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One thing I really like of BlackWarGreymon, is how it is a great twist on the evil doppelganger of the main hero. It is a threatening antagonist because we know EXACTLY what he is capable of. We have known since our WarGreymon toppled Godzilla-Satan-Dracula to the ground, since he sliced clean through two giant mechanical evil dragons. But, we don't have a millennia-old demon sorcerer clown to wear it down, we don't have a horde of advanced Y2K bugs. We don't even have our own WarGreymon to mirror match it. It is a bit of a mirror of the Kaiser enslaving MetalGreymon, but now we don't have a mind control device to aim for. The only respite we have, is that this antagonist, beyond any pronostic, became an individual rather than a tool of what have been turned into recurring antagonists that were already straight into the backfoot. And so we have a wildcard as strong as our previous leading Digimon at his strongest, gotta try to get to Perfect to maybe be able to do some damage control. 02 ends up being a bit of a mess in terms of who is actually the main villain (and, after all, Arachnemon and Mummymon were introduced with the ability to jogress into Daemon), but, this bit about the strongest 'mon in the world being a violent tin man trying to find a purpose in life? Good!

Digimon Adventure 02x30 - The Dark Ultimate, BlackWarGreymon / Ultimate Anti-Hero

Previously on Digimon Adventure: The mysterious woman with strange powers shockingly turned out to be a Digimon! It's okay though because Miyako kicked her ass in a DJ battle. But then her human partner heretofore never seen or mentioned shockingly turned out to be a Digimon!

Last episode, the Dub Narrator promised us a decisive answer to this question: "Will the DigiDestined destroy all the Control Spires before Arukenimon gets her evil hands on them?"

That's a bold promise to make. Will this be the very last episode of us fighting over Dark Towers/Control Spires? Or is the Dub Narrator talking from his ass again? Let's dig in.

We open on Arachnemon taking a depression bath on the edge of a cliff, mourning the loss of her dignity as an intimidating foe.

In the distance, Mummymon faintly calls out,

Mummymon: How's the temperature? Arachnemon: ...

But Arachnemon is lost in her own mind. She flashes back on her humiliating defeat in the dining room last episode. She remembers getting shot by Paildramon, peppered by Miyako and Shurimon, and bug sprayed by Digmon.

Arachnemon: Chosen Children....

Having failed to get an answer, Mummymon shows up in the car. He gets out and hobbles over with his cane towards the bathtub.

Mummymon: (slowly and clearly) How's the temperature, Arachnemon? Arachnemon: ...

Still ignoring him, Arachnemon flashes back on the electrical wires and follow-up Desperado Blaster shots from Paildramon.

Finally, Mummymon reaches the edge of the tub.

Mummymon: How's the temperature? Arachnemon: ...

And still she gives him no response.

In the dub, Arukenimon is much more verbose.

Arukenimon: Those Digi-Brats make me so tense! I've got to try to relax. Maybe I should think happy thoughts! Let's see... Evil spells! Crushing my enemies! More Control Spires! Less DigiDestined! Ugh, I can't keep those kids out of my head! How hard can it be to get rid of them!? Where did I go wrong!? (First flashback, then Mummymon arrives) Mummymon: Oh, there you are. Arukenimon: (sigh) Usually a bubble bath relaxes me. Not this time. Ugh.... Mummymon: Arukenimon... A rather unusual place for a tub, don't you think? Well, I guess all you have to do is build the rest of the house around it! Ohohoho! (Second flashback) Kari: Let's do it! T.K.: Let's go get her! (Kari and T.K. electrocute Arukenimon) Davis: You're next! Paildramon: DESPERADO BLASTER!!! (Paildramon shoots Arukenimon, then end of flashback) Mummymon: Hellooo~ooo?

She doesn't talk over the flashbacks but they do fill the flashbacks with voice lines and sound effects. As usual, the flashbacks play out silently in the original.

Also, as usual, the dialogue in the dub's flashback is wrong. Kari and T.K. actually quipped in that scene; T.K. asked how Arukenimon's hair was and Kari replied, "It needs some work." Davis also said "Now it's your turn" instead of "You're next" which is the same sentiment but different words.

Ken also had a line but the animation skipped him so the dub can't be faulted for that. Arachnemon/Arukenimon doesn't give a shit about what he has to say.

Having tried and failed multiple times to get a reaction from Arachnemon, Mummymon gives it one last shot.

Success!

Mummymon: Come one, say something....

That turns out to be one interruption too much. Arachnemon erupts from the tub.

Arachnemon: I HAVE A LOT ON MY MIND!!!

She grabs him by either his throat or collar, it's hard to make out, and then flings him into the car so hard the car spins around and rolls. The impact also sets off the horn, which blares continuously after the car comes to a stop, implying that Mummymon is somehow pressing it down despite being on the hood.

Breathing heavily, Arachnemon fumes for five seconds with the horn in the background before screaming at it too.

Arachnemon: SHUT UP!!!

Don't take it personally, car horn. She's under a lot of stress right now. She didn't mean it. You're fine. Nonetheless, the car horn abates and Arachnemon calms down to a bubbling simmer.

Arachnemon: (wrathful) Chosen Children....

She's having a bad day.

In the dub:

Mummymon: That sure does look comfortable. I haven't had a bath like that in years. Do you think that I could, uh-- Arukenimon: Rrrrrgh! (Arukenimon jolts up from the bath) Arukenimon: Would you be quiet!? Can't you see I'm trying to concentrate!? Those kids are destroying my supply of Control Spires!

The dub cuts out the entire sequence of Arachnemon throwing Mummymon into the car and the subsequent car horn bit. They go straight to her calming down.

Arukenimon: Hmm... I'll just have to work faster. Muwahahahaha! Mummymon: Um, in the meantime, mind if I take a dip?

I mean, the dub spared you from your painful fate so I guess you might as well.

Anyways, let's check in with the Chosen Children. What are they up to?

Yeah, that makes sense.

The next fifty seconds are character establishment. A Digimon calls an attack, a Dark Tower comes down, their Partner cheers for them, and we cycle to the next.

Fladramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Smash) Daisuke: Good work! Shurimon: KUSANAGI!!! (Smash) Miyako: So cool! Digmon: BIG CRACK!!! (Smash) Iori: That's it! Pegasmon: SHOOTING STAR!!! (Smash) Takeru: Hooray! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! (Smash) Hikari: Looking good! Stingmon: SPIKING FINISH!!! (Smash) Ken: ...

Ken says nothing; He just looks on with approval, arms folded.

Only two things really stand out as noteworthy. One is that Hikari takes a photo of Nefertimon looking awesome; It's always a treat when we get to see her use that camera around her neck. The other is that, for the first time in the series, Ken is just here. He's destroying Towers with us, rather than off on his own doing it himself.

In the dub:

Flamedramon: FIRE ROCKET!!! (Smash) Davis: Way to go! Shurimon: DOUBLE STAR!!! (Smash) Yolei: Awesome! Digmon: ROCK CRACKIN'!!! (Smash) Cody: Digmon, nice job! Pegasusmon: SHOOTING STARS!!! (Smash) T.K.: Thattaboy! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! (Smash) Kari: Say cheese, please! Stingmon: SPIKING STRIKE!!! (Smash) Ken: I can't believe it. We're actually making progress!

The dub waits until the camera's off Ken and onto a wide shot of all the destroyed Spires so they can have him talk to. We then take our first commercial break following that pronouncement.

Pegasusmon incorrectly calls his attack by the right name. The dub typically goes with Star Shower as the English name for Shooting Star.

As an aside, the animation feels different than usual in this episode. Closer to the flowy way the movies are animated.

Once a good bit of devastation has been wrought on the Dark Towers, Daisuke calls everyone for break.

Daisuke: GUYS!!! LET'S TAKE A BREAK!!!

Fladramon drops down in front of the tree and reverts to V-mon.

V-mon: Sounds good! Daisuke: Yeah!

Hikari and Tailmon join them a moment later, holding hands.

Hikari: I am getting thirsty.... Tailmon: Me too.

Then Takeru joins them with Patamon riding on his hat.

Takeru: There's a vending machine over there selling juice. Patamon: Let's go buy some! Tailmon: That's not a bad idea. We should go. Hikari: I'll go too! Daisuke: Me too! Me too!

Daisuke starts to descend the tree, but Hikari stops him.

Hikari: That's okay. We'll buy some for you and the others, Daisuke-kun. Daisuke: Ah... sure.... Takeru: (helpfully) Hey, what do you want to drink? Daisuke: Tch... You pick something.

Daisuke takes a moment to process the fact that he's been expressly disinvited, then sulks. Sorry, Daisuke, but those two are taking the opportunity for some alone time.

In the dub:

Davis: That's 147 so far today! I THINK WE COULD ALL USE A BREEEEEEAK!!! (Flamedramon lands in front of tree and reverts) Veemon: Let's eat! Davis: Yeah! Kari: I'm thirsty. Gatomon: Me too! T.K.: There was a vending machine with juice in it back there a ways. Patamon: Well then, why are we here? Gatomon: Hopefully it has milk. Preferably in a saucer. Kari: Count me in! Davis: Me too! I'm coming! Kari: Don't worry. We'll just get something and bring it back to you, okay? Davis: ...huh? Awww.... T.K.: Hey! What kind should we get you? Davis: Hmph... Whatever.

This is perfect. No notes.

After being blown off by Daisuke, Takeru and Hikari leave to go make out grab the drinks. V-mon is left behind with Daisuke.

V-mon: What's got you so upset? Daisuke: (tearing up, voice cracking) It's nothing.... V-mon: Then what's that watery smell!? If something's bothering you, I can give advice! Daisuke: (angry) I'M COMPLETELY FINE!!! Miyako: (bewildered) ...what happened to you...?

Real quick, saying something has 水臭い mizu kusai or a watery smell to it is the Japanese equivalent of "watered down". This beer you just brought me is 水臭い mizu kusai, it seems more like water than alcohol. It's weak and of poor quality.

As language evolves with new uses, this began to describe people. Your personality is watered down. It means you're keeping to yourself, not expressing yourself in ways that you should. You're being secretive or bottling things up.

And now Miyako's here! Daisuke suddenly realizes, with embarrassment, that he and V-mon are no longer alone.

Daisuke: (blushing) Mi-Miyako-san!? Miyako: ...yeah, it feels weird to hear you add the -san. Daisuke: Oh, can it! I don't need this from you too! Miyako: ...eh, whatever. In any case, I need to talk to you. Can you come down?

Miyako also can tell that something's up with Daisuke, especially when he puts an honorific on her name. He usually just calls her Miyako, which is unusually casual given that she's an upperclassmen, but she's used to it from him.

But she has more important things to talk about, so she's entirely willing to drop whatever this is.

In the dub:

Veemon: Davis, what's the matter with you? Davis: (tearing up, voice cracking) Nnnnrgh... Nothing. Veemon: I know when something's wrong and something's wrong. Now what's wrong!? Davis: Stop asking me what's wrong! Yolei: Huh? Hey Davis, what's wrong? Davis: Hrrrgh-- Huh? Urgh... Hi, Yolei. Yolei: Are you just gonna stay up there and be crabby all day? Davis: Look, I'm not crabby! Get it through your thick head! Yolei: Ah, now there's the old Davis. Why don't you come down here and we'll talk?

This section features a Japanese idiom and discussion of honorific usage, so it was guaranteed to be challenging to adapt for an English audience.

They do a good job patching the 水臭い mizu kusai hole via the "What's wrong" redundancy gag. That was pretty funny. And the crabbiness exchange works in context of both scene and character.

My one complaint is with Yolei's last line. She's supposed to be changing the subject here but instead it sounds like she's asking to discuss what's bothering Davis.

In any case, we already know what's eating Daisuke so let's talk about what's eating Miyako.

Daisuke: What? Iori and Ichijouji?

Daisuke and Miyako take positions behind a rock to spy on how Iori and Ken are spending their break. They're sitting on rocks facing away from each other and just... waiting for everyone else to finish.

Daisuke: So they're just giving each other space, huh? Miyako: That's right. We can't just leave them like this. Daisuke: (resigned) Yeah, I guess we can't. Miyako: In that case, how about this....

Miyako whispers her plan into Daisuke's ear. He immediately jumps out from behind the rock to put it into action.

Daisuke: Let's give it a try. IORI!!! ICHIJOUJI!!!

As the boys turn to look at Daisuke, Miyako very unsubtly yanks V-mon and Hawkmon back behind the rock to hide.

Daisuke: See that Dark Tower over there? Fladramon's Fire Rocket couldn't take it down! V-mon: What!? That measly Dark Tower couldn't--

Before V-mon can blow this whole thing, Miyako claps a hand over his mouth and yanks him back behind the rock.

Miyako: We're trying to get Iori and Ichijouji-kun to get along better. V-mon: Ohh, I get it now.

Ken and Iori stare skeptically at Daisuke. How utterly suspicious this all is has not been lost on them.

Daisuke: (sheepish) Sooooo, why don't you give it a try? V-mon: (sheepish) Sooooo, why don't you give it a try? Both: (fake as shit) A ha ha ha ha ha ha ha....

Yep. This is completely plausible and is definitely fooling everybody. Daisuke is an effective leader; In fact, he's in intense emotional pain right now but has elected to compartmentalize that because team-building for his crew is more important than his romance woes. But what he's not is a phenomenal liar.

(Daisuke for Crest of Purity FIGHT ME)

In the dub:

Yolei: It's about Cody and Ken. Have you noticed they never talk to each other? They're not friends. And it's not like they argue the way you and I do. They just don't talk. Davis: Yeah, you're right. I guess they're still both a little nervous around each other. Yolei: Well, they can't go on like this much longer. Davis: Well, what are we supposed to do about it? Yolei: Actually, I've got a plan. (Yolei whispers in Davis's ear) Davis: It's worth a shot. HEY!!! KEN, CODY, I NEED A HAND!!! Cody & Ken: Huh? Davis: See that Control Spire over there? It's right behind you! It seems like Flamedramon wasn't strong enough to knock that one down! Veemon: Are you nuts!? I could do that blindfolded! (Yolei yanks Veemon behind the rock) Yolei: Quiet! It's a plan to get Cody and Ken to work together. Veemon: Oh. Never mind! Cody & Ken: ... Davis: (sheepish) Ehehe, it's really kinda strange.... Veemon: (sheepish) Yeah, go figure, y'know? Both: (fake as shit) Hehehehehehehe....

Yolei implies a passage of time since last episode, with a recurring pattern of Ken and Cody not interacting with each other for multiple assignments now. That's not necessarily wrong, but it does make what's about to happen a little more awkward than if this was Ken's first time hanging out with us on purpose.

Not sure what she means about them not arguing "the way you and I do". They previously had Ken say that Davis and Cody bicker "like a married couple" and now they're suggesting a pattern of bickering between Davis and Yolei. Dub Team really seems to want Davis to be more of a troublemaker than he actually is.

They expected a shit-troll and got the emotional heart of the team. Whoops.

So, at Daisuke's behest, Stingmon and Digmon give it a try.

Stingmon: SPIKING FINISH!!! Digmon: BIG CRACK!!!

Their efforts turn that Dark Tower to dust. Reverting to Armadimon and Wormmon, the two Digimon grab onto each other and dance gleefully.

Armadimon & Wormmon: HOORAY!!! WE DID IT!!!

V-mon and Hawkmon give them golf claps to celebrate their "achievement". But Iori and Ken remain apart, not looking at one another.

Daisuke: Iori and Ichijouji's Digimon work together just fine, but.... Miyako: ...the problem is Iori and Ichijouji-kun.

Both Iori and Ichijouji continues to stare straight ahead. Neither acknowledging the other; Simply observing their joint achievement in silence.

In the dub:

Stingmon: SPIKING STRIKE!!! Digmon: ROCK CRACKIN'!!! (Stingmon and Digmon bring down the Control Spire) Wormmon: (dancing with Armadimon) YAY!!! WE DID IT!!! (Golf claps) Davis: Wormmon and Armadillomon seem to be getting along just fine. Yolei: Yeah. Now if only Cody and Ken would act the same way.

Pretty much the same. Armadillomon just laughs instead of saying anything, but that's the only thing I noticed different.

Daisuke and Miyako watch Iori and Ken disregard each other until finally Daisuke snaps.

Daisuke: Oh come on! You guys destroyed the Dark Tower together! The least you could do is shake hands! Iori: (sharply) Daisuke-san! Daisuke: ...what is it? Iori: Fladramon could have brought it down by himself. Ken: I think so too. Daisuke: ...you're right, but-- Iori: Please refrain from wasting energy. Miyako: What was that!? IORI, YOU-- Daisuke: Calm down, Miyako!

Daisuke grabs Miyako from behind, holding her back from erupting on Iori. This serves only to further alienate Ken, who now regrets having agreed to participate in this group activity.

Ken: Just like I expected. I'm disrupting your teamwork. Let's go, Wormmon. Wormmon: (dismayed) Ken-chan.... Daisuke/Miyako: (equally dismayed) Ichijouji/Ichijouji-kun....

Wormmon doesn't want to go, but he leaves with Ken. An outcome nobody seems happy with.

Armadimon: ...Wormmon.... Miyako: NYAAAAAHAAAAAAAAGH!!! AGAIN!!! Armadimon: Iori.... Iori: ...

Ken anticipated this outcome. This experiment to see if he truly could be a part of this team has ended in disaster and validated Ken's own feeling of social inadequacy towards this group. He was already uncomfortable with Daisuke's attempts to bring him onboard and now he has clear proof that he'll only create trouble by being here.

In the dub:

Davis: That's enough! You two just worked together to destroy a Control Spire! Why don't you shake hands and be friends!? Cody: (furious) DAVIS!!! Davis: ...what? Cody: I think Flamedramon could have destroyed that Control Spire! Ken: I agree with Cody. Davis: Well, now that you mention it.... Cody: Davis, please don't make us waste our energy like that again! Yolei: CODY, YOU'RE SO STUBBORN!!! Davis: YOLEI, STOP!!! You're not helping! (Davis struggles to restrain Yolei) Ken: It seems not every team member wants us around, Wormmon. Let's go. ... Davis & Yolei: But wait.... Yolei: Ken.... (Ken and Wormmon leave) Armadillomon: Wormmon, where ya going? Yolei: HRRRRRRGH YOU...! Armadillomon: Cody!

Cody is more emotional here than Iori. He's angry and yelling accusatorily, while Iori burns cold. Iori's voice is sharp, but dispassionate and controlled. There's an edge to it, but he's keeping his feelings reserved.

The biggest change is, as usual, with Ken. In the original, Ken is self-deprecating. He blames nobody but himself for this arrangement falling apart, considering himself (and with good reason) to be an inherent source of tension within this group.

Dub Ken blames Cody for it. He's leaving because Cody has failed to adequately make him feel welcomed, which is such a fucking diva move for this ex-piece of shit to pull. I hate what the dub's done with Ken's reformation arc.

There's also an awkward three-second silence between Ken saying "Let's go" and Davis and Yolei saying "But wait". In the original, "Let's go, Wormmon" happened in the following shot of Daisuke and Miyako after we leave a closeup of Ken's face. It was then followed by Wormmon saying, "Ken-chan...."

But Dub Ken finishes his line with the lip flaps designated to him in the closeup and Wormmon doesn't get his line. So the animation just... hangs on Davis and Yolei for three seconds until we get to the point where they can deliver their lines.

I do like Yolei's separate "Ken...." Miyako attaches the -kun honorific to Ken's name and Daisuke doesn't, so she has an extra lip flap. They used it well.

Cutting back to Arachnemon's lair, Mummymon gives her a massage while she thinks aloud.

Arachnemon: To defeat the Chosen Children, I will need to send out an immensely powerful Digimon... (to Mummymon) Lower. (to herself) With one Dark Tower....

Arachnemon flashes back on creating Golemon from the Dark Tower in the woods.

Arachnemon: ...we get that kind of Digimon. With ten Dark Towers....

She recalls creating Oukuwamon in the desert.

Arachnemon: ...we get that kind of Digimon. But they failed. To defeat the Chosen Children, I may need to use 100 Dark Towers. Mummymon: (thinking) In order for Arachnemon to use 100 Dark Towers, she would have to pull out 100 hairs. (despondently) If Arachnemon loses 100 hairs....

Staring at her flowing white hair, Mummymon is so distraught that he stops the massage. After a moment, Arachnemon realizes his mind is in the wrong place.

Arachnemon: What the hell are you picturing!?

She grabs him and hurls him off the cliff into a Dark Tower. Mummymon helplessly plunges into the woods below.

Arachemon: Seriously....

Down in the woods below, Mummymon picks himself up and dusts himself off.

Mummymon: (blushing) Every time Arachnemon throws me, all I feel is joy instead of pain! Could it be that I've fallen in love with Arachnemon?

Mummymon melts into the ground, basking in his romantic feelings until he's interrupted by the honking of the car horn above.

Arachnemon: What are you doing, Mummymon!? We're leaving! Mummymon: (bolting upright) Y-YES, MA'AM!!!

As funny as the image of Mummymon giving Arachnemon a massage over her coat is, it also makes a degree of sense. Since Digimon are wireframe bodies covered in a digital skin, that coat is legitimately the back of her character model.

In the dub:

Arukenimon: I'm going to need an all-powerful Digimon if I ever hope to squeeze the life out of the DigiDestined! Hmm.... When I only used one Control Spire.... (Golemon flashback) Arukenimon: ...this is what I created. And then I tried using ten Control Spires.... (Okuwamon flashback) Arukenimon: ...and I created this powerful creature! And yet neither of them were sufficient enough to defeat those kids. In order to destroy those kids, I'll need to use 100 Control Spires! Mummymon: If she's going to use 100 Control Spires, how many hairs does she need? Let's see, that's 6, carry the 4, minus 2... That would be 100! If you have to use 100 hairs, you could get a job in the circus as the Bald Lady! Ahahaha! Arukenimon: And you can join the circus on the Flying Trapeze!

This time, they don't cut the throw, but they put a white flash in to censor the moment Mummymon's back hits the Control Spire.

Mummymon: Every time she treats me like that, I feel closer and closer to her. Could this be love I'm feeling? Ooh... (Car turns on) Arukenimon: Mummymon, would you hurry it up!? We're leaving! Mummymon: (bolts upright) I'M COMING!!!

Gonna be honest, dude, I don't know what you were expecting to happen after that Bald Lady crack. At least your Japanese counterpart had the common courtesy to only think it. XD

Wasting no time, Arachnemon and Mummymon find a good place to put Arachnemon's new plan into action. Arachnemon takes a fistful of her hair, folding it across her mouth.

Arachnemon: To defeat the Chosen Children... to bring ruin to the Digital World... a truly menacing Digital Monster... ARISE!!!

You know, I expected her to bite her hair off but instead she flourishes it like angel wings so I dunno what the hair-biting thing was about. Maybe she's just trichophagic.

In any case, we go to commercial wondering what the hell sort of creature is about to emerge. Don't look at the title card.

In the dub, they let out a bit of silence-breaking banter on the drive in.

Mummymon: (singing) 99 Control Spires on the side of the road, 99 Control Spires! You knock one down-- Arukenimon: Oh, be quiet. Look at all those beautiful Control Spires. I knew those eager beaver brats didn't have time to clean up this area yet. (Mummymon and Arukenimon arrive) Arukenimon: Are you ready? Mummymon: Ehehehehehe... I love watching you work. Arukenimon: Then you're really going to love this. This creature will not only destroy the DigiDestined but also the entire Digital World! DIGIMON OF DARKNESS, COME TO ME!!!

The dub takes its second commercial break here as well.

This is pretty good. I particularly like the "eager beaver brats" remark. It's witty but also feels appropriate for the situation, since we know Arachnemon/Arukenimon is under pressure at this point from how thoroughly the kids are cleaning up the Towers/Spires.

They're making their jokes but keeping it reasonably in-character and both situationally and tonally appropriate, which is all I ask for.

Returning from commercial break, we find Iori sitting by himself contemplating the can of tea in his hand. Takeru and Hikari have returned with the drinks.

A little surprised that it's tea, since Takeru said the vending machine sold juice, but I guess it had both. The label reads まったりお茶 Mattari Ocha or Relaxing Tea.

Iori doesn't drink his tea; He just stares at the can, seeming more depressed than anything else.

Takeru: So that's what happened? Miyako: Neither Iori nor Ichijouji-kun are being honest with their feelings. Hikari: I can't say I don't understand where Iori-kun's coming from, though.

The team continues to watch Iori for a moment, but nobody has anything else to say. Finally, Daisuke lifts his can to his lips and starts drinking his juice. Following his lead, the rest of the team start drinking theirs in unison. A subtle moment but one that demonstrates the influence Daisuke now has over this group.

The dub leads us in with Davis finishing explaining the recap rather than T.K. reacting to it.

Davis: And that's the whole story! He's been up there ever since. T.K.: We're gone ten minutes and you cause a mutiny!? Yolei: Both of them are so stubborn. Neither one of them is willing to talk to the other! Kari: I feel sorry for Cody. I'm sure he feels terrible.

Davis's extra line allows T.K. to hone in on and yell at him, specifically, for what just happened. Which seems unfair given that it was Miyako/Yolei's plan, but Davis is the dub's whipping boy.

After finishing his drink, Daisuke sighs and looks at Iori again.

Daisuke: Iori... Ichijouji... They both have some growing up to do.

With those simple words, Daisuke immediately party-wipes the entire team. Complete annihilation, no survivors. At once, everybody suddenly chokes on their juice.

Daisuke: Hey, you guys think so too, right?

They don't answer him. They can't answer him. All they can do is cough and hack up their lungs in a desperate bid to survive the critical hit he just dealt to their psyches.

Suddenly, Arachnemon's car tires ripping up the terrain can be heard. Daisuke doesn't notice it; He's too busy being offended when he realizes he nearly killed everyone with that remark.

Daisuke: WHAT THE HELL!?!? DID I SAY SOMETHING FUNNY!?!?

But the others hear it. Once they finish choking, they put on their game faces, preparing to confront their inbound nemesis.

In the dub:

Davis: You know what, I was thinking.... Maybe I should talk to both of them about acting their own age. (Total Party Kill) Davis: I think I can straighten them out. Team: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! (Tires) Davis: ALRIGHT, WHAT EXACTLY IS SO FUNNY!?!?

This joke was already at Daisuke's expense; The thing that got everyone is that Daisuke, of all people, is saying that someone else needs to grow up.

The dub takes that unstated gag, makes it explicit, and exaggerates it. Davis goes so far as to say that he should go sort them out and teach them how to be mature. Then, instead of reflexively choking on their juice, the team actually laughs in his face about it.

That last part was probably a judgment call, rather than a deliberate change. The translated script likely didn't include hacking noises and we know they've been tripped up by non-verbal sounds a lot because they didn't actually watch the episode with the audio on. So they probably just looked at that animation there and made their best guess about what noises are supposed to be coming out of those children.

Arachnemon's car draws closer and closer, now visible in the distance. Except to Daisuke, who's facing the others.

Though the sudden chilling of the team's demeanors is not lost on him.

Daisuke: Uh... Have I offended you guys...?

Arachnemon's car pulls up behind him, screeching to a stop.

Daisuke: Hey, what's wrong? Why's everybody so quiet? Takeru: Behind you, Daisuke-kun. Daisuke: Huh?

Finally Daisuke turns around just in time to see Arachnemon and Mummymon step out of the vehicle.

Arachnemon: So this is where you've all been. Daisuke: Yeah, what about it!? Takeru: What do you want!? Arachnemon: Well now, I thought you might like to play with the new Digimon I just made. Miyako: How many times are we going to have to teach you this lesson, Old Woman!?

Okay no, she doesn't quote a Sponge Bob meme. But she does say "懲りないの Korinai no!?" which is phrasing "A person who doesn't learn their lesson" as a question, so she basically does.

Miyako: Haven't you learned yet!? You've done nothing but lose to us! Arachnemon: This time... WE'LL HAVE TO SEE!!!

Acknowledging onscreen that the antagonist is a repeat loser always does wonders for their credibility, doesn't it? But she backs it up, as each of the 100 hairs she released enters 100 Dark Towers at once, shaking the earth.

In the dub:

Davis: Uhhh, look... Are you guys mad? (Car pulls up) Davis: You don't have to give me the silent treatment. I mean, come on! T.K.: Davis, take a look behind you. Davis: Huh!? (Arukenimon and Mummymon emerge) Arukenimon: Shouldn't you boys and girls be home with your mommies and daddies? Davis: None of your business! T.K.: Alright, what do you want!? Arukenimon: I thought you kids might enjoy playing with a little Digimon I put together. Yolei: When will you learn!? Every time you try to fight us, you end up losing! Arukenimon: Not this time. SPIRIT NEEDLE!!!

Solid. No notes.

As the ground shakes, Arachnemon and Mummymon get back in the car and drive towards the Dark Tower mountain.

Arachnemon: Right this way, children!

The whole mountain of Dark Towers begins to lift into the air. Some of them disintegrate into pixels.

V-mon: Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah! (XV-mon Evolution) Takeru: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Pegasmon Armor Evolution) (Aquilamon Evolution) (Ankylomon Evolution) Hikari: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Nefertimon Armor Evolution)

As the Digimon evolve one by one, spliced between their stock animations, more and more of the Dark Towers levitate into the air and disintegrate into pixels.

In the dub:

Arukenimon: Have a good time! Play nice! (Control Spires rise into air and begin disintegrating) Veemon: Davis! Davis: Right! (ExVeemon Digivolution) T.K.: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Pegasusmon Armor Digivolution) (Aquilamon Digivolution) (Ankylomon Digivolution) Kari: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Nefertimon Armor Digivolution)

Arukenimon makes it sound like she's leaving, which is odd since she'll continue to be present here. Arachnemon is specifically baiting them towards where her Digimon is coming into being; She expects to be followed.

I do like the "Play nice!" bit though. XD

Daisuke: Let's go, team!

Once the evolutions are finished, Daisuke leads the group in pursuit of Arachnemon's car.

Arachnemon: Enthusiastic as ever, I see. But soon, that excitement will turn to fear....

While chasing the car, Daisuke and Miyako are joined by Iori.

Daisuke & Miyako: IORI!!! Iori: Daisuke-san! Miyako-san! This seems different from the other times. I have a bad feeling about it. Takeru-san's group is too far ahead!

Above, Hikari and Takeru approach the mountain on their Digimon. However, the visage of the enemy is beginning to form from the swirling pixels of all those Dark Towers.

In the dub:

Davis: Let's do it! (The team chases Arukenimon) Arukenimon: Now that's funny. They think they have a chance! This is fun... Nothing quite relaxes me like scaring kids! (Cody joins Davis and Yolei) Davis: Come on, guys! Hurry! Cody: I've got a bad feeling about this! T.K. and Kari are too far ahead! (Shadow appears over the mountain) Kari: T.K., what's that!?

Solid.

Suddenly, the shadow attacks, knocking Hikari and Takeru out of the sky.

Iori: AH!!! Daisuke: HIKARI-CHAN!!! Miyako: TAKERU-KUN!!!

The two veterans come crashing to the ground.

In the dub, it's the same.

Cody: AH!!! Davis: KARI!!! Yolei: T.K.!!!

Barely even able to lift their heads, Pegasmon and Nefertimon watch helplessly as the 100 Dark Towers combined and form into the shape of a Digimon.

Pegasmon: That's....Black.... Nefertimon: ...Black... War... Greymon.... BlackWarGreymon: HRAAAAAAAGH!!!

Upon his activation, BlackWarGreymon's first act is just to scream to the heavens. Which, y'know, felt.

BlackWarGreymon is an Ultimate-stage Virus-attribute Dragonman Digimon, and I assume he's an answer to the MetalGreymon recolor conundrum. As previously noted, the blue MetalGreymon we see when the Digimon Kaiser's controlling him is the original MetalGreymon; Ours is a Vaccine-attribute recolor.

Over time, new entries have been added and there now exists a whole parallel Virus chain to mirror Agumon's anime evolution line. Agumon (Black) evolves into Greymon (Blue) evolves into MetalGreymon (Blue) and finally into BlackWarGreymon.

Blue MetalGreymon may have been fired from his own evolution line but at least he got to go make his own evolution line out of spite.

Narrator: BlackWarGreymon! He may look like WarGreymon, but this Ultimate Digimon created from Dark Towers has a dark soul. He accumulates negative thoughts and feelings before releasing them with his special attack Ankoku no Gaia Force! Takeru: ...but... that's impossible.... Hikari: It can't be... what is BlackWarGreymon...?

Hikari and Takeru pass out there, receiving no answers because they can't hear the narrator.

WarGreymon's special attack is the Genki-Dama/Spirit Bomb from Dragon Ball. BlackWarGreymon can form a Genki-Dama from hate, fear, and that embarrassing high school memory that your brain torments you with late at night.

Like most attacks including the original Gaia Force, the "Gaia Force" part is in English. 黒の Ankoku no means "of Darkness". Gaia Force of Darkness or Dark Gaia Force.

In the dub:

Pegasusmon: I... I know who that is.... Nefertimon: It's... It's BlackWarGreymon.... BlackWarGreymon: HRAAAAAAGH!!!

The awakening of BlackWarGreymon is where the dub takes their third commercial break.

Narrator: BlackWarGreymon is a Mega Digimon who looks like WarGreymon but he's pure evil. His Terra Destroyer attack releases a concentration of 100% negative energy. T.K.: Black...WarGreymon...? It can't be.... Kari: It is... But I don't know how it's possible....

For some reason, the dub breaks with the diegetic rundowns and has the narrator explain BlackWarGreymon despite Pegasmon and Nefertimon acknowledging in both versions that they somehow know what this guy is. One of them could easily have delivered the diegetic rundown.

With two of our team down, three remain.

XV-mon: What do we do, Ankylomon? Ankylomon: You have to ask? We protect the children-dagyaa. Aquilamon: That's all we can do!

Together, the three remaining Adults rush BlackWarGreymon. This is a terrible idea and it goes very badly.

BlackWarGreymon meets XV-mon in the air and, after a weird two-second pause, headbutts him down into the ground. Then he slashes Aquilamon in the face with whatever his equivalent to the Dramon Killer is. Once Aquilamon's off him, he catches up to XV-mon on the ground, shoving him back into Ankylomon and taking them both for a ride.

A short distance away, Arachnemon and Mummymon watch the fight, chuckling to themselves.

In the dub:

ExVeemon: What should we do, Ankylomon!? Ankylomon: I'd say protecting the kids is high on the list. Aquilamon: I agree wholeheartedly!

The dub adds a white flash to censor the hit on Aquilamon, but leaves the headbutt to ExVeemon uncensored. Otherwise, it's all the same.

No idea why XV-mon/ExVeemon is suddenly deferring to Ankylomon for leadership but it's like that in both versions.

While BlackWarGreymon manhandles their Digimon, the kids watch on in horror.

Daisuke: He-he's so strong.... Iori: If this keeps up, they'll all.... Miyako: The only thing that can win this is Paildramon! We have to contact Ichijouji-kun!

Elsewhere in the Digital World, Ken and Stingmon are doing their own thing again in this weird colorful swiss-cheese rock region. Stingmon topples a Dark Tower while playing the "Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions" card somehow.

Ken's found a good spot to sit and watch. Suddenly, his D-Terminal chimes. It's a useless message from Miyako that only reads, "Ken-kun, come here quick!" and offers no further context.

He sends back a response that Miyako reads aloud. It's not surprising.

Miyako: "I don't want to disrupt your teamwork." Daisuke: Now isn't the time to be worrying about teamwork! Iori: Ngh...

Iori steps away for a moment, fuming. Then his feelings get the better of him and he erupts.

Iori: WE SHOULD FIGHT WITHOUT HIM!!! Daisuke: (sharply) Iori! Miyako: STOP IT, BOTH OF YOU!!! I'll go bring him here! AQUILAMON!!! Aquilamon: Miyako-san!

Pulling Aquilamon out of the fight, Miyako sprints towards him while calling back at Daisuke and Iori.

Miyako: I'll be right back with Ichijouji-kun! Hold out until then! Daisuke: Right! Iori: Tch....

Or you could just write a better email, Miyako. That is an option too. You might get a different response with "We are all being actively murdered by Arachnemon, please help." In fact, I know you would because we've tested this in the past. There is precedent!

It's fitting that Miyako has a D-Terminal, given her D-grade in communication.

In the dub:

Davis: He's too strong for them! Cody: They need more help, NOW!!! Yolei: Paildramon is the only one who is strong enough to help! That's it, then; We have to call Ken! (Control Spire collapses in the swiss cheese region) Stingmon: Finally! I'm good at something!

Rewritten in English, Yolei's email reads "Ken, please help us!" which is only marginally better than Miyako's.

Ken: An email? It's from Yolei.... Stingmon: What does she want, Ken? (Ken sends reply) Yolei: "I don't want to mess up the dynamics of your team"? Davis: Worrying about our team is the least of our problems! Cody: I say forget about Ken! We never needed him before and we don't need him now! We can do this on our own! Davis: You're wrong! Yolei: Both of you, knock it off! You're acting like a couple of 12-year-olds! ...ugh, you know what I mean! AQUILAMON!!! Aquilamon: You called? Yolei: We're gonna find Ken and bring him back! Hold the fort until then! Davis: Right!

The "couple of 12-year-olds" crack is clearly meant to insinuate that they are a couple of 12-year-olds. That's the punchline. But it makes the characters' ages very confusing since Daisuke is 11 and Iori is 9. Miyako is 12.

They bumped up the three-year timeskip to four years for the dub but it's never been clearly established whether they also aged up the DigiDestined by a year. Or did they just shore everyone up to 12? Because Cody clearly isn't.

I would have just said "You're acting like children" and not given a weirdly specific age number that raises all sorts of questions.

Ken's "I don't want to disrupt the dynamics of your team" remark is an accurate adaptation of the original message. But it comes off a little passive-aggressive after that "Not everyone wants us here!" remark from earlier.

So, with Aquilamon removed from the fight, how we doing?

That's about right. BlackWarGreymon is completely manhandling XV-mon and Ankylomon while Arachnemon kinda swoons for him.

Arachnemon: My BlackWarGreymon... (swoon) His strength is so captivating.... Mummymon: (displeased) Sure is.

Will Arachnemon succeed in becoming BlackWarGreymon's Mommy Girlfriend? FIND OUT NEXT TIME ON--

In the dub:

Arukenimon: I have created a magnificent specimen... (swoon) If I do say so myself.

Arukenimon expresses a similar idea but in a less flirtatious way.

Back in the swiss cheese rock region, Ken continues to sulk until he feels Stingmon's shadow cross over him. His Partner is watching him with concern.

Stingmon: Shouldn't we go, Ken-chan? Ken: Go where? Stingmon: Don't play dumb. Daisuke's team reached out to you, didn't they? Ken: ...Motomiya-kun's team is-- Miyako: ICHIJOUJI-KUN!!!

Out of nowere, Aquilamon swoops in with Miyako on his back.

Ken: Miyako-san!? Miyako: Come quick! Arachnemon's created an unbelievably powerful Digimon!

Ken does not come quick. He just looks down and sulks.

Stingmon: (sharply) Ken! Miyako: Without Paildramon....

Oooo, Stingmon dropped the honorific. He's mad.

Ken slowly stands up so he can give Miyako her answer to her face.

Ken: (reluctantly) I'm sorry, Miyako-san, but-- Miyako: STUPID!!! Ken: Stupid? Miyako: YOU'RE BEING STUPID!!!

Miyako screams 馬鹿 baka and slaps Ken right in his dumb 馬鹿 baka face.

This is the end of the argument. Ken will be returning with Miyako next scene. Between Daisuke and Miyako, what we are learning is that Ken is shockingly receptive to percussive maintenance. He gets on his shit from time to time but apparently it's nothing a 馬鹿 baka slap can't fix.

In the dub:

Stingmon: Ken? Are you sure you don't want to go? Ken: Go where? Stingmon: You know where. Davis and the others called you, didn't they? Davis: I don't know what you're talking about.

Neither do I, since that was an email. Even if we account for the dub giving the D-Terminal phone capabilities, the email was visible onscreen. They even rewrote it in English.

This is something that's tripped up the dub a couple of times with the D-Terminal and it's because the verb 呼ば yoba means to call out to someone. Like raising your voice and going "HEY, COME HERE!!!" Every time they "call" someone on the D-Terminal, it's a mistranslation of this verb.

Yolei: Hey, Ken! It's me! Ken: Huh? Yolei!? What are you doing here!? Yolei: You have to hurry! Arukenimon made this really strong Digimon! We need Paildramon! Ken: ... Stingmon: (sharply) Ken! (Ken stands up) Ken: Yolei, I can't go. Yolei: You must! Ken: I'm sorry. Yolei: Why, you... RRRRRAAAAAGH!!! (Slap)

This is good. They even make the 馬鹿 baka slap work feel really natural. Yolei's violent outburst is well localized.

I was honestly expecting them to cut it but they don't even censor it with a white flash.

With Ken and Stingmon firmly in tow, Miyako returns to the battlefield. They pass over a battered Hikari and Takeru, who are cradling their devolved Digimon.

Hikari: Ichijouji-kun...? Takeru: Stingmon...? Miyako: Everyone here is fighting for their lives! Ken: ....

Ken doesn't answer that; He just puts his hand to his cheek, feeling the sting from where she slapped him.

Meanwhile, the fight still isn't going well. XV-mon is flat on his back and barely conscious. Ankylomon tackles BlackWarGreymon on his hind legs, shoving him back and away from XV-mon.

Ankylomon: Hang in there! Stingmon will get here any second now! XV-mon: ...yeah....

Still determined to fight on, XV-mon struggles to stand back up.

In the dub:

Kari: Huh...? It's Ken and Yolei! Yolei: I'm sorry I slapped you but you needed to wake up. Ken: .... (Ankylomon tackles BlackWarGreymon) Ankylomon: Let's keep fighting! I'm sure that Stingmon will show up soon! ExVeemon: ...rrrgh...right!

Miyako doubles down on how stupid Ken's being while Yolei backs off and apologizes to him. Another minor instance of the dub being more sympathetic to Ken than the original script, but not a particularly noteworthy one.

Still watching from the sidelines, Arachnemon's ready to end this.

Arachnemon: BlackWarGreymon! It's time to finish this!

He does not. BlackWarGreymon hoists Ankylomon over his head, not exactly demonstrating the urgency that's being demanded of him.

Mummymon: That is a direct order from your creator Arachnemon!

Too late. Miyako and Ken arrive on the scene, swooping overhead.

Miyako: Daisuke! I brought Ichijouji-kun and Stingmon! Daisuke: (smiling) ...Ken. Ken: (smiling) ...Motomiya-kun.

The boys' reunion is adorable and I'm gonna let it speak for itself next section. But for this part, while it's not quite as apparent since BlackWarGreymon is still fighting our guys in there, Mummymon's line implies that BlackWarGreymon is shirking his instructions.

XV-mon and Ankylomon are hanging in there partly because BlackWarGreymon isn't going as hard at them as he's supposed to. Given that he's a mindless Dark Tower construct, that's a little weird.

Foreshadowing foreshadowing.

In the dub:

Arukenimon: BlackWarGreymon, it's time! Finish them off once and for all! (BlackWarGreymon wrassles with Ankylomon) Mummymon: Arukenimon is your master. You must do what she tells you! (Yolei and Ken arrive) Yolei: Davis! I brought Stingmon and Ken to give us a hand! Davis: (smiling) Alright! Ken: (smiling) Let's get to work.

Yeah, that's way less shippy when they don't softly say each other's names.

The dub did understand the assignment with Mummymon's interjection.

Ken and Daisuke waste no time Jogressing, and I finally get to show off what Paildramon's evolution looks like with the original music backing it.

This is what I'm talking about when I say that some of the insert songs in the dub are really good but there's just no competing with the way the original's insert songs are interlocked with the evolution stock animation itself.

Arachnemon: That one has been a persistent thorn in my side. BlackWarGreymon, go on and show them the full extent of our grudge! BlackWarGreymon: NRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAGH!!! Paildramon: ESCRIMA!!!

Roaring at each other, BlackWarGreymon and Paildramon collide in the air, momentarily knocking each other back.

In the dub:

Arukenimon: BlackWarGreymon, I've seen this mutant Digimon before. I want you to show him who's the most powerful Digimon in the entire Digital World! BlackWarGreymon: RAAAAAAAAGH!!! Paildramon: This is gonna get uglyyyyyyy!

Paildramon doesn't call his attack here.

Arukenimon only attests to having seen Paildramon before but makes no assessment of how tough he is. Which is unfortunate because that assessment is contextually kind of important. We'll see why in a bit.

After colliding with BlackWarGreymon, Paildramon's selves take a moment to discuss their foe.

Paildramon (XV-mon): Clearly, he's nothing like any of the Digimon that Arachnemon's created up until now. Paildramon (Stingmon): Let's put all of our strength into this attack. Paildramon: DESPERADO BLASTER!!!

Paildramon pours everything he's got into his signature move and unloads hell on BlackWarGreymon. It achieves nothing. BlackWarGreymon doesn't even flinch as he withstands Paildramon's full strength.

Paildramon: What...? BlackWarGreymon: Hrrrrgh.... Miyako: Even Paildramon is useless here? Ken: (stunned) That's impossible.... Iori: It can't be.... Daisuke: Paildramon.... Arachnemon / Mummymon: Ohohohohoho / Ehehehehehe!

There's no two ways about it. True to his status as an Ultimate Digimon, BlackWarGreymon can take everything Paildramon has and then some.

In the dub, as before, Paildramon does not split his voices to talk to himself.

Paildramon: Wow, talk about meeting head to head! We're gonna need an aspirin the size of a Control Spire after this fight. DESPERADO BLASTER!!! (BlackWarGreymon tanks it) Paildramon: Uh-oh. BlackWarGreymon: Nyehehehehehehe! Yolei: Look, there's not even a scratch on him. Ken: (stunned) Impossible.... Davis: Paildramon was our only chance! Now what do we do!? Arachnemon & Mummymon: Huhuhuhuhuhu....

Paildramon doesn't say he's putting all of his power into this attack so the effect isn't quite as pronounced, but you do still get the impression that what just happened shouldn't have, and this is very bad for us.

Now, it's BlackWarGreymon's turn.

As BlackWarGreymon's eye flashes, Hikari's the first to see it coming.

BlackWarGreymon: Hrrrgh.... Hikari: EVERYBODY RUN!!!! BlackWarGreymon: HROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

But it's too late to run. BlackWarGreymon releases his power in a massive radial blast wave, annihilating everything.

In the dub:

BlackWarGreymon: Hrrrgh.... Kari: (gasp) LET'S GET OUT OF HEEEEEEERE!!! BlackWarGreymon: HROOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!

The dub's scream doesn't attack your soul directly for psychic damage but it's hard to compete with Japan in the field of shonen anime battle screaming. They wrote the book on it.

When the dust settles, there is no uncertainty about who's won this battle.

The children are down and barely clinging to life. The music is deathly silent.

The dub has the "we're in peril" BGM playing in the background and has all the kids make groaning sounds so you know they're alive. But the original is silent.

The only sound heard is BlackWarGreymon's heavy footsteps as he approaches the battered and unconscious Leafmon and Chicomon.

Arachnemon: Well done, BlackWarGreymon. I have plenty of work for you to do. Go out and destroy! Destroy! Destroy this Digital World with wild abandon! BlackWarGreymon: ... Mummymon: What's the matter with you, BlackWarGreymon!? That is a direct order from your creator Arachnemon! BlackWarGreymon: ...I don't follow orders from anyone. Arachnemon & Mummymon: (stunned) ...what...?

Yeah, what they said. This is a startling moment for both the audience and our Team Rocket duo. Dark Tower Digimon aren't real. They're mindless husks of Dark Tower matter, right? They don't even call attacks; They sure as fuck don't converse.

And yet.

BlackWarGreymon: The two of you seem pretty weak. You wouldn't be suitable opponents for me. I'm going to search for someone stronger.

Leaving behind only those words he shouldn't even be capable of speaking, BlackWarGreymon takes to the sky.

This moment is not only startling but also sheds new light on the earlier moments with the fight. Why didn't BlackWarGreymon utterly dominate XV-mon and Ankylomon, even when Arachnemon told him to? Because he was still feeling things out for himself, with that conscious mind he's not supposed to have.

He fought Paildramon because Paildramon was a new challenger, and not because Arachnemon told him to. When Paildramon takes the field, without realizing she's doing it, Arachnemon expresses to BlackWarGreymon that this one is a truly exceptional foe worthy of his time and effort.

But now it's over. He's disappointed. He has no real compulsion to finish off helpless, defeated foes. He doesn't really care what Arachnemon and Mummymon are on about. And he's disappointed in the level of fighting he got to do. So he just. Peaces out.

In the dub:

Arukenimon: You have done an outstanding job, BlackWargreymon. You may now proceed to destroy the Digital World. BlackWarGreymon: .... Mummymon: Don't just stand there patting yourself on the back. Your master has given you new orders! Now get to work! BlackWarGreymon: ...I will take orders from no one. Arukenimon & Mummymon: You what!? BlackWarGreymon: Why should I take orders from you when you're so weak, you need me to do your fighting for you? I must find a more worthy opponent.

The dub's BWG combines the two ideas expressed here into one, giving a considered and thoughtful response to Arukenimon's command. Original BWG just says no and then briefly sizes them up as potential battle rivals. He does not give a fuck. What's your power level at?

Same idea but tonally different. Original BWG comes across as blunt and myopic, while the dub's take on the character is more well-reasoned.

Watching BlackWarGreymon disappear into the sky, Arachnemon faints right into Mummymon's arms.

Mummymon: A-Arachnemon!? (tenderly) Arachnemon... are you okay?

Arachnemon rouses a moment later. Realizing where she is, she suddenly gasps and pulls away from Mummymon. Then she punches him straight in the gut, making him slump down in the car.

Arachnemon: WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING!?!?

Finally, she bites the thumb of her glove out of frustration and hisses.

Arachnemon: Rrrgh... BlackWarGreymon...!

And this is where we leave off for today's episode. Now, I know what you must be thinking. What exactly is stopping Arachnemon and Mummymon from doing a coup de grace to the Chosen Children while they're all laid out and helpless like that? And the answer....

...

In any case, this will not be the last we see of BlackWarGreymon.

In the dub:

Mummymon: A-Arukenimon! Can you hear me!? Speak to me, my darling! Arukenimon: (rousing) Euggggh....

Arukenimon makes vaguely dissatisfied mouth noises, but the footage of her pulling away and punching Mummymon is cut. We go straight to BlackWarGreymon flying away and Arukenimon biting her glove.

Narrator: How can the DigiDestined handle BlackWarGreymon and Arukenimon at the same time? Find out on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

And on that note, this episode promised a decisive answer to whether the DigiDestined will destroy all the Control Spires before Arukenimon gets her hands on them.

No. The answer was no. They did not. Mission failed. But it didn't go any better for Arukenimon, so that's a plus.

Assessment: So there's not a lot to talk about this episode since it's a lot of setup and one long fight scene.

The big thing here is Ken and Iori. We had been making progress integrating Ken into the team and getting both Ken and Iori comfortable with a status quo like that. But progress doesn't mean the problem is solved, and they both backslide in a huge way here.

The tragic thing is, had they both been left to their own devices and allowed to find their way, things probably wouldn't have blown up like this. Ken was actually making an effort to be a part of the team, and Iori was content to quietly resent him from a distance.

Time could have helped them both get comfortable in this arrangement.

But neither Daisuke nor Miyako are known for their patience. By butting in and trying to force Iori and Ken together, they succeeded only in bringing Iori's resentment bubbling back to the surface and in validating Ken's reservations.

Also I said it earlier but I'm really proud of Daisuke for compartmentalizing his unrequited feelings for Hikari and being able to put them aside when his team needs him.

[erior]

Ah, that breakthrough speech by Daisuke remains incredible! And, not gonna lie, I really enjoy the relationship V-Mon and Wormmon have, there is a consistent implicit trust on each other. Also, glad to see Angemon burning demons, ghosts and the undead with holy energy, but that not being particularly strong versus angry stag beetles, is finaly brought to the foreground; poor guy wouldn't fare very well had he been around for Etemon back in the day I believe. And 24 years later I still believe Tailmon being forced into Plotmon around Dark Towers would had been a better nerf than "Tailmon is ineffective as an Adult". And, of course, the "can't go Perfect" elephant in the room... then again, gotta find a way to not have Taichi and Yamato form Omegamon when pressed, but... should had been mentioned before. Anyway, will ramble a bit about Jogress and Adventure Perfects and Ultimates. Jogress in its debut IIRC did evolve both 'mons (as, well, having your 'mon eat your buddy's if you wanted to try that function wouldn't really be a good gameplay mechanic). So, if you had a Kabuterimon in your Pendulum 1.0, your buddy had the same version and a Kuwagamon, and met the conditions to Jogress, both of you would get a Piccolomon; if he had a Pendulum 3.0 and a Devimon instead, you'd get a Piccolomon and he'd get a Pumpmon. From media around that time range, Digimon World 2 has Jogress as a regression instead: 2 Adults irreversibly jogress into a Child with more potential than its predecessors; while V-Tamer has it as a temporary fusion (complete with healing exploint, AND compound fussions). Nowadays, the "one 'mon eats the other for a powerup" is the main approach; only Omegamon and its variants are usually treated as an actual fusion. This also applies to 02, where V-Mon, Hawkmon and Armadimon are dominant in their Jogresses, while Wormmon, Tailmon and Patamon are pretty much a backpack battery for them. Anyway, just like with Armors, 02 had a quite expansive Jogress setup in the D-3 toy, and I believe it involved backwards compatibility with the Digivice toy to reach Ultimate:

Our four Free-attribute Adults each gets a new Free-attribute Jogressed Perfect with a composite design, while the veterans can use their Jogress partners instead of their respective crests to become their familiar Perfect archangel forms. Moreover, all 6 of them can jogress with their sempais' partners to reach either a new Free-attribute Ultimate, or their old familiar Ultimate. In any case, all of those are the natural Perfects and Ultimates for those specific characters. Daisuke's V-mon progresses into Paildramon and Imperialdramon without the need of Jogressing with Ken's Wormmon, who does progress into Dinobeemon and GranKuwagamon by itself. And, speaking of that, GranKuwagamon debuted as Stingmon's Ultimate; design-wise it is quite apparent, it is pretty much an insect-version of Imperialdramon borrowing many of Stingmon's design choices (the hands, the xenomorph/Namekian-like arm muscles, the forehead marking...), but it IS also Kuwagamon's Ultimate. Between that, and HeracleKabuterimon also being its Ultimate, poor line doesn't really get one for itself. Vikemon is also odd; it does have Ankylomon's club and Ikkakumon's... Ikkakumonness for its intention of a Jogress of both lines, but it really veers to the viking walrus side. Nowadays it has been understood as the Ultimate of Jou's Gomamon, but that became a thing in 2012 with the PSP RPG, and Tri ran with it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx3AoqinpX4 Jou's Ultimate used to be Plesiomon. Funnily enough, the Deep Savers pendulum was the only one to not use its Vaccine Ultimate for a Chosen Children's partner, and its Virus Ultimate for an anime antagonist: MarineAngemon and Pukumon may had fell short for that (even if both of them eventually got to shine), and thus both Data Ultimates, Plesiomon and MetalSeadramon, did the job. Oh, and Hikari's Tailmon evolving into Ophanimon rather than Holydramon? A thing since 2002: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKXVUc7ANWY I believe Toei treating that differently was due to Holydramon's appearance in Hurricane Touchdown, as uneventful as that was. Took until Adventure 2020 for that to be properly sorted out. Iori's Ultimate is still not properly sorted out, and Vikemon is quite often Shakkoumon's evolution of choice, but this official tibdib from 2020 is something I find compelling:

SlashAngemon is a quite decent choice for a Shakkoumon evolution, even if it doesn't really fall into the Ankylomon side, but, then again, Valkyrimon is more of a Sylphimon evolution than an Aquilamon Ultimate, so fine by me. Anyway, I guess I've rambled too much... will be shutting up with those... until we address Impmon's line, or Frontier hybrids, bwahaha!

Digimon Adventure 02x26 - Jogress Evolution! Now, with Hearts United! / United We Stand

Previously on Digimon Adventure: After seeing how Ken totally killed that guy, Daisuke decided he likes Ken now. Miyako agreed but waffled on it for so long that Mimi had to come back from America to approach Ken for her.

According to Dub Narrator, there is one question for today's episode to answer: Will Ken join the Chosen Children/DigiDestined? I have a good feeling about this one.

As an aside, the OP has been very slightly altered to add some new details. The four new Adult evolutions have been added to it, as have the mystery woman and her partner we haven't met yet. Near the end of the OP when all the Chosen Children are running towards the camera with their Digimon, Ken and Wormmon have been added to the group. And it also ends with flashes of all the other evolutions that will be acquired for the rest of the series. Ahh, Japanese OP spoilers.

We open in the Digital World continuing the reconstruction. Today's project is to rebuild a large bridge that had a chunk taken out of its midsection by the fighting at some point.

(This is the real reason Ken won't join us. He wants to skip the tedious construction labor. He'll sign on once we're done with this.)

Daisuke's about to lift another of the stones they're using for the bridge when he suddenly has a better idea.

Daisuke: We should take a break soon. Iori: Right!

The team retires up the hill to sit down and relax. Miyako breaks out her usual bag of I-Mart merchandise for the Digimon to dive into.

Digimon/Hawkmon: Nom nom nom / So good!

She watches the Digimon for a moment before turning her attention to the group. She has something she wants to get off her chest.

Miyako: By the way, something's been bothering me for a while now. HIkari: What is it? Miyako: That woman Palmon mentioned a while back. Who was she?

A good question. I do wonder how long this has been burning in Miyako's brain. She only gives a timeframe of この前 kono mae which means "Recently", so episode 25 could have been yesterday or a week ago, who knows.

The dub takes advantage of a panning shot of the bridge at the start to add some argument.

(Rock impact sound) Davis: Ow! Shurimon, watch what you're doing! Shurimon: You don't have to yell at me! (Shurimon leaps out of frame) Davis: He's right. We need a rest. Cody: I'm with you.

It's awkward but what I think they're going for is that Davis hurt Shurimon's feelings so Shurimon stormed off to go take a break, and then Davis realized the rest of them could use a break too.

(Digimon snack) Hawkmon: Uh, do you have an Worcestershire? (Yolei watches, then looks at the others) Yolei: Kari, I wonder... Do you think it's possible that Ken's in some kind of danger? Kari: What do you mean? Yolei: That woman that Palmon was telling us about. I just know that she's up to no good and I think he might be in her way.

Miyako doesn't really need a justifying reason to be curious about the mystery woman. She just is. Yolei only brings up the mystery woman because she's worried for Ken's wellbeing.

This change might be for the segue. We transition from here to Ken standing in front of a Dark Tower, contemplating recent events. He, too, is wondering about the mystery woman.

Wormmon: What are you looking at? Ken: How does this become a Digimon? Wormmon: Do you know something about it?

Ken steps forward and places his hand on the Tower's smooth surface. Then, after a moment, he pulls away.

Ken: No. I don't. The old me, the Kaiser, might have been able to understand it. But the way I am now, I can't possibly comprehend it. Wormmon: (nervous) Ken-chan... Do you want to go back to being the Digimon Kaiser? Ken: No! That's not what I meant. Back then, there was a clarity to my mind that made me feel like I could understand anything. But I couldn't understand the one thing more important than any other. Wormmon: ...? Ken: Right now, there's only one thing I can say for certain. Wormmon: Ken-chan.... Ken: I was the one who built this.

Ken doesn't clarify what the most important thing is but after everything we've been through with him these past few episodes, I think we know.

This is a strong scene for Ken. We can feel the weight of his guilt and his conviction in equal measure. I talked last episode about portraying ex-villains as just being sad to get audience sympathy, and this is a good counterexample.

We do feel how much Ken's heart aches for the things he's done here, but the point isn't just that he's sad about how evil he is. Instead, he offers an examination of what it felt like to be the Digimon Kaiser, an admission that he does feel more limited now that he isn't the Kaiser, and also a reassurance that he has no desire to go back. This is a moment of genuine emotional reflection.

There's a substance here that isn't found in just having him say things like "No one understands me! I'm a bad boy."

In the dub:

Wormmon: Look on the bright side, Ken. At least no one will ever say you think small! Ken: You certainly have a good point. Wormmon: Just trying to help. (Ken puts a hand on the Control Spire) Wormmon: Don't touch it! It's-- Ken: --pure evil. They're my creation. But even I don't understand how Arukenimon can take one of my Control Spires and somehow turn it into a Digimon!

Uh, we don't know that name yet and neither does Ken. She's just the mystery woman, Dub Team. Though the dub does have an explanation for why Ken knows it. We'll get to that.

Ken: I don't get it, Wormmon. When I was the Digimon Emperor, I understood this sort of thing. But nothing makes sense to me now! Wormmon: Earth to Ken: You're a genius. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Ken: Thanks, pal. I'm glad someone still has faith in me. Now I just have to have faith in myself. Since I was the one who built these things, you'd think I would have some kind of clue as to how they work. But I don't. I don't! As the Digimon Emperor, I was a genius. Now I'm just plain Ken.... Wormmon: That's a relief. Ken: Yeah, as far as you're concerned. But what about the Digital World? Wormmon: They'll get over it! Ken: Wormmon... Looking at these things makes me sick to my stomach. Wormmon: Oh, great. Stick your head between your knees and take a deep breath.

Dub Ken does sound like he wants to go back to being the Emperor. Like. He says it's good for Wormmon's sake that he's not the Emperor but bad for the rest of the Digital World. That's a really weird take, my guy.

There's a lot of "Poor Sad Ken" dialogue in this bit too. Special mention to the part where he says "I'm glad someone still has faith in me" about Wormmon one episode after Davis and Yolei made it pretty clear that they're chomping at the bit to bring him onboard.

Wormmon: I'm sorry. If only I was stronger, this would never have happened to you, Ken-chan.

At the sound of those words, Ken whips around, his eyes full of heartache for his Partner. He kneels down to get on Wormmon's level and grips Wormmon's front legs.

Ken: It's not your fault, Wormmon. I'm the one to blame. Wormmon: Ken-chan, let's rebuild the Digital World together, okay? Ken: Heh... Thank you, Wormmon. Wormmon: (fierce) I'm gonna bring all those Dark Towers crashing to the ground!

In the dub:

Wormmon: This whole thing is my fault. (Ken whips around and kneels down) Ken: Aww... How many times do I have to tell you, it's not your fault. There are people you can talk to about this stuff! Wormmon: Then why didn't you talk to them before becoming the Digimon Emperor? It had to be easier than building Control Spires. Ken: Excellent question, Wormmon. Wormmon: Alright, if you can't figure out how they work then I'll just have to knock them all down!

Dub Team uses this space to say that Ken should have just gone to therapy and then the whole plot could have been avoided. Abridged Parody-ass dialogue.

Back at the now-completed bridge, the Chosen Children take a moment to appreciate their work.

Iori: It's done! Daisuke: Sure is! All our hard work paid off, huh? Takeru: That's right! Miyako: So, since we're done here, ON TO THE NEXT ONE!!! Group: YEAH!!!

The Chosen Children celebrate their victory and head off. But they aren't alone. Watching from a nearby hillside, the mystery woman files her nails and grumbles to herself.

