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tobiasdrake · 3 months ago

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Digimon Adventure 02 Movie: Hurricane Touchdown & Transcendent Evolution!! The Golden Digimentals, Part 3

Previously on Digimon Adventure: This special has insufficient Mimi. It literally has negative Mimi. She was here and then they subtracted her from the film.

Oh and also Wallace's kid died, which was so genuinely sad that Daisuke cried for like two minutes of screentime and it wasn't even his kid. ...I should have led with that instead of the Mimi deficiency.

I wasn't sure going in if this would be a three or four part series, but I had a feeling it was going to end up being four. I can now say that with certainty.

We rejoin Wendimon wriggling in place and chanting in unison with Chocomon. Their voices discordant, with speaking in different rhythms and inflections, drowning each other out even as they say the same words.

As they do, reality takes on an eerie purple sheen, as if the space we're in is threatening to change.

Wendimon & Chocomon: Go back! Go back! Go back! Go back! Go back! Go back! Go back! Go back!

Wallace stands up and confronts them firmly.

Wallace: That can't happen, Chocomon. We can't go back to those times. We have to start over from here. Chocomon: Come here? Wendimon: COME OVER HERE!!!

A request from Chocomon, followed by a furious demand from Wendimon when the request goes unheeded.

Wallace: Chocomon... I....

Wallace looks down at Gummymon for a moment. Then he delivers his answer.

Wallace: ...can't go. Wendimon: (English) NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

The dub is still skipping footage to get to the next part.

There's kind of important subtlety here: Chocomon and Wendimon aren't the same. They want the same thing, but they aren't the same. There are two Chocomons here, and that's weird. The discordant voices, the way they chant the same words past each other but aren't in unison, is our first hint at the presence of the other.

In the Redub, their chanting is perfectly synced. This is because the Redub has its own take on Chocomon and Wendimon. To the Redub, they are the same, and so their voices chant in unison.

Kokomon & Wendimon: Go... back... go... back.... Willis: We can't, Kokomon. We can't go back to those times anymore, so let's start over from here. Kokomon & Wendimon: Come... here... where... I am.... Willis: Kokomon... I can't. (Willis looks down at Gummymon) Willis: I won't. Kokomon: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

They also dropped Wallace's moment of hesitation. In the original, when Kokomon and Wendimon discordantly ask/demand for Wallace to come to them, he hesitates. His willpower falters and he briefly considers relenting, before the sight of Gummymon fills him with the resolve to tell them no.

Willis does not falter. He tells them no, looks at Gummymon, then reaffirms the answer already given.

Wendimon's cry of anguish shakes the world around them. Daisuke and V-mon hurry to Wallace's side.

Daisuke: Wallace!

Rejected, Wendimon suddenly enters into an evolution sphere, similar to the way Gummymon evolved earlier.

Wallace: Daisuke.... Daisuke: Huh?

What emerges is Antiramon.

Antiramon is a Perfect-stage Virus-attribute Sacred Beast Digimon. Their name comes from Antira, one of the Twelve Heavenly Generals of the medicinal Buddha, Yakushi Nyorai.

At some point, the Twelve Heavenly Generals became conflated with the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac, with each General given a headdress connecting them to their associated animal. Antira is the Heavenly General associated with the Rabbit, which is why this Digimon is referencing him.

Of note, there are a few ways I've seen that name spelled in English: Andira, Antira, and Anchira across different sources. The official English name for this Digimon, Antylamon, is not any of them. Presumably, that happened because Americans don't know who the Twelve Heavenly Generals are and just had to take a shot in the dark at how this name is supposed to be spelled.

I'm going with Antiramon because the name in the Digimon Reference Guide アンティラモン uses the spelling ティ ti instead of ディ di or チ chi. But just for added confusion, the English section of the reference guide spells it "Andiramon".

Wallace: Can you beat them, Daisuke? Will you help me defeat them?

Gummymon doesn't need to hear another word. They step up and evolve into their Galgomon form, ready to fight. At the same time, Miyako and Iori make their way over to the others.

This is where the movie dub finally comes back in. In response to Willis asking what more he wants beyond Willis physically coming here, Kokomon lets out a roar. His two voices are still speaking in unison.

Kokomon: De... stroy... DESTROOOOOOOOOOOY!!! (Davis and Veemon join Willis) Davis: He has a lot of issues. (Kokomon Digivolves) Willis: He's Digivolving! (Kokomon emerges in his Antylamon form) Willis: Terriermon, be careful; He's stronger now!

Terriermon does the full "Terriermon digivolve to... GARGOMON" bit, but Kokomon does not. I wonder if they might not have known what Chocomon's evolved forms are supposed to be called, since none of them are ever named in the movie. But none of Gummymon's forms are named either, so IDK.

Joining in, each of the three Chosen Children contribute their partners to the impending fight.

Daisuke: (somber) Let's go, V-mon. DIGIMENTAL UP!!! Iori: (politely) We should go, Armadimon. DIGIMENTAL UP!!! Miyako: Let's go, Hawkmon! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Three versions of the same line but slightly different due to personality and sentiment. Daisuke, in particular, is solemn about having to do this because he was on Wallace's side with this whole "We'll just get Chocomon back and have happy endings all around" thing. This outcome is a downer for him too.

In the dub:

Davis: Veemon!!! Your turn!!! Show him what you're made of! Cody: Armadillomon! You too! Yolei: Hawkmon! Go for it!

The dub skips the usual callouts of "DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE" for the three Partners' Digivolution sequences.

The Redub skips Davis's callout but keeps the other two.

Davis: Let's go! Come on, Veemon! We gotta help Gargomon! Cody: Armadillomon, you too! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! Yolei: Hawkmon, go for it! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

Cody and Yolei sound as off doing the stock lines as Davis did earlier, though in their case it's due to brand new actors saying the familiar thing for the first time instead of an old actor who's decades out of practice.

Hawkmon's still got it, though. His hooting "TOOOOOOOO" during his callout is perfectly owlish.

Fladramon, Digmon, and Horusmon armor up to fight Antiramon. They rush Antiramon together.

It does not go well.

On approach, Fladramon bounds into the air high above the target. His gauntlets glow red-hot, as if setting up to a Knuckle Fire to open the assault.

But Antiramon has the Armor Digimon far outmatched. They move in an instant, appearing in Fladramon's space. Fladramon hesitates a moment, stunned by the sudden appearance of his enemy, and that hesitation costs him. Antiramon spins, slapping Fladramon out of the air and sending him crashing into the cliffside below.

Horusmon and Digmon group up, confronting Antiramon on the ground. But again, Antiramon's speed is too much. They rush past Digmon and Horusmon, clocking the pair's heads together as they go, then fling the both of them into the cliffside as well.

The movie dub has Flamedramon call his aborted attack.

Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!!

They cut the shot of Antylamon's twirling smackdown but keep Flamedramon hitting the cliff. It's kind of confusing because you have absolutely no idea what hit him, but also kind of scarier for that same reason. Since the point is to convey Antiramon as being too fast to follow, that chaotic bit of action still works pretty well.

When Halsemon and Digmon group up, they riff on a bit of animation where Digmon stumbles getting into position.

Digmon: I'll trip him up! (stumbles) Whoa! Almost tripped myself!

They then cut the shot of Antylamon grabbing the pair and clocking their heads together, and go straight to Antylamon flinging them into the cliffside.

The Redub includes Flamedramon's callout of Fire Rocket and adds a line to Daisuke's reaction shot when he gets hit.

Davis: NO, FLAMEDRAMON!!!

But they don't keep Digmon's laugh line.

Galgomon's turn. They take to the air and unload their miniguns. Antiramon backflips away from the line of fire until they reach the edge of the cliff, then bounds to the cliffside across from them. Galgomon moves in, landing on the cliffside and keeping the pressure on with both barrels.

Antiramon backs off, disappearing around a corner. Galgomon attempts to bound around the corner, but Antiramon once again is too quick. Rushing Galgomon suddenly, they snatch their quarry by the face. Galgomon gets off one blind shot into the air before Antiramon flings them into the river at the bottom of the canyon.

Galgomon skips several times across the water from the force of Antiramon's throw.

Daisuke and Wallace run to keep up with the fighting.

Daisuke: Hey! Is that Chocomon thing just playing with us!?

An interesting note here is that Daisuke doesn't refer to Antiramon as Chocomon. He calls them チョコモンやつ Chocomon yatsu. やつ yatsu is a versatile word that can be used to say "that person" but in a disrespectful way, but can also be used as filler if you don't know what the thing is called. That thing, the red thing, the one you use to make the smoothies and it spins, that thing.

Instead of calling them Chocomon, Daisuke refers to Antiramon as that thing using Chocomon as a descriptor. It's a small thing, but it sows another seed of doubt that maybe... maybe that thing isn't Chocomon after all.

The dub has Gargomon call this attack too.

Gargomon: GARGO PELLETS!!!

They also add a cartoonish yowl when Gargomon's tossed. But they remove Daisuke's line to Wallace. They keep the shot, but they just have Davis and Willis breathing heavily while they run.

The Redub also does the calling of the attack and the cartoonish yowl.

Davis: Hey, doesn't it seem like he's toying with us!?

Redub Davis isn't as sharp-edged with his wording as Daisuke.

Galgomon skips across the water until they slam into the cliff at the end of it, then fall on their back on hard, rocky ground below. Antiramon pursues them, slowly descending into the river. They step down onto the water's surface, sending a small ripple across it.

Galgomon stands up, steels themselves, and raises their minigun at Antiramon for another round.

The movie dub cuts the shot of Galgomon slamming into the cliff and falling on their back, as well as trimming out Antiramon's descent. We go straight from Gargomon skipping across the water to getting up and pointing their minigun at Antylamon.

Galgomon: Don't make me do this!

The Redub is as quiet as the original.

Antiramon takes a step forward but, suddenly, the cavalry is here. Fladramon crashes down into a shallow part of the lake.

I'M NOT IMPRESSED!!! I CAN DO THAT TOO!!!

Fladramon: Playtime's over, Bunny-chan. Daisuke: YOU TELL THEM, FLADRAMON!!!

Horusmon is next to arrive, soaring down the middle of the canyon to fly above the lake.

Horusmon: Your power is vast, but we can't afford to lose.

Antiramon turns their head to look at Horusmon. But then a section of the cliffside explodes, revealing a tunneling Digmon.

Digmon: And I'm here too dagyaa!

