". The dub fills it with dialogue.

Sora: Have I been dreaming? This isn't my bedroom; Where am I? BIYOMON!!! IT ISN'T A DREAM!!! NOOOOOOO!!!

Dub Sora was so disoriented she forgot she was even in the Digital World at all.

In front of her is a computer console, where Nanomon's busying himself.

Nanomon: It's best not to struggle. Piyomon is only unconscious. I need her to defeat Etemon for me. Sora: Defeat Etemon? Too bad for you; Piyomon can't evolve without me! Nanomon: Oh, I'm not planning to use you.

Ominous! In the dub:

Datamon: Don't be alarmed, my dear! She's simply exhausted from all the excitement. She'll be fine when I use her in my plan to destroy Etemon. Sora: Biyomon can't Digivolve without me and I'd rather be stuck in a sewer full of rats than help you! Datamon: Good, then! I'll remember you said that.

"Exhausted from all the excitement". Datamon's really good at selective word choice. That's such an innocuous way to say "I hit her really hard with a pane of glass."

I also really like "I'll remember you said that" as a segue into this next bit. He's fucking pre-emptively victim-blaming Sora for what he's about to do to her. What a dick!

Glancing over, Sora sees an identical table to the one she's on. Nanomon punches keys at the console, and Sora's table runs a scanner over her. Then, on the other table, data begins to form into shape.

Sora: HUH!?!? Nanomon: It's copying you. Sora: Eh!? Nanomon: None of you have drawn out the power of your Crests at all. That's why I'll use this copy of you to draw out that power.

You know, I don't think this plan of Nanomon's is very good. He thinks he can do a better job of activating the Crest than the kids have done, but... Like....

We don't know this yet but Sora's Crest is Love. I think Nanomon would have a hard time producing a great gesture of Love from his Copy Sora. This plan was doomed from the outset. He should have grabbed Koushiro.

As he speaks, he reveals a mechanical arm from the console with Sora's Crest in hand.

Sora: My Crest! So you had it! You coward! You can't win on your own, so you're going to take someone else's power!

He brings up another mechanical arm from the console, holding Sora's Tag, and slots the Crest into place.

Sora: My Tag too!? Nanomon: When I fought Etemon before, I lost most of my memories in the process. Those memories will never return. The only thing I can do now is exact revenge on Etemon! By any means necessary!

Here we see the rage in Nanomon's heart, and understand him a bit better. He repaired himself but not everything can fully come back. He's lost his entire identity, his whole sense of self. Etemon took them from him when he broke Nanomon and made his broken shell administrator of the Dark Network. All he has left is his rage.

The dub seems confused as to what Nanomon's plan here is.

Sora: Hey, what's happening over there? Datamon: Relax; I'm just making a copy of you. Sora: Wha--!? Datamon: You see, I believe Biyomon's power has nothing to do with you, my dear... (Datamon reveals a mechanical arm with Sora's Crest) Datamon: ...but rather whoever happens to be in possession of that fancy Digivice you so proudly wear. Sora: You will never be able to command Biyomon! Datamon: Perhaps not. But we'll see if an exact replica of you can! Sora: This just can't be happening! (Datamon brings up the second arm with the Tag and slots in the Crest) Sora: I could be wrong. Datamon: When I fought the beast before, Etemon destroyed all of my memory circuits except for those of the fight. From that moment on, I vowed I'd have my revenge and I will have it with the help of your Digi-Partner! But enough of this small talk already, my dear. The moment of truth has arrived!

Okay. This all sucks.

First off, let's talk about Datamon's plan. He theorizes that Biyomon's power doesn't come from Sora at all. Anyone who has Sora's Digivice in their possession can command Biyomon to fight Etemon. Anyone at all. Sora is an unnecessary piece of this equation.

That is why he... Needs... To make... A copy of Sora. ...okay, man.

Then, as he's boasting about "It's actually the DIGIVICE that her power comes from", he uses the console to bring up... a Crest. Which is. Not a Digivice.

In fact, he never even mentions the Crest. The entire concept of using Crests to achieve a Digivolution beyond Champion-stage never enters the conversation at all. The Crest that we keep focusing on (because it's what we're talking about in the original) is utterly unrelated to the topic being discussed.

The way he talks makes it sound like he just wants to use Sora's Digivice to fling Birdramon at Etemon, because. Like. That will work, sure.

Finally, he ends by shrieking, "THE MOMENT OF TRUTH HAS ARRIVED". But. Nothing. Is happening. The copy's still got a long way to go before it's complete. The kids are preparing to assault the pyramid, but he doesn't know that's happening nor does it help his plan in any way. What the fuck is he talking about?

This scene got butchered.

Outside, Tentomon scouts the pyramid while the kids stay in the shortcut tunnel and plan their re-infiltration. Upon his return, Koushiro projects a map with red dots for each of the Monochromon and Tyrannomon guarding the perimeter, based on what Tentomon saw.

Koushiro: As you can see here, this is how Digimon are currently positioned around the pyramid's vicinity. It will be impossible to sneak inside. Yamato: That's why we'll be acting as decoys. Tentomon: Correct. Jou: While we pull the enemy away with our diversionary tactics, Taichi and Agumon will use that opportunity to invade the pyramid. Understood? Taichi: (nod) Mm! Koushiro, you'll guide me on the way, right? Koushiro: Right, but.... Taichi: What's wrong? Something bad? Koushiro: We need to go through this hidden passageway to reach the room, but there's an electrified wall, just like the place Nanomon was in before. (Taichi flashes back on the wall he couldn't pass through before. However, he steels himself.) Taichi: This time, I'll save Sora.

You can feel how they've grown since their assault on Infinity Mountain, when the battle plan for Devimon was basically just "Get 'im".

In the dub, Joe's line is directed at Tai directly.

Joe: Now, Tai: When the enemy starts chasing after us, you and Agumon have got to get inside that pyramid quickly, without being seen by anyone. Got it? Tai: (nod) Mmhmm. You do have directions for me, don't you? Izzy: Yeah; Just one more thing. Tai: How come I want to throw up every time you say "One more thing"?

After Tai's flashback, they also again slightly alter his line so it's about the mission, not about Sora.

Tai: I don't care what the wall is; I'm going through!

You got this, buddy!

As the sun comes up, the kids cluster at the mouth of the sphinx and say their parting sentiments for each other.

Jou: Rescuing Sora is our top priority. Don't engage in any unnecessary fighting if you can help it. Taichi: Right. Koushiro: You guys avoid doing anything reckless too. If Etemon shows up, we'll understand if you retreat. Yamato: Understood. Did you hear that, Takeru? Takeru: Yeah! Mimi: Let's all come back here safely. Group: Right!

Jou and Taichi's exchange here parallels their first infiltration, where Taichi was a lot more flippant and dismissive towards Jou's instruction. It's the same instruction given even in the same context: Rescue mission, don't start fights. But this time, Taichi takes it with straight-faced seriousness.

In the dub, Joe's first line is reframed to be more resentful of Tai's behavior last episode.

Joe: Now try not to do anything stupid and stay out of unnecessary trouble, Tai. Remember: The important thing is saving Sora. Tai: Right. Izzy: And you guys try not to do anything stupid either, Matt. If you run into Etemon, just turn around and run the other way. Matt: You got that, T.K.? T.K.: Yeah! Mimi: Whoever doesn't come back alive is gonna be in a lot of trouble, got it?

Y'know, that's fair. Being pissy at Tai specifically is an entirely valid response.

Once the plan's made, the kids mobilize. Taking up multiple positions around the perimeter of the pyramid, Jou and Yamato move into position to attack.

(I have no idea where they found that, especially on such short notice.)

Since the dub still wants to present Tai as the leader, they add in extra dialogue to have him barking orders during setup.

Tai: If this plan works, everybody has to get their part exactly right! Gomamon: They're coming out of the pyramid.... Tai: TAKE COVER, EVERYONE!!! BATTLE POSITIONS!!!

What does Gomamon think is coming out of the pyramid? The Monochromon and Tyrannomon are forming a guard perimeter around the pyramid. They're too small to go in and out. Is he talking about the Gazimon? What the hell is he trying to scout right now?

Jou and Yamato move into separate positions to launch the attack. Meanwhile, Taichi, Takeru, Koushiro, and Mimi use a yellow sheet to camouflage themselves against the desert sand.

Mimi: (lays the sheet over everyone) Taichi: Thank you. ... Taichi: (whispers) Sora....

This is the sort of small exchange that wouldn't be notable if the dub didn't. Fucking. Weaponize it against Mimi.

Mimi: (lays the sheet over everyone) Tai: Thanks, Mimi. Mimi: You're welcome-- Tai: (hisses) Get down!

As rewriting scenes to be at Mimi's expense go, this is fairly minor. But. Y'know. The overarching trend of anti-Mimi gags makes it irk me.

Once everyone's in position, the assault begins. Ikkakumon opens fire with Harpoon Vulcan, pummeling the walls of the pyramid with his missiles.

The missiles pull attention from the Gazimon in the command center and wake Etemon. He is not pleased to have his sleep so rudely interrupted.

As expected, the Gazimon emerge from the pyramid and mobilize their forces to counterattack. Rallying the Monochromon and Tyrannomon, the Gazimon lead a charge against Ikkakumon.

But the kids were waiting for that. Ikkakumon lets off one last Harpoon Vulcan straight into the advancing crowd before retreating, at which point Yamato and Garurumon emerge for a flanking burst of Fox Fire.

They target the five Gazimon in the center, firing off one shot into them before scurrying away themselves. Furious, the Gazimon split their forces in half to pursue Garurumon and Ikkakumon both.

Note: In the original, when Etemon's forces launch their counterattack, Jou says:

Jou: Th-They're coming.

Then, once they get in close, he commands:

Jou: Retreat!

He orders that in a strong voice that indicates this is all part of the plan. And, indeed, it is; He's trying to pull forces away and open up Yamato to flank.

In the dub, these lines are presented as:

Joe: Alright, be brave.... Joe: Maybe tomorrow!

Which implies this was not the plan and Joe simply fled out of cowardice. Thanks, I hate it.

Inside the pyramid, Etemon's puzzled by the hit-and-runs.

Gazimon: The Chosen Children are running away! Etemon: Rrrrgh, what is going on!? What are they planning!? (to Gazimon) Have you determined where Nanomon fled to yet? Gazimon: I-I'm sorry, sir! Nanomon seems to have messed with the network, so its search functions have greatly destabilized. Etemon: Never mind. If you ever find him, contact me immediately. Gazimon: Etemon-sama? Etemon: I'm going to deal with these nuisances I see in front of me.

Etemon emerge from the pyramid, leaping onto the top of his trailer and setting the Monochrome in motion. He roars into the distance:

Etemon: I'll settle things with you today!

Riding off atop his trailer to join the fray, Etemon doesn't notice the Taichi, Koushiro, Mimi, and Takeru still hiding under their camo sheet. As he leaves, Taichi utters a silent hope for the decoy team before he and Koushiro begin their infiltration.

Taichi: Please get away safely. ... Let's go, Koushiro! Koushiro: Right. Mimi: Be careful! Taichi: Yeah! (runs off)

In the dub:

Tai: I hope Joe and Matt make it okay. Come on, Izzy, let's move out! Izzy: Roger. Mimi: He forgot his name! Tai: WE'LL BE BACK!!!

XD "He forgot his name" got me.

Taichi and Koushiro return to the secret passage, descending into the pyramid's depths.

Koushiro: Be careful. Some passageways may have been blocked by the fighting yesterday.

Sure enough, they round a corner and come upon a collapsed section of passageway.

Koushiro: We'll have to leave this hidden passage temporarily.

While Koushiro planned for this, Izzy's surprised to see parts of the pyramid damaged.

Izzy: So far, so good. This is the right way, I'm sure. Tai: (rounds the corner) The passage is blocked! Agumon: It's a dead end! Izzy: Not necessarily. Why don't we try that door over there?

Izzy makes it sounds like we're just winging it through the pyramid. Are you sure you know which way we're going?

Taichi peeks out through the false wall to make sure the coast is clear, then he and Koushiro emerge and scurry down the hall. However, a security camera nearly catches them, alerting one of the Gazimon in the command center to their presence.

Gazimon 1: (gets a glimpse of Taichi and Koushiro disappearing around a corner) Hmm? Did something just show up on the monitor? Gazimon 2: Could be your imagination. Gazimon 1: Maybe... (starts pressing keys)

The dub brings out more workplace resentment for the Gazimon.

Gazimon 1: (gets a glimpse of Taichi and Koushiro disappearing around a corner) Hey, did you notice anything on the middle monitor? Gazimon 2: Yeah! You're attracting flies again. Gazimon 1: Huh. (starts pressing keys)

I want a workplace sitcom about Etemon and his Gazimon.

Out in the desert, backup moves into position for both sides. Mimi and Palmon leave their cover to join the battle, instructing Takeru to stay hidden.

But Etemon arrives, catching up to Jou's position. He lets off a shot of his Dark Spirits into his own battle line, sending the Monochromon, Tyrannomon, and Gazimon flying.

Etemon: You're all in my way. Move! Jou: E-ETEMON!!! Etemon: I will personally defeat the Chosen Children.

Now would be a good time to fall back.

Note: This time the dub calls Dark Spirits by the name Summon the Dark Network. It's gotten longer.

In stark contrast to his previous dub-added cowardice, this time Joe is made flippant and bold.

Etemon: Aw, you're becomin' a nuisance, son. Joe: Of course! It's because I'm a teenager. Etemon: I have to admit, it's been a lot of fun toyin' with ya but now playtime's over. It's the end of the line for you and your goat, bay-beh!

Nobody tell Joe that he's actually one year shy of officially being a teenager.

Also, goat? He thinks Ikkakumon is a goat? I genuinely don't know if that's the dub being weird or a reference I'm not getting.

Down in his Nanomon's lab, progress on the counterfeit Sora is coming along well.

Nanomon: Those children are perceptive. It seems they've figured out where we are. Sora: Then those earthquakes.... Nanomon: There's a battle going on outside. Some children have entered the pyramid in the confusion. Hmph... I won't let them interfere! Sora: Taichi....

Up in the command center, the kids are made by the Gazimon too. The one that spotted them rolls back the footage, showing the other Gazimon what he saw: The two kids emerging from the hidden passage and rounding the corner, clear as day.

Gazimon 1: BAHHH!!! Look! I knew it! The Chosen Children! Gazimon 2: Shit, when did they get here!?

We are just about out of time.

In the dub:

Gazimon 1: See? Look! I caught them on tape! You said it was fliiiies! Gazimon 2: Fast-forward!

Something about the accusatory and hurt way he reads the line, "You said it was flies!" cracks me up. XD They clearly didn't know what to have the second Gazimon say, though.

Out in the desert, true to his word, Etemon engages the children himself.

He chases down Ikkakumon, lobbing a Dark Spirits ahead that just misses. This forces Ikkakumon to turn, but Etemon moves to intercept.

Garurumon jumps Etemon from behind with a Fox Fire, but Etemon quickly dodges away from it. Togemon comes in at a third angle, surrounding Etemon and unloading her Chiku-Chiku Bang Bang. Etemon parries each and every one of her rapid-fire needles.