Woman: After all the work we put into destroying the Digital World... How irritating. Human children are so utterly useless, to say nothing of their interference.

She runs her hand through her hair, only for a clump to break off. It's not super clear whether she was trying to pluck a strand for her Dark Tower trick or if she was just being dramatic. Letting go of it, she inspects the hair left on her head for a moment.

Woman: A split end?

She's not having a good day. She sighs and slumps over for a moment. Then she's ready to try again.

Woman: (furious) That does it!

This time, she cleanly plucks a strand of hair and forms it into a needle. Tossing it into the air, she lets the needle drift in the air until it plunges into a nearby Dark Tower.

The dub uses the completed bridge as an opportunity to dunk on Davis.

Cody: It seems sturdy enough. Davis: Of course it is! What do you mean by that, anyway? Don't you think I know what I'm doing? T.K.: You said it! Yolei: Yeah! Even if it is what we were all thinking. Davis: Hey! That rockslide thing wasn't my fault! It was Flamedramon's! Flamedramon: Was not! Davis: Was too! Flamedramon: Was not! Davis: Was too! Flamedramon: Was not! Davis: Was too!

Consequently, they depart with no clear indication of their destination. I guess they're going home? That would be the natural assumption.

The dub takes its first commercial break here. When we come back, Davis and Flamedramon are still going at it.

Flamedramon: Was not! Davis: Was too! Gatomon: (irritated) You two would make good scratching posts. Arukenimon: Those meddling kids... Just when I had the Digital World so deliciously destroyed, too. (Arukenimon runs her hand through her hair and breaks off a clump) Arukenimon: Oh, what's this? A split end? (Arukenimon inspects her hair) Arukenimon: How did this happen? Intolerable! Ugh.... (Arukenimon slumps over and sighs) Arukenimon: That's enough! Now it's personal! SPIRIT NEEDLE!!!

The timing of the split end bit is a bit off. She says "What's this, a split end?" while her hand is still moving through her hair, right before the clump breaks off and gives her the split end in question.

I do like the absurdity of "Now it's personal!" The original line is simply "むかつく Mukatsuku", an emotional expression of outrage, disgust, or offense. "Screw this!" "Fuck you!" Etc. The woman isn't so much saying words as just making angry word noises.

She accidentally pulled out a chunk of her hair, looked at it in her hand, and did the "REEEEEEEEEEE" raptor screech.

The direction the dub takes that outburst in is having Arukenimon blame the children for the fact that she accidentally messed up her own hair while stalking them. That's funny. XD

The Dark Tower morphs into the shape of a minotaur Digimon.

With visible zipper going up the midsection.

At her command, the creature slides down to the riverside and stomps towards the bridge. As he marches, he lets out a loud, guttural groan.

While the Chosen Children are heading out, Takeru suddenly hears the groan. He whips aroun, spotting the vague silhouette of the Digimon approaching the bridge.

Takeru: That's.... Daisuke: Huh? What is that? Iori: It's moving towards the bridge we just fixed up. Hikari: It's not going to destroy it, right? Miyako: (groan) But we just.... V-mon: Daisuke! Daisuke: Yeah! DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Daisuke opts for mobility to get in there quick, evolving V-mon into Raidramon.

In the dub, Davis and Veemon are still arguing.

Arukenimon: Go. That bridge offends me. (Digimon slides into riverside and stomps towards river) Veemon: But you said, "Give me the rock on the bottom"! Davis: Did not! Digimon: HROOOOOARGH!!! T.K.: Huh!? What's he think he's doing!? Davis: Looks like he's headed for the bridge! Cody: Maybe he's just admiring the detailed architecture. Kari: Yeah, or a way to blow it up. Yolei: No! Not again! Veemon: Davis! Davis: Yeah! DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

I've been holding back on mentioning it because I wanted to see if the trend continues but the dub is getting better at catching the important non-dialogue noises. I feel like psychic premonitions are becoming fewer and farther between.

The enemy Digimon reaches the bridge and pounds that metal chunk mounted on their left arm into it. I pegged that as a minigun but it's actually a set of rapid-fire pistons for smashing.

Minotaurmon is an Adult-stage Virus-attribute Beastman Digimon. They are the second-to-last of the Digimon introduced in the Sega Saturn version of the V-Pet, which also gave us Tailmon and her evolutions. They were originally a Perfect evolution for Evilmon, but have been pretty consistently downgraded to Adult in subsequent appearances.

Their name requires a judgment call because, as with Centarumon, it's not spelled correctly. The word is ミノタウロス Minotaurosu, the Japanese word for the Latin "Minotauros". While the Digimon is named ミノタ���モン Minotarumon, lacking the ウ u that should come before ル ru.

It's clearly supposed to be Minotaurmon. But it's Minotarmon. Do we let it slide?

...eh, sure. it'll make it easier to justify the leniency I'm gonna give the mystery woman later. The clock is ticking to when we finally have to talk about her name.

Narrator: Minotaurmon! Adult level. Their special attack is Darkside Quake!

I would say "Thanks, informative" all sarcastic like but clarifying that this originally Perfect Digimon is Adult for our purposes is actually pretty informative.

Fortunately, the narrator has good news for the team because Minotaurmon has been downgraded to Adult for this episode.

Daisuke arrives a moment later to find MInotaurmon.

Daisuke: Hey! The hell are you doing!? Raidramon: LIGHTNING BLADE!!!

Raidramon lunges and fires at Minotaurmon. Minotaurmon turns, parries the shot with their smashing arm, then follows up by parrying Raidramon himself straight into the river. In the process revealing that I have been way underestimating Minotaurmon's height.

In the dub, Minotarumon calls his attack.

Minotarumon: EARTHQUAKE DRILL!!! Raidramon: (rundown) Minotarumon is a Champion Digimon with a nasty left jab! His Earthquake Drill will turn that bridge into stepping stones! Davis: Not my bridge! Get him! Raidramon: THUNDER BLAST!!!

Thanks, Davis. I always like when the characters react to the diegetic rundown. It's fun.

Daisuke's attempt to thwart Minotaurmon did not go well, but it doesn't take long for the rest of the team to arrive.

Takeru: DAISUKE-KUN!!!

Takeru comes running, followed shortly after by the rest of the team. He finds Daisuke and Raidramon in the river.

Takeru: Are you okay? Daisuke: Takeru! This thing really is trying to wreck the bridge we just fixed!

While Daisuke's briefing the others, Raidramon lunges from the river at Minotaurmon's back. Minotaurmon swats him away so effortlessly that it's downright comical.

At the same time, finding out Minotaurmon's intentions makes Miyako feral.

Miyako: WHY WOULD ANYONE DO THAT!?!? HAWKMON!!! Hawkmon: Right!

Quickly evolving to his Adult form, Aquilamon grabs onto Minotaurmon's shoulders and lifts. He succeeds in hoisting the wriggling bovine up into the air before Minotaurmon's wriggling causes him to lose his group. Minotaurmon comes crashing down hard onto the bridge, smashing a much larger section of it than they had managed to break on their own.

Miyako sheepishly facepalms. We are not doing a very good job of protecting this bridge. F job all around. Daisuke's completely ineffectual and Miyako's making it worse.

The dub uses this as a chance to dunk on Davis some more.

T.K.: Davis! Taking a swim? Davis: Very funny, T.P.! A little help here!? (Raidramon tries again and gets easily knocked away) Yolei: (feral) DAVIS IS GONNA MESS THIS UP AGAIN!!! HAWKMON!!! Hawkmon: My pleasure! (Aquilamon evolves to Adult) Aquilamon: That's enough! (Aquilamon lifts Minotarumon, who wriggles and falls into the bridge) Yolei: Ah! Oy vey....

Apparently Yolei is Jewish.

Not a fan of changing Miyako's feral outrage at Minotaurmon's destructive intentions to Yolei's feral outrage at Davis's incompetence.

Aquilamon's attack did worse than just failing but he did rip chunks out of Minotaurmon's shoulders when they fell from his grip. Part of their outer aesthetic has been torn away, revealing Dark Tower substance underneath.

Hikari: Is that...!? Iori: A Dark Tower! Takeru: It's another Dark Tower! Hikari: Tailmon! Takeru: Patamon! Hikari & Takeru: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! (Nefertimon & Pegasmon Armor Evolve) Nefertimon & Pegasmon: SANCTUARY BIND!!!

Before Minotaurmon can get to their feet, the golden lasso wraps around them and binds their arms. Minotaurmon roars an angry moo in protest.

Raidramon explodes from the water for a third attempt.

Raidramon: BLUE THUNDER!!!

Unable to defend themselves, Minotaurmon has no choice but to take Blue Thunder head on. They let out one last roar of pain as the electricity courses through them, and then they're vaporized. Another Dark Tower destroyed.

Sanctuary Bind remains OP.

In the dub:

Kari: Hold on! That thing's a Control Spire! Cody: It's not real.... T.K.: It's real enough! LET'S GET HIM!!! Kari: You got it! T.K.: You ready!? Kari & T.K.: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Nefertimon and Pegasusmon evolve) Nefertimon & Pegasusmon: GOLDEN NOOSE!!! (Golden Noose restrains Minotarumon) Raidramon: THUNDER BLAST!!! (Thunder Blast kills Minotarumon)

Either Cody started existentially dissociating about Minotarumon or T.K. misunderstood his intentions with that statement. A little awkward that "Let's fight this guy harder" is presented as a counterargument against him being a Control Spire.

With Minotaurmon destroyed, we've won! Hooray! VICTORY FOR--

Daisuke: YES!!! WE DID--eugh....

Oh. Right. Having cool anime battles isn't our actual job here. Daisuke's jubilation is abruptly cut off when he realizes the extent of the damage Minotaurmon Aquilamon, honestly, inflicted on the bridge. A couple of rocks fall into the water from the crater Minotaurmon left behind.

Daisuke returns topside before dropping to his knees at the edge of the crater and crying.

Daisuke: Agh, we worked so hard on that.... T_T Takeru: We'll just have to start over. Hikari: As long as we all work together, it will be fine. We can rebuild it. Iori: Armadimon and I are ready to do what we need to do. Miyako: Me too, though I'm not happy about it. ^_^;; Daisuke: (sigh) As long as we work together, huh?

Daisuke isn't happy about it either. Motivation to re-rebuild this bridge isn't high, but the team is ready to re-knuckle down and redo what needs redoing.

Suddenly, all this talk about working together gives Daisuke an idea.

Daisuke: Hey, let's get Ichijouji Ken to help out too. Group: Eh!? Daisuke: I'm sure he'd come help if we asked him to. Iori: Well... I don't know if that's true.

We proved last episode that it is, but Iori has his feelings on the matter.

Daisuke: Iori, you don't agree, do you? Iori: No. I don't see things the way you do, Daisuke-san.

Still advocating in Ken's corner, Daisuke wants to use the reconstruction of this physical bridge as an opportunity to help repair the emotional bridge between Ken and the others. I see what you did there, Daisuke.

In the dub:

Davis: HA, NOW YOU'RE TALKING-- Huh? (Pan up to the damaged bridge) Davis & Raidramon: OH NO!!! Davis: It looks like he took a big bite out of it!

XD It does. It absolutely does. That got me.

(Cut to Davis on the bridge with the others) Davis: Agh, I feel so violated.... T_T T.K.: We still respect you. Kari: That's right, Davis. We're just gonna have to rebuild it again. And it'll be easier this time! Cody: She's right, you know. We really learned a lot from all our mistakes. Yolei: Yeah! And this will give you a chance to make new mistakes! Davis: Aww... But I liked my old mistakes better....

XD Again, that was pretty good. We're still dunking on Davis for shits and giggles, but it does hit the key points of a) we have to re-rebuild the bridge and b) that sucks.

Davis: Huh? Hey! Speaking of mistakes, we should ask Ken to help! Group/Yolei: KEN!?!? / Are you out of your mind!? Davis: Thanks for the support. Seriously, I bet he'd jump at the chance to help us! Cody: I don't know. I don't trust him! Davis: You may be right, but he's the only one who can help. Cody: Well... I'm just not comfortable around him. It's hard for people to really change. I think it's too risky.

We're talking about doing architecture.

"He's the only one who can help" and "I think it's too risky" are both a little overdramatic for the subject of whether we should have Ken carry rocks.

I do like that Cody specifies, "I'm not comfortable around him." This isn't really a tactical consideration; Iori just hates Ken's fucking guts. Overdramatic or not, that comes through well with this line from Cody.

Faced with the troubled expressions on the rest of the team, Daisuke decides to come clean about where exactly he's coming from with his advocacy for Ken.

Daisuke: You know, I heard it back then. Iori: What's that?

Daisuke flashes back on receiving the Digimental of Miracles from the generator room inside the Digimon Kaiser's base.

Daisuke: Back when Ichijouji's Crest of Kindness changed into a golden Digimental... I didn't really understand what it was saying, but I knew it was asking me for something.

Returning to the present, the others watch silently as Daisuke explains himself.

Daisuke: I don't know how to put this into words, or how to say it. I just felt like I could trust that Crest. I don't really get it, but I felt like that was Ichijouji's heart. Hikari: So you're saying that you know what's in Ichijouji's heart, Daisuke-kun? Daisuke: Well, when you put it like that.... Takeru: Maybe you understand it, Daisuke-kun, but it just doesn't make sense to me.

Daisuke bares his soul for Ken, but Hikari and Takeru remain reluctant to go along with Ken being our reconstruction buddy now.

His reasoning makes sense for him. It explains where he's coming from and ties into Ken's own soul-searching mission in episode 23, where he finally found his heart in the Crest and Wormmon.

Reminder that in Japanese, the heart is your full range of expression and identity and feelings. Daisuke feels that he got a glimpse at Ken's truest, most innermost self. He believes the Crest, not the Kaiser, is the truest expression of Ken's identity, of his soul. And what he saw there is what's giving him faith now that we can build this bridge and make a connection between Ken and the other Chosen Children. That Ken can come back from all this.

Meanwhile, this all goes right over Miyako's head. She lets out a big yawn, then starts in on the others.

Miyako: Come on, let's think simply about this. Crests and hearts... do we really have to make it so complicated?

Of course, she's already on the Pro-Ken side so who cares if she gets it or not. XD

In the dub:

Davis: You've got a point, but I have a good feeling about him, Cody. Cody: (skeptical) Really? But why, Davis? Davis: The Digi-Egg. If you had seen what I saw, you'd believe in him too. (Flashback) Davis: I mean, his Crest of Kindness turned into a golden Digi-Egg! It was the most amazing thing! You're gonna think I'm crazy when I say this but I guess you already think I'm crazy so here goes: That Digi-Egg believed in him and it was like it was telling me I could believe in him too! It almost felt like... It was asking me to go ahead and trust him!

It was. With words.

During the dub of episode 20, the voice Daisuke heard coming from the Digimental got left on the cutting room floor. Davis never heard anything of the sort. So the dub has to do some awkward talking around it now that the voice's unheard words are suddenly critical to Daisuke/Davis's character motivation.

The Digi-Egg believed in Ken, which Davis just... felt... somehow.

Davis: I know that's not very logical but then again, neither am I! All I know is, he has to have the Crest of Kindness for a reason. And what about his Digimon? He believes in him too!

Wormmon believed in Ken when he was actively kicking and whipping him. I don't think that's the hill you want to die on. Like Wormmon actually did!

Davis: I think it's because Wormmon knew what was in his heart! He's good, I know it. Kari: But what if you're wrong, Davis? And besides, he's made it clear he doesn't want to be part of our team. Davis: Yeah, I know. But I'm an optimist. T.K.: Goodie for you but realistically, he could still be bad to the bone! I think Cody is right! He usually is. (Big yawn from Yolei) Yolei: I'm bored and all this talk isn't getting us anywhere. Don't forget that crazy white-haired chick is still out there and she's up to no good!

White-haired chick? Yolei, when did you ever lay eyes on Arukenimon? I guess Palmon might have given them a physical description to go off of. That makes sense.

More pressingly, the dub is re-e-eally hoping you won't remember that they made T.K. say last episode, and I quote: "I think everyone deserves a second chance, Patamon. Even Ken! I believe that he's sorry for what he's done and it's time we forgive him and let bygones be bygones. I hope he forgives himself...."

Hey. Hey, maybe don't go off-script to deliver platitudes to the audience. That speech from T.K. has basically been rendered non-canon by his sentiments in this one.

Back in the computer clubroom, Koushiro notices a strange pulse on the map of the Digital World.

Koushiro: (gasp) What's that?

The discussion in the Digital World is suddenly cut short by an email alert chime from Iori's D-Terminal.

Iori: It's from Koushiro-san. Koushiro: A strange anomaly is occurring nearby! Please investigate it urgently! Iori: The Power of Darkness seems to be growing! Daisuke: Let's check it out!

That last part from Iori was not in the email; That's his assessment of the strange reading that Koushiro's received. A sudden surge of Dark Power is concentrating in the Digital World.

In the dub, there is no email alert tone. Instead, Davis provides his own when Cody opens the D-Terminal.

Izzy: (gasp) What's that!? (Email, rewritten to be in English) Davis: Huh!? Cody: It's a message from Izzy! Izzy: I'm getting a real bizarre signal. It's not too far from you. Check it out! Cody: Hey, it looks like the sector where Ken's base went down! Davis: Let's get moving!

It is, yes. Cody's line here is a lot less cryptic. Thus far, we've only had 暗黒のパワー Ankoku no Pawaa brought up in the Chimeramon arc, so it follows that he's referring to that. But it still comes a little out of left field when he suddenly says 暗黒のパワー Ankoku no Pawaa is increasing.

Returning to Ken and Stingmon, we arrive just in time to watch Stingmon knock down a Dark Tower.

Ken: Thanks. You must be getting tired. Stingmon: No, I'm good to keep going. Ken: But there's always tomorrow. We can stop here for the day.

As Ken speaks, we see a field of destroyed Dark Towers that Stingmon's left in his wake. Amazing how much easier destroying them is when you don't have a dozen Evil Ring Digimon jumping down your throat every time you approach one.

Ken wins the discussion and Stingmon reverts to Wormmon. Walking through the rubble field, they continue talking.

Ken: Are you okay? Wormmon: I'm fine, Ken-chan! You worry too much. Ken: I just wish there was more I could do. Wormmon: You being here is the reason I can evolve, Ken-chan. So don't worry about it! Ken: Let's go home and eat our fill. Wormmon: YEAH!!!

It's interesting to note that although Ken isn't rebuilding bridges and towns, he is cleaning up the mess he left in the Digital World another way. Even setting aside the dangers of what the mystery woman can do with these Dark Towers, tearing them down is still a public good.

Even inactive, they're still hideous symbols of oppression.

In the dub:

(Control Spire falls) Stingmon: And another one bites the dust! Ken: Ready to take a break, Stingmon? Stingmon: I guess I've wreaked enough havoc for one day. I want a bath.... Ken: No offense, but you really need one. (Cut to Ken and Wormmon walking through the rubble field) Wormmon: Please, Ken, slow down. I have awfully short legs, you know. And not to put too fine a point on it, but these Spires you built have splinters.... Ken: Sorry, Wormmon. This isn't exactly Sunday in the park, is it? Wormmon: Now that's a great idea. You see? You're still a genius. Let's have ice cream sundaes in the park. Ken: That does sound good, but would you settle for half a jelly roll at home? Wormmon: Yummy!

In the original, Wormmon's loving this. He is all about evolving into his Adult form and tearing down the fruit of the Digimon Kaiser's ambitions. It's probably cathartic for him.

He doesn't want to stop, but he reluctantly agrees to do so and assures Ken that just being here and facilitating his awesomeness is contribution enough. In an odd way, Ken and Wormmon have sort of switched roles, with Ken now tagging along to facilitate Wormmon's (righteous) carnage.

The dub takes that enthusiasm away from him, characterizing him as the same long-suffering and pitiful Wormmon we've always known. Just. Like. With a Partner who actually cares about him now.

Meanwhile, Daisuke and the others arrive in the desert at the final resting place of what was once the Digimon Kaiser's base.

Daisuke, Hikari, and Takeru got here on the backs of their transport Armor Evolutions, but Aquilamon's way bigger than Horusmon so Iori and Armadimon hitched a ride with Miyako.

Miyako: This is where the trouble's coming from. Koushiro: Negative energy is concentrating in that location. If this goes on, the ensuing explosion will cover hundreds of kilometers in every direction. Daisuke: AN EXPLOSION!?!? Takeru: EH!?!? Koushiro: We have to find a way to stop this. Iori: Stop it? But how?

It doesn't take Daisuke long to diagnose the problem here. Considering for a moment, it suddenly hits him.

Daisuke: (gasp) It must be because we removed the Crest of Kindness. If we put it back, that should stop it. Iori: But that's....

Faced with the sight of the Kaiser's fortress, there's no mystery to what this accumulation of Dark Power is. The reactor is melting down. And, unfortunately, only one person is in possession of the means to stop it and that person is not present. Nor do many of us want him to be.

Without waiting for permission, Daisuke begins typing out a message on his D-Terminal.

Miyako: What are you doing, Daisuke? Daisuke: I'm sending a message. I'm going to have Ichijouji bring us the Crest of Kindness!

And with that declaration, we break for commercial.

HEY KIDS IS YOUR COUNTRY HAUNTED BY THE SCARS OF NUCLEAR WAR??? Buy ChuChu Jelly today at your local corner store.

As a side note, the fansub for this one massively lowballed the blast radius. "A few dozen miles" is underselling the severity of 数百キロ suu hyaku kiro, or "several hundred kilometers". Even accounting for the fact that a kilometer is about 0.6 of a mile, if it's more than two hundred, "dozens of miles" doesn't cut it.

In the dub:

Yolei: What's going on? Can you tell? Izzy: My theory is that a major power source is about to melt down. If you guys don't shut it down, and I mean fast, it'll explode! Davis: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, EXPLODE!?!? T.K.: HUH!?!? Izzy: I mean explode! You know, BOOM!!! Cody: This is bad, but what can we do?

The animation accidentally tricked the Dub Team here. Miyako and Daisuke have their D-Terminals out as they talk. They're talking to their D-Terminals and Koushiro's talking to his computer. They're all dictating the messages they're sending back and forth conversationally for the sake of the scene's flow.

But the dub takes that to literally mean they're on a phone call with each other, a function the D-Terminal doesn't possess.

Koushiro's second line plays over a shot of the Kaiser's base. So, for Izzy's line, they put a filter over his voice to make it sound like it's coming out of a speaker on the D-Terminal. Their hearts are in the right place with that one. A for effort.

Davis: Ohh! The Crest of Kindness! I'll bet it's because Ken's Crest isn't there anymore! I don't care what anyone says! We need Ken's help and we need it NOW!!! Cody: But Davis.... Yolei: ...shouldn't we talk about this? Davis: We just DID!!! You guys are going to have to trust me on this! I know I'm right and we don't have much time!

The dub also takes its second commercial break here.

Davis's characterization here is pretty much perfect, and since he carries the scene, it goes strong.

Yolei sounds too negative about the prospect of bringing Ken here. As of last episode, she's supposed to be on the Pro-Ken side. Literally had a whole episode reckoning with her feelings on the topic of Ken. Miyako's question, "What are you doing?" was one of curiosity, not hesitation or criticism.

The biggest problem with the dub script, however, is with the blast radius. The Emperor's base is going to explode somewhere deep in the desert, but the dub script fails to establish the scope of the blast. Without that, we don't know the stakes.

Base is going to explode in an empty patch of desert: Cool. Who cares? Let it burn.

Base is going to explode in an empty patch of desert, which will wipe out several hundred kilometers in every direction: OH FUCK OH FUCK OH FUCK

The scope of the blast is critical here.

Coming back from commercial, we find Ken and Wormmon chilling at home when an unexpected message arrives.

Unexpected. Adjective. "NOT the one you might have expected."

Ken's got what looks to be three slices of fruitcake on a plate, plus a glass of orange juice.

Wormmon: Ken-chan, can we split this? Ken: Of course.

As Ken's answering, a computer beep comes from behind him. Wormmon's excitement fades and his face softens with worry.

Wormmon: Ah.... Ken: What's wrong?

Ken turns around to see the mystery woman on his monitor, sending a transmission from somewhere.

Woman: Nice to see you again. How have you been? Ken: YOU!!!

Ken leaps to his feet, his hands closing into fists. This is the last person he wanted to hear from.

Wormmon: Just ignore her, Ken-chan! Woman: Oh no, am I unwelcome? I'll just excuse myself, then.

She does not end the transmission there but instead just turns around to feign leaving like a dramatic asshole. But Ken falls for it.

Ken: WAIT!!!

The woman stops, turning back to look at the camera.

Woman: You wouldn't be talking to me, would you? Ken: Who the hell are you!? How do you know me!? Woman: Ugh, it's too hot for this. Ken: Where did you come from!? What are you planning for the Digital World!? Woman: Hmm? Who cares? That's not any of your business, is it?

Ever the bastion of wisdom, Wormmon has this pegged from the start. We should just ignore her. All this playing coy that she's doing is clearly to mess with him, though her angle isn't immediately clear. She wouldn't have started this conversation if it didn't benefit her in some way. The correct answer was to let her fuck off.

But Ken just can't help himself. He steps right into the trap in his desperation to understand.

The dub suggests that Ken and Wormmon have already eaten a bunch of the fruitcake, though the food certainly looks untouched.

Wormmon: Hey, Ken? I feel queasy. Ken: Me too. Let's save the rest for later. Wormmon: (audible shivering) Ken: What's wrong?

Rather than a beep, the dub has a larger activation noise. It also comes in during the line, "What's wrong?" Which is after Wormmon reacts to it, so that's awkward.

Arukenimon: My, my, my. Now isn't this just too domestic? Ken: AGH!!! YOU AGAIN!!! (Ken gets up, balling his fists) Wormmon: Oh please, Ken, don't talk to her! Arukenimon: Did I come at a bad time? Well, I'll be going. Bye-bye! (Arukenimon turns to leave) Ken: NO, WAIT!!! (Arukenimon turns back) Arukenimon: Your little friend there is being quite rude. Why should I? Ken: Because you're the one who keeps calling me! What do you want with me!? Arukenimon: What makes you think I want anything from you? Maybe-- Ken: Then why are you bothering me!? What do you plan to do to the Digital World!? Arukenimon: Why, Ken.... What a nosy little boy you are. That's really none of your business, is it?

Arukenimon's frustrating coyness is perfect here.

Original Ken asks some salient questions here. Who are you, what do you want from me, where did you come from all of a sudden, and what are your intentions for the Digital World. These are four incredibly valid questions that Arukenimon more or less baited him into using this opportunity to ask her.

Dub Ken gets out two of them, but he also seems to suggest that Arukenimon routinely makes a habit of chatting him up. That's not a thing in the original; This is a special circumstance. He hasn't exchanged words with her since that night when she showed up and fired him.

There is a reason she's talking to him right now. You might have already guessed what it is.

He also asks, "Why are you bothering me?" even though he's the one who kept this call going. She tricked him into it, of course. But ostensibly, he's now the one leading this conversation. If you don't want to talk to her, my dude, just let her walk away. You're keeping her on the line right now.

In the Digital World, a small explosion suddenly rips out the side of the Kaiser's fortress.

Miyako: That blast just now.... Takeru: That was just a smaller blast leading up to the big explosion. We're running out of time! Daisuke: DAMMIT!!! Why isn't he responding!?

Daisuke's eyes are fixed on his D-Terminal as the clock runs down.

Back in his room, Ken's back-and-forth with the mystery woman continues.

Ken: What do you mean, it's none of my business!? I....

Ken deflates. His rage subsides, replaced by despair.

Ken: I... why...? Why...? Woman: "Why did I become the Digimon Kaiser?" Ken: (gasp) Woman: I can read you like a book.

And now she has him. Hook, line, and sinker.

In the dub:

T.K.: This is crazy! What do you expect us to do, Davis!? Davis: Agh! Where's Ken!? When he was the Emperor, we were always tripping over him!

Well, for the first half of the arc, anyway. Also, I don't hear you proposing any better plans, T.K.

Ken: Of course it's my business! You're using my Control Spires! My cre... ation... My shame.... Arukenimon: You think rather well of yourself, little boy emperor. Ken: Huh? Arukenimon: "Poor me. Why did I do such awful things when I could have used my awesome powers for good?"

I like Ken's counterargument here. Uh, yeah, he made the Control Spires so he does have a solid claim to involvement here. Original Ken just spirals into despair when he's told to butt out, but Dub Ken gets out a solid point before joining him.

Too bad he didn't read his contract. The company retains legal ownership of the Control Spires even after his termination of employment. Too bad, so sad. She did a capitalism to his ass.

Splitting the word "creation" into the gap between "僕は Boku wa..." and "どうして Doushite...?" puts a noticeable break in the word, and it flows weird. No one would say that word like that.

Suddenly, the phone rings. Though Wormmon is the only one to notice.

Wormmon: Ken-chan, the phone's ringing. Woman: Well, if you really want to know... Ken: Rrgh... Woman: ...I suppose I could tell you.

Wormmon looks up at Ken, then back down at the phone. Ken isn't paying attention at all. He is hyper-focused on the mystery woman.

Woman: ...do you want to know? Ken: I want to know. Woman: (sharply) Then spin around three times and bark! Ken: What!? Woman: Hehe... You idiot. Anyone could have built the Dark Towers for us. It just so happened that with you, there was a clear opportunity we could exploit. Ken: So you used me?

She's playing you like a fiddle even now, my guy. All the while, the phone keeps right on ringing.

Ken is learning things from this conversation, but what he's learning isn't very pleasant. There was nothing special about him that made him suited to becoming the Digimon Kaiser; He just happened to have been vulnerable at a convenient moment. He isn't special; He was just available.

This was never about him.

In the dub:

Wormmon: Hmm, telephone. Oh, Ken? Arukenimon: (sarcastic) Oh yes, you're so special. Ken: Rrgh.... (Wormmon looks back and forth from Ken to the phone) Wormmon: What now? Arukenimon: The truth is, any pretty little boy would have been as good. Ken: You used me! Arukenimon: Of course I did, you little fool. Ken: RRRGH!!! Arukenimon: Temper, temper! But you always were so easy to manipulate. The perfect toy! Oh, I meant to say "tool". And you thought building the Control Spires was your idea! Ken: What are you talking about!?

Alright, let's look at the key points for Arukenimon to cover here.

-> They were just using Ken to build Control Spires. -> It could have been anyone; Ken isn't special. -> They picked Ken because he was vulnerable at an opportune moment.

The dub hits 2 out of 3. Ken being vulnerable at an opportune moment becomes Ken being easy to manipulate, which is more of an insult than an explanation.

Realizing that Ken's too fixated on the woman to answer the phone, Wormmon does it himself.

Wormmon: Moshimoshi. Ichijouji Ken can't come to the phone right now. Please call back later. Koushiro: Moshimoshi! Is this an answering machine? Wormmon: This is not an answering machine. This is an answering Digimon.

XD Goddammit, Wormmon.

Koushiro: Then you're Ichijouji-kun's Digimon, right? Wormmon: Yes, that's right. But right now, Ken-chan is-- Koushiro: This is an emergency! I need to speak with Ichijouji-kun right away!

Unfortunately, Ken is still presently engaged with the mystery woman.

Woman: It's so easy to exploit the weaknesses that humans possess. You're a perfect example of that. Ken: But why!? Why did it have to be me!? Woman: Didn't I just explain that? It could have been anyone. It was just the luck of the draw. Ken: I don't accept that! I can't accept that answer! Woman: (sigh) What a stubborn child. Calm down before I lose my temper.

Ken rejects the woman's explanation for his choosing and it's... honestly not clear whether he's right to do so. We already know that she's messing with him in order to distract him, so it's equally possible that she's revealing harsh truths or making up a provocative lie.

Her goal is not to inform, but to hold Ken's attention. Whether or not her words are true is beside the point.

In the dub, Wormmon gets an offscreen line just before picking up the phone.

Wormmon: I can't take this anymore. (Wormmon answers the phone) Wormmon: Hello, Ichijouji Residence. I'm sorry, Ken's busy right now. Would you please hang up and try your call again later? Izzy: Are you... the Operator...? Wormmon: No, I'm the Digimon. May I help you? Izzy: You must be Wormmon! You seem bright enough to me! Wormmon: Thank you... I think? What have you heard about me? Izzy: Oh, never mind! This is an emergency! I need to speak to Ken right away!

Dub version of the "answering Digimon" gag is a little awkward. The Operator wouldn't have answered with "Hello, Ichijouji Residence". But they've got the spirit of it.

Not sure what "You seem bright enough to me" is about. Have the others been shit-talking Wormmon to Izzy? That seems to be the implication.

Arukenimon: Humans with something to prove are putty in my hands. You were particularly easy to mold into shape. Ken: But why me? Why did you have to mold me!? Arukenimon: "Why me?" Really? You must stop asking that. I told you it was just a whim. Ken: I am not your whim! And I am not going to let you get away with this! Arukenimon: But you see, I already have. And there's nothing you can do about it! Poor Ken....

*CinemaSins ding* "You won't get away with this" cliche. :P

No, this is fine. No notes. They're off-script but the spirit of the scene is still preserved, and they don't miss any key details here. Arukenimon is just saying shit to hold Ken's attention and Ken is falling for it.

Finally, Wormmon intervenes by yelling at the top of his lungs.

Wormmon: KEN-CHAN!!! KEN-CHAN!!! There's a phone call for you from someone named Izumi Koushiro-san! He says there's a horrible emergency happening in the Digital World! They need your help, Ken-chan!

Ken gasps. Then he puts the pieces together, glaring at the woman on the screen.

Ken: Oh, you piece of shit! WHAT DID YOU DO!?!? Woman: (coy) What do you mean?

Ken takes the phone, listening to Koushiro explain everything while scowling furiously at the mystery woman.

Koushiro: Is this Ichijouji-kun? I think Daisuke-kun should have sent you an email with all the details. You can enter the Digital World by yourself, right? Please hurry! Woman: Oh, what's with that look on your face? Ken: You were stalling to keep me here. Woman: Ahahahaha! And that's why I said you're too soft, little boy. Wormmon: Ken-chan....

One more provocation for the road, but Ken can't stay here and keep dueling blades with her. The mystery woman took this round, but he needs to get going before the damage gets any worse.

Man, it's a good thing someone was able to call Ken on the phone! Which is not a functionality that the D-Terminal possesses, by the way! That's why we needed Koushiro to do it.

In the dub, Wormmon doesn't need to shout to get Ken's attention. I guess he wasn't that distracted.

Wormmon: Oh, just hang up on her. She's not a nice woman and this is important. The Digital World is in trouble, Ken. They need you right away. That boy Davis is sending emails. Ken: (gasp) (Ken turns and yells at the screen) Ken: YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS, DIDN'T YOU!?!? Arukenimon: ...maybe I did. (Ken answers the phone) Izzy: You need to get to the Digital World as soon as possible and take your Crest. I think Davis may actually be right this time!

Was that necessary?

Izzy: His theory is that the power source of your base can only be contained by your Crest. It's a good theory! Arukenimon: Oh, Emperor Boy~! Ken: (bitterly) I have a little theory of my own to check out. Arukenimon: Ahahahahahaha! Very clever, but I'm still ahead of you! Wormmon: Not for long!

The dub tries to end this scene on a moment of strength for Ken and Wormmon, which is not the right tone here. We got played and now we're scrambling to catch up. There is nothing empowering about what just happened.

In the Digital World, another explosion rips out from the base.

Iori: Another one. It's only a matter of time before the big explosion.

Ken and Wormmon come running across the sand.

Ken: I was part of this. Wormmon: That's over now! Ken: I felt like I was the greatest. I was proud of it. I'm responsible for all of it.

Ken flashes back on Osamu's funeral, and he remembers the way his parents grew even more distant afterward.

Ken (V.O.): I was lonely, so I shut my eyes and ran away from it all. (End Flashback) Ken: That's why I have to put an end to all of it!

Invigorated by the resolve to destroy what he's made, Ken double times it towards the base just as a third explosion rips through the wall.

Hikari: Another one! Miyako: Ichijouji-kun still isn't here yet!? Daisuke: He'll make it! I know he will! Woman: Huhuhu... I wouldn't be so sure.

Finally confronting the Chosen Children in person, the mystery woman stands out there in the sands, right in front of them.

Daisuke: (gasp) Iori: Is that the human that Palmon was talking about!? Woman: I can't have little kiddies interfering with my explosion!

At least, we finally meet. Mystery Woman is a Human-stage Asshole-type--

No no, we're not quite at that point yet.

In the dub:

(Second explosion) Cody: Another one. Do you think maybe we should all move back a little? (Ken and Wormmon come running) Ken: (thinking) What was I thinking!? Wormmon: You're thinking too much, Ken. Ken: That's because I have to find a way to end this! She used my pain and guilt to control me! (Flashback to Sam's funeral) Ken: I didn't mean it! Ken (V.O.): I'm guilty of too much already. Ken: Mama, Papa, where's Sam? (End Flashback) Ken: NOT THIS TIME!!!

Original Ken and Dub Ken have very different takes here. Original Ken says "I have to end this because I'm at fault for all of it; It was me, I did it." Dub Ken says "I have to end this because she took advantage of me and made me do it."

The dub, which has already been a lot more forgiving of Ken whenever the script will allow them to be, is now letting him shift blame onto Arukenimon rather than owning his responsibility for his participation in all of this.

(Third explosion) Kari: IT'S GETTING WORSE!!! Yolei: SO WHERE'S KEN, HUH!?!? Davis: I'M SURE HE'S ON HIS WAAAAAAY!!! Arukenimon: Don't count on it. Yolei: Who invited her!? Cody: Maybe Ken sent his secretary instead! Arukenimon: You children are all so terribly rude, always interfering in my business.

Yolei's tone is still skeptical and lacking faith in Ken; She delivers her line in a challenging way, as if Ken's absence proves her right about him. Whereas Miyako's just getting reasonably antsy 'cause we're standing at ground zero for a nuclear meltdown and the one guy with the keys to the reactor is still a no-show.

Cody swaps out Iori's positive ID on Arukenimon for a rude comment.

Arukenimon plucks a fistful of her hair and lets it fly, with each strand soaring into a different Dark Tower. The Towers levitate into the air, merging together to form a single massive Digimon with some familiar-looking features.

Hikari: The Dark Towers...! Miyako: They turned into a Digimon! Iori: So that's the process for it....

Miyako and Hikari are just shocked while Iori's like, "Knowledge +1!" Anyways, Analyzer time for real.

Oukuwamon is a Perfect-stage Virus-attribute Insect Digimon. As you can probably tell, they're the Perfect evolution of our old recurring nemesis Kuwagamon.

Oukuwamon hails from the Nature Spirits line of the Pendulum V-Pets. They are the third-to-last Nature Spirit to debut in the anime, leaving only Jyagamon who we'll see in Tamers and Tentomon's Ultimate form HeraklesKabuterimon.

Like their Adult form, their name is based on 鍬形虫 kuwagatamushi, the stag beetle. They slap on an オオ Oo or Ou from 大 Ou, which means grand or big. 大 is also the same kanji that reads Dai in Daisuke's name, fun fact. Because kanji is fucking confusing.

Narrator: Oukuwamon! Perfect-stage! With Scissor Arms Omega, their wicked pincers can cut through diamond! Takeru: (worried) It's Perfect-stage....

Takeru's never seen one of these before, so it's not super clear if he's just an excellent judge of Digimon or if somebody's reading off the Digimon Analyzer to him. This was way simpler back when Koushiro could just rattle information off of his laptop.

In the dub, as usual, Arukenimon calls her attack.

Arukenimon: SPIRIT NEEDLE!!! (Control Spires merge into a giant Digimon) Arukenimon: DESTROY THEM!!! Kari: Well, now I've seen it all! Yolei: How does she do that thing!? Cody: I don't know, but she's sure good at it! Arukenimon: (rundown) Okuwamon is an Ultimate Digimon. Stay clear of his Double Scissor Claw attack. He has a cutting sense of humor. T.K.: It's showtime, guys!

The dub kids are showing much less reading comprehension with what's happening in front of them. Kari, Yolei, and Cody's reactions show no sign of recognition that this is an established metaphysic that we've been dealing with for a couple episodes now. Meanwhile, T.K. seems surprisingly confident in our ability to throw hands with Ultimate Digimon.

Props for not calling it "fully evolved" this time, though.

V-mon, Hawkmon, and Armadimon evolve to their Adult forms and throw themselves into battle.

XV-mon: X LASER!!! Aquilamon: BLAST LASER!!!

Taking to the sky, XV-mon and Aquilamon fire on Oukuwamon with everything they've got. The creature recoils just slightly; Enough to show it is being affected, but still strong enough to stand its ground.

While Oukuwamon's distracted, Ankylomon charges in and leaps. Rolling in the air, he slams his armored shell into Oukuwamon's gut for a solid hit... But one that puts him into Oukuwamon's melee range. The titanic beetle swats him to the ground and Ankylomon comes down hard.

Iori: ANKYLOMON!!!

Three inexperienced Adults against a Perfect just aren't great odds.

In the dub, Ankylomon gets to call his tackle as an attack.

ExVeemon: VEE LASER!!! Aquilamon: BLAST RINGS!!! Ankylomon: TAIL HAMMER!!! (Okuwamon swats Ankylomon) Iori: AH!!!

Tail Hammer involves using his tail but it's hardly the most incongruous attack callout the dub's ever added. I would've gone with Megaton Press.

With three Digimon engaged, that just leaves two others.

Tailmon: If we could just evolve to our Perfect forms! Patamon: That thing wouldn't.... Takeru: It can't be helped. We'll just have to do what we can. Hikari: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Patamon evolves into Angemon while Hikari, lacking any natural options that aren't Angewomon, resorts to Nefertimon. Now that we're ready to fight at an Adult level but Tailmon still doesn't have her Holy Ring, Hikari is well and truly nerfed.

This is the first mention of the plot point that the Chosen Children can no longer send their Digimon to Perfect level. And. Well.

Please ignore that they evolved all the way up to Ultimate in the Hurricane Touchdown; That was questionably canon anyway.

And also that Tailmon tried to evolve into Angewomon in episode 24, but couldn't because the Dark Tower was suppressing her. You know, she didn't succeed in evolving into Angewomon so she might have just forgot she couldn't do it.

...and also that Tailmon successfully evolved into Angewomon in episode 13. That did not happen. You did not see that. Angewomon was never climactically in that episode and it did not happen. Maybe it was a dream Hikari was having. Who knows.

...yeah, this is probably the jankiest retcon in either of the original two Adventure shows. The seams aren't just visible, they're neon green. But as of this moment, Patamon and Tailmon are restricted from evolving above Adult and retroactively have been for the entire 02 series up to this point.

As the two remaining Digimon join the fray, it's already going badly. Oukuwamon smacks Aquilamon out of the sky for a one-hit KO, sending him back to his Hawkmon form as he slams into the sand.

Miyako: HAWKMON!!! Angemon: HEAVEN'S KNUCKLE!!!

Angemon, famous for punching way above his weight class, shoots Oukuwamon straight in the face with Heaven's Knuckle. Oukuwamon doesn't even flinch. Once the attack subsides, Oukuwamon nails him with a left hook for another one-hit KO.

Takeru: PATAMON!!! Hikari: Angemon's attacks are only effective against Darkness types!

I... think that checks out. Angemon's always been great at hitting above his weight class but his fights have been with opponents like Devimon, Vamdemon, Piemon, etc. Like that one time he punched Vamdemon so hard that Phantomon died from standing next to him.

It does make more sense that Angemon is simply a hard counter to their particular kind of Digimon than that Angemon is just generally able to throw Perfect-sized punches whenever he wants. Against an Insect Perfect like Oukuwamon, he comes up short.

It's interesting that literally being an animate mass of Dark Towers doesn't qualify Oukuwamon as, like, an honorary Darkness-type Digimon. Game mechanics are weird like that.

In the dub:

Gatomon: He'd be kitty kibble if I could become Angewomon! Patamon: You go, girl! T.K.: Well, you can't. So you'll just have to do what you can, got me! Kari: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Angemon and Nefertimon Digivolve) Okuwamon: DOUBLE SCISSOR CLAW!!! (Okuwamon KO's Aquilamon) Yolei: HAWKMON!!! NO!!! STOP!!! Angemon: HAND OF FATE!!! (No effect; Okuwamon KO's Angemon) T.K.: PATAMON!!! Kari: Angemon's attack is most effective against evil Digimon! That thing's not even a Digimon!

Kari proposes an alternative theory: That it's not the "Darkness-type" that's the problem but the "Digimon". Interesting theory. Props for that.

I hope nobody blamed the dub for the abruptness of "Wait, since when can't Gatomon evolve? Didn't she literally do that?"

Yep. Yep, she did. And yes, this is just as sudden and "Uh, okay, bruh" in the original as in the dub. There is no context you're missing in the English version; It's just a gaping plot hole.

With three Digimon down, only two remain in the field to challenge Oukuwamon.

It does not go well.

XV-mon just barely escapes away from one of Oukuwamon's swings as Nefertimon comes in for a flanking attack.

Nefertimon: ROSETTA ST--HURGH!!

Oukuwamon smacks Nefertimon out of the air before she even finishes her attack callout. She too goes down with a one-hit KO.

Hikari: TAILMON!!!

Despite what the dub says, we're getting murdered out here with basic attacks. And that's terrible. The Chosen Children hurry to their Partners' sides, leaving only Daisuke and XV-mon in the field.

The dub mistakes XV-mon's narrow escape for him getting smacked down like the others. They give him a cry of pain as he's "struck". They also have Okuwamon call an attack rather than giving Nefertimon an interrupted callout.

Okuwamon: RAAAARGH!!! DOUBLE SCISSOR CLAW!!! (Okuwamon smacks Nefertimon)

As Nefertimon goes down, we get the reaction shots from the rest of the team but skip Hikari running to Tailmon's side; Instead, it's time for our third commercial break and for some slicing and rearranging of footage.

When we return from commercial, all the Digimon are in their Digivolved forms again and the footage of them getting beaten down is replayed. First Aquilamon, then Nefertimon, and then closing on Angemon.

So... I guess while we were contemplating McDonalds ads, they all got back up, re-Digivolved, and jumped back into the mix to get taken down again. The purpose is to re-establish how badly we're losing after the break but it makes the choreography awkward as shit.

With only Daisuke left in the field, suddenly hope arrives. Ken and Wormmon crest the dune behind Daisuke and head straight into battle.

Wormmon: Ken-chan! Ken: Wormmon, evolve!

Not for the first time for them, but for the first time for the show, WORMMON SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Wormmon gets his very first stock footage evolution sequence to the roaring sound of Show Me Your Brave Heart.

Stingmon: SPIKING FINISH!!!

As Oukuwamon grasps for XV-mon, Stingmon comes in hot. His Spiking Finish does little damage but knocks Oukuwamon's pincer away, shielding XV-mon.

XV-mon: Stingmon!

Daisuke's faith in Ken has finally been rewarded.

In the dub:

Wormmon: My turn? Ken: Hero time, Wormmon! (Stingmon Digivolves) Stingmon: SPIKING STRIKE!!! (Stingmon knocks away Okuwamon's pincer) ExVeemon: What took you so long!?

XV-mon's relieved to see Stingmon but ExVeemon's mad about the wait. To be fair, that was a genuine fuck-up on Ken's part. He let himself get played. ExVeemon's right to criticize.

Now that Stingmon's joined XV-mon in the air, Ken joins Daisuke down below.

Ken: Sorry we're late! Daisuke: I knew you'd make it! Did you bring the Crest?

Ken pulls the Crest of Kindness from his pocket, showing it to Daisuke.

Daisuke: That's it! Now, hurry and--

Daisuke reaches for the Crest, but Ken closes his fist and pulls it back.

Ken: You guys need to get away from here. Daisuke: What?

Another explosion rocks the base.

Ken: There's no time left! We can handle this ourselves!

Up in the air, Stingmon flies over the other Chosen Children, trying to tell them the same.

Stingmon: All of you, hurry up and run from here!

Oukuwamon tries to grab Stingmon from behind, but XV-mon kicks its pincer away.

XV-mon: We're not running unless you're coming with us. Stingmon: I can't do that.

Ken and Stingmon are here, but they don't want to share. They're both insistent on clearing the others away from the base. Something's wrong here.

In the dub:

Ken: Davis! Davis: It's about time! And they doubted me. Where's your Crest? (Ken shows his Crest) Ken: It's right here. Davis: Great! Come on, give it here! (Ken pulls it back) Ken: What do you think you're doing, Davis? Davis: Saving the world! Ken: This is my responsibility! I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me!

"Saving the world" is a bit of an embellishment. Right now, the only established stakes are that the base will explode in an empty desert, with no clear sense of scope for the blast size.

(Stingmon warns away the others) Stingmon: I can take this from here. (Okuwamon tries to grab him and ExVeemon intervenes) ExVeemon: Are you nuts!? He's an Ultimate! Stingmon: So? I'll do this alone.

Nonetheless, the dub captures Ken and Stingmon's insistence on chasing away the others.

Sensing something wrong with all this, Daisuke presses on it.

Daisuke: What are you talking about!? What are you doing to do!? Ken: I don't want the things I've done to burden the rest of you anymore. I won't let it! Daisuke: Ichijouji....

Despite trying to put on a strong face, Ken cracks. He voices his guilt to Daisuke.

Ken: Why did I have to become the Digimon Kaiser?

Up in the air, Stingmon voices similar regrets to XV-mon.

Stingmon: I wasn't able to stop Ken-chan. XV-mon: Stingmon....

Down below, Ken balls his hands into fists.

Ken: I want to restore the Digital World with these two hands. But things keep getting worse and worse... I can't take it! I don't want to contaminate this world anymore....

Baring his soul to Daisuke, Ken trembles in place, still staring at his fists. Daisuke realizes where this is going.

Daisuke: (angry) You.... Stingmon: So long as I can pay for the things that I've done.... Ken: ...then it doesn't matter what happens to me! I have to stop the reactor-- Daisuke: ...IDIOT!!!

Daisuke cuts Ken's spiraling despair off with a loud, heavy slap to the face.

This is where Ken's journey has brought him. It puts a whole new context on what he meant when he said he had to put an end to all this earlier.

There have been strong undertones of suicide in Ken's journey up to this point, and here the atmosphere of self-destruction is so thick you can cut it with a knife. This is what all his reflection on his crimes across the episode has been building to. What his unsatisfying answers from the mystery woman have brought him to.

Ken came here to die, and to finally put an end to the Digimon Kaiser's influence on the Digital World once and for all.

In the dub:

Davis: What are you trying to do, get yourself killed!? That's a genius move! Ken: It's my base, my Crest, and my fault. No one else is going to die for my mistakes, understand! Davis: We know the risks. Ken: Have you forgotten? I was the Digimon Emperor! I was a monster! Stingmon: And I am as guilty as Ken! I didn't stop him! ExVeemon: You two need to chill! (Ken holds up his fists, examining them) Ken: The only way I'll feel like a human again instead of a monster is to erase all trace of my evil. To fix this. And the only way to do that is with my own hands! Davis: But Ken.... Stingmon: He still has nightmares. Horrible ones. But then, mine are worse. Ken: It doesn't matter what happens to me as long as I can accomplish my goal! Davis: ENOUGH!!! (SLAP)

Ken doesn't break down in this version the way he does in the other. His voice remains determined and full of conviction to act, rather than crashing into grief and remorse.

Consequently, it's easier to take him at his word that he's just worried about the others getting hurt. He's willing to die if that's what it takes, and the dub even goes so far as to use the words "kill" and "die" to emphasize it, but you don't get the sense that he intends to die.

Dub Ken wants to do whatever it takes to "feel like a human again instead of a monster". Original Ken wants to "no longer contaminate this world".

Of note: Ken's and Stingmon's conversations are happening far from each other but parallel each other, so we keep cutting back and forth between them. In the dub, participants of the two conversations respond to each other as if they were one big shared conversation.

And Daisuke/Davis wants Ken to shut the fuck up and listen because it's his turn to speak.

Daisuke: You make it sound so simple! XV-mon: Are you out of your mind!? Daisuke: Think about everyone who will mourn you when you're gone! If I let you go now and you don't come back, I'll have to carry that with me for the rest of my life! LIKE HELL AM I LETTING YOU GO!!! XV-mon: You really think you can just let your Partner die like that!? Daisuke: You might be okay with that, BUT I'M SURE AS HELL NOT!!! Ken: ...Motomiya.... Daisuke: You have to live! XV-mon: Aren't Partners supposed to keep each other going, no matter what? If you want to atone for your crimes, then you have to live! Stingmon: You're right... I have to be alive in order to atone. Daisuke: If you let this be the end of you, then you'll never be able to make it right! I can't accept that! Ken: ...I can't either. There's still so much I have to do. I can't let it be over, not here and now. And besides... I don't want to give my family any more grief!

Daisuke isn't letting the subtext remain subtext here. He caught that undertone, grabbed it firmly in his hand, and hit Ken in the face with it. He is not talking around the topic; He is furious that Ken wants to commit suicide, and XV-mon is equally furious that Stingmon intends to let him.

But their feelings break through and they're able to reach Ken and Stingmon, bringing the pair back down to ground.

Boy, it's a good thing Oukuwamon decided to hang out and let us have this conversation. It, too, is emotionally invested in whether or not Ken will be able to achieve his own apotheosis. It's just offscreen wiping its eye with a handkerchief.

In the dub:

Davis: I'm tired of your Big Bad Wolf act! ExVeemon: He means Lone Wolf. Davis: That's what I mean! What he said! I'm not gonna let you do this by yourself, get it! What about the people who care about you? At least think of your Digimon! We're here, we're helping, and that's that! WAKE UP, ICHIJOUJI!!! ExVeemon: Yeah, wake up, Stingmon! Here's your chance to stop him from doing something stupid! Davis: That's what I said! You're the genius, Ken! You figure it out! Ken: If I'm not here.... Davis: THEN WHAAAAAAT!?!? ExVeemon: Davis is right! Then what? How will you fix your mistakes if you're not here!? I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but I know that much! Stingmon: Hrmm... You're right. I guess neither of us has been thinking very clearly. Davis: Okay, so you messed up a few times! You think I haven't? I do it all the time! Don't give up, fix it! Ken: I don't know how.... Davis: Do you think I do!? You just keep trying until something works! And when it gets really bad, you hang with your friends 'cause they're always your friends even when you mess up! Ken: (half-crying) Great. So what if you don't happen to have any friends!?

They put a fucking "Davis is so dumb LOL" gag in the middle of Ken's suicide counseling. Dub Team, go to the Timeout Corner.

The dub goes to great lengths to talk around that particular topic while still framing the conversation around "Ken is going to die". It's a difficult needle to thread, but it can't be said that they aren't talking about it with arguments like "What about people who care about you?" and "Here's your chance to stop him from doing something stupid."

It's a shame they did that stupid Big Bad Wolf joke in place of Daisuke's killer "If I walk away and you die then I have to carry that" argument. That's a good line that still works in the "We're JUST talking about letting him do it alone" context.

An even bigger shame is how it ends. Davis goes wildly off-script and somehow makes this about how cool friendship is. He also greatly trivializes the Digimon Emperor's crimes as "Ken messed up a few times but so have I!"

Ken, meanwhile, does not have an emotional breakthrough like his Japanese counterpart has. If anything, Davis's rambling nonsense makes him even more depressed. But he'll still be inexplicably rewarded in a moment as if he'd had one anyway.

As Daisuke's feelings break through to Ken, suddenly their D-3s both activate.

Daisuke and Ken take out their D-3s and find them glowing with the same shared light. That light then overtakes Stingmon and XV-mon both, causing them to glow.

Both Daisuke and Ken can hear a heartbeat pulsing in the background.

Daisuke: (thinking) Is that the sound of Ken's heartbeat? Ken: (thinking) I can feel the beating of Daisuke's heart....

Two hearts, two beings joined together as one.

No, not like-- And you're already shipping it. That's okay. So does everyone else in the 02 fandom.

The dub does not have the pulsing heartbeat sound effects behind Davis and Ken, though they still talk about it as if it were there.

Davis: (thinking) Cool! I can hear my heart beating! Wait... That's Ken's heart! Ken: (thinking) So this is what it feels like to have a friend. It's not that bad....

I still don't know why that was the direction they decided to swerve this in. They did this to Wallace/Willis too.

With two hearts combined, their D-3s erupt with light. XV-MON AND STINGMON JOGRESS SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Jogress is a concept that's been in Digimon since the Pendulum release of the V-Pets. Named as a portmanteau of the English words "Joint" and "Progress", it features two Digimon combining in order to ascend one of them into a Perfect or Ultimate form.

Effectively one Digimon eats another in order to reach an evolution on their tree that would otherwise be inaccessible. A lot of Digimon in the Pendulum trees were Jogress exclusives, such as WereGarurumon or Piccolomon.

But as of this episode, they've found a way to bring Jogress into the anime as... basically the Fusion Dance from Dragon Ball, complete with being as temporary as any other Partner evolution.

In the games, it serves as an avenue for Digimon who can't meet the criteria for higher Evolution to reach that stage, and it does something similar here as well. We are no longer capable of reaching Perfect, but we can still get there anyway using Jogress.

The dub calls it DNA Digivolving, which I think is because of the way the two Jogressing Digimon spiral around each other in the stock animation, evocative of DNA strands.

The debut evolution of Paildramon also comes with with the new evolution song Beat Hit, which cleverly incorporates gunshots from Paildramon firing dramatically his weapons as part of their lead-in music.

The dub just uses the same Digimon evolution music as all the other evolutions. Paildramon's gunshots lose a lot of coolness when they aren't punctuating the music.

Freshly evolved, Paildramon floats high in the air above Oukuwamon.

Daisuke & Ken: Paildramon!? Takeru: They combined.... Miyako: Jogress Evolution!?

And that's where we leave off this episode. The debut of not just a new evolution but a new form of evolution.

With a whole new ED that's loaded with spoilers for the upcoming evolutions. I'd argue it's even more spoilery than the OP because it dwells on the new forms more. Catchy, though!

In the dub:

Davis & Ken: Paildramon!? T.K.: That's amazing! Yolei: Whoa! I don't believe it! Narrator: Will the combined power of ExVeemon and Stingmon be enough to stop Okuwamon? Find out soon on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

T.K. and Yolei are as impressed as Takeru and Miyako, but in a more generic capacity.

So, how'd we do on last episode's promise? We were supposed to find out if Ken will join the Chosen Children/DigiDestined. I think this counts as a yes.

Assessment: Well, that was fucking heavy. Daisuke has had to be Ken's advocate to everybody else and now it's finally his turn to be Ken's advocate to Ken. I love the way Daisuke calls out that dying for atonement is just dying; the real work is living for atonement.

This has long been one of my personal bugbears Society, especially American society, often puts a lot of emphasis on sacrifice and martyrdom. But the actual work of progress and change doesn't get done by corpses; It's done by the people who carried on in those people's wake.

You don't become inspirational by dying; You inspire people while you're alive to keep going even if you're gone.

And redemption is much the same. Dying isn't growth and change; It's just dying. Growing and changing is something you have to actively do, and you have to be alive to do it. So Daisuke's words really spoke to me.

I also really liked the mystery woman's baiting of Ken. The bit about Ken simply being a convenience and not being intrinsically special in any way plays well to the show's general demystifying of the Chosen Children.

[erior]

I find frustrating how people are still gun-ho about Tails needing the Super Emeralds. That got changed in Mania, EIGHT years ago, and Origins changed it so he could go Super in the original games anyway. And it was a good gameplay balance deal, not a change in a story beat.

Supers other than Sonic's in the Genesis games just have the white glow effect Super Sonic has. Super Tails and Super Knuckles' appearance in Heroes was a step up, but despite the file names people insisted it couldn't be that due to Super Knuckles having to be pink and Super Tails requiring the Super Emeralds. And, after that, we just got Knuckles pulling the same thing as Mecha Sonic with the Master Emerald (resulting in a green tinted version of his Heroes approach), and Superstars giving Tails, Amy and Knuckles a golden aura.

And that's not getting into the "Hyper Shadow" crap. Saw it back this very year, with people "correcting" movie watchers.

So, yeah, floaty, golden-warm colored supers for everybody please.

Technically Knuckles already does have a super form. Tails too, although he needs the Super Emeralds for his. Both come from Sonic 3 and Knuckles (or just Sonic and Knuckles for Knuckles' super form) but nowadays, only male hedgehogs are allowed proper super forms, it seems.

It's because you have to be the main spotlight character of a game to get a proper super form. Shadow, Silver, Blaze, and Trip all have big flashy Super transformations and each of them were the main spotlight characters of the games those transformations debuted in.

Tails, Amy, and Knux all got screwed by already being established supporting characters by the time "Meet the new character and watch them and Sonic GO SUPER AND WRECK FACE" became the standard operating practice of Sonic storytelling.

They get to appear more frequently. But the tradeoff is that they don't get stories about them, so they don't get to be the one doing the climactic eleventh hour Super Mode power-up. There are a lot of post-Adventure games that Tails, for example, appears in. But there aren't any that are about Tails, building steadily up to a big Final Act where Super Tails awakens his full potential and solves the plot.

If this isn't your story, then no Super Form for you. So the three of them just kinda have to make do with sometimes getting to turn sparkly with the Emeralds in the side-scrollers.

[erior]

Well well well, we got our 4 Adults, a villain doing something with the Dark Towers, and an explanation about why Ken was going for the kill with those 'mons. 02 is halfway through, so next time we get the revised opening (that will include every evolution thus far, plus those to debut across the following 16 episodes), the debut of Beat Hit (with glorious machineguns timed with the music), and the even more spoilerific second ending, following tradition. Oh well, Itsumo Itsudemo is neat, even if not as catchy as the first ending. On the aversion to killing of the new team, I can't help but find funny how the veterans went for the kill as early as during the Bakemon debut, and the Etemon arc had random antagonists just getting offed like no issue whatsoever. Guess that's the difference between being stuck in a parallel world and going to said world after school. I believe this hasn't been touched yet, but... Iori IS a cop's kid. I like the bright kid, he is a delightful contrast to the chaos Daisuke and Miyako are, and this unyielding angle is an interesting one to go with.

Digimon Adventure 02x25 - Knight of the Sky, Aquilamon / Spirit Needle

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Grandpa Chikara told Iori to be like ChuChu Jelly around Ken but Iori didn't like that advice and opted to aim for the head.

According to Dub Narrator, today we will find out two things: Why Ken helped the Chosen Children/DigiDestined and who the mystery woman is.

We find Hikari and Daisuke at school on lunch duty. This, in and of itself, may take some explaining. Many Japanese schools don't have a dedicated cafeteria; Instead, students eat in their classrooms or somewhere else around the school.

When lunch is provided for students, it's common for some students to be assigned to go retrieve a portion and bring it to the classroom, to be distributed. That's what Daisuke and Hikari are doing. They're bringing a huge cookpot of rice and vegetables to their class.

As they bring the pot upstairs, they're also discussing the situation with Ken.

Daisuke: ...but Ichijouji Ken does have a good side to him. Hikari: (skeptical) You think so? Daisuke: Well, he did help us out. Hikari: If you only look at the results, sure.

Bringing the pot into the classroom, Daisuke and Hikari begin serving the other students. While still openly discussing the Ichijouji Ken situation.

Daisuke: So you think he had ulterior motives? Hikari: I don't know. Daisuke: You don't know!? Hikari: Well... Hikari: (thinking) We should wait and see how things play out.