Riveting. Thank you, Digmon. Iori's Digimon giving some real kid brother energy when it comes to the quality of everyone's smack talk.

Miyako: They all look so cool! Iori: Although Digmon's delivery was a little too plain for an entrance like that. Miyako: He's just like you, Iori.

Oh good, Miyako agrees. XD

In the dub:

Flamedramon: How do you like your Kokomon: Flame-broiled or grilled? Davis: WAHOO!!! YEAH!!! Halsemon: Can we end this quickly? After all, I'm on vacation. Digmon: Howdy. Yolei: Aren't our Digimon fantastic!? Cody: Digmon could be a little more animated....

It's a little different but they keep the gag of Digmon's dynamic one-liner sucking.

In the Redub:

Flamedramon: Playtime is over, Little Bunny! Davis: WAHOO!!! YEAH!!! Halsemon: You may have brute force. Even so, we shan't lose to you! Digmon: And I'm here too! Yolei: Aren't our Digimon fantastic!? Cody: I don't know. Digmon could stand to be a little more animated. Yolei: He takes after you!

This is another mix-and-match of retranslated lines and lines copied over from the first dub. But the lines they copied over are the ones that were already a pretty good translation in and of themselves.

They kept the accurate lines and retranslated the lines that the dub rewrote completely, like Flamedramon's one-liner and Halsemon's sudden onset laziness.

Surrounded, Antiramon stands there. Motionless. The water ripples underfoot. Then, slowly, Antiramon sinks into the lake waters.

Miyako: They ran away? Iori: That can't be right.

Unconvinced by Antiramon's departure, all eyes remain on the lake. Watching. Waiting for their foe to resurface.

In the dub:

Yolei: I... guess that's it? Cody: Yeah. Willis: I don't think he's gone.

Cody agrees with Yolei in this version so that Willis can be the one to tell them to keep on guard.

The Redub gives it back to Cody.

Yolei: He ran away? Cody: Doubtful.

With Willis returning to having no dialogue.

It doesn't take too long for their enemy to return. The lake water ripples and bubbles rise from deep below. Then a purple sheen spreads across reality, just like when Wendimon wanted to take Wallace but worse. A photo negative of the universe. Finally, it rises from the depths.

Cherubimon is an Ultimate-stage Vaccine-attribute Cherub Digimon.

No, that is not an error. Antiramon and Cherubimon are actually the evolutions for both the Gummymon and Chocomon lines but they have separate forms for the twin Digimon. Gummymon's Perfect is a Data Antiramon as opposed to the Virus Antiramon that Chocomon becomes.

...but both versions of Cherubimon are Vaccines, per the Reference Guide. Something something... everyone has their own road to nirvana?

More pressingly, that is a fucking Ultimate and we can't handle Perfects. We are about to get shitstomped.

As Cherubimon emerges, they wave their hand and spread little black dots through the air. Not unlike the unexplained Milk Dud of Doom that Piemon implanted into Gennai, which only raises further questions about what these Milk Duds are supposed to be.

Wallace: Is that Chocomon...? Daisuke: Are they trying to change the world!? What a cold world... It feels like my heart is frozen. Did it take us somewhere? Not this world but....

Of note: The Japanese word for the world is 世界 sekai. When talking about the physical world, this is the word that the Japanese language uses. This world, the one we're in, is この世界 kono sekai. This world. The world the Digimon come from could be called デジモンの世界 Digimon no sekai.

世界 Sekai itself can be a complicated word, as it refers both to the physical planet but also to the universe or plane of existence. In the same way that 人間 Ningen can mean humans specifically or it can mean any form of sapient life, 世界 Sekai can mean a planet or it can encompass all things that exist within the reality we occupy.

We get a few instances of 世界 sekai in this very dialogue. Daisuke asks if Cherubimon is trying to change 世界 sekai, trying to rewrite reality. Then describes this new space we occupy as 冷たい世界 tsumetai sekai, a cold world.

However. When Daisuke says "Not this world but....", the word he uses is この世 Konoyo. This is not この世 Konoyo. That is この世界 kono sekai with a kanji filed off but it means something different.

この世 Konoyo is the counterpart of あの世 Anoyo. "This world" and "That world" in literal translation. But it means life and death. あの世 Anoyo is the afterlife, the other world, the world beyond death. Its counterpart, この世 Konoyo, is the world of life, the world of the living, the space we occupy before we cross over.

Using their Ultimate power, Cherubimon doesn't need Wallace's permission anymore. Spread this vast layer over reality, they pull all of the children and Digimon into what feels like the cold and empty place that Chocomon said they're in. Which, Daisuke wonders, might not be この世 Konoyo... but instead....

(Of note, this is not actually the cold and empty place. There will be more on that later. But it feels like it. Like Daisuke also suggested, Cherubimon is changing reality. The world around us is becoming more like the cold and empty place.)

The movie dub trims this down heavily. They show Cherubimon rising out of the water and a brief shot of Willis.

Willis: (annoyed) Now what?

Then they cut ahead.

In the Redub:

Willis: Is that really... him? Davis: It is! And I don't know how, but he... changed the world somehow. It's cold and lonely; I feel a chill down to my bones. Or maybe... we've been taken somewhere else? This frozen world looks like the one we know, but....

Though the implication that our surroundings are changing to reflect the realm of death doesn't make it across, I think you can still pick it up if you're familiar with what "the cold and lonely place" usually means in media.

"I feel a chill down to my bones" here serves as a pragmatic adaptation of "My heart is frozen", but I think misses the mark. That this place freezes people's hearts, that it traps them in place and emotionally stagnates them, is thematically important.

Davis, notably, affirms that this is Kokomon. When Wallace asks that question, it's not rhetorical. Is that Chocomon? That's a serious question that the movie's building up here. But the Redub takes the position that there is no other thing it could be; Kokomon is Kokomon is Kokomon, and this can be nothing else but Kokomon. Which is going to be their consistent stance moving forward.

Iori's the first to take notice of the eerie black dots that Cherubimon's spreading.

Iori: Black snow?

Miyako holds up her hand to one of the dots, and it imposes an eerie technicolor shadow over her palm as it passes.

Miyako: It seems to be gushing out of that Digimon's heart, now that they can't hide it any longer. It may look pretty at first, but it's a sign of how dark and lost their heart is.

Miyako and I have very different ideas of what's aesthetically pleasing. I just find the Milk Duds weird and horrifying.

Gummymon, their weapons still drawn on Cherubimon, suddenly realizes the truth. Their features soften and they finally ask the question nobody's asked from the moment Wendimon first appeared in their lives.

Gummymon: ...who... are you...?

The question we all should have been asking from the start. Wallace assumed that the Wendimon was Chocomon. He assumed that he had to go to the flower field. Wallace has been the one driving this journey, the one pushing for reconciliation with the Wendimon attacking them, because he decided that this was his chance to be with Chocomon again and make everything like it was before.

And he never once questioned it. But now that we're here and he's seeing things differently, it's finally time to start asking those questions.

The movie dub skips over this bit.

In the Redub:

Cody: Black... snow...? Yolei: It's as if we're inside Kokomon's heart, seeing the feelings he's been trapped with this whole time. Inhospitable and frightening from a distance, but tragic once you get close enough to understand them. Gargomon: Who are... you now...?

Gargomon adds "now" to his question. It's just one word but it completely alters the question. Where Galgomon is realizing that this isn't Chocomon, Gargomon is asking what Kokomon has become.

They also rewrote Yolei's dialogue so she doesn't call the Milk Duds pretty. XD I guess I'm not the only one who disagreed with that assessment.

Suddenly, Cherubimon lets out a shrill, unnatural shriek. Not a beastly sound but something unearthly. They send out the black dots, expanding in a ring around Cherubimon to attack everyone at once.

Poromon falls into the lake, sputtering to keep his head afloat before sinking into the waters. He re-emerges as Hawkmon.

Hawkmon: It changed me back!?

Upamon is sent bouncing across the ground before returning to Armadimon.

Armadimon: No way dagyaa....

V-mon's already back on his feet. He pulls his arms together and tries as hard as he can, but his strength gives out.

V-mon: I can't evolve into Fladramon!

I mean, you'd need Daisuke to do the thing for that again, V-mon. But good hustle, though.

We also get a brief shot of Gummymon back in their Terriermon form, but they say nothing.

So now we know what this version of the Milk Duds of Doom do. They're a thematically meaningful attack for Cherubimon, which age-regresses the targets they strike. Not unlike what Cherubimon's been doing to the abducted veteran Chosen Children. But in convenient bullet form!

Cherubimon attacks their enemies by caging them in the past and not allowing them to move on with their lives. Just like what they're trying to do to Wallace.

In the movie dub, Cherubimon attacks just seconds after emerging from the waters.

Hawkmon: I'm not a duck! Armadillomon: I need a nap.... Veemon: ...I think I strained something trying to Digivolve....

While the Redub goes with:

Hawkmon: Did I just de-Digivolve!? Armadillomon: I need a nap.... Veemon: I can't Digivolve anymore!

Hawkmon and Veemon get new lines while Armadillomon keeps his, which is fair because it's a throwaway line anyway. Hawkmon and V-mon are the ones informing on what Cherubimon just did to them.

Also, as is typical of the dub, Cherubimon is voiced by a person instead of a sound effect even in the Redub. So rather than the ungodly eldritch sounds that pour forth from the creature, it's just a guy going "GROAAARGH" and "Hehehehehe".

Wallace: What... are you going to do?

The creature... growls or grunts or... They let out an eerie eldritch noise to acknowledge that they heard Wallace. Then they raise their hand, generating a sphere of energy that pulls the four Child-stage Digimon into their grasp.

Once they're close, Cherubimon swirls the Digimon together, then slams their hands closed on all four. After a moment, Cherubimon begins gently rocking and swaying to a musical beat in their head.

A reaction shot of the children shows Daisuke, Wallace, and Miyako watching in horror while Miyako holds Iori tightly so he doesn't have to look.

I'm sorry I said you were getting a bad grade in senpai, Miyako.

Cherubimon juggles the four Digimon while the children watch in horror.

Wallace: ...stop it.... Daisuke: HOW DARE YOU!?!?

Daisuke's words fall on deaf ears. The juggling continues.

The movie dub trims out Wallace's question and goes straight to Cherubimon attacking. Cherubimon pulls them in, claps them together, and then starts juggling right away.