Etemon: I see you're showing up one after another. Aren't there more of you? Where are they hiding. Yamato: We don't need to tell you!

The dub chooses now to experiment with using the opening theme as a roaring ass-kicking tune to amp up how badass we are, like what the original does with Show Me Your Brave Heart. Right now. In this fight we are losing badly.

Etemon: Was that the best you got? I've seen sharper needles in Granny's knittin' bag! Joe: (wailing) I think we need a new plan!

The kids press the attack. Etemon catches Garurumon by the tail and tossing him. Ikkakumon body slams Etemon; Etemon softens him up with belly punches, then hoists him into the air and throws him in the pile next to Garurumon.

Togemon unloads another Chiku-Chiku Bang Bang. This time, Etemon snatches her needles out of the air, catching them between his fingers and toes. He returns them to sender, impaling them into Togemon and laying her out.

Etemon: I was a little off-guard yesterday. You won't escape this time.

Whipping out a microphone, Etemon hits them with Love Serenade to reduce the Partner Digimon back to Child-stage. The dub, of usual, has a great little dity, part of which gets drowned out by the kids shouting the names of their Digimon in alarm.

Etemon: I'd like to close the show with a tune that's currently #1 on the charts; It goes something like this. (Etemon starts singing) Etemon: ~My little daaaarlin'! / You think you're swell, you think you're cool! / But if I'm not the one-- (unintelligible) YEAH!!! (Etemon finishes singing) Etemon: And don't forget to tip your waitress!

Aww, Etemon demands consideration towards the hard-working and underpaid staff of the service industry! Maybe he's not such a bad king after all.

With the Digimon down, Etemon finishes them all off with Dark--

Gazimon: (loudspeaker) ETEMON-SAMA!!! TROUBLE!!! THE OTHER CHOSEN CHILDREN ARE INVADING THE PYRAMID!!! Etemon: WHAT!?!? ...why would they do that? (considers) Does this mean that Nanomon is still in the pyramid? (turning to the defeated children) Is that it!?!?

Etemon: EHHH!?!? HANG ON!!! WHERE DID YOU GO!?!? ANSWER MY QUESTION!!!

Yeah, no. They peaced out while you were contemplating Nanomon. They are in the wind.

Etemon: Hmph. They won't be able to fight for a while in their current state anyway. I'LL ENJOY HURTING YOU LATER!!!

In the dub:

Gazimon: (loudspeaker) Etemon! I've discovered the whereabouts of the other children, sir! They are inside the pyramid. Etemon: Why would they be, unless Datamon were still inside the pyramid. Datamon's smarter than I thought, but not nearly as smart as me! (Etemon turns around and sees no one there) Etemon: Huh? Now where did all those others go!? What's a legend gotta do to keep an audience around here, bay-beh!? Well, it doesn't matter. I'll just destroy the ones in the pyramid first, and then I'll come back for the rest of them later, uh-huh-huh!

They dumbed this gag down. It's not the same without Etemon pathetically screaming "ANSWER MY QUESTION!!!" at the uncaring sands.

The Gazimon are played as clueless and trying to be helpful rather than reporting a crisis.

As Etemon and his trailer roll out, the kids reveal how their vanishing trick was performed.

Left to their own devices, Takeru and Tokomon sprinted all the way out here with the yellow sheet.

Yamato: You really helped out, Takeru. Takeru: Tokomon helped too. Jou: Thank you, Tokomon! Tokomon: Ehehehe! Yamato: But Taichi and the others.... Mimi: I'm sure they're in the middle of saving Sora-san right now.

Nothing more the decoy team can do now. Etemon's on his way back to base and he knows he's been had. It's in Taichi and Koushiro's hands now.

That T.K. saved everyone goes unexplained in the dub.

Matt: He's got a lot of anger. T.K.: And he sure gets mad easily! Group: (laughs) Joe: At least we can still laugh about it. Matt: But what about Tai? Mimi: Oh, that's right. Something tells me he's not laughing right about now!

Call it a hunch.

Inside the pyramid, a blaring alarm sends Gazimon scurrying down the corridors. Taichi and Koushiro lurk inside a hidden passage, trying to find an opening for the next stretch of their detour.

Tentomon: I guess they know we're here. Koushiro: Just when we've almost made it. When you turn right, the wall directly ahead of you is the passageway to Nanomon's room. Taichi: Damn....

He doesn't get much time to be upset, as something coming through the ceiling above indicates they need to move now.

Taichi and Koushiro flee into the main corridor with Etemon hot on their heels.

Etemon: Found you! Tell me where Nanomon is. Koushiro: Taichi-san! Tentomon and I will try to hold him back. Hurry and save Sora-san!

Tentomon evolves, but the roaring music of Show Me Your Brave Heart does not strike up. He evolves in silence, with no musical backing at all. This is not a moment of triumph. This is desperation.

In the dub, they play the normal Evolution theme as usual for all Evolutions in this episode.

Taichi enters the hidden passage and descends into the final tunnel. But the firewall is waiting for him, just like Koushiro said it would be.

Taichi: She's on the other side. (A long moment of hesitation, as Taichi gathers finds his determination) Agumon: (steps forward) I'll go first. Taichi: Wait, Agumon. Agumon: Taichi? Taichi: I'll go. There's something very precious to me on the other side of this wall. Agumon: Sora? Taichi: Right, but not just Sora. For me, there's something else that's very precious over there, that I lost yesterday. Agumon: Taichi... YOU CAN DO THIS, TAICHI!!! FIND YOUR COURAGE!!!

Agumon hits the nail on the head. The thing that's so precious to Taichi, the thing waiting beyond this wall, the thing that the firewall took from him yesterday... is his yuuki. His courage, his boldness, his nerve. His will to act.

In the dub:

Tai: Oh, great! Agumon: An electric wall! I can break through it, Tai-- Tai: Wait, I'll do it, Agumon. Agumon: Are you sure? Tai: Not exactly. But if I don't do this on my own, right here, right now? I may never be able to do it! A man must face himself before he can face his enemies. Agumon: I think I understand, Tai. GO FOR IT!!! I know you can do it!

May never be able to do what? Walk through the hidden passage of an electrified firewall? Because I don't think this is an experience you can expect to encounter again.

The dub's resistance to the sentimental and emotional sides of these characters has now resulted in Tai having to spout random platitudes in what's meant to be the culminating moment of his character journey in this arc. Again, this just sucks. It's bad.

Letting out a roaring kiai, Taichi reaches for the firewall and plunges his hand through it. Passing through the opening harmlessly. He doesn't see it but in this moment, something awakens.

At which point Etemon crashes through the wall, pinning Kabuterimon by his arms. Agumon evolves to fight and this time, the opening chords of Show Me Your Brave Heart do fire up. It doesn't go into the full song, but enough to show that this evolution is more hopeful than the last.

While Greymon hangs back as the last line of defense against Etemon, Taichi enters Nanomon's lab.

Taichi finds Nanomon waiting with the counterfeit Sora.

Taichi: Sora! (runs towards her) Piyomon: THAT ONE'S FAKE!!!

Piyomon calling out to Taichi pulls his attention to the side of the room, where he sees the real Sora and Piyomon shackled down.

Piyomon: He made a copy of Sora! Sora: Taichi! Taichi: S-Sora!? Nanomon: I've just completed the copy. Now, if I give it the holy device and Crest, it will become the real one. Taichi: That won't happen!

Taichi runs over and snatches Sora's stuff away from the console's mechanical arms. Somehow, Nanomon did not anticipate that and can only whine in shock.

Nanomon: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!? Taichi: These belong to Sora! Nanomon: If you give those to her, you'll ruin my plan!

He's so utterly blindsided by this obvious move. I honestly think Nanomon expected Taichi to be like, "OHHHH okay now I get what you were doing here. Sweet. Great plan. Carry on!"

He's been sitting here at his console like, "It's fine. Once I explain my plan, the kids will be thrilled to have my new Sora with them. She's an upgrade, really." In his defense, he has no memories. He doesn't know what it's like to feel things that aren't vindictive rage.

Thinking quickly, Nanomon opens up a void beneath Sora, plunging her into a dark abyss. Fortunately, while he's erasing the floor, he also erases the table she's strapped to. This makes it possible for Taichi to fling himself at the edge and catch her by the wrist.

Taichi: What is this? Nanomon: It's the main source of the evil powers that make up Etemon's network. Anything that falls in there will be absorbed by the darkness. It won't leave a scrap of you behind.

Nanomon approaches the pit, reaching out and grabbing Taichi and Sora's arms to separate them.

Nanomon: I have no use for the original! Time to dispose of you! Sora: (heart-wrenching sobs of sheer terror) Piyomon: SORA!!! SORAAAAAA!!! Nanomon: If you don't want her to die, return the holy device and Crest to me! Taichi: Quit talking nonsense! I came here to save Sora!

In the dub:

Datamon: And since I have no more use for the original, I'll simply get rid of it. Sora: (heart-wrenching sobs of sheer terror) Biyomon: TAI!!! THE CREST!!! Datamon: Yes, the Crest is the means by which you can save the maiden's life! If you give it to me immediately. Tai: Yeah!? Why don't you go tell Etemon your sad story because WE'RE NOT INTERESTED!!!

Was Biyomon telling Tai to trade the Crest back to Datamon? If she'd shouted about the Digivice, that'd be one thing. But the Crest?

Datamon pounces on that like he's villainously reinterpreting something she said, but... What else could Tai or Sora do with the Crest? Datamon's interpretation is the only one that makes sense.

Rather than give them back, Taichi fucking drops them. Because boldness. Letting go of the Digivice and Crest, he lets them fall into the pit, where Sora catches them.

Nanomon: IMPOSSIBLE!!! Sora: (catch; determined) Taichi....

Dub Tai takes this opportunity to taunt.

Tai: Sora, catch! Datamon: NO, WAIT!!! Tai: Not scared, are you, Datamon!?

Piyomon evolves into Birdramon, breaking free from the wall and retrieving Taichi and Sora from the pit. This time Show Me Your Brave Heart kicks up a longer snippet, though the vocals still don't come in.

Out in the passage, Etemon has his back against the firewall. He proudly goads Greymon and Kabuterimon.

Etemon: Come on, try and attack me from any angle!

Birdramon attacks from the rear angle, coming through the wall and collapsing the entire firewall on top of Etemon. He shrieks as its current courses through him.

Dub Etemon delivers the taunt as:

Etemon: Don't you worry, kiddies; I'll play with ya!

Which doesn't segue as funnily into his subsequent electrocution than "Attack me from any angle, c'mon!"

Greymon: Taichi! Koushiro: Sora-san! Sora: Sorry for worrying everyone! Taichi: Let's get out of here, everyone!

In the dub, Tai's line is:

Tai: Hey, here come the others!

Tai, we are in the sub-subbasement. How can you see that?

Outside, the decoy team races for the pyramid. The infiltration team explodes through the wall, joining the others. Mission complete.

While the kids make their exit, Etemon gets up and goes deeper, cornering Nanomon in his lab. He walks in to find Nanomon deleting his now-useless Copy Sora.

Etemon: My, my. Playing with dolls in a place like this? The children escaped me again, but at least I'll deal with you here. Give yourself up, Nanomon. Nanomon: Hmph!

Nanomon erases the entire floor, attempting to plunge himself and Etemon into the Dark Network core together. Etemon leaps for the console and grabs on, but Nanomon grabs him by the ankle.

Nanomon: YOU'RE COMING WITH ME!!! Etemon: LET GO!!! I refuse to commit shinju with you!

The subtitle up there says "die" but there's more to it than that. Shinju is, specifically, the act of people bound by love committing suicide together so they can be with each other in Heaven. Even when his life is under unbelievable threat, Etemon remains a flippant bastard.

Nanomon fires his Plug Bomb, but he shoots it down at the network instead of up at Etemon.

Etemon: Where are you aiming? Still got some crossed wires? Nanomon: You're mistaken if you think that was an ordinary Plug Bomb. They contained a computer virus that amasses the evil powers into a concentrated, growing ball!

It probably goes without saying that the shinju bit doesn't translate well into English. And also the dub team absolutely would not have translated it even if it did. That is the darkest joke to appear in the show thus far.

So. Yeah. This is the least surprising line ever to be cut from the show.

Etemon: Now it's time for me to dismantle you in the same way you dismantled your little playmate, you miserable pile of bolts! Datamon: The door! (Datamon opens the floor, forcing Etemon to jump to the console and Datamon to grab his ankle) Etemon: WHOA!!! Whoa, let go! Let go! Datamon: If I'm going down, you're coming down with me into the black pit. Just try these! (Datamon shoots his Plug Bomb) Etemon: Now I'm not gonna tell you again: Let go of me or I'm gonna open you up like a can of beans! Datamon: Those were computer viruses I dropped into the Black Pit. It will keep growing and absorb all the dark energy of our cosmos - Including yours, fool! Etemon: You know how I hate bugs!

Plus side, "I'm gonna open you up like a can of beans" is a good line. XD

While Etemon uses all of his strength to cling to the console, various Monochromon and Tyrannomon are dragged in from outside. They fall into the Network core, disintegrating into pixels on contact. Before long, Etemon loses his grip. He and Nanomon plunge in together. Nanomon disintegrates, while Etemon is dragged down into the cables intact.

Outside, the kids continue their retreat unimpeded while Etemon's forces are dragged in all around them.

(I guess they have no evil powers to amass so they're fine.)

Jou: What's happening!? Koushiro: Whatever it is, it's our chance to escape! Takeru: LOOK AT THE PYRAMID!!! Taichi: What... What's happening...?

The kids stop and turn around, watching the pyramid and all of Etemon's forces implode into a singularity of darkness. Then a wicked laugh suddenly crosses the desert.

Now merged with the Dark Network itself, Etemon rises into the air from the space where the pyramid once stood.

Etemon: I won't be defeated from the likes of this! Nanomon chose to end himself; The rest of you are next!

Again, they may have to depict Datamon's choices onscreen but the dub really doesn't want to talk about them.

Etemon: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Alright, now, let me see a show of hands: How many of y'all actually missed me, huh? I told you I'd come back and take my revenge on you. You didn't believe me, did ya!?

Birdramon and Kabuterimon unload on him, but their Meteor Wing and Mega Blaster disintegrate on contact with the core.

Etemon: Ahh, that's enough to loosen up my stiff shoulders. Let me repay you.

In the dub:

Etemon: Hey, that was pretty good! I'd give it a 9.6. Now then, you ready for a fastball!? BYAGH!!!

Etemon fires back with Dark Spirits - or, in the dub, Byagh. His first shot grazes the pair and keeps going, slamming into a distant hillside. It bursts into a singularity that begins consuming the surrounding area. His second shot hits the Sphinx, erasing the kids' exit point.

Mimi: Ahh! The Sphinx! Koushiro: There's nowhere left to run. Sora: If he keeps this up, he'll mess up the whole world! Jou: But there's no way we can beat him!

The dub avoids mentioning that our retreat path is gone, but still retains the hopeless vibe.

Mimi: Ahh! The Sphinx melted! Izzy: Melting doesn't even begin to describe it! Sora: We've tried everything! Nothing can stop him! I guess this is the end! Joe: I was hoping to skip algebra class but not like this!

Algebra gets a bum rap; I had a lot of fun at it. You will too, Jou. You seem the type.