Hikari's skepticism prompts Daisuke to stare at her with sad puppy dog eyes. This was not the direction he wanted this topic to go.

After the Thunderballmon incident, Daisuke's pretty sure Ken's had a change of heart and he's down for it. But Hikari is skeptical. Daisuke thinks Ken helped us out back in the village, but Hikari feels that this is an oversimplification.

She thinks Ken was there to kill Thunderballmon. The fact that we benefitted from that action was incidental to his goal. And we still don't know what the whole Thunderballmon thing was even about, so we do not have adequate information to judge Ken's involvement.

So she thinks Daisuke's jumping the gun with this whole "Ken's on our side now, woohoo!" thing.

The dub opens this scene by having random passing students chatting about how attractive the protagonists are.

Boy: I think Kari's a total babe, dude! Girl: What's with Davis and his goggles!?

Then Davis and Kari come up the stairs with the cookpot.

Kari: Lunchroom duty! Yuck! Davis: I know what you mean. These outfits are totally humiliating! Kari: You said it! Davis: We look like a couple of salt and pepper shakers. Kari: Or mad scientists. (Davis and Kari start serving lunch) Kid: EW!!! YUCK!!! Davis: You know, maybe Ken isn't such a bad guy after all. Kari: I'm not sure. Davis: He helped us last time. Kari: I don't know! Kari: (thinking) He'll have to prove it to me. He's done some evil things in the past. Davis: (sad face) ... Kid: Hey, man, I want my lunch already!

A lot of Abridged Parody-style riffing on the scene, forcing them to squeeze the Ken topic into half as many lines. They hit the points of

-> Ken helped us -> But Ken's a bad guy

But they don't bring in the finer disagreement on whether or not Ken was truly helping us. The dub isn't interested in the fine details of Ken's behavior; As this episode progresses, we'll see that the two scripts are having very different conversations about Ken.

In the original script, the central question of this episode is, "Should we trust Ken after everything he's done to us and to the Digimon?" The conversation it wants to have is personal, emotional, and rooted in our uncertain relationship with this former nemesis. We are here to discuss the Hedgehog's Dilemma.

In the dub script, the central question of this episode is, "Should we forgive Ken for everything he's done to us and the Digimon?" The conversation it wants to have is a moral one, concerned primary with the categorization of Good and Bad people and with how we should now classify Ken on that spectrum. We are here to discuss Redemption.

These topics are, to a degree, related. The original will occasionally touch on forgiveness and the dub will occasionally touch on trust. But they are not the same, and they do ultimately result in very different conversations nonetheless.

Later, Daisuke tries his luck with Iori outside. Sitting with his soccer ball, he tries to present his argument while Iori inflexibly practices overhead strikes with his bokken; A metaphor for where Iori's still at, emotionally.

Daisuke: Sure, a lot of stuff went down before, but can't we just let the past flow into the water?

"昔のことは水に流して Mukashi no koto wa mizu ni nagashite" is the Japanese version of "Water under the bridge". What's past is passed, what's done is done, and we should just let it go and move on. Iori, however, gives Daisuke the silent treatment for that remark.

Iori: ... Daisuke: ... Iori: ... Daisuke: Is that not right? Iori: ...

Realizing he'll find no agreement here and might actually be offending Iori, Daisuke takes his soccer ball and heads back up the stairs.

Iori: (thinking, bitterly) Of course I wouldn't go along with that. All I can think about are the feelings of the Digimon that were so cruelly abused by the Kaiser.

Iori has no fucks left to give to Ken. He's already given out his whole supply to Ken's victims.

The dub fills this scene with dialogue, which means we don't have time to sit in the icy coldness of Iori's feelings.

Davis: Technically, Ken is one of the DigiDestined. I was thinking of asking him to join our-- Cody: (overhead strike) HM!!! Davis: (thinking) I guess that's a no from Cody. Davis: I don't know. It was just an idea. I thought maybe he could help. Cody: ... Davis: I guess someone hasn't had their coffee this morning. (Davis leaves) Cody: (thinking) Ken, one of us!? Impossible! When he was the Digimon Emperor, he was ruthless! He might be pulling another trick on us!

Here we see one such example of the original making a forgiveness argument and the dub making a trust argument. Cody, oddly enough, is softer on Ken than Iori is.

Iori, as mentioned last episode, has no forgiveness in his heart to offer Ken. He thinks the guy's just fucking scum. A black-hearted monster who should crawl back under the rock he came from and never darken any of their doors again. If Iori never sees Ichijouji Ken again, it will be too soon.

And it's not like he doesn't have good reason for feeling that way.

Whereas Cody here is just worried about whether Ken is trustworthy or not. Iori can't forgive Ken, so of course he refuses to trust. And Cody doesn't trust Ken, so he withholds his forgiveness.

Up in the computer room, Daisuke tries pitching his feelings to Miyako while the Digimon eat lunch.

Daisuke: I'm just saying, he's not the Ichijouji we knew before. Miyako: (skeptical) You think so? Daisuke: Yes, I do! Miyako: Well, after Wormmon died, I think he finally came to understand that Digimon are living things. But then, in the battle the other day? It may have been an enemy but even so, he did kill a Digimon.

A silent flashback shows us the death of Thunderballmon. The moment when Wormmon's Adult form slew his enemy with Spiking Finish.

Miyako: So now I just don't know. Can you honestly say he's not the same guy as before? Daisuke: ... Tch!

Another rejection. Daisuke turns on his heel and marches out of the computer clubroom. V-mon abandons lunch to chase after him.

Chibimon: Daisuke!

Takeru arrives just in time to see Daisuke angrily marching down the hall.

Takeru: What's wrong with Daisuke-kun? Miyako: He wants to invite Ichijouji Ken to join our team. Takeru: Oh, I'm against that. Miyako: Me too. Besides, I doubt Ichijouji-kun even wants to. People don't change so easily. Takeru: (thinking) No, I do think Daisuke-kun's right when he says Ichijouji's changed. Miyako: Setting that aside, we still haven't figured out how the Dark Tower reactivated like that. Takeru: Or why it disappeared.

This is where Miyako and Takeru stand on the topic of trust. Miyako would have been onboard with the reformation of Ken if not for the merciless execution of Thunderballmon.

Takeru takes the incredibly nuanced position of actually agreeing with Daisuke that Ken's turned over a new leaf, but still thinking it's a bad idea to try and reach out to him. Takeru's undecided on the matter. He needs more information.

Though Takeru keeps that agreement to himself. He's not willing to openly advocate for Ken the way Daisuke is. He hasn't fully settled his own feelings on the subject.

In the dub:

Davis: I think Ken's changed. He's not the Digimon Emperor anymore. Yolei: I don't know.... Davis: What do you mean!? Yolei: I thought Ken changed too, especially after Wormmon got hurt. It seemed like he finally realized that Digimon are living creatures that have feelings. But after our last battle in the Digital World, I'm not so sure. He seemed a whole lot like the old Ken to me. (Flashback) Yolei (V.O.): The way he mercilessly ordered Stingmon to go in for the kill? The poor Digimon! (End Flashback) Yolei: It was just horrible! I'm sorry, Davis, but I don't think I can trust him. Not after what he did. Davis: (thinking) No one ever believes me! I'll just have to do this on my own! (Davis storms out) DemiVeemon: Davis, wait for me! (DemiVeemon follows)

We can't say that Wormmon died but we can apparently say that Ken ordered Stingmon to "go in for the kill". Not pulling that punch. Also, Yolei's misremembering things.

Ken didn't order shit. Stingmon went in for the kill on his own initiative, with Ken only revealing himself after the fact. Ken isn't against it. He and Stingmon were clearly on the same page. But it's not correct to say he "mercilessly ordered" Stingmon to do it.

The dub might be getting confused here because we will see Ken giving commands to attack to Stingmon in this episode. But that did not happen in front of the DigiDestined last time. If Ken did tell Stingmon, "Go kill that guy and do not stop until he's dead", none of them saw it happen.

T.K.: Hey, Davis, what's up? ...where they going? Yolei: I don't know, but I think he's mad at me for disagreeing about Ken. T.K.: About Ken? What's going on? Yolei: He's gone nuts! He wants to ask Ken to join us even after seeing the way he treated that Digimon! Davis needs to realize that people don't change that easily. T.K.: (thinking) I'm not so sure Davis is wrong. Maybe we're being too hard on him. Yolei: We have more important things to worry about than Ken, like why the Control Spires started working again. T.K.: Yeah, like the Spire that was at Primary Village!

At least the dub is consistent about misidentifying that town as Primary Village.

Yolei makes the assumption that all the Spires are back online, which isn't too much of a stretch to assume but she's still working off a sample size of one. This forces T.K. to leave out the other topic of the Control Spire's eerie vanishing, which is more relevant to this episode's central mystery than the fact that it reactivated.

They do capture the nuance of Miyako's opinion on Ken. She wants to believe in him but after what happened with Thunderballmon, she can't. He's disappointed her and forced her to harden her heart back up against him. This does come through with Yolei, and that's important because Miyako/Yolei's emotional journey is pivotal to this episode. It's a Miyako/Yolei episode.

Across the Rainbow Bridge in Tamachi, we find Ken in the staff room of his school, receiving a talking-to from that gross teacher that wanted Ken to "tutor" his daughter way back when.

We don't hear the words exchanged, but Ken bows to his teacher and exits the staff room at the end. As Ken descends the stairwell, he comes upon a group of students gathered to see everyone's recent test scores posted on the wall.

Girl 1: What happened to Ichijouji-kun? Girl 2: His scores have plummeted. Boy 1: Maybe he doesn't care about school tests. Boy 2: You mean he's slacking off? Girl 3: It doesn't seem like he is.... Girl 4: Hmm, who knows?

He went missing for months and presumably refuses to talk about what happened to him during that time. The obvious assumption is that he's fucking traumatized and it's affecting his schoolwork. He probably got kidnapped by a deranged fan or something.

In the dub, the teacher and Ken have dialogue.

Teacher: (surprised) You're always first to complete the test, Ken. Ken: (apologetic) I'll be faster next time.

Are they implying that Ken was turning in his test in that scene? Because that makes the turnaround time on the test results insanely fast.

My interpretation of that scene was that the teacher was giving Ken a corrective lecture about his falling grades. The school's shining star, their child prodigy, suddenly dropping out of exceptionalism is the kind of thing that would alarm pretty much all of the staff.

Boy 1: Look! I beat Ken on the math test! Girl 1: Almost everyone beat him. Look at the board! Girl 2: Yeah, what happened? He used to be tops in every subject. Boy 2: Maybe his brain is possessed by an evil alien. Girl 3: I think your brain is possessed by a rock! Girl 4: It's like he's given up.

This is pretty good.

We follow Ken as he leaves school and begins his walk home. Suddenly, he stops. Standing in his path is Motomiya Daisuke, who gives Ken a friendly wave.

Daisuke: Yo!

The two boys adjourn to the river where one of them, probably Daisuke, tosses in a rock.

Ken: So, you wanted to talk? Daisuke: I wanted to see if you'd apologize to the Digimon and the others. Only if you're willing to do it, of course. We can set it up for you. What do you think? Ken: I see. Daisuke: You'll do it!? Ken: Yeah. Daisuke: That's great! I'm so glad we talked it out. Ken: But would they really forgive me if I apologize? Daisuke: Maybe not at first, but I'm sure they'll come around in time.

Daisuke is being surprisingly realistic here. He recognizes that a simple apology isn't sufficient to make amends for the things Ken's done, but it is a first step. And you'll never get there if you don't take the first step.

Daisuke wants to build a bridge to trust. Forgiveness can follow in its own time.

Ken: You think so? Daisuke: I do! After all, aren't you a Chosen Child just like us? Ken: A Chosen Child? Daisuke: That's right! We're a team. Ken: A team?

Ken takes a moment to consider that sentiment, then pushes back on it.

Ken: I'm sorry, but could you leave out the "team" part? Daisuke: Eh? Why? Ken: Anyways, I'm sorry.

Ken turns away and retreats from the conversation. He walks off into the distance, leaving a confused Daisuke on the riverbank.

Daisuke: Ichijouji....

Well, this was going well until Daisuke came on a little too strong.

In the dub, Ken has an internal monologue that segues out of that girl saying he's given up.

Ken: (thinking) They're right. I have given up. I can't focus anymore! I've got a lot on my mind! No one understands! Davis: Ken! Ken: Huh? (Davis is waiting for Ken) Davis: Hey! (They adjourn to the riverside) Ken: So what brings you all the way out here? Did you come to remind me that I've been a bad boy? Davis: Come on, Ken! You've done some pretty rotten things but you're not an evil person! Ken: I'm not? Davis: No! The person that designed the school's lunch menu? Now that's an evil person! Hahaha! Ken: ... Davis: That was a joke, Ken. Ken: Sorry, I haven't been in a laughing mood lately. Davis: That's okay. Look, I have an idea. Why don't you come with me? You can meet my friends and tell them you're sorry. Ken: But why? They hate me. Davis: They don't hate you, Ken.

They do. Well, at least one of them does.

Davis: They just don't understand you. I know you're sorry for what you've done, but they don't. Ken: What makes you so special? Davis: I never said I was special. I just think you're better than you're giving yourself credit for. Ken: I'm not sure.... Davis: Look, the Digital World's been pretty freaky lately! We need your help! After all, you're one of us DigiDestined. Ken: Huh? Me, a DigiDestined? Davis: That's right! Just one big happy family! Ken: I don't know.... (Ken thinks for a moment) Ken: Thanks, Davis. I appreciate you being honest with me but it just won't work. I can't join you. Davis: What!? What do you mean? Ken: I just can't! Sorry! (Ken leaves) Davis: Huh... Ken, where are you going? Come on, Ken! We could be your friends! Please don't turn your back on us!

This conversation is primarily about the measure of Ken's Goodness, a topic that isn't even touched on in the original scene at all. It's a pretty typical framing of redemption stories by western writers.

"The character did bad things, or sometimes they didn't even do any bad things, that was someone else. All of the character's victims recognize what a good and noble person the character truly is. But the character wallows in self-hatred and must go on a journey to earn their own self-forgiveness, if they ever do."

It's a way of simultaneously meting out to the former villain absolution and punishment. You will face no real social consequences for the things you have done (or did not do if you were mind controlled/possessed/what have you) but you will suffer self-inflicted misery that will make the fandom sympathetic to how sad you are and encourage them to forgive you.

A lot of the dub script in this scene is concerned with how miserable Ken is. You forgive him, right? He's so miserable. You wouldn't want him to be even sadder because you didn't forgive him, right?

In fact, we've seen the dub writers trying to forgive Ken since episode 21, putting words in the characters' mouths like "Join our team" and "Let us help you" even before Kimeramon was even defeated. If they had their way, that episode would have ended with a big group hug and we'd be going on adventures with Ken as our trusted companion by 22. But they have to abide by the way the Japanese plot says this happens.

As Ken leaves, Chibimon pops out of Daisuke's bag to unpack what just happened.

Chibimon: He's willing to apologize but he says he doesn't want to join our team? Daisuke: It means he needs more time to sort out his feelings. Chibimon: Hmm....

Unbeknownst to Daisuke, however, he's been followed. Takeru and Patamon watched the conversation unfold, and they have their own discussion about what happened.

Patamon: Daisuke couldn't do it. Takeru: That's true. But the look on his face just now didn't carry that same sense of scorn and contempt that he used to have. He just seemed determined about something. What is going on?

Ken's driving course right now is a sense of conviction to do something about that woman who seemingly set him on the path of the Digimon Kaiser to begin with. Though Takeru doesn't understand the context, he could feel that conviction coming through from Ken, leaving him with more questions than answers.

Takeru also plays the fucking pronoun game. Characters almost never use pronouns in this show but just this once, he refers to Ken as 彼 kare, "he", instead of using his name right after Patamon brings up Daisuke by name. So the grammatical context shift is a little confusing.

In any case, this is where Takeru stands on the topic of trust. Daisuke failed but Takeru doesn't see that as a mark against trusting Ken. There's something else going on with Ken.

Takeru, see me after class.

In the dub:

DemiVeemon: I really thought you were getting through to him. Why do you think he didn't want to join us? Davis: I think he just needs time. Which... we don't have a whole lot of. DemiVeemon: Hmm....

Do... Do we not...?

I already found it odd when Davis was saying "The Digital World's getting freaky and we need you" over one weird incident where we don't actually understand what even happened there and actively resent Ken's participation in it.

I was willing to let that slide but now Davis is saying we're running out of time and. Like. Davis? Davis. What do you think is happening right now? What is the established plotline that you're so concerned about?

Patamon: Hey, T.K., do you think Davis is right about Ken? Should we forgive him for what he's done? T.K.: I think everyone deserves a second chance, Patamon. Even Ken! I believe that he's sorry for what he's done and it's time we forgive him and let bygones be bygones. I hope he forgives himself....

And this is where T.K. falls on the topic of forgiveness.

It's worth noting that T.K.'s platitudes here aren't so different from the things Daisuke's been saying. Daisuke literally said we should let the past flow into the water, which is the Japanese equivalent of T.K. saying we should let bygones be bygones. But, contextually, it feels different because of all the pushback Daisuke receives.

Daisuke's advocacy of Ken is crucially important. It's good that Ken has someone in his corner willing to fight for him, willing to be the first person to open up the avenues of trust. But Daisuke also exists in conversation with the rest of the cast, who have their own opinions on the topic as well. It's a very complicated subject and Daisuke is only one of many perspectives on the matter.

By contrast, T.K. here is basically sermonizing to the audience directly. The only other person in the scene with him is Patamon and the only thing Patamon says is a question to queue up T.K.'s speech. There is no nuance of complex perspectives; T.K. is telling you what the correct position on forgiving Ken is.

But enough about what Ken, Daisuke, and Takeru think about Ken. Let's head to Miyako's apartment and see what she thinks. This is her episode, after all.

We find Miyako on the phone, though it's unclear who she's talking to.

Miyako: In any case, I do get what Daisuke was saying. Phone: ... Miyako: Yeah.

Miyako hangs up and sighs. Cutting to a shot from the front, we see her three older siblings in the living room behind her. Chizuru's reading a magazine, but her brother Mantarou and oldest sister Momoe seem interested in her phone call. On the table, all four of them have cups set out on saucers, though Miyako seems the only one whose placement is set on the floor instead of the couch despite ample room.

It sucks to be the youngest.

Miyako: (sigh) Momoe: What's wrong, Miyako? Miyako: Mmm....

As Momoe sets down her cup, we cut to Miyako sitting on the floor. Hugging a pillow, she discusses the complex emotional situation she's in with her siblings.

Momoe: Well, I think he's serious. Miyako: You do? Momoe: I do. But what's more important than that are your feelings. Miyako: My feelings? Momoe: Whether or not you'll be able to forgive your boyfriend. Chizuru: (reading) This week, Geminis with the AB-blood type will be lucky in love if they can open up to themselves about their feelings. Miyako: Hey, don't go getting ideas! He's not my boyfriend!

(laughs in epilogue)

Mantarou: Meh! Doesn't matter either way. Just don't regret the decision you make. Miyako: ...my feelings....

Despite the misunderstanding, this is actually pretty good advice. I really like what Momoe has to say to Miyako. It isn't really about whether or not Ken is sincere; It's about whether Miyako has it in her heart to flatten her quills and open herself up to the potential dangers of trusting someone who's already wounded her.

Sometimes you shouldn't. Sometimes you should. Both are valid. But ultimately you are the only person who can make that choice for yourself.

In the dub, Yolei's on the phone with Davis, rather than talking about him. Rather than conflicted, Yolei is just whole-ass against Ken now.

Yolei: I've been thinking a lot about what you said and the answer is still no! I'm sorry, Davis, but I don't think it's a good idea! (Yolei hangs up) Yolei: (sigh) Momoe: Hey, Yolei? Is something wrong? Yolei: Huh? (Momoe sets down cup) Momoe: Let's see, I'll bet it has something to do with a boy. (Yolei is sitting on the floor hugging a pillow) Yolei: Well, kind of.... Momoe: Let me guess. This boy's been a real jerk in the past and you wonder if you should forgive him. Yolei: Yes! Exactly! Momoe: Well, I think you should give him another chance. I mean, after all, he is your boyfriend. Yolei: Hm? Chizuru: Oh, Yolei! According to the latest issue of Girly Girl Magazine, your horoscope says you're going to be lucky in love this month! Yolei: Wait a second! You guys have it all wrong! I don't have a boyfriend, got it? Mantarou: Yep. That's what they all say. Ahh, young love... Sweet! Yolei: Hmm... Now I'm really confused....

The dub expands on the misunderstanding gag and minimizes the actual advice Yolei receives. All she is told is, very bluntly, to forgive Ken. Based on absolutely nothing whatsoever, and with no nuance about it.

Like. Setting aside that Yolei and Ken aren't a thing (yet), Momoe literally thinks that you should always forgive your boyfriend no matter how badly he's treated you in the past.

There's an implied timeskip in the original, where Miyako unpacks the situation to the extent that she can for her siblings between shots. But that doesn't happen here. Momoe comes down firmly on the side of forgiveness based solely on the datapoints

-> He's been a real jerk -> Buuuuut he is your boyfriend

And nothing else.

That is terrible. It's the worst possible advice you can give someone who think think feels emotionally wounded by problems with their significant other. Go to Romance Jail, Momoe.

Later that night, we find Miyako laying in her bed staring up at the ceiling. She's still mulling over the conversation from the living room. Poromon sits on the corner of her desk, watching her undergo this crisis.

Miyako: My feelings, huh? Poromon: If it's bothering you that much, why not try talking to Ichijouji Ken about it? Miyako: Easy for you to say, but I don't know Ichijouji-kun's phone number or email address. Poromon: Wasn't his email address published in that magazine you bought the other day? Miyako: YOU'RE RIGHT!!!

Miyako excitedly springs up from her bed. Then sinks right back down to where she was.

Miyako: Even so... I just wish I knew what Ichijouji-kun was really thinking.

I'm stuck on the fact that they published his email address in a magazine. You know that Inbox has to be flooded with obsessed fanmail. There's no way it's actually usable.

In any case, here Miyako unpacks Momoe's advice and... struggles. She wants to do what we saw Daisuke do. She wants to talk to Ken and figure out her feelings on whether he can be trusted. But she can't even flatten her quills enough to start that conversation. She tries, but backs off from it.

She doesn't trust Ken enough to even take the actions she needs to take in order to explore the question of whether he's worthy of trust.

In the dub:

Yolei: Maybe Davis is right about Ken. Poromon: If this is bothering you so much, why don't you talk to Ken yourself? It might make you feel better. Yolei: I know that's the right thing to do, Poromon, but I have this little voice in my head that keeps telling me Ken is still untrustworthy. Poromon: It's up to you, Yolei. But listening to little voices in your head sounds pretty weird to me. Yolei: AGH!!! (Yolei sits up suddenly, then drops back down) Yolei: Rats! I don't know anymore. I just hope I can make the right decision, Poromon....

Will Yolei make the right decision? The dub chooses that question as the cliffhanger for our first commercial break.

Don't let Jiminy Cricket hear you badmouthing little voices like that.

They had no idea what to do with the "Miyako springs up from the bed but then suddenly stops and flops back down" gag.

Yolei does seem to change her tune awfully easy given how firmly she rejected Davis on the phone, and it's not like the advice she got from her siblings was worth anything. But it can be inferred that what she's expressing to Poromon right now are her honest inner feelings, whereas she's being defensive with Davis. That she's more conflicted than she lets on in her conversations with him, and is letting Poromon hear that conflict.

In fact, this inference plays to the heart of Miyako's conflict in this episode. She's struggling with Purity/Sincerity again.

The main issue this scene has is the removal of the magazine with Ken's email address. That might seem like a minor thing but it's not a throwaway line. It's going to come back up again, and the groundwork has not been laid.

Speaking of what's going through Ken's head, we join him in the Digital World mixing it up with another Digimon.

Ken: NOW, STINGMON!!!

Locked in battle with a Snimon, Stingmon rushes them in the air at Ken's command. Snimon slashes their scythe-like forelimbs, creating waves of energy that they send down at Stingmon. Stingmon darts between the attacks, closing distance and nailing Snimon with a set of lightning-fast kicks.

So, let's talk about Wormmon's Kamen Rider-inspired evolution. Stingmon is an Adult-stage Free-attribute Insect Digimon. Like all the Adult evolutions of the new Partner Digimon, Stingmon was created for the show but debuted earlier, appearing in card game supplements containing the new 02 Digimon as well as the D-3 anime tie-in V-Pet.

Narrator: Stingmon! An Adult Digimon evolved from Wormmon. His special attack is Spiking Finish!

There really isn't anything to say here. We know Wormmon, we know Stingmon is his Adult form, and we've seen Spiking Finish. The rundown is a formality at this point.

Once it's complete, we return to the barrage of kicks. Stingmon keeps up the kicks until Snimon's HP depletes and the enemy Digimon disintegrates into pixel dust.

Ken: Good job, Stingmon! Thank you! Stingmon: Even so.... Ken: ...yeah.

Stingmon and Ken both turn to look at the vast number of Dark Towers leading off into the distance. Their work is far from over.

In the dub, Stingmon and Snimon call their attacks.

Ken: NOW, STINGMON!!! GO GET HIM!!! (Stingmon charges at Snimon) Snimon: TWIN SICKLES!!! (Stingmon dodges) Stingmon: Maybe if you practiced more! SPINNING SPIKING STRIKE!!!

Stingmon's lightning kicks involve neither spinning nor spiking. Plenty of striking though, so 1 for 3.

Ken: (rundown) Stingmon. This insectoid Digimon bugs opponents with his Spiking Strike attack. Don't try bugspray on him, though; It'll only make him angry! Stingmon: SPIKING STRIKE!!!

Stingmon calls Spiking Strike but after Snimon disintegrates, we clearly see him still in the pose for Spinning Spiking Strike.

Stingmon: He's gone to pieces. Ken: You showed him, Stingmon! Stingmon: Ugh, can we not do that anymore today, Ken? Ken: Unfortunately, I don't think that was the last of the monsters we'll face. Look at all these Control Spires. I'm sorry I ever made them. Something's going on and it doesn't look good! Ken: (thinking) Maybe I should join the other DigiDestined. I don't think we can do this alone!

They added a lot to these scene. Stingmon quips and calls attacks, Ken disregards Stingmon's feelings, Ken laments his past crimes, and Ken questions why his Japanese counterpart is keeping him from buddying up with Davis and the others. So much going on over what is, in the original, just them ominously staring down a problem the audience doesn't yet understand.

Ken also got screwed on his diegetic rundown for Stingmon. Lacking a third party to explain Stingmon to, he's just forced to ramble to the breeze. And lacking anything substantive from the original script to say, he has to vamp by making jokes to absolutely nobody.

I bet that's why he's regretting his decision to turn Davis down now. He made his bugspray crack, realized no one was there to hear it, and then he got sad.

The following day, EVERYONE SHUT THE FUCK UP AND SIT DOWN BECAUSE IT'S MIMI TIME

Farewell, pink hair with sparkly stars. Mimi felt like a change. If you're surprised that Mimi's the kind of person to change their entire look on a whim, you shouldn't be. Obviously Mimi cares a lot about personal expression herself through her aesthetic.

We find Mimi at a campfire melting marshmallows on a leaf for a group of Baby Digimon.

Baby: IT'S SO GOOD, MIMI!!!

These are the adorable YukimiBotamon, a new Baby introduced for the Virus Busters V-Pet, which was basically a tie-in to the first anime.

Like regular Botamon, they're named for 牡丹餅 botamochi which is another word for おはぎ ohagi. A sweet rice ball covered in bean paste. The word 雪見 Yukimi, by itself, means to go watch the snowfall. Here, it's a reference to another kind of mochi: 雪見だいふく Yukimi Daifuku, which is a mochi that's made "snowy" by filling it with ice cream instead of bean paste or rice.

Thus YukimiBotamon is a sweet ice cream Botamon that makes for a perfect snack while watching the snowfall. ...or, uh... Do not... Eat the Baby Digimon. Don't do that.

In any case, they're the Baby I form of Nyaromon which evolves into Plotmon and then Tailmon. These are baby Tailmons.

Narrator: YukimiBotamon! A Baby Digimon whose body is covered in white fur. Their attack is Diamond Dust!

Yes, just "attack". These little babies aren't old enough to have special attacks yet.

Mimi: Ahaha! I'm glad you liked it. Now, where did Palmon get off to? If she doesn't get back soon, all the marshmallows will be gone.

I mean, we could try and set some aside for her but we all know that's not happening. :P

In the dub:

YukimiBotamon 1: I want a marshmallow, Mimi! Mimi: Hold on! Hold on! YukimiBotamon 2: I want some more, Mimi! Mimi: Palmon is bringing back more marshmallows right now! YukimiBotamon 3: This is great. Thank you! Mimi: (rundown) You YukimiBotamon are cute Baby Digimon and you have such white fur! Your Bubble Blow attack is almost as big as your appetites! Mimi: I'm glad! Next time, we'll make s'mores! How about that? I wonder where Palmon went to? If she doesn't hurry back with those marshmallows, we're going to have to start roasting some tree bark!

I love that the diegetic rundown has Mimi caught up in cuteness and gushing about how adorable the Babies are.

The most significant change is that Palmon left to get more marshmallows. In the original, she just wandered off without telling anyone.

So, let's check in with Palmon and see what she's up to.

We find Palmon in the woods picking grasses. She plucks a bit from between a few flowers and smiles.

Palmon: It smells so good! I bet Mimi would love a tea made with these herbs.

Palmon is missing out on marshmallows because she's picking herbs to make Mimi tea. THAT'S SO SWEET!!!

Palmon continues through the forest looking for more tea leaves, but then she spots something. She quickly scrambles behind a tree to avoid being seen.

Palmon: A human? And an adult, at that. Can humans who aren't children even come to the Digital World?

As yet, there's never been a hard and fast rule established that says they can't. But as of yet it hasn't happened. So we're gonna file that in the Maybe pile until we have further information.

Palmon watches the woman approach a Dark Tower. She plucks a single strand of hair from her head and holds it up in front of her, causing it to slowly strengthen and harden as if it were a needle. Then she inserts the needle-like strand into the Tower.

As humans do, y'know. Like. Whenever I need a pokey-poke, I just rip out a strand of hair and harden it into a needle. The Chosen Children can't do it but it's a pretty common skill you learn once you're out of high school. We've been having an ongoing crime epidemic ever since people figured out how to use their hair-needles for lockpicking.

As the woman slides her hair needle into the Dark Tower, it glows a bright white. We don't see what happens next; We're focused on Palmon watching. All we get is the sound of a bestial snarl as something else joins the woman.

Palmon: But... But that's.... Woman: Now, destroy the dam and bury that town beneath the floodwaters. Creature: (snarl) Palmon: That's awful!

Having seen something she definitely was not supposed to see, Palmon drops everything and runs for Mimi.

In the dub, Palmon's failing miserably at fetching more marshmallows.

Palmon: Oh, how pretty! I bet Mimi would love this flower. I should find more and make her a bouquet.

Fuck the marshmallows, I guess. Palmon got distracted flower-picking and that's why she's screwing up her supply run.

(Palmon sees the woman) Palmon: A human? But what's she doing here? I thought only children could come to the Digital World. She doesn't look like a child to me! (gasp) And what's she doing with that Control Spire!? (Woman plucks a strand of hair and drives it into the Spire) Woman: Hair today, gone tomorrow. SPIRIT NEEDLE!!!

In case it wasn't clear from her appearance last episode, it's now pretty obvious with the magic hair-needle trick that this woman is a bakemono. She is some manner of supernatural creature, in this case a Digimon, that is only impersonating a human shape. The dub goes one step further on that and has her call whatever she's doing with the Control Spire as an attack.

I remain highly entertained by how much more infatuated the American dub team is with anime-style calling of attacks than the actual Japanese anime is.

Palmon: Oh, this doesn't look good! Creature: HRUARGH!!! Woman: Go! Flood the city! Leave it in ruins! Now do as I command! Creature: RAAAURARARGH!!! Palmon: Oh no! Mimi! (Palmon runs off)

A subtle thing, but Original Palmon wonders aloud if adults can come to the Digital World; It's never come up before so she doesn't know. Dub Palmon says as a statement that they can't.

The woman doesn't mention the dam, but we'll see it soon enough. She did say to flood the city, so once the dam appears onscreen it should be obvious what the creature's mission is.

Back at camp, Mimi's roasting marshmallows with the babies when she suddenly hears Palmon screaming.

Palmon: MIMI!!! MIMIIIIII!!! Mimi: Hm? Palmon?

Mimi stands up, following the sound of Palmon's voice. By the forest's edge, there's a deep natural ravine that's clearly a dry riverbed from before the dam was constructed. Palmon comes running straight down the middle of it.

Palmon: MIMIIIIII!!! QUICK!!! EVOLVE ME!!!

Mimi and the YukimiBotamon come to the edge of the ravine. Mimi's not very prompt with Palmon's request, instead calling down into the ravine for clarification.

Mimi: (calling) PALMOOOOOON!!! WHAT'S GOING ON?

Suddenly, a large shadow overtakes Palmon. She and Mimi both look up in time to see a massive wooden golem coming down to crush Palmon.

Extending her vines, Palmon hooks onto a tree at the edge of the ravine and pulls herself to safety just before the monster lands in a crushing stomp.

Mimi: PALMON!!! YukimiBotamon: That's Golemon!

Golemon is an Adult-stage Virus-attribute Mineral Digimon. They're the fourth Digimon to be introduced to the anime from the Wonderswan V-Pet, which debuted six new Digimon upon its release. It's previously given us Dokugumon, Snimon, and Chimeramon.

Their name comes from an obscure Japanese word for mining beneath the substrate of-- Golem, it's golem, they're named for the word golem.

Narrator: Golemon! A Mineral Digimon made from rocks. Their special attack is Curse Crimson!

Made from rocks, you say? The Mineral Digimon is made from rocks. I never would have imagined. I was expecting wood and vines, personally.

Incidentally, there is a super easy to miss continuity error in this choreography. Mimi is clearly on the left side of the ravine and watching Palmon come toward her, but Palmon escapes to the right side before Golemon lands. Nevertheless, Mimi and the YukimiBotamon will be on the same side of the ravine as Palmon in a minute.

Palmon does do a 180 degree turn when she spots Golemon, just before throwing her vines, so it's possible that there's an understated perspective flip here. But then we have a problem with Golemon. Based on the direction he's facing, if we flip the perspective 180 degrees then he would then be leaping at Palmon from Mimi's direction instead of from behind. He teleported ahead and then doubled back to ambush her.

It's a weird little blip in the way this action piece is choreographed, but if you're just watching normal-like then you probably won't notice.

In the dub:

Palmon: MIMI!!! MIMI, HELP!!! Mimi: Did you hear that? (Palmon comes running down the ravine) Palmon: MIMI, HELP!!! YOU HAVE TO MAKE ME DIGIVOLVE!!! HE'S GOING TO DESTROY THE WHOLE TOWN!!! Mimi: (calling) PALMON, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHO'S GOING TO DESTROY THE TOWN? (Golemon comes crashing down; Palmon uses her vines to escape) Mimi: PALMON!!! YukimiBotamon: It's Golemon! Palmon: (rundown) Golemon! A monstrous Digimon made up of stone and minerals. His Crimson Curse attack overpowers his enemies.

"A monstrous Digimon made of stone and minerals" flows way better to my ears than "A Mineral Digimon made from rocks." It's the same but it doesn't sound so redundant. I gave him a pass for Stingmon but now it's just clear that Narrator Guy is absolutely checked out for this episode.

Also they flipped Curse Crimson around to Crimson Curse which makes more grammatical sense. Curse Crimson sounds like the name of the 587th shade of slightly different red you can buy down at the paint store.

Palmon makes it to the safety of the treeline! She's safe, she's--

Palmon: That was close--

Out of nowhere, a chunk of rubble slams straight into her gut, knocking the wind out of her. Palmon slides down the tree and collapses on the ground.

Mimi and the YukimiBotamon come running.

Mimi: PALMON!!!

Mimi drops to her knees, cradling her battered Partner.

Mimi: Palmon! Are you okay!? Palmon: H-Hurry... We have to stop them... They're... trying to destroy the dam.... Mimi: (gasp)

Mimi and the YukimiBotamon look out across the ravine, watching Golemon stomp slowly towards the dam in the distance.

YukimiBotamon: This is a disaster! If that dam breaks....

Images flash of water erupting from the dam and washing away a metropolitan city down the way.

Palmon: Hurry... you have to tell... everyone....

With that, Palmon's strength gives out and she loses consciousness.

Mimi: Palmon! ...Palmon....

When Palmon doesn't wake, Mimi lets out a piercing scream to the heavens.

Mimi: GUUUUUUYS!!! HEEEEELP US!!!

Cue reaction shots of each individual member of the Junior Team. Presumably this is metaphorical and they actually got an email from her afterward, but I choose to take this literally. Mimi screamed so loud and so forcefully that she breached the veil between dimensions. That is the raw might of the Crest of Purity.

In the dub:

Palmon: That was too close!

The dub censors the rock slamming into Palmon with a white flash. We see the rock coming in and then there's a cut to Palmon getting struck; They put the white flash right in the cut, so it's easy to miss. Rock comes in, slightly longer cut than usual, Palmon slumps down the tree with a rock in her gut.

Mimi: PALMON!!! (Mimi cradles Palmon) Mimi: Are you okay? Palmon: I'm alright. I just need to rest. Go, Mimi! Golemon's going to destroy the dam!

Palmon doesn't know that in this version but she can reasonably infer it from the instructions to flood the town. It's not hard for her to put two and two together on that.

(Mimi and the YukimiBotamon notice Golemon approaching the dam) Mimi: Wait! Stop! Don't do it! The town is defenseless, you big bully! (Images of the town flooding) Palmon: There's no time! You must warn them! And I need to sleep.... Mimi: Palmon, hold on! Oh, I can't do this alone... I NEED HELP!!! SOMEBODY HELP MEEEEEE!!!

In the original, Palmon tells Mimi to bring in reinforcements and Mimi's piercing shriek somehow does just that, through the magic of literary symbolism and/or the raw might of Purity.

In the dub, Palmon seems to be telling Mimi to evacuate the town, at which point Mimi lets out her reality-piercing shriek for backup because that is a monumental task for one teenage girl to perform.

Junior Team assembles in the Computer Clubroom unbelievably quickly because that is what you do when Tachikawa Mimi asks for your goddamn help, and they're ready to go.

Miyako: DIGITAL GATE, OPEN!!!

Miyako doesn't even finish her catchphrase because we are in a rush to support Onee-sama.

Daisuke: MIMI-SAAAAAAN!!! Miyako: MIMI-ONEESAMA!!!

Such a rush, in fact, that Miyako says Onee-sama out loud. She usually just thinks it. The team comes running with their Digimon already Armored up and ready to go. They've got Nefertimon, Pegasmon, and Raidramon in riding forms, with Digmon and Shurimon backing them up.

Daisuke: Palmon! Nefertimon: What happened!? Mimi: It was them!

Mimi looks out across the ravine, where Golemon is now climbing the dam.

Mimi: They're trying to destroy the dam. Daisuke: Who is that? Mimi: It's Golemon. YukimiBotamon: Please protect our town! Daisuke: Town!? YukimiBotamon: If that dam breaks... Then our town....

Everybody looks downstream along the riverbed, where a town has been constructed directly in the flood path.

Daisuke: (to the YukimiBotamon) Don't worry. We'll take care of it. (to their Partners) You're up, guys! Partner Digimon: YEAH!!!

At Daisuke's command, Armor Digimon pour into the riverbed, ready to fight Golemon.

In the dub, they're in such a rush that they don't even let Yolei give the command.

Davis: DIGI-PORT OPEN!!! (Junior Team enters the Digital World) Yolei: MIMI!!! WE'RE RIGHT HERE!!! Davis: We came as fast as we could! Are you okay!? (Junior Team reaches Mimi) Davis: What's going on? Mimi: It's Golemon. He's going to destroy the dam and flood the city! Davis: Why would he do that? Did he just freak out or something?

I love that Davis asks this question. We know that this is an animate Control Spire fueled by pure malevolence acting solely on orders to destroy, but the kids still think this Digimon is a sentient three-dimensional person.

So. Like. Is this a misunderstanding? Can Golemon be reasoned with? These are valid angles that they should be considering.

YukimiBotamon: We're running out of time! Davis: Where's the town? YukimiBotamon: At the end of the ravine! All the Digimon down there will be up to their Digi-ears in water! Davis: (to the YukimiBotamon) Hey, don't worry. We're all over it. (to the Partner Digimon) Let's take care of that rockhead! Digimon: YEAH!!!

We inevitably lose the hard-to-translate intricacies of Miyako's Onee-sama honorific for Mimi, of course. But overall, the dub's take on this scene is really good, and I like hearing Davis taking charge and acting like the leader he's supposed to be at this point.

Surging into action, the Armor Digimon approach the dam, ready to deal with this new adversary.

Raidramon: No matter what, we have to get them away from the dam! Nefertimon & Pegasmon: SANCTUARY BIND!!!

Nefertimon and Pegasmon make the first move, wrapping their golden thread around Golemon's throat and pulling them back from the dam. Golemon roars in protest.

Raidramon: Now! BLUE THUNDER!!! Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Shurimon: MOMIJI OROSHI!!!

The rest of the team opens fire and unloads explosive heavy-damage attacks straight into the Digimon clinging to the dam they are trying to protect, which I assure you did not give me anxiety attacks to watch.

Like. Raidramon's shooting a lightning blast and Shurimon's throwing his vined shurikens. But can we get Digmon, an excavation-based Digimon designed for demolitions firing drill missiles, the fuck away from the dam?

Raidramon: Did we get them?

The smoke from their attacks settles, revealing Golemon still clinging to the dam. Suddenly, Golemon finds the strength to pull their head forward despite the Sanctuary Bind, overpowering Nefertimon and Pegasmon and dragging them a short ways forward.

Raidramon: What is this guy? Pegasmon: They're too powerful....

I'll say. Golemon tanked our best shots and is now beginning to outmuscle Sanctuary Bind, an attack that has successfully restrained Perfect Digimon for a time. We are in the shit right now.

In the dub:

Raidramon: First, we're gonna have to get him off that dam! Nefertimon & Pegasmon: GOLDEN NOOSE!!!

I remain amazed that the censors allowed Dub Team to call it that, especially now as we're wrapping it around someone's throat.

Raidramon: It's my turn. THUNDER BLAST!!! Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! Shurimon: DOUBLE STAR!!! Golemon: HRUUURGH!!!

In the dub, Golemon yells in pain when their shots hit. Original Golemon doesn't even acknowledge that they've been attacked. Zero fucks given for these useless attacks.

(No effect to Golemon) Digmon: HUH!?!? (Golemon pulls his head forward, overpowering Golden Noose) Raidramon: That shot didn't even faze him! Pegasusmon: He's too strong!

I mean. He yelled in pain so clearly it did faze him. It just wasn't enough. I would not have added that. Otherwise, this is good. The attacks are all consistently named and the plot points are called out correctly.

Since pulling Golemon down from the dam isn't working out, Nefertimon devises a new plan.

Nefertimon: Guys, aim for the Evil Ring! Shurimon: Leave it to me!

Shurimon springs up the dam to find their target, but reports back only failure.

Shurimon: I don't see one anywhere! Raidramon: Then they're not being controlled!? Digmon: Just like Thunderballmon the other day.

While they're trying to process that, time runs out. Golemon summons the strength to yank the Sanctuary Bind hard, whipping Nefertimon and Pegasmon into the dam. Their golden thread breaks as they slam into the side.

Takeru: Pegasmon! Hikari: Nefertimon!

With those two down, Golemon resumes their ascent.

I like how they just assume an Evil Ring is responsible for this. In the heat of the moment, lacking any evidence for or against it, their kneejerk reaction is to blame Ken for this. It's always been Ken, so why wouldn't this be Ken too?

Even Daisuke's Digimon is surprised when they learn that Ken isn't responsible for Golemon's attack. Even after everything Daisuke said to Ken, Raidramon still thinks it's more likely than not that Ken would be the one behind this. It's not so easy to let the past flow into water.

It's a very brief part of the episode but so poignant with regard to the episode's conversation on trust and the complexities thereof.

In the dub:

Nefertimon: Look for his Dark Ring and destroy it! Shurimon: I'm all over it!

An interesting note, as Shurimon ascends: The dub is no longer giving his vines hydraulic noises to try and make him seem like a cool cyborg.

Shurimon: I don't see a Dark Ring! Raidramon: No Dark Ring? That means he's not being controlled! Digmon: Yeah! Just like that Thundermon I fought last time!

They censor out Pegasusmon and Nefertimon hitting the dam and do a hideous job of it. We just barely see the barest glimpse of Pegasusmon entering the frame and then they splice in a shot of an unbound Golemon turning his head to look, and then cut to T.K. reacting.

T.K.: PEGASUSMON!!!

And then they cut to Pegasusmon and Nefertimon sliding down the dam after hitting it, and Golemon begins climbing again. The action is incredibly difficult to follow and also Kari doesn't get to react.

The parts immediately preceding this hack-job of a censorship edit are good, though. They translate the kneejerk assumption of Ken's complicity and play it completely straight.

As Golemon resumes his ascent, the Partner Digimon make a last-ditch effort to save the dam.

It does not go well.

Raidramon: I WON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!!!

Raidramon bounds into the air, lunging for Golemon. A noxious pink mist pours out of openings on Golemon's back, filling the sky and knocking Raidramon out of the air.

Raidramon: URGH!!! Daisuke: Raidramon! Shurimon: You'll pay!

Shurimon rises high on his extendable vine legs.

Shurimon: MOMIJI--DWAAUGH!!!

Golemon backhands Shurimon, knocking him from the air.

Miyako: SHURIMON!!! Iori: This is bad!

Then, since his fist is already nice and drawn back, Golemon turns it into a punch and plunges his fist through the dam. Water pours out through the opening while everyone screams.

Group: THE DAM!!!

And that is as good a time as any to go to commercial.

Golemon doesn't call their attacks, but I do want to note that the noxious gas attack is Curse Crimson. Since the lazy-ass narrator didn't fucking bother to lay it out in the rundown.

In the dub:

Raidramon: THAT DID IT!!! (Raidramon lunges) Golemon: CRIMSON CURSE!!!

The dub opts for the sound of Raidramon choking when he goes down, which is a solid choice.

Davis: Hey, that's not fair! Shurimon: My turn! DOUBLE STA--URGH!!!

There is no censoring of the backhand to Shurimon.

Yolei: SHURIMON!!! Cody: Look! He's going to do it! (Golemon punches the dam) Group: AHHHHHH!!!

The dub also takes its second commercial break here. It's a good cliffhanger.

Coming back from commercial, we have an emergency. Water pours from the dam into the riverbed.

Raidramon: What do we do now?

As the water floods into the riverbed, the Digimon are paralyzed by indecision. The floodwaters flow down quickly down past where the Chosen Children and the YukimiBotamon are waiting.

YukimiBotamon: Our town! Mimi: Guys, you have to protect the town! Digimon: Got it!

At Mimi's command, four out of five Armor Digimon peel off to chase the floodwaters. Nefertimon hangs back with Golemon to take care of something real quick.

Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!!

Nefertimon launches four consecutive shots of Rosetta Stone. The large, heavy tablets slam into the hole Golemon made and embed themselves there, blocking it up.

Hikari: (English) Nice, Nefertimon!

Then Nefertimon joins the others. The five of them race as fast as they can to get ahead of the floodwaters. Digmon drops into the ravine while the others work.

Shurimon: KUSANAGI!!!

Shurimon's Kusanagi cuts several through several trees along the treeline.

Raidramon: BLUE THUNDER!!!

Raidramon runs along the side zapping the trees with electricity. Which. I have no idea what he thinks he's contributing but we appreciate the effort all the same.

Nefertimon & Pegasmon: SANCTUARY BIND!!!

Nefertimon and Pegasmon bind the cut trees together to form a wooden wall, then lower it into the ravine directly behind Digmon. Finally, it's Digmon's turn.

Digmon: BIG CRACK!!!

Digmon cuts a massive trench in front of the tree wall. Nefertimon and Pegasmon retrieve him from the trench before the floodwater hits, crashing into the tree wall. The wall holds firm and the entire flood disappears inside Digmon's Big Crack.

Raidramon: Yes! Daisuke: You did it! Mimi: Thank you!

Mission accomplished. The town has been saved, and we owe it all to our Partner Digimon. Except Raidramon who didn't do shit.

In the dub:

Digmon: There are millions of gallons pouring out of that hole! Raidramon: We have to stop it! (Flood washes past the DigiDestined) YukimiBotamon: OH NO, THE TOWN!!! Mimi: Quick, you guys! Stop the water! Raidramon: You heard the lady! (Four Digimon peel off)

Dub Digimon are not paralyzed by indecision. Raidramon gives an order to stop the water, but they still hang out and do nothing until Mimi yells at them.

Nefertimon: I'll take care of this! ROSETTA STONE!!! (Nefertimon clogs the dam leak and joins the rest) Kari: Take that, you big rockhead! (Digimon race to get ahead of the flood) Raidramon: Sorry, but I've already had my bath today!

...good for you? Contextually speaking, not one of their better quips.

(Digmon drops into the ravine) Shurimon: DOUBLE STAR!!! Raidramon: THUNDER BLAST!!! Nefertimon & Pegasmon: GOLDEN NOOSE!!! (Nefertimon and Pegasmon drop the tree wall into the riverbed) Digmon: ROCK CRACKIN'!!! (Digmon digs the trench and then Nefertimon and Pegasmon get him out of there) Digmon: GOING UP!!! (The floodwaters hit the tree wall and vanish down the crack) Nefertimon: There must be easier ways to water the plants. Raidramon: You're telling me! Davis: That was awesome! Mimi: Now that's what I call teamwork!

XD Like that one. The "water the plants" quip got me.

With the flood stopped, the team breathes a sigh of relief. The crisis is over.

YukimiBotamon: AHHH GOLEMON!!!

Correction. Crisis is not over. Golemon has nearly reached the top of the dam.

Daisuke: I can't believe that guy! Hikari: They're serious. Miyako: "Serious"? Hikari: They're serious about destroying that dam. Miyako: But why would they do something like that?

The dub got here earlier with Davis but here Miyako's asking the pertinent question. We're under the impression that Golemon is a thinking, three-dimensional person. So. Why are they doing this? What is this about? It doesn't make sense.

Raidramon: Let's go!

The Digimon aren't waiting for explanations. They head back upriver to confront Golemon again.

Iori: They're going to destroy the city. Takeru: Not just the city, but the Digimon who live there too. Miyako: I know that, but... why? Why would they do something so awful? Daisuke: If they're serious, then we need to get serious too. Miyako: "Serious"? What do you mean, "serious"!? Daisuke: Serious about defeating them. Miyako: You mean killing them!? That is unacceptable!

Daisuke tries to softball it with 倒す taosu, the word for defeating someone. But Miyako cuts straight through the wordplay and drops the K-bomb, 殺す korosu. Daisuke means to kill Golemon and Miyako's not letting him weasel his way around that topic with pleasant language.

Incidentally, there's an interesting implication in this conversation that the reason we're having so much trouble with Golemon isn't because Golemon is super powerful, but because we're holding back and refraining from going for attacks that might kill them (although they did still outmuscle Sanctuary Bind). Daisuke advocating for "getting serious" indicates that we could probably win this fight if we'd been going for the throat from the get-go.

It's funny to see "We can't beat this guy; We HAVE to kill them" play out as a point of argument but it's true. Logistically speaking, it is so much easier to kill someone than to nonlethally restrain or incapacitate them.

In the dub:

YukimiBotamon: OH NO!!! GOLEMON'S AT IT AGAIN!!! Group: HUH!?!? Davis: Huh!? He's climbing up the dam again! Doesn't he know when to stop!?

I mean, it's not like we've done much to deter him. XD

Yolei: I don't think so. Kari: Well, he has a rock for a brain. He can't be that bright. Yolei: There's no way the Digimon can stop that much water. Raidramon: Let's go! (The Digimon head back upriver) Cody: Why is he so intent on flooding the town? T.K.: Golemon doesn't seem to care that there are millions of Digimon down there. Yolei: That's why we have to stop him! Those poor Digimon... How do we stop Golemon without hurting him? Davis: We have no choice but to resort to extreme measures. Yolei: And exactly what do you mean by that, Davis!? Davis: We have to destroy him! Yolei: Have you gone completely nuts!? He's a Digimon!

In the original, Yolei is unraveling. She wrestles with the word 本気 honki when Hikari says it about Golemon, and then challenges Daisuke when he starts using it too.

The dub trades out Hikari's use of 本気 honki for a quip, but then catch up Yolei's unraveling by having Davis push harder for killing Golemon. He doesn't softball anything here, save for the obligatory censor-satisfying use of "destroy" over "kill".

Miyako: Just calm down, Daisuke! Calm down and think this through! Daisuke: Calm down and do what!? Miyako: "Do what"!? Our first priority is protecting the dam! Daisuke: Without defeating the enemy!? Miyako: If we can... No, we must!

As they're arguing, the Digimon silently re-engage Golemon. Raidramon blasts Golemon in the back with a shot of Blue Thunder Pegasmon lets off a shot of Star Shower as Takeru joins the conversation.

Takeru: That's impossible. We might be able to hold them back, but it'd only be for a moment. Miyako: Nngh!

As Takeru's talking, the Digimon keep up the assault. After Star Shower, Nefertimon fires her Nile Jewelry into Golemon's shins, then Shurimon follows up with Momiji Oroshi, launching all four shurikens into Golemon's back. All of their attacks are harmlessly deflected by Golemon's stone hide.

Miyako: ...Is defeating them our only option? Like what Stingmon and Ichijouji Ken-kun did?

Digmon takes the next attack with Gold Rush, but his drills are harmlessly deflected by Golemon's back as well. Which is absolutely cheating. I refuse.

Miyako flashes back on Stingmon killing Thunderballmon.

Miyako: (thinking) Is that why he did it? Because he knew there was no other way? Are we being naive? Iori: I REFUSE!!! If we do that, then we're no better than him! Miyako: (relieved) That's right! Daisuke: No, it's not! You don't understand, Iori. There had to have been a reason why he had to defeat the enemy. Miyako: (thinking) Why do you think that? Is it just because you believe he's changed? I can't....

We are getting nowhere fast, while the dam inches closer and closer to the moment of its destruction.

Incidentally, after that one instance of throwing the K-bomb in Daisuke's face, Miyako and Daisuke are now both saying 倒す taosu even though they're still definitely talking about killing. I guess it's emotionally easier that way.

In any case, the escalating argument cuts away the pretext here. This argument isn't really about Golemon. It's about Ken. Daisuke, in his advocacy for Ken, is willing to believe that Ken was right about Thunderballmon even though he lacks sufficient context to understand what Ken did. He's ready to take a leap of faith.

But Miyako is conflicted. Recall that she was where Daisuke is now. She was ready to trust Ken after seeing how he reacted to Wormmon's death. It's only the shocking incident with Thunderballmon that made her tuck down and raise her quills.

In the dub:

Yolei: He's still a living creature, Davis; We'll have to think of another plan! Davis: If you've got a better plan, I'd love to hear it! Raidramon: LET'S GET HIM!!! Yolei: What if we keep trying to protect the dam? Davis: Now who sounds crazy!? He swatted our Digimon like flies! We have to take out Golemon to protect the dam! Yolei: At least let's try, Davis! Davis: Look, Yolei, the longer we fight him, the better the chance of him destroying that dam!

That's actually a good point. Takeru in the original cuts in to point out that even if we try to just hold Golemon back, it's a temporary measure at most. The dub swaps this for Davis pointing out that they risk the dam's integrity with every passing second that this fight continues; I mean, look what just happened a moment ago. These are both solid arguments.

Davis: There are millions of lives at stake. We have no choice! Yolei: There's got to be a better way! Davis: It's too late, Yolei! We have to act now! Yolei: Ah! (Flashback) Yolei: (thinking) If we destroy Golemon, we're no better than Ken and Stingmon! There must be a solution without violence. (End flashback) Cody: I agree with Yolei! If we destroy Golemon then we'll just be sinking to Ken's level. Yolei: Right, Cody! Davis: Wrong, Cody! We have to do the right thing! Being a hero isn't always pretty. Maybe Ken did what he had to do to save people's lives. Yolei: (thinking) Why does Davis always stick up for Ken even after he's seen him do such horrible things to the Digimon? Does he really think Ken has changed or has his hair gel leaked into his brain?

Wrong time for flippancy, Yolei. We are at Emotional Tension Level 10 right now.

In the original, Daisuke almost gets through to the conflicted and uncertain Miyako. Faced with the force of his perspective, Miyako doubts herself and even considers whether Ken was in the right to kill Thunderballmon. It's only Iori coming in to back her up with another overhead swing at Ken that makes Miyako reaffirm her position.

That nuance is lost in the dub, where Yolei doesn't budge an inch. They have Yolei also express that killing Golemon makes us no better than Ken, rather than that just being Iori's position. They even go so far as advocating "a solution without violence" which seems even more wildly impossible than restraining Golemon.

The clashing themes are also made apparent with Daisuke and Davis. Daisuke wants to kill Golemon because he has that much faith in Ken and is willing to believe that Ken knows something we don't. Davis wants to kill Golemon because sometimes being a hero means you gotta get your hands dirty. Why doesn't Batman kill the Joker?

While all this bickering is happening, Mimi suddenly interjects with a question.

Mimi: Does anyone have Ichijouji Ken's email address? Daisuke: Huh? Miyako: I have it, but.... Mimi: Gimme.

Mimi takes Miyako's D-Terminal from her and opens it up. Without explaining, she begins typing.

Miyako: What are you doing? Mimi: He must have a D-Terminal too, so... Miyako: You're asking him for help!? Mimi: Yep. Should I not? Miyako: I mean... Would he even show up?

Mimi-senpai cuts down the whole argument and seizes control of this situation.

Overruled by her senpai, Miyako wrestles with her inner feelings.

Miyako: (thinking) I really do want him to come. I just can't bring myself to admit it.

Like Mantarou said, a decision needs to be made decisively and with no regrets. And if there's one thing Mimi-senpai is good at, it's making snap decisions decisively and without regret.

Miyako can't bring herself to flatten her quills. She's too afraid of being hurt to take a leap of faith the way Daisuke is. So Mimi makes the choice for her.

Not to trust Ken or to not trust Ken, but to bring him here to answer for himself and his choices.

In the dub:

Mimi: This might sound crazy but I think we should ask Ken for his help. Group: Huh!? Yolei: Have you lost your mind, Mimi? Mimi: Give me your D-3.

Continuing the trend of the dub having no idea what a D-3 is, Mimi uses the word to refer to Yolei's D-Terminal.

(Mimi types at Yolei's "D-3") Yolei: You have got to be kidding. Mimi: I'm totally serious. Golemon's too powerful. We need all the help we can get! Yolei: But he's dangerous! Mimi: Don't argue with me! Yolei: Mimi... How do you know if we can trust him? Yolei: (thinking) Maybe I am being too hard on Ken. I really do want him to come. I just can't admit it!

This scene is the payoff for the magazine with Ken's email address. Miyako ultimately reneged on contacting him but she still has it. Apparently she even entered it into her D-Terminal at some point, though she didn't do that in the scene it came up in.

The dub removed that bit, so the episode is left with no explanation for why Mimi, of all people, apparently has Ken's contact information memorized.

While Miyako's struggling with her feelings, time runs out.

Shurimon: NWAAAAUGH!!!

At the sound of Shurimon's voice, Miyako looks back over at the dam and sees that we've not only hit rock bottom but begun to drill. Golemon is at the top of the dam and lands another backhand to Shurimon, sending him plummeting to the ground. He lands hard on his back and loses his Armor form, reverting to Hawkmon.

Miyako: HAWKMON!!! Hawkmon: (gurgle) Raidramon: Shit....

The team surrounds Golemon, but that only plays into their hands. Perching on all fours, Golemon releases their Curse Crimson, flooding the airspace and bringing down the rest of the team. The four remaining Partner Digimon lose their Armor forms, reverting to base before they too hit the ground at the bottom.

The window of opportunity is now closed. Golemon has won.

In the dub, Shurimon doesn't cry out in pain at a sudden crushing impact. Golemon makes a lurching zombie sound and that's what startles Yolei, even though the Digimon have been fighting Golemon this whole time while the argument was playing out.

Shurimon does cry out in pain as he's falling, but only after Yolei's started paying attention.

(Shurimon regresses to Hawkmon) Yolei: Hawkmon, no! Hawkmon: (dazed vocalizations) (Digimon close in on Golemon) Raidramon: Ready, guys!? Golemon: CRIMSON CURSE!!! (The rest of the team goes down)

In the original, as they're falling, the team let out a cry of pain in their Armor forms, lose their forms, and then make small groaning noises in their Child forms before hitting the ground.

In the dub, it's one long continuous scream that transitions from Armor voices to Rookie voices, which is pretty cool.

Perched atop the dam, Golemon lets out a triumphant roar.

Daisuke: This is bad! If they break the dam this time, that town is screwed!

But there's no one left to stop them. Golemon turns, raises their arm, and swings. Their arm makes it about a foot before stopping suddenly.

Golemon: Huh?

Golemon doesn't speak words but we all know what a guttural noise of surprise sounds like. Turning to look, they see Stingmon floating their behind them, holding their arm back with one hand.

Daisuke: Stingmon!

As an aside, I have no idea when everyone learned Stingmon's name. I guess they asked Koushiro if they could borrow the Digimon Analyzer between episodes.

Ken comes running out of the treeline on the opposite side of the dry riverbed.

Ken: Stingmon, go!

At Ken's command, Stingmon unleashes a barrage of kicks like the ones that destroyed the "Snimon" from earlier.

Miyako: (thinking) He actually came to help us! Daisuke: ICHIJOUJI!!! THANK YOU!!! Mimi: See? What a dependable teammate. Miyako: (thinking) Maybe Daisuke was right! Maybe he does know something! That's why... (excited) THAT'S WHY...!!!

Reminder that at the start of this episode, Miyako expressed that she'd been willing to give Ken the benefit of doubt after seeing what happened to him following Wormmon's death. She believed that genuinely did affect him tremendously.

It's only because of Thunderballmon's merciless execution that she doubled back and refused to trust. That's what scared her. It's only because he slew a Digimon without hesitation or any sign of remorse after the moment that allegedly would have been a turning point for him.

She's getting excited here because if that can be explained away, then she has no reason not to let herself believe in him.

Though, personally? Given that it's been like thirty seconds since Mimi sent that email, I'm inclined to believe this is a coincidence and Ken was already here tracking the woman again.

That or he, too, heard Mimi's reality-shattering scream for help but then he wandered off to pick tea herbs and momentarily forgot what he came here for. That's probably it.

In the dub, Davis is more concerned with the team's personal safety than the wellbeing of the town.

Davis: Run for it! He's gonna break the dam! (Stingmon stops Golemon's punch) Golemon: Huh? Davis: It's Stingmon!

Thanks, Davis. I thought it was WereGarurumon but I'm glad you were here to clarify.