Willis: ...this is my fault.... Davis: Why? Are you the one who taught him to juggle?

Still cracking jokes to keep things light. They then move the shot of Cherubimon swaying to after he starts juggling.

Wallace tries one more time to get through to Cherubimon.

Wallace: Stop it... YOU HAVE TO STOP!!!

That, Cherubimon hears. They spin suddenly, flinging the four Digimon against the cliffside.

Gummymon lets out a pained cry as they bounce off the rocks.

Wallace: GUMMYMON!!!

Cherubimon descends into the lake once more, disappearing beneath the murky waters. While the children are watching the water, they emerge from the ground behind them.

In the movie dub:

Willis: Leave them alone! TAKE ME INSTEAD!!! Cherubimon: Okay!

Cherubimon throws the Digimon, and then they trim out Cherubimon descending into the lake and emerging behind the children. Willis's line bridges the gap to let them go straight to a later scene of Cherubimon attacking.

The Redub has:

Willis: LET THEM GO!!! Kokomon, listen to me! Cherubimon: Hmm? (Cherubimon throws the Digimon) Willis: NO!!!

They're still calling this thing Kokomon. They also add a line after Willis watches the creature vanish into the lake.

Willis: What now...?

He has moving lip flaps like he's talking there but in the original he just gasps. So this is one of those situations where if they adapted it faithfully, people would think they cut a line. XD You gotta put something there.

Cherubimon suddenly announces its presence with... laughter, but what sounds like one of those toys that you squeeze it and a recording plays, filtered through an old radio.

Cherubimon: ...hahahahaha....

The children turn and see the creature behind them.

Daisuke: Careful, Wallace....

Cherubimon slowly levitates forward, advancing on Wallace. Daisuke throws himself between them.

Daisuke: Watch out!

Suddenly, the sound of a shot firing. Cherubimon hears it, reacting just for a second before jerking their head back. A green energy blast whips past where Cherubimon's face had just been. They stumble back a step while the missed shot, uh... somehow detonates on the ground behind them despite having been fired at an upward angle from their left.

Maybe there was a second shot from the grassy knoll. What matters is that Gummymon has found the strength to keep fighting.

The movie dub goes straight from Willis's "take me instead" to Cherubimon advancing on Willis.

Davis: Watch out! (Terriermon shoots and misses)

They cut the part where Cherubimon hears the shot being fired and also don't call the attack as Bunny Blast, even though you'd think those two things would go well together.

The Redub actually uses the eerie laugh recording sound here rather than having a guy make the noise.

Cherubimon: ...hahahahaha....

But then they do add a guy doing a chortle as Cherubimon advances.

Davis: Listen... be careful. (Cherubimon advances) Cherubimon: Huhuhuhu.... Davis: Watch out! Terriermon: BUNNY BLAST!!! (Cherubimon hears and dodges)

Oh cool, the Redub agrees with me that if you're gonna add attack call-outs into the film, this is a sensible place to put that.

Gummymon, beaten to hell, steps forward to carry on the fight against Cherubimon.

Gummymon: ...I've always thought... for the sake of our missing Chocomon... I HAVE TO PROTECT WALLACE!!!

Gummymon fires off another shot from their mouth. The recoil from the blast knocks Gummymon off their feet. Cherubimon catches the shot, dissipating it in their hand. Gummymon struggles to stand up, still determined to keep going.

Wallace: Gummymon!

Wallace brushes past Daisuke, afraid for his Partner.

Cherubimon returns fire, spitting one of those black balls of negative feelings at Gummymon. Gummymon tries to bound over it, but the shot grazes their left leg. It's enough to revert them, momentarily, to their actual Gummymon form.

Wallace: GUMMYMON!!!

Wallace runs to Gummymon, but the little guy flops past him. They return to their Terriermon form a moment later and land hard on their back. Still, they find the strength to climb back to their feet.

Gummymon: That's why... That's why I... I WILL PROTECT WALLACE!!!

The body may be weak but the spirit is willing.

In the movie dub:

Terriermon: What do we have to do to end this fighting!? Cherubimon: DESTROY!!! Terriermon: B... BUNNY BLAST!!!

They trim out the shots of Wallace as well as his lines, and the brief regression to Actual Gummymon. Terriermon fires. Cherubimon catches it and shoots back with the pellet. Terriermon tries to jump over the pellet and gets grazed by it. And then Terriermon flops over onto his back on the ground before standing back up. He says nothing.

In the Redub, his speech goes:

Terriermon: I've always said that even if... with Kokomon gone, I have to work twice as hard... I will protect Willis! BUNNY BLAST!!! (Cherubimon catches the shot) Willis: Terriermon! (Cherubimon shoots back, grazing Terriermon and turning him into Gummymon briefly) Willis: TERRIERMON!!! (Gummymon flops on the ground and lands back in Terriermon form) Terriermon: That's why... I'll never... I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!!

"I will protect Willis" has become "I'll never give up". It's possible they felt that was redundant since he just said he was going to protect Willis like five seconds ago.

Suddenly, another voice comes from the nearby cliff's edge.

V-mon: I know what you mean... Gummymon.... Daisuke: V-MON!!!

V-mon strains to pull himself up and over the edge, but can't get more than his head over the side. Daisuke runs to his aid, grabbing V-mon by the shoulders and pulling him up onto solid ground. The force of lifting V-mon disorients Daisuke and he falls on his butt, holding his partner in his arms.

Hawkmon, struggling to keep himself aloft, comes in for a landing. At the sight of him, Miyako comes running.

Miyako: HAWKMON!!! Hawkmon: We all... want to protect the people we love....

Hawkmon stumbles, dropping out of the air and landing hard on his face before rolling forward into Miyako's arms. Miyako's beret flies off her head as she catches and embraces him, at which point the sound of Hawkmon's spine cracking can be heard.

Miyako: Stay with me, Hawkmon! Hawkmon: (ragged breaths) Miyako-san... you're hurting me....

Hawkmon suffers so much for his Partner's enthusiasm.

Armadimon tunnels under the earth, popping up by Iori. He honestly seems fine. Totally unharmed. Guess that hard shell is good for something.

Iori: Armadimon!

Armadimon waddles over and hops up into Iori's arms.

Armadimon: I will protect you dagyaa!

The Digimon are all beaten to hell except Armadimon, but they're all willing to keep going including Armadimon.

In the movie dub:

Veemon: A LITTLE HELP HERE!?!? Davis: VEEMON!!! (Davis runs over to Veemon) Davis: Let me help you up! (Davis pulls Veemon over the side and falls on his butt) Veemon: Now let me help you up. (Hawkmon tries to land) Yolei: HAWKMON!!! I'll help you! Hawkmon: No need, I'll--

The sound of Hawkmon's spine cracking doesn't make it across; As usual, sound effects go unnoticed by the dub. A bonking sound effect, however, plays when Hawkmon lands on his face.

Yolei: Oh, Hawkmon! I'm so glad you're not hurt! Hawkmon: Yes, I know, but you don't have to choke me to prove it! (Armadillomon tunnels over to Cody) Cody: ARMADILLOMON!!! Armadillomon: Cody! (Armadillomon hops up into Cody's arms) Armadillomon: I've been digging all over for ya!

The Redub adds the bone cracking sound back in, because it uses the original's music and soundscape instead of a whole new one.

Inspired by the others, Wallace steps out between Gummymon and Cherubimon.

Wallace: Me too. I might be as spoiled as Daisuke said, but... there is nothing of Chocomon inside of you. No, you're what did this to Chocomon. Isolated and lonely, they've been struggling to persevere through their solitude, but you locked their heart away somewhere.

This is the true nature of the Wendimon/Antiramon/Cherubimon creature we've been fighting. They were never Chocomon. They're the thing that took Chocomon away.

What, exactly, is that thing? We never really get a clear answer. Cherubimon is an abstract concept. The fictional personification of an idea. What exactly happened to Chocomon? Ultimately, it could have been anything.

There are some hints as to what Cherubimon represents. We know Chocomon was meek and frail. They got injured doing something in one of the flashbacks, and they seemed nervous about going to the flower field.

But what exactly took Chocomon to the other place that isn't この世 Konoyo? What exactly Cherubimon represents? Could have been anything. Maybe Chocomon was sickly and the exertion was too much, like what nearly happened to Hikari. Maybe they fell down a wall or into a river.

What matters is that Wallace, with the innocence and naivety of a child, took his eyes off Gummymon and Chocomon to go romping around in the wild... and by the time he realized that only Gummymon was with him, it was too late for Chocomon. By his own admission, he's been trapped in that moment ever since.

That grief, that loss, that inability to even live with Chocomon gone, is all personified here. But the thing that's been haunting Wallace, the thing that's been hurting him, the thing trying to drag him down into the cold and dark place with Chocomon?

It was never Chocomon doing this to him. It was the other thing. It was the tragedy, represented by the literal monster Cherubimon.

In any case, Wallace finally confronts the truth about the creature that's been haunting him... but then makes another assumption. He's not ready to face the final truth just yet.

Wallace: If I fight... and defeat you... I'll be able to bring Chocomon back! (voice breaks and tears appear in eyes) I want to fight too! I want the strength to.... (Gummymon comes up and stands by Wallace's side) Gummymon: That's why I'm here, Wallace. I am your strength! Wallace: (stunned) ...Gummymon....

Wallace's head is finally in the game and he's on the same page that Gummymon's been from the start. This monster is not Chocomon, was never Chocomon, and we need to resist them because they want only malicious things for us.

The movie dub skips over this revelation and speech completely, which is kind of odd. They've pretty thoroughly defined what the other thing that isn't Kokomon is; All they need to do is connect the final dots and say "No, Cherubimon is not Kokomon, it's the new form of Diaboromon and we must defeat him to save Kokomon." So I'm surprised they skipped out on the opportunity to do that.

Meanwhile, the Redub handles Willis's speech like this.

Willis: I feel the same way. I finally realize I care so much about you guys, my family. But I've been blinding myself to the truth. There's no part of Kokomon in you anymore. It's you who did this to Kokomon. He was trapped all alone and he tried so hard in his loneliness, but you took his heart and locked it away from him.

It's mostly the same but they add "anymore" to the "there is no Chocomon inside of you" bit. The Redub is taking the position that Cherubimon is a piece of Kokomon that grew inside of him.