It's at this point that Taichi sees his shining Crest inside his shirt and realizes.

Taichi: No. We still have one option left. Let's go, Greymon! Greymon: Understood, Taichi!

Without waiting for the others to catch his meaning, Taichi runs forward to engage Etemon, holding his glowing Crest aloft.

Etemon: WAHAHAHA!!! You still have yuuki!? Taichi: I won't run away! Ever!

Etemon's first line can be (and gets) translated to "Still wanna fight?" but it's important to note that he mockingly questions Taichi's yuuki. It's the same word that the show uses for Taichi's Crest once they're established: Yuuki no Monshou, which gets translated to Crest of Courage.

He's setting up an ironic comeuppance, as Taichi not only has yuuki but is about to beat Etemon's ass with his yuuki.

Takeru: Look there! Taichi-san's Crest! Mimi: It's glowing! Taichi-san's Crest is glowing! Etemon: Heh! I'm telling you, it's hopeless!

Etemon slams a Dark Spirits into Greymon's face, laying him flat.

Taichi: DON'T GIVE UP, GREYMON!!! Greymon: Taichi, your yuuki... I can feel its power surging through my body! GREYMON CHOU-SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Taichi's yuuki surges through his Crest and sends Greymon through chou-shinka or Super Evolution into MetalGreymon.

In the dub:

Etemon: Well, lookit here, sports fans! A new batter steps to the plate Tai: I'm not afraid of you, you big blowhard! Come down here and fight like a 'mon! Mimi: Tai, what are you doing!? You don't stand a chance! Etemon: Hey, you are brave! I like that! (Etemon lobs a Dark Spirits into Greymon, without calling the attack anything) Tai: Don't worry, Greymon! I'm staying with you! Greymon: Tai! Your courage is giving me even greater strength! I can Digivolve!

Nobody else seems to notice that Tai's Crest is glowing like a beacon in this version. Etemon gets the "Hey, you are brave!" which is probably meant to ironically set up Greymon's evolution, similar to the yuuki line in the original.

While evolving to Perfect-stage is called Chou Shinka or Super Evolution in the original, the dub just calls it Digivolving.

While the kids gawk in awe, the narrator gives us a rundown. MetalGreymon is a Perfect-stage Vaccine-type Cyborg Digimon.

Jou: Th-This is.... Yamato: The Crest's power! Narrator: MetalGreymon. A Perfect-stage Digimon whose modified body is used as both a weapon and armor in battle. The destructive force of his special attack, Giga Destroyer, is incredible! Taichi: This is Greymon's true evolution!

The dub puts in a commercial break after MetalGreymon's evolution. To compensate, they splice in repeat footage of Etemon emerging from the pyramid to reintroduce what's happening.

Etemon: Ahahahahaha!!! Well, lookie here! A fully-evolved Digimon! Well, I can handle him too. Just watch me, kids! Joe: MetalGreymon? Matt: It was the power from the Crest! Tentomon: MetalGreymon uses his own body as a weapon during battle. His most lethal instrument is the Geeja(sic) Destroyer! Tai: ETEMON IS EVERYBODY'S ENEMY!!! USE THE POWER OF THE CREST!!!

He already did that, Tai. That's how he became MetalGreymon. Also, there's that "fully-evolved" again.

Etemon remains unimpressed with MetalGreymon.

Etemon: Just because you evolved further, that doesn't mean you can win against me! (hurls a Dark Spirits at MetalGreymon) MetalGreymon: (slashes the orb to pieces with his metal claw) Etemon: What!? Taichi: MetalGreymon!

MetalGreymon charges forward, headbutting the Network mass. The hit offends Etemon.

Etemon: The nerve of you! I'll crush you!

In the dub, both Etemon and Tai ramble a bit here.

Etemon: What's with ya? Is there no end to your stupidity? Well maybe I can put an end to it for ya. Ha! (Etemon lobs a Dark Spirits at MetalGreymon, who cuts it to pieces) Etemon: Well, it was just a joke! Tai: FINISH HIM NOW WHILE WE HAVE THE POWER!!! Etemon: Noooo! Back off, bay-beh! (MetalGreymon headbutts the Network mass) Etemon: Ow! What's the matter with you!? Don't you know the rules!? There's no headbutting allowed!

It's honestly cathartic to see how much more freaked out Etemon gets in this version. He's basically word-vomiting out of panic.

Then MetalGreymon begins to glow with a mass of accumulated light.

Mimi: MetalGreymon is glowing! Takeru: The light's energy.... Tokomon: It's holy power!

That, of course, isn't allowed in the dub. No holiness allowed. Fortunately, they have a readily available excuse to explain the sacred glow.

Mimi: He's glowing! I wish my hair could do that! T.K.: It's the Crest Power! Etemon: NOOO!!! Don't destroy me! I've got too much talent!

Sort of, but no. It's holy energy. It's the power Angemon pulled out of the seven Digivices and massed together to hurl at Devimon. The light of evolution itself, which plays directly into the show's overarching storyling.

Glowing with holy power, MetalGreymon opens his chestplate to fire his signature attack: Giga Destroyer.

Despite claiming 40 seconds ago that this move is called Geeja(sic) Destroyer, Dub MetalGreymon calls it as Giga Blaster.

Unlike previous attacks, which disintegrated on contact, Etemon's holy-powered Giga Destroyer breaks through the eradication field, slams into the network cables, and detonates. The blast destabilizes Etemon's network mass, turning it into a singularity like the ones his Dark Spirits attacks were creating and pulling him into it.

Etemon: I-It hit!?!? I'm a big star! WHY HERE!?!?

Etemon vanishes, consumed by the singularity.

(Nanomon's revenge is complete.)

Surprisingly, the dub says "die" again.

Etemon: Noooo! You must not defeat me! I'm just too important to diiiiiiie....

However, this victory is not without cost. As the singularity grows, it pulls in Taichi and MetalGreymon as well.

The kids left behind scream Taichi's name into the void, but as the singularity stabilizes and finally closes, there's no trace left of him.

He's in another place.

Taichi: This is....

Then we close on that startling cliffhanger. Etemon is dead (probably). The first Super Evolution has been unlocked. And somehow, against all reason, Taichi has gone home. And taken Koromon with him.

Assessment: I stand by what I said before, that this would all be more effective if we hadn't just watched Taichi fall only to rise again immediately before he fell only to rise again. I did not remember how repetitive the Etemon arc managed to be in only six episodes.

Nonetheless, the emergence of MetalGreymon is a thrilling payoff. The final boss fight of an arc is always hype, and this was no exception.

Sad we didn't get to see more done with Copy Sora. What a concept to suddenly pull back on and dumpster without ever letting it do anything. Honestly, Nanomon's ability to make Copy Children is interesting enough to sustain a whole arc by itself.

The dub... Yeah, no, this was another low-effort hack job. The dub's always been hit or miss but they really threw quality-control out the window with the Nanomon two-parter.

There are a few scenes that are basically perfect. Captures everything from the original that needed capturing, in their own voice. But for this episode, the dub's lows are incredibly low.

[seventeenlovesthree]

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! 

For the past week, I’ve hosted quite a few polls to estimate which are currently tumblr’s most popular Digimon Adventure ships! Thank you all for participating!

This main post will analyze the general vibe of the polls, discuss limitations and biases - because every single character will get their own analysis post in the upcoming days. Thus, this main post will continuously be updated under the cut, so if you’re interested, feel free to check in every once in a while! 

Discaimer: Please take into account that these results are no definitive display of the Digimon shipping landscape out there! This is just a little experiment I felt like diving into a little more for fun!

Main Polls

Taichi Yagami I & II

Yamato Ishida I & II

Sora Takenouchi I & II

Koushiro Izumi I & II

Mimi Tachikawa I & II

Jou Kido I & II

Takeru Takaishi I & II

Hikari Yagami I & II

Daisuke Motomiya I & II

Ken Ichijouji I & II

Miyako Inoue I & II

Iori Hida I & II

Meiko Mochizuki

Discussion & Links to Analysis

The vote was open from February 6th to February 13th. All the 12 main Chosen Children known from Digimon Adventure 01 and 02 received a main and a secondary poll. (Meiko Mochizuki got an additional poll.) While the main poll listed the other characters from their respective groups (either 01 or 02), the secondary poll listed each complementary group, plus a few potentially notable side characters that might be seen as viable choices in fandom.

Limitations & Biases

Before I go into presenting the most notable results, I NEED to address a few things worth taking into account.

Limited reach/exposure bias: Since there were two polls for every character (and the secondary polls got posted with a bit of a delay), the first poll usually got way more exposure than the second one. Thus, the secondary polls rarely (or only temporarily) made an impact. A few of the polls were reblogged by various blogs and thus gained more attention in general. 

Low sample size: Since the polls have not been shared as often, the numbers we’re talking about are not very reliable - in some cases, one singular vote was capable of changing the entire poll, whereas in other cases, singular votes didn’t matter in the slightest, especially when it came to ships that are considered to be “rare pairs”. Thus, those didn’t have a lot of time to shine overall. Additionally, the Digimon Adventure fandom overall is a lot more quiet these days (due to lack of new content), so the polls themselves were not thriving very well.

Follower bias: Since I was the one who posted the polls, my follower circle may have had a significant impact on who was picked for which poll. Naturally, people who follow me, who like the characters/ships I like, are more likely to vote for those certain ships. For example: Koushiro and Taichi may have gotten more votes (and for each other in particular), as their polls have also been reblogged several times, whereas others didn’t get reblogged at all. I can only assume that the results for several characters might have looked a lot differently in other spheres of tumblr - or the internet in general.

Choice bias: The additional characters in the secondary polls were based on my personal guesses, so I may or may not have forgotten other fanon ship choices, which I apologize for!

Redundant voting: It cannot be guaranteed that people haven’t voted for several options in the first and second poll, instead of picking the "someone from the other poll" or "others" choice. Or: If they picked "someone from the other poll", they might not even have voted there at all, we cannot tell. Thus, there might be contradicting votes, which is why I excluded the "someone from the other poll" option in poll 1+2 as well as the "others" choice from the first poll, since they might actually have picked someone mentioned in the second poll. There will be some honorable mentions of course, but it is very difficult to categorize these, so it's a learning for the next poll!

Notable results: Winners (overall)!

Disclaimer: As the “Someone from 01/02″ and “Others” options from poll 1 and the “Someone from 01/02″ option from poll 2 have been excluded from the final analysis and all results were culminated in another “final count”, the results will not be 1:1 to what the polls look like. See Taichi’s spreadsheet for transparency (all other sheets will be included in the respective analysis posts):

Taichi Yagami: Koushiro Izumi (27%)

Yamato Ishida: Taichi Yagami (37%)

Sora Takenouchi: Taichi Yagami* (32%) 

Koushiro Izumi: Taichi Yagami (55%)

Mimi Tachikawa: Jou Kido (22%)

Jou Kido: Mimi Tachikawa (38%)

Takeru Takaishi: Hikari Yagami (53%)

Hikari Yagami: Takeru Takaishi (44%)

Daisuke Motomiya: Ken Ichijouji (52%)

Ken Ichijouji: Daisuke Motomiya (61%)

Miyako Inoue: Hikari Yagami (31%)

Iori Hida: Takeru Takaishi**(22%) 

Meiko Mochizuki: Mimi Tachikawa (42%)

*due to their closeness in votes, both Taichi and Yamato are displayed as winners of her poll though - in true Taiorato fashion.

**even though Noriko Kawada (39%) won the secondary poll clearly, the overall votes evened it out.

Notable results: Stats

Now, let’s dive into the more interesting bits, shall we!

Most votes overall: Taichi (164), Ken (148), Takeru (135)

Least votes overall: Iori (93), Sora (107), Jou (109) + Meiko (54, as she had only one poll)

Most polls won*: Taichi (Yamato, Sora, Koushiro), Mimi (Jyou, Meiko), Takeru (Hikari, Iori), Hikari (Takeru, Miyako)

Clear victories (+50%): Ken (Daisuke, 61%), Koushiro (Taichi, 55%), Takeru (Hikari, 53%), Daisuke (Ken, 52%)

*interestingly enough, this somewhat corresponds with the poll asking for who are the most popular Chosen Children from Adventure as well.

Notable results: Clutch races

Taichi: Yamato vs Koushiro vs Sora; although Sora was almost always third place and usually only tied with Koushiro for short periods; Yamato was in the lead for the majority of the time, but was overtaken by Koushiro in the end.

Sora: Taichi vs Yamato; Yamato led first, was then overtaken by Taichi, then briefly surpassed by Yamato again. Taichi won with the tiniest of advantages in the end, hence the poll displays both of them as winners - ironically enough, as the question of “Taiora or Sorato/Taiorato triangle?” is probably one of the most debated ship discussions of all time.

Mimi: Jou vs Koushiro; Koushiro was in the lead for the majority of the time, Jou tied on a daily basis and took over in the end. This is similar to the Taiorato race, as the “Koumi vs Jyoumi” triangle is similarly debated, albeit not as heated.

Daisuke: Even though Ken was basically unbeatable from the start, Daisuke actually has most votes tied for third place (as you will see in his individual analysis).

Miyako: Hikari vs Ken; was very close from the beginning, but Hikari led the entire time.

Iori: Miyako vs Takeru; Miyako led first, was then overtaken by Takeru. Iori’s analysis overall, however, might turn out to be the most interesting in the end, as the segment below will explain further...

Notable results: Where the 2nd poll mattered

Jou: One of the reasons why the secondary polls were created in the first place was the number of people who voted for “Others” on Jou’s poll. And thus, it is absolutely no surprise that “Bike Girl” (literally the girl he took the bike from in “Diablomon Strikes Back”) came in third overall in the end, being very closely followed by his mystery “girlfriend” in Tri (which may or may not be also Bike Girl, but this was never confirmed or denied, so we’ll never know).

Iori: The “Others” option in his first poll even surpassed Jou’s by a long shot, which will be very interesting to look at in his individual analysis. To keep it shortly for now, this and the comments made in the tags may indicate that people either had a hard time shipping him at all/seeing him as asexual, shipping him with OCs - or, as we will see, with someone from the second poll, Noriko Kawada for example.

Hikari: Daisuke and Koushiro basically had a race for third place for the majority of the run-time, which was won by Koushiro in the end only slightly.

Takeru: Similarly to what happened to Hikari; Meiko came in third at first, but was overtaken by Taichi later on.

Miyako: Mimi and Daisuke had a race for third place for a good chunk of the run-time, which was very closely won by Mimi in the end.

Personal thoughts/observations on my behalf

I actually love how two of the most influental/popular triangles in the OG Digimon Adventure verse (Taiorato + Jyoumishiro) have been racing each other until the very end - while Takari for example was comfortably in the lead the entire time. Shoutout to kbondoxxxxav who has JUST today published this beautiful artwork depicting these exact triangles/ships. It has to be noted though that both triangle races have been incredibly close and could have turned out the other way in favour of Sorato and Koumi instead of Taiora and Jyoumi at any given time. (The same can also be said about Taiyama instead of Taishiro in Taichi’s poll. Personally though, I am very happy to see that the people who voted agree with my personal opinion that Koushirou, Yamato and Sora are the most shippable choices for Taichi.)