Ken: Stingmon, give him your best shot! Stingmon: Here goes nothing! (Stingmon flurries kicks) Yolei: (thinking) It's Ken! He came to help us! Davis: Way to go! Yeah! I knew he'd come! Mimi: Me too! Now Golemon has his hands full! Yolei: (thinking) Wow! Ken and Stingmon are defending the town! If Stingmon hadn't stopped Golemon, the town would be history by now.

Yolei has the same setup as Miyako for her one point of reservation about Ken. Nonetheless, she goes a completely different direction with Ken's involvement.

Yolei doesn't bring up the key point of contention here, the merciless execution of Thunderballmon. Miyako does, and it's not so much that this explains it but rather that it gives her a willingness to believe there might be an explanation.

For Miyako, Ken is demonstrating trustworthiness. His willingness to come when we need him and help us when we're in trouble, and that's why we should extend him benefit of doubt. He's one of us, is the takeaway.

For Yolei, Ken is demonstrating heroic virtue and a willingness to defend innocent souls in danger, and that's why we should extend him benefit of doubt. He really is a good person after all, is the takeaway.

It's personal and emotional for Miyako, while it's professional and moral for Yolei.

Finally, Palmon wakes up in Mimi's arms. And does she have a doozy of an intel drop for the team.

Mimi: Palmon! How are you feeling? Palmon: Mimi... Where is it...? Mimi: Right now, Stingmon is protecting the dam from Golemon. Palmon: It's not Golemon... That thing isn't Golemon! Mimi: What do you mean? Palmon: I know it looks like a Digimon, but....

Palmon flashes back on what she saw. As the woman inserts her hair needle, we finally see it from Palmon's perspective. The Tower itself glows with energy and forms into the shape of Golemon.

Palmon: It's really... a Dark Tower! Takeru: That explains that! Why did the Dark Tower suddenly disappear when Thunderballmon showed up the other day? Iori: It's because they were the Dark Tower transformed, right? Daisuke: And that's why.... Miyako: That's why he was willing to kill his opponent that day!

Here, at last, we find the answer to the question Ken probably could have just told us himself if he hadn't decided to exit the scene like a dick last episode. Then again, we might not have been inclined to believe him without a reliable witness like Palmon to back up his statements. Iori definitely wouldn't.

Ken failed to convey why we should trust him, but one must wonder if we would have trusted him enough to believe him if he had.

While this revelation is happening, Stingmon's fight with Golemon is going badly. Golemon throws a right hook. Stingmon blocks it, but the impact force drives him back several feet. Stingmon tries to leap back into the fray, but gaining this distance gives Golemon a chance to turn around and release another burst of Curse Crimson. The foul gases knock Stingmon from the air.

Ken: Stingmon!

This fake Golemon truly is a force to be reckoned with.

In the dub:

Mimi: Look, everyone! Palmon's waking up! Palmon: Golemon! He's... not what you think! He's not even a real Digimon! I know I sound crazy but you have to believe me on this! Mimi: What are you talking about? Palmon: I was walking through the woods and I heard something so I went to check it out. (Flashback) Palmon (V.O.): That's when I saw this strange woman. She was casting a spell on the Control Spire! There was all this bright light. I could barely see! And then the Control Spire became Golemon! T.K.: Hey guys, I just thought of something! Thundermon must have been one of those Control Spires too! I bet Ken probably figured that out during the last battle. Davis: That must be why he ordered Stingmon to destroy him! He knew he wasn't a real Digimon! Cody: That's why Golemon attacked the dam! He's a Control Spire under a dark spell! (Golemon knocks Stingmon out of the air) Ken: STINGMON, LOOK OUT!!!

T.K. says "I just thought of something" as if this segue was not immediately related to what Palmon just explained or a topic that's been haunting us all episode.

T.K. also speculates that Ken "figured it out" somehow when it's more likely that Ken already knew from the get-go. Ken clearly has more information than we have about this situation.

Davis again says that Ken "ordered" Stingmon to kill Thundermon when we never saw him do this specific thing. The sentiment is correct, they're right in broad strokes that Ken and Stingmon killed Thundermon, but they're accusing Ken of a specific action that he did not take.

Faced with this revelation, we hone in on Miyako, hearing something begin to shine.

Miyako: (thinking) It was a misunderstanding... I just misunderstood him! He's not the same person he used to be! He isn't the Digimon Kaiser anymore! Miyako: Now... He's one of us!

At that declaration, Miyako's D-3 activates inside the pocket of her vest.

Down in the riverbed, Hawkmon is lifted back to his feet by an unseen force.

Armadimon: What's happening-dagyaa? Hawkmon: I have no idea....

Miyako takes out her D-3, staring in momentary amazement at the rainbow of holy light pouring out of it. Her light. Then she makes one final gesture of faith.

Miyako: Ken-kun... I'm sorry.

With those words, the light becomes overwhelming and Hawkmon's evolution begins.

In the dub:

Yolei: (thinking) I was wrong! Ken has changed! I always assumed that he was just as ruthless as before but now he's trying to save the Digital World. Yolei: I'm sorry, Ken. I was wrong. (D-Terminal activates, I guess, since Mimi has her D-3; Hawkmon is lifted to standing position) Armadillomon: Hawkmon, are you okay? Hawkmon: I feel rather strange right now.... (Light pours out of Yolei's device of questionable identity) Yolei: ...I know I was wrong.

Mostly the same; They both point out that Ken has changed and isn't the same person he used to be. But Miyako expresses Ken's inclusion into their 仲間 nakama while Yolei emphasizes his heroic deeds.

With Miyako settling her feelings and making her decision without regret, her light floods into Hawkmon and it's time for one more Adult evolution. HAWKMON SHINKAAAAAA!!!

Aquilamon is an Adult-stage Free-attribute Giant Bird Digimon. Pretty straightforward. Their name comes from the Latin word "aquila", which means eagle.

Narrator: Aquilamon! A Giant Bird Digimon that can fly at mach speeds with vision sharp enough to spot enemies at a great distance. His special attack is Glide Horn!

As Aquilamon soars above the riverbed, Miyako races to the cliffside and shouts the very important intel at him.

Miyako: AQUILAMON!!! That's a Dark Tower, not a Digimon! Aquilamon: It is!? Now that I know that, there's no reason to hold back!

With that information, Aquilamon rushes into battle, leaving Miyako behind at the cliff's edge. Looking down from where Aquilamon was, she makes eye contact with Ken on the far side. He gives her a firm, approving nod.

In the dub, Armadillomon does the diegetic rundown for some reason even though he's half-conscious in the riverbed.

Armadillomon: (rundown) Aquilamon! This giant winged Digimon soars along at supersonic speeds and beats his opponents with his special Grand Horn attack. Yolei: AQUILAMON!!! Golemon is really an evil Control Spire! He's not a living Digimon! So give him all you've got! Aquilamon: HRRRRRRRRRRRGH!!! (Aquilamon soars into battle)

Yolei speaks for both of their lines while Aquilamon grunts out a battle roar.

By the time Aquilamon reaches the battle, Stingmon's found his second wind and is in the air. Aquilamon comes in hot.

Aquilamon: BLAST LASER!!!

Blaster Laser is not a Laser. It's a wave of concentric rings fired from the mouth, which is typically shorthand for a sonic scream attack. It does, however, explode on impact with Golemon so I suppose it qualifies as a Blast.

The blast tears away half of Golemon's stone flesh, revealing the substance of the Dark Tower beneath.

In the dub, Aquilamon greets Stingmon as he cuts in.

Aquilamon: Excuse me. BLAST RINGS!!!

It is both Blast and Rings, so score one for the dub here.

With Golemon's true nature revealed, Stingmon and Aquilamon coordinate their follow-up attack.

Aquilamon: Go, Stingmon! Stingmon: SPIKING FINISH!!!

Extending his wrist blade, Stingmon drives it straight into Golemon's forehead. However, Golemon remains incredibly tough; Spiking Finish manages to break off the rest of their exteriour hide and crack the Dark Tower underneath, but they remain intact.

Stingmon: Finish it, Aquilamon! Aquilamon: GLIDE HORN!!!

Glide Horn is a flying headbutt that superheats Aquilamon's horns to a red-hot glow before striking. Aquilamon strikes at Golemon's head, knocking them back on their butt. The impact still doesn't break through Golemon's structure, but it does enough damage that they shatter anyway a few seconds later. It's a little awkward.

Miyako: They did it! Armadimon: Hooray-dagyaa!

The important thing is that the fake Golemon is destroyed and no real Digimon had to die for it.

In the dub:

Aquilamon: Stingmon, attack! Stingmon: SPIKING STRIKE!!! (Stingmon breaks off the rest of Golemon's hide) Stingmon: Aquilamon, he's weakened! Get him! Aquilamon: GRAND HORN!!! (Aquilamon destroys Golemon) Yolei: They did it! Armadillomon: Just in time for lunch!

Just in time for Lunchables, you mean. Because we are breaking for our third commercial break!

Following the battle, we find Ken in the woods with the others. He gives the Chosen Children a humble bow.

Ken: I won't make any excuses. I'm very sorry for what I've done.

The team seems conflicted about Ken's apology. Daisuke and Miyako are smiling, but Iori, Takeru, and Hikari exchanged neutral expressions. Their feelings are difficult to read, and nobody really says anything.

When Palmon breaks the silence, it's to debrief Ken about what's happening.

Palmon: In any case, who was that woman? Ken: I don't know either. All I know is that she can create Digimon from Dark Towers and, when she approaches them, the Dark Towers regain their functionality. Mimi: But if you knew that, why didn't you tell us? Ken: That's.... Wormmon: Ken-chan and I thought that we should handle this ourselves. Daisuke: It doesn't have to be that way. Ken: But this is all my fault. Daisuke: Is that why you said you wouldn't join us? Ken: ...well, I'm done here.

Ken doesn't answer Daisuke's question. Instead, he turns on his heel and walks away into the woods.

Daisuke: HEY!!! ICHIJOUJI!!!

Daisuke's words fall on deaf ears as Ken keeps right on walking.

Ken's apology has been delivered but it's unclear whether the others will accept it. As Daisuke and Ken hashed out earlier, this is just the first step. And it's a first step for both sides, as Ken is no more ready to cross this bridge than the rest of the team is to receive him. Miyako may have flattened her quills, but there are still hedgehogs in the room with quills fully extended.

In the dub:

Ken: I won't make any excuses and I'm sorry for what I've done. Davis: (demonstrative) Hm? Group: (uncertain) Hm....

Since no one has lip flaps and everyone's mouths are onscreen, Davis and the group have to convey their thoughts entirely through grunts.

Palmon: Thanks for coming when we called you, Ken. We were nearly finished back there! Ken: It's the least I could do after all the trouble I've caused. I want you to know I have nothing to do with that weird woman who turns Control Spires into Dark Digimon. Wormmon and I discovered that she is able to recharge the old Control Spires through some sort of dark magic. Mimi: Ken, if you knew about the Control Spires, why didn't you say something? Ken: Well, I.... Wormmon: We made the mess so we wanted to clean it up by ourselves. Davis: I guess you should have called a maid service, Wormmon! Ken: I wasn't sure if you guys were going to believe me. Davis: I would've, but the rest of the guys would have been a hard sell. We need to start over. Why don't you join us? Ken: I'm sorry, but I can't. (Ken turns and walks away) Davis: We can figure this out together! Ken, please! At least think it over! We really need your help!

Palmon doesn't ask about the woman. Fortunately, Ken's in a sharing mood and explains the situation anyway.

I do like Davis admitting that the rest of the team would've been a "hard sell" even if Ken had come out with it last episode. That's a good line.

It's again weird that Davis says "We really need your help" as if we're the ones with the big, dire plotline. But we're on the fringes of the thing; We're only involved when we happen to be nearby as Ken and the woman's plot is occurring. We're trying to get in on what he's doing.

As Ken's walking away, he suddenly gets an alert on his D-Terminal.

He takes it out of his pocket, checks it, and then turns back around towards the group. Miyako's got her D-Terminal out and a huge grin on her face. Ken says nothing, pockets the D-Terminal, and keeps walking.

We close on an overlay of Miyako's message as she reads it aloud.

Miyako (V.O.): I'll be waiting for the day you join us. Thank you for today. ~Miyako

A lot of things are still uncertain right now. But at the very least, two of the Chosen Children are willing to take a chance on Ken.

The dub also has an alert tone for the email. No psychic premonitions this time!

Ken: Huh? An email? "Thanks for helping us today." (Ken turns to see Yolei) Ken: "I can't wait for the day when you decide to join us, Ken. ~Yolei" (Ken puts the D-Terminal back in his pocket and walks away) Yolei: Don't worry. I think he'll come around. I don't blame him for being cautious! We were wrong not to give him a second chance! Besides, we can always use another DigiDestined! Narrator: Will Ken join the rest of the DigiDestined? Find out on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

Yolei gets a bunch of bonus exposition so she can blame us for being mean to Ken. She's legit saying that we alienated him by being upset about the things he said and did. Wow. Americans.

So, let's see. There were two things we were supposed to learn today: Why Ken helped us last episode and the identity of the mystery woman. Well, 1 for 2 isn't bad. Though we did at least learn that the woman's a bakemono so I guess that counts for something.

Assessment: This is a complicated episode. I had to really take some time to digest it. Emotionally, there is a lot going on here.

It's a little convenient that we've found another way to kick the can of "Is it ever okay to kill?" down the road for another arc. But we will get there.

As much as this is Miyako's episode, it's also a big episode for Daisuke. We get to see his compassionate heart in full swing here, once again demonstrating why he's the heir to the Crest of Friendship. It's not just that he personally forgives Ken, but how far he goes out of his way to try and set Ken and the Chosen Children on the road to one day accepting each other.

This episode shows us a Daisuke who is both really thoughtful, in the sense of being considerate of others' feelings, and also really thoughtful, in a sense of making an effort to think through what he's doing before he acts.

But it is also very much Miyako's episode. She carries the central theme of the Hedgehog's Dilemma and the emotional conflict of whether or not to trust someone who's hurt you in the past. It's a question she never really finds an answer to, as the conflict itself gets nullified before she can reach a decision.

It's a question that doesn't really have any answer you can give in absolute terms, because it's so, so situational.

And now she has Ken's email address and can send him whatever stray thought or cat meme crosses her mind. Which I think we can all agree is punishment enough for his crimes. ^_^

[erior]

It's hard to really put my finger why it is I like Ridley so much. I think just conceptually the gigantic winged screaming slavering xenomorph-dragon actually being a dangerously intelligent and sadistic petty asshole is just peak. Imagine this fucking thing rolls up to you and calls your mom a bitch, how do you even process that?

[erior]

The kaiser's hairdo and opaque glasses being strikingly the image Ken had of his brother is a deep cut. This episode remains a great one. Also, huh, turns out there are multiple flashbacks to Ken's early adventures with Ryo, had assumed everything was visited in this one. Oh well, about to start the second half of the show; I believe it is episode 26 when the revised opening and second ending debut (in full spoilerific glory)...

Digimon Adventure 02x23 - When the Digivice was Tainted by Darkness / Genesis of Evil

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Daisuke watched a Digimon piss and they were not very happy about it. And now for some deep-seated psychological trauma!

We've been fighting the Digimon Kaiser for twenty episodes. Now it's finally time to ask the question: Okay, but for real, who is Ichijouji Ken anyway?

Also, according to the unreliable Dub Narrator, we will find out in this episode if the Chosen Children/DigiDestined truly do have a new enemy out there. So that sounds fun!

We open quietly and slowly at "Tamachi T.M. マンシヨン", the last word of which is マンシヨン Manshon or Mansion. As discussed way back in episode 1 when Natsuko and Takeru moved in to the complex they live in, a マンション manshon is a more upscale and high-quality apartment complex compared to a cheaper アパート apaato. Unsurprisingly, the Ichijouji family is well-off.

We've been to the Ichijouji residence before but I think this is the first time we've ever seen the name on the building. Since Ken also attends a school named Tamachi, it's likely that he's meant to live in the area surrounding Tamachi Station, shown on the map here.

For reference, the blue circle represents the area informally referred to as "Tamachi". It's just across the Rainbow Bridge from Odaiba, the red circle. The black circle is, as always, Vamdemon's base of operations in Daiba Park way back when.

Part of this area is the district of Shibaura, which caused so much trouble back then. That was where Hikari's cat Miko ended up taking her Digivice, misleading both the Chosen Children and Vamdemon to believe that the Eighth Child lived somewhere around Shibaura.

There is something deliciously ironic about Ken in fact living somewhere around Shibaura.

Inside apartment 303, Ken's mother quietly closes his door and exits his room into the living room. Her husband is waiting for her on the couch.

Father: Ken... How is he?

Mom shakes her head and takes a seat next to him.

Mother: But I'm sure it won't be too long before he wakes up....

Dad reaches over, placing a gentle hand over Mom's. A soft reassurance that they're going through this together.

Ken is going through a hell of a hangover. Sleeping off the Digimon Kaiser is no easy feat.

The original episode has a slow and silent zoom in on the Ichijouji apartment to build tension and uncertainty. The dub opts for a more sad and sympathetic opening, with somber music and extra dialogue to set the scene.

Mother: Ken, honey? It's Mom. I just want you to know that Dad and I are right outside your room. We're not going anywhere so when you wake up, we'll be here. (Inside the apartment, Mom closes the door) Father: Well? Is he awake yet? (Mom shakes head and sits down on couch) Mother: But... I know he'll wake up. He just needs a little more rest. (Dad places gentle hand on Mom's) Father: Don't worry. He's strong. Just like his mother.

This meshes with their respective treatments of Ken two episodes ago. In the original, we don't really know what to expect from Ken at this point. We had our final battle and it ended so weird. What are we supposed to make of him now? Where does he go from here? Are we going to be fighting him again in a week's time, or does he finally take the hint and buzz off? What does he even want?

Whereas the dub already leapt straight to "All is forgiven! You gonna join our team now?" before the final battle with Kimeramon even finished. There is no tension here because we were fighting to redeem Ken in the first place and already succeeded. It just needs a little time to settle in.

As Ken's parents wait for him in the living room, we move to his room and find him asleep. Like Hikari, Ken insists on sleeping in the top bunk even in a bed built for one person.

As an interesting note, last time we saw Ken, he was splayed out carelessly across his bed. But now he's neatly tucked in like the cutest little cherub. That's how much his mom loves him.

Ken (V.O.): I have to stay asleep. I have to find my heart. Where did my heart go?

Entering into Ken's headspace, we find him blowing bubbles with a straw. The image of his brother Osamu, briefly seen dying two episodes ago, is reflected in the bubble he blows.

Ken (V.O.): When I was little... When I was little, I used to blow soap bubbles. Bigger... And bigger....

Zooming out from the bubbles, we see Osamu watching Ken blow the bubbles with a smile on his face.

Ken (V.O.): I was never a genius. The genius was Osamu-niisan. Osamu-niisan could do anything. I was so proud of him.

An interesting note is that Ken has two honorifics he calls Osamu. In his mind, he calls him by the relaxed and casual Nii-san, which is very informal. But when speaking to him in dialogue, he's a bit more formal. He uses Onii-chan, which is cutesy and childish and conveys a lot of emotional attachment.

Takeru and Hikari also use Onii-chan to convey how emotionally close they are with their respective brothers.

In the dub:

Ken (V.O.): I know I should wake up... but I can't. It's not time yet. Not until I find my heart. It feels like I lost it. I keep looking for it but I just can't seem to find it. I know once I do, everything will be back to the way it was.... (Blowing of bubbles) Ken (V.O.): Like when I was a little kid. I used to learn everything from my older brother Sam. I remember the time he taught me to blow bubbles. (Ken blows bubbles while Sam watches and smiles) Ken (V.O.): At first I couldn't do it but he kept encouraging me. Soon, I was blowing bubbles bigger than he was! Sam was the real genius in the family. I was so proud of him....

Dub Ken's inner monologue is longer and more comprehensive. In the original, Ken's inner monologue is dream-like. He sounds like he's drifting along on a sea of memory, where Dub Ken is consciously narrating his autobiography.

It's also a little awkward how he brags about kicking Sam's ass at bubble-blowing and then immediately segues back on-script to Sam being the true genius.

Mind you, it's true. This is something they'll talk about that later, so I guess they just wanted to seed that in early.

As dub names go, "Sam" for "Osamu" is along the same lines as "Matt" for "Yamato" or "Izzy" for "Izumi Koushiro"; it sounds like an easy English nickname derived from his real Japanese name. As opposed to Davis, Cody, and Yolei which might as well have been drawn from a hat.

As Ken's mindspace progresses, we see baby Ken walking hand-in-hand with his mother.

Ken: That's the lady from next door!

One by one, echoes of the next door lady appear in Ken's mindspace, burned into his memory in that same pose.

Lady: Everyone says your son Osamu-chan is exceptional! Lady: Oh, I'm so jealous! Lady: He's nothing like my kid. Lady: I want to brew the dirt from under Osamu-chan's fingernails and make my son drink it!

Okay, that's going to need some explaining.

爪の垢を煎じて飲む Tsume no aka wo senjite nomu is a Japanese expression. It basically means you idolize this other person so much that you wish you could take a little piece of their essence and incorporate it into yourself. Obviously, nobody literally does this, but it's a turn-of-phrase.

Lady: How did you teach him? Lady: What kind of homemaker are you? Lady: He must have inherited only the best traits from his parents, huh? Lady: Oh, what a genius!

Those last three questions are all in the context of, "What did you do to produce such an exceptional child?"

Ken (V.O.): Mom basked in those words.

The word Ken uses here is 溺れた oboreta, which literally means to drown. As a turn-of-phrase, it also means indulgence in an addiction. Mom didn't just enjoy hearing it; She couldn't get enough. Being praised for Osamu's brilliance was the highlight of her day.

We've seen similar questions asked about Ken himself years later, and this goes a long way to examining why he's so hostile to those sentiments. He was on the outside looking in on this behavior long before he suddenly became the recipient of it.

In the dub:

Ken: Here come the neighbor ladies! Lady: My cousin has a friend that knows someone that says your little Sam is the smartest boy in school! Lady: Can I get my picture taken with him? Lady: I have three daughters I'd like him to meet! Lady: Has he decided to be a rocket scientist or a brain surgeon? Lady: Where can I get his autobiography!? Lady: You and your husband are geniuses to have had him! Lady: Can I get a lock of his hair? I'd like to have him cloned! Lady: Will he sing at my wedding? Ken (V.O.): Those kind of comments went straight to my mom's head.

The core point that Osamu was heavily praised and their mom loved it is here. But wow.

The dub presents these eight identical impressions of the neighbor lady as different women from the neighborhood. And their obsession with this genius boy transcends "Your son is amazing!" and delves straight into the realm of Holy Fuck Restraining Order.

This is obviously meant to be comically over-the-top, of course. The dub's always played Ken's prodigy reputation for laughs and they're doing the same with Sam. And for an episode like this, opportunities to inject levity are going to be few and far between, so I do get why they went this route.

As the sad baby Ken processes the neighbor lady's neglect, suddenly his mom pulls her hand away from him too and we transition into the family apartment.

Ken: (gasp) Mama?

With her back to Ken, Mom gushes over Osamu.

Mother: Osamu-chan, Mama got praised again today! Oh, you're such a good boy, Osamu-chan!

Then, realizing she's being watched, she suddenly turns around.

Mother: Uhh, you're a good boy too, Ken-chan. Ken: I'm always an afterthought.

Shrouded in darkness, Ken watches the image of Osamu on the couch surrounded by their parents' love slowly fade into the distance.

Ken: (thinking) Mama only cares so much about Onii-chan because everyone's always praising him. Nothing would change if I wasn't here. Ken: If Onii-chan wasn't here, would that be me over there? If only Onii-chan were gone... Onii-chan... (gasp) That's it! If Onii-chan were gone...!

Ken's face hardens into a vicious scowl. A mask of cruelty to hide his pain.

Ken: I want you to disappear, Onii-chan!

Ken is, sadly, too young to realize that his jealous ire is misplaced. It's not Osamu's fault that Ken's home life is miserable. It's his parents who are fucking up here and inadvertently cultivating that hostility.

Those words, "Nothing would change if I wasn't here", are also important. There is a suicidal undertone to Ken's journey. There... kind of always has been, ever since he deleted himself from the human world. And it starts right here with this stray thought.

In the dub:

Mother: (lets go of Ken's hand) Oh, Sam! Ken: Mama? Mother: All the neighbors came up to me again and said what a wonderful boy you are! One of them even asked me for an autograph! Can you believe it!? (Mother suddenly turns around) Mother: Oh, Ken. I'm sorry. Did you say something? Ken: (depressed) Never mind, Mama. It's not important. (Ken watches his family fade into the distance) Ken: Mom and Dad are always paying more attention to Sam than to me. I know they love him more because he's smarter than me! I'll never get even one of them to notice me as long as Sam's around! If only Sam weren't around, then I would be.... (gasp) That's it! If only Sam weren't here, then I'd be the one they loved. (Ken scowls cruelly) Ken: I WISH SAM WOULD JUST DISAPPEAR!!!

The dub pins down Sam's exceptionalism as the thing about him that Ken resents. If Sam wasn't so brilliant then their parents would love Ken too.

In the original, it's his popularity. If Osamu wasn't constantly being praised for his brilliance, then their parents would love Ken too. Mom doesn't consciously love Osamu more for being smart; However, she's addicted to the praise and can't help but gush over it, which makes Ken feel left out and unwanted.

She does attempt to puff up Ken too. It's just that Ken can see her weak gesture for the afterthought that it is. She isn't malicious about it, but she is fucking up.

The dub cuts out this middleman and just says "Fuck Sam for being so brilliant in the first place." Which I think is a misstep, since it's the praise that more directly connects Ken's jealousy of Osamu to Ken's own demonstrated experiences and bitterness towards the world around him in episode 9.

As soon as Ken makes his proclamation, smash cut to a glowing light emerging from the monitor in Ken's room. The object ambiguously lands directly between the two brothers.

We know exactly what that is, and so does Present Ken's inner monologue.

Ken (V.O.): A Digivice appeared before our very eyes.

As the light fades, the object is revealed as a traditional Digivice like the ones that the veteran Chosen Children received.

Ken (V.O.): But, obviously, it was for Osamu-niisan. After all, Osamu-niisan could do anything and could have anything.

Osamu picks up the Digivice and inspects it, but nothing happens. He holds it up to his ear and shakes it. A little rattling from the internal mechanisms, but still nothing happens.

Ken (V.O.): But nothing happened. The Digivice was just there. Osamu-niisan looked so dejected.

Osamu stands up, walking over to the desk. He stuffs the Digivice in a drawer. However, some time later, Ken opens that drawer to see it for himself.

Ken (V.O.): I had no idea what it was. But I knew... it was something special. I got excited just from looking at it.

Ken reaches into the drawer. As he lays his hand on the Digivice, it suddenly lights up. Pretty clear whose Digivice this actually is. Ken screams and, before he knows what's happening, he's pulled inside the computer. Through the Digital Gate and into the Digital World.

Poor Osamu. Kinda seems unfair that Ken was Chosen and Osamu wasn't.

I wonder if that's going to be thematically relevant to something down the road? Mm, probably not.

The dub gives the boys dialogue during this sequence.

Ken (V.O.): Then, one night, a Digivice came out of our computer. I figured it had to be Sam's. Ken: Sam, what is that? Sam: I'm not sure, Kenny-boy. Maybe the computer blew a fuse or something.

FLUNG IT STRAIGHT OUT OF THE MONITOR HAHAHAHAHAHA

Sam: Let's take a look. Ken: Be careful! It might still be hot! (Sam picks up the Digivice but nothing happens) Sam: Huh?

When Sam lifts the Digivice to his ear and shakes it, it can be heard rattling but it's really soft and hard to make out over the music.

Ken: Is there something inside? Sam: Uh-uh... I don't know what this thing is, but I'm gonna find out. Now, listen to me, Kenny-boy. Whatever you do, don't touch it. (Sam stuffs it in his drawer; Ken opens the drawer back up) Ken (V.O.): I know that Sam told me to stay away from it but I couldn't help myself. I felt like I was being drawn to it somehow. Like something was telling me that it belonged to me. I just wanted to look at it. What harm could that do?

The dub sets its first commercial break here, as Ken vanishes into the Digital World with his Digivice.

This is a pretty significant characterization shift for Sam. In the original, Osamu and Ken both assume the Digivice belongs to Osamu out of a sense of entitlement, basically. When Osamu shoves it in his desk, it's because he's mad that this magic device that popped out of the computer isn't doing anything.

In the dub, no assumptions are made about who "deserves" the Digivice or whatever. Sam comes across like a responsible big brother, trying to protect Ken from the weird doodad that suddenly and inexplicably manifested in their room. He shoves it in his desk out of a sense of caution.

It's evening by the time Ken returns from the Digital World. Osamu enters the room just in time to see the Digital Gate open and release Ken back into the human world.

Sitting on the floor, Ken's staring at his Digivice in wonder. Suddenly, Osamu calls out to him, and danger chords begin playing in the background.

Osamu: Ken! Ken: Huh? Osamu: (coldly) What are you doing?

Ken holds up the Digivice to show it to Osamu.

Ken: Th-This-- Osamu: WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?!?

Before Ken can get another word out, Osamu slaps the back of his hand, knocking the Digivice from it.

Osamu: Don't touch my stuff without permission! Ken: S... Sorry....

While Ken cradles his hand, Osamu bends down and picks up the Digivice.

Osamu: This is mine. Ken: I'm so sorry!

Osamu returns the Digivice to his drawer, continuing to gripe.

Osamu: Rifling through someone's desk... Only the worst kinds of people would do something like that! Ken: I'm sor-- Osamu: This is mine! Don't ever touch it without my permission! Got it? Ken: I'm really sorry. Osamu: You're distracting me from my studies. GET OUT!!!

Dejected, Ken stands up and leaves the rooms.

What an asshole. This moment raises the stakes in their relationship and contextualizes some of Ken's bitterness earlier. Osamu isn't just the apple of their parents' eyes; He's also abusive.

An interesting note about Osamu's room is that, from the layout, you can clearly tell that it's the same room that now belongs to Ken in the present. Same computer desk, same bookshelf with top-bunk bed.

In the dub, Sam starts talking before entering the room.

Sam: Ken, are you still in my room? You better not be touching my stuff! (Sam enters and sees Ken return) Ken: Wow! Cool! Sam: KEN!!! Ken: Uh-oh. Sam: Just what do you think you're doing!? (Ken shows the Digivice) Ken: I didn't break it! Sam: I said, "Don't touch it"! (Sam slaps the Digivice out of Ken's hand) Sam: Don't touch my things ever again! Ken: I'm... sorry.... (Sam picks up the Digivice) Sam: You have to have respect for people's property, Ken. Ken: I will.... (Sam returns the Digivice to his desk) Sam: It's too late for that. I already told you once not to go in my drawer and you broke my trust. Now I'll never be able to trust you again! Ken: But I... I-I.... Sam: What if you'd gotten hurt!? Mom and Dad would be looking to blame someone and it would be me, not you! Ken: I said sorry.... Sam: Now get out. I have to study!

He's still an asshole but, as with before, Sam's unjustifiably over-the-top reaction here nonetheless seems to be coming from a place of concern for his brother's safety. He's still violently possessive, but with some nuance. Though the way he presents it nonetheless indicates that he's more worried about the blowback on him than he is worried for Ken.

Whereas in the original, he's just an entitled little shit. His motives are plain as day from the way he exclaims "This is mine!" twice. He's furious about the possibility that for once in their lives, Ken might get to have something that he doesn't. So he takes it away from Ken using both physical and verbal violence.

This scene brings Sam closer in characterization to Osamu, but there's still more nuance to his outburst than Osamu has.

Dejected, Ken walks away into darkness, roaming through the shadows of the older Ken's memory.

Ken: (thinking) Nii-san hates me... Because I'm not a good kid... Because I'm the worst kind of person... But why? I'm so miserable....

They replay the footage of baby Ken watching his parents shower Osamu with love and adoration.

Ken: (thinking) Nii-san has everything. I have nothing. I WISH MY BROTHER WOULD DISAPPEAR!!!

As those words echo in Ken's memory space, they are suddenly and swiftly answered by the car that ended Osamu's life.

In the dub, it's the grown-up Ken who unpacks what just happened.

Ken (V.O.): Sam hated me. I wasn't as good a person as he was. But that wasn't enough for him; He had to punish me because of it! He didn't have to hit me! I just wanted to play with his toy! So what if I didn't ask for his permission first!? And I couldn't tell Mom and Dad because as far as they were concerned, he could do no wrong. Ken: Sometimes I wish... HE WOULD JUST DISAPPEAR!!! (Sam hit by car) Ken (V.O.): And then he did.

Thanks, Ken. I wouldn't have got that if you hadn't explained it. In any case, the dub pulls no punches on the smash cut to Sam's death.

The differing narrators offer differing perspectives. Baby Ken in the original internalizes the abuse and spirals around it until finally he breaks and lets out that outburst again.

The older Ken in the dub looks back on this whole event with a sense of disdainful perspective. He calls out Sam's abuse and the unfairness of his situation back then for what it was. He even brings up that regardless of Sam's motives, the hand smack was completely uncalled for.

I really like both versions of this.

Following Osamu's death, we find Ken at his wake. With tears in his eyes, a distraught Ken approaches Osamu's memorial photo on the funeral altar.

Ken: Onii-chan... Did this happen because I wanted you to disappear?

Inside Ken's mind-space, he watches his parents grow distance again. Only this time, rather than showering Osamu in praise, it's because they're mourning.

Ken: Where do I go? Where do I belong?

Osamu's gone and still Ken is alone.

In the dub:

Ken: Sam, I didn't mean it. I was just mad when I said I wanted you to disappear! (Ken watches his mourning parents grow distant) Ken: Look how sad I made my parents. They loved Sam more than anything in the whole world! I know how much the both of you miss Sam! But I'm still here!

Same idea but more bluntly.

Fast forward to some time later. Enough that Ken looks visibly older, though not as old as the Ken we know. We find him at the computer desk.

Ken (V.O.): One day, while I was messing around with Nii-san's computer, I found an email addressed to me. An email for me. An email written specifically for me. Someone... for me....

The poison for Kuzco. The poison chosen specially to kill Kuzco. Kuzco's poison.

In seriousness, his repetition of the statement is meant to indicate how mind-blowing it was that someone, of their own volition, was reaching out... to him. Baby Ken's self-esteem had been so utterly destroyed by his upbringing that even before he read it, just receiving an email was this grand earthshattering gesture.

This might actually be the first time in his life that someone has, on purpose, reached out to connect with him.

In any case, the email is read in a new, unidentified voice.

Ken (V.O.): This is what it said. Message: Your brother's passing was an unfortunate accident. It must have been very tragic for you. But take comfort. Your brother's death has brought him peace. There's nothing for you to feel guilty for. Ken (V.O.): I didn't really understand what it meant. Still, I wanted to believe what was written there. It was easier that way. Message: The arrival of your brother's physical death has brought him a true sense of peace because it granted eternal freedom to his spirit. But you have to keep living in this boring, mundane world. In other words, it means the death of your free spirit. You poor thing. I feel sorry for you.

Oh, this guy is definitely recruiting for a cult. He's not saying Ken should commit suicide... but he's not not saying that.

Expressions like "XYZ is in a better place" are common comforts for people grieving a loved one but there's a line between that and "We should all be so lucky to expire! Death is the only true liberation!" And this message is way the hell across that line.

As the message is read, we see black-and-white shots of Ken undergoing his mundane, ordinary life. Walking down the street and eating with his family. Typical, ordinary things. The very thing the message maligns.

In the dub:

Ken (V.O.): Then, one day, I was playing on Sam's old computer and I found an email that was addressed to me.

Quick note: In the original, we hear an email notification alert when the message arrives. It was just sent to Ken right this moment. In the dub, there's no alert.

As for the message's text... This is a fun one because not only do they have to deal with the message itself, but there's also scrolling email text that appears over the black and white shots. That's going to be a lot of work to scrub off the screen and replace with English.

So they don't fucking bother and leave the Japanese text completely unaltered. XD Even the email itself. Between this, the hand slap with no obscuring white flash, and the explicit onscreen death of a child? I think someone realized how important this episode was and locked the censors in a broom closet so they couldn't fuck with it.

Ken (V.O.): I didn't know who would be writing to me or how they would know I was on Sam's computer. Message: I'm sorry for the loss of your brother. It must have been hard to take. Ken (V.O.): I was scared. And yet, I was compelled to keep reading. It was as if I'd been waiting for this letter my whole life! Message: But don't worry. Your brother is in a better place than this world. He is finally at rest. But when his soul became free, yours became trapped. You bear the burden of both his destiny and your own. Now that your parents have lost their hopes for their perfect child, you will be expected to carry out the dream that Sam can no longer fulfill.

The dub talks a little around that cult talk, though not as much as I expected. They don't sidestep "His soul is free but yours is now bound" at all, but they do extrapolate it as a flowery way of talking about Ken and Sam's parental expectations, specifically.

Though the original message can be interpreted to be about those expectations, so it may be that the dub is simply bringing the subtext into the text. The transference of parental expectations is going to come up later in this episode.

The message continues.

Message: The conclusion that can be drawn is that the current world isn't suitable for you. Now I want to tell you that there's another world that suits you better. Ken: A world that suits me better? Message: A world that will set your spirit free.

Okay but you just said that death set Osamu's spirit free so. Uh. Yeah, now he is kinda telling Ken to kill himself. Metaphorically, at least. He's telling Ken to leave this world behind and go to another one, a better one. Just like Osamu did.

Message: Open the drawer. Ken: The drawer?

Ken reaches for the drawer, but then stops himself. He hesitates for a moment. But then he works up the nerve and opens it, revealing the Digivice.

Ken: Osamu-niisan.... Message: Use that Digivice.

When Ken picks it up, it glows with his light once more. He holds it up to the computer and the Digital Gate opens, drawing him inside.

God, this message is so fucking unnerving. This is so fucking dark. Parents, know who your children are being influenced by on the internet.

As an aside, I love Ken's moment of hesitation in opening the drawer. He's playing around on Osamu's computer with no problem, but Osamu punished him for opening that drawer before so he's reluctant to cross that boundary.

Even though Osamu's dead, the ghost of Osamu's authority continues to haunt Ken.

The dub, of course, is sticking to the "You'll be buried by expectations" angle.

Message: This world will become unbearable for you. Pressure to succeed will be too great. But let me tell you about another world that is much more appropriate. Ken: What does he mean by "another world"? Message: A world where your soul can finally be free. Where you answer to no one but yourself. Open the drawer. Ken: (gasp) The drawer! (Ken hesitates, but opens the drawer) Message: Use Sam's Digivice. Ken: I'm sorry, Sam.

Though it still says "Sam's soul was freed by his death, now let me tell you about how to free your soul." So the eerie implication is still there.

The message calls it Sam's Digivice, which is factually incorrect. It's obviously not his Digivice because it activated for Ken and not him. But that is how Ken was conditioned to think of it by Osamu/Sam's abuse. Original Ken will describe it the same way later in the episode.

On the other side of the Gate, Ken finds himself... somewhere else.

A great black ocean stretches out in front of him. One that should be familiar to those who've seen episode 13.

Ken: ...where am I...?

Stepping into the water, Ken kneels down and sinks his Digivice into it. The dark water changes it, transforming it into the Dark Digivice.

Clutching it, an eerie grin slowly crosses his face.

Ken: That's right, it's... This is my Digivice. It doesn't belong to anyone else. It's mine alone.

There's a subtle implication that something's happening to Ken as he says this. When he first pulls the Digivice out of the water, his eyes has the typical anime catchlight, the little white dot in the upper corner of the eye signifying a little bit of light reflecting.

However, as he delivers this line and his face gradually contorts into that Digimon Kaiser grin, the catchlight fades. By the time he says the Dark Digivice is "mine alone", all light has vanished from his eyes.

In any case, once Ken has the Dark Digivice in his possession, we go to commercial.

In the dub:

Ken (V.O.): I'll never forget the first time I saw the Digital World. It was enormous! I stood there all alone in this huge, empty world.

Okay, two things.

First off, this is not the Digital World. At least not the one we refer to when we say "the Digital World". It's certainly a Digital World, but the Dark Ocean is explicitly a third place.

Second, this is not Ken's first trip. The first time he entered the Digital World was right after the Digivice first arrived. We didn't see what happened to him in there, but he clearly left and then returned. The reason Ken nonetheless doesn't recognize this place on arrival is because it's not the Digital World.

Ken: Where am I?

When Ken steps into the waters, a cacophony of voice clips from various Digimon Emperor line emerge and assault the senses. They're impossible to make out until Ken plunges the Digivice into the water.

Emperor: I've been waiting for you to get here. Now, let the games begin. Emperor: I'm your worst nightmare. Emperor: This world and everything in it belong to me. Ken: This is mine now! No one can ever take it away from me! Or hide it in a drawer! Heh, I'm in control now. Emperor: Soon, I will have control over the entire Digital World!

I think the implication here is supposed to be that the Dark Ocean programmed the Digimon Emperor into Ken?

Or it could be symbolic, with this being the moment Ken met his fate, so to speak.

The dub also takes its second commercial break here.

Returning from commercial, we also return to the present where Ken remains in bed.

His parents are in his room now, watching him sleep.

Mother: Those noises he's making... Is he having a nightmare? ...hey, Papa? Father: Hm? Mother: A long time after Osamu-chan passed away, right when Ken-chan was starting to look like Osamu-chan did when he passed, Ken-chan suddenly started to excel in his schoolwork. Father: Yeah.... Mother: At the time, we were happy because it felt like Osamu-chan had come back to us. But do you think we should have thought more about what that meant for Ken-chan?

Dad nods in agreement.

Father: Ken had plenty of great qualities of his own. But we were busy enjoying being known around town as the parents of a prodigy. Mother: And not just with Ken-chan. Father: Huh? Mother: Did Osamu-chan really like to study so much? I guess he didn't hate it, but lately I've been thinking that maybe he would have liked to play more. Father: Without even realizing it, we might have been keeping him from enjoying himself. Mother: We failed them as parents, huh? Father: We did.

Turning their attention back to the sleeping Ken, his parents plead for him to wake.

Mother: Ken, please wake up soon. Father: Ken, give me a chance to apologize.

And here, in turn, comes the explanation for why Osamu was an asshole. Like Ken, he too is a product of his environment. All children are.

We know Ken eventually crumbled under the pressure and fled into the escapism of the Digital World "video game". He ragequit his parents, he ragequit his society, and he threw himself into the only thing he had that was any fun. The one thing he enjoyed. Hideous misunderstanding though that was.

But Osamu didn't have that. He didn't have a Digital World to escape to. In fact, the Digivice had rejected him. He wasn't Chosen; It wasn't meant for him. So when Osamu cracked, his frustration and stress had to vent somewhere....

As this conversation bears out, the real responsibility lies with their parents. The burden of parental pressure to excel created Osamu's abusive behavior. And then the burden of parental pressure to excel and Osamu's abusive behavior created the DIgimon Kaiser.

In the dub:

Mother: I wonder if he's having a bad dream? I've been thinking.... Father: Huh? Mother: I was remembering back when Ken was younger. He was about the same age Sam was when we lost him. That was right around the time I first noticed a big change in Ken. Remember? He began to put all of his attention into his studies. Father: Yeah? Mother: It was almost as if our Sam had come back to us and I was the happiest mother in the world but I never stopped to think what effect it might have on Ken. Do you think it's possible that's the reason he became like this? (Dad nods) Father: Mhm... Maybe Ken didn't want to study so much. Maybe he wanted to spend more time playing. Although I do admit that I kind of enjoyed the idea of being the father of a genius. Mother: What about Sam? Father: Huh? Mother: What if we made the same mistake with Sam? He might have had interests we ignored. Father: You're right. It's my fault. I shouldn't have pushed him so hard. I loved the attention so much that I... I didn't realize what my son really needed the most: A chance to be a normal kid once in a while. Mother: I hate to say it but we failed as parents. Father: You're right. (Mom and Dad turn their attention back to Ken) Mother: Ken, please wake up. Father: Ken, please give us another chance to be better parents to you.

Don't be so hard on yourself, Dad. You both were too busy soaking up the praise to pay attention to your children's needs. I don't know why you're trying to take all the credit for ruining your kids. It's an awkward bit of blame-shifting on an otherwise solid adaptation.

From here, we return into Ken's mindspace.

Ken (V.O.): Where did my heart go? ...when I was little, I used to blow soap bubbles. Bigger... and bigger....

We join Ken on the balcony blowing soap bubbles again, but this time Osamu's smiling face isn't reflected in them. As we change shots to see Ken, Osamu is no longer standing there beside him.

Ken (V.O.): Yes, those soap bubbles were how I usually played. We mixed soapy water in a cup on the balcony and we'd cut the end of a straw to open it.

Bubbles fill the air, then recede to reveal a shot of another person with Ken, preparing the mixture. He's shot from the neck down; His face absent from memory.

Ken (V.O.): But who made the soapy water? Who cut the end of the straw? Mom? No.

The camera slowly pans up to reveal Osamu's smiling face.

Ken (V.O.): It was Nii-san. That's right... I couldn't blow bubbles unless I used the soapy water and straw that Nii-san made.

Of course it was. Who else would it have been? We've seen Ken's ugliest memory of Osamu, but now we return to Ken's happiest memory of him. A memory that corroborates what their mom was saying a moment ago; It's no coincidence that they were happiest when they both got to just play and be kids.

In the dub:

Ken (V.O.): I can't wake up yet. I still haven't found my heart. I'm still trying to get back to that little kid that used to blow bubbles on his terrace. I'd stand there for hours, blowing them bigger and bigger each time. Each one was completely empty inside, but none of them was as empty inside as I was.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR HAPPY MEMORY, KEN. FUCK.

Ken (V.O.): Maybe I was trying to show Sam that I could blow bubbles bigger than he could! And that I was better at something than he was! (Cut to Sam mixing the soapy water) Ken (V.O.): But then again, who was it that taught me to blow the bubbles? (Pan up to reveal Sam's face) Ken (V.O.): Who made the soapy water for me and cut the straws? It wasn't my parents. It was Sam.

Ken's still bragging about his bubble size. Mixing his bitterness into what will, in a moment, be contextualized as an act of gentleness.

The more conscious narration of the dub completely changes the tone of this memory. In the dreamlike state of the original, Ken seems to have momentarily forgotten Osamu only to find him again. It's a reminder of the happy times, momentarily lost to the darkness of the bad times, and a reinforcement of their parents' mistakes.

In the dub, he brings the darkness with him into the happy memory. Ken injects a bitter first-person account into his memory that completely taints the very notion that he was ever happy. These were still good times, but he didn't appreciate them because he was too spiteful.

Man, the dub just can't let this guy have an ounce of humanization, huh?

Entering more fully into the memory, Osamu finishes mixing the cup and holds it out for Ken.

Osamu: Ken, blow this. Ken: Got it!

Ken takes the straw and begins to blow. Ken and Osamu watch in amazement as his bubbles come out large and fully formed. Then Ken offers the straw and cup back to Osamu.

Ken: You do it too, Onii-chan.

Osamu reluctantly takes the cup.

Osamu: Ah, but... I'm not very good at it. Ken: There are things you can't do, Onii-chan!? Osamu: Of course! You're the best at blowing soap bubbles, Ken. It's because you blow them so gently.

This is where Ken being better than Osamu at blowing soap bubbles actually comes into play and is relevant to the story.

Important note: The word Osamu uses here is 優しい yasashii, which means "kindness". As in, Ken's Crest of Kindness. The Kindness that awakened the Golden Radiance.

But there isn't really a good way to fit that into an English translation because blowing bubbles "kindly" isn't a thing. 優しい Yasashii represents an overall sense of gentleness, tenderness, care, and consideration for people and things that makes "Kindness" a fair translation but not fully encompassing of the idea.

Point is, Ken blowing bubbles gently is a direct reference to his Crest virtue.

Osamu: I can't do it. They always pop.

To demonstrate, Osamu blows a bubble of his own. He gets it up to a decent size before it suddenly bursts, leaving Ken alone on the balcony once more.

Ken: Onii-chan? Come back, Onii-chan! Ken (V.O.): But he isn't coming back. Right... Osamu-niisan is dead.

And with him went the secrets of bubble blowing.

That's not a joke. It's a material symbol for the way in which Ken's life became quantifiably lessened by the loss of this person that, for better and for worse, was such a major influence.

When Osamu died, there was nobody to prepare the bubble mixture for Ken. This activity that he treasured left his life right alongside his brother. Because the fun activity and the time he spent with his brother are the same.

In the dub:

Sam: Okay, it's all set to go! Ken: Hehe! Thanks, Sam! (Ken blows bubbles) Sam: Attaboy! Wow! Great! Ken: You try to do it now. (Ken hands the cup back to Sam) Sam: Uh, well, I'm not very good at blowing bubbles. Ken: Come on, Sam! There's nothing in this world that you can't do! Sam: I can do it okay but my technique isn't quite as good as yours is. Your bubbles come out perfect because you're gentle. I blow too hard and mine pop right away. (Sam tries to blow a bubble and pops) Ken: Huh? Where'd you go? Sam! Come back! Please! Ken (V.O.): But Sam won't come back. He's gone forever. Maybe I am too.

This is pretty good. They don't say that Ken blows bubbles "kindly" so the reference to Ken's Crest is lost. But that's not a thing so it's no wonder they don't say it. They were kinda screwed on this point by the choice to translation 優しい yasashii as "kindness" a few episodes ago and we're in too deep to change it now.

With the benefit of hindsight, "Crest of Gentleness" or something might have worked better. But the dub does have a workaround to capture that comparison; There's just no room for it in this scene.

Finally, in his room, Ken wakes up.

Father: Ken! Mother: You're awake! Ken: Who are you?

Ken's words hit his parents like a truck. When they don't answer, he repeats the question.

Ken: Who are you? Mother: You don't recognize us? Father: (to Mother) Has he lost his memory? Ken: (thinking) No, I haven't lost my memory. What I meant to say was, "What do you people mean to me?" Mother: I can't believe he doesn't know who we are! Ken: (thinking) You don't know who I am either. Who are you guys? And who am I? Who? Who am I?

Ken's spoken words sound like amnesia but he's really having an existential crisis that he doesn't know how to convey. He may be physically awake but he's still lost. He still hasn't found his heart.

In the dub:

Father: He's awake! Mother: Ohhh! Are you alright? Ken: Who are you? (Parents gasp, no answer) Ken: Well? Mother: Ken, don't you recognize who we are? Father: It's amnesia! Ken: (thinking) No, I didn't lose my memory. I lost my heart. And until I find it, I don't know who I am or who anyone else is either. Mother: How could he not know who his own parents are? Ken: (thinking) You don't know me either. How could you? I don't know myself. Who am I?

I think the phrasing of "I lost my heart and I won't know who anyone is until I find it" makes this line a little harder to parse, but the idea is the same.

A point I want to bring up is that both versions of the episode have been using "heart" to encompass a person's complete emotional and mental and spiritual identity, the fullness of who that person is.

This is a Japanese definition that we don't really use in English; We tend to think of someone's "heart" to just mean their capacity for love, compassion, and empathy. But in Japan, your "heart" is the fullness of your consciousness and identity and emotional breadth. But despite the different meanings, it gets translated 1:1 here and in other Japanese media such as Kingdom Hearts.

For a western comprehension, we would consider that his soul. He's trying to find his soul. He is doing what English speakers refer to as "soul-searching" and, until he finishes, he won't really be able to quantify these relationships he has.

The point is that he knows objectively who his parents are. But he's trying to figure out his identity, to figure out who he is on an emotional level, and only once he has done that will he be able to define the significance that these people have to that person.

Mother: It's okay. Don't strain yourself. We're just glad that you're safe. Father: Ken, we might have pushed you to be like Osamu without realizing it. That was wrong of us. You're your own person and we couldn't see the great qualities you possess. Mother: Please forgive us and get better soon. Ken: (thinking) What are they saying? I don't understand. I don't know what they mean. Father: Osamu isn't with us anymore, remember? Ken: (thinking) That's right... Osamu-niisan isn't here anymore.... Mother: (crying) He's dead! Osamu-chan is gone! So all we want is for you to be yourself, Ken-chan! Ken: (thinking) She's crying. Why? I'm the one who's sad.

Tears begin to flow down Ken's face too at that remark. He reaches up and touches his face, feeling the tears flowing down it.

Ken: (thinking) Tears? There are tears in my eyes too? Why? Why am I crying? If nothing else, maybe I can share the sorrow of losing Osamu-niisan with these people.

This might be the first time the whole family has ever really stopped to grieve Osamu. Being able to use Ken as a replacement goldfish meant that they didn't really have to. But now the reality of Osamu's death is settling in not just on Ken but on his parents too.

Weirdly enough, Ken packing his things and ragequitting into the Digital World might just have been the shock to the system that his family needed to understand how badly they were hurting their son.

In the dub:

Mother: Ken, don't worry, you're safe now. We'll find you the finest doctor in the world! Father: Ken, while you were sleeping, your mother and I realized that we tried to make you more like Sam without really knowing it. We're very sorry. We should have seen the son we had instead of spending our time constantly looking for the son that we lost.

That is a brilliant adaptation of that line. I love it.

Mother: Forgive us! All we're asking for is a second chance! Ken: (thinking) I don't know what it is they want from me. How can I forgive them when I don't understand what they did? Father: Sam is gone forever. We know that. But we don't want to lose you too. Mother: (crying) Just be Ken. Just be your sweet self. Ken, just try! Just try! Please, for me.... Ken: (thinking) Why is she crying? I don't understand. When I'm sad, I just go numb. (Ken starts crying) Ken: (thinking) Wait, there's tears in my eyes too. Why am I crying? Is my heart closer than I think? Maybe these people and I can share the pain and sorrow of losing Sam together.

Aside from the part where Ken's mom tries to throw money at him, this is really good.

Cut to later in the day. Ken's standing by the living room window, staring out into the city.

Ken: (thinking) I'm hollow... Because I don't know where my heart has gone.

Mom approaches from behind.

Mother: Ken-chan, dinner's ready. Ken: ... Mother: Ken-chan?

Ken's mom places a hand on his shoulder, which breaks him from his trance. He turns and looks at her.

Mother: It's okay. You don't have to force yourself.

Then Ken spots a framed photo of Osamu on the table in front of him. Without a word, he picks it up and takes a closer look at it. His eyes somber and quivering. Mom also tears up behind him.

Mother: Osamu-chan's death affected you the most, Ken-chan.

Mom's still being patient with Ken and trying to give him the space he needs.

In the dub:

Ken: (thinking) I'm still searching. I know the answer is out there. I just have to figure out where to look. (Mother approaches) Mother: Ken, honey, dinner's ready. (Mom grabs Ken's shoulder) Mother: Hungry? (Ken turns around) Mother: Oh, sorry I startled you. It's okay; You can eat whenever you're ready. (Ken picks up Sam's picture) Mother: That's Sam. He was your brother. (Ken and Mom tear up) Mother: We were all devastated after the accident, but you were the one affected the most.

The extra line explaining Sam kinda makes sense since Ken's parents think he has amnesia. But it also kinda doesn't because they were already talking to him about Sam one scene ago.

Back in Ken's room, he sits down at his computer desk to find a startling sight.

The Dark Digivice and the Crest of Kindness are both waiting for him on his keyboard. Suddenly, Ken flashes back on Wormmon. Two shots of Wormmon pleading with him not to go through with Chimeramon and then one shot of Wormmon with tears in his eyes, the moment before he tackled the Digimon Kaiser into the desert sands.

Ken: (mournful) Wormmon....

Ken stands up suddenly, forcefully. Filled with more determination than we've seen him this episode.

Mom knocks at the door.

Mother: Ken-chan? Would you like some tea?

She opens the door, bringing a plate with some snacks and a teacup into Ken's room.

Mother: (startled) KEN-CHAN!?!?

But the room is empty. With no explanation to his parents, Ken's gone missing once more. Here, have some more trauma.

In the dub, Ken has a line when he sees the Dark Digivice and Crest of Kindness.

Ken: I know what that is!

His flashbacks also have dialogue in them.

Wormmon: Please, Master. Wormmon: Listen to me. Wormmon: Where's the Ken I used to love? (End flashback) Ken: Oh, Wormmon... I know where to look now! (Knock at the door) Mother: Ken, dear, I made you a nice cup of tea! (Mom comes in) Mother: Ken? Where are you? Not again!

Probably goes without saying at this point but that dialogue isn't what Wormmon was saying in those flashbacks. They are, however, an accurate summation of what he was expressing.

In the Digital World, Ken wanders.

He starts out in a gray, craggy area.

Ken: Where is my heart?

Then he roams a desert.

Ken: I want to find my heart.

And then wanders through a grassy region. There, he comes across a sight that's familiar to fans of the first series: The Village of Beginnings.

Ken: What's this?

From a cradle by Ken's feet, a friendly Poyomon answers.

Poyomon: This is the Village of Beginnings. This is where Digimon who perish are reincarnated as Digitama. Ken: Reincarnated? Wormmon too!? Poyomon: Every Digimon reincarnates as a Digitama.

You know, Takeru and Hikari probably could have told you about that. But you've been an absolute piece of shit and everyone hates you. In any case, a reinvigorated Ken races off into the field of Digitama to find his Partner again.

It's a subtle visual representation but Ken's physical journey from dull, lifeless gray to the vibrant colors of the Field of Beginnings obviously represents his metaphysical trip back towards finding his heart.

In the dub, Ken's lines aren't spaced between regions. He narrates over the whole journey.

Ken: (thinking) I know this place. I've been here before. This is where I have to look. I know that this is where I will find my heart. (Ken arrives at Primary Village) Ken: (thinking) Digi-Eggs. Hundreds of them. What is this place!?

The dub takes its third commercial break upon Ken's arrival here. They also play him out with danger music, like Ken's just stumbled upon some sort of perilous cliffhanger. But it's a nursery full of babies so it doesn't really work. XD

Weird-ass choice, dub.

Anyway, the cliffhanger of Ken entering Primary Village is swiftly resolved when we come back via Ken... being in Primary Village. Which is harmless.

Poyomon: This is the Primary Village! Ken: Primary Village? Poyomon: That's right! Ken: Huh?

Awkwardly, Ken doesn't realize he's being spoken to until he's already responded once because the lip flaps he uses to respond are the ones for "What's this?"

Poyomon: This is the place where all Digimon are reborn and they come back as Digi-Eggs! Ken: Reborn!? Wormmon too?! Poyomon: That's right! Digimon never die! They just get reconfigured. Ken: (relieved) Hahaha!

They reincarnate, but yes. Digimon comes from Japan where reincarnation is a core facet of belief in one of the two major religions that dominate that region.

The dub is not from a region where reincarnation is accepted and normalized, however. So they interpret this simply as "Digimon never die". But unlike the first anime, they aren't saying it to delegitimize character deaths.

They let us grieve Wormmon and only now are making the "Digimon don't actually die though" point at the portion of the story that's actually about Wormmon's renewal. So, good on them for that restraint.

Ken sprints into the field of Digitama, but then slows to a stop. The field is vast and the Digitama are many.

Ken: I don't know... Which one is Wormmon? In the same way I don't know who I am, how am I supposed to tell which one is Wormmon's Digitama?

Thank you for explaining the symbolism, Ken.

Suddenly, a nearby baby Digimon speaks up.

Yuramon: Aren't you the Digimon Kaiser!? What do you plan on doing with Wormmon's Digitama!?

Before Ken can answer, the Yuramon tackles him. Ken puts up his arms to shield himself and the Yuramon bounces off his shoulder, but the emotional damage outweighs the physical.

Ken: The DIgimon Kaiser? That's right... I am the Digimon Kaiser. The person who did those awful things. I'm responsible for Wormmon's death. What am I even trying to accomplish by searching for Wormmon's Digitama!?

More babies in the cribs surrounding Ken answer that question for him.

Punimon: If you find his Digitama, then Wormmon will come back. Then you'll be free from your responsibility for Wormmon's death! Free from the guilt of causing someone to die. Is that it? Botamon: You coward. Wormmon would never reincarnate for an underhanded creep like you! Ken: Wormmon won't come back? ...that's right, Osamu-niisan never came back either.

...does Wormmon have a choice? This is the first I'm hearing of Digimon being able to choose to remain dead.

I really love all the characterization in this scene. I love that they don't pull punches with Ken's responsibility. Because... yes. Wormmon didn't just die for Ken. Ken caused his death. Ken abused him, neglected him, ignored him, created the thing that killed him, and was cheering it on while it did. It is 100% Ken's fault that Wormmon is dead.

This episode has primed us to sympathize with and better understand Ken. But even so, you can also feel where they're coming from when the babies form a line of solidarity against Wormmon's abuser and tell Ken to go jump off a bridge. He is aggressively unwelcome in the Village of Beginnings. I'm surprised Elecmon hasn't charged in and powerbombed him.

In the dub:

Ken: Which Egg is Wormmon's!? It could be any one of them! I can't remember. What did his Egg look like!?

Shot in the dark but you probably don't remember because you never saw it. None of the DigiDestined have ever been present for their Partner's first hatching. Well, Taichi kind of. And Takeru was there for the second.

Ken: I don't know which one of these Digi-Eggs is Wormmon's! Just like I don't remember who I am or where I'm from.... Yuramon: You're the Digimon Emperor, aren't you? Ken: Huh? Yuramon: I'd recognize you even without your fancy clothes! HIYAAAGH!!! (Yuramon attacks Ken) Ken: Huh? The Digimon Emperor? ...that's right, I was the Digimon Emperor! I've done so many terrible things! I was responsible for Wormmon! If I would have realized the truth about the Digi-World sooner, Wormmon would still be here with me today! Punimon: You don't want to find Wormmon's Digi-Egg because you miss him. You just don't want to feel guilty anymore over causing his destruction. After all you did, we're not going to welcome you back with open arms even if we had 'em! Botamon: What do you think's going to happen? Wormmon's just going to hatch so he can be treated badly by you all over again? Ken: Wormmon won't come back to me? Just like my brother Sam didn't come back to me after he left....

You can feel the threading of that needle. They can't say "killed", they can't say "died", they can't say "caused him to die". But they still do a pretty good job of conveying all the sentiments here, and only have to cheat with "destroyed" once.

Ken unpacks what the babies have told him.

Ken: (thinking) That's the reality I didn't want to accept. Osamu-niisan is dead. Wormmon is dead. They're dead because of me. Niisan, who I hated more than anything. Wormmon, who I thought was the most worthless thing in the world.

Ken drops to his knees under the relentless barrage of emotional damage.

Ken: I'm the one who's worthless. Ken: (thinking) I'm worthless. I'm a speck. And now I'm grieving over Wormmon's death. What if I was the one who died? Wormmon would grieve for me, of course. Wormmon might be the only one who'd grieve. Ken: And yet I.... Ken: (thinking) I lost Wormmon to my own destructive habits!

Ken flashes back on Wormmon's death. A silent flashback to Wormmon saying his last words and then disintegrating in Ken's arms.

Note the return of "What if I died?" Yeah, we're not done with that topic. Here, in his grief, Ken proposes that Wormmon is the only person who would mourn for him, which makes what Ken did to Wormmon so much worse.