Which doesn't feel right to me since Cherubimon is a manifestation of isolation and loneliness, and nothing we've seen of Chocomon's life with Wallace and Gummymon suggests they were anything but well-loved. In fact, Chocomon's whole motivation is to go back to those times, to linger in that lost moment and never move on. So it's hard for me to buy that what took Chocomon away from those times was Chocomon's own desire to... continue experiencing them?

But it's also possible that I'm overlooking or misunderstanding something. The movie is challenging. The true nature of Cherubimon, Chocomon, and their relationship with Wallace and Gummymon are deeply layered in symbolism and metaphorical intent over literal meaning.

Willis: I'm going to fight. If I can defeat you, if it means I can free Kokomon from you, then I'll fight even if I don't want to! But do I have the strength.... Terriermon: That's why I'm here, Willis. I'll be your strength. I'll be by your side until the very end. Willis: (stunned) ...Terriermon...?

Redub Willis also inexplicably says he doesn't want to fight in the middle of his "I want to fight and defeat you" speech. Which is odd.

Wallace doesn't have, like, a strong moral reservation against violence. The reason he didn't want Gummymon to fight Chocomon is because of Chocomon, not because of fighting. But I guess Redub Willis is just... generally anti-violence.

From here, the other Chosen Children join the conversation to back Wallace up.

Daisuke: Wallace... You're not spoiled. All this time, you've been searching for Chocomon, haven't you? Even though you're just a kid.

Cut to Miyako and Iori with their Digimon, ready to fight. Miyako fixes her beret back on her head.

V-mon: We all have something we want to protect. Daisuke: And no matter how meager our strength might be, we will fight to protect it. We will never give up on protecting it!

Tired of waiting, Cherubimon rushes forward. V-mon and Gummymon leap into action to defend their Partners. V-mon leads with a headbutt into Cherubimon's gut, driving them back. Gummymon follows up with an energy shot from their mouth; This time, with Cherubimon still recovering from V-mon's hit, Gummymon scores a direct hit on Cherubimon's face.

The combination of V-mon and Gummymon's hits topples Cherubimon backwards. Hawkmon joins fight, carrying Armadimon in his talons. He drops Armadimon like a missile, scoring a hit right between Cherubimon's eyes and fully taking the creature off of their feet.

The movie dub skips Daisuke and V-mon's speeches too. It goes straight from the battered Digimon returning to their partners to the fight with Cherubimon.

(Veemon tackles Cherubimon) Terriermon: BUNNY BLAST!!! (Terriermon shoots Cherubimon. Hawkmon drops Armadillomon) Armadillomon: Bombs away!

They call the Bunny Blast but do not call Vee Headbutt, and they add a contextually-fitting line for Armadillomon.

In the Redub:

Davis: It wasn't wrong of you to want to shield Terriermon from this pain, but you have to listen to him when he says he wants to protect you too. Otherwise, you're just pushing him away. Veemon: All of us have things that we want to protect. Davis: Even if it's hard for us to accept or understand, the people we love want to help. And... we have to help them too, even when it hurts.

Davis goes completely off-script. But his new speech is pretty strong and thematically appropriate to the film. He pretty much just shoves the subtext aside and literally tells Willis that Chocomon's death is something that they need to face together. Willis can't be "the parent" about this. Willis and Terriermon need to depend on each other to get through the tragedy they've both suffered.

(Cherubimon attacks) Veemon: VEE HEADBUTT!!! (Veemon knocks Cherubimon back) Terriermon: BUNNY BLAST!!! (Terriermon shoots Cherubimon; Hawkmon drops Armadillomon) Armadillomon: DIAMOND SHELL!!!

The Redub also shores up the calling of attacks, not only noticing the curious omission of Vee Headbutt but also making the Armadillomon bombing into a named attack as well.

As Cherubimon falls, Daisuke cheers in celebration.

Daisuke: YEAH!!! WE GOT--Ah!?

Unfortunately, the problem with using meager strength to fight is that it is, by definition, meager. Cherubimon flips right back over and creates another gravity orb. Effortlessly pulling the four Digimon into their palm, Cherubimon snatches them up and punches the ground with them in their hand.

Once the Digimon are sufficiently disoriented and defenseless, Cherubimon opens their mouth, and drops the Digimon towards their gaping maw.

In the movie dub:

Davis: YOU GOT HIM!!! (Cherubimon flips over) Cherubimon: THINK AGAIN!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Cherubimon grabs the Digimon, slams them, then holds them up over his mouth) Veemon: HE'S GONNA EAT US!!!

Cherubimon has bad guy dialogue and Veemon explains what the action means, in case it was unclear.

In the Redub:

Davis: WELL DONE!!! (Cherubimon flips over) Cherubimon: WAHAHAHAHA!!! (Cherubimon slams the Digimon, then holds them up over his mouth)

Something about Davis saying "Well done" made me laugh. I dunno, that just feels a little fancy for him. XD

Redub Cherubimon does not clap back at Davis but does still let out a hearty villain laugh.

Original Cherubimon is just... making those eldritch paper shredder whistle sounds that the creature makes. I have no idea how to describe the unearthly noises that come out of this thing's mouth. A+ sound design for an unexplainable horror from beyond time and space.

Cherubimon hoists the DIgimon up over their head, drops them towards their mouth, and is immediately dismembered by holy beams of light. Wait, what?

Twin beams of light cut straight through Cherubimon's biceps, slicing their arms clean off.

Angemon brakes to a stop, flipping his Holy Rod before posing dramatically with it.

Angewomon brakes to a stop, doing a little twirl so the camera can see her butt before posing dramatically. Okay, animation team.

In the movie dub:

Angemon: HAND OF FATE!!! (Twin beams dismember Cherubimon; Angemon appears) Davis: ANGEMON!!! (Angewomon appears) Yolei: AND ANGEWOMON!!!

Angemon calls the attacks that dismember Cherubimon.

At this point in the series, Davis has seen Angemon so it makes sense that he can recognize him. But I'm not sure when Yolei would have seen Angewomon. She's only appeared once so far in 02, and only T.K. was around for that. Maybe the English version of the movie is set later in the series.

It is an Anime Fair movie so its precise placement in the timeline is nebulous. The timeline placements for Dragon Ball's Anime Fair movies are all "Nope".

In the Redub:

Angemon: HAND OF FATE!!! (The beams cut through Cherubimon's arms; The two angels brake to a stop)

The Redub keeps the attack callout but doesn't have Davis and Yolei identify the angels as they arrive.

As Cherubimon's severed arms fall, tons of black dots spill out from their insides. Hawkmon and Gummymon catch Armadimon and V-mon respectively as they fall, carrying them safely to ground. At the same time, the last two members of the junior team finally arrive.

Takeru: Daisuke-kun! Iori: Takeru-san! Hikari: Daisuke-kun! Daisuke: Ah! HIKARI-CHAAAAAAN!!!

Daisuke's been waiting for this moment all movie.

Only Iori cares about Takeru, and nobody cares about Miyako or Iori. Rude.

In the movie dub, Hawkmon's given a line as the arms are severed.

Hawkmon: You've saved us! Exquisite timing! T.K.: Sorry we're late! Cody: Hey, look! T.K.! Yolei: Kari! T.K.: We'd have been here sooner but our plans got derailed! Davis: Yeah! Kari, you made it!

T.K. swipes Kari's line so he can make a pun. But Yolei's given a line in exchange.

In the Redub:

T.K.: Sorry we're late! Cody: Hey, look! T.K.! Yolei: Kari! Kari: So this is where you guys were! Davis: Yeah, Kari, you made it! (annoyed) ...and TJ too, yay....

It's rare that I say this but I actually like the movie script better than the Redub here. They mostly follow the dub script, but they replace T.K.'s pun with a flatter line from Kari, and they add in Davis being pissy about T.K. and doing the "saying T.K.'s name wrong on purpose" thing.

The children regroup with their Digimon, while Cherubimon's severed arms reconnect to their body. Hikari weighs in, once again recognizing the truth of Cherubimon.

Hikari: No, you're wrong. You are not the crying Digimon!

Suddenly, Cherubimon spits one of its regression pellets at Angewomon. She swerves, avoiding the shot, and returns fire with a rare instance of an attack callout in the original.

Angewomon: HOLY ARROW!!!

Cherubimon flicks its shoulder and tosses their severed arm at her, just before the arrow hits. Angewomon's arrow strikes true, rupturing Cherubimon's bag of skin and tearing it away. For her part, Angewomon tumbles backwards to avoid both the hand and the pellets spilling out like blood from its open wound.

Angemon twirls his staff to destroy any pellets that come his way but otherwise stands by and contributes nothing.

In the movie dub:

Kari: Gatomon and Patamon were worried, so they Digivolved into Angewomon and Angemon. (Cherubimon shoots at Angewomon) Angewomon: CELESTIAL ARROW!!! (Angewomon pierces Cherubimon and dodges their hand) Angemon: ANGEL STAFF!!! (Angemon twirls his staff to break pellets)

Kari delivers flat exposition that we could reasonably have assumed for ourselves. And the movie makes Angemon's staff twirl into a named attack.

Redub Kari splits the difference between whether this is or isn't Kokomon.

Kari: Wait, is this that same Digimon? Whoever he is now, he's not the Digimon who was crying. (Cherubimon shoots at Angewomon) Angewomon: CELESTIAL ARROW!!! (Angewomon pierces Cherubimon and dodges their hand) Angemon: ANGEL ROD!!! (Angemon twirls his staff to break pellets)

Again following along with the Redub's position that this was Kokomon but he's become something unrecognizable due to his loneliness.

They also keep Angemon's attack callout, but they've renamed his attack from Angel Staff to Angel Rod. I believe this is because Angel Rod is the official English name for that attack of Angemon's, which is Holy Rod in Japanese.

With their body completely ruptured, Cherubimon's skin peels away and reveals only a mass of black dots in the vague shape of a bunny. The darkness spills out in every direction, raining down on the surrounding landscape and rewriting reality once more.

And that seems like a suitable place to break with part 3.

The final phase of the battle, not against Chocomon but against the creature that took Chocomon away, is about to begin.