At first, the results were a lot more variable - so the graphic I made above could have included a looooot more ships (such as Koumi or Miyori). In the end, it got very even, with one side of the ship usually winning the other side as well (like Taishiro, Jyoumi, Takari and Daiken). Interestingly enough, the Jogress partnerships have been very popular in general as well (such as Taiyama, Daiken, Miyakari and Takori).

For characters like Iori, the votes have been very torn for the majority of the time - while Takeru and Miyako were still the more prominent choices in canon, it was very easy to see how much people were struggling to make a choice here. Same with Daisuke, who, as mentioned above, had three ships competing for third place!

I really hope I will be able to repeat the votings in the future with more participation, just to see how things may have turned out if more choices could get more time to shine!

Final verdict: It was a lot of fun to observe the polls for the past week, to see how certain results would change, with even a few surprises in between!

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!

Individual Analysis Posts

Taichi Yagami Shipping Analysis

Yamato Ishida Shipping Analysis

Sora Takenouchi Shipping Analysis

Koushiro Izumi Shipping Analysis

Mimi Tachikawa Shipping Analysis

Jou Kido Shipping Analysis

Takeru Takaishi Shipping Analysis

Hikari Yagami Shipping Analysis

Daisuke Motomiya Shipping Analysis

Ken Ichijouji Shipping Analysis

Miyako Inoue Shipping Analysis

Iori Hida Shipping Analysis

Meiko Mochizuki Shipping Analysis

[koushirouizumi]

While Koushiro swam his way through the zero gravity air-space, Vadermon chased after {Koushiro} with the zigzag motions of a UFO, shooting at {Koushiro} at every chance.

The rings of light were more powerful than they looked. The stars that took on a direct hit from them burst into smithereens. "Just how do we beat Vadermon?" {Koushiro}'s inquisitive heart back where it belonged, it did not take long getting down to work within Koushiro. Calming himself, {Koushiro} analyzed the situation. {Koushiro}'s Digimon partner Tentomon was currently in the form of Babumon, who didn't have much fighting power. {Tentomon} would have to evolve. But how? What was evolution anyway? What are Digimon? What are the Chosen Children? "I want to know! I want to know! I want to know!" Koushiro shouted. A single star above {Koushiro}'s head glittered. The star changed into a shape Koushiro had once seen before, flying like a comet into Koushiro's hand. It was a Crest.

Digimon Adventure Novel; “The Inquisitive Heart” Translation from Digital Scratch (Link in the comments)

[digitalgate02]

Final part of that AU setting.

( PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANTI-▽ COMMENTS/TAGS ON IT. Like i said before, i do not like fix-it attitude, i prefer AUs instead. AUs are valid and free to our own interpretation. If i see any hate on this or on ▽ you will be immediately blocked ^_^��� )

[Part one here]

Here’s the final six pages.

Project Mei

Meiko faces her dad, asking more about Meicoomon and her purpose. The old man feels nervous to talk about it, yet he decides Meiko should know. He explains Meicoomon's reason to exist was to create their own squadron of Chosen Children in order to fight menaces from the Digital World. But the Digital World’s Gods hated it and told them to cancel the project.

When Meiko talked about Meicoomon being made to kill digimon, her father elaborated it more, about her not being a total killing machine and she would only kill the enemy if they refused to give up, by injecting a powerful virus in their data. Meiko gets mad, because now this means Taichi, Yamato and their friends’ digimon were infected. The old man strokes his chin, hearing that more digimon might be in trouble. He then refers to Meicoomon also having an antivirus in her program, in case of one of their allies getting infected by accident. This makes Meiko less concerned, but she remembers of some strange parasite digimon consuming her.

Mr. Mochizuki finds it odd, a parasite digimon? And then he receives a call from the Data Bureau agent Nishijima Daigo, to talk about Meicoomon with him and Meiko. The man asks why, but the other couldn’t give details sadly.

Meanwhile, Daisuke tells Koushiro and the others about Himekawa’s offer, and that she could help them. Not that Daisuke believed her, because she was extremely shady and stalking him, but he started to wonder if she wasn’t involved with what happened to Imperialdramon and Meicoomon.Ken thinks that’s possible, but they have not enough evidences to accuse Himekawa. Mimi wonders how Meiko is feeling and offers to talk to her.

Sora thinks it’s too dangerous for them to fight, so she says to only work as their support, Jou apologizes and says he cannot help much since there’s a school exam coming, but he also joins the support cast – in case of them being needed, they will rush to aid their friends. Yamato is afraid of Gabumon’s health, and Taichi decides to keep seeking for Meicoomon in the meanwhile. Daisuke and Ken are also concerned about their partners, but they can’t stay doing nothing, so their help would be investigating stuff for Koushiro. Miyako, Iori, Takeru and Hikari agree to assist Taichi in the search for Meicoomon.

Meiko and her dad are escorted to the Data Bureau HQ, where they meet Nishijima. With him, there’s a pretty man in light robes, Gennai. They came to discuss Meicoomon’s status and destiny. The girl knew this could mean they had to put Meicoomon down, but…

… It was about one of the scientists in the old program contacting them to allow her complete Meicoomon’s program in order to stop the imminent crisis. Meiko raised an eyebrow at this – She was aware Meicoomon’s program was incomplete, but not totally? Like, Meicoomon had been functioning like a legit digimon being, having a heart and such… What could this woman mean?

The said woman was Himekawa, and Meiko was surprised by that revelation. Why would she…

The reveal

The young kids and their seniors were running against the time. Koushiro had copied the papers Meiko had brought him before so he could read them calmly later, and now he was sitting in his office checking them, again. Tentomon wonders if there’s something interesting in those, only to catch with his eyes some detail they skipped.

The developer of the virus program. He then analyzed the data from V-mon and Wormmon’s eggs and noticed it contained an ID number from the papers, which means the mysterious parasite digimon was also human-made. He checked the developer name and… Maybe Daisuke’s suspicion was right.

Mimi talks with Meiko, and the girl seems a little upset. Mimi tries to ask what happened, but Meiko asks to talk with Koushiro as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Taichi and the 02 group report seeing Meicrackmon on the loose, Koushiro tells them to not approach her and prevent her from hurting people and digimon. 

Ken and Daisuke are not great at hacking things, so their plan was asking Himekawa how they could save their digimon from getting their data corrupted. Himekawa knew he would come, especially asking for help.

She talks a bit about her developer function in an old project, that she was this close to fixing corrupted digimon data… But the government ceased their activities. Ken asks how they can save their digimon, and she says she couldn’t do anything without the data under the Data Bureau’s server. The boys look at each other, and she asks them to retrieve that data for her.

They would say something, but Koushiro calls Daisuke immediately. The duo leave after saying they would discuss that with their friends. Koushiro gathered all the info given by each party. It was when Meiko connected the dots and messaged Taichi immediately about a detail. Koushiro also understood what that meant, but Daisuke was a little confused. Until he noticed it too.

Taichi and his juniors were in battle right now, and Meicrackmon was Causing a lot of damage. She then mutated again into Raguelmon. She was even more powerful thanks to the parasite digimon. Silphymon, Shakkoumon and WarGreymon weren’t happy with that, neither were their partners.

Meiko, Daisuke and Ken went to the battle scene immediately. It was when the 02 group, Taichi and Meiko saw Himekawa hiding in a spot. Meiko accuses her of manipulating everyone, and the woman smirks.

Of course they caught her. But it’s okay, she got permission to reactivate the project Mei development in order to stop Meicoomon. Why was she using those kids like that?

It was for Bakumon.

Gennai meets Koushiro

During that climax battle, Gennai came in, with Nishijima, to explain details to Koushiro. The decision to not destroy Meicoomon was unanimous and everyone agreed to keep watching her development. But there was another detail they were trying to avoid – Himekawa’s obsession with bringing her partner back. Nishijima says that he was her friend and teammate, witnessing the fall of them. Himekawa’s digimon dark evolved into Mugendramon and attacked the enemies, but lost control and went on rampage. His partner and the others had to evolve further to stop Mugendramon, who returned to digiegg state. The egg got corrupted and was told it couldn’t hatch, but Himekawa refused to believe it and became obsessed with the idea of creating a program able to fix the problem.

They had to stop her, and since she was using her knowledge as a former Chosen Child for the government, they had more reasons to intervene. Daigo joined the Data Bureau as some “spy” for Gennai and Homeostasis, to keep an eye on her. But now they just discovered she was doing some illegal experiments and created a digimon called Shademon, which can control and corrupt other digimon, and especially cause Meicoomon’s incomplete program to go on a rampage. All of that in order to convince the Data Bureau to reactivate the project development.

Koushiro wasn’t aware of those details, but this was what he and Meiko realized. So now he feels a little disturbed by the consequences of that plan, and then he just wishes they could do something to stop Himekawa and save Meicoomon. He shows the other two the copy of the project’s papers and points to the section about Meicoomon’s restore abilities. Tentomon comments that if they all work together, they can find a way to activate said function.

In the Battlefield, the kids, Taichi and Meiko try so desperately to prevent a disaster. Ken calls Koushiro, to update him about their situation; Daisuke was about to snap, but he’s trying to act cool right now. Koushiro then tells Ken to pass the phone to Hikari, and then he asks the girl to use Angewomon’s healing powers on Meicoomon.

Sure, to do that you will need backup right? WarGreymon and Shakkoumon could do it. Miyako says they could call the others if things get bad, which everyone agreed. Silphymon jogress was undone, and Tailmon evolved to Angewomon. The rest should keep Raguelmon occupied and without touching her, while Angewomon could use her healing powers to exorcize the parasite enemy inside her body.

Back to Koushiro’s office, Nishijima and Gennai keep explaining what happened before, and then Gennai revealed that Bakumon’s egg had hatched but the digimon turned into a Dark Master, the one the kids fought before. Tentomon then asks if the Dark Masters had been reborn, and Gennai says their data got locked in the Dark Area. Nishijima exclaims and asks why they didn't tell him before, only to Gennai explain Bakumon had turned into a vile creature so they couldn’t break the news to him or even Himekawa. Nishijima agreed that could’ve been worse than now.

“So this is what she meant by being a ‘former’ Chosen Child” Koushiro muses. Gennai confirms it, they revoked Himekawa’s access to the Digital World and turned her digivice inactive, she was really out of their reach so this was the best option they could find. Nishijima laments that.

Rampaging Meicoomon

Since Angewomon had holy powers able to extinguish evil and heal the good, their idea was simple: Keep Raguelmon occupied, get Angewomon to use Saint Air at her and then take the chance to destroy Shademon. 

Easier said than done. 

To protect Angewomon from getting hit by Raguelmon’s claws, they would have to stop her first. But how do you stop a digimon from moving without touching them? These were times Daisuke wished Paildramon could help them, but…

Suddenly, a very beautiful digimon woman appeared – it was Rosemon and she used her whip to grab Raguelmon. They looked behind and saw Mimi coming. The group focused on attacking Raguelmon, but not at full force so they could avoid destroying her.  When Angewomon approached behind her, the holy angel released a heavenly aura to purify the enemy, but it wasn’t enough to beat Shademon. The group was losing their hopes…

Himekawa knows she can’t let them take Raguelmon away from her hands, or else she would never finish her program to save Bakumon, so she inserted a few more codes to induce a new mutation. The laptop overheats due to the max data loaded in it, making Shademon lose control over Raguelmon, turning her extremely feral.

Raguelmon mutates to another higher form, Ordinemon, and starts corroding the barriers of human and digital worlds. The group of digimon fighting her had to retreat for now. Meiko is mad, she snaps at Himekawa for that, and the woman is terrified – everything got worse. She lost the data, she lost her chances to bring Bakumon back!!

Gennai realizes this could mean the end of both worlds if they don’t take her down, Nishijima requests Gennai to gather his and his friends’ partners, in order to fight alongside those kids. By that request, Gennai tells Daigo to bring his friends as soon as possible, and leaves in order to gather the Holy Beasts. Koushiro is intrigued, but he decides to keep helping them all as soon as possible. Koushiro’s desire to help everyone with his knowledge unlocks the HerakleKabuterimon form (outside the building, of course), which he rides in, taking Nishijima with him.

Jou, Yamato and Sora come in, concerned with what was happening. Jou couldn’t take a test at this hour! So he grabbed Gomamon and pedaled his bike til the heart of the battle. Yamato and Sora came together, afraid of what could happen to Taichi, the younger kids and Meiko. Their wishes to protect their beloved ones and their loyalty to their friends unlocked Hououmon and Vikemon for Piyomon and Gomamon. MetalGarurumon carried Yamato and Sora to the battlefield.

The group, almost complete, started to fight Ordinemon as an attempt to stop her. Daisuke clenches his fists, because all he could do was watch. Ken felt even more useless, but he knows even without their seniors being able to evolve their partners, Taichi and the others were able to find ways to help. He had witnessed it, as the Kaiser. Himekawa is still petrified by her mistakes, so she does not notice Ken taking the busted laptop from the ground. He knew soon or later this would come handy, and, if they’re lucky, they can remove the HD disc and connect it to Koushiro’s computer at the office.

They had no other option but to escort people away from that area. Himekawa had no other option but to go with them, and call the Data Bureau to secure the area.

Himekawa discovers the truth about Bakumon

They went back to Koushiro’s office and their digimon just jumped inside the pocket dimension inside the server (Miyako has full access to it, remember?) so it didn’t feel too crowded outside. When Miyako tried to contact Koushiro, the boy replied that he and Nishijima went to gather the Holy Beasts’ partners in order to save the world.

Daisuke went to check the V-mon and Wormmon eggs, just to distract his head for a while. They were fine, but still not hatching. He wouldn’t force it though, he preferred to expect his and Ken’s partners to come at their own pace. Ken was worried about Daisuke’s mental health so he just went to ask if he was okay, and the other boy replied “Yeah, I’m better now. No worries.” which made both smile, one in relief.

Jou and Meiko were staring at Himekawa, who was still lost in her thoughts, broken inside actually. Patamon asks from the screen what they should do with her, and Takeru decides they should at least ask her some info. Taichi is not sure if Himekawa would help them out though. Ken tries connecting the HD disc to Koushiro’s computer with Miyako’s help, and by a great miracle it was still running. They decide to examine its contents, while Jou, Taichi, Yamato and Takeru watch the woman. Iori inspects the HDD with Ken and Miyako. Daisuke is still quietly watching the eggs, and Hikari, Mimi and Sora try to help Meiko cool off.

Meiko had her own reasons to dislike Himekawa after this. And the group was trying to fix Himekawa’s mess, and Daisuke now was aware who was the culprit for what happened to Imperialdramon. But he tries to not get involved with the interrogation, he needs to cool off as well! He needs to cool off…! He and Meiko actually. Sora takes both outside and try to hear them out.

Daisuke growls about what happened, but he doesn’t want to fight a younger adult. Meiko vents about knowing Himekawa for years and never expected her to do something like that before, but now she noticed the red flags. But deep down both Daisuke and Meiko noticed something strange in Himekawa, something they couldn’t be totally mad at her and yes feel pity for. Sora wonders what it would be, and Meiko says “She’s lonely” Daisuke remembers of the dude, Nishijima, who had said to be her ex-boyfriend. All three start thinking of why she would do something like that, if she had a boyfriend before…

Himekawa is still in shock. But she’s coming back down to Earth, little by little. When the kids ask her about what she was aiming for she mentions that her goal was trying to save a digimon from data corruption. Mimi frowns, so that lady had noble reasons… Himekawa continues by saying the Project Mei was her chance to cure data corruption, how close she was from it until the government ceased their operations. Hikari almost snapped, and Taichi saw it in her eyes. Someone connected with the power of life itself like her would feel this narrative was too soulless and toying with the concept of life.