In the dub:

Ken: (thinking) This is a truth I don't want to face. Wormmon's not coming back. Sam's not coming back either. I caused both of them to go away. I hated my brother for getting all of the attention. I hated Wormmon because I felt he wasn't worthy of me. Ken: The truth is, I wasn't worthy of him! Ken: (thinking) These hands... These hands have caused so much pain. Sure, put a textbook in them and I'm a genius. But put a whip in them and I'm the evil Digimon Emperor. How could I have allowed this to go so far? If I only had the chance.... Ken: I'd say sorry, Sam! I'M SORRY, WORMMON!!! (Flashback) Wormmon: Good... bye, Ken. (Wormmon dies) Ken: (choked up) Wormmon, no....

As usual, the dubbed flashback has dialogue. That is what they said in the original, too.

Ken clarifies why he hated Sam so much in this version, though you'd think he'd also be mad about the hitting.

The dub isn't touching the "If I died" point with a ten-foot pole. Gave that topic a wide berth and instead starting wandered off to talk more generally about the wickedness of the Digimon Emperor.

Returning from flashback, the babies have more to say.

Punimon: You can't take back what you did! Once something is done, it can't ever be undone. Botamon: You can't just act like the past didn't happen. It's all part of you. The good stuff and the bad stuff is all a part of you. Ken: I have to accept that it's all part of me and live with it.

Dropping to his hands and knees now, Ken's tears drip onto the village's colorful nursery grass.

Ken: That I'm the Digimon Kaiser. That Nii-san is dead. That I caused Wormmon to die. That's fine... I can do that... Because, Wormmon, just the memory of you being with me will give me the strength.

Fuck, now I'm crying. T_T Ken deserves every part of this verbal dunking but I can still be sad about it.

Suddenly, Ken realizes something and looks up.

Ken: That's right! Wormmon, you've always been with me. Back then, I used Osamu-niisan's Digivice to explore the Digital World with you. Did I forget these memories? Or, rather, did I force myself to suppress them? But why? Why did I want to forget!?

Yep, we aren't done delving into Ken's past just yet. It's time to find out what exactly happened on that day he first entered the Digital World.

In the dub:

Punimon: It's too late for you now! You can't turn back time! What's done is done! You've made your bed, now lie in it! I'd go on but I can't think of any more cliches!

Really. Wow. Dub Team does not like this part of the episode. I'm not even going to call that an Abridged Parody-ass line; That is a Nostalgia Critic-ass line.

Botamon: The point is, you can't run away from the past! You've caused enough damage here. Why don't you crawl back under the Control Spire you came out of! Ken: Can't I start over? (Ken drops to his hands and knees and starts crying) Ken: I know that I've caused you all a lot of pain as the Digimon Emperor but I'm truly sorry now. Please forgive me! The cruel things I've done in the past won't ever leave me but I've got to move on with my life. I promise to concentrate on the good things in the past, not the evil. (Ken suddenly looks up in shock) Ken: I'll use my memories of Sam and of Wormmon to make me stronger... But I can't seem to remember any of the good memories. Only the bad ones keep playing in my head over and over again. I've blocked out the good ones. I must force myself to remember the beginning! I must think back to the first time I used Sam's Digivice to go to the Digital World!

The dub version of this speech is centered more broadly on Ken's penance for the crimes of the Digimon Emperor, rather than his personal relationships with Wormmon and Osamu. My favorite part is when he says, "I promise to concentrate on the good things and not the evil" which is literally the opposite of "The good and bad are both a part of you and you have to accept that".

Original Ken is undergoing a psychological self-examination and rebuilding the broken foundation for who he is as a person. Dub Ken is praying to the babies for redemption, and it feels more hollow as a result.

I also love that he says "I've got to move on with my life" to the people he's frantically apologizing too. "Look, I'm really sorry and I'll keep being sorry for another five minutes or so but then I'm over it, yo. I can really only spend so much time making this up to you."

Entering into the final flashback of the episode, we find Ken exploring a desert with an older boy by his side.

The boy is not identified but that's Ryo Akiyama from the Tamer video games. We're seeing a flashback to something that happened during Ken's time costarring in Tag Tamers.

The show leaves him hanging out there as an "If you know, you know" detail.

While they're walking, Ken accidentally triggers a random encounter and a Wild Pokemon Appears.

Gazimon: GAZIIIIII!!! Wormmon: LOOK OUT, KEN-CHAN!!!

A Gazimon explodes from the sand screaming their name for some reason and lunging at Ken. Wormmon tackles them in the chest, knocking them flat on their back but taking himself out with the recoil.

Gazimon is a Child-stage-- No, we're not doing any of that this episode. While the Gazimon scampers off, Ken rushes to his Partner's side.

Ken: WORMMON!!!

I love how Wormmon does win that fight but still in the most pathetic way possible. Ken appreciated him more back then but not because he was any better at vanquishing Ken's foes.

I also love how Wormmon beating back a fierce opponent and doing more damage to himself than his foe but nonetheless prevailing and saving Ken is a miniature version of the Chimeramon battle itself. This scene is a meaningful parallel.

In the dub:

Gazimon: YAAAAAAAGH-- (Wormmon tackles Gazimon and wipes them both out) Ken: Wormmon!

Gazimon doesn't yell anything in particular and Wormmon doesn't say anything when he intervenes.

Hurrying to Wormmon's side, Ken cradles his Partner.

Ken: Wormmon... Wormmon! Wormmon: (weakly) I'm okay... That was nothing....

I should hope so. It was your attack. XD

Ken: Wormmon.... Wormmon: I'm so glad I'm your Partner, Ken-chan. Ken: (gasp) Wormmon: Because you're so kind. Ken: Kind?

Ken flashbacks-within-a-flashback to blowing bubbles on the balcony with Osamu.

Osamu: You're the best at blowing soap bubbles, Ken. It's because you blow them so gently. (End flashback) Wormmon: But kindness alone isn't enough. You have to get stronger. Or else.... Ken: Or else? Wormmon: Or else you'll be crushed by your own kindness. Ken: (gasp) Wormmon: Ken-chan, that Digivice you have is yours. It's not anyone else's; It belongs to you. Just like how your heart belongs to you and only you. Don't forget that. And... Ken: And...? Wormmon: Don't run away.

Ever the insightful one, Wormmon pre-emptively cuts through all the bullshit surrounding "Osamu's" Digivice and in the process makes a meaningful statement about Ken himself. And even references Wizarmon's prophecy too while he's at it, because Wizarmon also fucking said that kindness alone is not enough.

It's just a shame that Ken got all of Wormmon's advice smacked out of his hand after he went home.

Wormmon is the Gabumon of this series. He has to do a lot of intensive emotional labor for the sake of a Partner who resists personal growth and is more stubborn than a bag of rocks. But eventually he starts to get there.

In the dub:

Ken: Wormmon! You okay? Wormmon: (weakly) I'm okay. It will take a lot more than him to beat me. Ken: Right! Wormmon: Ken, I'm really glad that I'm your Digimon and we're Partners. Ken: Huh? Wormmon: You're gentle and kind. That's why I like you. Ken: Huh? I'm gentle? (Flashback) Sam: Your bubbles come out perfect because you're gentle. I blow too hard and mine pop right away. (End Flashback)

I really like the way Wormmon conflates gentleness and kindness here in order to recapture the element of 優しい yasashii that was supposed to be a part of the bubble-blowing scene.

They couldn't make Ken's Crest virtue pop in that scene, but they use this flashback to have Wormmon harken back to it and go, "Actually, that was about his Crest virtue," retroactively.

Wormmon: But being gentle is not enough. You have to be strong as well. Otherwise, Ken.... Ken: Otherwise what? Wormmon: Your gentleness and kindness will become overpowered by those who are evil. Ken: Oh. Wormmon: It happens.

XD It happens. I don't think they knew what to make of the phrase "You'll be crushed by your own kindness".

To be honest, I'm not 100% on it either but I think Wormmon's referring to the exhausting effects of empathy overwhelm. Which a lot of us are familiar with these days.

Wormmon: The Digivice that you have belongs to you and not Sam. You're DigiDestined and no one can take that away from you. Evil forces will try to tell you otherwise but you can't listen to them! Never forget who you are! Ken: I won't! Wormmon: Do you promise?

They're roping in a lot of "evil forces" for this version of the speech. But at least they don't dismiss Wormmon's statements as "saying cliches" and refuse to engage with any of it. I'm still salty about that.

Returning from the flashback, Ken unpacks what he's just remembered.

Ken: It wasn't true that I didn't have anything. It was just easier to think that. Easier to resent Nii-san for it.

Ken folds his arms over his chest and cries.

Ken: I'm sorry, Osamu-niisan. I'm sorry, Wormmon. For the rest of my life, I'll accept those things that can't be undone.

This is where Ken finishes his delve into his past: With the acceptance that he can't go back. He can't change what happened to him, nor can he undo the way he felt in those moments or the things he's done to others.

In the same way that his parents can't go back and be better parents to their sons retroactively, Ken can't erase the way he resented Osamu. He can't erase the things he's done. He can't unkill Wormmon*. Those things happened and are a part of him now, and that's what he has to live with.

*Well, kind of. Wormmon is going to reincarnate like every Digimon, but Ken still can't take back what he said and did to Wormmon that led to that moment. Those things still happened.

In any case, this is the answer to the question of Ken's heart. This is Ken's heart. Everything that's been unpacked up to this point. The neglect and abuse inflicted on him and the cruelty that's come from him, but also the love and compassion that's been shared with him. Everything that's happened to bring him to this point is the totality of Ken's identity.

This revelation causes his Crest of Kindness to suddenly activate. Ken, startled, takes it out and stares at it. The one baby that doesn't hate his guts explains.

Poyomon: That's your Crest! Ken: My Crest?

Useful. Thanks.

As Ken's Crest glows, so too does a single Digitama across the nursery field. That same pink energy, the holy light of Ken's Kindness, lights it up. Inside the egg, an anxietous Baby Digimon waits.

Baby: Come and find me, Ken-chan! Hurry up and find me! Hurry! HURRY!!!

Ken does not hurry. He slowly approaches the Digitama and inspects it carefully.

Ken: This Digitama... Why is it glowing?

Good question. I'm sure there are many probable answers to that. Sometimes Digitama glow randomly. You should probably pay it no mind.

In the dub:

Ken: I broke my promise because I did forget. My whole life, I was trying to be someone else. Whether it was acting tough as the Digimon Emperor or trying to be more like Sam. (Ken breaks down crying) Ken: I've never been Ken. But I'm going to spend the rest of my life being the kind and gentle person that Wormmon wanted me to be!

Dub Ken's epiphany is that he needs to stop faking his personality and just be himself. Everything he's done as the Digimon Emperor was insincere and was just Ken "acting tough" out of insecurity.

There's an odd implication there that I don't know if it was intentional. That Ken started "acting tough" after Wormmon told him he needs to toughen up so he can throw hands at anyone who tries to take advantage of him kinda makes it seem like the Digimon Emperor is Wormmon's fault too.

I wonder if they meant to imply that?

(Ken's Crest glows) Ken: What's this? Poyomon: That's your Crest of Kindness! Ken: Are you sure it's mine? (Digi-Egg starts glowing) Baby: Ken, please find me! Please find me soon! Ken: That DigiEgg is different from the others.... Baby: Hurry, Ken! Ken: Something tells me I've seen it before. It's glowing just like the Crest of Kindness!

I don't know what's telling you that because you haven't.

The dub explicitly calls it the Crest of Kindness while Poyomon only calls it a Crest in the original. Though it's worth noting that we do know by this point what Ken's Crest is. Wormmon said it two episodes ago in his final moments.

Ken reaches out and grasps the Digitama. It glows even brighter and then pops, turning into a cradle with a little baby Leafmon inside of it.

NEW BABY JUST DROPPED

Leafmon is, of course, named for the leafy tail appendage that they use to shyly conceal themselves. Of course Wormmon's baby form would be a timid little thing.

Ken: Worm.. mon...? Leafmon: Ken-chan?

Ken starts crying at the sight of his reborn Partner.

Leafmon: You came looking for my egg?

Ken nods, then picks Leafmon up out of the cradle.

Ken: Yeah, I did. I searched everywhere for it. Leafmon: That's great! I knew you'd come find me! Ken: Wormmon.... Leafmon: What is it, Ken-chan? Ken: Thank you for being born.

This last line, "生まれて来てくれてありがとう Umarete kite kurete arigatou", is a Japanese expression that means pretty much exactly what it says. It's a way of expressing gratitude to someone for the positive influence that their existence has had on your life.

Wormmon tears up too at Ken's expression of fondness, and Ken embraces his Partner.

In the dub:

Leafmon: Hi, Ken! I'm Leafmon, the Baby form of Wormmon. (Ken cries, nods, and picks up Leafmon) Ken: I kept searching for you! I never stopped! Leafmon: Ken, thank you. You took a little detour in getting there but you kept your promise. Ken: What promise? Leafmon: Being kind and gentle. Ken: Thank you for giving me a second chance.

What do you mean, "What promise?" You just lamented like a minute ago that you broke your promise.

In the original, this conversation is about Ken and Wormmon's emotional bond. Leafmon is initially surprised that Ken came to find him, which makes sense given how Ken's treated him up to this point. Three episodes ago, the very idea that the Digimon Kaiser would care if Wormmon was gone was laughable.

But then Leafmon takes it back and admits that he had faith Ken would come. Despite everything Ken has become, Leafmon still believes in the boy he knew all those years ago. And, in this moment, that faith is rewarded with Ken's gratitude.

In the dub, this conversation is about Ken's atonement. "Thank you for being born" has become "Thank you for giving me a second chance". Ken intends to try harder to live up to Wormmon's expectations for him, and Leafmon acknowledges that he's on the right path.

While Ken hugs Leafmon, he thinks about the other relationships in his life and responds to a question he asked earlier, about who would grieve if he was the one who died.

Ken (V.O.): I'm so glad that Wormmon's alive. But is Wormmon the only person who's glad that I'm alive? No, of course not.

Back in the human world, we find Ken's mom weeping in the living room while his dad tries to console her.

Mother: HE MIGHT NOT COME BACK THIS TIME!!! Father: (worried) Don't be ridiculous! Of course he'll come back!

Suddenly, the door to Ken's room opens and he enters the living room.

Mother: KEN-CHAN!?!? Father: Where have you been!? Mother: We thought you disappeared again!

Stunned, Ken watches his mother cry.

Ken: (thinking) She's crying... Mom's crying because I went away... Ken: ...Mama.... Father: What was that? Mother: What did you say? "Mama"? Did you say "Mama"!? Ken: Mama... Thank you for giving birth to me.

Overwhelmed by emotion, Ken's mom pulls him into a hug and cries with relief.

Ken: Papa... I'm sorry I made you worry.

Ken's dad responds with a silent but affectionate pat on the head.

This, in turn, is the answer to the other question. The question of who would even miss Ken if he died. A question that's haunted him since those early days, that we already saw the answer to when he did erase himself from this world, but that Ken only now understands.

Please pay no attention to the continuity error, in that Ken's room was presented as being at the end of a hallway in previous episodes but now it opens directly into the living room.

In the dub:

Ken (V.O.): I wonder... If I was the one who was gone instead of Sam, would Wormmon be the only one who would miss me? Mmm... No, I don't think so. (Cut to crying parents) Mother: This time he might not come back at all! Father: Don't say such things. He'll be back! I'm sure of it! (Ken returns) Mother: KEN!!! Father: Ken! Where have you been!? Mother: We've been so worried about you! Ken: (thinking) Now I understand why she's crying. She missed me. Just like I missed Wormmon. Ken: Mama.... Father: What... did you say? Mother: He said "Mama". That means... he knows me! Ken: Mama! I'll give you that second chance if I can have one. (Mom hugs Ken) Ken: Thanks for being such great parents.

They are not. Like. Half the point of this episode is how badly their parenting has damaged their children. Weird thing to say right after offering a second chance, which implicitly acknowledges that they fucked up.

I actually really like the "I'll give you a second chance if I can have one" line but the follow-up kinda ruins it.

The dub lays the parallel here bare: As Ken's parents have fucked up their stewardship of their son, so too has Ken fucked up his stewardship of Wormmon and of the Digital World more broadly. These two things are not exactly the same. But they are the same kind of things.

The way Ken feels for the loss of Wormmon is the same as what his parents feel for their losses of Osamu and Ken. And as Ken gets a second chance to do better by Wormmon, so too do his parents get a second chance to do better by Ken. The dub drags this subtext out into literal text and they are right, that is what the episode is saying.

But their attempt at figuring out an organic English-sounding translation for "Thank you for giving birth to me" leaves much to be desired. XD

While Ken embraces his family, we close in on the photo of Osamu on the table under the windowsill.

Ken (V.O.): For the first time, I feel like I can now say this, Osamu-niisan: "Thank you for everything".

As he says this, we close on a shot of Leafmon hiding behind the bedroom door. Leafmon in the human world for the very first time, finally welcome as a part of Ken's real human life.

In the dub:

Ken (V.O.): And now I can finally say it: Thank you, Sam, for helping me find my heart. Narrator: Now that Ken is no longer the Digimon Emperor, will he join the DigiDestined? Find out on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

I was all set to be like "Fuck you, get out of here, Narrator! We're having a moment!" But actually, the Narrator doesn't try to make a spooky cliffhanger out of this like he usually does and instead asks a fairly valid question. So you get a pass this time, Dub Narrator.

So, did we find out the answer to last episode's question: Is T.K. right about the DigiDestined having a new enemy?

Well... It wasn't a big part of the episode but that email Ken got sure was ominous. So that probably counts. I'm gonna give this to 'em only on the thinnest possible margin.

Assessment: Okay, yeah, I can see why we needed to go on wacky piss adventures before doing this. This episode is complicated as fuck.

It doesn't really absolve Ken of the things that he's done but it also doesn't purport to. It says in no uncertain terms that those things are a part of him, just as his family's emotional abuse and some physical abuse from Osamu are, and just as the good times he shared with Osamu as well are. It's all part of the greater whole that makes up Ichijouji Ken, a Greater 'Hole.

You can even see parallels in the way Ken treated his Digimon versus his own upbringing. In particular, there's something interesting in the way Ken's parents neglected him in favor of his exceptional brother and how it relates to Ken's own snubbing of Wormmon in favor of first Agumon and then the exceptional Chimeramon.

Ken took the worst parts of his perception of his parents and his brother, and he magnified them in the Digimon Kaiser. He learned it from watching them and passed it along but without any of the nuance. There were good times as well as bad with Osamu and his parents, but he distilled only the bad into the Kaiser, the manifestation of Ken cracking under the pressure of becoming Osamu's replacement goldfish.

This episode goes a long way towards humanizing Ken while keeping its focus limited on Ken's backstory and relationship with Wormmon. We do see in his encounter with Punimon and Botamon that he despite the progress he makes here, he is very much unwelcome in the Digital World and understandably so.

But his willingness to accept himself, to accept the totality of himself, nonetheless sees both Ken and his parents rewarded with a second chance to be better for the people they love.

[erior]

So, on V-dramon/V-mon/XV-mon: V-dramon (and its evolutions) are designs derived from Greymon's line LCD sprites, V-mon was designed as a Child for V-dramon, and XV-mon as an Adult for V-mon. Lore-wise, XV-mon is the original one, V-dramon being a variant of it, and it sorta shows: the final form of the XV-line is the founder of the order the final form of the V-dra-line belongs to.

In any case, V-mon and its evolutions are deeply entangled with Agumon's evolutions, just like Guilmon from Tamers.

Digimon Adventure 02x22 - The Brave Evolution! XV-mon / Davis Cries Wolfman

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Chimeramon came back for another go but Wormmon killed them with kindness. Unfortunately, in the process, Chimeramon also killed Wormmon with excessive violence. Nonetheless, the Chosen Children completed their mission and the Ken was given a new mission of his own: Go touch grass.

Apparently this is NOT the episode that goes into Ken's past. That will be next episode. So the Dub Narrator was wrong when he said we'd find out today what Ken will do with the Crest of Kindness, and I was a fool to trust him.

Uh, content warning for extensive involvement of urination. If you're squeamish about that, this one's gonna be gross.

With the Digimon Kaiser at last overthrown, we open on another normal day at Odaiba Elementary. Iori's in class reading a thematically relevant passage from a textbook.

Iori: Thus, the country was saved. The king was overthrown and the country was saved. The king was overthrown but a great sadness remained in the people's hearts. The great sadness remaining in the people's hearts became a legend that will never fade.

Each line contains a piece of the previous line and makes a new statement out of it. It's a language exercise, not a literary one. But it's hard not to think of the Digital World when reading it.

Upamon, hiding in Iori's desk, wipes a tear from his eye.

Upamon: Native Language class always makes me want to cry-dagyaa!

Nope. None of that. Iori pushes Upamon deeper into the desk to silence him.

Yes, it's called Native Language class. The word 日本語 Nihongo refers to the Japanese language while 国語 Kokugo means the native language of the region you are in. So, in 日本 Nihon, Japan, the 国語 Kokugo would be 日本語 Nihongo. But if you went to 英国 Eikoku, England, then 国語 Kokugo would be 英語 Eigo, English.

In Japanese schools, the study of Japanese is 国語の授業 Kokugo no Jugyou, Native Language Class. Most places with a robust education system have some form of 国語の授業 Kokugo no Jugyou; It's just that the 国語 Kokugo we study in different regions are different languages.

It's like how Americans sometimes call it "Language Arts class" instead of "English class". It's a better, more universal terminology.

In the dub:

Cody: And so the kingdom was saved. But there was no joy in the land that day for the king had died. In his effort to save his people, he mistakenly stood on the wrong side of the cannon as it was being fired. The people watched in shock as the king flew overhead. Upamon: Gee, Cody, you couldn't be a little more depressing, could ya? Cody: Shhh! (Cody stuffs Upamon in the desk)

Cody is reading a literary textbook. A hilariously morbid one, at that. Holy shit.

"There was no joy in the land that day because of the hilarious Looney Tunes demise of their lord. Royal blood and viscera rained down upon all who came to witness his glory. One man got hit in the face with a femur and let out a yelp."

Obviously, this does not bear any sort of thematic resonance to the recent victory against the Digimon Emperor.

Next, we turn to Miyako in chemistry class, holding up a flask.

Miyako: Take this fluid. Add it to the other chemical in the beaker and then heat them over an alcohol lamp.

She pours the solution in and heats them.

Miyako: There! Now we just have to wait three minutes.

Outside the window, Poromon is watching her. He has concerns.

Poromon: Uhhh, that seems kind of dangerous....

Suddenly, the boiling fluid starts putting out purple smoke.

Poromon: Huh?

The smoke then turns to smoke rings. Miyako stares at the rings, transfixed, but the rest of the class is smart enough to run.

Poromon: EYEEEEEEGH!!! Students: LOOK OUT!!!

The concoction explodes right in Miyako's face, covering her in soot.

Miyako: Errors have been made.

Don't worry, Miyako. It's not your fault. It's the fault of the Coalition of Fictional Chemistry Teachers who make it standard practice to let children mix dangerous chemicals unsupervised.

In the dub:

Yolei: Pay attention, everybody! I take this tube of hydro-something stuff and add it to this beaker of a few things I threw together. I let it simmer for a bit. Now the experiment is almost complete! I'm thinking of doing some tutoring in chemistry after school if any of you boys are interested.... (Beaker starts to smoke) Poromon: Uh-oh! Boy: Is it supposed to smoke that much!? Yolei: Uhhh, of course! It's just the fluorodicarbonate polyethylene. (Smoke rings; Everyone screams and runs, followed by explosion) Yolei: Ehehehe....

I like that they roped in Yolei's love-starved trait. She tries to use her volatile concoction to flirt only for it to literally blow up in her face. I don't think any of those boys will be taking her up on that offer.

So that's what they're doing in 3rd and 6th grade. Time to check in on the 5th-graders. In the gym, Hikari is doing ballet. Chibimon, Patamon, and Tailmon watch from the rafters.

Tailmon: I want to dance too. Patamon: Will you dance with me? Tailmon: Yeah!

Neither of them know how to do ballet but they flop around and have fun. Beneath them, Chibimon feels left out.

Chibimon: You two have fun, then! Hmph!

Here's our first hint at what's going to be a driving source of conflict for this episode. That's right, it's time to talk about the Takeru/Hikari/Daisuke triangle.

The girls' ballet lessons end almost as soon as we get to the gym, though, and now it's time for boys' basketball. We see a few practice shots taken at the basket. Two balls whiff the basket while a third one goes in.

From their body language, it seems Daisuke sunk the successful shot; Takeru and another boy look distraught while Daisuke proudly spins a basketball on his finger. Then the whistle blows.

Daisuke: Hehehe.... Chibimon: (excited) The boys' basketball game is about to start!

The boys square up against each other, with Daisuke and Takeru on opposing teams. The girls file off to the side. Hikari and two other girls watch eagerly as the match begins.

In the dub:

Patamon: Kari is such a graceful dancer! Gatomon: She should be. I taught her everything she knows! Patamon: Teach me! Gatomon: Okay! (They start dancing) DemiVeemon: I forgot my dancing shoes! Hmph!

The dub's take on the ballet scene cuts out the romantic connotation to Patamon asking Tailmon to dance. So it's not really clear why DemiVeemon is suddenly acting so pissy.

The dub uses extra dialogue to clarify that it was Davis who made that shot.

Davis: You guys are lame! Watch me! (Ball sinks) Davis: Nothing but net! Not only am I the best soccer player in school; I'm the best basketball player too! (Davis spins the ball on his finger) Davis: Hehehe.... Chibimon: Is there anything in the real world that Davis isn't the best at? Gatomon: Yeah. Being modest.

All this extra dialogue is setup for the impending match between Davis and T.K. There are other players on the field, but comparing Daisuke/Davis and Takeru/T.K. is the purpose of this scene.

At the serve, Takeru claims the ball and dribbles around the opposing players.

Patamon: Keep it up, Takeru!

Daisuke moves in to stop him, but Takeru's incredible footwork allows him to dart around Daisuke and move in on the basket.

Patamon: SHOOT!!!

Takeru takes the shot and sinks it.

Patamon: YIPPEE!!! Tailmon: NICE SHOT!!! Chibimon: Daisuke could do that too, y'know. Hikari: TAKERU-KUUUUUUN!!!

With everyone cheering him on, Takeru high fives his other teammate.

Takeru: Yes! We did it!

A fantastic play by Takeru. Daisuke may be a strong soccer player but he's in Takeru's thunderdome now.

In the dub, Kari announces the start of the match since they changed DemiVeemon's dialogue.

Kari: The basketball game's about to start. GO T.K.!!! Referee: (whistles) Jump ball! (T.K. claims the ball and dribbles down court) Patamon: Air T.K.! T.K.: Try to stop me, Davis! If you can! (T.K. dribbles around Davis, then goes up for the shot) Patamon: Don't pose for pictures; Shoot it! (The ball goes in) Patamon: Two points! Gatomon: YAY!!! DemiVeemon: I guess anybody can get lucky against Davis once! Kari: NICE SHOT!!! T.K.: Teamwork, baby! (T.K. high fives his partner) T.K.: Yeah!

"Don't pose for pictures" is an Abridged Parody riff on the animation. They hang dramatically on that shot of Takeru preparing to fire, and Dub Patamon accuses him of actually doing that diegetically.

I really like the "Teamwork, baby!" line as he high fives his partner. That's good sportsmanship.

But one person isn't impressed.

Daisuke: That smug Takeru thinks he's so cool. Alright!

Determined to prove himself, Daisuke gets back in the game. He catches the basketball and dribbles past an opposing team member.

Chibimon: DAISUKE, SHOOT!!!

Against an opposing team member, Daisuke finds himself blocked the way he tried to block Takeru. He tries to slip past, trips over his own foot, and crashes face-first into the floor. The ball goes flying.

Tailmon & Patamon: Ahahahahahahaha-- Chibimon: STOP LAUGHING!!!

Daisuke, embarrassed, picks himself up off the court and glances over at the girls, who are all stifling laughter of their own.

Hikari: (snicker) We should go start our dance routine over.

Hikari herds the girls away from Daisuke's shame. Takeru approaches him, offering a hand up.

Takeru: Are you okay, Daisuke-kun?

Daisuke ignores the offered hand and picks himself up.

Daisuke: Obviously, I'm not okay. Takeru: What's wrong? Daisuke: Hmph!

Refusing to answer, Daisuke turns away from Takeru just in time to take a basketball to the face. He's not having a good day.

Yesterday, he vanquished the Digimon Kaiser once and for all. Today, basketball butt monkey. It's not easy being Daisuke.

In the dub:

Davis: Guys, we need to learn to pass the ball! Now let's do it! (Davis catches the ball and dribbles down court) DemiVeemon: GO DAVIS!!! (Davis trips over his own foot and faceplants) Gatomon & Patamon: Ahahahahahahaha-- DemiVeemon: IT'S NOT THAT FUNNY!!! (All the girls are laughing) Kari: Come on, I think Davis needs a little more time to practice. (T.K. offers Davis a hand up) T.K.: Hey Davis, do you need a hand? (Davis picks himself up) Davis: No, I need a team that knows how to pass the ball! T.K.: I think they're starting to learn. Davis: Hm? (Davis turns around and takes a basketball to the face)

This version doesn't have the symmetry of both Patamon and Chibimon respectively cheering for their Partner to shoot.

Hikari tries to spare Daisuke's feelings by driving the girls away, while Kari mocks Davis.

Daisuke is jealous and spiteful of Takeru for outperforming him in basketball. This, again, sets up a significant conflict for this episode. Davis is fine with T.K., but mad at his team over insufficient ball passing. This sets up the gag of the ball hitting him in the face, but is an odd thing for him to complain about in context when what went wrong was him tripping over himself.

So the dub traded out setup for a core theme of the episode to try and make an existing gag funnier.

The ringing of the school bell heralds the end of the day. Time to hit computer club.

Miyako and Iori meet in the stairwell.

Iori: Ah! Miyako-san! Miyako: Iori!

Together, they sprint down the hall and into the clubroom, where the fifth-graders are waiting for them.

Daisuke: You're late! Miyako: Huh? Takeru: Miyako-san, Daisuke-kun's been in a bad mood for a while now. Please just hurry up and open the Gate. Miyako: Hrm.

Miyako goes to the computer and pulls up the Digital Gate.

Miyako: DIGITAL GATE, OPEN!!! CHOSEN CHILDREN, LET'S ROLL!!!

Crossing over, the Chosen Children arrive in a forest in the Digital World.

Iori: (contemplative) Even with the Digimon Kaiser gone, we can still enter the Digital World.... Miyako: What's that supposed to mean? The Digital World is finally at peace! We can just enjoy the Digital World from now on, right? Takeru & Iori: Eh... Well.... Miyako: You're with me, right, Hikari-chan? Hikari: Uh, sure....

Iori raises a valid concern. Last time the Chosen Children were needed, the Digital World basically told them to hit the bricks as soon as the task was complete. So the fact that we can still come and go from the place is a little concerning.

In the dub:

Cody: Oh, I'm late I'm late I'm late! I'm late! I'm late I'm late I'm LATE!!! (Yolei and Cody meet in the hall) Yolei: (cheerfully) We're late.

The dub has the school bell ring here. Which is an odd place to put it. If they were on their way to a class, then this would support how late they are because the bell means class has started. But since it's the end of the school day, doesn't that mean they skipped the last few minutes of their classes and are in fact early?

(Cody and Yolei sprint into the clubroom) Davis: LOOK WHO'S HERE!!! T.K.: Davis is in a bad mood. Let's hope things are better in the Digital World. He's already had one nasty trip today! Yolei: Hrm. Is everybody ready? (Yolei pulls up the Digi-Port) Group: YEAH!!! Yolei: Then let's do it! DIGI-PORT, OPEN!!!

"He's already had one nasty trip today!" Goddammit, that got me. XD Good passive-aggressive burn, T.K.

The dub takes its first commercial break as the kids are crossing over. We return to find them in the woods.

Cody: You know, I'm surprised that now, with the Digimon Emperor gone, we're still able to come to the Digital World. Yolei: Of course we can still come here! I don't know about the rest of you but with the Digimon Emperor gone, I plan on having a little fun in the Digi-Sun! Don't you think we deserve it!? Cody & T.K.: Well, yeah! Yolei: How about you, Kari? Do you agree with me? Kari: Uhhh....

This is almost perfect, but they seem to have missed that Iori and Takeru are not onboard with Miyako's assertion. Cody and T.K. deliver their lines like they're in full agreement, though their faces clearly suggest otherwise. But they did catch that Hikari was only humoring her.

There is one person willing to cast his vote in Miyako's favor, however. And that should probably be reason enough to rethink her stance.

Daisuke: You're right, Miyako. However, we didn't come to the Digital World to play today. Miyako: I know that! We're volunteering to help with the reconstruction. Daisuke: We're partly responsible for the damage that's been done to the Digital World, after all.

Daisuke has a stronger sense of international responsibility than many actual world leaders. We won the war against the Digimon Kaiser and that's great and all. However, we left several places in ruin while we were having fun kicking his ass and knocking down his Dark Towers. So we now have an obligation to help rebuild what our conflict with him destroyed.

That the Kaiser was himself a Chosen Child only heightens that responsibility. If an English general went rogue and annexed Romania and then the English army bulldozed several Romanian cultural sites to drive him out, Romania would reasonably expect some restitution from England.

Iori: Miyako-san, what is the damage report for the Digital World? Miyako: Let's see... I'll check the D-Terminal.

Apparently the D-Terminal can give you sitrep now. That's a new function.

Miyako: There's the mountain region....

Brief cut to a group of Gotsumon knocking down trees and excavating the mountain for materials.

Takeru: We'll go there. Patamon: Sounds good, Takeru. Daisuke: Alright, Takeru will handle the mountain region.

Makes sense to send one of the fliers up that way.

In the dub:

Davis: There'll be plenty of time for rest and relaxation later, Yolei! But that's not why we came to the Digital World today. Yolei: I know, I know. We're here to restore the Digital World to the way it was before the Digimon Emperor took over. Davis: That's right! There's a lot of areas that are in pretty bad shape and we're part of the reason for it. We have to get to work! Cody: Alright, Yolei, give us a damage report on all the different areas. Yolei: Okay, let me pull it up on the D-Terminal. (Yolei takes out her D-Terminal) Yolei: The mountain area is pretty bad. (Brief cut to Gotsumon working) Gotsumon: Let's get back to work, boys! Don't leave any stone unturned even if it's your cousin! (Back to the kids) T.K.: I guess then... We'll take it. Patamon: The Gotsumon rock! Davis: Okay, Patamon and T.K. will handle the mountains.

They add a couple gags with the Gotsumon but they follow the script perfectly. Despite the foul mood he's in, Davis even refrains from the running gag of saying T.K.'s name wrong on purpose; The dub understands that now that we're here, he's in Serious Business mode. There are bigger things happening than his petty rivalry.

What else have you got for us, Miyako?

Miyako: Next up is the city. That place was hit pretty hard.

Cut to a ruined metropolis. Buildings line in rubble, some knocked over entirely or bombed out. RedVegiemon is there running a soup kitchen, providing curry to Gazimon refugees.

Armadimon: AHH LET'S GO LET'S GO LET'S GO-DAGYAA!!! IORI!!!

Armadimon runs off without another word, forcing Iori to run after him.

Iori: Ah, wait up, Armadimon! Daisuke: Aw, crap! They already took that one.

City region is assigned to Iori. Better luck next time, Daisuke.

Miyako: Next up is the rural countryside.

There, we see Gekomon tilling the rice paddies. Otamamon gather around a river, though it's unclear what exactly they're doing. I assume they're irrigating. A group of Bakemon show up carrying a log, adding it to a bridge under construction across the river.

Daisuke: Guess it's our turn now. Hikari: Wait! I want that one too. Tailmon: Yeah. Daisuke: Alright, then let's play Rock-Paper-Scissors for it. Hikari: Sounds good. Daisuke: (chanting) Starting at Rock! JAN KEN PON!!!

最初はグー Saisho wa guu is a customary phrase to begin a match of じゃんけん Janken. Players all begin with the closed fist of Rock. The three syllabic steps of じゃんけんぽん Jan Ken Pon then serve as a rhythmic countdown to when the players will throw their signs, delivered in the same cadence as 最初はグー Saisho wa guu.

English-speakers have similar countdowns with "Rock Paper Scissors!" or "Rock Paper Scissors Shoot!' but the melodic nature of the Japanese language makes their countdown exceptional.

Daisuke throws Rock to Hikari's Paper, so Hikari wins. Daisuke groans while Hikari high fives Tailmon.

Daisuke: Augh, I lost! Hawkmon: Next is the lake, right? Daisuke: V-mon and I will take the lake!

Once that's decided, Hikari, Takeru, and Daisuke scatter in separate directions. There is no glimpse of what's happening at the lake this time.

Miyako: All that's left is the coastal region. Hawkmon: Then I guess that one is ours, Miyako-san.

Similar to the lake, there is no glimpse of the coast. They just take it.

Just like that, the map is divvied up. Again, despite the bad day he's having, we can see how serious Daisuke is about this reconstruction. He loses out on the region he wants twice but he just rolls with the punches and takes what he can get with minimal complaint. This isn't about him.

In the dub:

Yolei: Next is the city. Wow, that looks in pretty bad shape too. (Cut to destroyed city) RedVegiemon: Form a single line, everybody. And no cutting in! Today's entree will be tuna surprise. Unfortunately, we didn't have any tuna. THAT'S THE SURPRISE!!! (Back to the kids) Armadillomon: Didja hear that, Cody? You get a free lunch. Let's go! (Armadillomon runs off with Cody chasing after) Cody: Wait for me! Davis: Aw man, he beat me to it!

Armadillomon doesn't quite match Armadimon's explosive enthusiasm but the idea is still there.

Yolei: Let's take a look at the farmlands. (Cut to farmlands) Gekomon: Alright, you Bakemon, a little to the left! ...now a smidge to the right! That's it! Easy does it! (The Bakemon add their log to the bridge) Gatomon: Haha, yeah! (Back to the kids) Davis: Okay then, we'll take that one. Kari: Wait! I wanted that area. Gatomon: Me too! Davis: The only fair thing to do is Rock-Paper-Scissors. Kari: Let's do it! Davis: Just so you know, I was champion in the fourth grade! HUAAAAGH!!! (Kari wins) Davis: Aggggh! Gatomon: Yay!

Davis does not offer any cadence and just expects Kari to know when to throw. He set himself up for failure with that one.

Hawkmon: The next area is the lake. Davis: Veemon and I will take that one! (Everyone scatters) Yolei: The only area left is the beach. Hawkmon: Alright, it's settled then! You and I are headed to the beach!

Overall, this is another pretty good adaptation. They stay on point and resist the urge to shit on Davis any harder than his No Good Very Bad Day already is.

Just like that, all assignments are divvied up. A map of the region shows us where each Chosen Child is assigned to work.

The map is followed by a montage of Chosen Children working through the day. Takeru and Patamon up in the mountains are helping with crops. Takeru plants while Patamon flies around the field with a watering can.

Over at the coast, Miyako and Hawkmon are helping dredge up debris. A team of Gizamon push a broken canoe up from the water, while Woodmon on shore pull it with a rope. Miyako and Hawkmon have joined in the pulling, though Hawkmon is contributing nothing to this exercise.

Hawkmon: I CAN'T PULL!!!

Miyako is helping. Hawkmon is dangling. But at least he tried.

In the dub, there's more dialogue to the montage.

(T.K. plants a sprout) T.K.: Okay, Patamon. (Patamon waters; Cut to coast) Yolei: Woodmon, you pull, and Gizamon, you push. Get it right this time. Go! (Yolei and Hawkmon help pull)

They take out the gag of Hawkmon lamenting his uselessness and instead blame the Woodmon and Gizamon for some reason. That's just good old-fashioned American nepotism right there.

In the city region, Iori helps RedVeggiemon stir the cookpot. Armadimon shows up with a bundle of kindling tied to his back, collapsing in front of the pot.

Armadimon: Ugh, if you don't work, you don't eat-dagyaa.

At the lake, Daisuke and V-mon help a group of RedVeggiemon carry cut logs. Unfortunately, a group of Numemon have taken up residence on top of the stack.

Daisuke: Move, Numemon! You're in the way!

The Numemon depart from the log pile, but leave poops behind. Thanks. That's great. Assholes.

And finally, Hikari and Tailmon help the Gekomon harvest water from the river.

In the dub:

(Armadillomon collapses in front of the cookpot) Armadillomon: Ugh. This is hard work. So much for a free lunch. (Davis and the others bring a log for the pile) Davis: Come on, Vegiemon! Lift! You've got to put some backbone into it! Oh. I forgot you don't have one.

Again, the dub has the kids chewing out the Digimon they're helping for inadequate work performance. Something about that rubs me the wrong way.

For Davis, it's used as a replacement for the Numemon poop bit, which the dub snips out the footage of. -1 Poop joke, +1 Digimon anatomy joke.

As Hikari and Tailmon pull up the water bucket, they suddenly hear someone calling for them.

Patamon: TAILMON!!! Girls: Huh? Takeru: HIKARI-CHAAAAAAN!!!

Takeru and Patamon come running over the log bridge that the Bakemon recently built. Which is quite a feat given that they were on opposite ends of the map from Hikari and Tailmon. Do we think Takeru Solid Snaked it past Daisuke? Or did he go the long way through Iori or Miyako territory?

Either way, what he's not doing is his fucking job. He and Patamon planted like three crops and then booked it. For shame.

Hikari: Takeru-kun? Tailmon: What's wrong, Patamon? Patamon: Takeru's worried. There's something weighing on his mind. Hikari: What are you worried about? Takeru: That we can still enter the Digital World. Hikari: That's because we're still needed in the Digital World, right? Takeru: That was certainly the case three years ago. Hikari: So how about now? Patamon: Are we still needed here? Tailmon: We're needed to help with reconstruction for the destroyed Digital World, aren't we? Hikari: Ultimately, we're just volunteering for the reconstruction effort.... Takeru: The fact that we can enter the Digital World means that the Digital World still needs us. A crisis is approaching. Hikari: You mean a new enemy? Takeru: I don't know, but I think we should tell the others about it. Hikari: Yeah.

The veterans remember the escalation from the first series and then whoops none of those guys were actually the guy, THIS is the guy.

I'm glad Takeru spent half an hour slowly moving past Daisuke under cover of a cardboard box so he could deliberate with Hikari about whether to tell Daisuke that they're in danger. He didn't even really consult her on anything. He just came here and told her, "This is what I think. Anyways, let's brief the team."

I think he just wanted to get out of planting crops.

In the dub:

Patamon: GATOMON!!! Girls: Huh? T.K.: KARI!!! (T.K. and Patamon come running) Kari: What's wrong? Gatomon: Patamon, is a dog chasing you? Patamon: No! Listen up. T.K. has a theory that I think we should all listen to. Kari: What is it? T.K.: I was thinking about what Cody said about still being able to come to the Digital World. Kari: I thought we figured out that we can come here because we're still needed for something, didn't we?

We did not. I don't know where you got that impression. This is the first mention of us still being needed for something. Figuring that out is the purpose of this conversation we are having right now.

T.K.: That's the reason we were able to come here the first time. Patamon: You're right. There must be a reason this time too. Gatomon: The reason's as plain as the whiskers on my face; We're here to clean up the mess left by the Digimon Emperor. Kari: The only problem with that theory is that we volunteered for the work. It's not like we were drafted. T.K.: Exactly! That's the part that's been bothering me. We're not meant to be here as a cleanup crew. There's something else out there that we don't know about yet. Kari: T.K., you mean... a new enemy!? T.K.: I'm not exactly sure what it is yet but I think we should be prepared for whatever's out there waiting for us. Kari: Mhm.

Apart from Kari bizarrely thinking we've already had this conversation, this is pretty good.

Setting out to collect the others, Takeru and Hikari find the lake region vacant. Daisuke is nowhere to be found.

Patamon: Huh? There's no one here. Hikari: That's weird. Where did they all go? Patamon: HEEEEEEY!!! COME OUT OF HIDING!!! Takeru: DAISUKE-KUUUUUUN!!! Tailmon: V-MOOOOOON!!!

But no answer comes. What dire fate might have befallen--

Oh, no, scratch that. Daisuke and V-mon went for a walk in the bamboo forest. They're fine. Daisuke's just a little out of it.

Daisuke: Hey, V-mon? You've probably noticed already but... why are Takeru and Hikari-chan so tight-knit?

What exactly does Daisuke mean by that? Well, the language used here is あんなに仲がいい an'nani naka ga ii. 仲がいい Naka ga ii means two people who get along very well. They can be friends, lovers, coworkers, peers; The term does not define a particular type of relationship. What matters is that they support each other with minimal conflict.

あんなに An'nani basically means "like that". To that extent.

So Daisuke isn't specifically defining any sort of relationship for them, though he does have suspicions. But with this line, he is questioning how it is that Takeru and Hikari get along that well. They're two peas in a pod. They support each other relentlessly and are totally on the same page all the time, and it's weird.

Daisuke flashes back on the way Hikari cheered for Takeru at the basketball game. This is a rare instance of a flashback with dialogue.

Hikari: TAKERU-KUUUUUUN!!! Takeru: Yes! We did it! (End Flashback) V-mon: Patamon and Tailmon too....

V-mon flashes back on Patamon and Tailmon dancing.

V-mon (V.O.): They get along really well....

The boys let out a mutual sigh.

In the dub:

Patamon: Uh-oh. Everybody's gone.... Kari: That's really strange. They were all here just a minute ago. Patamon: Okay! If you're hiding, we give up! You can come out now! Ollie Ollie Oxenfree! T.K.: DAVIS!!! VEEMON!!! (Cut to bamboo forest) Davis: Hey, Veemon? Have you noticed how chummy T.K. and Kari are together? Why do you think that is? Veemon: Maybe they're identical twins that look completely different! Davis: For example, did you see how Kari was openly rooting for T.K. when we played basketball? Huh.... (Flashback) Kari: I!!! LOVE!!! YOU!!! T.K.!!! T.K.: YEAH!!! (End Flashback) Veemon: Funny, I don't quite remember it like that. (Flashback) Veemon (V.O.): I was too busy watching Gatomon. (End Flashback, collective sigh)

Obviously, Kari didn't say that in the original scene. But for once, that's on purpose. We're seeing Davis's jealous interpretation of that scene rather than a literal flashback.

Daisuke: V-mon! V-mon: What is it, Daisuke?

Daisuke crouches down and grabs V-mon's hands.

Daisuke: We have to work together. V-mon: Work together? Daisuke: We'll come up with something really cool! V-mon: Really cool! Daisuke: And that will bring me closer with Hikari.

Daisuke fantasizes about doing a slam dunk while Hikari cheers for him. Then he front-flips over in front of her and throws up two V for Victories.

V-mon: And I'll get closer with Tailmon.

V-mon fantasizes about waltzing with Tailmon while holding a rose in his mouth.

V-mon: (singsong) TAILMOOO~OOON!!!

With both boys drunk on their fantasy, we return to reality.

Daisuke: The only way this happens, V-mon, is if you evolve into your Adult form. V-mon: Evolve to my Adult form? Daisuke: Something like UltraAngemon.

THAT'S RIGHT, FUCKOS. Remember UltraAngemon? It's an evolution Daisuke pulled straight out of his ass in a jealous fervor. He invented the concept of UltraAngemon way back in episode 7, the Andromon episode, after witnessing Patamon evolve into Angemon for the first time. With the Digimon Kaiser defeated, it's finally time for UltraAngemon to make his debut!

The boys take a moment to picture what UltraAngemon will look like. It's basically Angemon if he flew through a rainbow and got tie-dyed.

V-mon: Got it! Are you ready for me to become UltraAngemon!?

Daisuke laughs and claps at V-mon humoring him. I don't think they're really serious about this UltraAngemon thing; They're just venting some of their stress by goofing around. Daisuke is serious about V-mon evolving to Adult, though.

In the dub:

Davis: Augh.... Veemon: We're not that popular. (Davis crouches down and grabs Veemon's hands) Davis: If we want Kari and Gatomon to like us, we've gotta change. Veemon: What do you have in mind? Davis: We have to be better at the things they like. Veemon: Like what? Davis: I have to learn to become a better basketball player. (Fantasy Davis dunks) Kari: Yay! Davis: KARI LOVES ME!!! YEAH!!! (End Flashback) Veemon: And I have to learn to be a better dancer. (Veemon flashback) Gatomon: (swooning) Veemon.... (End Flashback) Davis: I got it! Just Digivolve into a Champion Digimon who happens to be a great dancer! Veemon: A regular twinkletoes! Davis: Yeah, right? I can just picture it now! (Imagine spot of UltraAngemon) Davis: Angemon would have nothing on you! Veemon: Here goes! VEEMON DIGIVOLVE TO CHAMPION MEGADANCERMON!!!

The dub didn't quite lay the groundwork for UltraAngemon. It sort of did; Davis did tell Veemon to Digivolve into "AngeSomething" in their version of that scene. But it seems they found it easier just to break away from that gag entirely here, inventing the new hypothetical form of MegaDancermon.

In the original, Daisuke just suggests that they need to "do something cool". The fantasies are them expressing their respective jealousies; Daisuke fantasizes about Hikari cheering for his basketball prowess like she did for Takeru and V-mon fantasizes about Tailmon dancing with him instead of with Patamon.

The plan is:

Step 1: Evolve V-mon into a super cool Adult form that impresses the girls so that they like US now!

Step 2: And then we'll be the ones they do these specific things we're salty about with instead of Takeru and Patamon!

The dub tries to merge those into the same step. Davis describes these activities as "things they like", which he and Veemon must improve at. Then they joke around about evolving Veemon into MegaDancermon to achieve that goal for him.

And, for Veemon, that makes sense. But. Uh. I don't think his logic follows for Kari. Kari wasn't cheering for T.K. because he's good at basketball. She was cheering at the basketball game to support T.K. So that's awkward, but in a way that can just be the character's mistake. Daisuke/Davis is meant to be off his rocker here either way.

Suddenly, Daisuke and V-mon's jubilation is interrupted by a presence nearby. Alerted by the scattering of birds, they whip around to see a horrifying creature emerging from the bamboo forest.

A creature that is clearly a bunch of Numemon in a trenchcoat but we'll humor them. After a commercial break, the creature lunges forward and reveals itself to be of a colossal height.

They kind of look like they're wearing a makeshift Monzaemon outfit.

Daisuke: HELP ME, V-MON!!!

Daisuke pushes V-mon forward towards the creature and darts to the side, out of the way.

V-mon: DAISUKE!!! Daisuke: V-mon, evolve into your Adult form! V-mon: S-Sure...

V-mon spins in place while trying to call out his evolution phrase.

V-mon: V-MON SHINKAAAAAA-YA-YA-ya-yaaaaa....

He successfully dizzies himself and falls over. Victory for FakeMonzaemon.

Daisuke: Ugh, he can't evolve.

Oh well. Looks like we're doomed by the very real threat bearing down on us. Sucks.

Honestly, it's for the best. This kind of disingenuous shit is how you get SkullGreymons. Do you want SkullGreymons, Daisuke?

The dub also takes its commercial break here before commencing the attack. When we return, Davis and Veemon drop some quips in before starting up the script.

Davis: That Digimon needs a new tailor! Veemon: He must have a hard time finding eyeglasses! Davis: LOOK OUT, A MONSTER!!! (Davis pushes Veemon towards it and runs) Davis: Don't just stand there! Try to Digivolve into a Champion! Veemon: VEEMON DIGIVOLVE TO... Doooyagh....

Even in the context of Davis staging this attack, the way he suddenly jumps from snarking on the creature's design to screaming and running for his life feels really awkward and inorganic.

With V-mon vanquished, it is time for the wrath of the fake Monzaemon thing!

Creature: Um, are we done here? Daisuke: Yeah, we're good. Thanks. Creature: You're welcome.

The monster tilts forward and its head comes off, spilling countless Numemon and RedVeggiemon out into a pile.

Daisuke: And after all the trouble you went to. Sorry about that. Group: Bye.

Daisuke and V-mon wave as the Digimon depart.

In the dub:

Creature: Can we stop now, Davis? It's getting really hot in here. Davis: Yeah, guess so. Nice job, guys. Creature: Gee, thanks, Davis. Everybody out! (Creature comes apart) Davis: Aww, you ripped your costume. And it was really good too. Group: Adios / See you later!

Davis compliments the costume instead of apologizing for the wasted effort.

Once they're gone, Daisuke turns on V-mon.

Daisuke: That was all your fault, V-mon! V-mon: How was that my fault!? Daisuke: It just is!

Daisuke punches V-mon in the top of his head.

V-mon: OW, WHAT THE HELL!?

V-mon breaks a bamboo stalk with a chop and then turns furiously on Daisuke.

V-mon: Now I'm really getting mad.... Daisuke: Uhh, sorry!

Daisuke turns and runs from his infuriated Partner. V-mon chases after him, roaring at him.

V-mon: COME BACK HERE, DAISUKE!!!

No dice. Daisuke flees from V-mon until he reaches a rope bridge. Once there, he stops and waits for V-mon while explaining his plan via internal monologue.

Daisuke: (thinking) Hehe... Next plan: Enrage V-mon and then break this suspension bridge and cause it to fall, thus putting me in a dire situation. Then, as a result of my brilliant plan, V-mon will have to evolve into his Adult form!

Okay, I joked about it earlier, but this is literally the SkullGreymon episode of the first series. Daisuke really is just doing the SkullGreymon plot again.

In the dub:

Davis: This is all your fault, Veemon! If you would have just Digivolved into a Champion, I never would have had to trick you!

The dub removes the part where Daisuke punches V-mon in the head.

Veemon: So that's it! (Veemon breaks a bamboo stalk) Veemon: You tried to scare me! (Davis runs for it and Veemon gives chase) Davis: WAAAAUGH!!! WELL, YOU USUALLY DIGIVOLVE WHEN YOU'RE SCARED!!! AHHHHHHH!!! (Davis reaches the bridge) Davis: Come on, Veemon! You're slower than the U.S. mail! I hope your Champion form runs faster than you do! Davis: (thinking) Hehe... And now it's time for Part 2 of Operation: Make Veemon Digivolve. I make Veemon mad and then, as I'm crossing this bridge, it breaks! And in order to save me from the fall, Veemon has to Digivolve to the Champion level. Perfect!

I would have gone with "Plan B" instead of "Part 2". The phrase "Part 2" implies that Davis intended to fail with the Monzaemon costume earlier. In the original, it's more clearly asserted that the bridge plan is a contingency for if the Monzaemon plan fails.

Additionally, losing the punch to the head makes Veemon's reaction seem more irrational here. He's chasing Davis with clear intent to do violence over what was basically a prank. Still a dick thing to go but not necessarily one that needs to escalate into physical violence.

Daisuke puts his plan into action by ripping the cord holding the bridge together. The now unstable bridge begins to shake.

Daisuke: AHHHHHH!!! SAVE ME, V-MON!!! V-mon: DAISUKE!!!

All thoughts of retaliation gone, Daisuke sprints across the bridge, screaming Daisuke's name with fear in his voice. Unfortunately, the shaking of the bridge proves too much for him and he falls on his face. The bridge snaps in half, forcing V-mon to leap across in order to reach the segment that Daisuke's holding onto.

Daisuke: V-MOOOOOON!!! V-mon: DAISUKEEEEEE!!!

Hanging onto the cord of the now destroyed bridge, Daisuke hits the cliffside hard but keeps a firm grip. V-mon manages to grab onto Daisuke's legs.

Daisuke: V-mon! You have to evolve into your Adult form! V-mon: V-mon... shinka....

Then all of a sudden, like magic....

...V-mon loses his grip and plunges into the river below. Daisuke follows shortly after.

I sure hope that isn't one of the bridges we just rebuilt or else Daisuke's going to have some explaining to do. In fact, just in general he's going to have a hard time explaining why he wandered off from a volunteer reconstruction assignment to go wreck things further.

Forget what I said earlier about Daisuke knowing there are bigger things happening here than his petty rivalry. This is kind of awful, Daisuke.

In the dub:

Davis: AHHHH!!! VEEMON, HELP ME!!! Veemon: Davis, hold on! (The bridge gives way) Davis: WHOAAAA-OHHHH!!! Veemon: DAVIS!!! (The boys end up dangling) Davis: Now, Veemon! You've got to Digivolve! Veemon: Veemon... Digivolve... To.... (The boys fall in the river) Veemon: (floundering) Was! This! Another! Trick!? Davis: (floundering) I would never! Do! Something like that!

The boys get a little extra dialogue at the end over what is, in the original, the both of them gasping for air while struggling to keep their heads afloat.

Washing up on the shore, Daisuke comes clean to V-mon.

V-mon: Huh? This was a practice exercise to get me to evolve into my Adult form? Daisuke: The plan was that if I put myself in danger, you would evolve into your Adult form and save me. V-mon: But it doesn't seem like it worked. Sorry, Daisuke. Daisuke: It's not your fault, V-mon. V-mon: No? Well then, we should probably head back to the others soon! Daisuke: Yeah.

V-mon bounced back from that pretty fast. Daisuke stands up, then offers V-mon a hand and helps him to his feet. Suddenly, they hear the sound of rumbling rocks nearby. Looking up, they see several rocks rolling down the cliff towards them.

Daisuke: Run, V-mon!

Daisuke starts running, but V-mon watches the rockslide curiously.

V-mon: This is another practice exercise to make me evolve into my Adult form, right? Daisuke: IT'S NOT PART OF THE PLAN!!! V-mon: WAAAAAAAUGH!!!

Now appropriately freaked out, V-mon books it before a massive boulder lands where he was standing. The boulder hits the ground rolling, pursuing Daisuke and V-mon.

Honestly, I'm surprised it took V-mon this long to realize something didn't smell right. The fact that Daisuke kept yelling "Evolve to your Adult form!" instead of yelling "DIGIMENTAL UP!!!" is a dead giveaway.

In the dub, Veemon already knows Davis has been trying to trick him so their discussion is a little different.

Veemon: But Davis, why did you want me to Digivolve into a Champion? Davis: Well, I thought that maybe Kari would like me more if my Digimon could reach the Champion level like T.K.'s can. Veemon: That's silly. Gatomon wouldn't like me more if you could Digivolve. Davis: Well, it couldn't hurt; She doesn't like you now! Veemon: Hey! That's not nice. I really wish you wouldn't rub it in. Davis: (conciliatory) Okay.

It feels a little awkward that Veemon's suddenly confused by this when they were just talking about MegaDancermon.

But it actually does make sense; They'd only been talking then about how Digivolving would benefit Veemon. That Davis is actually personally invested in Veemon Digivolving was not a topic of conversation before.

In the original, Daisuke clearly stated that V-mon becoming UltraAngemon would impress Hikari and Tailmon into liking them both more. But that idea had not been conveyed to Veemon in the dub until this moment.

Davis does come out of this conversation looking more like an asshole than Daisuke does, however, due to the "She doesn't like you now!" exchange. For Daisuke and V-mon, this is just a sweet reconciliation scene.

(Rockslide) Davis: RUN, VEEMON!!! (Davis runs) Veemon: This isn't another one of your tricks to get me to Digivolve into the Champion level, is it? Davis: NO!!! THIS TIME IT'S FOR REAL!!! RUN!!! Veemon: Waugh! (Veemon starts running too)

This part's perfect. No notes.

Fleeing from the boulder, Daisuke and V-mon run afoul of a Digimon that is clearly and unambiguously urinating on the ground beside the river.

Sure, that might as well happen. We've had so much poop so I guess it's about time. Thanks, show. Also, the spiky-shelled Digimon is laughing riotously about his pissing. I'm not sure what's so funny.

Digimon: Hehehehehe AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Daisuke and V-mon come running, pursued by the boulder.

Boys: AHHHHHH!!!

Upon reaching this Digimon piss puddle, they screech to a stop and then leap over it. They may be fleeing for their lives but stepping in that would just be gross.

Spotting the incoming boulder, the Digimon headbutts it up into the air. It lands and shatters on their hard shell.

V-mon: Awesome! Daisuke: Yeah, but we just saw them... peeing....

The Digimon whips around, letting out a furious roar.

Daisuke: And they seem mad about it!

Tortomon is an Adult-stage Vaccine-attribute Reptile Digimon. It's technically トータモン Toutamon but it's based on the English word トータス toutasu or "tortoise".

This is another rare instance where I feel like the dub actually gets the name right and the Digimon Reference Book gets it wrong. Officially, this Digimon is called "Tortamon" according to the Reference Book but. Like.

If we're going to correctly interpret トー tou as "tor" in this context then why wouldn't we extend that same leverage to タ ta? Tortomon's name is literally トータス toutasu with the ス su cut off and a モン mon glued on, so it feels arbitrary to interpret トー tou with the original word in mind but then take タ ta literally.

The dub goes with "Tortomon" for the English name, and that feels correct and natural.

In any case, new Digimon! Tortomon is from the Nature Spirits release of the Digimon Pendulum V-Pet. They were the other Vaccine Adult alongside Kabuterimon for Tentomon, Gotsumon, and Otamamon to evolve into.

Narrator: Tortomon! A tortoise-like Reptile Digimon with a sharp spiked shell. Their special attack is Shell Phalanx!

As an aside, their most notable feature is not being what Armadimon evolves into even though that would totally make sense. V-mon, Armadimon, and Hawkmon are all designed in a way that feels like new Child forms to existing Digimon (V-dramon, Tortomon, and Garudamon) but are all going in a separate direction with their Adult evolutions.

Though V-mon did evolve into V-dramon in the V-Tamer manga. And it's worth noting that Garudamon is a Perfect so it would still seem natural for Hawkmon's Perfect form to be that Digimon. Plus, Digimon evolutions being what they are, nothing's stopping them from branching that way, I suppose. Still, point is, it makes sense for them to evolve that way but in this show, they do not.

The dub has some editing to do in order to remove all shots of Tortomon's onscreen urination. As the boys approach, we get a closeup of Tortomon's face looking at them in surprise and then splice in a shot from later of Tortomon rearing up and trying to body slam them.

The impression is that the boulder chased us right into the clutches of an already hostile Digimon. Then, from there, we get the awesome moment of Tortomon destroying the boulder.

Veemon: That was close! Davis: It's a good thing he was here to block it. You were great, pal! (Tortomon turns around and roars) Davis: He doesn't take compliments well! Tortomon: (rundown) I am Tortomon! I'm a turtle-type Digimon but I hide my head from no one. I use my Strong Carapace attack to be hard on my enemies!

Lacking the urination bits, Davis has no reason to suspect Tortomon's hostility. Though you'd think Tortomon trying to body slam him a moment ago would be a clue.

Once the rundown's over, the boys are left having to unpack this awkward situation they've found themselves in.

Daisuke: Ack, I knew he was mad! V-mon: Who wouldn't be upset if someone walked in on them while they were enjoying a good piss? Daisuke: But it's not like we wanted to see that! Do you think they'll forgive us if we apologize, V-mon? Tortomon: NRRRRRRGREEEEEEEGH!!! V-mon: (flatly) Don't apologize. (cheerful) Oh, is this another plan to make me evolve?

Tortomon rears up on their hind legs, roaring furiously.

Tortomon: HRRRRRUUUUUUGH!!! Daisuke: IT'S NOT A PLAN!!! RUN!!!!

The boys bail before Tortomon slams back down onto the ground where they were standing. This is the shot that the dub used for the body slam earlier.