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

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erior · 3 months ago

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For what it's worth, the Terriermon/Lopmon family net:

The ones not featured in the movie debuted across 2001, during Tamers' run. Incluiding the scarf-wearing Data Antiramon; Galgomon ran with Armor Rapidmon for a few months as its Perfect IIRC. The lines are interconnected from Child onwards; Terriermon and Lopmon can evolve into any of the 4 Adults and so on, but a Zerimon had no way to evolve into Lopmon, and viceversa for Cocomon into Terriermon. As for the Black Galgomon line, they are Vaccine attribute as well; Tamers has a set of dark palette, same attribute lines for its main 'mons (and Guilmon and Renamon have an additional set of palette swapped Adults and Perfects with different attributes). But yeah, the dogbunny twins got fleshed up heavily after their debut.

Digimon Adventure 02 Movie: Hurricane Touchdown & Transcendent Evolution!! The Golden Digimentals, Part 4

Previously on Digimon Adventure: The Ghost of Tragedies Past absconded with all of the children and took them from reality into the cold and empty other place. But then they yelled "Stranger Danger" and kicked it in the junk, so it got mad and took them into the colder and more empty place.

Wallace just wants his kid back, man. He didn't need all this bullshit.

As Cherubimon's grief and pain blanket reality, we find ourselves one layer deeper. Overhead, the sky is cloudy and dark. The ground is gone, replaced by a black substance that flows like water but is hard enough to walk on. But now we have Local Spook Expert Hikari here to explain what the fuck.

Daisuke: This isn't over yet. But... where are we? Iori: Is it part of the Digital World? Miyako: So cold....

Even compared to the cold and empty place that wasn't in この世 Konoyo, this place is cold and empty. Weigh in, Hikari. Is this the cold and empty place?

Wallace: Chocomon's been in a place like this? All by themself...? Hikari: No. This is still the world we live in. It's being transformed by that Digimon!

Thanks, Hikari. Analysis by Weird Shit Expert: We have not, in fact, gone to the cold and empty place outside この世 Konoyo. We're still in the flower field. Cherubimon is warping the fabric of reality to be... this. That may be better or worse than crossing the threshold into the realm of death, depending on your perspective.

In the movie dub:

Davis: Either this is an eclipse or we're in trouble! Cody: I'm not supposed to be out after dark. Yolei: It's cold!

Wallace and Hikari's lines are cut.

In the Redub:

Davis: It's still not over, but... where are we? Cody: Is this the Digital World? Yolei: It's cold.... Willis: Is this where Kokomon's been imprisoned? Kari: No, this is our world but altered to suit that Digimon. That horrible monster we're fighting that's kept your Kokomon trapped inside.

Kari runs out of words before she runs out of lip flaps so she spends the rest of her screentime clarifying what she means by "that Digimon".

Backing away from something up ahead, the Digimon retreat to their human Partners. Poromon and Upamon have already been reverted to their Baby forms by the power in Cherubimon's domain, this time for good. However, V-mon and Gummymon are hanging onto their Child stages.

Upamon bounces into Iori's arms.

Iori: You've turned back into Upamon. Look at what they've done to you....

V-mon and Gummymon keep their eyes ahead, backing slowly towards the children. The children haven't noticed yet, but the Digimon all know what's out there.

The darkness ahead begins to take a familiar shape, and that's when the children see it.

Hikari: I can't sense anything from that Digimon.

Slowly, the darkness forms into the shape of Cherubimon.

The movie dub cuts this part too.

Cherubimon's body recomposes itself, un-disintegrating before the children's eyes.

Daisuke: This is really bad, Wallace!

The black pellets withdraw from the children's surroundings and flow back into wound where Cherubimon's arm was severed. The arm itself reattaches as if the injury never happened.

V-mon: Daisuke, I'll... do something about this.... Gummymon: I'll protect you, Wallace. I'll do it for Chocomon too!

Soon, Cherubimon is fully reconstituted and ready for another round. Poromon wriggles in Miyako's arms, struggling to get back into the fight.

Miyako: Stop it, Poromon! You've done enough!

The Digimon's spirits are willing. But what can they do against power like this?

An interesting note is that Cherubimon doesn't just... regenerate. Doesn't simply heal up a new body from nothing. Special attention is drawn to the specific un-severing of their arm, indicating that both arm and shoulder regenerated separately before reattaching.

This isn't healing. It's another expression of Cherubimon's power to turn back the clock and reset to happier days. Cherubimon doesn't heal their injuries. They reverse themself to an earlier state of being when they hadn't been harmed.

In the movie dub:

Davis: Look! His wounds are healing! (Cherubimon's arm reattaches) Veemon: It's gotta be that virus inside of him! (Cherubimon finishes regenerating) Yolei: Poromon, there's nothing you can do. Stay here! Poromon: LET ME GO!!!

Later than I expected, they finally bring Diaboromon back into the conversation. The movie takes the exact opposite position from the original. Instead of us fighting Cherubimon, who has Chocomon locked away somewhere, we are directly fighting Kokomon, who is being powered and corrupted by Diaboromon somewhere within.

There's... there's a reason why they might play it like that, yeah. We'll get there.

In the Redub:

Davis: Willis! This is looking bad! (Cherubimon's arm reattaches) Veemon: Davis, you can count on me! Terriermon: I promise to protect you, Willis! Kokomon would want me to! (Cherubimon finishes regenerating) Yolei: Poromon, there's nothing you can do. Stay here! Poromon: Let me go!

The tone of Veemon's line is a little different. Veemon is strong and full of conviction, while original Veemon is more bewildered... He's determined to stick it out but lost as to what they could possibly do here. "I'll... do something!"

Yolei, meanwhile, takes her line straight from the movie dub rather than retranslating, which is fine because it's close enough. They also keep Poromon's added cry of "Let me go!" but it's a lot quieter and timed while Yolei's still talking, so it's easier to miss.

Cherubimon floats in the air and lets out a ripple of energy, which blows across the children but doesn't initially seem to do anything. Angemon and Angewomon fly out in front of the creature, putting out gender-coded barriers of blue and pink energy respectively.

Angewomon: What are you trying to do!?

A much younger Daisuke amid the returning flower fields challenges Cherubimon. He hasn't noticed yet.

Daisuke: We're not afraid of this nonsense! Bring it on!

The still older Wallace, however, does notice.

Wallace: Ah! Daisuke!

However, by the time Wallace makes it over to Daisuke, he too has regressed to his earlier childhood.

Wallace: Daisuke, you're tiny! So tiny! Daisuke: Wallace!? What happened to you!?

Then he realizes. Daisuke looks over his arms and body.

Daisuke: WAUGH!!! I'M A LITTLE KID NOW!!! Wallace: Me too....

Wallace is a lot more chill about this experience, which makes sense since this is sorta what he wanted from the beginning even if he hadn't fully parsed it out.

The movie dub does a lot of remixing in this section. Starting here, they start with Willis noticing Davis transforming.

Willis: Huh? Davis, what's happening to you?

And then move the shot of Daisuke challenging Cherubimon behind it.

Davis: Why don't you pick on somebody your own size, you big bully!

Then they take a shot of Hikari and Takeru talking from the next section and splice it in here.

T.K.: Kokomon is making time go backwards! Everyone is getting younger....

Before finishing up with Davis and Willis's conversation.

Willis: Davis, you're a baby! Davis: Huh? Who are you calling a baby, you baby! (Davis realizes) Davis: Gah! I'm a baby! look! Willis: (shocked) ...back... to the beginning...?

They wrap up by having Willis connecting the dots between his mission to "go back" and what's being done to them.

For the Redub:

Angewomon: ...what is he doing? Davis: YOU DON'T SCARE US!!! SO BRING IT ON!!! HIT US WITH WHATEVER YOU'VE GOT!!! Willis: Davis, what happened to you? (Willis de-ages and joins Davis) Willis: Davis, you're a baby! Davis: Who are you calling a baby, Mama's Boy! (Davis realizes) Davis: (gasp) I'm a baby! Look! Willis: (shocked) ...I want... to go back...?

The Redub plays it pretty close to the movie's script but the shots are in their correct order. The movie script itself wasn't that far off from the original script; The most noteworthy difference is that they kept the movie's add-in of Willis connecting the dots.

Hikari and Takeru haven't yet been affected, which might be because of the pink and blue barriers that Angewomon and Angemon are resisting Cherubimon with.

Takeru: This is bad. If this keeps up, they'll make us into little kids too. Angemon: Takeru, I need to reach the Ultimate level. Angewomon: Hikari, I need Ultimate level too! Angemon: If we do that, then we can create something that can turn this situation around. Angewomon: The light of hope will be born! Takeru: Understood. Hikari: Let's do it.

This sounds like rambling nonsense but it's not any more nonsense than "Impale our brothers with arrows to make their Digimon Ultimate-level." The rules are fucky like that. We're currently being turned back into babies by a grief monster.

I'm more stuck on the way they're just casually like, "Hey, evolve me to Ultimate," as if that's... a thing they have ever had the ability to do before. As debuts of brand new transformations go, "Send me into this new form that I guess we have now" is a choice, sure.

Calling the combining of Hikari and Takeru's powers "the light of hope" goes hard, though.

For the movie dub, T.K.'s first line was already swapped to an earlier place in the scene. They cut another shot out from even later of Daisuke and Wallace talking and place it here instead.

Daisuke: Willis! "Back to the beginning" didn't mean "go back to Colorado"! Willis: It means "go back in time to when the virus first attacked Kokomon"! (The angels make their barriers) Angemon: THAT'S IT!!! Angewomon: We have to stop him! Before you know it, we'll be changing diapers!

From here, they splice in even more shots from later in the film. First Yolei struggling to keep Poromon under control now that she's so much smaller and weaker, forcing her to lay her full body weight on top of him and squish him against the ground.

Poromon: Let me go! Yolei: I'm sorry, but you're grounded!

Then Davis charging blindly at Cherubimon swinging his arms, followed by Upamon getting bounced away while a weeping Cody chases after him. After that, we go back to the section of the movie that goes here, with Angewomon and Angemon discussing.

Angewomon: We don't have the strength to defeat him. A new Digimon will have to use the power of the Golden Digi-Eggs. Angemon: Come on! We have to Digivolve to our Mega forms so we can release the Golden Digi-Eggs!

The movie is even more of an abrupt "I guess they can just do that now???" than the original is. They don't even need T.K. and Kari to make it happen.

In the Redub, T.K. flatly explains what's happening for the audience.

T.K.: Kokomon is making time go backwards. Everyone is getting younger! Angemon: T.K.! Quickly, before you get turned into a child too! Angewomon: Kari, help us Digivolve to Mega! Angemon: If we can manage it, we should be able to summon something that will help us to defeat Kokomon! Angewomon: The light of hope will come! T.K.: We'll do it. Kari: Together!