Sora took Daisuke and Meiko to go buy something for them all to eat and drink. The investigation outside gets more and more creepy, as Himekawa starts feeling delusional in front of them, saying maybe now they will let her finish her job! Maybe now she will see Bakumon once again! Hikari snapped politely, “That’s not how you will get your partner back!” and everyone is shocked. She continues: “Meicoomon is suffering right now because of your actions, she’s not a toy! She’s not a tool! V-mon and Wormmon are in the Digiegg stage because of you! ” – That definitely made them all silently look at Hikari, until Takeru says he agrees with her.

Koushiro calls them, saying he and Nishijima just reunited the Holy Beasts’ partners and they’re moving ahead to the battle field. Taichi and Yamato decide they should meet with them and fight Meicoomon. Seven of them agreed, but Miyako said they would stay there trying to find any useful information to help them. Thus, Taichi and the others leave. Piyomon says she wants to go but Sora’s not back yet– And Sora, Daisuke and Meiko come in, with food. Daisuke asks where’s everyone and Iori says they went to face Meicoomon. Piyomon tells Sora she wants to go, and then Daisuke comments she should go and take Meiko with them. Sora’s not sure about this, she doesn’t want to fight a friend’s digimon… Only to Daisuke put a hand on her shoulder and say this would’ve been what Meicoomon wanted. Meiko is a little antsy, but she gets it – Mei-chan would prefer to be destroyed than keep hurting innocent people, especially her friends and family. With those kind words and encouragement, Meiko, Sora and Piyomon go after Taichi and the others. Miyako and Iori smile, because they know exactly where Daisuke got this lesson from.

The group joined forces with the previous generation – Higashikata (Qinglongmon), Kitabayashi (Xuanwumon), Minamino (Zhuqiaomon) and Nishijima (Baihumon) – for this battle. They examined all of their possibilities, but Ordinemon had strong defense by creating dark digimon from her wings. Omegamon was good with numbers, so they decided to let it take care of it. Koushiro analyzed the other Final form digimon’s specialties – and then he discovered Hououmon has an ability which could purify Meicoomon. “Maybe if we combine the divine power of the Holy Beasts with Hououmon’s special ability…” 

Holydramon, Seraphimon, Rosemon and Vikemon were in the same group fighting evil digimon while opening the path for Hououmon and the Holy Beasts. It felt a terrible risky idea, but they wanted to give it a shot.

The Miyako, Ken and Iori were so busy searching for anything they could use to stop Ordinemon that they didn’t notice Himekawa leaving the room, but Daisuke did and went after her. The Lady had lost her composure and was trying her best to ‘Save Bakumon’ that the poor boy couldn’t keep watching that disastrous talk. But nothing he could say would make her stop right… She’s beyond salvation. It was when Gennai appeared from a security camera and stood in front of her. Daisuke approached cautiously to hear their conversation. This is how he and Himekwawa learned about Bakumon’s fate – Bakumon had hatched but became a vile creature, and then evolved straight into Megidramon, becoming a Dark Master. Daisuke wonders if said Dark Master was the one Taichi and the others had fought before, and this was exactly what Gennai said next. Mugendramon’s data was sent to the Dark Area, sealed alongside the other three Dark Masters.

Himekawa Maki does not believe it, and condemns Gennai and the others for destroying Bakumon. Daisuke couldn’t stand that and approached a little more. She screams, and falls on her knees, crying loudly and holding Gennai’s robes. Gennai himself did not like to bring bad news, and Daisuke knew it. So, the boy tries to talk with Himekawa… But she was too deep into madness to hear a child out. Gennai apologizes for this, but she does not listen. Suddenly, Data Bureau agents appear and take Himekawa under custody. Daisuke gets confused about how did those people know, only to find out he got something like a small spy wire attached to his goggles. “Since when…!?” It was probably the time he went to save Imperialdramon, maybe??

(No. It was implanted on his goggles when he first met Nishijima. )

Saving Meicoomon

They had to take that chance and purify Ordinemon, so they didn’t want to waste it. The moment they had it, Hououmon and the Holy Beasts gathered their powers and Hououmon used her Starlight Explosion on Ordinemon’s body. Since it was amplified by the godly and holy power of the Holy Beasts, Ordinemon started to be purified.

Ordinemon then converted into Rasielmon. The gloomy atmosphere changed drastically, filled with hope and happiness. Meicoomon didn’t die, and she was purified from Shademon… Which got destroyed by Omegamon’s cannon attack the moment it left Rasielmon’s body.

Rasielmon apologized for her acts, but the kids and the previous Chosen said it wasn’t her and Meiko’s fault. Meiko was so thankful her digimon had turned back to normal. Before reverting into Meicoomon again, Rasielmon said she had to do one more thing, and rushed to Koushiro’s office at the speed of light. Meiko wonders what it is, but the other eight were pretty sure what it was.

Daisuke returned to the office, where Miyako, Ken and Iori were ready to leave and meet their seniors. They say they found out a way to help in the battle and Daisuke grins. Suddenly, Rasielmon appears in a smaller size to not destroy the room and talks to the four. An unfazed Ken then comments “Maybe they solved it without us…” and Daisuke sighs, he wanted to help them all so badly…

Rasielmon then moves to the room with V-mon and Wormmon’s eggs and uses her powers to heal them, making them hatch. Iori finds this curious, only to remember the files said Meicoomon has also an antidote to her own virus program. The eggs hatched into Chicomon and Leafmon, making Daisuke so thankful he immediately hugged Rasielmon as his way to thank her.

Ken also thanks her, but in his own way by bowing and being polite. Rasielmon giggles, and then disappears. She returns to also heal the other eight’s digimon as her apologies, then reverted into Meicoomon and fell on Meiko’s arms.

A few weeks later, Taichi and the group heard some good news regarding Meicoomon: Hououmon and the Holy Beasts’ powers supposedly had helped to finish her program, becoming more stable and suitable for interacting with other people and digimon. Data samples of her special ability – by infecting and controlling digimon with a virus – were used to create vaccines in any case of her accidentally infecting civilized/pacific digimon. Nishijima asked Meiko’s parents to allow her and Meicoomon to be part of the Data Bureau as some honorary agent. Daisuke commented he was a little jealous about that, and that it would’ve been cool to work as some special agent. Koushiro jokes about him already serving in some special unit only to make him go like “??! Really!? Am I a secret agent!?” only to Taichi cut the joke by saying he needs to get a little more mature to handle special agent business. They all laugh, and then they all return to their daily routines.

[izzyizumi]

Digimon Adventure Tri ~ Episode 11 / Movie 3 [Kokuhaku (Confession)] vs./Near-Direct Parallels with: Digimon Adventure: (2020 Reboot anime) ~ Episode 14 featuring Koushiro(u) Izumi [“Koushiro ‘Izzy’ Izumi” in US] + Tentomon (tri) / Kabuterimon (2020)’s Pep Talks

“ Nani mo dekinai ! ” - 2020!Koushiro, [“ I can’t do anything ! ”]

“ Nani mo dekinai ! ”

“ Nani mo dekinai... Dekinai, dekinai, dekinai !!! ” [ “ I can’t do anything... ” ] [ “ I can’t, I can’t, I CAN’T !!! ”] - Tri!Koushiro, with increasing distress leading into outright sobbing

BONUS/CONTINUED:

“ ... But, you’re different now. ” “ Seems rough. ” “ Of course ! Think of our situation!! ” (Koushiro then hangs his head down) “ ... Sorry. ... ”

(Tentomon) “ I don’t want to see you like this. ” “ It’s painful. ” (Koushiro) “ Tentomon . . . ” (Tentomon lowers head, then raises it again) “ There’s only one thing to do. ” (Koushiro startles in response) --

(a few moments later) “ ... A Reboot ? ” (Tentomon) “ We can’t do that on our own. But if that’s what it comes to ... We Digimon are already prepared. (Koushiro turns back to his computer setup. His shadow is on the screen) “ A Reboot will fix all the issues ? ”

“ IF THERE’S HOPE ...

THEN I CAN MAKE A PLAN ! ”

“ Indeed, Koushiro-han. There’s HOPE. There’s   A CHANCE !  ”

“ ALWAYS     reaching     for  HOPE  and  CHANCES , FRANTICALLY     LEARNING , ”

“ THAT’S THE KOUSHIRO-HAN     I KNOW ! ” - Tri!Tentomon, thinking to himself, in the following dialogue

gifs by @izzyizumi , {Do Not Repost or Reproduce without my Permission} {Do Not Remove Caption} (Please Ask to Use)

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[ note: commenting/tagging respecfully/positively is ok ! ]

OP’s commentary:

... So are we as a fandom not going to talk about how DigiAdv 2020′s Episode 14′s resolution (or the START of the resolution) of Koushiro’s internal troubles / conflicts / problems is essentially near-exactly the same as in TRI / KOKUHAKU ?

Or this?:

“ Is it wrong to WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING ?” - Koushiro in Adventure Episode 24 (Japanese)

OR THIS?:

from the Digimon Adventure novels written by Adv director Kakudou:

- from the chapter reflecting Adventure Episode 28, the scene where Koushiro helps to figure out the cards

... Or am I going to have to keep making all these Koushiro canonical scenes comparisons posts MYSELF ???

^ - IZUMI FAMILY; Adventure Episode 38:

(Koushiro to Izumis) “I tried to pretend I hadn’t heard anything. I thought that by acting normal, things would stay as they did before ... But I couldn’t do it. The more I tried to act as if things hadn’t changed, the more [strange/weirder] it felt ... In the end... I grew drawn to my computer so I wouldn’t have to show anyone MY TRUE SELF ...”

(closeup on Mr. Izumi, insistently): “ There is NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING INTO COMPUTERS ! ”

(Koushiro looks up, surprised): “Father...” (Mr. Izumi): “That trait of yours is what     MAKES YOU WHO YOU ARE. ”

+ more on “ You don’t have to change yourself for us ” (at the link !)

2020!Koushiro, Episode 14:

“ I was so desperate to be EVERYONE’S HELP ALL THE TIME ... IT BECAME DEFAULT FOR ME to always make judgements through this [TABLET]. I had forgotten about my OWN SELF, ... WHO WAS SITTING IN FRONT OF THE MONITOR. ” “ Until you reminded me, KABUTERIMON. ”

“ EVEN MACHINES have days WHEN THEY DON’T FEEL WELL, LIKE HUMANS. When that happens, you just have to reassess your abilities and overcome ! ” - 2020!Kabuterimon to Koushiro

[ladyanatui]

Feb. 11: Favorite Chosen Children friendship

This is a tough one because most of my favorite friendships are also my favorite romantic ships, so I’m picking a trio of friends (who make up two ships I really enjoy) I’ve been wanting to talk about for a while.

Taichi, Yamato & Koushiro

I talked about Taichi and Koushiro in one of my earlier posts, so I don’t want to dwell on it too much, but I do want to talk about this trio’s dynamics because it is on fucking point.

I’ve been wanting to throw together a blog post about this because it’s a Thing, but I just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Well, now’s as good a time as any...

The Freudian Trio

According to TVTropes.com’s post:

[T]he Freudian Trio consists of three characters: one who acts emotionally and instinctively [(the McCoy/the Id)], one who acts with cold, passionless logic [(the Spock/the Superego)] and one who reconciles the two conflicting ideals [(the Kirk/the Ego)].

When looking at Taichi, Yamato, and Koushiro through this lens, it’s not difficult to see which character is which. Yamato, the bearer of the Crest of Friendship, is the id, the emotional one, the heart, while Koushiro, the bearer of the Crest of Knowledge, is the superego, the logical one, the brain. Taichi, obviously, is the leader, the ego, the one to keep these two conflicting ideas in check and make the final decisions.

This is one of the most common team tropes (obviously, Star Trek is well-known for this) because it creates a really cool dynamic between the characters, and Digimon portrays this so freaking well.

One of the things Taichi has to learn as the leader of the Chosen Children is how to be a leader. He doesn’t have the skills required for it, and he often makes stupid mistakes because of it.

Okay, to be fair, he’s eleven, but still.

In the beginning, one of Taichi’s problems is that he doesn’t listen to anyone. Sure, nobody but Yamato really fights him on this, but it takes him a while to learn that, in order to be a good leader, he has to trust in his team. In fact, I’d say it isn’t until fighting Etemon, until SkullGreymon, that he realizes just how much he still has to learn to deserve the position of leader. It’s only then that he really starts to listen to the other characters.

Yamato continually teaches Taichi that it’s important to slow down and make sure your team is keeping pace. He reminds him that you need to take care of your team, your nakama. He reminds him that it’s important to take a moment to breathe, to grieve for lost loved ones. He reminds him that the world isn’t black and white; it’s complex and filled with shades of gray--and all kinds of colors too. He reminds him that he needs to care about the people too, not just whether they win or lose. When they fight, it’s often because Taichi forgets these things (also because of Takeru, but I’ve already written about that).

Meanwhile, Koushiro teaches Taichi that he cannot rush into everything blindly without thinking things through. He reminds him that science and logic and knowledge can be powerful tools to help them, but they must be used responsibly. He reminds him that you have to think before you act and to consider all options and outcomes before making a decision. He reminds him that hard choices often have hard consequences, and often, those consequences are unavoidable.

And when Taichi finally starts listening to his team, Yamato and Koushiro become the two most important people to him and his closest friends (plus Sora). They are the characters he relies on the most to help him weigh the importance of doing what’s right (emotions) versus doing what should be done (logic), though he still often relies on his own instincts--because a good leader listens not only to his team but to himself as well.

Digimon often relies on these sort of character tropes.

02 focuses primarily on Odd Couples, where Daisuke and Ken are the Red Oni and Blue Oni respectively.

While Daisuke is passionate, easy-going, enthusiastic, and more than willing to break conventions when he sees fit, Ken is intellectual, introverted, serene, in control of his emotions, and more likely to adhere to authority. This is even more obvious when you look at the fact that Daisuke’s hair is a cinnamony maroon (red) and Ken’s black hair is colored blue, as is common in anime. But probably my favorite part is in Diablomon Strikes Back (pictured in GIF), where they wear each other’s color. They complement each other, and it’s a symbol to signify how perfectly in sync they are.

In Tamers, the main trio of Takato, Ruki, and Jianliang are color-coded.

In the Chromatic Arrangement trope, the main colors are red, blue, and green (or sometimes yellow), and Tamers uses this perfectly. Red (Takato) is typically the leader and main character. Blue (Ruki/Rika) is the uptight, intelligent one. And green (Jianliang/Henry) is the gentle, laid-back one. And their colors are signified not by their clothing but by the color of their D-Power and sometimes their Digimon partner. Guilmon and all its evolutions are red, Terriermon and all its evolutions are green, but Renamon’s accept color is violet/purple instead of blue, though it may be important to note that when it comes to flowers, all violet/purple flowers are called blue.