Yes, this really is what the third-act conflict is predicated on. Between Wormmon's death and the backstory of how the Digimon Kaiser came to be, this is a tension-relieving shenanigans episode.

In the dub:

Davis: Wow! This guy looks pretty angry! Veemon: I'd be pretty angry too if I had a boulder come at me like that! Davis: We didn't throw it! Veemon: He doesn't know that! Davis: Well, I'll just explain it to him and everything will be fine. Listen, you seem like a reasonable fellow. Let me tell you what happened. Tortomon: HYRRRRRGH! Veemon: Smooth move. Hey, how do I know that's not some Digimon in disguise trying to scare me? (Tortomon rears up) Tortomon: HRRRRRRUUUUUUGH!!! Veemon: Never mind! Davis: WAAAAAAUGH!!! (The boys bail before the body slam)

For their part, the dub credits the boulder itself as the source of Tortomon's ire. Which, to be fair, is a valid reason to be upset. Dub Tortomon feels under attack and is defending himself.

Back at the lake, all those Numemon and RedVeggiemon explain things to Hikari and Takeru.

Takeru: Huh? Daisuke and V-mon are practicing evolving to the Adult level? Hikari: Oh, Daisuke-kun... What is he thinking? Daisuke & V-mon: HELP US!!! Hikari: Daisuke-kun!? Tailmon: V-mon!

Daisuke and V-mon come running, joining the others before stopping to catch their breath.

Takeru: What has you so freaked out? Tortomon: RRRRRRRUUUUUUGH!!! MRRRRRRRMEEEEEEGH!!!

Despite Tortomon loudly storming through the woods, the embarrassing debrief continues.

Takeru: You said you "saw Tortomon while they were enjoying a good piss"!? Daisuke & V-mon: Yeah.... Hikari: Then this is all your fault, Daisuke-kun and V-mon. Tailmon: I think so too. Patamon: No argument here. V-mon: I knew you guys would say that.... Daisuke: (aside, bitterly) It's not like we could have avoided it! Who would want to see something like that? V-mon: (sigh) If only we hadn't-- Tortomon: RRAAAAAAGH!!!

Time's up. Tortomon's caught up and comes running.

In the dub:

T.K.: Let me get this straight. Davis is trying to trick Veemon so he'll Digivolve to the Champion level? Kari: Why does he always have some hair-brained scheme he's trying to pull off!?

...does he? I'm gonna have to drop a Citation Needed on Davis being a Bugs Bunny-esque troublemaker.

Davis & Veemon: WHOAAAAAA!!! Kari: What's the matter, Davis!? Gatomon: Veemon! (Davis and Veemon stop to catch their breath) T.K.: You guys look like you've seen a monster. Tortomon: NROOOOOOGH!!! HRAGH!!! HRAAAAAAGH!!! T.K.: So you think this Digimon is mad at you because he thinks you threw a boulder at him? Davis & Veemon: Uh-huh.... Kari: Why don't you guys just explain the situation to him? Gatomon: Start with Davis's lame plan. Patamon: And finish by saying you're sorry. Veemon: We tried that already!

They did. Unlike their Japanese counterparts, they have in fact tried that already.

Davis: (aside, bitterly) Of course, if Veemon would have Digivolved to the Champion level in the first place, none of this would have happened! Veemon: Again with the Digivolving thing? Tortomon: HRAAAAAAGH!!!

Here again we see a lot of pragmatic writing around the censored topic of Tortomon's urination. The most notable part is having to come up with a new reason for Davis to look off to the side and gripe.

This has the knock-on effect of again making Davis more of an asshole than Daisuke. After the bridge plan failed, Daisuke came clean to V-mon and dropped it. But here Davis is, dredging it back up to whine about it and shift the blame for his stupid plan.

As the furious Tortomon barrels towards them, Daisuke and V-mon scream and start running again. Hikari and Takeru take cover behind the log pile with the Digimon.

Tortomon: MMMMEEEEEERRRRRRGH!!!

As the creature storms off, Hikari and Takeru emerge.

Takeru: (amused) Everyone has times when they don't want anyone to see them, huh? Hikari: (serious) But are they going to be okay? Takeru: What do you mean? Hikari: We can't just leave them like this! Tailmon: Don't worry about it. They'll be fine! Patamon: Tortomon doesn't seem like such a bad guy.

Smash cut to Tortomon bearing down on Daisuke and V-mon, roaring and snarling all the while.

This conversation. XD Takeru says, "Oh those wacky kids." Hikari looks him dead in the eye and goes, "THEY'RE GOING TO DIE." And then the Digimon cut in like, "Nah, I like the cut of Tortomon's jib!"

Tortomon is going to trample Daisuke to death and Hikari is the only person who has a problem with that. XD

In the dub:

Tortomon: HRAAAAAAGH!!! (T.K. and Kari take cover while Tortomon stomps through) T.K.: Have you ever noticed that Davis always gets himself into these things?

I have not. What are you talking about?

Kari: Should we help them? T.K.: Nah. Kari: But how do we know that they'll be okay? Gatomon: Somehow, Davis always lands on his feet. Patamon: Besides, I don't think Tortomon is really that angry with them anyway.

Nonetheless, this conversation is just as hilariously unreasonable as in the original. T.K.'s short and simple "Nah" sent me.

In the city region, Iori's teaching kendo to the Gazimon because of course that's what he's doing.

Armed with sticks, Iori demonstrates an overhead strike, which the Gazimon then repeat.

Iori: MEN!!! Gazimon: MEN!!!

They repeat, calling out their strike and swinging a total of four times before they hear Daisuke's voice.

Daisuke: IORIIIIII!!! Iori: Daisuke-san and V-mon? Daisuke & V-mon: SAVE US!!!

Daisuke and V-mon take cover behind Iori, who brandishes his makeshift shinai.

Iori: I see! Tortomon: HROOOAAAAAAGH!!!

Then Iori actually sees what he's committed to fighting off. The Gazimon scream and scatter.

Iori: AHHHHHH!!! I... I don't think my kendo skills are up to this task. I'M SORRY!!!

Iori throws his stick on the ground and runs for it, abandoning Daisuke and V-mon to their fate. Tortomon crushes the stick underfoot while Iori and the Gazimon take cover inside a nearby stack of culverts. Armadimon cowers atop the culverts making his best attempt to just not be noticed; It works.

As Daisuke and V-mon flee with their pursuer once more, Iori peeks out from the culvert.

Iori: It's a good thing I backed down. There's no way I could have won that. Armadimon: No argument here-dagyaa!

Sorry, guys! Good luck!

In the dub:

Cody: Ready, 1! And 2! And 3! And 4! Davis: CODY!!! Cody: Huh? Hey Davis, what's the big hurry? Davis: We need help! (Cody brandishes his makeshift shinai) Cody: Ha! Hiyah!!! Tortomon: HRAGH!!! HOORAAAAAAGH!!! (Gazimon scatter) Cody: I've just remembered I've got to study for a big math test next Monday! Seeya! (Cody throws the stick down and hides until Tortomon passes) Cody: Boy, Davis sure has some strange ideas about how to have fun. Armadillomon: You can say that again!

The gag is the same in both versions. Iori/Cody initially acts tough and commits to defending Daisuke/Davis only to instantly fold once he lays eyes on the adversary. But the dub presents it in a quippier fashion.

At the coastal region, Miyako and Hawkmon are on a break. Miyako's checking her D-Terminal while Hawkmon knocks back some bottled water.

V-mon: SAVE US, HAWKMON!!! Daisuke: MIYAKOOOOOO!!!

Looking down the beach, Miyako holds up her D-Terminal.

Miyako: Iori sent me an email! Hawkmon: We don't have time to mess around! Daisuke: WE'RE NOT MESSING AROUND!!! V-mon: NO MESSING AROUND HERE!!! Miyako: (eyeroll) You guys are in the way so BUZZ OFF--ACK!!!

It's at that moment that the boys and Tortomon come into view. Upon recognizing the severity of the situation, Miyako and Hawkmon hide in one of the canoes they dredged up. Daisuke, V-mon, and Tortomon pass by.

Daisuke: "Buzz off"!? V-mon: That's so mean! Tortomon: HRAURGH!!!

As Tortomon passes, their size causes their heavy footfalls to slam down into the surf, drenching the boat Miyako and Hawkmon are hiding in. Once they're gone, Miyako and Hawkmon peek back out of the canoe, completely soaked and utterly speechless.

This scene's a little difficult to parse because when Miyako turns and looks at them, holding up her D-Terminal, and then Hawkmon berates them? It feels like they're supposed to be able to see the boys at that point. But then she clearly lays eyes on them and Tortomon for the first time at "Buzz off", when she suddenly reacts and hides.

In the dub:

Veemon: HAWKMON, YOLEI, HELP!!! Yolei: Cody sent me an email and said you had a small problem! Hawkmon: I. Would. Not. Call that. Small. Davis: YOLEI, QUICK!!! DO SOMETHING PLEASE!!! Veemon: YEAH!!! HELP US!!! HURRY!!! Yolei: While you guys are running around playing games, some of us are working. Now--ACK!!! (Yolei and Hawkmon hide) Davis: WE'RE NOT PLAYING GAMES!!! Tortomon: HRARGH!!!

The dub is just as awkward. Hawkmon explicitly sees Tortomon only for Yolei to suddenly notice a few lines later and for the pair to hide.

Continuing onward, Tortomon chases Daisuke and V-mon up a hill.

Daisuke/V-mon: HEEEEEELP!!! / STOP CHASING US!!!

Their luck finally runs out as they reach the edge of a cliff. With nowhere left for Daisuke and V-mon to run, Tortomon stops and catches their breath.

Daisuke & V-mon: Ugh, no more! Tortomon: RRRRRRG-- Daisuke: Wait, Tortomon! Tortomon: Hrm? Daisuke: Before you attack us, there's something I want to say. V-mon: What, our last requests?

Daisuke bows down low to Tortomon. V-mon quickly does the same.

Daisuke: We apologize for seeing you pee. V-mon: It's too late to apologize now! Daisuke: But before you attack us.... V-mon: Before? Daisuke: ...you should wash your hands. V-mon: WHAT!?!? Tortomon: NYRRGH!?

Goddammit, Daisuke. XD

Tortomon's as taken aback as V-mon at that. They rear back and look at their front paws in shock.

Daisuke: If you're going to attack us, wash your hands first. V-mon: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING, DAISUKE!?!? Daisuke: It's more hygienic that way, don't you think? V-mon: I do. But this isn't the time to be worrying about hygiene! Tortomon: MRRRRAAAAAAGH!!! V-mon: LOOK, YOU MADE THEM ANGRIER!!!

Good job, Daisuke. Way to further embarrass the furious murder turtle.

Anyways, that's the story of what ever became of Daisuke. He was never seen again after this point. Only Hikari missed him.

The dub adds some lines as they're running up the hillside.

Veemon: Davis! Please tell me this is just another trick! Davis: Do you think I'm smart enough to think up something like this!? Veemon: Good point!

V-mon/Veemon has brought up the possibility of Tortomon being another trick before, but only Daisuke answered that question definitively. Veemon retracted the question, so this is the first time Davis has actually answered it.

Davis/Veemon: Help! Please! Anybody! / SOMEONE HELP US!!! (Tortomon corners them on the cliff's edge) Davis: This is the end of the line, pal. (Tortomon gasps for breath) Davis & Veemon: He's got bad breath! Tortomon: RRRRRRGH!!!

Right where Daisuke interrupted Tortomon's attack, the dub takes its third commercial break. They roll back the footage on return and we start again from Davis and Veemon delivering their mutual line.

Davis & Veemon: Goodbye old friend! Tortomon: RRRRRRG-- Davis: Hold on! Tortomon, let me just say one thing. Tortomon: Hrm? Davis: I have one final request. Veemon: (hisses) What are you doing, Davis!? (Davis kneels in supplication) Davis: Shut up and get down here! Veemon: Oh boy. (Veemon does the same) Davis: I-I've always considered myself a very clean person. Veemon: Oh, really? It's a good thing he's never seen your room! Davis: Before you destroy us, could you do me a bit favor? Veemon: What? Davis: Would you mind washing your hands? Veemon: HUH!?!? Tortomon: NYRRGH!? (Tortomon looks at their hands) Davis: I don't want to get any bad germs or anything. Veemon: I wouldn't be worried about germs right now! Davis: If you've got a better idea, I'd be glad to hear it right about now! Veemon: Uh, Davis is right! Germs can be very dangerous, especially right-- Tortomon: MRRRRAAAAAAGH!!! Veemon: (flatly) I don't think he buys the whole germ theory.

Without the context that Tortomon was draining the lizard a moment ago, Davis asking him to wash his hands comes right out of left field. The dub plays it off by recontextualizing it; If you read between the lines, Davis is clearly attempting to trick Tortomon as a last-ditch plan to get away.

Whereas for Daisuke, this moment is pure comedic absurdity. He is entirely sincere. Yeah, we're gonna fight, but your hands are icky so can you wash up first?

It's also worth noting that Davis says Tortomon is going to "destroy" them while Daisuke only admits as much as 襲う osou, which means to attack or strike or assault. Davis says "Before you kill us" and Daisuke says "Before you try". He has two Digimentals in his back pocket and he's seen uglier.

Infuriated, Tortomon finally attacks.

Tortomon rears up and slams their left front paw down. Daisuke and V-mon split up, Daisuke breaking left while V-mon goes right. Tortomon turns to follow Daisuke, exposing their flank to V-mon.

Though he doesn't call the attack, V-mon dives in with a headbutt. Tortomon thwacks him with their tail, knocking the wind out of him as he hits the ground.

Daisuke: (worried) V-mon.... V-mon: (pained) Daisuke...!

Once they're satisfied that V-mon is down, Tortomon turns their attention to Daisuke.

Tortomon: RRRGH!!! Daisuke: V-mon! You have to evolve, V-mon!

When Daisuke holds up his D-3, holy light emanates from its screen. Getting his second wind, V-mon climbs back to his feet.

V-mon: Daisuke!

This time, it's sincere. Daisuke has the power now only because he genuinely means it.

In the dub, Veemon calls the attack.

Veemon: VEE HEADB--OOF!!! (Tortomon tail whips Veemon to the ground) Davis: VEEMON!!! Veemon: Why do I have a headache...? (Tortomon turns his attention on Davis) Tortomon: RRRGH!!! Davis: Teach this guy a lesson, Veemon! (Davis holds up his D-3) Veemon: Wow!

The difference is minor, but Davis sounds just a little too secure in his ability to do something that has not successfully worked before.

In any case, despite Daisuke's false starts before, it is now finally time. V-MON SHINKAAAAAA!!! And the first ever instance of Show Me Your Brave Heart playing for one of the three new kids.

Daisuke: V-MON EVOLVED TO THE ADULT LEVEL!!!

XV-mon is an Adult-stage Free-attribute Mythical Dragon Digimon. Like the letter V, the letter X is not a sound that comes naturally to the Japanese language and has to be phonetically spelled out. This means that the relatively simple XV-mon has to be named, in katakana, エクスブイモン Ekusubuimon.

Narrator: XV-mon! An Adult-stage Mythical Dragon Digimon that V-mon evolved into using his own innate power. His special attack is X Laser!

The narrator specifies that this evolution comes from V-mon's own power, as opposed to the Digimentals which borrow on the power of the others. This isn't Daisuke walking in the shadow of Taichi or Yamato; This is Daisuke, pure and unfiltered.

As XV-mon charges into battle, Tortomon lands the first hit. A headbutt to XV-mon's gut knocks him on his back. Tortomon follows up by stomping on his gut.

Before another stomp can be delivered, XV-mon counters with a kick to the head. His kick knocks Tortomon over onto their back. XV-mon scrambles to his feet and grabs Tortomon's tail, spinning him in the air before tossing him.

Tortomon hits the ground hard but recovers quickly and turns back around towards XV-mon.

Tortomon: SHELL PHALANX!!!

Yep! Despite being largely non-verbal, this Digimon actually does call attacks in the Japanese version! That's rare.

Shell Phalanx sounds like it'd be a defensive move but it's not. It's a rapid-fire spike shot from Tortomon's shell. But XV-mon's ready for it. He punches any spikes that come too close out of the air, ending with a side kick for the last spike.

In the dub:

Davis: YOU DID IT, VEEMON!!! YOU REACHED THE CHAMPION LEVEL!!! ExVeemon: (rundown) I feel like a new 'mon! Davis, wait 'til you see my Vee Laser attack! It'll make my Vee Headbutt look like a tap on the shoulder!

I don't know why they spell it like that. Or why they decided X Laser should be Vee Laser. He is no longer Vee. By the dub's admission, he is an ex-Vee.

The dub uses Let's Kick It Up for their insert song here. When ExVeemon kicks Tortomon to get him off, he calls that as an attack.

ExVeemon: EXVEE PUNCH!!! (ExVeemon gets Tortomon off and then throws him) Tortomon: STRONG CARAPACE!!!

Strong Carapace also sounds like a defensive move to me, so both versions are equal on that. ExVee Punch is a weird name for a kick.

When Shell Phalanx fails, Tortomon charges in for another tackle.

XV-mon leaps over the incoming Tortomon, kicking them in the back of the neck before hopping entirely over them. Tortomon crashes down on their face into the dirt.

Capitalizing on this opportunity, XV-mon whips around and lets loose with his special attack.

XV-mon: X LASER!!!

Exactly what it sounds like, the attack is an X-shaped beam emanating from the X/V symbol on XV-mon's chest. It hits Tortomon dead on. Tortomon pulls into their shell and tries to resist it, but the beam picks them up and carries them off the clifff. Tortomon plunges helplessly onto the beach far below. This battle is over.

In the dub, ExVeemon calls the kick he delivers to the back of Tortomon's neck.

ExVeemon: EXVEE KICK!!! (ExVeemon bounds off Tortomon) ExVeemon: VEE LASER!!!

At least this kick was an ExVee Kick and not another ExVee Punch. Though the existence of ExVee Kick and ExVee Punch only make the naming of Vee Laser all the more confusing.

With Tortomon bested, Daisuke takes a moment to celebrate.

Daisuke: YES!!! You're the best, XV-mon!

I love that Daisuke doesn't care even for a second that this is not UltraAngemon. That was a jealous whim. XV-mon is real, and that makes him a million times cooler than UltraAngemon could have ever been.

Suddenly, Tortomon down below starts rapidly spinning and charging up something.

Tortomon: hroooooAAAAAAUUUUUURGH!!!

And then they stop, emerge from their shell, and start giggling and pissing again. Daisuke and XV-mon quickly cover their eyes.

Daisuke: Don't look! Tortomon: Ehehehehe! AHAHAHAHA!!! Daisuke: We're not looking--huh?

Daisuke peeks through his fingers only to realize that Tortomon's finished. Tortomon washes their hands in the ocean.

Tortomon: Ehehehe! Daisuke: Tortomon properly washed their hands! They're not such a bad person when you get to know them. XV-mon: Yeah.

Okay, Daisuke. At least we know that Daisuke takes bathroom hygiene very seriously.

Tortomon departs, laughing to themself all the while. I wish I enjoyed anything half as much as they enjoy peeing.

In the dub, Davis trades Daisuke's unapologetic praise of XV-mon for a punny quip.

Davis: Tortomon has got to learn to come out of his shell! Tortomon: SPINNING ATTACK!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

Obviously, this footage of Tortomon peeing is removed too. We go straight to Davis and ExVeemon covering their eyes.

Davis: I can't watch! ...do I hear splashing? (Tortomon washes his hands) Davis: What do ya know? The big lug washed his hands after all! That's a good habit to get into!

This rapid spinning right before peeing isn't really explained. The dub compounds the confusion by having him call it as an attack only to never launch the attack.

Again, without the urination context, this resolution lacks any sort of rationale for why this would be how the fight ends. Though the original only makes marginally more sense.

With that settled, Daisuke and XV-mon return to the others. Daisuke rides on XV-mon's shoulder as they approach the team.

Hawkmon: So, are you done goofing off yet? Daisuke: I told you we weren't goofing off. Check it out! V-mon evolved into his Adult form XV-mon! Iori: That means we can rebuild much faster now. Miyako: We can work XV-mon and Daisuke extra hard! Team: YEAH!!! Daisuke: EH!?!?

Daisuke's so startled by this response, he slips off of XV-mon's shoulder and lands hard on his butt. We close on the team laughing merrily at Daisuke's expense! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

In the dub, Davis and ExVeemon get extra dialogue as the scene transitions.

ExVeemon: So this is what it feels like to be a Champion! Davis: Kinda like a great boxer, huh? Only with all your teeth.

OUCH. That was fucking harsh, Davis. XD

Davis: Everybody, I'd like you to meet ExVeemon! Champion Digimon Extraordinaire! Cody: I've always been fond of Veemon and I'm sure I'll like you as well. Yolei: Now our cleanup of the Digital World will go a lot faster! Let's put them to work! Team: ALRIGHT!!! Davis: HUH!?!? (Davis falls off and everyone laughs) Group: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Davis: Ha... haha... ha... What are you laughing at, ExVeemon!? Just because you're a Champion now, doesn't mean you know how to dance yet! Narrator: Is T.K. right about the DigiDestined having a new enemy? Find out next time on Digimon: Digital Monsters!

We might. I know next episode is Ken's big backstory reveal but I don't remember if we meet the new enemies there or not. I dunno. Gonna hold you to that one, Narrator.

Assessment: Like I said earlier, this is a breather episode. Shit was just very real for the last five episodes and it's going to go right back to being very real next episode, so this was an opportunity to dial it back and get into some low-stakes shenanigans.

Daisuke unlocks the first evolution that truly belongs to him of the series and it's oddly fitting that it's in such a goofball of an episode. I've said it before but Daisuke could totally rock the Digimental of Purity. For better and for worse, he wears his heart on his sleeve.

[erior]

First of all, this was a Royal Knight (before they were a thing, and with the only other member to have debuted thus far being Omegamon) duking it out with a composite Perfect that can evolve from other Perfect and is a counterpart to Mugendramon... geez 02, that is a power spike that will take a while to be matched... Anyway, gotta go over the Digimentals for a bit, as they ended up not being used as much as they could had been intended, because, well, Armor evolutions were IIRC introduced as a complete set:

10 Digimentals and 6 species that could use all of them (of which 4 were debuting as well), so 60 armor forms, of which we only saw 9 used; Tamers and Frontier will use plenty of the others as minor and background characters tho, so they wouldn't be wasted per-se. Anyway... -Those were AFAIR introduced in the tie-in D-3 toy. Digivice toys aren't quite the same as the V-Pets, they are podometers with a fighting component. The first one doesn't really do anything special, but from 02 on they tend to introduce new species and fill gaps into the anime lines; the D-3, for instance, has the full Armor chart, alternative Jogresses (although 2 of those are HolyAngemon and Angewomon), and Ultimates for the entire Adventure cast. -They are generally on an Adult's ballpark. This includes Tailmon's Armor forms, which can also evolve from Plotmon, and AFAIK most of the other Digimental of Miracles armors; Magnamon is just ridiculously strong. -Ken is technically the owner of the Digimental of Kindness, but it is kinda convulted; I believe he has it in some of the WonderSwan games, and he does turn his Crest into the Digimental in the CD Drama; all in all Pucchiemon remains highly associated with Ken and his Wormmon, and Romi Park going DIGIMENTAL UP is a thing. Anyway, now time to get some rest and unlock Adult forms, things will get messy in a few episodes!

Digimon Adventure 02x21 - Goodbye, Ken-chan / The Crest of Kindness

Previously on Digimon Adventure: We set the Kaiser's base on fire to distract him while we blew it up. Unfortunately, we tragically underestimated the power and efficiency of the Kaiser's emergency fire suppressant systems. However, just when all hope seemed lost, Daisuke jumped in a hole and came back with DVD copies of Digimon Adventure: Hurricane Touchdown, in stores now.

Daisuke: DIGIMENTAL UP!!! V-mon: V-MON, ARMOR SHINKAAAAAA Magnamon: RADIANT MIRACLE, MAGNAMON!!! Daisuke: H-He evolved....

The golden evolution so nice, we played it twice. We open on Magnamon's evolution once more, as well as the accompanying footage of everyone being shocked.

But we skip Wormmon, Takeru, and the Kaiser reacting and move right along.

Daisuke: M... Magnamon...?

Magnamon is an Armor-stage Free-attribute Paladin Digimon. Not a lot to really say here. He first appeared in the various 02-associated media; In the cards added to incorporate 02 Digimon, the 02 D-3 V-Pet, the 02 movie a month ago, etc. His name comes from the Latin word "magna" which means large or grand.

Narrator: Magnamon! An Armor Digimon that evolved from V-mon using the Digimental of Miracles. He releases light from his armor using his special attack Extreme Jihad.

You fucking heard him. In this, the year 2000, Magnamon is going to fight the climactic final battle at the peak of the Digimon Kaiser arc using his signature attack エクストリームジハード Ekusutoriimu Jihaado.

In the upper chamber, Magnamon's overflowing light fills Poromon and Upamon with energy, restoring their stamina the way the Digimental of Miracles did for Chibimon.

Poromon: M-My strength.... Upamon: My strength is returning-dagyaa!

Rejuvenated, Poromon and Upamon evolve into their Child forms once more.

In the dub:

Davis: GOLDEN ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! V-mon: VEEMON GOLDEN ARMOR DIGIVOLVE TO.... Magnamon: MAGNAMON!!! Davis: Wow, that was intense!

Still no title for Magnamon. I bet they just don't want to say the word "miracle".

In the previous episode, this line from Davis was "Ah! Dude, that's amazing!" The spirit is the same but as usual he's saying different things in the two versions of the same moment.

Davis: You're about the coolest thing I've ever seen! Where'd you get those rad shoulderpads? I could use them as boogie boards! Magnamon: (rundown) I am Magnamon, a Golden Armor Digimon that attacks with my Magna Blaster. And I look so good doing it too. Poromon: My strength is back! Upamon: Yeah, me too!

Definitely just didn't want to say the word "miracle". They threw out the phrases "Radiant Miracle", "Digimental of Miracles", and unsurprisingly "Extreme Jihad" from this scene.

Watching from above, the Chosen Children try to make sense of this.

Miyako: What is that!? I've never seen a Digimon like that before! Iori: Is it a new Armor Evolution? Takeru: No, it can't be. There aren't any Crests left to inherit. Hikari: It could be some kind of special evolution that's unique from the others.

But they aren't the only ones who've noticed this. Outside, Chimeramon suddenly stops and looks back at the fortress. Doing a 180, the creature flies back to the structure and crashes through a wall. The probably-Devimon voice laughs as they breach the fortress once more.

Voice: Hahahahahaha!

The veterans here are laying it on thick that Magnamon isn't as simple as "Oh cool, we're getting another round of new evolutions."

In the dub:

Yolei: I wonder if Hawkmon can Golden Armor Digivolve? Cody: I don't get it. Where did he come from? T.K.: It came from that Golden Digi-Egg! Davis must have unleashed its power! Kari: This is fantastic! Can somebody turn off his headlights?

The Probably-Devimon voice's twisted laughter does not play when Kimeramon crashes through the wall.

They're all off-script. Where Hikari answers the question of how we're meant to interpret Magnamon, T.K. answers the question of what Magnamon is literally: A new Armor Digimon from the new Digi-Egg, duh. That's how Digi-Eggs work.

I also have a minor nitpick with T.K.'s line and that is having characters speculate things that they factually know. Either he watched Davis do that or he wouldn't know about the Golden Digi-Egg at all.

Anyways, it's CHIMERAMON TIME-- Wait, no. Scratch that. Chimeramon's dynamic entry was in the wrong room or something 'cause it'll take them a moment to get here. That's embarrassing. Hope nobody saw that.

This time, the Kaiser is recovered and ready to offer his opinion on Magnamon.

Kaiser: How many times are you people going to interfere!? Daisuke: Digimon Kaiser! It's time to settle this!

Suddenly, far below, a heavy impact breaches part of the central column's outer wall.

Hikari: It's the power of Darkness! Takeru: They're back!

Magnamon stops gleaming wildly, pulling his radiance back inward. Looking down at the impact spot, he watches Chimeramon crash through the wall and into the central column far below.

Kaiser: (pleasantly surprised) Chimeramon!

From the depths of the column, Chimeramon charges through the air, soaring straight up at their quarry.

Magnamon: DAISUKE!!!

Acting fast, Magnamon tackles Daisuke and carries him to safety moments before Chimeramon bursts through the walkway where he'd been standing.

(Had to tackle the wall twice to get through this time, and it wasn't even the right elevation. Dynamic entries are hard. No one appreciates the work that goes into them.)

In the dub:

Emperor: Hey, Digi-Fools! Do you honestly think your new Digimon can beat me? He couldn't even be my flashlight! Davis: Oh, yeah!? Well, sticks and stones can break my bones but when Magnamon gets a hold of you, he'll kick your-- Emperor: But! You didn't let me finish. He would make a good night light.

Ken's talking a lot of shit for a guy with no Digimon to fight Magnamon with. Davis really has to stretch for that butt/but word-replacement gag, but does capture the right vibe: He's powered up and ready to break Ken's face.

(Heavy impact below) Kari: (gasp) What was that!? T.K.: It can't be good! (Kimeramon crashes through) Emperor: (pleasantly surprised) Kimeramon!

Dub veterans are slower on the uptake here. In the original, Hikari seems to actually sense Probably-Devimon's presence more than she's reacting to the impact. Chimeramon's return brings the Dark power haunting Ken back into the fortress. Because they are the same.

When Kimeramon breaks through the wall and rushes upwards, the dub takes its first commercial break. On return, they quickly cut together short clips of Kimeramon crashing through and flying upwards again to re-establish the action.

Davis: WATCH OUT!!! Magnamon: Huh? Davis: Whooooa! (Magnamon tackles Davis off the bridge)

Here, it's Davis who warns Magnamon about the impending attack rather than the other way around... and then Davis awkwardly gawks at Kimeramon until Magnamon saves his dumb ass. Even though. He's the one who said "watch out" to begin with. Uh.

Once the danger's passed, Daisuke and Magnamon pick themselves off the ground. Magnamon's eyes still locked on Chimeramon, now above them.

Magnamon: Daisuke, leave this part to me. Daisuke: Ah, gotcha!

Daisuke clenches his fist.

Daisuke: All of this... IT ENDS TODAY!!!

Roaring with intent, Daisuke charges for the doorway leading back into the rest of the structure.

Takeru: We're going too!

The rest of the team run off to join in. Finally, Wormmon also departs the central column. Spitting a strand of silk and wrapping it around a pipe above, Wormmon swings up to the room that the Kaiser's watching from.

Wormmon: Hey, it's dangerous here. Hurry, we need to run! Kaiser: Quiet! My Chimeramon has returned to me. Wormmon: But they aren't listening to you anymore. Kaiser: SHUT UP!!!

The Kaiser whips Wormmon in the face, smacking him aside. Then he resumes watching the action with a smile on his face.

Kaiser: (enchanted) Chimeramon....

Hey, you remember when Takeru made him eat that fucking whip? Good times.

In the dub:

Magnamon: Davis, I'll take care of this. Davis: Go get him, Magnamon! Show him he's no match for you. (Davis clenches his fist) Davis: But just in case he is, I'll get the others! T.K.: We've gotta get out of here, guys!

Doesn't go nearly as hard as "This ends today".

In the original, Daisuke is running off to go punch the Kaiser out of Ichijouji Ken and the others are going to help him shitstomp on that slimy weasel's face. The dub changes it to Davis fleeing to get reinforcements while the others want to retreat, which is a total flipflop.

When he spits his silk, Wormmon calls it as an attack in the dub.

Wormmon: SILK THREAD!!! (Wormmon swings up to the Emperor) Wormmon: I don't mean to drop in like this but Kimeramon is tearing the place apart. Emperor: Nonsense! He's simply following my orders to attack! Wormmon: But Kimeramon's not following anyone's orders but his own. Can't you see that?

The Kaiser whipping Wormmon is cut from the dub. They go straight to the Emperor's enchanted, smiling face.

Emperor: My greatest creation won't let me down.

Despite the cut, the point that the Digimon Emperor is utterly deluded and refuses to admit he's lost control is still well-made.

As Magnamon meets Chimeramon, the battle is joined.

Magnamon feints towards Chimeramon, suddenly swerving to the right once he's in range to attack. Chimeramon falls for it, throwing a punch with their right Devimon arm and whiffing the air. While Chimeramon's disoriented, Magnamon turns in the air, kicks off the wall, and comes in for his real attack.

Magnamon: MAGNUM PUNCH!!!

A fierce right hook to Chimeramon's left temple sends the creature crashing down into the wall below.

Inside, Takeru's crew ascends the spiral stairs that ring the central column. Daisuke comes running up from behind.

Daisuke: GUYS!!! Takeru: Daisuke-kun!

The team stops so he can catch up. But then Chimeramon hits the wall and their right Devimon elbow breaks through. It crashes through the wall right behind Daisuke, knocking him off his feet.

Daisuke: DYAUGH!!!

Outside, Magnamon continues the assault.

Magnamon: MAGNUM KICK!!!

They land a right flying kick that's as much a stomp as a kick straight into Chimeramon's face. After that, they forego named attacks and just start throwing punches, slugging Chimeramon's face as if it were a punching bag.

From the stairway, everyone stares in confusion at Devimon's elbow for a moment, which twitches with every hit Chimeramon takes on the other side of the wall. Tailmon finally brings them to their senses.

Tailmon: We don't have much time left. The fortress is starting to fall. Armadimon: If we don't hurry, the Kaiser will get away-dagyaa! Daisuke: Right! Let's go!

With that, the team gets back on the move.

For clarity, since the fansub translated Tailmon's line as "The fortress is collapsing" so I guess this might be confusing: She means it's starting to fall in the sense that it is beginning a rapid descent. We are inside an airborne structure that no longer possesses a power source. It's about to start moving inexorably towards the ground, and we probably don't want to be inside when they meet.

In the dub:

Magnamon: MAGNA PUNCH!!! (Punch; Cut to Hallway) Davis: GUYS, WAIT!!! T.K.: (alarmed) RUN, DAVIS!!! (Kimeramon's elbow crashes through the wall) Magnamon: MAGNA KICK!!!

This sequence is apparently way too violent for the dub. They use white flashes to obscure the impacts for both Magna Punch and Magna Kick. Once he starts boxing, they keep one shot of just Magnamon throwing punches towards the camera but cut all footage of him flying around pummeling Kimeramon's face.

Gatomon: We don't have that much time! We have to ditch this place before it takes a nosedive! Armadillomon: Sure would be nice to capture the Digimon Emperor while we're here. Davis: Right! Let's go get him!

So, a few things. T.K. seems to have a psychic premonition and realize, based on nothing, that the elbow's about to come crashing through. He yells at Davis to run even though he isn't aware of anything Davis needs to run from.

Armadillomon finally comes up with the idea of taking the fight to Ken, which was already what they were trying to do in the original.

An interesting note about Magnum Punch and Kick: They're kind of the same word as Magnamon's name. This is because the a/u distinction between Magna and Magnum doesn't exist when the words are transliterated into Japanese Katakana.

マグナモン Magunamon

マグナムパンチ Magunamu Panchi

"Magnum" in Katakana is literally just "Magna" with a ム mu at the end. The word "Magnum" is already derived from the root word "Magna" but here they are basically the same. In fact, it might be more accurate to translate Magnamon as Magnumon! The Magnum attacks imply that they were going for that.

Finally, Chimeramon's had enough and gets their second wind.

Chimeramon lets out a shot of Heat Viper. Magnamon takes a glancing hit to his right shoulder and the beam continues, striking the wall right next to the opening the Kaiser is standing in.

Kaiser: Where do you think you're aiming, Chimeramon!? Chimeramon: Ahahahahahaha!

That wicked laugh returns, now unmistakably coming from Chimeramon. The Kaiser's eyes go wide. He slowly backs up as Chimeramon turns towards him, belting out that hideous cackle.

Chimeramon: AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Suddenly, Magnamon comes in from the left with another flying kick, though he doesn't call this one. A left Devimon hook counters his approach, knocking him out of the air and sending him tumbling into the abyss below.

In the dub, Kimeramon calls his shot.

Kimeramon: HEAT VIPER!!! Emperor: AUGH!!! Watch where you're aiming! Remember who your Master is, Kimeramon! Kimeramon: Ahahahahahaha! (Emperor backs away, terrified) Kimeramon: AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Magnamon: MAGNA KICK!!! (Kimeramon knocks Magnamon away)

The dub censors Kimeramon's punch two separate ways. First, the point of impact for the punch is obscured with a white flash. Then, as Magnamon's falling, Magnamon hitting the wall and bouncing off is concealed behind a discretion cut to the Emperor looking scared.

Punch, white flash, Magnamon is sent hurtling downward, cut to the Emperor, cut back to Magnamon still falling, then cut to the Emperor for real this time.

This really is the No Violence Allowed episode, apparently. They can't even show Magnamon getting bounced off a wall.

Wormmon crawls up to the Kaiser's leg, grabbing onto his leg.

Wormmon: You understand now, don't you, Ken-chan? Kaiser: Let go!

The Kaiser weakly shakes his leg to try and get Wormmon off.

Wormmon: We made a terrible mistake! Kaiser: A mistake? That's ridiculous! I don't make mistakes! Everything I do is perfect! Wormmon: This time is different, Ken-chan! Kaiser: BE QUIET!!!

This time, much more forcefully, the Kaiser kicks Wormmon up into the air and then whips him across the hall. Standing over his battered Partner and looking absolutely deranged, the Kaiser exclaims:

Kaiser: This is a game and, in the end, I'll be the one who wins it! Daisuke: Are you still saying that!?

Slowly, Wormmon opens his eyes to see that the rest of the team have arrived to confront the Kaiser.

In the dub:

Wormmon: I beg you to listen to me. He's out of control! Emperor: Get off me! You're sliming up my pants! Wormmon: Please, Master, let's leave. He'll destroy you! Emperor: But I'm his... creator! I nurtured him from the beginning with evil! These kids today have no respect! Wormmon: You're right, Master. Let's talk about it outside where it's much safer. Emperor: I'M NOT LEAVING!!!

Some more censoring here. The Kaiser whipping Wormmon and the shot of a crumpled and battered Wormmon on the ground are both cut. They replay the shot of Wormmon clinging to the Emperor's leg and talking to him after the Emperor screams, then go straight to the deranged looking Emperor shot.

Wormmon: I understand. You tried to make Kimeramon yours but I'm your true friend. Emperor: Listen, you little nightcrawler! If I had a friend, it certainly wouldn't be you! Davis: KEN!!!

We lose a lot of character details for Ken here. His admission of "I don't make mistakes; Everything I do is perfect" is a pretty telling remark that informs on a lot of his behavior in this final sub-arc. We know Ken has always been a flawless prodigy. Everything he does just comes naturally to him, and he's grown up in an environment of endless praise for his effortless accomplishments.

Ken is resistant to personal growth and change because he can't really fathom the idea that he, Ichijouji Ken, would have made an error. We saw that resistance as recently as last episode, when he had a revelation about the Digimon's true nature that he promptly pushed out-of-mind and went back to what he was doing.

Ken's environment and his natural talent have made him pigheaded and stubborn. It's just easier for him to believe everyone around him is stupid and wrong than to accept that something he thought or did was incorrect. Because, for much of his life, that has been exactly the case. So even now, faced with evidence of his error in judgment, his ego cannot accept that the Boy Genius Ichijouji Ken made a mistake.

The dub drops that in favor of generational whining about The Youths.

As a consolation, we do get a reminder of a significant emotional beat, that Ken created Chimeramon/Kimeramon specifically to replace Wormmon as his Partner Digimon. This is also an important character point.

...and lose the reminder of Ken's other significant error in judgment: He thinks the Digital World is a video game and all the Digimon are just NPCs. He's farming Digimon like Minecraft Villagers. Ken hasn't brought this up very much since the first episode, but it's pretty important for understanding his character.

Realizing the others are upon him, the Digimon Kaiser turns to face Daisuke's team.

Kaiser: The Chimeramon I created will never lose to the likes of you. Daisuke: Now isn't the time to ramble about winning or losing some game! Miyako: What does making a Digimon even mean!? You really think it's okay to do something like that!? Iori: How can you be so proud of scraping off data from other Digimon to create "your" Digimon!? It's stupid! Digimon aren't toys!

Takeru gestures to the Partner Digimon they have with them.

Takeru: Take a good look at these Digimon! They're living, breathing creatures! They're alive! They're valuable, irreplaceable partners to us! Ken: (stunned) Ah!

That cuts deep. The Kaiser gasps in shock at Takeru's words. Then Hikari steps forward.

Hikari: You're supposed to be a Chosen Child yourself, but you don't even understand that much?

She points to the battered Wormmon on the ground.

Hikari: That Digimon is your Partner, isn't he?

Wormmon slowly picks himself up off the ground.

Wormmon: Ken-chan...? Kaiser: The Digimon that suits me most... is CHIMERAMON!!!

But still, the Kaiser refuses to listen. Clinging even now to his mistakes. The Kaiser is perfect. He cannot be wrong.

In the dub:

Emperor: Well, if it isn't the DigiDestined! I see that you've finally come to your senses and are ready to surrender to me and Kimeramon. Davis: Fat chance, Ken! I think some of your hairspray must have leaked through into your brain again! Yolei: And another thing! Who said it was okay for you to go out and create a Digimon anyway!? Cody: Yeah, do you think you're Dr. Frankenstein or something!? Creating creatures just for your own cruel pleasure!? Kimeramon is not the monster, Ken; You are! (T.K. gestures at the Partner Digimon) T.K.: Look at them! Are they trying to hurt you!?

Uh, kind of, yes. Weird question for the guy who beat the shit out of Ken yesterday to ask. This isn't the angle, chief.

T.K.: They're not your toys for some kind of a sick game! They're alive! They're not just data in a computer; They're living creatures like you and I! Ken: (stunned) Huh? Kari: You're DigiDestined too, just like us. You have a responsibility to both worlds. Like Wormmon! He's your friend and not someone you should kick around. Wormmon: ...Master...? Emperor: There's only one Digimon that's suitable enough for me. AND THAT'S KIMERAMON!!!

Cody makes a pretty clever comparison to Frankenstein that falls apart under close inspection. Kimeramon very much is the greater monster. A pretty significant thing that is happening right now is that Ken has awakened a true nightmare and has revealed himself a dumb kid drunk on his own hype and grasping for a semblance of control.

It's like if Frankenstein made a Faustian pact to create his Monster, which is now a vessel of Mephistopheles.

Here, they drop the "Digimon are our valuable Partners" point which got touched on in the preceding scene between the Emperor and Wormmon. Odd choice given that it's the basis of the Kaiser/Emperor's final outburst.

Instead, they just say Digimon are friends. Wormmon is the Emperor's friend, Kari accuses. Which. Uh. No. Demonstrably, he is not. Dub Wormmon has only ever been the Emperor's personal 'monservant and whipping boy. Without that specific connection of Chosen Child and Partner Digimon, she sounds delusional. The Emperor clearly has no feelings of any sort of bond towards Wormmon and never, ever has.

In the central chamber, the fight continues.

Chimeramon uses Heat Viper to blast the remaining three walkways off of what used to be the generator, then another ship to break the column supporting it. The generator platform falls into Magnamon, erupting into flames and carrying him to the bottom of the structure where it explodes. The blast rips through the very bottom of the fortress.

This sequence passes without dialogue in the dub, as in the original.

Kaiser: This is the end for this fortress. If you want to die then keep wasting time here!

With that, he leaves Wormmon behind and runs for his life.

Daisuke: Wait, Digimon Kaiser! ICHIJOUJI KEN!!!

But the Kaiser keeps running. Wormmon weakly hops up the stairs after him. Still loyal to his Partner even now.

As another explosion rocks the stairwell, the Chosen Children have a withdrawal of their own to make.

Hawkmon: Miyako-san! We must flee as well. Miyako: Yeah, but... aren't you tired? Hawkmon: We're okay. Please let us handle this. Tailmon: Do you guys feel up to it? Patamon: Yeah! Armadimon: Dagyaa! Hikari: In that case, then please.... Group: DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

That stamina rejuvenation from the Digimental of Miracles wasn't for nothing, y'know!

In the dub:

Emperor: Don't feel too proud that you destroyed my home base because you are going down with it! (Emperor flees) Davis: Wait, Ken! We want to help you! KEN, LISTEN TO ME!!!

Do we? We haven't said anything about helping him. Where did that come from?

Hawkmon: Pardon me, but it is getting a little hot down here! Yolei: Right! But do you guys have enough energy to Digivolve? Hawkmon: Yes, now let's leave before I'm a fried chicken! Gatomon: The heat is on, guys! Ready? Patamon: Mhm! Armadillomon: Yeah! Kari: Okay, let's do it. Group: DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!!

Hawkmon delivers that "Yes" like it's the most obvious thing in the world, which I appreciate. Miyako/Yolei has not been following the plot today.

Once the team's Armored up, Digmon fires his Gold Rush at the wall.

Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!!

His drills explode on impact, but only crater the wall a bit. It's not enough to breach.

Elsewhere, Magnamon does breach the wall, smashing through to the desert outside. Chimeramon follows after him. Turning in the air, Magnamon lets off another attack.

Magnamon: PLASMA SHOT!!!

It's a set of eight homing missiles fired from the panels on his armor. They turn in the air and lock onto Chimeramon, hitting them dead center and exploding.

Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!!

This time, Digmon's drills break through the wall, opening a gap large enough for Digmon, Pegasmon, Nefertimon, and Horusmon to escape with their Partners.

Daisuke rides shotgun on the back of Pegasmon, but as they depart, he looks back at the fortress.

Daisuke: Ichijouji Ken....

In the distance, a lone Devidramon takes flight from the top of the fortress moments before it crashes into the sand.

The dub plays the insert song Run Around over this escape sequence, where the original's playing the usual Break Up. They add some lines to the escape.

Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! (Failure; Magnamon and Kimeramon break out) Magnamon: MAGNA BLAST!!! (Direct hit on Kimeramon) Digmon: GOLD RUSH!!! (This time they break through) Digmon: (escapes) Come on, everyone! Follow me! Pegasusmon: (escapes) I'll follow him! Nefertimon: (escapes) I'll follow you! Halsemon: (escapes) I'll follow you! Digmon: Now that's what I call following orders! (Davis looks back at the base) Davis: Geeze, that was a close one!

The follow-follow banter is cute. Though it bugs me that Davis's line was changed away from Ken after exclaiming "We want to help you!" a moment ago.

Magnamon's attack is called Magna Blast, but it is not a blast. It is missiles. In the original, it's Plasma Shot, which is also incorrect. It is missiles. Nobody knows what missiles are.

Following the fall of the Kaiser's fortress, the desert is silent. It lays buried in the sand.

The silence lasts about three seconds before a sharp reminder that there is a high-power deathmatch happening nearby.

Magnamon: EXTREME JIHAD!!!

Beams of light erupt forth from every metal surface on Magnamon. The light scorches Chimeramon, who roars in pain with visible smoke trails rising from their body.

But despite Magnamon's immense power, Chimeramon is still standing when the light fades. They let out a defiant, beastly roar.

Magnamon: This is bad... I don't have any power left....

Magnamon slumps in the air, struggling to even remain afloat.

In the dub, as the dust settles, Magnamon references the crashing of the Hindenberg.

Magnamon: Oh, the humanity! (Fighting resumes) Magnamon: MAGNA BLAST!!! (No effect) Magnamon: It's no use! He's too strong! I'm running out of power!

Magnamon calls Extreme Jihad as Magna Blast too. It makes a lot more sense in this context, as it is both blast and magna.

With Magnamon's batteries drained, Chimeramon easily capitalizes.

Before Magnamon knows what hit him, Chimeramon closes distance and snatches him up in their SkullGreymon hand.

Magnamon: Shit!

From the desert below, perched atop his Devidramon, the Kaiser watches with enraptured fervor.

Kaiser: Good job! Now crush him, Chimeramon! Wormmon: You can do this, Magnamon! Kaiser: What!?

Unsurprisingly, the Kaiser punishes that remark with a whiplash to the back of the head.

The dub takes its second commercial break after Kimeramon grabs Magnamon. We pick right back up where we left off on return.

Emperor: That's it! Let him have it, Kimeramon! Wormmon: You can do it, Magnamon! Emperor: SILENCE!!!

This time, the dub actually lets the Emperor whip Wormmon. Though, of course, they obscure the moment of impact with a white flash. There's still a whipcrack sound so it's unmistakable what just happened.

Wormmon quivers in place, a thin red line clearly visible along his back in closeup.

Wormmon: Ken-chan, you still don't understand, do you? The old Ken-chan wasn't like this.

With tears in his eyes, Wormmon turns around to look at Ken.

Wormmon: The Ken-chan that I first traveled the Digital World with wasn't like this! We laughed together. We cried together. Me and the ordinary, kindhearted Ken-chan!

Up above, Chimeramon squeezes Magnamon harder. He cries out in pain.

Magnamon: HUAAAAGH!!!

While, down below, Wormmon's speech continues.

Wormmon: Then, the next time we met, you told me to call you Digimon Kaiser. I couldn't do it... Because no matter how you present yourself, you're still Ken-chan. That's why, no matter how many awful things you did as the Digimon Kaiser, I always believed you'd go back to being Ken-chan one day. Believing that is how I was able to follow you!

Wormmon glows with white energy as he speaks. So there's no uncertainty, Break Up begins to play as he glows. This is the holy light of a Chosen Child. It's Ken-chan's light, long suppressed by the Digimon Kaiser.

To be real for a moment, Ken's lucky that Wormmon has the patience of a saint. Otherwise Wormmon would have Dark Evolved and bitten him in half a long time ago. But instead, Wormmon chose to cling to Ken's kindness even when Ken himself had long abandoned it.

In the dub:

Wormmon: I hope you're finally proud of yourself. You've officially become worse than the monsters you've created. (Wormmon turns around to look at Ken) Wormmon: What ever happened to that sweet kid I met a long time ago who had a dream to take over the Digital World? Okay, sure, it was a sick and twisted dream but still, we had a lot of laughs together. What happened to the boy I was proud to call Master? Of course, you make me call you that.... (Kimeramon squeezes Magnamon harder) Magnamon: Take it easy! I'm not a melon! Wormmon: You've changed, Ken. But it's not too late for you. For some reason you started capturing Digimon and you turned them into your slaves instead of into your friends! I didn't agree but I stuck by your side because I was your Digimon. And then you started being cruel to me, the one who knows the true you. The others may know and fear you as the Digimon Emperor, but never forget that I know the real you.

The real him... with the sick and twisted dream to take over the Digital World while making you call him Master? The dub completely butchers this speech. Wormmon claims that Ken was always a piece of shit, just not this bad.

"You made the captured Digimon your slaves instead of your friends!" is such a weird line.

The dub is torn between their characterization of Ken as a Saturday Morning Cartoon villain born from pure evilness to shoot moon lasers at orphanages and rob jewelry stores, and the earnest heartfelt speech that Wormmon's supposed to be delivering here. They've gone too hard on the bit and are now being forced to have a moment of serious drama between what are effectively Snively Whiplash and Muttley.

And it hits so weird.

Up above, Magnamon begins to glow with Ken's light as well.

Magnamon: Huh? Th-This is.... Wormmon: I will always believe in you, Ken-chan. In the real Ken-chan, not the Digimon Kaiser. The real Ken-chan....

Wormmon shines even brighter. Glowing with energy, he roars:

Wormmon: ...IS THE KIND KEN-CHAN!!!

Then he tackles the Kaiser in the gut, knocking him off of the Devidramon. Ken lands on his shoulder in the sands below while Wormmon makes off with his enslaved Devidramon. Together, Wormmon and Devidramon take to the air and make for Chimeramon.

In the dub:

Magnamon: Huh? What's happening? Wormmon: I'll always think of you for your kindness, Ken, no matter what happens. One day, I hope you'll realize that the real Ken isn't the Digimon Emperor but the Ken that's my friend. (Wormmon shines brighter) Wormmon: And only a real friend would do this! (Wormmon tackles Ken off of Devidramon)

That stuff about Ken having a sick and twisted dream muddies the stuff Wormmon's saying about "I know the true you" and "I'll think of you for your kindness". But I do think that, ultimately, the general idea that Wormmon once knew a very different version of Ken at least somewhat gets across.

In the air, Wormmon joins the fight.

Wormmon: RAAAAAAUGH!!!

Letting out a battle roar, Wormmon flies Devidramon straight into Chimeramon's arm. The impact causes them to lose their grip on Magnamon.

Magnamon: Wormmon, you.... Wormmon: Save Ken-chan.

With what little time he has, Wormmon says what matters most. Then Chimeramon swats Devidramon away with their Kuwagamon arm, hitting the creature so hard that they leave Wormmon behind in the air. Chimeramon follows with a SkullGreymon punch, bashing Wormmon back towards the ground.

As he plummets, Wormmon's tears fill the air and he calls out.

Wormmon: Please, Magnamon... Save Ken-chan....

Wormmon glows, sending a beam of light into Magnamon. Transferring all of Ken's light into him now.

Magnamon: Wormmon's power is flowing through me....

In the dub:

(Devidramon tackles Kimeramon's arm and frees Magnamon) Magnamon: Wormmon! What are you doing!? Wormmon: Magnamon, it's up to you now! (Kimeramon swats Devidramon and punches Wormmon) Magnamon: Wormmon! Wormmon: Please, Magnamon, save Ken for me! Here's what little energy I have left! Use it! (Wormmon sends Magnamon his light) Magnamon: Wormmon's power has re-energized me!

Solid. Neither version explicitly explains what the sudden illumination around Wormmon is about. You just kinda have to get it if you're familiar with all that Holy Light stuff from the first series.

Which, if you watched the dub version of the first series, you might not be.

Overflowing with energy, Magnamon cuts loose once more.

It goes very, very well.

Magnamon: EXTREME JIHAD!!!

This time, the blast obliterates Chimeramon. Overtaken by its power, they disintegrate into pixel dust.

Down below, the Chosen Children all cheer for Magnamon's victory.

Children: YEAH!!!

Except for Daisuke, who's already running to where his Partner will drop.

In the dub:

Magnamon: MAGNA... EXPLOSION!!! (Magnamon kills Kimeramon) DigiDestined: YEAH!!!

Extreme Jihad is now Magna Explosion despite the same attack being called Magna Blast a moment ago.

In the wake of Kimeramon's death, we see two very different reactions from the Kaiser and Daisuke.

The Kaiser drops to his knees, disbelieving what just happened and still not really reckoning with everything that's been said to him.

Kaiser: My Chimeramon... lost...?

And on the other foot, Daisuke sprints through the sands until he finds an exhausted Chibimon unconscious in the sands.

Daisuke: Are you okay!?

He turns over Chibimon, who opens his eyes and laughs weakly.

Chibimon: Eheheh...

Filled with relief, Daisuke embraces his Partner. Showering him with all the affection that Ken has for so long denied to Wormmon.

Daisuke: Chibimon!

Then Daisuke notices the other thing that came down with Chibimon after his evolution broke. Not the Digimental of Miracles, but the true form of the power Magnamon's been wielding. The power that lifted Ken's fortress and brought an end to Chimeramon.

It's something Daisuke doesn't have the experience to recognize on sight. But we, the audience, do.

It's a pink Crest half-buried in the sand. Daisuke picks it up and lets out a curious gasp.

Daisuke: Huh?

Here, on this meaningful juxtaposition between Daisuke and Ken, we finally take our commercial break.

In the dub:

Emperor: (stunned) I can't believe they defeated me. How could this happen? (Davis runs to DemiVeemon) Davis: Are you okay!? (DemiVeemon opens his eyes) DemiVeemon: Hey.... (Big hug) Davis: You were awesome! (Davis suddenly notices Crest) Davis: Wait a second. Did someone lose their keys? (Davis picks it up) Davis: Ohhh....

Davis seems to recognize the Crest when he gets a better look at it. It's not super clear whether Daisuke knows what that is. He got the recap in Wizarmon's episode so he might. But either way, Davis definitely does.

Following the commercial break, we find the Digimon Kaiser breaking down in the sands.

Ken: I... I lost.... Why!? Everything was supposed to be perfect! This... This is the worst! It's the worst Bad Ending of all!

"Bad Ending" is in English.

Ken: If this is how it has to be... Then I'll just start over! All of it! I'll reset the Digital World and-- Takeru: Reset the Digital World?

Yeah, they were all standing there watching him do this. Takeru delivers that line like he's trying to make sense of some weirdass gibberish he just heard.

Ken: Yeah, I'll... I'll just go home, erase all the data on my computer, and then start over again from the beginning. Daisuke: You... What are you talking about? Miyako: Are you serious? You think erasing some data from your computer will reset the Digital World? Takeru: That's absurd! What do you think the Digital World is!? Ken: What? Iori: This isn't some game. You can't just reset the Digital World. Ken: (shocked) What did you say!?

And there it is. The truth Ken didn't want to hear. That multiple people have tried to tell him anyways but this time he isn't in a position of power from which he can just mock them and storm off.

It's hard to get through to someone when they still have the option to just go "LOL Whatever, fight me bruh." But now that Ken feels vulnerable, he's in a position to finally hear other people talk.

In the dub:

Ken: I lost... I'm a failure... This isn't what was supposed to happen! I was flawless! My plans were supposed to work out perfectly! How'd it happen!? You must have cheated somehow! That's the only possible explanation! I only have one choice left and that's just to cheat myself! I'll start over! I'll just have to reset the Digital World! T.K.: Reset the Digital World? What are you talking about, Ken? Ken: It's simple. I'll just go home and delete all the Digital World data off my computer and create a new program. That way I can start a new Digital World that doesn't cheat! Davis: Dude, you can't be serious. Yolei: The Digital World is a completely real place, Ken. It's not just something that's programmed into your computer! T.K.: We tried to tell you that before! But you thought we were trying to play some kind of a trick on you! Ken: Huh? Cody: This isn't some kind of a video game. Ken, Digimon are real and it's about time you realized what you've been doing! Ken: What!?

This is pretty good. It hits the important points: Up to this point, Ken has been convinced he's playing a video game and now the others are confronting him with the truth.

I love that Ken accuses them of cheating because he can't handle that he lost in PVP. That's such a toxic gamer move. That line aged really well.

Looking at the other children holding their Partner Digimon, Ken remembers the revelation he ignored yesterday.

He briefly flashes back on them sitting with their Digimon at the soccer game with Daisuke, outside of the Digital World.

Ken: That time at the soccer field... Were you Digimon there? Chibimon: We're not just data on a computer. Daisuke: Digimon are alive, just like us. Ken: Digimon are... living beings? Then... everything I've done....

Ken flashes back now on the cruelty and barbarism he's inflicted over the series. Evil Rings capturing the Gazimon and Unimon of the first episode. Whipping Elecmon. Forcing Gizamon to construct his Dark Tower in the frozen north and whipping them when they falter.

Returning from the flashback, Ken holds his head in his hands, suffering a complete meltdown.

Ken: Then I... what... What have I done!? Takeru: The Digital World isn't a dream or a fantasy world. Hikari: It's a separate reality that's just as real as ours.

At long last, he finally understands.

In the dub, Ken talks over the flashbacks.

Kari: You've been hurting innocent creatures, Ken! (Flashback to soccer game) Ken (V.O.): You Digimon were all at the soccer game in the real world. I remember now. (End Flashback) Ken: You are real. Not just computer data. I can't believe that I never figured that out! DemiVeemon: You know, for an evil genius, you really are a slow learner, Ken. Davis: And you've constantly been abusing Digimon ever since you claimed to be the Digimon Emperor! Ken: I had no idea. What have I done!? (Flashback to Ken's crimes) Ken (V.O.): I thought my Dark Rings were a stroke of genius. I never realized I was causing pain! I made them work for me tirelessly without ever giving them a break and I was cruel to them beyond imagination! (End flashback) Ken: NYAAAGH I'M A MONSTER!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT I'VE DONE!!! T.K.: It's hard to argue with you there, Ken. You've done some pretty horrible stuff. Kari: The important thing is you've realized what you've done and it's not too late to make a fresh start.

In the original, Ken brings up his laundry list of offenses of his own volition. Once he understands the truth about Digimon, he's forced to reflect on how he's treated them.

In the dub, Davis brings it up to rub Ken's nose in what a dick he's been.

By contrast, Kari in the dub suddenly brings up atonement and redemption while Ken's still in the middle of his meltdown. She's over this scene and just wants to skip ahead to the part where Ken joins the team.

Suddenly, Ken lets out an anguished scream.

Screaming at the top of his lungs, he pulls off his gloves and throws them on the ground. Then he unclasps his cloak and drops it into the sand, followed by ripping the visor off his head and tossing it. Each article he drops disintegrates into pixels once it's off of him.

Ken gets up, screaming and wandering until he collapses into the sand once more. Finally, the Digimon Kaiser jumpsuit itself pixelates disintegrates off of him. The Digimon Kaiser is no more.

In the dub, Ken kicks off his screaming with a line.

Ken: WHAT HAVE I DOOOOOONE!?!?

Also, the dub has Ken more crying than screaming. He's ugly crying, bawling out his regret at the top of his lungs, where original Ken is just screaming raw emotion. Which, after that "boys shouldn't cry" stuff from the first series dub, is refreshing to see.

While Ken's busy deleting his profile, the team turns their attention to someone else.

Hikari: Wormmon....

Hikari's voice grabs Ken's attention. He looks up from the ground.

Ken: ...Wormmon...?

After taking that hit from Chimeramon, Wormmon isn't in good shape. He's on his side in the sand and he isn't moving. The Chosen Children gather around him, with Hikari and Tailmon checking on him.

Tailmon: He's still breathing.

Weakly, Wormmon opens his eyes and addresses Ken.

Wormmon: You've gone back to the original Ken-chan.... Ken: Original? Wormmon: That suits you better. Daisuke: The original Ken?

Even here, at the end of his rope, Wormmon is thinking only of Ken. He made the difference and achieved what he wanted most.

In the dub:

Kari: (gasp) Wormmon! Ken: Wormmon? (Everyone gathers around Wormmon) Gatomon: He's still breathing. (Ken gets up and approaches) Wormmon: You returned to your old self. I knew you could do it, Ken. Ken: I'm sorry. It's too late for me. Wormmon: It's never too late to be sorry. Davis: Wormmon's absolutely right, Ken!

Again, the original is talking about Ken being restored to the boy he was before all this Digimon Kaiser stuff. Daisuke's confused by what Wormmon says because none of them have ever known a Ken who wasn't the Digimon Kaiser.

This Ken, the version of himself he's reclaimed, is someone only known to Wormmon. And also to Ryo Akiyama from the Wonderswan tie-in video games.

Dub Wormmon brings that up too, but then they switch topics so they can also use this space to talk about atonement.

Suddenly, at the mention of the old Ken, the Crest in Daisuke's hand glows pink.

The Crest levitates into the air and flies over to Ken, hovering in front of him. Daisuke briefly flashes back on the pink symbol that appeared on the artifact before it became the Digimental of Miracles.

Daisuke: In the generator room, I heard a voice coming from that Crest. It said it wanted to be returned to its true owner. Ken: Its true owner...?

Ken holds out his hands and the Crest settles into them. That pink symbol from the generator artifact is clearly visible on it.

Wormmon: That's Ken-chan's... (pained) Crest of Kindness.... Ken: This is my Crest of Kindness? Tailmon: Kindness will release a golden radiance. This must be what Wizarmon was talking about. Wormmon: Because... Ken-chan is full of kindness....