Would the kids being age-reversed prevent their Digimon from evolving? The Redub raises a peculiar question.

There are no hoops to jump through with these brand new Ultimate forms. Takeru and Hikari just... do it. Though because their Partners are at different levels, they have to do the same evolution different ways so that's kinda funny.

Angemon WARP SHINKAAAAAA!!! And Angewomon just... regular SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Takeru: This is... Angemon's.... Hikari: Angewomon's....

Yes, they are.

Holydramon is an Ultimate-stage Vaccine-attribute Holy Dragon Digimon. She debuted in the same Sega Saturn V-Pet that originated the rest of Tailmon's evolution line.

Seraphimon is an Ultimate-stage Vaccine-attribute Seraph Digimon. He technically debuted in a TCG expansion in April of 2000, two months prior to this movie, which brought all the brand new 02 Digimon and their Armor forms into the game.

Then, come July of 2000, Seraphimon made near-simultaneous debuts in this movie, the newly released D-Terminal toy, and the video game Digimon World 2 all within the same month of each other.

Toei Anime Fair movies being in the realm of "questionably canon" for their respective series, I'm gonna need y'all to forget you saw this. I cannot emphasize enough how much it breaks the plot of the show if we remember that Takeru and Hikari can power their Digimon up to Ultimate level now. You never saw this. It did not happen.

Emerging from their Ultimate evolutions, Seraphimon and Holydramon both have noticeable orbs of gender-coded blue and pink energy hanging from their necks. Additionally, down beneath them, the age regression has finally taken Hikari and Takeru, but they're too impressed by their evolved Digimon to care.

Hikari & Takeru: ...Ultimate level!?

Their male and female energies swirl in a delicate dance that isn't at all suggestive of something, how dare you, in order to give birth to the miracle they promised.

The movie dub keeps the name Seraphimon but changes Holydramon to Magnadramon. Literally the same renaming as HolyAngemon -> MagnaAngemon. Referencing the Seraphim is fine but we can't say Holy. Religious references are no-no words.

Kari & T.K.: Oh wow, aren't they beautiful!?

The Redub uses the dub names so it's Magnadramon there too.

T.K.: Is this... really Angemon's Mega? Kari: And Angewomon's too? (Magnadramon swirls around Seraphimon) Kari & T.K.: Oh wow, they're beautiful!

Taking advantage of that earlier shot of T.K. and Kari talking that the movie skipped, the Redub gets to have its cake and eat it by combining both sets of lines.

Unfortunately, though Holydramon and Seraphimon both consent to the combining of their energies, isn't there someone they forgot to ask?

Cherubimon rushes in between them, clocking them both simultaneously with an overhead bash. They hit the pair so hard that they're both instantly KO'd, knocking them back down into Patamon and Gatomon.

Say goodbye to Holydramon and Seraphimon, folks. That was it. That was all they were in the movie for. The continuity-destroying debut of a brand new form, two beloved characters hitting the top level of power, and all they amount to is creating plot doodads for the real protagonists.

However, though the angels are knocked down a several pegs, the energies they produced live on. Cherubimon reaches up to catch and crush them, but the twin spheres slip out of their hand before they can close it and fly straight for Wallace and Daisuke. Though it's a little confusing as to who gets what.

Angewomon's pink miracle flies for Daisuke while Angemon's blue miracle flies for Wallace. But I guess Angewomon was just messing with Daisuke's feelings because it's Angemon's blue miracle that lands in Daisuke's hand, while Angewomon's pink miracle suddenly changes course I guess and goes to Wallace instead.

"These miracles are your--wait, no. Switch. Now that I think about it, you get the Takeru energy. You won't be weird about that one."

In the movie dub, Holydramon gets a line when Cherubimon charges them.

Holydramon: Hurry! Here he comes!

While the Redub takes that back out of there; Neither Mega Digimon ever speaks.

As the twin lights of hope take shape in Daisuke and Wallace's hands, Tailmon calls out to them to explain.

Tailmon: Those are your Digimentals! The Digimentals of Miracles! Daisuke: Our.... Wallace: Our....

Trying to stop this from happening, Cherubimon rushes the boys. V-mon and Gummymon charge out to meet them.

Daisuke: Wallace! DIGIMENTAL UP!!! Wallace: (less confident) Digimental Up!?

Of note: Daisuke's Digimental of Miracles would become officially known by that name going forward. Wallace's Digimental of Miracles, however, would later be renamed to Digimental of Fate for clarity's sake.

In the movie dub:

Gatomon: We release the Golden Digi-Eggs! Now the others can Golden Armor Digivolve! Davis: This is our last shot! Willis: What do I do with this!? Davis: Just do exactly what I do! (Cherubimon attacks; Veemon and Terriermon go out to intercept) Davis: You ready? GOLDEN ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! Willis: Golden Armor Energize!

They keep Willis sounding kind of awkward and uncomfortable when speaking the henshin invocation. Also, I like that the Digimentals of Miracles get a unique invocation to highlight their specialness.

The Redub has both Patamon and Gatomon explain the Digi-Eggs, but also has them start out in their Mega forms and then fade into their base forms as they're talking.

Magnadramon & Seraphimon: Those are the Golden Armor Digi-Eggs! Gatomon & Patamon: They're yours! The Digi-Eggs of Miracles and Destiny! Davis: They're really ours? Willis: The Digi-Egg of Destiny? (Cherubimon attacks; Veemon and Terriermon go out to intercept) Davis: After me! GOLDEN ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! Willis: GOLDEN ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

This is the only version where Wallace/Willis sounds comfortable doing the invocation.

The Redub uses every possible name for these things. XD Both Golden Armor Digi-Eggs and Digi-Egg of Miracles while also roping in the modern renaming for the Digi-Egg of Destiny. Willis even identifies his by name so there's no confusion over who got what.

Now, powered up by the Digimentals of Miracles, it's finally time. Gummymon and V-mon, ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA!!!

They don't get a fancy-pants evolution sequence for this like Holydramon and Seraphimon got. A wave of energy from the Digimentals washes over them and they're in their new forms. They don't even do a "SHINKAAAAAA" callout. It's very understated, like all of Chocomon and Gummymon's evolutions have been.

Yeah, existing stock footage evolutions aside, the only new evolution sequences they made for this movie went to Holydramon and Seraphimon. Two characters who were in the movie for one minute and spent that time just suggestively twirling around each other.

"Alright, boss, it's time to animate the big evolution sequence. Do we have something really cool in mind for when the Digimentals of Miracles activate?"

"...nah, I only have money for one set of new evolutions and I really want to spend that budget on Hikari's and Takeru's Digimon making out."

NO RESPECT FOR DAISUKE

In any case, V-mon's new form Magnamon (who is actually called Magnamon) is an Armor-stage Free-attribute Holy Knight Digimon.

Rapidmon is an Armor-stage Vaccine-attribute Holy Knight Digimon. A rare instance of an Armor Digimon having an attribute. Not to be confused with Rapidmon, Galgomon's Perfect evolution that the franchise would later introduce. Rapidmon looks exactly the fucking same as Rapidmon except that Rapidmon's armor is green, as opposed to Rapidmon's gold.

This is Galgomon's other Perfect, notwithstanding that they can also become Antiramon. Not to be confused with Wendimon's evolution Antiramon. Look, sometimes Digimon is just like this, okay?

The movie dub gives Magnamon and Rapidmon their evolution callouts as a consolation prize for their lack of proper evolution sequences.

Veemon: VEEMON GOLDEN ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO.... Terriermon: TERRIERMON GOLDEN ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO.... Magnamon: MAGNAMON!!! Rapidmon: RAPIDMON!!!

But just in case the lack of evolution sequence left you unsure if you're supposed to be hyped or not, they splice in a shot of Gatomon talking to clarify.

Gatomon: Is that the coolest thing you've ever seen or what!?

Thanks, Gatomon. I can now be adequately hyped.

The Redub keeps the evolution callouts but does not have Gatomon suddenly show up.

Gummymon makes the first attack, firing a pair of missiles with adorable frowny faces into Cherubimon's face. They land between Cherubimon's eyes, burrowing in for a moment before detonating. The ensuing blast takes Cherubimon's head clean off.

Before Cherubimon has a chance to recover, Magnamon follows up with a barrage of energy blasts from every part of his body. The shots pummel Cherubimon, turning their fleshy bag of an outer body into swiss cheese.

Daisuke: Did we get them!? Wallace: I don't know....

Probably not. They can time-reverse all their injuries away. But good hustle, everybody!

In the movie dub, the attacks are named.

Rapidmon: RAPID FIRE!!! (Rapidmon blows Cherubimon's head off) Magnamon: MAGNA BLAST!!! (Magnamon swiss cheeses Cherubimon)

But they cut out the part where it seems like we might have won and skip ahead a bit.

The Redub keeps the attack callouts.

For the moment, victory seems decisive. But....

Magnamon and Gummymon look over Cherubimon's body. They see the creature's torso and arms floating there, but only a smoking vacancy has been left where their head should be.

Magnamon & Gummymon: We did it!

Just as they begin to celebrate, Cherubimon's severed head appears behind them. They scramble to get away, but the head is too quick. In a single bite, Cherubimon devours them both.

Hikari: Ah! What a dark heart....

Once both of their enemies have been consumed, Cherubimon then begins to put itself together again. Say goodbye to Magnamon and Rapidmon, folks. That was it. That was all they were in the movie for. All that build-up and all it amounted to was-- No, I jest. There's more to come for them.

The movie dub continues chopping and rearranging footage. They move a later shot of Daisuke and Wallace in right after Magnamon and Gummymon's attack.

Davis: It didn't work! Willis: He's too strong!

Then edit in a later shot of Poromon, now free from Yolei but badly hurt and struggling to get up. This comes right out of nowhere. When did Poromon both get free from Yolei and attacked by Cherubimon? Did he catch a stray bullet from the Magna Blast a moment ago?

Then we return to the footage that's supposed to be here, of Magnamon and Gummymon discussing Cherubimon.

Rapidmon: Every time we attack, he regenerates! Let's blast him from the inside! Magnamon: Good idea! Follow me!

Magnamon and Rapidmon agree to go inside Cherubimon and shoot them from there. How that would solve the problem of a regenerating foe is unclear. This plan does not remotely sync up with the animation, which shows Magnamon and Rapidmon trying to run away from Cherubimon's mouth and getting pulled in against their will.