I’m sure I could break this down with the other series as well, but I’m less familiar with them, and this post was supposed to focus on Taichi, Yamato, and Koushiro’s friendship, so yeah...oops?

[digimon-adventure-screentime]

Episode 19: Nanomon of the Labyrinth!

Okay like absolutely no shade but this is one of the weirdest episodes I've analyzed by now, when it comes to screentime balance. Why do Yamato, Mimi and Takeru stay behind in this one? Taichi has a lot of solo screentime and most of it is him acting stupid because he thinks that being in data form means he cannot die. Koushiro is only second because of the big exposition parts. The Digimon have almost criminally little screentime.

Idk, as I said, no shade, I'm not here to criticize the writing. It just felt so weird in this one that I couldn’t help mentioning it, lol.

Evolution sequences screentime: 7 seconds each for Agumon, Piyomon, Tentomon and Gomamon. Total character screentime: 12:30,58 Full group screentime: 01:13,38

[izumiyagami14]

Rain on windows

Day 13-16: rain/shine

summary: while waiting for the rest of their friends to arrive, Koushiro and Hikari have time to talk about the rain… @koushirohikari

“Looks like we are the first ones here,” Hikari let out a breath, gazing out the damp window at the glowing neon lights from afar. The soft glow of pink and red from the bright sign that screamed Bowling for Ice Cream fell delicately on her pale skin.

“Looks like it.” The response came from the boy in the driver seat as he clicked the car into park. Koushiro’s eyes avoided the warm, naturally radiant figure in the passenger seat and looked out at the cool raindrops slowly drifting down the side of his window. He sighed, thinking about the numerous miscalculations his friends made prior to this moment.

One minute he was over at the Yagami residence discussing different cheat codes in a new game that he was playing with Taichi, and then the next Taichi received a phone call from Mimi. She was in town from America and wanted to see if the group could meet up for a couple rounds of bowling and some ice cream. So the two masterminds on the phones exchanged plans, rather poorly, how the group would meet. Taichi insisted on picking up everyone in his new SUV, but once he realized that his car can only sit six people, it was too late. It was then that Taichi asked Koushiro to drive Hikari to the place while he kept his promise and drove the rest of the group. It took some convincing, but Koushiro complied to the request. He didn’t realize until now how much extra time he was going to have now…

Now he sat there, staring at the falling raindrops sliding down the window, patiently waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. He wondered how the rain could create such an infinite amount of little droplets each reflecting the fluorescent lights to put on a silent show. He pondered on what emotion flooded into his mind when observing such a display. Sadness? Confusion? Longing? He couldn’t pinpoint it.

He looked over at the girl sitting next to him for an answer. She mirrored his actions, except she was tracing the drops with her tiny finger as they fell from view of the window. His eyes narrowed a bit, analyzing her actions to see if he could pick up her thoughts. Was she conducting a race with the water droplets? Or was she thinking the same questions he was? Koushiro caught a glimpse of light in her eyes when she placed her hand down on her lap and kept her gaze to the rain. Was it longing, too? Or was it filled with hope? She didn’t seem to look at the rain sadly, but rather looking for her love in the rain.

“Why do people associate rain with sadness?” She said, quiet enough for him to hear.

Her voice caught him off guard, causing him to look out the windshield. He let out an unknowingly held breath. “What makes you say that, Hikari?”

“Well,” she began, a bit hesitant in her next words. “For most, rain makes people sad. They had a negative connotations it. Connecting bad feelings to something that is not necessarily bad.”

Koushiro slowly nodded his head. “Yeah, make sense. So what are you trying to get at?”

She took a breath and looked at the boy next to her. “It is important to know that the rain can make some people sad, but only until we see closely the beauty of a single raindrop is when we start to appreciate the little things in life.” She brought her gaze up to meet the boy’s dark eyes. A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head and looked at her hands on her lap. “I mean, I guess I never had any negative feelings toward the rain.”

“So you have positive ones?”

She smiled softly, light from the environment reflecting off it. “With Taichi. We used to wish for rain so badly so we could jump and play in the puddles.” Then she started to giggle. “Or with Sora and Mimi. We went window shopping when it started to downpour. All we could do was laugh like crazy because there was nothing we could do.” She then paused for a moment. “I think those are some of my favorite memories with them.”

Koushiro chuckled at her stories. “I see.”

A hum came from the passenger seat. “Do you have any favorite memories with any of our friends?”

Koushiro turned his head to face her. Their eyes met, making Hikari let out another nervous laugh.

“I mean, it doesn’t necessarily have to do with rain, so anything could do.” The words rushed out of her mouth to fill the vacant air between them.

Koushiro brought a pondering hand up to his chin in thought. “Who were you thinking?”

“Taichi.” His name was the first one to pop in her head.

He stopped and thought for a couple minutes, thoroughly running through all the records and files in his brain to think of a find memory he has associated with that name. “I think when Taichi and I stopped for some snacks on the way to movie theater. He tried to shove as many treats and snacks into his shirt as he can without being suspicious.” He looked over at Hikari’s raised eyebrow. “Taichi paid for them, of course. He just looked so ridiculous!”

Hikari could help but smile and moved her gaze back to him. “How about Sora?”

He again stopped and thought for a couple minutes before speaking. “When she brought me some yellow flowers for my promotion I received at my job.

“Yamato?”

A couple beats passed by before Koushiro could answer. “Probably when he came over to help me study. He started playing his harmonica, and I swear it is the only thing that helped me pass that exam.”

She laughed at that that story. “Excuse me, what? Yamato helped you?”

He chuckled and looked at her. “Yes, I hate to admit it sometimes,but I don’t know everything.”

She laughs hung in the air for a bit before the drops of rain overwhelmed it. A pause intruded before she broke in. “What about me?”

In an instant, Koushiro looked down at her hands and smile softly Hikari could see the memory flowing easily through the boy’s mind as he spoke. “It was at your house. Taichi invited me over, but for some reason, he wasn’t home yet. Just you. You suggested that we play Nintendo in Taichi’s room. After some negotiations, we agreed on Mario Kart. You said you were not good at that game, but you managed to win every round. And every round, you were so happy to take the lead and win. You would laugh, cheer, and pretend to be a sore winner by rubbing it in my face. But I know we were just playing around and buying time before your brother came home. Seeing you smile was better than winning I suppose.”

When eyes reached her, the realization of what he just said hit him the a turtle shell in Mario Kart. His cheeks felt hot and he started to stutter. “I mean, there are so many memories with you, it’s so hard to pick one…”

She leaned toward him to catch his dark eyes in hers again. “I guess we will have to make more then.”

The tiny taps of the raindrops on the roof of the car played with the pitter-patter of his heartbeat. Before he could respond, solid knocks bombarded the pair. Koushiro turned his head to see a taller boy.

“Hey, guys; we’re all here! Sorry it took so long! Let’s get going; I’m hungry!” Taichi screamed through the still-closed window and started to walk toward the entrance of the bowling alley. The group of the remaining Digidestined were right behind the leader. Taichi started splashing in the puddles, gaining some scowls from Yamato and Sora and some light laughter for Takeru.

Koushiro slowly turned to look back at Hikari. She only shrugged her shoulders.

“Ready to go?” She asked.

“I guess so,” he responded.

As they both exited, the rain continued to pour heavily; however, it did not give Koushiro a negative feeling like prior. The rain falling down on him reminded him of Hikari. It was falling rather hard, and now, he was too.

[holyangemon]

Takeru’s treatment in Digimon Adventure 2020

Okay so I’m not done talking about 2020 Takeru yet. But listen. Just listen okay? I just want to talk about the weird mysterious vibes Takeru’s been getting so far. 

Starting with the op! I’m breaking it all down here. In the first quick shot of all the characters, Takeru and Patamon are the only ones facing away from the camera, with Takeru being at quite a far distance. From the very first shot we see him, it’s mysterious.

Later on we get this shot, which is a fairly normal shot compared to everything else. Though I’m not sure about his expression. He’s smiling, but it looks a little sad almost? I dunno. That might be reaching. 

This is the shot we get of him in episode 1 and I’ll shit up about the room for now. But he’s standing at a super bright window that covers him almost completely in shadow, and he’s once again facing away from the camera. Very mysterious. 

And then we got this scene in the ed. Standing in complete white, a whole bunch of feathers (calling back to Angemon’s death), and a sad looking frowny boy. I don’t like anything that this could be implying. No sad boy please. 

I don’t have anything to analyze her, it’s just cute (though based on the floor this was taken at Yamato’s current house). Though ACTUALLY, this doesn’t look like they fell asleep together, but that Takeru found Yamato asleep and curled up on top of him. I don’t believe for one second that Yamato would let Takeru sleep without a blanket when he’s using one. Ultimate big brother Yamato would never. You can analyze anything if you just try hard enough.

Moving on to episode 2, we have this reaction to where Koushiro is in the real world,  Musashi-Kosugi station. Pretty obvious from Yamato’s face that that’s close to where Takeru is. It’ll still be 10 episodes until Yamato tells someone his motivation is his little brother, but it’s funny that just the mention of a station close to Takeru can get a reaction out of him.

The second time we see this shot the light is less harsh, so Takeru isn’t as in shadow as he was. Still pretty shadowy, though.

Oh hey, there’s his face. That intense lighting and shadow is still here though.  The mysterious boy in shadows, who is he? That seems to be the vibe they’re going for. It’s interesting to see Takeru getting more of a mysterious treatment than Hikari. And I’m not done yet!

(Also this shot though. He’s standing all alone in this big, pretty bare room and his face when he’s turning around looks sad. Why are you sad? What’s going on? Are you okay?)   

Next is episode 3 which has the phone call between Takeru and Yamato. I’ve already talked about the content of the phone call so I won’t repeat myself here, buuut interesting to note is that we don’t get any shots of Takeru during this phone call. Not even a shadow shot. No shot. Takeru free zone. And this won’t be the only time they do this.

It’s not until episode 12 that we get any more references to Takeru, and we get the most shadowy shot yet! Also looks like he’s facing away from the camera again, not that it matters with how extreme this shadow is. 

To make things even better, in the scene where Yamato tells Sora and Jou about Takeru, there are NO shots of Takeru. None at all. Just of the city. Like hello? Where is he?? Is he somewhere in the Digital World and that’s why you’re not showing him??? Too much mystery, not enough boy!! 

It definitely seems like they’re building up to something big when it comes to Takeru. As I mentioned before, he’s currently even more mysterious than Hikari, and she’s the master of being mysterious. I’m definitely intrigued, but not quite sure what to make of it. I just hope he’s okay. And not as sad as he looks.

(if the next shot we get of Takeru is another shadow shot just know that somewhere out there I’m screaming)

[gossipchii]

The irony of the crest

FF.net: here / AO3: here

Characters: Takenouchi Sora and Izumi Koushiro

Words: 1200+

Notes: HOORAY I’M STILL ABLE TO WRITE? AND I FINALLY GOT THIS IDEA OUT OF MY HEAD? 

I love this underrated duo soooooooooooo much, I hope you do as well!

Enjoy!!!!!!

Sora did not consider herself to be a nervous person, in fact most people tended to praise her calming aura. However, there she was, at the frozen yogurt shop taking a glance at the clock every five seconds. Of course, she knew she was early, which meant he was not late, he was never late, yet her foot could not stop stomping.

“I did not realize I was late, I’m so sorry,” Koushiro was carrying a backpack almost his size, Sora wondered how such a tiny human could carry so much weight.

“You’re not late, I’m just very early!” the mouth of her stomach felt as if someone was punching her, she winced in pain. This was not how she was planning on feeling at such a young age.

“I got worried for a second,” Koushiro sighed in relief, getting rid of his backpack, looking somehow taller. Sora had wanted to talk with Koushiro for a while, but she had not found the words on asking for alone time with him without it seeming off. Not that they were not close, Sora considered her fellow redhead one of her dearest friends, but she had never asked him for a one in one chat. “Are you going to order something?”

“Oh, sure!” truth was, the mere thought of eating made her sick, but it would be weird if she did not order a fro-yo, considering she had chosen where to meet in the first place.

Koushiro seemed excited, one would never guess a boy-genius could be so passionate about frozen yogurt and its toppings, he chose them so carefully, taking in fact every flavor and coming up with weird combinations, which Sora could never be brave enough to try.

They went back to their seats, and soon enough Sora realized she had to get ready to come clean and spit out the words that made her meet him in the first place.

“Thank you for taking some time off to talk with me, I know how busy you are, with the computer club and school, and your multiple projects.”

“It’s nothing! Miyako is taking care of everything today, she’s such a bright mind, I feel safe knowing she will take over the club next year.”

“Crazy to think they’re kind of our descendants, sometimes I wonder how did Miyako inherit my crest instead of yours, but then I remember how much she cares for everyone around her, and it makes sense.”

“I’m glad your crest is in her hands, it’s such power not anyone could bare it.”

“Yeah…” she had not had a single bite of her strawberry fro-yo, which was slowly melting. The Crest of Love, how ironic. “Even if I miss the Digital World all the time, I’m glad it’s not totally on our shoulders anymore, we have so much going on right now.”

“Right! You’re doing fantastic with the Tennis team, and Taichi with Soccer as usual, and Yamato is basically the local superstar!” The punch in her stomach came back, this time harder. She took a deep breathe. “Is everything alright, Sora?”

“I mean, nothing’s wrong but…” she was glad the store was almost empty, people did not really crave frozen yogurt at the beginning of December, plus she knew how much Koushiro loved it, she was in a safe space. “I’ve been thinking lately about the future and how our actions could affect it. I love the dynamics of our group, you know?”

“Yes, I’m particularly fond of them as well, but change is inevitable.”

“I know, and lately destiny has showed me this, Jou keeps getting ready to be a doctor, Mimi moved out to the United States, Daisuke and company joined our group…”

“You’re right, I hadn’t realized how many changed had happened in such a short time.”

“And many more may happen soon.”

“What do you mean?”

She took a deep breathe, leaving her untouched fro-yo in the table. “Lately, I’ve been having this annoying stomachache non-stop, it’s so annoying, I feel like throwing up half the time.”

“That sounds serious Sora, have you considered seeing a doctor? Or at least talking with Jou about it?” She scoffed, Koushiro was so innocent somehow.

“Actually, that’s the reason why I asked you to meet me.”

“But Sora, I know nothing about anatomy, and you must not believe everything you read online, you know? It may be a wonderful place, but it’s also very dangerous!”

“Don’t worry, I already know what’s going on, I just have no idea what to do with it.”

“So, you’ve seen a doctor? Didn’t they tell you if you should be taking medicine?”

“My stomach hurts, but I’m not sick, heck, I think I’m actually the opposite of sick. I think I’m in love.” She bit her lower lip, whispering the last part of her sentence.

“I…” Koushiro’s cheeks heat up immediately, that was the last subject he thought Sora would want to talk about.

“I have been trying to hide it for months now, but it’s gotten to the point where it hurts so bad, I know I have to do something about it,” she sighed, avoiding Koushiro’s dark eyes. “But if I do something about it everything will change, and it may not even be mutual, there’s so much at stake here, I’m scared.”