I love the symbolism in this. Ken's Crest of Kindness, the symbol of his greatest virtue as a Chosen Child, was the power source for his fortress. Not even understanding what it was, the Digimon Kaiser kept his very own Crest locked away in chains like the Digimon he enslaved.

In the first series, a key point was that the Chosen Children themselves must grow and evolve with their Digimon. By locking away and enslaving his Crest, the Kaiser stifled his own ability to change and grow. He suppressed his own evolution with the Dark Digivice, just as he suppressed everyone else's.

In a way, Ichijouji Ken was himself a slave to the Digimon Kaiser.

In the dub:

T.K.: Where'd you get that thing, Davis? Davis: I found it in the sand. Why? T.K.: I'm not sure, but it looks like one of the Crests we used to have in the old days. (Flashback to the artifact) Kari: You're right, T.K. And it has the Crest of Kindness on it! (End flashback) Ken: But why is it coming to me? (The Crest settles into Ken's hands) Wormmon: Because it belongs to you, Ken.... (pained) ...it's the Crest of Kindness.... Ken: There must be some mistake. I've been anything but kind. Gatomon: That's what Wizardmon meant when he told us that kindness will release the golden radiance! Ken must be the key to unlocking the power! Wormmon: I told you that, deep inside, you were kind....

I love T.K. chiming in to go "Holy shit, is that a Crest?" Good use of the veterans' history.

But then Kari somehow specifically recognizes the Crest of Kindness despite this being a brand new Crest never mentioned before. Um.

It's funny because it's consistent with the first series where the dub kids would just go "Oh that's the Crest of Courage" without anyone ever telling them that. They're all just... exceptionally fluent in virtue cryptography.

To my surprise, Gatomon brings up Wizardmon. For once, they don't snip out the reference to the previous episodes.

"Ken must be the key to unlocking the power" is a bit of an awkward line, though. She says that in the present tense as if there is something we must do with Ken and his Crest now. But the prophecy is already fulfilled. Kindness already released the golden radiance. It's done now.

They might have been hedging their bets in case the Digimental of Miracles sticks around. Like, could you imagine if Daisuke and V-mon had a special super-powered evolution they could pull out in dire circumstances, but only with assistance from Ken and Wormmon? That'd be pretty cool.

Pretty sure nothing like that is coming down the pipe, though.

Walking to Wormmon, Ken drops to his knees and pulls the long-suffering Digimon into his arms.

Ken: Wormmon... were you always this light...? Wormmon: ...Goodbye... Ken...-chan....

With those final words, Wormmon closes his eyes and disintegrates into pixel dust. Ken stares at the empty space where his Partner used to be.

Ken: ...Wormmon...? Takeru: He's dead. Ken: ...dead...?

Suddenly, a memory strikes at Ken's mind. In a white void, the image of Wormmon falling away from him transforms into the screech of tires on the road, the heavy sound of an impact, and a boy falling to the ground.

Ken: He's dead!?

In his memory, a much younger Ichijouji Ken stands over the body of an older boy laid out in the road. The only sound is an ambulance's sirens as it approaches in the distance.

Young Ken: Osamu-chan? Osamu-chan! OSAMU-CHAAAAAAN!!!

Ken's screams ring out as the ambulance takes Ichijouji Osamu away. We already know his fate. Until this point, Ken has been presented as the only child of the Ichijouji family.

As the flashback ends, Ken weeps into the sand.

Ken: It wasn't supposed to be like this! I didn't come here just to relive that feeling all over again!

Honestly, this revelation makes what Ken's putting his parents through that much harsher. Knowing that they've already suffered one tragedy like this....

In the dub:

Ken: Wormmon... I'm sorry... Don't go. You're my best friend! Wormmon: You're my best friend too. Goodbye, Ken. (Wormmon dies) Ken: Wormmon, no! T.K.: He's gone, Ken. Ken: He can't be! (Mind's eye Wormmon turns into Osamu) Ken: Not again.... (Flashback) Ken (V.O.): Wormmon's gone. Just like my brother. I was helpless to save him and now I can't save Wormmon either! (End Flashback) Ken: Why do I keep losing people!? I came to the Digital World to get away from all those feelings but I just can't escape!

The dub isn't willing to use the word "dead" of course, but they pull no punches with this nonetheless. Wormmon's death happens onscreen and uncensored, and the characters are pretty explicit about the fact that he's dead.

They don't even have anyone chime in to ruin the moment with "But Digimon don't die for realsies so it's fine actually" like they started doing in the first series. Both Wormmon's death and the comparison to Ken's dead brother are presented raw, visceral, and uncut.

As the team silently watches Ken cry, no one really sure what to say, Daisuke suddenly remembers something.

Daisuke flashes back on the interview Ken's parents were giving right before he left. The one playing in the living room when he and Jun were arguing about the camping trip.

Daisuke: You should go home.

At the sound of Daisuke's voice, Ken slowly stands up. He's unsteady on his feet, but he rises nonetheless. The rest of the team watch him uncertainly.

Daisuke: There are worried people waiting for you!

Ken says nothing more. He just stumbles away through the desert, wandering vaguely in the direction of his destroyed fortress. Daisuke calls after him once more.

Daisuke: GO HOME!!!

But still no answer comes. The team can only watch him recede into the distance.

The animation on their faces here does a fantastic job of really conveying the complicated emotions happening. Like. We came here to kick the shit out of this guy, and instead we just watched one of the worst moments of his life unfold while he both trauma-dumped and underwent shocking revelations.

A lot happened just now and I don't think anyone here knows what to do with it. Are we still enemies? We're certainly not friends. Do we sympathize? Do we care?

What are we supposed to feel about Ichijouji Ken right now? There can be no clear answer while the wounds are so fresh.

In the dub, Ken's father in the flashback speaks.

Father: Ken, we miss you.

As usual for the dub, this is a revisionary flashback. He did not say that in the scene Davis is remembering.

Davis: There's still people who love you. (Ken stands up) Ken: I gotta go. Davis: Don't walk away from your problems! Let us help you, Ken! (Ken keeps walking) Davis: YOU'RE DIGI-DESTINED!!! JOIN US!!! Cody: I wonder where he's going? I hope he'll be okay.

The dub takes its third commercial break here.

Again, the dub is in a hurry to speedrun Ken's arc here. They've had the kids reaching out with an olive branch to Ken since the episode began. Here, Davis tries to skip over all the complex feelings and jump straight to team recruitment.

Cody even gets an extra line to express concern for Ken's wellbeing. They give it to him because he's on the far right of the group, so the slow tracking shot of the team leaves him offscreen for long enough to say it. But that's gonna be really funny in a couple episodes when Iori quite reasonably hates Ken's fucking guts.

I'm not even sure what Davis is trying to recruit Ken for. As of this moment, mission is accomplished. We have no greater objective beyond making Ken eat shit, and we've done that. We're done here, right? Don't look at the episode count.

Anyway, that was a hell of a thing. Time for some tension relief.

Jun: YOOHOO!!! YAMATO-KUUUUUUN!!!

I have no idea where Jun slept last night but, at long last, she's made it to Yamanakako. The boys are visibly thrilled to see her, yeah. That's definitely a reaction of pleasant surprise.

Yamato: Ugh... She actually followed me all the way here? Jun: That was so mean! You left me behind, Yamato-kun! Yamato: Ah, uh, that was... How do I put it...? Jun: Eh? Where are Daisuke and the others? Taichi: FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK

He doesn't say the words but you can see it on his face.

Yamato: Hey, Taichi! Where are Daisuke and the others at? Taichi: D-D-Daisuke and the others...? Uh... Koushiro! Where are Daisuke and the others? Koushiro: Eh!? Uhhhhhhh... I'll... I'll go look for them!

Koushiro flees this conversation straight into the woods. He was never seen again. Jun watches him go with a curious expression.

Jun: ...hrm?

I swear, the mood whiplash from Wormmon's death to Jun shenanigans is fucking intense.

The dub at least has the commercial break to chill the transition. This was a pretty good place for it, giving some time to wind out from that intense drama before Jun suddenly happens all over the screen.

Jun: Hey Matt! I made it! Matt: Nrrrg! Oh no, she followed us! She's like a boomerang that keeps coming back! Jun: It's funny but when you drove off with your tires screeching, you didn't realize you left me standing there. Matt: My bad! Sorry about that. I must have forgot. Jun: Oh. Where are Davis and the others? Matt: Uh, I think Tai knows. Hey, Tai, do you know where the others went? Tai: Let me think about that for a sec. Uh... Izzy, weren't you the last one to see them? Izzy: Daugh! Uhhhh Uh Uhh... Of course! Uh, I'll go find them right now! (Izzy runs off) Jun: ...hrm?

Original Jun recognizes that Yamato left her behind on purpose and berates him for it. Dub Jun somehow interprets it as an accident and I love that extra layer of self-delusion. 10/10 Expert Stalking.

As a kid, I used to ship Jun with Matt. I don't anymore because... yeesh. But back then I was young, didn't really understand how creepy this is, and just wanted Jun to be happy.

I have serious questions for the Motomiya parents over what the fuck their kids are learning about romance.

Taking his laptop with him, Koushiro makes off into the woods. Once he's far enough away, he stops running so he can think.

Koushiro: Oh, what do we do now!?

Suddenly, Koushiro hears a beep on his laptop. He looks at the screen just in time to see the Digital Gate appear.

Koushiro: Ah! The Gate is open!

That is all the forewarning he gets before reality explodes from his computer and dumps a pile of bodies on his face.

Back at the campsite, Jun sits with Taichi and Yamato. She's eating what looks to my American ass like mashed potatoes and gravy but I'm pretty sure it's actually supposed to be a flan.

Jun: Weren't you all together? Taichi: Oh, uh, y-yeah, we are....

Yamato turns around and points at the woods.

Yamato: Uh, they're probably just playing in the woods over there.

Taichi turns and points too.

Taichi: Yep yep! Right over there....

At that moment, Koushiro emerges from the woods where they're pointing with all of the junior team kids in tow.

Taichi: (surprised) Oh, l-look! Yamato: (bewildered) Like I said? Daisuke: What on earth are you doing here, Onee-chan!? Jun: HIIIIII!!!

Taichi and Yamato breathe a mutual sigh of relief at one hell of a bullet dodged against all odds. One final gift from the Digimental of Miracles?

In the dub:

Izzy: Oh boy. What am I supposed to do!? (Beep beep) Izzy: The Digi-Port is opening! (Dogpile on Izzy; Cut to campsite) Jun: Did you guys hear that noise? Tai: It could be a wild animal. (Matt turns and points) Matt: Yeah, the woods are a dangerous place. You'd better leave quick! (Tai turns and points) Tai: I'll tell Davis you stopped... by...? (Davis and the others emerge) Tai & Matt: ...huh...? Tai: Ehehe.... Matt: (bewildered) There they are? Davis: Hey, Jun, who invited you to come out here!? Jun: Matt did!

Again, they ramp up Jun's self-delusion with that final line. XD

They take out the gag where Taichi and Yamato are accidentally correct when lying that Daisuke and the others are in those woods over there. With the new dialogue, there's no clear reason why they both turn around and point at the forest behind them.

From here, we cut straight to loading up the van.

Jun: WAIT FOR MEEEEEE!!!

Jun runs screaming towards Hiroaki's van, which is already loaded down with children. Somehow, Hiroaki has absolutely no questions about the fact that, three days into this trip, his camping crew suddenly tripled in size while his back was turned. Does he know? Did they actually tell him the full details of the plan?

The junior team is visibly exhausted from their all-nighter. Takeru, Iori, and Miyako are resting in the back, and Takeru and Miyako are both clearly napping. Hikari's in the center row and looks tired as well.

Presumably, the passenger seat up front is for Yamato, which leaves Taichi, Daisuke, and Koushiro having to squeeze in with only two seats available between them.

Jun runs up to find Daisuke waiting by the open side door, presumably to stake out a seat next to Hikari. Taichi, Yamato, and Koushiro are busy loading up the trunk.

Jun: What's going on here!? I just got here and you're already going home!? Daisuke: Yeah, because we're all tired. You showed up uninvited, so quit whining about it.

With that, Daisuke steps into the van, drops into one of the middle row seats, and lets out a big yawn.

Daisuke: Agh, I'm so sleepy.... Jun: (whining) THAT'S NOT FAAAAAAIR!!!

Sorry, Jun, but Daisuke's right. You did show up uninvited on the third day of the camping trip.

A note on the translation for Jun's うそ Uso exclamation. The word literally means "A lie"; Jun is exclaiming not that Daisuke is lying but that she wants him to be.

But in practice, it's basically just a hollow exclamation of her dissatisfaction at the situation. Something that doesn't really mean what it means. She's upset by the outcome and needs something to yell to vent that feeling inside of her. Americans use baseless accusations of unfairness for the same purpose.

In the dub:

Jun: HEY GUYS!!! WAIT FOR ME!!! (Cut to the van being packed) Tai: Eugh, that was a close one. (Jun comes up to Davis on the side) Jun: Hey, would it be okay to get a ride home with you guys? I don't wanna take the bus all by myself. Davis: No way! Not in a million years! Take the bus! It's not my fault you came all the way out here! Jun: It's not fair!

The dub also went for the baseless accusation of unfairness, so we see eye to eye on that.

Davis's rejection comes off a bit harsher here. In the original, she's asking them to stay and camp longer since she doesn't want to go home right after getting here. In the dub... Davis fully intends to leave his sister stranded in the woods. Harsh.

But not super harsh; Both Davis and Jun clearly assert that there is a robust public transportation system available to her, so it's not like he's telling her to walk or hitchhike. And, in fact, Jun taking the bus is where the scene is going with this.

I suddenly find myself wondering how old Jun is supposed to be. She's Daisuke's older sister, but I'm not clear on how much older. I feel like that's important for really contextualizing Davis telling her to take herself home on the bus alone.

In any case, Hiroaki picks up on a problem I noted earlier.

Hiroaki: Oh, but we have a problem. Not everyone's going to fit. Jun: Huh? Didn't you guys say there was another car?

As a matter of fact, they did. Back when Yamato ditched Jun the first time, they explained Daisuke and the others' absence by saying Hiroaki's coworker brought them to the campsite in another car.

Yamato: Oh, uhh, yeah! But they went home yesterday! Hiroaki: Yamato, you'll take the bus home. Yamato: Ehh!? Are you serious!?

Hiroaki passes Yamato a 10,000 yen bill through the window. Approximately $100 in American money.

Hiroaki: Here, take it.

With Yamato out, Koushiro takes the remaining seat in the middle row while Taichi hops in up front.

Taichi: (teasing) Sucks to be you, Yamato! Koushiro: (teasing) Be careful out there! Yamato: W-Wait, hang on....

With friends like these....

Before Yamato can protest further, Jun cheerfully closes the van door, leaving him stranded outside the van with her.

Jun: Then I'll go home with Yamato-kun! Yamato: HRUAAAAAAAAGH!!!

All pretense gone, Yamato's eyes bulge from his head and he screams at the top of his lungs. But there's no saving him now. He's doomed. Jun links arms with Yamato and bids farewell to the van occupants.

Jun: I'll take good care of Yamato-kun.

Now that that's settled, Hiroaki starts driving.

Yamato: YOU HAVE TO LET ME IN TOO!!! Jun: Bye-bye!

But no dice. The van vanishes into the distance, leaving Yamato alone with his karmic retribution.

Jun: Ehehe! Yamato: I can't believe this....

Funny as it is, stranding Yamato with his stalker like this might seem really unfair. However, it does make a certain sense as a narrative punishment.

Yamato could have and should have told Jun, in no uncertain terms, that she is not invited. He should have made a clear and unambiguous rejection of her advances. Instead, he took the easy route. He led Jun on by pretending to have a present for her and then dumped her on the curb and bailed.

Jun already underwent a karmic punishment of her own for her delusional pursuit of Yamato. That was the detour with Mary and Kenny that wasted all the time she could have spent with Yamato at the campsite. Now the shoe's on the other foot and she is, in turn, serving as Yamato's karmic punishment for his earlier cowardice.

If Jun hadn't butted in on the camping trip or if Yamato just told her, "You're not invited and I don't want you here. Go away," then neither of them would have to go through these twin ordeals.

In the dub:

Hiroaki: Come on, kids. That's not nice. Someone take the bus with Jun. Jun: That's very nice of you, sir, and I already have the perfect volunteer in mind. Matt: And the absolute perfect volunteer is T.K.! Hiroaki: Matt, you take the bus home with Jun. Matt: Huh!? I'm broke! (Hiroaki gives Matt a 10,000 yen bill) Hiroaki: There's more than enough here. Tai: (teasing) Have fun, you two! Izzy: (teasing) Have her home before curfew! Matt: I-I'll trade for your seat?

In the animation here, Yamato is holding the bill and reaches out into the van. The dub cleverly presents this like he's offering the bill to someone as a bribe.

(Jun shuts the door) Jun: Ahaha! Don't be silly; You'll sit with me. Matt: AHHHHHHH!!!! (Jun links arms with Matt) Jun: Come on, hunk! We'd better go catch the bus. It's a long ride! Matt: Please! T.K.! You can have my college money! (Van drives away) Jun: Buh-bye! Matt: AHHHHHHH!!! Kari: Seeya in four hours! Hahaha! Jun: Hehehehehe.... Matt: Oh, I give up....

In the original, Hiroaki only tells Yamato to take the bus because the van's full up. I'd assume he's more comfortable trusting his son to make the trip than he is with dumping one of these other children that he's responsible for in the middle of the woods.

When Jun suddenly closes the door and Yamato has his eye-popping reaction, it's in response to both him and Jun suddenly realizing what else taking the bus means for him. There's an escalation to this gag. Yamato protests having to take the bus because that sucks, then is suddenly reminded that Jun will be there too, and then shrieks and starts protesting more frantically.

In the dub, Hiroaki sends Matt to escort Jun home on purpose. Which does parse and still makes sense that he'd entrust it to his son over someone else's kid that he's responsible for. However, it does mean that when Matt suddenly eye-pops and shrieks at the sight of Jun, it feels more random because it doesn't have that one-two punch to delineate.

On the drive home, the radio reports on recent events.

Radio: And now, onto the news. Boy genius Ichijouji Ken who went missing in May was located only moments ago. Having been missing for three months, details are scarce as to why he suddenly turned up in his own home. Taichi: For now, it seems the Digital World's crisis is finally over. Koushiro: Yeah, that's true. They really pulled it off.

We're having this conversation right next to Hiroaki so I guess he does know about the plan? Huh.

Also, police investigation into Ken's family would absolutely be starting immediately. Ken miraculously showing up at home, no worse for wear? Yeah, there would be suspicions that the Ichijouji family made up the whole "kidnapping" thing for publicity.

I remember an incident years back when a family lost their child in a hot air balloon that took off. It was all over the news cycles until it turned out their kid was safe and sound in the attic and they had made the whole thing all up. Right now, that is what people would be thinking the Ichijoujis did.

Taichi and Koushiro look back at the junior kids, all asleep in the car.

Narrator: Just like that, the conflict with the Digimon Kaiser was over. The new Chosen Children's first mission was complete. However....

Cut to the Ichijouji residence, where Ken's mom is crying in the living room in the arms of her husband.

Mother: Thank goodness... He's....

In his room, we find Ken asleep in his bed. Sleeping off the emotionally intense day he's just had.

Narrator: ...Ichijouji Ken still had work to do.

First mission may be complete, but we aren't finished yet.

In the dub:

Radio: And in local news, the missing boy genius Ken Ichijouji mysteriously returned home after being missing for the last several months. Events surrounding his puzzling disappearance and sudden reappearance are still unclear, but his family is thankful to have him home and safe. Good day! Tai: Well, looks like the Digital World will be a safer place from now on without Ken running the show. Izzy: Yeah, that sure must have been some battle these guys fought. (They look back at the junior team) Izzy: I think we older kids can take a lot of pride when we call these beginners the new DigiDestined. Tai: You're right, Izzy. The torch has been passed and they didn't get burned once. (Cut to Ken's mom crying at home) Mother: My little boy is back! (Cut to Ken sleeping in his room) Mother (V.O.): First, we lost his brother. Then we lost Ken! I'm just so glad he's back home! Narrator: How will Ken use the Crest of Kindness? Find out on the next episode of Digimon: Digital Monsters!

I think that's correct. The next episode should be a major character-focus episode for Ken, and I'm pretty sure the Crest of Kindness is going to be involved somehow.

Assessment: Hoo boy, what an emotional ride that was. Here we are, at the end of the Digimon Kaiser arc. The Kaiser has finally been vanquished in an epic and thrillingly cathartic def-- No, wait, he broke down emotionally and it was really awkward. Because he is a misbehaving child and not an epic villain of ultimate darkness.

I do have to say one thing. I noted earlier that the dub went too hard on the Saturday Morning villain thing, but the original kinda did too. Ken's revelation that Digimon are living creatures like people falls a little flat when earlier episodes characterized him as a judgmental misanthrope who despises and denigrates everyone in the human world and literally kicked a puppy at one point.

There are other extenuating circumstances in Ken's wickedness, mind. Next episode is going to be very complicated.

But if "OH MY GOD, Digimon are PEOPLE!?" was the direction you wanted to go with this character's Face-Turn, you probably shouldn't have written him as a vicious little shit with as little regard for people as he has for Digimon. That scene shouldn't be the first time Ken's behavior is ever shown to distinguish between people and Digimon.

It would also make Wormmon's faith in Ken ring truer if we were ever shown a side of him that wasn't this before. After twenty episodes with the guy, Ken having some redeemable qualities to him shouldn't feel like a plot twist.

So they both went too hard on making him a vicious monster who lives and breathes only cruelty. It's just that the one did it dramatically and the other did it comedically.

He's not completely one-dimensional, I should note; We've seen from earlier episodes that Ken is lonely and miserable, and he honestly seemed to enjoy his rivalry with Daisuke in the soccer episode. But we haven't really seen any evidence that he sees some sort of distinction between Digimon (who he can mistreat because they're game NPCs) and people/animals (who he respects and values the sanctity of their existence). If anything, we've seen evidence to the contrary.

So overall I like this twist. I do think this was the right direction to go in with Ken. I just think it should have been better set up.

That said, I do like how well this episode portrays the way a sense of power and domination impedes personal growth and progress. No matter how many people try to talk to Ken, nothing actually gets through as long as he can go "Blah blah blah, sic 'em, Chimeramon!"

It is so, so hard for diplomacy to prevail against someone who believes he has power over you. Ken doesn't listen until he has no other choice but to listen. Because as long as he's still in the seat of power, he doesn't have to listen. His status and authority insulates him from having to care about what other people think. It's only when he's pulled down from his throne that his sense of empathy reasserts itself, and he no longer has the luxury of ignoring their words.

[erior]

Ah, got it, memory was hazy on how clear its level in 02 was handled, thanks! In any case, it is one of those species which tends to be punching a bit above its weight class; when a Perfect as it is most of the time, it is one of the stronger ones (althought nowhere near the strongest Perfect, which won't be a thing until Frontier). Adventure Millenniummon was canonically born out of a Mugendramon and a Chimeramon the Chosen Children defeated, so, Dark Master Mugendramon and the Kaiser's Chimeramon. He is also responsible for giving Apocalymon a pathway to the Digital World, and for turning Ken into the Kaiser. Literally caused his own existence, but that's par the course for an abomination that is unbound by space and time and who gets even stronger if killed.

Digimon Adventure 02x19 - The Composite Beast, Chimeramon / An Old Enemy Returns

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Koushiro and Iori found the Digimon Kaiser's base, but it got up and ran away when they weren't looking. Miyako shouted "AHA" and ran facefirst into the brick wall of her own enthusiasm. However, on the other side of that brick wall was the base so it was a net victory all the same.

What sort of unimaginable horror has the Digimon Kaiser been working on all this time? Find out... right now if you read the title card. Though he did basically spell it out last episode.

The Narrator opens this episode by assuring us that the boys did make it back last night. Which is good 'cause it was kinda late when Miyako and Hikari spotted the base and there was no sign of them.

Narrator: After the Kaiser's fortress left, Daisuke's group linked back up with Hikari's group. Then, the following morning....

Miyako, Hikari, and Daisuke sleep in, with an implied division between the boys' and girls' sleeping bags; Miyako and Hikari's bags are put together while Daisuke's is separated from Hikari's by a few feet.

Hawkmon, Tailmon, and V-mon are all wide awake. They watch as Takeru and Pegasmon disappear into the sky, accompanied by Tentomon. The boys fly out along a river, joined by Iori and Submarimon down below.

Submarimon: Daisuke won't be happy about this-dagyaa. Iori: Probably not. Tentomon: Why didn't we ask Daisuke-han to come with us? Takeru: We couldn't just leave Hikari and the others by themselves, could we?

I mean. You didn't have a problem with it last episode. Weird thing to suddenly get sexist about. What happened last night? Did you have too much Daisuke exposure for one trip? Didn't realize what you were signing up for with this mission?

There is actually a valid reason for leaving Daisuke behind and it's that he'd be dead weight. Raidramon can't actually fly; Only run fast and leap far. It hasn't been an issue before, but Daisuke does not have an effective mode of transportation for combing the ocean.

But Takeru doesn't say that, so I don't know what's up here. They also don't discuss why Hikari and Miyako are being left behind again at all. Those two stayed behind for a reason earlier and they already took care of that.

Whatever the case, Takeru and Iori keep going, following a straight line of Dark Towers leading out into the ocean.

For the dub, the role of the narrator today is filled by the sound of Davis snoring.

Gatomon: Does Davis always snore like that? Veemon: Every night. Gatomon: How do you sleep!? Veemon: I don't.... (T.K. flies away on Pegasusmon) Veemon: Where are those guys going? (Down below, Submarimon and Cody joins them) Submarimon: I still think we should have told the others before we left. Tentomon: It may be none of my beeswax but why didn't you ask Davis to come with us? T.K.: I didn't want to leave Kari and Yolei alone anymore. Don't worry, he'll understand. Tentomon: I'm just glad I'm not going to be the one to tell him.

Dry as the narrator's exposition usually is, it bridges the gap between the end of the last scene and the beginning of this one and sets the stage for where we are now. As with some of the changes last episode, losing it makes this one feel more isolated.

But it's not much of a loss; The boys already made plans to come back after sunset if they didn't find the base. So if you're paying that much attention to the continuity between episodes, you can easily assume they did just that.

The only thing they have to replace it with, however, is yet more dunking on Davis. This opening is going to dunk on Daisuke though so unlike last episode, it's well-timed.

Meanwhile, they also tweak T.K.'s line to add the word "anymore". That way, he at least acknowledges that this decision contradicts him making that very choice and being fine with it yesterday.

Back at camp, the girls wake up. While Hawkmon munches on a rice ball, Hikari reads off an email Iori left them on her D-Terminal.

Hikari: They know where the Kaiser's fortress is headed. Miyako: (intrigued) Ooh, where!?

You might notice a terminology shift here. Last episode, we were calling it the Kaiser's 基地 kichi, which means a base. It can be a military base or an expedition base or what have you; All we know about it is that it is the base of operations for the Digimon Kaiser.

Now the girls have spotted the full base and not just what was sticking out of the ground earlier. Thus, the terminology has been updated to the Kaiser's 要塞 yosai, which means his stronghold or fortress.

We cut to the row of Dark Towers leading out to sea as if to answer Miyako's question, and then back to Daisuke whining to himself. Next to him, V-mon munches on a chicken drumstick.

Daisuke: (dismal) They really left me behind.... V-mon: (concerned) Don't let it get to you, Daisuke.

Meanwhile, inside his command center, the Kaiser inspects his new creation - though we can't see the screen very well so it's not easy to make out.

Wormmon: What about the final piece? Kaiser: Huhuhuhu... Relax. We'll have it soon enough.

With a smug grin, he takes a drink from a steaming cup of tea. We can't see if he's holding a saucer but I imagine he is for the added pretentiousness.

In the dub:

Kari: The email says they've figured out which way the Digimon Emperor is heading. Yolei: Let's see. (Shot of Control Spires going into ocean) Davis: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THEY LEFT WITHOUT ME!?!? (Cut to Davis pouting) Davis: How come nobody wants to go anywhere with me? Veemon: Well, Davis, it could be your snoring. (Cut to Wormmon and Emperor) Wormmon: Is it finished yet, Master? Emperor: Not quite. I still have a few minor details. Should he have four arms or six? Decisions, decisions....

He then loudly slurps his tea like an absolute monster.

The Kaiser has a clear plan in place for his creation. We don't know all the details, but he said last episode that he's found the Dark Whirlpool and this episode Wormmon asks about the final piece. It has been conveyed that there is one last piece remaining and the Kaiser intends to retrieve it from this Dark Whirlpool place.

As with Kabuterimon last episode, the Kaiser needs to directly encounter a particular kind of Digimon so that his Digivice can record its data and he can use it for his creation. That's why the fortress is taking him out to sea.

The dub cut the mention of the Dark Whirlpool and now depicts the Emperor still making basic outline choices. No idea why we're going to the ocean, then.

Camping with Hiroaki, Taichi and Yamato gather around Koushiro's laptop to read Iori's email too. It's addressed to "Everyone" and reads simply, "We're pursuing the Kaiser's fortress."

"Everyone" is not a valid email address so that's probably an email group. Which probably means that Sora, Jou, and Mimi just got this email with zero context. Popping open their D-Terminals like, "Oh. Huh. Okay, good for them."

But while the boys are playing on the laptop, Hiroaki cleans the cookpot by himself.

Hiroaki: Oh, why me...?

He is not having a good time on this trip. Brought these boys all the way out here to play on the computer. There were computers back home! He knows! They just made him buy one!

Speaking of people who aren't having a good time, Jun's back in the city and has continued with her stalking mission.

Jun: If I knew yesterday they were going to Yamanakako, I could have followed them right then and there!

山中湖 Yamanakako is one of the Five Fuji Lakes. As the name implies, they're a set of lakes around the base of Mt. Fuji. They're popular outdoor destinations for hiking, camping, fishing, etc. due to the gorgeous view of the mountain they provide.

Yamanakako or, literally, "The Mountain Lake" has the distinction being both the largest of the five lakes and the highest in elevation. It's about 1-2 hours drive west-southwest of Tokyo.

Unfortunately for Jun, she cannot drive nor does she have a convenient adult in her life to whom she can explain her Very Good Reasons for going to Yamanakako. And the bus just left the station. Jun breaks into a sprint after it, shouting:

Jun: HEY, DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT ME!!!

That's okay, Jun. Your brother isn't any better off. Back in the Digital World, Hikari and Miyako follow the trail of Dark Towers out to sea on the backs of Nefertimon and Horusmon.

Daisuke, left behind for a second time, comes running to the water's edge on Raidramon's back much too late.

Daisuke: No way! Hikari-chan and the others too!?

Raidramon can't fly, so Daisuke's screwed. This is a bad time to be a Motomiya. Daisuke and Jun are both 2 for 2 on being left behind now.

As usual, the dub rewrites the email to be in English. In the process deleting the To: and From: and Subject: lines and then not bothering to replace them.

They also changed the sender. The message reads, "We know where the Digimon Emperor is headed. -Kari." So apparently the first email only went to the girls, and then Kari took a moment to pass it on to Tai and the others before leaving. This is equally plausible.

Izzy: I'm getting an update from Kari. Hiroaki: Do any of you know how to catch a fish? ...I wish I had a TV dinner. (Cut to Jun in Tokyo) Jun: Alright, all I have to do is take the bus to the campsite and Matt-- (Bus loudly honks and takes off) Jun: WAIT, DON'T GO, I WANT TO GET ON!!! (Cut to Hikari and Yolei following the Control Spire trail) Yolei: Should we tell Davis we're leaving? Kari: (apathetic) Nah. He'll understand. (Davis trails behind) Davis: Why's everyone leaving!? Is it my snoring!?

XD Okay the repeat of "Davis will understand" in a flat and uncaring monotone got me.

The dub continues the trend from the first anime of removing references to specific Japanese locations. Yamanakako is now simply "the campsite".

As an aside, if you're wondering why there's a trail of Dark Towers/Control Spires leading to the Kaiser/Emperor's base, remember that those things are just conduits for the Dark Digivice's power. The Dark Digivice is a single point of failure for his entire network.

Those Towers/Spires are probably functioning as power lines to keep his entire empire supplied with dark energy while he goes out on this jaunt. If he broke contact, he'd lose his whole empire in an afternoon. You'd be able to hear Evil Rings snapping off 'round the globe.

...you know, we should probably knock some down while we're here.

Up ahead, Takeru and Pegasmon fly with Tentomon over the ocean, but all they see is open water and some of those classic "Single Palm Tree" deserted islands.

Pegasmon: I can't see shadow nor shape of it. Takeru: Do you think Iori-kun found anything?

影も形も Kage mo katachi mo, literally "shadow or shape", is a Japanese idiom that means the same as our English "hide nor hair".

Down in the ocean, Iori and Submarimon search. Iori has his D-Terminal popped upon and resting against a raised bit of Submarimon's dashboard.

Submarimon: What is it-dagyaa? Iori: They say they can't see anything from up there.

No more luck down here; All that's in front of them is a huge stone wall.

Submarimon: Same here-dagyaa. Iori: Yeah, I'll let them know.

As they're talking, they notice a huge metal dome jutting out of the stone wall up ahead.

Iori: (gasp)

Submarimon does a quick 180 and backs off to get a better look at the structure. Sure enough, that "stone wall" actually was a massive structure all along. And one they've seen before.

Submarimon: It's the Kaiser's base-dagyaa! Iori: I must inform Takeru-san-- Huh?

At that moment, Iori spots a passageway leading into the structure near the bottom that doesn't have a big metal dome over it.

In the dub:

Pegasusmon: We've been flying for hours and haven't seen a thing. T.K.: I'll check with Cody and see if he's seen anything. (Down below) Submarimon: What did T.K. say? Cody: They haven't spotted anything from up above. Submarimon: Well, we haven't seen much of anything either except seaweed. Maybe we should turn back. (Dome comes into view) Cody: Huh? What... is that thing!? Submarimon: Let's dig a little further. (They back off to get a better look) Submarimon: This thing is enormous! It makes Texas look like Rhode Island! It has to be the Digimon Emperor's base! Cody: I'll let T.K. know that we found it--Huh?

Cody's "What... is that thing!?" bugs me a little bit because they specifically came down here to find a that-thing-shaped object. Iori and Submarimon were momentarily caught off-guard because they were too close and underestimated its size. They also expected it'd be moving in the distance, and instead it's just sitting here. Waiting for something.

Cody and Submarimon are reacting like they've never seen the base before at all.

Up above, Takeru receives Iori's message on his D-Terminal. We get to see that message too, but also he reads it word for word.

Takeru: It says "We found the base! We're going to sneak in through a cave." Tentomon: Are they going to be okay? Takeru: I'll tell them not to push themselves too hard.

While Takeru's typing, the water below begins to swirl.

Pegasmon: Takeru, look! Takeru: Huh?

Watching from their vantage above, the boys see a huge chunk of the ocean fall away into a massive whirlpool.

Takeru: A whirlpool?

Down in the Kaiser's control room, a swirl icon appears on a white grid on his screen.

Kaiser: Hmph. Seems like it's finally shown itself. Wormmon: (frightened) What is that, Ken-chan? Kaiser: You could call this the entrance to a source for the power of Darkness. There should be data on Darkness-type Digimon in there. Once I have that, my Original Digimon will be complete. Wormmon: ...

Wormmon, for the moment, is silent while the words of the Kaiser sink in.

We haven't really seen much in the way of Dark Digimon thus far. We've seen plenty of Viruses under the Kaiser's control, to be sure. We also have seen a Devidramon and we've seen some Bakemon, so they haven't been completely unrepresented.

But truly malevolent creatures like Devimon or Vamdemon have been absent from the Kaiser's collection of controlled Digimon. Darkness, the kind of Darkness that once sought to control the Digital World through Apocalymon's reality distortions, hasn't really collided with the Kaiser yet.

Note that when the Kaiser calls this place the 原 minamoto, the source... that's an ambiguous statement. He could mean it in the sense that this is the source, the origin point for all Dark Power, or that it's simply a source, a resource he can harvest for Dark Power.

A lot about the Dark Whirlpool is open to interpretation.

In the dub, Cody's email is rewritten to read, "Found base. Will sneak in through underwater cave. ~Cody." Basically the same but with shittier grammar, which mildly bugs me because I feel like Cody would type full sentences.

T.K.: It's from Cody. They found the base and are going to try and sneak in through an underwater cave. Tentomon: That sounds kind of dangerous! Maybe they should wait! (Whirlpool begins to swirl) Pegasusmon: T.K., look! T.K.: Huh? (Whirlpool appears) T.K.: A whirlpool...? Tentomon: Oh no! They'll get sucked right into it!

To give Tentomon space to deliver that line and make a cliffhanger out of this, the dub splices in a clearer shot of Takeru and Tentomon flying over the fully developed Dark Whirlpool from later in the episode. Then they take their first commercial break.

On return, we join the Emperor in his control room.

Emperor: Hmm, looks like it's finally here. Wormmon: What is that, Master? A new way to hypnotize your slaves? Emperor: No, you fool. You might call it a gateway to the source of the powers of Darkness. But for simplicity's sake, let's just call it the Dark Pool. I think it's caused by an evil Digimon, and if I can tap into its power then I'll have everything I need to complete my very own Digimon!

Ahh, the evil counterpart of Deadpool. I gotcha.

I don't know why they cut the "Whirl" out of it.

The Kaiser also adds the detail that an evil Digimon is creating "the source of the powers of Darkness". Which... may or may not be true. Again, heavily open to interpretation.

After hearing the Kaiser's plans, Wormmon hesitates for about three seconds. But then he can't bring himself to be silent anymore.

Wormmon: You have to stop, Ken-chan! Kaiser: What did you just say to me? Wormmon: I can feel it... I can't really put words to it very well. There's something terrifying inside that whirlpool. I'm scared!

As usual, the Kaiser doesn't give a shit about what Wormmon thinks. He gets up and walks away, dismissively uttering:

Kaiser: What a coward....

Wormmon desperately scurries after the Kaiser, screeching:

Wormmon: NO!!! YOU CAN'T GO, KEN-CHAN-- Kaiser: I DON'T TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU!!!

Ken turns and aggressively kicks Wormmon across the room. Wormmon bounces once on his head, then hits the ground on his belly and slides to a stop.

In the dub, the Emperor's dialogue is longer so Wormmon doesn't have any time to hesitate before responding.

Wormmon: Please, Master, don't do it. Emperor: What are you talking about? Of course I'll do it. Wormmon: But it feels like evil itself is coming from that Dark Pool. You can't feel it because you're not a Digimon. Emperor: Don't be ridiculous. I'm not going to stop my master plan because of a silly feeling of yours! Wormmon: But on an evil scale of 1 to 10, that Dark Pool is really evil. Emperor: Ehe! Fine. Then you stay away from it. In the meantime, I've got things to do. (Emperor gets up and walks away) Wormmon: Please don't ignore me. Emperor: Oh, I'm sorry. HOW'S THIS!?!?

We don't see the Kaiser's foot make contact; We just see him twist his body, hear the impact, and see Wormmon sent flying. So the dub doesn't have to censor it for the Emperor, though they do use a comical bonk sound to try and lighten it.

The Kaiser is, as usual, above the opinions of his Partner while the Emperor actually bothers to stop and argue.

The original does not specify that only Digimon can feel what's in there, and both versions will in fact contradict that later. Though it does strongly suggest that Digimon are more sensitive to it, so they're half-right here.

The dub is, again, really hyping up what's down there. "Evil itself" is waiting for us. An evil Digimon creating the source of all Dark Power, who is "really evil on a scale of 1 to 10". Again, in the original, all that's been said is that it's the source of Dark Power, it is fucking scary, and the Kaiser hopes to harvest some Dark Digimon data from it.

Up topside, we catch up with Hikari and Miyako.

Nefertimon: A giant whirlpool!? If that's the case, we need to tell Armadimon and Iori since they're infiltrating the base! Hikari: That's right!

I agree too. I also think it's weird that Takeru thought the girls needed to know and not Iori. We don't see the message Hikari sends back, but it was clearly "WTF Takeru".

Takeru: I know that, but I lost contact with them a while ago. Tentomon: In any case, we need to do something fast! Pegasmon: Yeah. This is going to get ugly. Takeru: Yeah... On that note, what has you guys spooked all of a sudden? Tentomon: Of course we're freaking out! Just look at that whirlpool.... Pegasmon: Takeru, can you not feel that?

Takeru stares down into the whirlpool for a moment. Deep down in its depths, he can sense a dark, unearthly high-pitched wailing as the water melds into a grotesque, eldritch gray backdrop.

Takeru: I-I feel it! What is that!?

Darkness, Takeru. That's Darkness, is what that is.

In the dub:

Nefertimon: A huge whirlpool? And Cody and Submarimon are inside the base? We've got to warn them. Kari: Try to contact them with the D-3. (Cut to T.K.) T.K.: Don't you think I've tried that already!? Something seems to be blocking the transmission.... Tentomon: We can't just hover here! We've got to do something! Pegasusmon: Tentomon's right! We're running out of time! T.K.: Yeah... Are you guys feeling okay? Tentomon: Well, I think I might be getting a bug but other than that, I'm fine! Pegasusmon: I am feeling a little strange. How about you, T.K.? T.K.: I'm not really sure.... (T.K. senses something deep below) T.K.: I... I feel... kinda weird....

The D-3 cannot be used to contact people. Only to track the signal from their own D-3 or Digivice. The D-Terminal is what is used to contact people.

A moment ago, the dub established independent of the original script that only Digimon can sense what's in the Whirlpool. Now, one scene later, T.K. is the one who senses it while Tentomon has no idea what he's talking about.

Down in the base, Iori and Armadimon climb a very long flight of metal stairs. They come to a window looking into a pinkish reddish chamber.

Inside the chamber is a massive reactor looking like something out of Star Wars with four walkways leading to it from each direction.

Iori: This might be the power room. Armadimon: Let's smash it-dagyaa! Iori: Hang on, we should look around more first. Armadimon: Understood-dagyaa. By the way, Iori, aren't you cold-dagyaa? Iori: No? Armadimon: That's weird. I've been getting chills for a while now....

Putting Wormmon, Tentomon, Pegasmon, and Armadimon's reactions together, we can see that the Digimon are all very sensitive to the power in the Dark Whirlpool. The humans aren't, but they can feel it if they make the effort like Takeru did.

Cut to the front of the fortress. A panel lowers, revealing an observation deck embedded in the stone exterior. Inside, Wormmon is still pleading with the Kaiser to turn back.

Wormmon: I'm begging you to stop! Just this once! Or else we won't be able to turn back! KEN-CHAN!!! Kaiser: ... Wormmon: ... Kaiser: Take us in.

At the Kaiser's command, the fortress begins moving once more. It forges ahead through the water towards the Dark Whirlpool.

Watching from above, Takeru's group can see the massive structure beneath the waves.

Tentomon: Ack! It's started moving! Pegasmon: And it's heading for the whirlpool! Takeru: ...Iori....

The Kaiser is marching straight into harm's way and unknowingly taking Iori with him.

In the dub, Armadillomon gets an extra line to complain while they're climbing the stairs.

Armadillomon: I'm tired. Don't they have an escalator in this place?

Valid complaint. This staircase was clearly built for an athlete.

(Cody finds the power room) Cody: Whoa! Armadillomon: My thoughts exactly. Cody: This has to be the engine room. Armadillomon: I say we destroy this place once and for all. Cody: We will, but let's take a look around first. Armadillomon: Alright, if you say so. Hey, you think it's kinda cold in here? Cody: Not especially. Armadillomon: That's weird. 'Cause I just can't seem to warm myself up. The chill of evil's in the air.... Cody: Don't be so dramatic.

I love that "chill of evil" line. 10/10, understood the assignment.

They also give the Emperor an early quip just before the panel opens.

Emperor: You know what this place needs? More window space. (Panel opens) Emperor: There! Wormmon: Master, I know you hardly ever listen to me. Okay, you never listen to me. But please, just this once, do what I ask. Don't do it. Emperor: Hmm... I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. Did you say something? (Fortress begins moving forward) Tentomon: Look! It's on the move! Pegasusmon: And heading for the whirlpool! T.K.: Cody!

Wormmon's last desperate plea for reason falling on deaf ears is played as a laugh line.

Back inside the base, Iori and Armadimon have found their way into a dungeon lined with barred cells.

Armadimon: We've started moving! Iori: This place....

Iori's more interested in the cells than the motion. Lot of familiar faces behind those bars. One cell has an Elecmon and a Delumon in it. The next contains a Floramon and a Mushmon. All Child Digimon except for the Perfect Delumon.

Iori: These are all Digimon that the Kaiser's captured. Armadimon: What should we do-dagyaa? Iori: This has to come before the power room. Armor Evolve and break them out of these cells. Armadimon: Makes sense to me-dagyaa. Iori: Alright. DIGIMENTAL--huh?

Suddenly, Iori notices a... screen in the ceiling of a cell showing an aerial view of the Dark Whirlpool. I have no idea what that is or why it would be there.

Iori: What... is that...?

Armadimon doesn't have an answer, but he continues rubbing his arms from the eerie chills he's getting.

Back on the observation deck, the Kaiser watches as the Dark Whirlpool draws nearer.

Kaiser: Now... Enter the Whirlpool.

The base keeps on going, getting closer and closer to the worst mistake of the Kaiser's life.

In the dub:

Armadillomon: Hey, we're moving.... Cody: Armadillomon, look! This place is like a prison. It must be where the Digimon Emperor keeps all of his captured slaves. I guess you guys didn't have a very good lawyer! Armadillomon: So what are we gonna do about it? Cody: This is more important than the engine room. You'd better Armor Digivolve and break the bars open. Armadillomon: Now that's a good idea. Cody: DIGI-ARMOR--Huh? (Dark Whirlpool screen on the ceiling for some reason) Cody: What is that thing!? Armadillomon: ... (silently rubs arms from chills) Cody: My thoughts precisely. (Cut to observation deck) Emperor: Huhuhuhu... Now, enter the Dark Whirlpool! Huhuhuhu AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, it's not that funny.

Cody fucking makes a flippant joke to the faces of imprisoned slaves. Thanks, I hate it.

What I do like is the way Armadillomon getting chills serves, in and of itself, as the answer to Cody's question. Harkening back to that "chill of evil in the air" moment.

The dub suddenly starts referring to it as Dark Whirlpool here despite renaming it Dark Pool previously.

Cut to Jun standing in the middle of a busy street. She demonstrates her own particular hitchhiking style by being a public menace recklessly endangering herself.

Jun: WHY WON'T YOU STOP!?!?

I need to gush about what a beautiful segue this is. The Kaiser gives the command to enter the Whirlpool, then a shot of Wormmon's silent but concerned face, and then the fortress moves forward while Jun screams "WHY WON'T YOU STOP!?!?" as if speaking directly from Wormmon's anguished heart.

While, in her context, a blue car whips past uncaring of her hitchhiking only to get stopped by traffic a short ways ahead. An ugly metaphor for what's about to come for the Kaiser? Perhaps.

A red sports car pulls up shortly after, honking for Jun to get in.

Jun: Hooray!

Jun hops in the backseat and lets an elderly couple, Mary and Kenny, take her away. Yes, those are their names in the Japanese version.

Mary: She's going camping, Kenny! Oh, it must be nice to be young. Kenny: Mary, you and I were young too once.

They are not, however, young anymore. They're passed on the highway by several cars whipping by much faster than them and one moped. Jun lets out a sigh, resting her head on her hand and settling in for a long drive.

The dub ruins the meaningful juxtaposition of "WHY WON'T YOU STOP". In addition to tying the preceding bit up with the Emperor being goofy instead of silent drama, they cut the opening to this scene to avoid showing Jun hitchhiking. We go straight to her in the back of Mary and Kenny's car.

They also rearrange the shots to have the cars and moped passing the sports car first, then the interior shot of the vehicle.

Jun: Thanks for the lift, Grandpa. I can't believe they left without taking me. Grandma: So, you're going camping? That's nice. We used to do lots of camping, didn't we, dear? Grandpa: Yeah. Until that time I used poison ivy instead of toilet paper! Jun: Huh? (sigh)

Also to avoid letting the characters hitchhike, Mary and Kenny have been rewritten to be Jun's grandparents who she called for a ride.

As Jun settles in for a long car ride, we transition over to Daisuke centered in the same spot and pose as her. This episode's really playing up the parallel between the Motomiya siblings.

Daisuke's at the edge of the landmass, contemplating a palm tree.

V-mon: What are you thinking, Daisuke? Daisuke: What if we knock down this tree and carve it into a dugout? V-mon: Aha! That's a great idea! Daisuke: As long as we're on the same page!

A dugout is a type of canoe made from hollowing out the trunk of a single tree.

Since V-mon agrees, Daisuke moves forward with his plan. He steps forward and presses on the tree trunk, trying to shove it over by brute strength alone. Shockingly, it works. The trunk shifts forward with no effort at all, like a lever being thrown. Daisuke stumbles back in shock.

Daisuke: DAH!!!

Steered by the palm tree, the patch of land they're standing on drives forth out onto the water, departing from the greater continent.

V-mon: What's going on here? Daisuke: What the heck...?

The boys take a moment to adjust to the realization that all these single-palm-tree deserted islands are, in fact, boats. But they are. So that means....

Daisuke: Oh well! We can catch up to the others now. V-mon: YAHOO!!!

A startling discovery but not an unwelcome one. Sometimes, in a dire situation, the fucking weirdness of the Digital World delivers!

The dub maintains the mirror shots of Jun and Davis through the transition.

Davis: Hmm.... Veemon: Davis, what are you doing? Davis: I'm thinking about how we can make a canoe out of this tree. Veemon: Great! How are we gonna do it? Davis: First, we push this tree down! (Davis pushes the tree and it moves like a lever) Davis: AGH!!! (Island starts moving) Veemon: A little too hard. Davis: Beats a canoe! Ahh... Smell that salt air! Veemon: Hey, Davis? How come we're on land and I'm getting seasick?

Valid question and an actually good place for a laugh line.

Back at the Dark Whirlpool, the Kaiser's fortress breaches through the side of the whirlpool and enters its eye. From above, Takeru's team lays eyes on it for the first time.

Tentomon: WHOA, THAT THING'S HUGE!!! Takeru: There should be a cave somewhere on it that Iori-kun went in through. We'll infiltrate from there as well. Pegasmon: Understood.

Together, the three of them descend towards the structure. As they enter the whirlpool, ghastly spirits swirl in the waters behind them.

Takeru: What are these? Ghosts? They're giving me chills.... Pegasmon: What's giving me chills is that pitch-black space in the open maw down below.

Takeru turns his attention to the darkness at the bottom of the whirlpool. His eyes are drawn down the darkening waters to the place unseeable at the very--

Pegasmon: Don't look at it! Takeru: Ah!

Takeru suddenly blinks, like he's snapping out of a daze.

Tentomon: You have to be careful or it will devour you.

Finding the cave, the boys head inside the Kaiser's fortress and away from... whatever that is down below.

In the dub:

Tentomon: That's the biggest mobile home I've ever seen! It must be impossible to find parking. T.K.: Come on, guys! We gotta find the cave that Cody and Armadillomon used to get inside! Hurry up, they might be in trouble! (The boys descend into the whirlpool and pass the ghosts) T.K.: This place feels... evil. What are those things!? Pegasusmon: Don't pay any attention to them. They're just trying to scare you. They live in the Dark Whirlpool and feed off fear. (T.K. looks down at the bottom) Pegasusmon: Don't look at it! T.K.: Ah! Tentomon: (freaked out) Ooogh, can I sit up here with you guys? Pegasusmon: Look! T.K.: This has to be the cave!

The dub explains the ghosts as lifeforms that dwell inside the Dark Whirlpool and feed on fear. Harmless Monsters Inc. critters trying to give T.K. a good spook. It does not address the bottom of the whirlpool except to say "Don't look at it".

This sudden context jump makes it a bit confusing as to what T.K. isn't supposed to look at. Is it the spookers? Was he looking at the spookers?

Inside the observation deck, guess which dipshit is staring straight down into the black maw.

Kaiser: ... Wormmon: Ken-chan? Kaiser: Ah!

Like Takeru, the Kaiser seems to suddenly snap out of some sort of daze.

Wormmon: Are you okay? Kaiser: (rattled) It's nothing. (commanding) COMMENCE THE COLLECTION!!!

Beneath the observation deck, a hangar opens. Three Mekanorimon descend into the whirlpool. As they descend, the ghastly spirits leave the waters, drifting through the air now around them.

Suddenly, something seizes the lowest Mekanorimon. The Digimon lets out a scream as it's suddenly wrenched around in the air, and then pulled down below.

Kaiser: What happened!?

He doesn't get an answer, as the other two Mekanorimon follow soon after. They plunge screaming into the swirling abyss, dragged down by an unseen force.

Kaiser: ANSWER ME!!! WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?

Still no answer. They're gone.

Kaiser: (disturbed) What the hell is happening...? Wormmon: I knew this wouldn't be possible to collect. Let's stop here, Ken-chan.

Brushing Wormmon off, the Kaiser turns and walks away from the glass.

Wormmon: Where are you going? Kaiser: If that's how it's going to be, then I'll go collect it myself.

On that ominous very good idea note, the original takes its commercial break here.

In the dub:

Emperor: Hmm.... Wormmon: Master? Emperor: Hm? Wormmon: Are you alright? Emperor: Never been better! INITIATE THE ATTACK!!! (Mekanorimon descend; First Mekanorimon plunges screaming into abyss) Emperor: What's going on!? (Second and third follow) Emperor: (furious) They're gone! HOW'D THAT HAPPEN!?!? (No answer) Emperor: Sector A, report! Sector B, come in! Sector C! Where is everybody!? Wormmon: They were never very good at spelling. Emperor: RRGH!!! (Emperor storms off) Wormmon: Where are you going? Emperor: If you want something done right, do it yourself!

The dub foregoes commercial here. The original's about a minute and a half early on their commercial, so kicking it out a ways makes sense.

The Kaiser shows a couple chinks in his armor here. Like Takeru, he briefly gets mesmerized by the thing at the bottom. And a couple times in this scene, he honestly seems scared. Brief moments where his arrogance cracks and, just for a second, a voice of reason in the back of his head starts asking if this is really a good idea.

In addition to Wormmon who has bluntly been asking that question since they got here.

The Emperor just loses his temper. No inkling of caution or reason from him.

Also, I don't know why the Mekanorimon are named Sector A, B, and C. That's a weird terminology choice. Those are names for areas, not units.

Returning from commercial, we find Digmon hard at work meticulously drilling off the bars from each cell.

As the latest set of bars falls, the Floramon and Mushmon inside the cell happily emerge into freedom.

Takeru, Patamon, and Tentomon approach from behind.

Takeru: Iori-kun! Iori: Ah, Takeru-san! We're releasing all the captured Digimon. Tentomon: Gotcha! I'll lend a hand. PETIT THUNDER!!!

While Digmon drills, Tentomon zaps the spot he's drilling with electricity. How exactly this helps is unclear. Iori supervises them, but Takeru notices the inexplicable screen in the ceiling of a cell showing an exterior shot of the Dark Whirlpool.

Takeru: (contemplative) That Kaiser... What is he up to?

I don't know what information he thinks he's going to glean from this feed.

A note about the animation: When Digmon drills the bars, there's a delay between when Digmon stops drilling and when they actually fall off. The dub riffs on that.

Digmon: This one's stuck! (Bars fall off) Digmon: Whoops. T.K.: Cody! Cody: Hi, guys! I'm glad you're here. We were just setting these captive Digimon free. Tentomon: Oh, why didn't you say so? That's my specialty! SUPER SHOCKER!!! (Everyone works on the bars while T.K. notices the screen) T.K.: I can just tell... There's something out there....

At this point, everyone knows there's something out there, T.K. Except Cody. We still have not informed Cody.

Takeru ponders what the Kaiser is planning and as he does, we cut to the Kaiser to see his bad idea to fruition.

Piloting a Mekanorimon himself, the Kaiser descends into the whirlpool's depths.

Wormmon: (radio) Ken-chan, you don't have to do this. Kaiser: Quiet!

Suddenly, he spots something! The upper body of a half-finished Devimon. This is what he was looking for.

The inexplicable jail cell screen now displays the feed from the Kaiser's descent as well.

Takeru: Devimon!?

The Kaiser extends some kind of suction device which begins siphoning away Devimon's data. The half-finished Dark Digimon begins to disintegrate into pixels, sucked into the device.

Kaiser: With this, my Original Digimon will be complete! Voice: (skeptical) Are you truly so capable of mastering the power of Darkness? Kaiser: (startled) W-Who's there!? Voice: (amused) You underestimate the power of Darkness. Huhuhuhu.... Kaiser: ...am I just hearing things?

The Kaiser tries to reassert his confidence. But it's clear that he's scared. He's sweating pretty hard for someone who's allegedly in control of the situation.

Kaiser: Hmph! Either way, it's speaking nonsense. As the king of the Digital World, is there anything I can't do? Huhuhu... HAHAHAHA!!!

This is where the whirlpool being open to interpretation really comes into focus. What is this? What is happening here? Is that the Devimon? The one from File Island? Is Devimon the thing at the bottom of the Whirlpool, or is this half-complete Digimon just a manifestation of the Darkness's power?

In the dub:

Wormmon: (radio) Master, please come back. You don't know what's out there. Emperor: Quiet! (Emperor finds Devimon) T.K.: Devimon!? Devimon: Huhuhuhuhu....

Here, the dub takes its second commercial break. Upon return, they replay T.K. watching Devimon be discovered but this time Devimon doesn't laugh.

T.K.: Impossible.... (Emperor extracts Devimon data) Emperor: I'll take what I need from this Digimon, then my Digimon will be completed! Voice: Are you sure? Emperor: Huh? Voice: Do you really believe you can control the powers of Darkness? Emperor: Alright, who are you!? Voice: I am here to warn you. Beware the Darkness! Huhuhuhu.... Emperor: Beware the Darkness? ...ha! I'm the Digimon Emperor. I rule this world and some voice comes out of nowhere and tells me to beware the Darkness!? Who does he think he's kidding!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

The dub stakes its position pretty unambiguously. This is the Devimon from File Island, and the Dark Whirlpool is the manifestation of his power.

Episode title "An Old Enemy Returns"

"An evil Digimon at the bottom of the whirlpool is responsible for creating the Source of Dark Power."

Devimon laughs going into the commercial break, indicating that this is a conscious and living Digimon and not just an assembly of data.

The source of the Dark Whirlpool is our old nemesis Devimon, and he's the one directly talking to and mocking the Emperor. Which... may or may not also be what's happening in the original.

...it's super odd that the voice says "I'm here to warn you to beware the Darkness". No, it's not. It's here to ridicule him. Why would Devimon himself be warning him away from Devimon?

In any case, Ken included, the new generation haven't had to deal with the kind of traumatic shit that the veterans went through. They get to experience a Digital World created by the veterans' triumph over things like Devimon. Ken's been playing on Easy Mode, doesn't realize it, and is about to unleash a true nightmare.

However, there is one person who does recognize the mistake that the Kaiser is mistaking. In the dungeon, Takeru watches the Kaiser collect Devimon's data through the screen.

Narrator: Takeru still remembered that moment. Three years ago, Angemon gave his own life to seal away Devimon's dark power.

Flashback to Angemon's sacrifice on that day. A young Takeru watches helplessly while his Partner pulls the Holy Light of all seven Digivices into himself, overloading himself to channel the power he needs to strike Devimon down.

Takeru (V.O.): Back then, I desperately wished that I could turn back time. But time only flows one way. Even when we don't want to, we have to face our reality. Drowning in endless despair, I cursed my fate.

The truth of the Dark Whirlpool's power has triggered something in Takeru.

An interesting translation note here is that the Narrator describes Devimon's dark power as 封じた fuujita, which means "sealed away" or "blocked off". This is news to me; I was of the understanding that Angemon had just killed him.

Like I said, this is all wildly subject to interpretation. But my best understanding is that the Devimon inside the Dark Whirlpool is the sealed away power that Angemon carved away from Devimon. He killed Devimon but all that Darkness had to go somewhere and so it was sank into the bottom of the ocean.

All those Black Gears that Devimon took inside himself to become insanely super ultra powerful, all that Dark Power he absorbed to ascend to his kaiju form, is the roiling mass of Darkness now at the bottom of the Dark Whirlpool.

That's the source that the Kaiser is harvesting now, imprinted with Devimon's image and persona which is what was then taunting the Kaiser. Ken is ignorantly taking all that Darkness for himself, assured that he can control it, it's fine.

That is what I think is happening here. But it's equally plausible that the half-finished Devimon is merely a small sample of the greater Dark power at the bottom of the Whirlpool, and something else is speaking to him.

In any case, we return from Takeru's PTSD flashback on a hardened pair of eyes quivering with moisture. He pulls the hat from the top of his head.

Takeru: He doesn't know anything. He doesn't understand anything. He's OUT OF HIS GODDAMN MIND!!!

Takeru crushes his hat and furiously throws it to the ground.

Iori: Ah? Takeru-san?

Takeru drops his backpack too.

Takeru: No more. I'm not doing this with him anymore. I'M SETTLING THIS!!!

Takeru storms away to go kick the shit out of the Digimon Kaiser.

Iori: Ah! Where are you going!? Patamon: Takeru, wait!

Patamon flies after Takeru, but doesn't stop him. Iori remains with Digmon and Tentomon.

Digmon: What was that about-dagyaa?

Iori takes a step to follow after Takeru, but stops when he hears Tentomon calling after him.

Tentomon: Let Patamon look after Takeru while we work on freeing the prisoners. Iori: Oh... Yeah.

Honestly, Iori can probably go after Takeru. It's fine. He's not really contributing anything to the bar-cutting.

In the dub:

T.K.: Of all the Digimon that are out there, why did it have to be Devimon!? (Flashback) T.K. (V.O.): I'll never forget our battle four years ago. Angemon faced Devimon one-on-one! It was our last chance to defeat Devimon once and for all! T.K.: Angemon! Angemon: I'll get him. T.K. (V.O.): Angemon knew what he had to do. T.K.: Be careful! Devimon: COME HERE, PRETTY BOY!!! T.K. (V.O.) The only way to completely destroy Devimon's evil powers was for Angemon to sacrifice himself. I begged him not to do it but we both knew there was no choice. I always felt that it was my fault. That maybe I could have done something! But it was too late.

The dub describes Angemon's sacrifice as "completely destroying" Devimon's powers, which was what seemed to have happened before. But. Uh. If that's the case then what the hell is happening here?

Is this just an unrelated half-Devimon in a non-specific pit of evil? That is also possible.

T.K.: I was too young back then to know how to handle it. Too young to understand. Well, that was then. (T.K. throws hat) T.K.: AND THIS IS NOW!!! Cody: Huh? You okay, T.K.? T.K.: Cody, I've got some unfinished business to take care of. Time to get to work. (T.K. storms off) Cody: T.K., wait a minute! Patamon: T.K.!!! (Patamon flies after him) Digmon: Where's he off to? Maybe we should follow him. (Cody goes to follow) Cody: Mmm.... Tentomon: Don't worry! Patamon will take care of T.K. We need to keep working to free these Digimon. Cody: You're right.