Eaten by Cherubimon, Magnamon and Gummymon float in an inscrutable realm of darkness.

Magnamon: It's too dark... I can't see... I can't feel anything.... Gummymon: Wallace... I have to protect him... Who... is Wallace...?

While their minds are being eaten away, outside, Wallace breaks down crying.

Wallace: Chocomon... Gummymon... Where did you go...? Cherubimon: ...ahahahaha...ahahahaha...ahahahaha....

Over and over, Cherubimon repeats that awful laugh. Like a broken voicebox from a toy being triggered over and over, it ushers out of them.

But, despite everything, the children refuse to give up. Iori and Takeru dramatically march to the front with their Digimon but I guess it takes a while because they're not up there when we see the front in a moment.

Miyako wrestles with Poromon, trying to tie a bandage around his wing.

Poromon: I HAVE TO PROTECT YOU TOO!!! Miyako: STOP IT!!! DON'T MOVE UNTIL I FINISH WITH THE BANDAGE!!!

This is one of the Poromon shots that the movie dub spliced in elsewhere.

For the movie dub, we just get the shot of Wallace crying.

Willis: He ate them! Terriermon....

For the Redub:

Magnamon: It's pitch-black... I can't see anything... I can't feel anything.... Rapidmon: I have to protect Willis... but... who... is Willis...? (Cut to Cherubimon exterior) Willis: He ate them! Terriermon... don't go.... Cherubimon: ...ahahahaha...ahahahaha...ahahahaha.... (The children march out to face Cherubimon) Poromon: I'm gonna protect you as well! Yolei: NO!!! You can't move until I finish your bandage!

They keep Willis's line from the dub script and work it in with the retranslations. But that means Chocomon gets snubbed. Wallace is worrying about both of them; This thing that took Chocomon has now taken Gummymon as well, and Wallace is breaking down emotionally over it. But Willis is focused only on Terriermon's plight.

Daisuke and Wallace step forward, joining Hikari at the front of the group. Takeru and Iori had a long walk to go, I guess.

Daisuke: V-mon! Wait for me! Now I'm going to save you! Wallace: Gummymon... all this time, I've been making you worry about me.

Inside the void of Cherubimon's body, the children's words reach their Partners.

Magnamon: I can hear someone's voice.... Gummymon: It sounds familiar....

As the light of recognition fills them and brings them back to their senses, the golden luster returns to their bodies. Their muscles tense up, taking control of themselves once more from the limp state they were in, and their eyes light up once more.

None of this is in the movie dub. Willis and Davis already used that shot of the boys for the "Go back means to go back in time to when the virus attacked!" bit, and the dub's completely cut out the crisis of Magnamon and Rapidmon briefly forgetting themselves inside Cherubimon.

The Redub stays completely on-script.

Tailmon dramatically steps forward.

Tailmon: I've never given up. Even when I was searching for Hikari, I kept searching because I believed one day I'd find her.

Tailmon is engaging in a little bit of historical revisionism. We're just, uh... We're gonna put a big sign over the whole Vamdemon period of her life that just says "Never you mind all that".

Hikari: You've persevered through so much, Tailmon. I've never doubted you, not even for a moment. And I still don't.

Hikari is not engaging in historical revisionism. This is true.

Together, the children face Cherubimon. Miyako is the last to join. Having finished wrapping Poromon's bandage, she carries him to the front.

Movie dub is still skipping scenes. That shot of Tailmon was also spliced in earlier for Gatomon gushing about how cool Magnamon and Rapidmon are.

In the Redub, they seem to have noticed the same thing I did about Tailmon's speech.

Gatomon: Even when things are at their darkest, you must have faith. I always kept hope I'd find Kari deep in my heart, even when my mind had given up. Kari: Yes, that's right, Gatomon. Even the darkest of hearts will also still hold on to hope deep inside.

They rewrite it to account for the fact that, uh, yeah, she did give up. Tailmon had the hope of finding Hikari beaten out of her by Vamdemon, to the point that Wizarmon had to remind her that meeting Hikari was even something she wanted. Love her to death but that is very much a thing that happened, so the new version of her speech incorporates that into the sentiment she's expressing.

As Cherubimon finishes recovering, reconnecting all of their parts, the battle begins again. With the last of their strength, the Partner Digimon charge.

It does not go well. It goes brutally unwell, holy fuck.

The four remaining Partner Digimon charge, represented by a still image of them painted on a stone wall... only for Cherubimon to shatter the wall to pieces with a single punch. A visual metaphor for the absolute massacre that unfolds.

Tailmon's bloody and beaten body falls limp to the ground, unmoving. Hikari runs out in front of her, using her body to shield Tailmon from any further attacks.

Patamon goes flying. Takeru shrieks, but there's nothing he can do.

Daisuke makes a lone charge at Cherubimon, swinging his arms wildly like he's going to fight this thing himself.

A bruised and battered Upamon is sent bouncing away. Iori, weeping, chases after him.

Poromon falls to the ground, battered and beaten, with the bandage around his wing torn off. Miyako picks him back up, carefully reties the bandage, and then sobs loudly while still holding onto him.

In the movie dub, a lot of this brutality was carved out and awkwardly stapled into earlier parts of the fight. This is where Davis charging at Cherubimon, a crying Cody chasing Upamon, and the shot of a battered Poromon no longer held by Yolei came from.

The only part they keep for this part, coming right after a distraught Willis begged Terriermon not to go, is the shot of a crying Yolei retying the bandage on Poromon's wing.

Yolei: Listen to me, Poromon! You have to give it time to heal, okay?

Those two lines make up the entirety of this section in the movie, save for the remixing of several of its shots to the earlier parts of the fight.

The Redub adds one line for T.K., watching Patamon got knocked flying.

T.K.: NO, PATAMON!!!

But otherwise, like the original, there are no words. Only crying. Lots and lots of crying. Therapy for all of these children.

Inside the creature, something stirs in the darkness. All of this crying seems to awaken something deep within. The face of Wendimon, tinted an unnatural green, emerges from the black.

They know crying. They remember Wallace tying a bandage for the crying Chocomon. The camera slowly zooms in on Chocomon's distress turning to a happy, well-loved smile.

Outside, Wallace shrieks.

Wallace: CHOCOMON!!! GUMMYMON!!! CHOCOMON!!! GUMMYMON!!! Daisuke: V-MOOOOOON!!!

While Daisuke continues his reckless charge straight at the monster that's slaughtering their Digimon.

Inside, drawing on the strength of their Partners, Magnamon and Gummymon's miracle armor glows blindingly bright.

Magnamon: Daisuke! Gummymon: Wallace....

The only part of this the movie dub keeps is Wendimon emerging from the darkness and flashing back on the treated injury. They react to the words Yolei just said.

Wendimon: Time to heal....

Meanwhile, in the Redub, Willis once again just doesn't give a fuck about Kokomon anymore, I guess.

Willis: PLEASE, TERRIERMON!!! PLEASE BE OKAY!!! Davis: MAGNAMON, I'M COMIIIIIING!!! Magnamon: Davis.... Rapidmon: Willis....

Willis does say Terriermon instead of Rapidmon, like how Wallace uses Gummymon. Which is. Like. Hold up.

(goes back to previous parts)

...yeah, okay.

Willis never said the name Gargomon either. They did retain Wallace's character trait of using only one name for his Partner. They just made it completely fucking unnoticeable because the name he uses is the one for the most common form that Terriermon occupies. Right here, four minutes before the end credits roll, is the first time it has ever come up.

I don't think they understood the point of Wallace clinging to the name Gummymon and not letting his partner move beyond it. This, right here, is the very definition of following a thing to the letter while missing the spirit of it. Holy fuck.

Inside of Cherubimon, the Wendimon we saw a moment ago appears before Magnamon and Gummymon.

They can only communicate in grunts and howls, but their meaning is clear. They gesture to their heart, then smile a place their hand on their chest. Magnamon and Gummymon understand.

Magnamon: Gummymon... are you sure about this? Gummymon: Please do it... V-mon....

Gummymon and Magnamon open fire on them together. And, with a relieved smile on their face, Wendimon goes to oblivion.

Which, y'know, a huge fucking no-go for the dub so they do a lot of talking around this moment. Following on from "Time to heal", the two Golden Armor Digimon spot Wendimon emerging from the depths of Cherubimon.

Magnamon: What's that up ahead!? Rapidmon: I don't know.... (Wendimon appears) Rapidmon: LOOK!!! What's he doing!? (Wendimon points at his heart) Magnamon: He's trying to tell us something! What's he pointing to? Rapidmon: There must be something inside of him! Magnamon: The virus! He's trying to show us how to help him! Rapidmon: What does he want us to do!? Wendimon & Kokomon: DESTROY.... Magnamon: Destroy the virus! Rapidmon: Right! TIME TO HEAL!!! RAPID FIRE!!! Magnamon: MAGNA BLAST!!!

They then cut out the shot of Wendimon being blasted away into nothingness. Y'know, 'cause we're not shooting him, we're shooting the virus inside of him. Uh, somehow.

...weren't we also supposed to go back in time to stop him from being infected to begin with? What happened to that?

In the Redub:

Rapidmon: ...I understand. Magnamon: Rapidmon, are you sure? Rapidmon: Please... do it, Magnamon. (Wendimon smiles) Rapidmon: RAPID FIRE!!! Magnamon: MAGNA BLAST!!!

The Redub really does not like using the wrong name for Digimon for sentimental reasons. They dropped the names Gummymon and V-mon here for the current forms those Digimon occupy. They also call their attacks, but in a sad tone of voice to match the tone of the scene.

And also Rapidmon gets an extra line acknowledging Wendimon's gesture, which is a change I support because Magnamon asking "are you sure" without being prompted by anything feels awkward.

Outside, Daisuke's still charging at Cherubimon.

Daisuke: V-MOOOOOON!!!

Suddenly, the death inside hits Cherubimon. They let out a gasp of pink smoke and grab their head in pain. But they can't stop it. Pink energy overtakes their body and they change uncontrollably into something new. Something pink and white, with a smile on their face.

Cherubimon is an Ultimate-stage Vaccine-attribute Cherub Digimon. The counterpart of Cherubimon evolved into by the counterpart of Antiramon that Galgomon can become. Except that unlike Antiramon and Antiramon, Cherubimon and Cherubimon have the same attribute so all of their specs are the fucking same even though they're considered different Digimon.