Koushiro left his fro-yo right next to Sora’s, clearly analyzing this whole situation. He could not believe Sora had chosen him to talk about the matter, he felt flattered she trusted him that much.

“I’m guessing it’s someone we know?”

“You’re guessing right, I wish we had the power to choose, because then I wouldn’t have to change a thing about our group’s dynamic…” Koushiro felt in his gut who she was talking about, but she clearly did not want to mention names. Maybe empathy was not his strongest quality, but he knew Sora well enough.

“I may not be the best person to be giving advice on this matter, but I’m certain you’ll be better off by telling them.” He sounded so serious, not an ounce of mockery in his voice. That is when Sora reaffirmed, she had made the right decision in confiding in Koushiro, he made her feel sane.

“I mean” he continued, “even your body is begging for you to let it out, I believe it will end up feeling free once you say it out loud.”

“I know you’re right, it’s just very frightening.”

“And by saying it you’ll be the bravest in our group.” They shared a comfortable silence, both stirring their melted fro-yos. “By the way, this person? The luckiest.”

“You really think so?” Sora’s eyes lit up, adding them a few shades of red.

“Absolutely, I know it’s scary, but no matter the outcome, you’ll come out a winner.” Sora could not resist, and she knew Koushiro was not much for physical affection, but she hugged him. Their friendship was nothing like any other duo in their group, they communicated through an unspoken language, which assured her she had made the right choice. She felt almost in peace.

“You’ll be the first one to know once it happens, I promise.” And Sora wasn’t one to break a promise, she started planning her next move that very same night.

[sorasfishing]

🎶#Noctislistening Digidestined Series🎶

This is a series of posts in which I analyze character connections to headcanons of their musical tastes; that, or just me rambling and reminiscing about the artists included in these playlists! Each post is link heavy. Please note that the opinions are my own. <3

Featured playlists:

Digidestined FM - @earlgreymon (Adventure 01) (FM)

Digidestined-inspired - @tangledupblue (Adventure 01 & 02) (DI)

#Noctislistening List 

*Including two artists from each respective playlist (FM & DI) 

Taichi - FM: One OK Rock, Linkin Park | DI: Gym Class Heroes, Imagine Dragons

Yamato - FM: The 1975, Queen | DI: Arctic Monkeys, Matchbox Twenty

Miyako - DI: Katrina & The Waves, Spice Girls

Jou - FM: Kings of Convenience, Sigur Ros | DI: Enya, Debussy (bonus: ocean sounds~)

Koushiro - FM: Daft Punk, Pentatonix | DI: Jamiroquai, Alan Walker

Iori - DI: Laura Pausini, Sufjan Stevens

Mimi

Takeru

Daisuke

Hikari

Ken

Sora

Please tell me your favorites from any of these playlists, or share/recommend any playlists inspired by the Digidestined/Chosen Children!

[seventeenlovesthree]

Fandom Shipping Polls - Takeru Takaishi Shipping Analysis (Poll I + Poll II)

As pointed out in the main post, every single Chosen Child will get their individual analysis post to check on the status of the current popularity of their ships. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at Takeru, shall we!

The overall results / spreadsheet

Disclaimer: As the “Someone from 01/02″ and “Others” options from poll 1 and the “Someone from 01/02″ option from poll 2 have been excluded from the final analysis due to redundancy reasons and all results were culminated in another “final count”, the results will not be 1:1 to what the polls look like:

Overall votes: 135 (approx. 110 in sum after the exclusion), the main poll got 92 votes, the secondary poll got 43 votes.

The “Others” choice in the main poll received 3% (approx. 3 votes) and 7% (approx. 3 votes) in the secondary poll. The comments/tags did specify preferences outside of the selection of characters that were part of the main polls and will be discussed in the results.

Ship Analysis

1st place: With one of the biggest leads among all polls analyzed so far, Hikari (53%) has won Takeru’s poll(s) with 59 votes overall, barely facing any competition whatsoever. And that should not be surprising by any means, as Takeru and Hikari are continuously framed together throughout basically all iterations of Digimon Adventure in a way that may or may not be interpreted as them being “kindred souls”. They’re mirrored as holders of two of the most important Crests and partners of angel Digimon, fueling the development and arcs of their brothers respectively. Not only are they sharing all of these similarities, being two of the youngest members of the team, growing through the seasons; but they are generally seen spending time, being next to each other on good, mutually protective and caring terms, which are among the reasons that make them one of the most popular Digimon ships world wide.

2nd place: With a huge gap to the 1st place, Daisuke (18%) comes in second. His popularity here may be explained by the idea that he’s supposed to be a foil to Takeru in a similar way Taichi is to Yamato - even though their dynamic as so called “rivals” does not play out in the same way at all. Despite the occasional bickering, it’s portrayed to be more lighthearted, especially on Takeru’s behalf, who likes to tease Daisuke, making for a mutually challenging, yet very playful dynamic. 

3rd place: The 3rd spot hasn’t been secure for long periods of the voting time and may as well have turned out as a tie between four different parties, namely Iori, Meiko, Catherine - and Taichi (6%), who eventually won this race by merely one vote. Taichi being here may not be surprising, as Takeru is shown to be looking up to him quite a lot, while Taichi displays a protective yet encouraging attitude towards him as well. Additionally, looking at the other winners of Takeru’s poll - people might have a preference to pair him up with Yagamis and/or goggleheads.

Honorary mentions: As mentioned above, several choices were up against each other for third place, as Iori, Meiko and Catherine were all coming in with 5% - with Iori being Takeru’s Jogress partner, Meiko being a character he’s being mirrored with in terms of the loss of his partner (while also flirting with her a lot) and Catherine being played as a 1-episode-only-love-interest. Other hororary mentions here are Sora (2%) and Ken (2%).

“The 1 vote squad”: This spot is reserved for Miyako, Koushiro and Mimi (1% each). 

“0 votes go to…”: Jou and Menoa are the only characters that received 0 votes.

Annotations: Yamato was automatically excluded as a choice up front. Yamakeru does not seem to be a wide-spread choice in English speaking fandoms, even if a look at Japanese centric spaces may suggest that it’s fairly popular there.

What did the other polls say?

Takeru won Hikari’s (44%) and Iori’s poll (22%) and came in second in Daisuke’s (11%), thus mirroring his own to at least a certain degree.  

For almost every other character, he was a very niche choice, namely Meiko (4%), Ken (3%), Taichi (2%), Mimi (2%), Sora (1%) and Koushiro (1%).

He received 0 votes in the polls for Miyako and Jou, thus having nobody vote for Joukeru as a viable option at all.

Notable additions / comments / thoughts

The overall impression for Takeru is that, while he has a bigger variety in votes than other characters (indicated by the number of characters competing for third place), the majority of voters still appears to be pretty set on who they ship him with. And they also seem to be quite passionate about that in general, as Takeru was the character who received the third most votes overall (after Taichi and Ken). This becomes obvious in particular when it comes to Hikari in particular and is, as mentioned above, not surprising at all, as they have been going strong in fandom ever since the conception of Digimon Adventure and them being set-up as mirrors to each other after the Vamdemon arc. Some may see it as fate, others may see it as them actually breaking through these kinds of stereotypes, which makes it very appealing.

As for the other viable choices, one should not overlook that Takeru had been among the youngest characters in Adventure and was thus not really likely to be shipped with older characters (Jou in particular). The parallel he shares with Daisuke in opposition to how Taichi’s and Yamato’s bond is portrayed makes their popularity understandable, especially since they’re closer in age. The only exceptions here are Taichi and Iori, with both sharing age differences with him in both directions, but still display significant bonds throughout the anime to make people prefer them.

Interestingly enough, the options outside of the main cast have also been comparably popular - this can be seen not only due to Catherine and Meiko receiving as many votes as they did (6 respectively).

Aside from characters who have already been among the main choices (Hikari, Daisuke and Iori in particular), the comment section/tags also revealed that there is a niche preference to ship Takeru with (certain humanoid) Digimon as well (namely Angemon, Vamdemon and Piemon). Among all polls, this was one of the few that actually addressed that preference in the first place, which is to be expected in a series that primarily focuses on the relationship between humans and said monsters. Usually, the option is reserved for OC ships, for when people prefer to not ship a character at all or when they’re preferred to be asexual (which will definitely be a future option to include as well!). Thus, I really hope to reach a wider audience if I choose to repeat the polls.

Other Analysis Posts 

Taichi Yagami Shipping Analysis

Yamato Ishida Shipping Analysis

Sora Takenouchi Shipping Analysis

Koushiro Izumi Shipping Analysis

Mimi Tachikawa Shipping Analysis

Jou Kido Shipping Analysis

Hikari Yagami Shipping Analysis

Daisuke Motomiya Shipping Analysis

Ken Ichijouji Shipping Analysis

Miyako Inoue Shipping Analysis

Iori Hida Shipping Analysis

Meiko Mochizuki Shipping Analysis

[koushirouizumi]

{D I G I M O N} ~ KIZUNA x + T H E . B E G I N N I N G + S T E V E {Jewish-American Chosen} x Koushiro {KouSteve} / {SteveKou} / {KouSteveKou}

Edit by @izzyizumi / koushirouizumi

{Do Not R E P O S T} {Do Not R E P R O D U C E My Edits + My Works Under Any Circumstances}

(Details of this A.U. under the 'read more'!) {Not too spoilery for "The Beginning", but some light references are made regarding the timeline!}

For Autism Awareness Month {April in U.S.+World} {Autistic!Koushiro Headcanon} + Jewish-American Heritage Month {May in U.S.}

-A.U. {Alternate Universe} where Koushiro and Steve have notably more {visible to "Viewer"/"Reader"}; One-on-one interaction between "Our War Game" (and most {eventual} International Chosen discovering "The Network" and Koushiro's involvements in helping + observing it + keep the Inter-national Chosen connected) and "The Beginning";

-In "The Beginning", as the U.S. Chosen are gathered, while it's not outright stated, it's not unreasonable to assume they were keeping an eye on Network updates made by Miyako earlier on to the Network, also often related via Koushiro, {+related by 02 Chosen}. (The pattern in my A.U.s overall likely goes, Koushiro -> Miyako + 02 Chosen {+Iori}; then, 02 Chosen -> back to Koushiro when involving 02 team's extended efforts, who actively helps analyze any info they send, then shares it + any theorizing to the Network)

-In this A.U., Steve, who as a Jew doesn't particularly 'enjoy' being kept in the 'dark' about Whats Happening to the Self when it's impacting Steve's {religious} (+daily) life, ends up reaching out to Koushiro earlier on to try and get to know the Chosen in Odaiba better, and also show solidarity with Koushiro's group's efforts. In the end, it's likely because of Koushiro's extended earlier efforts, as well as getting to know the U.S. Chosen better in Steve's own time, that Steve succeeds in remaining semi-active as a main member of the U . S. Chosen, and semi-active in acting as support that can easily be called upon, like most International Chosen.

-Koushiro and Steve in this A.U. share a friendship and communication style that TRANSCENDS what most may think of as "friendship" or "good" styles of ""communication"" - both know (Steve especially also knowing thanks to own culture) that no matter how far apart they are, they can always rely on each other to be there when needed (or wanted), even if it's difficult to "physically" meet up in off-line life.

-As stated in this scene, Steve wasn't necessarily first 'Chosen' in 1991, or at least not 'exactly' in the same timeframe as Michael. (I also headcanon Steve being some months older than Michael, who I consider to be around the same age/Japanese school year as Koushiro and Mimi, so Steve would possibly be on the older end of year, for the most part, if not born the same year/timeframe as Taichi, just Chosen a little later.)

[digitalgate02]

Part two of that AU setting.

( PLEASE DO NOT ADD ANTI-▽ COMMENTS/TAGS ON IT. Like i said before, i do not like fix-it attitude, i prefer AUs instead. AUs are valid and free to our own interpretation. If i see any hate on this or on ▽ you will be immediately blocked ^_^💢 )

[Part one here]

Here's the next five pages.

The group’s reunion

Hikari and Takeru told Taichi and Yamato about the incident. Iori and Miyako told Koushiro instead. The group decided to gather somewhere as soon as possible, but Daisuke was too upset to come. They left Ken to handle this, since he’s Daisuke’s best friend after all.

In this emergency reunion, the remaining 02 group explained what happened. Koushiro was aware of the investigations on this lady, Himekawa at least. What made them wary was the anonymous message of someone mentioning a mysterious partner digimon, and the younger kids deduced it meant Meicoomon. But… who is Meicoomon? They left the cat digimon with Koushiro, in his office – handed by a very rich developer friend from Europe, with all the equipment he needed for his own personal server. Miyako has access to this place, as if she was a co-owner of it. The digimon was on a special data realm inside this server, including Meicoomon (Or else it would’ve been too crowded, like 10 kids and 11 digimon in the same space… oh no).

None of the seniors were happy with the news of the 02 group losing a 50ft dragon who can destroy an entire country with one move. Yeah, they weren’t angry though, it wasn’t the younger six’s intention. But now they have a big problem in their hands.

To change the gloomy mood, Hikari then went back to the discussion about Meicoomon being not a lost wild digimon and yes partnered with someone. Which means they have yet to find whoever is her partner. Meicoomon was a little nervous surrounded by the kids’ partners in Koushiro’s experimental server, but she hadn’t snapped yet. Perhaps because they weren’t a threat to her? Maybe her nervousness was just social anxiety…

The seniors decided the best they could do is seek for anyone in Tokyo who had lost a digimon, but this is something unusual – Digimon partners don’t go wandering anywhere like an earthling pet cat. They would rather stay and wait for their human partner than running around the town. Then… Meicoomon spoke.

And she said she was at home waiting for her partner, Mei, but… Something hostile came. Meicoomon had severe social anxiety apparently, so she spoke with pauses and shuttering. After all, she only knew Meiko for so long and had almost zero contact with other digimon or people. This was her first time talking to “strangers”.

Now they got some idea of what happened, and a hint to whom to look for. Mimi gently assured Meicoomon they would protect her, and find her partner Mei. Though Koushiro’s silence meant he was analyzing the information he got from the kids and Meicoomon.

“A digimon coming after another… A strange ink leaking into Imperialdramon… This mysterious woman called Himekawa Maki sent a request for data of something not elaborated. An anonymous message about an unknown partner digimon on the loose…”

Yeah, all of those… Could they be related to each other?

Meeting Meiko

With the 02 group down to 4 digimon and 4 kids (Daisuke was still upset, Ken was trying his best to lift his spirits up, but felt like Daisuke was not in the right shape to be involved with this case), the older six had to find time to help with their search. At this point, the number of Chosen Children around the world was at the 2,048 mark and doubling year by year. Someone somewhere in Tokyo had lost their digimon, after all!

Taichi’s group searched in places they go more often, at school, in their buildings and residential complexes, meanwhile Miyako tried the luck online. Iori, Takeru and Hikari tried their best at the same spots they went and were at least one of two kids with a digimon in public.

The groups were almost hopeless when Taichi met this girl looking for a “Mei-chan” at the ferris-wheel area. He, a very awkward dude around girls who’re not Hikari-Sora-Mimi-and-Miyako, took time to say something. He just blurted “I FOUND YOUR CAT” and she stared at him in confusion. First, how did he know “Mei-chan” is a cat? And two, what is he doing with her cat!? Before he could explain, she walked til him and asked to take her to Mei-chan. Fine?? Well, that was a very awkward first encounter.