And now I've gone cross-eyed. This movie's additions to the Digimon roster are very popular but also kind of make me want to throw things.

This pink and white version of Cherubimon appears before Wallace with a pleasant smile on their face. Reality around them shifts, becoming lighter and warmer as the flower field re-emerges in their modified space.

Wallace: ...Chocomon...? You're Chocomon, right?

But they're only here to offer Wallace this one last moment of closure before they disintegrate into tiny lights. At long last, they're finally able to move on.

The movie dub has plot points it needs to resolve so they have the good Cherubimon talk.

Willis: Kokomon.... Cherubimon: Willis.... Willis: The virus... It's... all gone! Cherubimon: Thank you....

And then Cherubimon dies, just like in the original.

In the Redub, we get another instance of updating Digimon names to their current forms.

Davis: MAGNAMON!!! WAIT FOR ME!!! (Cherubimon suddenly changes) Willis: ...Kokomon...? Is this... finally the real you...?

But otherwise they stay on-script.

Finally letting Chocomon go, Wallace quite reasonably starts bawling. He has a lot he needs to let out.

Gummymon: WALLACE!!!

Back in their Terriermon form, Gummymon appears in the air with V-mon dangling from their legs. They've finally perfected their technique, it seems.

Gummymon has tears in his eyes too. But he's able to smile through the grief all the same.

Gummymon: Chocomon used to cry a lot. But just now, Chocomon smiled.

That news brings a smile back to Wallace's face. He wipes his tears.

Wallace: Gummymon....

With that final ounce of peace, Cherubimon's domain collapses and reality reasserts itself. The children and their Digimon find themselves in the flower field once more. The real one, and not the simulated memory inside Chocomon's heart.

Daisuke comes forward to offer Wallace the final condolence before we leave this bittersweet place.

Daisuke: Someday... Someday Chocomon will come back to you guys. Wallace: ...yeah!

For clarity's sake, since trying to get Chocomon back has been the entire driving thrust of this conflict so this advice might sound unhelpful, I'm pretty sure he's talking about reincarnation. He says this in the same way that someone who believes in a physical afterlife might say you'll "see them again one day" about a deceased loved one. Digimon explicitly reincarnate after death.

This is the answer to Wallace's desire to get Chocomon back. He can't go back, he can't make things like they were before he lost Chocomon. He can't stay mired in a pleasant memory while the world moves on around him, caged by his own grief and despair. But he can move forward with his life while holding onto hope that he'll see Chocomon again, in Chocomon's next life.

In the movie dub:

Willis: (crying) Now I've lost... both of them.... (Terriermon and Veemon appear) Terriermon: You'll never lose me, Willis! I told you, I'm your friend! Friends are always there for each other. Willis: (smiling) Terriermon! (Willis wipes his eyes and reality reasserts itself) Willis: I guess, without the virus, Kokomon couldn't heal himself anymore. The battle was too much for him. Davis: Don't be sad, Willis! One thing you have to learn about Digimon: They never really die. Willis: Huh? Hm.... Terriermon: Phew!

Oh, okay. I guess it's all fine then. Neat!

This is the same way the dub handled Mimi's gravestones for their fallen friends during the war with the Dark Masters. Playing up the metaphysic of Digimon reincarnation to mean that their deaths don't really matter because it's not like they're dying for good or anything.

You can feel the difference between a reincarnation death in a culture that believes in reincarnation versus one that believes in leaving the world for good to take up permanent residency in the afterlife. Afterlife believers are like, "I mean, if you come back afterwards then did you even really die?"

In the Redub:

Willis: (crying) Now I've lost... both of them.... Terriermon: You'll never lose me, Willis! Please don't cry! I promised I'd always be by your side! And Kokomon... was smiling.... Willis: (smiling) Terriermon! (Willis wipes his eyes and reality reasserts itself) Davis: I know it's hard but... someday... I'm sure that Kokomon will return to you, Willis.

They split the difference, mostly following the movie script for Terriermon's return but squeezing in the main point that Kokomon is at peace, almost as an afterthought.

But then they keep Daisuke's sympathetic consolation to Wallace instead of using the more flippant one that Davis gives Willis in the movie.

Returning to what I assume is New York, it's time for the Japanese kids to say goodbye to Wallace.

Daisuke: Taichi-san and the others have returned safely.

Meanwhile, the fate of all the train occupants Wendimon abducted remains unknown. They did not join Taichi and the others in the dark place and were barely ever even brought up again so... I guess the thing that took Chocomon ate them or something.

I jest. We can fairly assume they were returned too. It's just funny that they fell off the face of the plot the way they did. The Chosen Children were being filtered to see if one was Wallace but those people couldn't be Wallace so... I guess Wendimon chucked them in the Cosmic Reject Bin straight off.

Wallace: I'll come visit Japan someday. Daisuke: Yeah! Wallace: But for now, I've decided I want to travel more.

As a farewell, Wallace suddenly sneaks a kiss onto Hikari's cheek, then Miyako's. Then he runs for it before Daisuke has a moment to process what just happened, snatching up Gummymon as he goes.

Wallace: Ehehe! Have that instead of a farewell! Daisuke: WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?!? Miyako: He seems a lot stronger now. Hikari: Sure does. Do you really think he'll come visit us in Japan? Daisuke: He's not coming anywhere near Hikari-chan!

Too late, Daisuke. Wallace got the last laugh in this complicated frenemy dynamic you've cultivated with him. Better luck next time.

But if it makes you feel better, you can take solace in the fact that Wallace being questionably canon means we'll never see him again until, like... 2020 when the fans take over the franchise. Though, in the meantime, you're still screwed because of Takeru, whose existence is even more canon than you.

The movie dub has Willis explain the transition.

Willis: Thanks for coming back to New York with me. Gonna miss you guys. Davis: I think we'll see each other again.

We will not. Even after 2020, Wallace/Willis is just an occasional fun cameo going forward. I think there's a drama CD or something out there with him on it, but that's it.

Willis: I sure hope so! We're sorta getting used to being part of a team, right Terriermon? Terriermon: Yeah! Willis: One last thing.... (Willis kisses the girls and runs for it) Davis: HEY, WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT KISSING KARI!?!? SHE'S MY GIRL!!! Kari: What do you mean, your girl? Davis: Uhhhh nothing! Just guy talk....

Kari directly confronts Davis for his possessiveness, while Miyako and Hikari were content to ignore Daisuke's reaction.

The Redub stays on-script with the original scene here.

Finally, we close the film on Wallace out traveling to find himself. He's at a pay phone beside a long stretch of highway beside a beach, calling home to his mom to let her know he's safe.

Wallace: (English) Mom, I'm going to go home very soon. ... No, I'm not telling you that I hate to be home. I miss you so much! ... Mom, you know that I love you. Gummymon: Wallace spends so much time on the phone....

Suddenly, the boys hear something. A Digitama washes up on shore nearby, which they both instantly recognize from the sound somehow.

Hanging up the phone, Wallace and Gummymon take off running to welcome Chocomon in to their new life. The end.

...with one post-credits shot just in case the new Digitama was unclear.

I really like that we get to see the Digitama for ourselves here, and don't just have to go on Daisuke's promise of a next life for Chocomon. Because I think it adds a lot of closure to Wallace's journey. It's validating for the choice Gummymon had to make back in the void to kill Chocomon's memory.

This is the movie's final statement on Wallace and Chocomon. Wallace still loves Chocomon. He always will. But letting go, letting himself grieve and then finally moving forward with his life while leaning on Gummymon for mutual support doesn't just make their lives better.

Wallace thought he was coming all this way in order to bring Chocomon home and make everything like it was before and then nothing has to change.

But that wasn't it. What he had to do instead was bury Chocomon in that field of flowers. Close the door on that part of his life and walk away hand-in-hand with the one he still has left. And now they are all better for it; Wallace, Gummymon... and Chocomon too, whose spirit could finally move on to their next life.

Nothing will ever be the same again. But it can still be good.

...and also Wallace's mom is definitely going to call the police and have them go collect her child. Wallace officially qualifies as a runaway at this point.

BOY WE DO NOT SEND TEN-YEAR-OLDS AWAY ON POKEMON ADVENTURES IN THE REAL WORLD, YOU GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE.

For the movie dub:

Willis: Hi, mom! I'm here on the island. I'm just waiting for the ferry and then I'll be right home. ... Hehe, yeah! I had a lot of fun! It was a great trip! ... Oh, I met a lot of new friends! I did get into a couple of fights, but I'll tell you all about it later. ... Yeah, I miss you too. Terriermon: Does anyone besides me smell a Digi-Egg? (Digi-Egg washes up) Digi-Egg: ...Willis.... Willis: (gasp) Terriermon: Huh? Willis: KOKOMON!!! (Willis and Terriermon go running for the Digi-Egg) Kari (V.O.): Like I said, Willis learned about teamwork the hard way. He also found out that Davis was right. Digimon never really die! Their information just gets reconfigured, only sometimes they come back singing a different tune!

Kari's last line sets up a parting gag, using footage of Wendimon swaying back and forth and chanting at the start of the third act fight. Smash Mouth's All Star plays while Wendimon attempts to roar to the tune, badly.

Willis: ...he's tone-deaf.

Goodnight, everybody!

Yes, the unhatched Digi-Egg actually called out to Willis. XD That made me laugh.

As for the Redub:

Willis: Mom, I'm going to come home soon, I promise. ... No, I don't hate you. I miss you so much, I swear! ... I just have a couple more things I have to do, okay? Terriermon: I guess some things never change.

The Digi-Egg does not talk in this version. They keep it to this.

Assessment: Holy shit, what an emotional roller coaster this movie was. The story of Wallace, Chocomon, and Gummymon is intensely complicated and I feel like I could watch it multiple times over and keep noticing new things every time. I see now why the Terriermon/Lopmon lines became so popular.

I was also surprised by the dub version of the movie, which managed to be closer to the original despite having to connect it to Our War Game than I expected it to be.

As for the Redub... I would call it mostly great. I have some qualms about some of the choices they made, particularly with regard to the emotional core of Wallace's journey, but overall I think it does demonstrate how far dubbing has come since the early 00's.

And with that... movie done. Time to return to the show in progress. Did you know there's a guy called Digimon Kaiser? Because that is a thing that's happening. And someone should probably go do something about that!

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