Taichi then brought her to Koushiro’s office, where she got reunited with Meicoomon. Agumon, who watched Taichi be a complete idiot in front of a girl, just asked why he screamed ‘I FOUND YOUR CAT’ out of the blue. Taichi blushed in shame and told Agumon to forget it. Meiko then started asking how did Taichi know about her cat, why was he with her and most importantly if no one got hurt. Koushiro raised an eyebrow at that last question though.

Taichi just… Told her his little sister and her friends found the cat. That it was under attack. Koushiro added that they received an anonymous message warning them about a lost partner digimon. Meiko’s reaction was a vague “Oh” and then she looked at the duo, revealing it was her the one who sent an anonymous message. Tentomon then asks why she sent it anonymously and she just replies that Meicoomon is a special digimon.

Suspicious…

They introduce themselves and only now Taichi realizes she lives around his building complex, and that she’s from his class. It’s just he never thought someone else from his class would have a digimon or a digivice. Koushiro sighs and “Then you didn’t ask no one at school?” “SORA ASKED FIRST! It would annoy them being asked again!!” to only Meiko apologize for not being at class the time they were looking for her. They assure her it was okay and that at least everything is fine… At least for now.

But Koushiro was still curious about Meiko’s third question – Sure, no one got hurt, but why would she ask that? Was she involved with what happened to Imperialdramon anyway? And seemed like she was hiding something else from them. Once she left, Koushiro and Taichi discussed a little more about this first meeting. Meiko is suspicious, he concluded. Taichi frowned, she never was the kind to be shady at all, at least she was pretty straightforward and honest with everyone until now. Was something happening to her and she didn’t want to involve them?

Poison

The seniors decided to take the case from their juniors, at least until they could solve Imperialdramon’s issue. But, this didn’t mean they couldn’t assist in small activities, like… Keeping them informed about Daisuke’s current status.

Not that he was “worse” but it wasn’t that “well” either. He never experienced something like this, he only witnessed it happening to Wallace and Taichi though. Ken kept trying to cheer him up, but somehow the one who once didn’t think too hard on things… Was completely doomed by fears of never seeing V-mon again or even… If they have to put Imperialdramon down. Those thoughts were haunting Daisuke like his shadow casting on the floor.

He just became completely broken at this point. But was trying to keep it to himself, and it wasn’t working at all. They all knew. They all could see it. Miyako tried to tell him Koushiro and her were searching for whatever was that, according to their own witnesses. Daisuke tried to smile but yeah, he was all mopey yet. Concerning.

This was all what someone wanted to happen. A strong partner in hands, one of the bravest Chosen Child broken and vulnerable… It was the perfect moment to attack.

Yet… Said person felt lonely. A deep loneliness, and seeing this kid sitting on this coffee shop table with his friends, trying to hide his pain from them… Ah, it felt so… familiar.

Now that Meicoomon was behaving nicely, and Meiko started communicating with Taichi and Koushiro, who also introduced them to the others, life felt a little better. At least Daisuke was relieved that the lost digimon partner had found her human. He wasn’t jealous of it at all, he was just too concerned with his own digimon (also Ken’s) that jealousy was such a waste of time for him.

The moment he left alone, heading home, some woman in a black suit intercepted him. At first he’s all wary and nervous since he has no digimon to protect him, but she just handed him a visit card. He takes it and reads the name in it:

Himekawa Maki.

He felt butterflies in his stomach. It was the same person he and his friends had received a request to recover some data, the same woman they investigated and discovered she was working for a government department. The one who claimed to be a “former Chosen Child”.

He doesn’t know what to do: to run and call for Taichi’s help, or to keep it cool and try to discover what is this data she wanted so hard. His choice was to just refuse to talk to her, he kept walking, and she came after him. She was indeed shady and he didn’t want to talk with that person at all. Until she pushed the right buttons about “knowing that feel” of losing a digimon. He stopped and glanced at her: V-mon wasn’t dead (he hoped so) and even if he were dead he could just wait for him to be reborn in a DigiEgg (which he also hoped for).

Then, the final attack: “What if the egg never hatched?” And that question just made him silent. This is not possible, he believed. He wouldn’t want that to happen, he would… He would NEVER forgive himself if V-mon and Wormmon never come back. Ah yes, he was so vulnerable right now… Almost there.

“What if I could help you? What if you get me certain data I could prevent this from happening?” she said with a smirk. It’s like he would accept it, she could feel it… Until he snapped and said she would never help her. He’s not sassier like Ken or good at sick burns like Iori or passive-aggressive like Takeru, so he was just blunt.

It was when another man, wearing a star-stamped shirt, shorts and pink crocs popped from somewhere and stood for him. Telling that woman to leave him alone. That man was Nishijima Daigo. She bit her lips but left, and then Daigo asked if the kid was okay. Daisuke said yes, and thanked the man. He then revealed that that woman was his ex, and she used to be nice. Daisuke frowned, and then the guy said to him to not worry about it.

Daisuke asked him if she ever talked about having a digimon or digivice… Only to have Daigo show a digivice, though this one was older than Taichi’s model. Surprised, the kid exclaims and then asks where his digimon is, and Daigo’s answer is that his partner is protecting the Digital World. At first Daisuke thinks it’s Qinglongmon, but he learns it’s another kind of Holy Beast they never had met before. Anyway, that’s cool huh!?

A few meters away from there, Maki just whispers that that kid will come to ask for her help soon.

Rampage

The first alert Koushiro got on his system was a huge cloud of data covering Odaiba. He expected this meant one thing – Imperialdramon. He warned Taichi immediately, and asked everyone to come. But by Ken’s request, they asked them to not warn Daisuke for some reason. Why leave Daisuke out? He wasn’t ready to watch them fighting Imperialdramon themselves and would be risky for their friend. Ken also asked to not take part of it, he was just assisting in another sub-case they were on. But Ken just said to be careful because of that strange “ink”.

Somehow Meicoomon told Meiko she wanted to help. Meiko asks why and the cat digimon says they have to help, which is not a good answer except Meicoomon wanted so hard to retribute to those children for helping her out against MetallifeKuwagamon. Meiko knew her partner couldn’t evolve but…!! She went to her dad’s office in the apartment and searched for the papers about Meicoomon. She remembered hearing that Meicoomon had a special power, but they never told her what it was. At this point, Meiko thought they made Meicoomon in order to help the digimon, but she didn’t know the real purpose for them in that project. Meicoomon keeps insisting they should go help them, and then Meiko leaves without checking the folder with details of “Project Mei” she was carrying with her.

Miyako and Iori were about to go, but for some reason, Ken called them for another mission. One about researching that top secret project they found out.

Mimi, Jou, Sora, Yamato, Takeru and Hikari came immediately to try to bring Imperialdramon back, at least to make Daisuke less worried. And at most to prevent a good amount of casualties. Koushiro went there with his laptop. Even if he and the rest weren’t strong enough to fight Imperialdramon, they could assist by investigating the mysterious “ink” and escorting people to a safer area while Omegamon handled their friend.

And it was exactly like that: The remaining 6 were escorting and shielding innocents. Omegamon was right there in the battlefront, fighting Imperialdramon. Koushiro was with Taichi and Yamato instead, and Tentomon (as AtlurKabuterimon) was helping to keep other people safe, securing their exit.

Omegamon dragged Imperialdramon to the same spot Vamdemon had made its headquarters in Odaiba, because no one would interrupt them there and everyone would be safe. However, Omegamon had the hard task to prevent Imperialdramon from shooting laser beams against the buildings.

It’s impossible to hide a 50ft dragon from the public. News networks were already making news reports and warnings. It would be impossible to prevent Daisuke from learning that. It wasn’t at all. And he was on his way to do something stupid as the usual. Jun went with him and brought Pulsemon, her partner, just in case.

Meanwhile, Ken, Miyako and Iori were searching for anything about that mysterious top secret project they had found out before. Anything that could lend them a hand. Why was Ken so interested in it? Because some things weren’t clicking – Meicoomon being a target, a strange request for data coming from Himekawa, them losing Imperialdramon to some weird ink-like substance… 

Meiko and Meicoomon came, talked to Koushiro about them being able to stop Imperialdramon, and they tried to join the battle without their approval. Meicoomon then changed forms to Meicrackmon (normal) and joined the fight.

The rest of the digimon returned back to the battle spot, now trying to keep the news reporters away from the battle. Daisuke arrives with his sister and Pulsemon, tries to break into the battle, but Angemon and Angewomon try to keep him outside. Jun tells them maybe they should go home, but he insists he can make Imperialdramon come back to his senses. Takeru tries to assure him Imperialdramon will be fine, that they can bring him back.

Meicrackmon was not strong enough to face a big and powerful digimon as Imperialdramon, but she could at least make things harder for him. Omegamon focused on attacking and the other digimon kept protecting the news reporters and their partners. 

The kids tried to tell the media to leave, but they were too stubborn. Then, Jun left Daisuke in the hands of Sora and Jou, and tried to lure the news reporters to another place: By telling them there was some other breaking news in another place. It didn’t work quickly, but Jun showed them a video of the Tokyo Tower – there was another digimon on the loose and Momoe & Chizuru were there, on live, reporting that. Of course all of those people followed Jun and Runnermon, so the area got free from those people. Except for Yamato’s dad, he was mostly worried about lending them a hand in keeping that area restricted from the populace.Said video was fake, of course, but the Inoue sisters were on board in helping their little sister’s friends. 

Daisuke kept asking them to let him talk with Imperialdramon, but they knew it wasn’t possible to approach the giant dragon at the moment. To him, he would only want Imperialdramon to be taken down if there’s no other option. But he believed that could be avoided.

Koushiro then shouts telling them to NOT approach Imperialdramon and that he probably identified something like a parasite digimon in the opponent’s body. Taichi and Yamato gasp, but pass the order to Omegamon immediately. Though it was too late as Meicrackmon is too close to Imperialdramon right now. Something like a blob of ink jumps from Imperialdramon to Meicrackmon, who starts suffering a mutation. She becomes Vicious Mode and attacks Omegamon and Imperialdramon mercilessly. Meiko is in shock, Daisuke fears for the worst.

Imperialdramon jogress breaks and two Digieggs fall on the ground. Meicrackmon then disappears in a strange distortion caused by her immense power and leaves. The kids reunite with their digimon, and Taichi lends Daisuke one of the eggs. The boy is still petrified, but he knows this means V-mon and Wormmon will come back, right?

Takeru takes the other egg, with heart patterns, and decides to deliver it to Ken. Daisuke asks if he could go with him and Hikari says she’s going with them.

The seniors now try to reach Meiko, but she was in shock. What was happening to them all?

The truth

Ken and the other juniors finish their investigation and they send the results to Koushiro. Seems like Meiko was holding a big secret but couldn’t give them details. Then, Koushiro asked her to talk with him about that. Taichi was curious about it somehow, Yamato declined in order to prepare for a new concert of his new band, and Daisuke was actually babysitting V-mon and Wormmon’s eggs.

Meiko accepted speaking the truth, and revealed to Koushiro, Taichi and the other five kids from 02 group, about Meicoomon’s origin. An experimental artificial digimon project. Ken then mentions that the project started after their showdown with BelialVamdemon, and that it lasted for 3 years at least and then it was canceled. Meiko then handed Koushiro the papers she had “borrowed” from her dad’s office and they took a look at them.

Koushiro raises an eyebrow. Then Miyako asks if she knew something about it. Meiko says no, and they look at each other. Yeah, there’s more than that.

Taichi asks “Huh, what else is in it?” and Koushiro explains that Meicoomon is a weapon made to restrain the digimon from attacking, and even destroying them. Basically, she corrupts their data and corrupts them til they’re destroyed. Meiko gasps loudly, and then refuses the idea her sweet Meicoomon would kill a digimon.

Iori takes a look in the papers and recognizes one of the scientists related to the project: Himekawa Maki. The same person who was trying to ask them to do some dirty job. Also the same person Daisuke had commented to have met before until a man told her to leave him alone. Meiko then comments that she knew the project’s staff, so that name wasn’t strange at all.

Taichi asks if Omegamon and Imperialdramon are safe or not, since they saw Meicoomon attacking but it didn’t seem to have a huge effect on them. Ken explains that, according to those papers they’re reading right now, Meicoomon isn’t supposed to take her opponents down immediately and yes by poisoning them until their systems stop working. “Ah, that makes sense– Wait–” And then Koushiro adds that they can scan Agumon and Gabumon in order to check if they were corrupted. Taichi seems uneasy but he’s sure they need to do that. Ken calls Daisuke and asks him to bring the eggs to Koushiro’s office.

Meiko is so ashamed of all of this, but Hikari assures her they’re not mad and she hasn’t known that until now. But Meiko wanted to ask her father about this so hard, and why he didn’t tell her that at all. Miyako reveals more details hidden by the government, like an incident involving Meicoomon years ago, which made Meiko want to interrogate her dad even more.

Daisuke left the eggs with Koushiro, to scan them and was hoping they’re fine, and tried to distract himself with something else. Then, he asks Koushiro what they could do if their partners had their data corrupted, making the older boy suspect of him knowing something else. Daisuke is a bad liar, so he was definitely trying to not worry everyone.

The results are in – their data were corrupted at least, but some strange numbers were showing. Taichi, Yamato, Daisuke and Ken were a little concerned now, but Koushiro believes this can be fixed, he only needs to know how first.

Daisuke then decides to share the details he heard from Himekawa. Meanwhile Meiko confronts her dad.

[Final part here]

[izzyizumi]

* D O . N O T . R E B L O G [PS@]

I’d just like to reiterate here

Please DO NOT use my @.utistic!Koushiro headcanons / analysis series as a means of spreading further canon hate/criticisms.

You are completely missing the point of the series if you do that because the point of this series is to make a positive case for @.utistic!/Neuro-divergent!Koushiro headcanons as a potential CANON reading, not to spread further Advs hate because your Advs ship[s] didn’t become canon in Tri or whatever.

They also should not be used to further criticise Tri!Koushiro or Tri!Taichi or any other of Koushiro’s relationships. If you do this you are ALSO missing the point because the whole point of the series is to analyze their actions in THE CANON, and how they relate back to how Koushiro acts in the JPN version of early Adventures.

Thank you

[digitalworldbound]

Koumi Headcanons

🌸Mimi loves to cook for Koushiro. Whether it’s a three course meal or instant ramen, she loves to see the small smile contentment that forms on his face after the first bite. 

🌸Koushiro, not being the best with verbal affection, always has little gifts for Mimi. He'll grab her arm and slip on a charm bracelet that reminds him of her, or leave a bouquet of lillies in his office for her to find.

🌸They love analyzing movies together. Ruthlessly, they pick apart plots and scripts, insisting that even they could write/act/sing/dance better. Both of them probably have an unspoken competition to see who can find the absolute worst film (and so far, Kou is in the lead).

🌸Sometimes, Mimi will silently flip through a magazine or a borrowed novel ("Miyako has the best taste in romance!") while Koushiro flips through news channels or works on his laptop. They find peace in quietly existing next to one another.

🌸Forehead kisses make Mimi weak at the knees. (if you ask her about it, she’ll deny it!)