Takeru is completely and utterly melting down. He's erupting with rage and it's all gunning straight for the Kaiser. This is personal now. The Kaiser (probably) just reawakened the thing that traumatized him so badly before.

Now Takeru, demonstrating what he learned from Taichi, wants to punch his trauma away. He wants to hit the Kaiser until it doesn't hurt anymore.

The Kaiser has no idea what he's awakened in Devimon. But he also has no idea what he's awakened in Takeru.

T.K. also gets mad and storms off, but he's more focused and heroic about it. He wants to prove to himself that he's become strong enough to prevent another tragedy like what befell Angemon from ever occurring again.

The Kaiser returns triumphant to his fortress. Entering his control room, he notices an alarm going off and a red dot blinking on a map of the base.

Kaiser: They're invading the base? Right under my nose? ...whatever, I don't have time for that right now.

Sitting down at the controls, the Kaiser raises his fortress from the Dark Whirlpool and departs. Then he turns his attention to his design. A pair of Devimon arms appear on the creature's shoulders.

Kaiser: A perfect fit! My Original Digimon is finally complete!

But while the Kaiser's celebrating, we cut briefly to Wormmon with trembling, frightened eyes. This is going to get bad.

In the dub, the Emperor's still fuming over that encounter.

Emperor: How could he not know who I am? I've told everybody.

In the original, we don't hear the alarm beeping until the Kaiser approaches his console but it's just beeping in sequence. The implication is that it's been beeping for a while now, but he hasn't been up here to notice. The dub has the effect of a screen suddenly turning on, indicating that the alarm is only now starting to go off.

Emperor: Huh? Well, what do you know. I have visitors and it's those kids. I don't have time to deal with those annoying brats right now! Wormmon: You sure have changed, Master. You used to love trying to destroy the DigiDestined. It was your favorite thing to do, next to putting coal in children's Christmas stockings. Emperor: Bah! Humbug! (Emperor adds the Devimon arms to his creation) Emperor: Now for the final touch. There! My masterpiece is finally completed! Nothing can stop me now!

Weird Christmas aside there. The dub came out in mid-November so it was sort of "Christmas lasts for fucking ever" Christmassy but wasn't really "Now is the time for airing Christmas specials" Christmassy.

A brief cut to Jun shows her asleep in the car, slowly making its way along the highway. A wider shot of the car on the highway shows Mt. Fuji in the background, so they're getting there.

Daisuke and V-mon are still making their way out to sea by palm tree island boat.

V-mon: Looks like they went really far. Daisuke: Yeah, and we need to hurry up and get there too. But we're... GODDAMMIT!!!

They are at the mercy of a vehicle with only one speed.

And so, a world apart, the Motomiyas ever so slowly trudge onward to rejoin parties that left them behind.

The dub adds Jun loudly snoring and her grandparents commenting on it, similar to Davis's snoring from the start of the episode.

Grandma: She sure can snore! Grandpa: No louder than you.... (Meanwhile in the Digital World) Veemon: Gee, Davis, the rest of the guys must be way ahead of us. Davis: Yeah! We're just gonna have to go faster! Agh, I still can't believe Kari did this to me!

Loud snoring is apparently a Motomiya family trait.

Hikari and Miyako are still in flight to the Dark Whirlpool.

Hikari: Hey, do you think Daisuke-kun is mad at us? Miyako: There was nothing we could do. Huh!? Look!

Miyako turns to answer Hikari's question, but when she looks ahead again, she spots the Kaiser's fortress coming the opposite direction.

Horusmon: It's coming right for us! Nefertimon: Careful, everyone!

Too late for caution. In his control room, the Kaiser's already spotted the girls and has them up on his screen.

Kaiser: What a perfect opportunity to test out my Original Digimon. GO... Chimeramon!

A hatch opens in the roof of the base. A lift raises Chimeramon up into the fresh air. Silently, they take flight and set out on their mission.

Somehow, the Kaiser has completely forgotten about the fact that there is an active insurgency taking place inside his lair.

In the dub:

Kari: Yolei, do you think Davis is really mad at us? Yolei: Nah, he's a pretty good sport. HEY!!! LOOK AT THAT!!! (Emperor's base coming back their way) Halsemon: It's headed right for us! Nefertimon: Alright, everyone, get ready. (Control room) Emperor: If I had known I was having visiting guests, I would have catered. Ooh! I can still give them a party favor. Go get 'em. (Fortress releases Chimeramon)

The Emperor has completely forgotten too but also he isn't salivating over the chance to use the Digimon he put all this work into the way the Kaiser is. He talks like this is any old deployment of an enslaved Digimon to fight.

Miyako: Something's coming this way.

Miyako adjusts her glasses to see better. We finally get a good look at the Kaiser's creation. And so does she.

Miyako: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?!?

Chimeramon is a Perfect-stage Data-attribute Composite Digimon. They originally debuted in the Wonderswan V-Pet before going on to feature kind of prominently in the Tamers video games released during the airing of the Adventure shows.

These games followed protagonist Ryo Akiyama as he's thrust again and against into conflict with Millenniummon which, to my understanding, is a Jogress between a Chimeramon and a Mugendramon. He also runs into the Chosen Children of the anime sometimes? IDK.

The games are considered canon, with Ryo even making a cameo appearance in Our War Game. The second game, Tag Tamers, was released at around the same time as this Kaiser arc finale was airing and serves as a prequel. Ken and Ryo team up to take down Millenniummon with their respective Partners Wormmon and V-mon. It explores who Ichijouji Ken was before he was the Kaiser and how he came to be like that. Which the anime will also talk about in time.

But exactly what connection, if any, Ken's Chimeramon has with Millenniummon is a question for people who've actually played the games. The show is pretty explicit that Chimeramon is Ken's Original Creation Do Not Steal and has never, ever existed before now. So it's kind of hard for there to also be another Chimeramon that became Millenniummon before 02 ever began? It's weird.

Narrator: Chimeramon! A Composite Digimon created by the Digimon Kaiser by combining parts from various Digimon. They have a ferocious fighting instinct and immense destructive power. Their special attack is a deadly heat ray called Heat Viper.

They should be able to use special attacks from all of their component parts, but that's just me.

Through the inexplicable ceiling screen, Iori's group watches Chimeramon's deployment too.

Digmon: I've never seen nor heard of a Digimon like that before-dagyaa! Tentomon: We need to go fast! While Nefertimon and Horusmon are keeping that thing busy, we can free the rest of the prisoners! Iori: Got it!

Iori's team double-times it to finish up.

In the dub:

Yolei: Do you see what I see? (It's Kimeramon!) Yolei: What is that thing!? Emperor: (rundown) Hahaha! Kimeramon is my ultimate creation! I combined the most powerful parts of other Digimon to form this unstoppable fighting creature! His Heat Viper attack will melt my enemies into oblivion! (Cody and the others watch from the dungeon) Digmon: I've never heard of a Digimon like that before, and I get all the news from the underground! Tentomon: Listen, Cody. While those guys do battle with him, we can free the prisoners! Cody: Let's go!

Yeah, the official English spelling is "Kimeramon". I suspect this is another Horusmon/Halsemon case where they didn't know what that word meant. The Japanese spelling of chimera is キメラ kimera, because you can't use チ chi to make that hard 'k' sound, and the dub translated that straight across.

The girls fly into battle with Chimeramon.

Horusmon: RED SUN!!!

Horusmon takes the first shot, but his eye beams glance harmlessly off of Chimeramon's horn.

Kaiser: That won't work against Kabuterimon's metallic head. Nefertimon: CURSE OF QUEEN!!!

Chimeramon backs off, dodging Nefertimon's shots. Chimeramon then swoops around behind the girls, catching them off-guard with superior aerial maneuverability.

Kaiser: With Angemon's and Airdramon's wings, they're swift in the air.

Kaiser: Now it's my turn.

As Chimeramon descends from behind, Horusmon and Nefertimon split up. Chimeramon turns to follow Nefertimon, but smacks Horusmon out of the air with their tail.

Kaiser: Garurumon's legs and Monochromon's tail!

Chimeramon swipes at Hikari. Nefertimon dodges the Kuwagamon arm and then the SkullGreymon arm, but one of the two Devimon arms catches her from behind and smacks her down.

Kaiser: Arms from Kuwagamon, SkullGreymon, and Devimon! The body of Greymon and the hair of MetalGreymon! Well? Isn't the Digimon I created amazing?

Before he and Miyako can hit the water, Horusmon recovers. He rights himself and soars above the water's surface.

Miyako: What the hell is that thing!?

The hair.

The hair of MetalGreymon.

...okay but why though? Kaiser really had to stretch to try and fit a third Agumon form into his Fanfic Digimon. Notice me, Taichi-senpai.

In the dub:

Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! (No effect) Emperor: That's why I picked Kabuterimon's head. They don't come any more hard-headed. Nefertimon: CAT'S EYE BEAM!!! (Kimeramon dodges, then swoops around) Emperor: And he's fast with Airdramon and Angemon's wings! Playtime's over. Now it's my turn!

A white flash censors the point of impact when Kimeramon tail smacks Halsemon.

Emperor: Throw in Garurumon's legs as well as Monochromon's tail.

Another white flash censors the point of impact when Kimeramon swats Nefertimon.

Emperor: I added Kuwagamon's, SkullGreymon's, and Devimon's arms. His body is Greymon's and I topped him off with MetalGreymon's hair. He's perfect! Hahahahaha!

The dub takes its third commercial break here, which is surprisingly early for it. But also it makes sense because there is some shit about to come.

However, we come back right into the next scene, so Horusmon recovering from his fall and Miyako's final line end up cut. I guess they hit the water in this version.

Back in his control room, the Kaiser gloats about his creation.

Kaiser: Huhuhuhu...HAHAHAHAHA!!! This is exactly what I was expecting! Perfectly suited in every way to be my Partner Digimon.

Suddenly he turns and glares at poor little Wormmon. The Kaiser's eyes burn with contempt.

Kaiser: Unlike you.

There was an implication in the Agumon arc that the Kaiser was trying to replace Wormmon entirely and take Taichi's Agumon for his Partner Digimon. Now that he's made a new Agumon with extra bells and whistles, the Kaiser says the quiet part out loud. Chimeramon is to be his Partner going forward, not Wormmon.

While he's hyperfocused on that, the insurgency he ignored has reached its completion. The jailbroken Digimon descend a rope from the hidden cave onto one of those mobile islands while Iori, Digmon, and Tentomon supervise from the tunnel.

Nine Elecmon, four Mushmon, four Floramon, and four Delumon in total. Four very slappable Delumon because these birds are Perfect level and allowed themselves to be caged anyway.

Tentomon: That's the last one. Now it's our turn to get out of here. Iori: But what about Takeru-san? Tentomon: He can take care of himself. Come on, let's go!

Digmon picks up Iori with his scoopy hands and bounds down to the island. Only Takeru and Patamon remain within the fortress.

In the dub:

Emperor: Hahahahahaha! Where's my VCR? Ooh, I wish I was taping this! Take a good look at him, Wormmon. Now that's what a Partner should look like! (Emperor turns and scowls at Wormmon) Wormmon: Hmph! Not a scrawny runt like you. (Meanwhile, Cody frees the remaining prisoners) Tentomon: Okay, that's the last one! Come on! It's time we got out of here too! Cody: We can't leave without T.K. Tentomon: He'll be fine. We've got to get these Digimon to safety! Let's go!

The Emperor horribly dates this episode by knowing what a VCR is. XD If this were today, "Digimon Emperor DESTROYS Fake Nerd Girls" would already be up on YouTube and Tiktok.

In any case, this bit is pretty much perfect. No notes.

Still inside the Kaiser's base, Takeru storms down the hall while Patamon pleads with him to withdraw.

Patamon: Takeru! Can't we settle this later? We have bigger priorities right now.

Takeru doesn't even answer him. He keeps right on marching until a shadow emerges from a doorway up ahead, followed by the Digimon Kaiser. Who I guess has finally remembered about the intruders.

Kaiser: (playful) You have some nerve.... Sneaking inside the fortress of the Digimon Kaiser, who commands the power of Darkness! Huhuhu....

Takeru tries to keep a straight face. But after stifling his laughter for a moment, he loses the struggle and lets it out. That reaction catches the Kaiser offguard.

Takeru: Tehe! Kaiser: W-What!?

Takeru recovers and, with a confident smirk on his face, fixes a cold, hard gaze on the Kaiser.

Takeru: Ichijouji-san. How long have you been pretending to conquer the world? Are you having fun? Ken: ... Takeru: And now you're talking about the power of Darkness. But do you even know what that means? Ken: ... Takeru: You have no idea, do you? You won't get away with a simple injury. Isn't it time for you to grow up?

Takeru's words cut Ken down to his bone. This is not Daisuke. Takeru is not his bitter archnemesis, here to face the Kaiser in another exciting round of Heroes and Villains. He isn't speaking to the Digimon Kaiser at all. He's speaking to Ken-chan.

Ken is a petulant child playing with forces he cannot comprehend, and Takeru has no intention of giving him any more dignity than that.

In the dub:

Patamon: T.K., can't you do this later? We gotta get out of here while we can. Don't be so stubborn! T.K.: ...hm? (Emperor emerges) Emperor: I don't remember sending you an invitation. I must admit, you have a lot of nerve... Sneaking into the base of the most powerful being in the Digital World! Huhuhuhuhu.... (T.K. tries to keep a straight face and fails) T.K.: Ahahaha! Emperor: What's so funny!? T.K.: Let me ask you something, Ichijouji. Don't you think it's time that you gave up on this little charade? It's getting old. Ken: ... T.K.: You say you're the most powerful being in the Digital World and yet you have no idea about the powers that are here! Ken: ... T.K.: You're a pretender. You're like that story, "The Emperor's New Clothes".

This is pretty close. The original hits harder, though. It's the attitude. T.K. is angry and accusatory in his delivery, while Takeru is aloof and condescending. "It's getting old!" vs. "Are you having fun?"

This is what cuts Ken so deeply in the original. He doesn't just tell Ken to eat shit. He talks as if all of this Digimon Kaiser nonsense is beneath him.

Because compared to what he and his team went through three years ago? It is.

Ken takes a moment, struggling to even come up with a retort. But in the end, the only thing he can spew from his mouth is frothing anger.

Ken: You worm! YOU WORM!!! WORM, WORM, WORM!!! Takeru: Is that all you have to say? Ken: SH-SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!

Before he knows what he's doing, Ken lashes Takeru with his whip. He lands a direct hit to the left side of Takeru's face. Takeru doesn't even flinch as the whip strikes him, then falls ineffectually to the ground. Even Ken seems surprised by what he just did.

Ken: ...oogh.... Patamon: (gasp)

Takeru calmly reaches up, feeling the bloody wound on the side of his face. Then he pulls his hand away and inspects it for blood.

Takeru: You can't get your way with words, so you resort to violence, huh? Ken: (stunned) N-No.... Takeru: Hm? Am I wrong? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Are you finished? Ken: ... Takeru: Guess so. Now it's my turn.

Ken has just enough time to let out a gasp before Takeru crosses the hall and decks him. A right haymaker takes Ken off his feet, laying him out on the hallway floor. He drops his whip as he goes down; It falls to the floor where he'd been standing.

In the dub:

Ken: YOU'RE NOBODY!!! NOT LIKE ME!!! You will bow down before me! T.K.: Sorry, the floor's kind of dirty. Ken: YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!!!

They censor the moment of impact for the whiplash with a white flash but, to my surprise, they do leave it in there.

Ken: Agh! Patamon: (gasp)

They also leave in the bloody wound T.K. gets from it.

T.K.: Hm... When you can't think of anything to say, do you always resort to fighting? Ken: ...I guess? T.K.: That's your problem. You don't know when to talk and when to fight. Now's a good time to talk. Ken: ... T.K.: On the other hand, IT'S ALSO A GOOD TIME TO FIGHT!!!

T.K. punching Ken in the face is also retained, with a white flash obscuring the moment of impact. They seem to have judged this fistfight too important to mess with, and they are correct.

Again, the dub covers the material pretty well but you can feel the tonal difference. Takeru's condescending behavior has Ken completely on the backfoot. Even Ken's shocked when he cracks the whip; It just kind of happens out of pure desperation to make Takeru stop talking down to him.

(Takeruing down to him?)

By contrast, T.K. and Ken seem like they're on the same level. Dub Ken hasn't utterly lost control of this conversation the way his original counterpart has, and T.K.'s dialogue comes off as more reasonable pre-fight banter.

Outside, the battle with Chimeramon remains ongoing.

Tentomon dodges and swerves to avoid rays of what I assume are Heat Viper. One shot kicks up a massive explosion of water.

Nefertimon and Horusmon drop off Hikari and Miyako on Iori's island, then return to the fray. The girls call after them.

Hikari: Be careful out there, Nefertimon! Horusmon!

Chimeramon emerges from the water spray and charges up another shot in their mouth. They fire on Tentomon once again. Tentomon nimbly flips upwards in the air to avoid the shot, which continues on and strikes the Kaiser's fortress.

In the dub:

Kari: Nefertimon! Halsemon! You guys be careful, okay? Kimeramon: HEAT VIPER!!!

The only difference is that Kimeramon calls their attack.

Inside the base, Takeru is on top of Ken and pummeling him in the face.

The sudden impact jostles Takeru just enough that Ken's able to push him off. Ken scrambles for his whip, snatching it from the floor and lashing it at Takeru.

Takeru catches the goddamn whip out of the air.

Ken: WHAT!?!?

Takeru throws it to the floor and lunges, tackling the Kaiser and taking him back off his feet.

Outside, Horusmon spins up his tornado attack.

Horusmon: TEMPEST WING!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!!

Both attacks slam uselessly into Chimeramon, who doesn't even seem to notice. Worse, Tempest Wing brings Horusmon straight into melee distance.

Horusmon: What can we do!?

Horusmon tries to back off, but one of the Devimon hands smacks him out of the air. He lands hard on his shoulder, skidding across the fortress's roof. Chimeramon closes in to capitalize on his momentary vulnerability.

In the dub:

(T.K. catches the whip) Ken: HEY!!! (T.K. tackles him; Meanwhile, outside) Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! (No effect) Halsemon: They had no effect! (Chimeramon smacks him down)

Solid.

Seeing how badly Ken's being beaten, Wormmon tries to intervene.

Wormmon: NEBANEBA NET!!!

ネバネバ Nebaneba means sticky or gooey. This is another rare attack to be named at least partly in Japanese, rather than using English.

The attack is a conical web that Wormmon sprays from his mouth. Patamon's quick to counter it.

Patamon: AIR SHOT!!!

Patamon's Air Shot goes straight down the cone and beans Wormmon in the face, knocking him across the floor. Patamon flies in close to challenge him.

Patamon: You wanna fight? Wormmon: You're hurting Ken-chan!

Wormmon's spirit is willing, but Patamon's going to dribble him like a basketball. Just like PicoDevimon.

In the dub:

Wormmon: Oh no. STICKY NET!!! Patamon: BOOM BUBBLE!!! (Patamon knocks Wormmon around) Patamon: Wanna fight!? Wormmon: Actually, I'd prefer a staring contest.

The scene ends with closeups of Patamon and Wormmon staring each other down, building anticipation for their battle. Which the dub riffs on with that last line from Wormmon.

Topside, Nefertimon flies in at the last second to save Horusmon.

Nefertimon: HORUSMON!!!

She pushes him off the roof just before Chimeramon fires off another shot of Heat Viper. The beam blows straight through the base, ripping through the walls above where Takeru is....

At this point, it's not even a fight anymore. Ken's on his back and not even trying to defend himself anymore. He is thoroughly and utterly whipped.

But when that shot blows through, Takeru stops and looks up.

Takeru: Ah! What the--!?

Through the gaping hole in the wall, he finally lays eyes on Chimeramon outside.

Ken: That's Chimeramon, the Digimon I created. Isn't it incredible? Even if you all fight together, you still won't be a match for them.

Takeru has Ken in the palm of his hands. But now he has a decision to make.

In the dub:

Nefertimon: HALSEMON, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!!! (Nefertimon saves Halsemon; Kimeramon silently fires) T.K.: What's that thing!? (T.K. sees Kimeramon through the hole in the wall) Ken: Didn't I tell you? I have a new pet. Kimeramon! My secret weapon that's not a secret anymore. Don't worry if you didn't get a good look; You'll see him up close and personal real soon!

Takeru reacts to the sudden energy beam exploding through the wall, while T.K. reacts to Kimeramon himself before laying eyes on him.

Dub Ken rambles a bit. "My secret weapon that's not a secret anymore" is a Mojo Jojo-ass line. He also refers to Kimeramon as "my new pet" which again understates the relationship Ken thinks he has with this particular Digimon.

Chimeramon isn't just some mind-controlled minion; They're Ken's new Partner Digimon, the replacement for Wormmon. Dub Ken doesn't seem to have any particular reverence for Kimeramon whatsoever; Just another Digimon to add to the collection. Nothing special or meaningful in any way.

Outside, the fight is over. Chimeramon's got Nefertimon in their SkullGreymon hand and Horusmon in their Kuwagamon hand, and is crushing the life from both of them.

Patamon: Takeru! Takeru: Yeah. DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Priorities. Without hesitation, Takeru gets up off of Ken and Armor Evolves Patamon to go join the fight.

Takeru: Ichijouji! Next time, we finish this!

With Takeru gone, Wormmon approaches Ken.

Wormmon: Ken-chan?

Battered and wincing in pain, Ken slowly sits up.

Ken: (weakly) Don't look at me.... Wormmon: Ken-chan....

Ken stands up and slowly withdraws into the depths of his base.

Outside, Pegasmon joins the fight. Between now and the last time we saw them, Horusmon and Nefertimon have been moved to Chimeramon's Devimon hands. Unclear if this is a consistency error or intentional decision on Chimeramon's part.

Pegasmon: SILVER BLAZE!!!

Pegasmon fires off two shots, hitting each of Chimeramon's wrists and forcing them to release Nefertimon and Horusmon. The pair join him in the air.

Nefertimon: Thank you, Takeru! Pegasmon! Takeru: Chimeramon isn't moving! Now's our chance to retreat!

At that, the team withdraws from the Kaiser's fortress.

In the dub:

Patamon: T.K.? T.K.: Mhm. DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Pegasusmon evolves) T.K.: Hey, Ken! Remind me where we left off the next time I'm pummeling you into oblivion! Wormmon: Master? (Ken weakly sits up) Ken: ...I guess I'm not as cool as I think I am. Wormmon: Off day. Ken: Time for me to regroup and come back stronger than ever. (Up top, Pegasusmon frees Nefertimon and Halsemon) Pegasusmon: EQUUS BEAM!!! (The two join Pegasusmon in the air) Halsemon: Thanks, Pegasusmon. Pegasusmon: It was just a little... horseplay. T.K.: Kimeramon stopped moving! Let's take this opportunity to get out of here!

As usual, Dub Ken's a lot more willing to open up and engage with Wormmon. He even admits weakness to Wormmon. Original Ken basically tells Wormmon to fuck off and withdraws both physically and emotionally into the depths of his lair. He doesn't want to be seen in this state, battered and bruised after horribly losing a fight.

The team withdraws to the mobile island with the rescued prisoners. Which has, at some point, been joined by Daisuke's mobile island. Driving the islands back to land, they regroup.

Iori hands Takeru back his hat, which Iori apparently picked up off the ground after Takeru stormed off.

Iori: Here you go, Takeru-san. Takeru: Oh! Thank you. Daisuke: After all that... Dammit! V-mon: If only I could fly.... Daisuke: Don't say that! You and I have our own way to fight. V-mon: Yeah!

Took Yamato a whole character arc to come around to "Maybe you have your own unique strengths and don't have to be good at what someone else does" but Daisuke effortlessly cuts right through to it.

Daisuke: In any case, we'll rest for now and then we go after the Kaiser! Group: YEAH!!!

This isn't over yet.

And speaking of things that aren't over, Jun finally makes it to the lake! So... why does she seem so unhappy about it?

Jun: Uh... This place.... Mary: It's Hamanako! Jun: But I said Yamanakako! YAMATO-KUUUUUUN!!!

Hamanako is a lagoon about 3-4 hours' drive southwest of Odaiba. It didn't just take all day because of how slow Kenny drives, but also because they left her intended destination behind halfway down the highway.

In the dub:

Cody: Here's your hat back, T.K. I didn't want anyone to step on it. T.K.: That's okay, Cody. I have six others just like it. One for each day of the week! Davis: I'm ready to fight and all the action's over with! I wish we'd gotten here sooner! Veemon: The other Digimon can fly. Why can't I? Davis: Come on... You've got your own fighting skills. Like, that head of yours is as hard as mine! Veemon: Right! Davis: Anyway, let's hear it for T.S.! He really let Ken have it! Group: YEAH!!! T.K.: Uh, that's T.K.....

Lot of gags to lighten the mood after that brawl just now. Daisuke's promise that we aren't done here and are going to hit the Kaiser again tomorrow doesn't make it in. I feel like these episodes are trying really hard to make each piece seem like an isolated adventure rather than a multi-parter. This episode and the previous one cut a lot of cross-episode continuity.

Jun: Are we at the right campsite? Grandma: Guess they told you the wrong place. Jun: Why wouldn't Matt give me the right information? Could it be that he doesn't want me around? Grandpa: Ah, she's just as sharp as Davis. Narrator: What is the next step in the battle for control over the Digi-World? Tune in to the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

Matt didn't give her any information. We saw their conversation and at no point, in either version, did he provide her with details of his destination. Jun had to find out either by forcing it out of Daisuke/Davis offscreen or exercising stalker fu.

Probably stalker fu.

In any case, they can't make the Hamanako/Yamanakako bit work here so someone lying to Jun and providing her incorrect details makes sense as a replacement gag. It just can't really be Matt directly.

Assessment: Takeru beating the shit out of Ken is one of the moments I've been eagerly anticipating, and it did not disappoint. Ken activated Takeru's Child Soldier mode and had regrets. He pushed the trauma button and then paid for it in teeth.

It's not just the physical beating, but the devastating verbal evisceration of the "Digimon Kaiser" as a concept. Ken's been thwarted and defeated and vanquished in battles before. But here, he was just beaten in a way he's never been beaten before.

A fitting way to herald the beginning of the end for the Digimon Kaiser.

And Wormmon. God, Wormmon. Ken-chan told him to his face that he's obsolete and he still tries with what meager strength he has to protect Ken from Takeru. Wormmon's loyalty and devotion even in the face of so much physical and emotional abuse is downright tragic.

Also, gotta give a shout out to Iori. Not just for prioritizing saving Digimon over blowing up the base, but also the hat. Despite the dub's flippancy about it, Iori picking up Takeru's hat and holding onto it for him is a small gesture that speaks to how considerate and thoughtful he is. Takeru throws his hat down in a fit of rage and Iori's reaction is, "He doesn't mean it. He's gonna want this back."

[erior]

So, Chimeramon, the lad has lore. It did debut in March 1999 in the Wonderswan version of the V-Pet, and explicity as a Digitamamon (the Perfect Perfect) remplacement; it also featured in the very beggining of the Card Game. However, one detail that popped up in a few of its early videogame appearances, is that it tended to get bumped up to Ultimate, both in Digimon World 2 (where it was an odd species, outside of the evolution tree of anything) and in Anode/Cathode Tamer. And, in 02, AFAIR it isn't directly addressed as a Perfect, and its match is something whose power may be beyond Perfect. And, through and through, it is a creature meant to parallel and contrast Mugendramon, being made out of organic parts of other 'mons, covering the different fields except the Deep Savers.

(That got covered up in 2020, when we got MarineChimeramon, made EXCLUSIVELY out of Deep Saver body parts):

That "gotta cover every field with organic parts" may explain MetalGreymon's hair, but, in any case, MetalGreymon is pretty much the one component of Chimeramon that generally cannot evolve into it; SkullGreymon and all of the adults in its makeup can evolve into it with no issues, and generally by combining with the others (discounting, of course, MetalGreymon). And, of course, its parallels with Mugendramon aren't completed without mentioning Millenniummon. And, well, Millenniummon is far from being covered; it will cameo in an important scene a few episodes from now, and it is important for understanding how a certain character behaves in Tamers, but, some key details: -Millenniummon is not quite a combination like Omegamon, or even a Jogress. Millenniummon is more akin a new being born out of the merge of its composites. Or, so to speak, while Omegamon is Agumon and Gabumon combined, and Paildramon is V-mon using Wormmon to power up to Perfect (with Wormmon tagging along), Millenniummon is NOT Chimeramon and Mugendramon combined. He is a third, new being. -Millenniummon is not just an insanely physically powerful bruiser like its components, but a very intelligent reality warper. Millenniummon will disregard causality and the flow of time, and he just IS. For instance, there is a good chance he is the one who made Ken make a Chimeramon that became part of the basis for his body, even if paradoxial, because Millenniummon thrives on paradoxes. That's what the Y2K bug 'mon is all for.

Digimon Adventure 02x19 - The Composite Beast, Chimeramon / An Old Enemy Returns

Previously on Digimon Adventure: Koushiro and Iori found the Digimon Kaiser's base, but it got up and ran away when they weren't looking. Miyako shouted "AHA" and ran facefirst into the brick wall of her own enthusiasm. However, on the other side of that brick wall was the base so it was a net victory all the same.

What sort of unimaginable horror has the Digimon Kaiser been working on all this time? Find out... right now if you read the title card. Though he did basically spell it out last episode.

The Narrator opens this episode by assuring us that the boys did make it back last night. Which is good 'cause it was kinda late when Miyako and Hikari spotted the base and there was no sign of them.

Narrator: After the Kaiser's fortress left, Daisuke's group linked back up with Hikari's group. Then, the following morning....

Miyako, Hikari, and Daisuke sleep in, with an implied division between the boys' and girls' sleeping bags; Miyako and Hikari's bags are put together while Daisuke's is separated from Hikari's by a few feet.

Hawkmon, Tailmon, and V-mon are all wide awake. They watch as Takeru and Pegasmon disappear into the sky, accompanied by Tentomon. The boys fly out along a river, joined by Iori and Submarimon down below.

Submarimon: Daisuke won't be happy about this-dagyaa. Iori: Probably not. Tentomon: Why didn't we ask Daisuke-han to come with us? Takeru: We couldn't just leave Hikari and the others by themselves, could we?

I mean. You didn't have a problem with it last episode. Weird thing to suddenly get sexist about. What happened last night? Did you have too much Daisuke exposure for one trip? Didn't realize what you were signing up for with this mission?

There is actually a valid reason for leaving Daisuke behind and it's that he'd be dead weight. Raidramon can't actually fly; Only run fast and leap far. It hasn't been an issue before, but Daisuke does not have an effective mode of transportation for combing the ocean.

But Takeru doesn't say that, so I don't know what's up here. They also don't discuss why Hikari and Miyako are being left behind again at all. Those two stayed behind for a reason earlier and they already took care of that.

Whatever the case, Takeru and Iori keep going, following a straight line of Dark Towers leading out into the ocean.

For the dub, the role of the narrator today is filled by the sound of Davis snoring.

Gatomon: Does Davis always snore like that? Veemon: Every night. Gatomon: How do you sleep!? Veemon: I don't.... (T.K. flies away on Pegasusmon) Veemon: Where are those guys going? (Down below, Submarimon and Cody joins them) Submarimon: I still think we should have told the others before we left. Tentomon: It may be none of my beeswax but why didn't you ask Davis to come with us? T.K.: I didn't want to leave Kari and Yolei alone anymore. Don't worry, he'll understand. Tentomon: I'm just glad I'm not going to be the one to tell him.

Dry as the narrator's exposition usually is, it bridges the gap between the end of the last scene and the beginning of this one and sets the stage for where we are now. As with some of the changes last episode, losing it makes this one feel more isolated.

But it's not much of a loss; The boys already made plans to come back after sunset if they didn't find the base. So if you're paying that much attention to the continuity between episodes, you can easily assume they did just that.

The only thing they have to replace it with, however, is yet more dunking on Davis. This opening is going to dunk on Daisuke though so unlike last episode, it's well-timed.

Meanwhile, they also tweak T.K.'s line to add the word "anymore". That way, he at least acknowledges that this decision contradicts him making that very choice and being fine with it yesterday.

Back at camp, the girls wake up. While Hawkmon munches on a rice ball, Hikari reads off an email Iori left them on her D-Terminal.

Hikari: They know where the Kaiser's fortress is headed. Miyako: (intrigued) Ooh, where!?

You might notice a terminology shift here. Last episode, we were calling it the Kaiser's 基地 kichi, which means a base. It can be a military base or an expedition base or what have you; All we know about it is that it is the base of operations for the Digimon Kaiser.

Now the girls have spotted the full base and not just what was sticking out of the ground earlier. Thus, the terminology has been updated to the Kaiser's 要塞 yosai, which means his stronghold or fortress.

We cut to the row of Dark Towers leading out to sea as if to answer Miyako's question, and then back to Daisuke whining to himself. Next to him, V-mon munches on a chicken drumstick.

Daisuke: (dismal) They really left me behind.... V-mon: (concerned) Don't let it get to you, Daisuke.

Meanwhile, inside his command center, the Kaiser inspects his new creation - though we can't see the screen very well so it's not easy to make out.

Wormmon: What about the final piece? Kaiser: Huhuhuhu... Relax. We'll have it soon enough.

With a smug grin, he takes a drink from a steaming cup of tea. We can't see if he's holding a saucer but I imagine he is for the added pretentiousness.

In the dub:

Kari: The email says they've figured out which way the Digimon Emperor is heading. Yolei: Let's see. (Shot of Control Spires going into ocean) Davis: WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THEY LEFT WITHOUT ME!?!? (Cut to Davis pouting) Davis: How come nobody wants to go anywhere with me? Veemon: Well, Davis, it could be your snoring. (Cut to Wormmon and Emperor) Wormmon: Is it finished yet, Master? Emperor: Not quite. I still have a few minor details. Should he have four arms or six? Decisions, decisions....

He then loudly slurps his tea like an absolute monster.

The Kaiser has a clear plan in place for his creation. We don't know all the details, but he said last episode that he's found the Dark Whirlpool and this episode Wormmon asks about the final piece. It has been conveyed that there is one last piece remaining and the Kaiser intends to retrieve it from this Dark Whirlpool place.

As with Kabuterimon last episode, the Kaiser needs to directly encounter a particular kind of Digimon so that his Digivice can record its data and he can use it for his creation. That's why the fortress is taking him out to sea.

The dub cut the mention of the Dark Whirlpool and now depicts the Emperor still making basic outline choices. No idea why we're going to the ocean, then.

Camping with Hiroaki, Taichi and Yamato gather around Koushiro's laptop to read Iori's email too. It's addressed to "Everyone" and reads simply, "We're pursuing the Kaiser's fortress."

"Everyone" is not a valid email address so that's probably an email group. Which probably means that Sora, Jou, and Mimi just got this email with zero context. Popping open their D-Terminals like, "Oh. Huh. Okay, good for them."

But while the boys are playing on the laptop, Hiroaki cleans the cookpot by himself.

Hiroaki: Oh, why me...?

He is not having a good time on this trip. Brought these boys all the way out here to play on the computer. There were computers back home! He knows! They just made him buy one!

Speaking of people who aren't having a good time, Jun's back in the city and has continued with her stalking mission.

Jun: If I knew yesterday they were going to Yamanakako, I could have followed them right then and there!

山中湖 Yamanakako is one of the Five Fuji Lakes. As the name implies, they're a set of lakes around the base of Mt. Fuji. They're popular outdoor destinations for hiking, camping, fishing, etc. due to the gorgeous view of the mountain they provide.

Yamanakako or, literally, "The Mountain Lake" has the distinction being both the largest of the five lakes and the highest in elevation. It's about 1-2 hours drive west-southwest of Tokyo.

Unfortunately for Jun, she cannot drive nor does she have a convenient adult in her life to whom she can explain her Very Good Reasons for going to Yamanakako. And the bus just left the station. Jun breaks into a sprint after it, shouting:

Jun: HEY, DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT ME!!!

That's okay, Jun. Your brother isn't any better off. Back in the Digital World, Hikari and Miyako follow the trail of Dark Towers out to sea on the backs of Nefertimon and Horusmon.

Daisuke, left behind for a second time, comes running to the water's edge on Raidramon's back much too late.

Daisuke: No way! Hikari-chan and the others too!?

Raidramon can't fly, so Daisuke's screwed. This is a bad time to be a Motomiya. Daisuke and Jun are both 2 for 2 on being left behind now.

As usual, the dub rewrites the email to be in English. In the process deleting the To: and From: and Subject: lines and then not bothering to replace them.

They also changed the sender. The message reads, "We know where the Digimon Emperor is headed. -Kari." So apparently the first email only went to the girls, and then Kari took a moment to pass it on to Tai and the others before leaving. This is equally plausible.

Izzy: I'm getting an update from Kari. Hiroaki: Do any of you know how to catch a fish? ...I wish I had a TV dinner. (Cut to Jun in Tokyo) Jun: Alright, all I have to do is take the bus to the campsite and Matt-- (Bus loudly honks and takes off) Jun: WAIT, DON'T GO, I WANT TO GET ON!!! (Cut to Hikari and Yolei following the Control Spire trail) Yolei: Should we tell Davis we're leaving? Kari: (apathetic) Nah. He'll understand. (Davis trails behind) Davis: Why's everyone leaving!? Is it my snoring!?

XD Okay the repeat of "Davis will understand" in a flat and uncaring monotone got me.

The dub continues the trend from the first anime of removing references to specific Japanese locations. Yamanakako is now simply "the campsite".

As an aside, if you're wondering why there's a trail of Dark Towers/Control Spires leading to the Kaiser/Emperor's base, remember that those things are just conduits for the Dark Digivice's power. The Dark Digivice is a single point of failure for his entire network.

Those Towers/Spires are probably functioning as power lines to keep his entire empire supplied with dark energy while he goes out on this jaunt. If he broke contact, he'd lose his whole empire in an afternoon. You'd be able to hear Evil Rings snapping off 'round the globe.

...you know, we should probably knock some down while we're here.

Up ahead, Takeru and Pegasmon fly with Tentomon over the ocean, but all they see is open water and some of those classic "Single Palm Tree" deserted islands.

Pegasmon: I can't see shadow nor shape of it. Takeru: Do you think Iori-kun found anything?

影も形も Kage mo katachi mo, literally "shadow or shape", is a Japanese idiom that means the same as our English "hide nor hair".

Down in the ocean, Iori and Submarimon search. Iori has his D-Terminal popped upon and resting against a raised bit of Submarimon's dashboard.

Submarimon: What is it-dagyaa? Iori: They say they can't see anything from up there.

No more luck down here; All that's in front of them is a huge stone wall.

Submarimon: Same here-dagyaa. Iori: Yeah, I'll let them know.

As they're talking, they notice a huge metal dome jutting out of the stone wall up ahead.

Iori: (gasp)

Submarimon does a quick 180 and backs off to get a better look at the structure. Sure enough, that "stone wall" actually was a massive structure all along. And one they've seen before.

Submarimon: It's the Kaiser's base-dagyaa! Iori: I must inform Takeru-san-- Huh?

At that moment, Iori spots a passageway leading into the structure near the bottom that doesn't have a big metal dome over it.

In the dub:

Pegasusmon: We've been flying for hours and haven't seen a thing. T.K.: I'll check with Cody and see if he's seen anything. (Down below) Submarimon: What did T.K. say? Cody: They haven't spotted anything from up above. Submarimon: Well, we haven't seen much of anything either except seaweed. Maybe we should turn back. (Dome comes into view) Cody: Huh? What... is that thing!? Submarimon: Let's dig a little further. (They back off to get a better look) Submarimon: This thing is enormous! It makes Texas look like Rhode Island! It has to be the Digimon Emperor's base! Cody: I'll let T.K. know that we found it--Huh?

Cody's "What... is that thing!?" bugs me a little bit because they specifically came down here to find a that-thing-shaped object. Iori and Submarimon were momentarily caught off-guard because they were too close and underestimated its size. They also expected it'd be moving in the distance, and instead it's just sitting here. Waiting for something.

Cody and Submarimon are reacting like they've never seen the base before at all.

Up above, Takeru receives Iori's message on his D-Terminal. We get to see that message too, but also he reads it word for word.

Takeru: It says "We found the base! We're going to sneak in through a cave." Tentomon: Are they going to be okay? Takeru: I'll tell them not to push themselves too hard.

While Takeru's typing, the water below begins to swirl.

Pegasmon: Takeru, look! Takeru: Huh?

Watching from their vantage above, the boys see a huge chunk of the ocean fall away into a massive whirlpool.

Takeru: A whirlpool?

Down in the Kaiser's control room, a swirl icon appears on a white grid on his screen.

Kaiser: Hmph. Seems like it's finally shown itself. Wormmon: (frightened) What is that, Ken-chan? Kaiser: You could call this the entrance to a source for the power of Darkness. There should be data on Darkness-type Digimon in there. Once I have that, my Original Digimon will be complete. Wormmon: ...

Wormmon, for the moment, is silent while the words of the Kaiser sink in.

We haven't really seen much in the way of Dark Digimon thus far. We've seen plenty of Viruses under the Kaiser's control, to be sure. We also have seen a Devidramon and we've seen some Bakemon, so they haven't been completely unrepresented.

But truly malevolent creatures like Devimon or Vamdemon have been absent from the Kaiser's collection of controlled Digimon. Darkness, the kind of Darkness that once sought to control the Digital World through Apocalymon's reality distortions, hasn't really collided with the Kaiser yet.

Note that when the Kaiser calls this place the 原 minamoto, the source... that's an ambiguous statement. He could mean it in the sense that this is the source, the origin point for all Dark Power, or that it's simply a source, a resource he can harvest for Dark Power.

A lot about the Dark Whirlpool is open to interpretation.

In the dub, Cody's email is rewritten to read, "Found base. Will sneak in through underwater cave. ~Cody." Basically the same but with shittier grammar, which mildly bugs me because I feel like Cody would type full sentences.

T.K.: It's from Cody. They found the base and are going to try and sneak in through an underwater cave. Tentomon: That sounds kind of dangerous! Maybe they should wait! (Whirlpool begins to swirl) Pegasusmon: T.K., look! T.K.: Huh? (Whirlpool appears) T.K.: A whirlpool...? Tentomon: Oh no! They'll get sucked right into it!

To give Tentomon space to deliver that line and make a cliffhanger out of this, the dub splices in a clearer shot of Takeru and Tentomon flying over the fully developed Dark Whirlpool from later in the episode. Then they take their first commercial break.

On return, we join the Emperor in his control room.

Emperor: Hmm, looks like it's finally here. Wormmon: What is that, Master? A new way to hypnotize your slaves? Emperor: No, you fool. You might call it a gateway to the source of the powers of Darkness. But for simplicity's sake, let's just call it the Dark Pool. I think it's caused by an evil Digimon, and if I can tap into its power then I'll have everything I need to complete my very own Digimon!

Ahh, the evil counterpart of Deadpool. I gotcha.

I don't know why they cut the "Whirl" out of it.

The Kaiser also adds the detail that an evil Digimon is creating "the source of the powers of Darkness". Which... may or may not be true. Again, heavily open to interpretation.

After hearing the Kaiser's plans, Wormmon hesitates for about three seconds. But then he can't bring himself to be silent anymore.

Wormmon: You have to stop, Ken-chan! Kaiser: What did you just say to me? Wormmon: I can feel it... I can't really put words to it very well. There's something terrifying inside that whirlpool. I'm scared!

As usual, the Kaiser doesn't give a shit about what Wormmon thinks. He gets up and walks away, dismissively uttering:

Kaiser: What a coward....

Wormmon desperately scurries after the Kaiser, screeching:

Wormmon: NO!!! YOU CAN'T GO, KEN-CHAN-- Kaiser: I DON'T TAKE ORDERS FROM YOU!!!

Ken turns and aggressively kicks Wormmon across the room. Wormmon bounces once on his head, then hits the ground on his belly and slides to a stop.

In the dub, the Emperor's dialogue is longer so Wormmon doesn't have any time to hesitate before responding.

Wormmon: Please, Master, don't do it. Emperor: What are you talking about? Of course I'll do it. Wormmon: But it feels like evil itself is coming from that Dark Pool. You can't feel it because you're not a Digimon. Emperor: Don't be ridiculous. I'm not going to stop my master plan because of a silly feeling of yours! Wormmon: But on an evil scale of 1 to 10, that Dark Pool is really evil. Emperor: Ehe! Fine. Then you stay away from it. In the meantime, I've got things to do. (Emperor gets up and walks away) Wormmon: Please don't ignore me. Emperor: Oh, I'm sorry. HOW'S THIS!?!?

We don't see the Kaiser's foot make contact; We just see him twist his body, hear the impact, and see Wormmon sent flying. So the dub doesn't have to censor it for the Emperor, though they do use a comical bonk sound to try and lighten it.

The Kaiser is, as usual, above the opinions of his Partner while the Emperor actually bothers to stop and argue.

The original does not specify that only Digimon can feel what's in there, and both versions will in fact contradict that later. Though it does strongly suggest that Digimon are more sensitive to it, so they're half-right here.

The dub is, again, really hyping up what's down there. "Evil itself" is waiting for us. An evil Digimon creating the source of all Dark Power, who is "really evil on a scale of 1 to 10". Again, in the original, all that's been said is that it's the source of Dark Power, it is fucking scary, and the Kaiser hopes to harvest some Dark Digimon data from it.

Up topside, we catch up with Hikari and Miyako.

Nefertimon: A giant whirlpool!? If that's the case, we need to tell Armadimon and Iori since they're infiltrating the base! Hikari: That's right!

I agree too. I also think it's weird that Takeru thought the girls needed to know and not Iori. We don't see the message Hikari sends back, but it was clearly "WTF Takeru".

Takeru: I know that, but I lost contact with them a while ago. Tentomon: In any case, we need to do something fast! Pegasmon: Yeah. This is going to get ugly. Takeru: Yeah... On that note, what has you guys spooked all of a sudden? Tentomon: Of course we're freaking out! Just look at that whirlpool.... Pegasmon: Takeru, can you not feel that?

Takeru stares down into the whirlpool for a moment. Deep down in its depths, he can sense a dark, unearthly high-pitched wailing as the water melds into a grotesque, eldritch gray backdrop.

Takeru: I-I feel it! What is that!?

Darkness, Takeru. That's Darkness, is what that is.

In the dub:

Nefertimon: A huge whirlpool? And Cody and Submarimon are inside the base? We've got to warn them. Kari: Try to contact them with the D-3. (Cut to T.K.) T.K.: Don't you think I've tried that already!? Something seems to be blocking the transmission.... Tentomon: We can't just hover here! We've got to do something! Pegasusmon: Tentomon's right! We're running out of time! T.K.: Yeah... Are you guys feeling okay? Tentomon: Well, I think I might be getting a bug but other than that, I'm fine! Pegasusmon: I am feeling a little strange. How about you, T.K.? T.K.: I'm not really sure.... (T.K. senses something deep below) T.K.: I... I feel... kinda weird....

The D-3 cannot be used to contact people. Only to track the signal from their own D-3 or Digivice. The D-Terminal is what is used to contact people.

A moment ago, the dub established independent of the original script that only Digimon can sense what's in the Whirlpool. Now, one scene later, T.K. is the one who senses it while Tentomon has no idea what he's talking about.

Down in the base, Iori and Armadimon climb a very long flight of metal stairs. They come to a window looking into a pinkish reddish chamber.

Inside the chamber is a massive reactor looking like something out of Star Wars with four walkways leading to it from each direction.

Iori: This might be the power room. Armadimon: Let's smash it-dagyaa! Iori: Hang on, we should look around more first. Armadimon: Understood-dagyaa. By the way, Iori, aren't you cold-dagyaa? Iori: No? Armadimon: That's weird. I've been getting chills for a while now....

Putting Wormmon, Tentomon, Pegasmon, and Armadimon's reactions together, we can see that the Digimon are all very sensitive to the power in the Dark Whirlpool. The humans aren't, but they can feel it if they make the effort like Takeru did.

Cut to the front of the fortress. A panel lowers, revealing an observation deck embedded in the stone exterior. Inside, Wormmon is still pleading with the Kaiser to turn back.

Wormmon: I'm begging you to stop! Just this once! Or else we won't be able to turn back! KEN-CHAN!!! Kaiser: ... Wormmon: ... Kaiser: Take us in.

At the Kaiser's command, the fortress begins moving once more. It forges ahead through the water towards the Dark Whirlpool.

Watching from above, Takeru's group can see the massive structure beneath the waves.

Tentomon: Ack! It's started moving! Pegasmon: And it's heading for the whirlpool! Takeru: ...Iori....

The Kaiser is marching straight into harm's way and unknowingly taking Iori with him.

In the dub, Armadillomon gets an extra line to complain while they're climbing the stairs.

Armadillomon: I'm tired. Don't they have an escalator in this place?

Valid complaint. This staircase was clearly built for an athlete.

(Cody finds the power room) Cody: Whoa! Armadillomon: My thoughts exactly. Cody: This has to be the engine room. Armadillomon: I say we destroy this place once and for all. Cody: We will, but let's take a look around first. Armadillomon: Alright, if you say so. Hey, you think it's kinda cold in here? Cody: Not especially. Armadillomon: That's weird. 'Cause I just can't seem to warm myself up. The chill of evil's in the air.... Cody: Don't be so dramatic.

I love that "chill of evil" line. 10/10, understood the assignment.

They also give the Emperor an early quip just before the panel opens.

Emperor: You know what this place needs? More window space. (Panel opens) Emperor: There! Wormmon: Master, I know you hardly ever listen to me. Okay, you never listen to me. But please, just this once, do what I ask. Don't do it. Emperor: Hmm... I'm sorry, I wasn't listening. Did you say something? (Fortress begins moving forward) Tentomon: Look! It's on the move! Pegasusmon: And heading for the whirlpool! T.K.: Cody!

Wormmon's last desperate plea for reason falling on deaf ears is played as a laugh line.

Back inside the base, Iori and Armadimon have found their way into a dungeon lined with barred cells.

Armadimon: We've started moving! Iori: This place....

Iori's more interested in the cells than the motion. Lot of familiar faces behind those bars. One cell has an Elecmon and a Delumon in it. The next contains a Floramon and a Mushmon. All Child Digimon except for the Perfect Delumon.

Iori: These are all Digimon that the Kaiser's captured. Armadimon: What should we do-dagyaa? Iori: This has to come before the power room. Armor Evolve and break them out of these cells. Armadimon: Makes sense to me-dagyaa. Iori: Alright. DIGIMENTAL--huh?

Suddenly, Iori notices a... screen in the ceiling of a cell showing an aerial view of the Dark Whirlpool. I have no idea what that is or why it would be there.

Iori: What... is that...?

Armadimon doesn't have an answer, but he continues rubbing his arms from the eerie chills he's getting.

Back on the observation deck, the Kaiser watches as the Dark Whirlpool draws nearer.

Kaiser: Now... Enter the Whirlpool.

The base keeps on going, getting closer and closer to the worst mistake of the Kaiser's life.

In the dub:

Armadillomon: Hey, we're moving.... Cody: Armadillomon, look! This place is like a prison. It must be where the Digimon Emperor keeps all of his captured slaves. I guess you guys didn't have a very good lawyer! Armadillomon: So what are we gonna do about it? Cody: This is more important than the engine room. You'd better Armor Digivolve and break the bars open. Armadillomon: Now that's a good idea. Cody: DIGI-ARMOR--Huh? (Dark Whirlpool screen on the ceiling for some reason) Cody: What is that thing!? Armadillomon: ... (silently rubs arms from chills) Cody: My thoughts precisely. (Cut to observation deck) Emperor: Huhuhuhu... Now, enter the Dark Whirlpool! Huhuhuhu AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Oh, it's not that funny.

Cody fucking makes a flippant joke to the faces of imprisoned slaves. Thanks, I hate it.

What I do like is the way Armadillomon getting chills serves, in and of itself, as the answer to Cody's question. Harkening back to that "chill of evil in the air" moment.

The dub suddenly starts referring to it as Dark Whirlpool here despite renaming it Dark Pool previously.

Cut to Jun standing in the middle of a busy street. She demonstrates her own particular hitchhiking style by being a public menace recklessly endangering herself.

Jun: WHY WON'T YOU STOP!?!?

I need to gush about what a beautiful segue this is. The Kaiser gives the command to enter the Whirlpool, then a shot of Wormmon's silent but concerned face, and then the fortress moves forward while Jun screams "WHY WON'T YOU STOP!?!?" as if speaking directly from Wormmon's anguished heart.

While, in her context, a blue car whips past uncaring of her hitchhiking only to get stopped by traffic a short ways ahead. An ugly metaphor for what's about to come for the Kaiser? Perhaps.

A red sports car pulls up shortly after, honking for Jun to get in.

Jun: Hooray!

Jun hops in the backseat and lets an elderly couple, Mary and Kenny, take her away. Yes, those are their names in the Japanese version.

Mary: She's going camping, Kenny! Oh, it must be nice to be young. Kenny: Mary, you and I were young too once.

They are not, however, young anymore. They're passed on the highway by several cars whipping by much faster than them and one moped. Jun lets out a sigh, resting her head on her hand and settling in for a long drive.

The dub ruins the meaningful juxtaposition of "WHY WON'T YOU STOP". In addition to tying the preceding bit up with the Emperor being goofy instead of silent drama, they cut the opening to this scene to avoid showing Jun hitchhiking. We go straight to her in the back of Mary and Kenny's car.

They also rearrange the shots to have the cars and moped passing the sports car first, then the interior shot of the vehicle.

Jun: Thanks for the lift, Grandpa. I can't believe they left without taking me. Grandma: So, you're going camping? That's nice. We used to do lots of camping, didn't we, dear? Grandpa: Yeah. Until that time I used poison ivy instead of toilet paper! Jun: Huh? (sigh)

Also to avoid letting the characters hitchhike, Mary and Kenny have been rewritten to be Jun's grandparents who she called for a ride.

As Jun settles in for a long car ride, we transition over to Daisuke centered in the same spot and pose as her. This episode's really playing up the parallel between the Motomiya siblings.

Daisuke's at the edge of the landmass, contemplating a palm tree.

V-mon: What are you thinking, Daisuke? Daisuke: What if we knock down this tree and carve it into a dugout? V-mon: Aha! That's a great idea! Daisuke: As long as we're on the same page!

A dugout is a type of canoe made from hollowing out the trunk of a single tree.

Since V-mon agrees, Daisuke moves forward with his plan. He steps forward and presses on the tree trunk, trying to shove it over by brute strength alone. Shockingly, it works. The trunk shifts forward with no effort at all, like a lever being thrown. Daisuke stumbles back in shock.

Daisuke: DAH!!!

Steered by the palm tree, the patch of land they're standing on drives forth out onto the water, departing from the greater continent.

V-mon: What's going on here? Daisuke: What the heck...?

The boys take a moment to adjust to the realization that all these single-palm-tree deserted islands are, in fact, boats. But they are. So that means....

Daisuke: Oh well! We can catch up to the others now. V-mon: YAHOO!!!

A startling discovery but not an unwelcome one. Sometimes, in a dire situation, the fucking weirdness of the Digital World delivers!

The dub maintains the mirror shots of Jun and Davis through the transition.

Davis: Hmm.... Veemon: Davis, what are you doing? Davis: I'm thinking about how we can make a canoe out of this tree. Veemon: Great! How are we gonna do it? Davis: First, we push this tree down! (Davis pushes the tree and it moves like a lever) Davis: AGH!!! (Island starts moving) Veemon: A little too hard. Davis: Beats a canoe! Ahh... Smell that salt air! Veemon: Hey, Davis? How come we're on land and I'm getting seasick?

Valid question and an actually good place for a laugh line.

Back at the Dark Whirlpool, the Kaiser's fortress breaches through the side of the whirlpool and enters its eye. From above, Takeru's team lays eyes on it for the first time.

Tentomon: WHOA, THAT THING'S HUGE!!! Takeru: There should be a cave somewhere on it that Iori-kun went in through. We'll infiltrate from there as well. Pegasmon: Understood.

Together, the three of them descend towards the structure. As they enter the whirlpool, ghastly spirits swirl in the waters behind them.

Takeru: What are these? Ghosts? They're giving me chills.... Pegasmon: What's giving me chills is that pitch-black space in the open maw down below.

Takeru turns his attention to the darkness at the bottom of the whirlpool. His eyes are drawn down the darkening waters to the place unseeable at the very--

Pegasmon: Don't look at it! Takeru: Ah!

Takeru suddenly blinks, like he's snapping out of a daze.

Tentomon: You have to be careful or it will devour you.

Finding the cave, the boys head inside the Kaiser's fortress and away from... whatever that is down below.

In the dub:

Tentomon: That's the biggest mobile home I've ever seen! It must be impossible to find parking. T.K.: Come on, guys! We gotta find the cave that Cody and Armadillomon used to get inside! Hurry up, they might be in trouble! (The boys descend into the whirlpool and pass the ghosts) T.K.: This place feels... evil. What are those things!? Pegasusmon: Don't pay any attention to them. They're just trying to scare you. They live in the Dark Whirlpool and feed off fear. (T.K. looks down at the bottom) Pegasusmon: Don't look at it! T.K.: Ah! Tentomon: (freaked out) Ooogh, can I sit up here with you guys? Pegasusmon: Look! T.K.: This has to be the cave!

The dub explains the ghosts as lifeforms that dwell inside the Dark Whirlpool and feed on fear. Harmless Monsters Inc. critters trying to give T.K. a good spook. It does not address the bottom of the whirlpool except to say "Don't look at it".

This sudden context jump makes it a bit confusing as to what T.K. isn't supposed to look at. Is it the spookers? Was he looking at the spookers?

Inside the observation deck, guess which dipshit is staring straight down into the black maw.

Kaiser: ... Wormmon: Ken-chan? Kaiser: Ah!

Like Takeru, the Kaiser seems to suddenly snap out of some sort of daze.

Wormmon: Are you okay? Kaiser: (rattled) It's nothing. (commanding) COMMENCE THE COLLECTION!!!

Beneath the observation deck, a hangar opens. Three Mekanorimon descend into the whirlpool. As they descend, the ghastly spirits leave the waters, drifting through the air now around them.

Suddenly, something seizes the lowest Mekanorimon. The Digimon lets out a scream as it's suddenly wrenched around in the air, and then pulled down below.

Kaiser: What happened!?

He doesn't get an answer, as the other two Mekanorimon follow soon after. They plunge screaming into the swirling abyss, dragged down by an unseen force.

Kaiser: ANSWER ME!!! WHAT IS GOING ON!?!?

Still no answer. They're gone.

Kaiser: (disturbed) What the hell is happening...? Wormmon: I knew this wouldn't be possible to collect. Let's stop here, Ken-chan.

Brushing Wormmon off, the Kaiser turns and walks away from the glass.

Wormmon: Where are you going? Kaiser: If that's how it's going to be, then I'll go collect it myself.

On that ominous very good idea note, the original takes its commercial break here.

In the dub:

Emperor: Hmm.... Wormmon: Master? Emperor: Hm? Wormmon: Are you alright? Emperor: Never been better! INITIATE THE ATTACK!!! (Mekanorimon descend; First Mekanorimon plunges screaming into abyss) Emperor: What's going on!? (Second and third follow) Emperor: (furious) They're gone! HOW'D THAT HAPPEN!?!? (No answer) Emperor: Sector A, report! Sector B, come in! Sector C! Where is everybody!? Wormmon: They were never very good at spelling. Emperor: RRGH!!! (Emperor storms off) Wormmon: Where are you going? Emperor: If you want something done right, do it yourself!

The dub foregoes commercial here. The original's about a minute and a half early on their commercial, so kicking it out a ways makes sense.

The Kaiser shows a couple chinks in his armor here. Like Takeru, he briefly gets mesmerized by the thing at the bottom. And a couple times in this scene, he honestly seems scared. Brief moments where his arrogance cracks and, just for a second, a voice of reason in the back of his head starts asking if this is really a good idea.

In addition to Wormmon who has bluntly been asking that question since they got here.

The Emperor just loses his temper. No inkling of caution or reason from him.

Also, I don't know why the Mekanorimon are named Sector A, B, and C. That's a weird terminology choice. Those are names for areas, not units.

Returning from commercial, we find Digmon hard at work meticulously drilling off the bars from each cell.

As the latest set of bars falls, the Floramon and Mushmon inside the cell happily emerge into freedom.

Takeru, Patamon, and Tentomon approach from behind.

Takeru: Iori-kun! Iori: Ah, Takeru-san! We're releasing all the captured Digimon. Tentomon: Gotcha! I'll lend a hand. PETIT THUNDER!!!

While Digmon drills, Tentomon zaps the spot he's drilling with electricity. How exactly this helps is unclear. Iori supervises them, but Takeru notices the inexplicable screen in the ceiling of a cell showing an exterior shot of the Dark Whirlpool.

Takeru: (contemplative) That Kaiser... What is he up to?

I don't know what information he thinks he's going to glean from this feed.

A note about the animation: When Digmon drills the bars, there's a delay between when Digmon stops drilling and when they actually fall off. The dub riffs on that.

Digmon: This one's stuck! (Bars fall off) Digmon: Whoops. T.K.: Cody! Cody: Hi, guys! I'm glad you're here. We were just setting these captive Digimon free. Tentomon: Oh, why didn't you say so? That's my specialty! SUPER SHOCKER!!! (Everyone works on the bars while T.K. notices the screen) T.K.: I can just tell... There's something out there....

At this point, everyone knows there's something out there, T.K. Except Cody. We still have not informed Cody.

Takeru ponders what the Kaiser is planning and as he does, we cut to the Kaiser to see his bad idea to fruition.

Piloting a Mekanorimon himself, the Kaiser descends into the whirlpool's depths.

Wormmon: (radio) Ken-chan, you don't have to do this. Kaiser: Quiet!

Suddenly, he spots something! The upper body of a half-finished Devimon. This is what he was looking for.

The inexplicable jail cell screen now displays the feed from the Kaiser's descent as well.

Takeru: Devimon!?

The Kaiser extends some kind of suction device which begins siphoning away Devimon's data. The half-finished Dark Digimon begins to disintegrate into pixels, sucked into the device.

Kaiser: With this, my Original Digimon will be complete! Voice: (skeptical) Are you truly so capable of mastering the power of Darkness? Kaiser: (startled) W-Who's there!? Voice: (amused) You underestimate the power of Darkness. Huhuhuhu.... Kaiser: ...am I just hearing things?

The Kaiser tries to reassert his confidence. But it's clear that he's scared. He's sweating pretty hard for someone who's allegedly in control of the situation.

Kaiser: Hmph! Either way, it's speaking nonsense. As the king of the Digital World, is there anything I can't do? Huhuhu... HAHAHAHA!!!

This is where the whirlpool being open to interpretation really comes into focus. What is this? What is happening here? Is that the Devimon? The one from File Island? Is Devimon the thing at the bottom of the Whirlpool, or is this half-complete Digimon just a manifestation of the Darkness's power?

In the dub:

Wormmon: (radio) Master, please come back. You don't know what's out there. Emperor: Quiet! (Emperor finds Devimon) T.K.: Devimon!? Devimon: Huhuhuhuhu....

Here, the dub takes its second commercial break. Upon return, they replay T.K. watching Devimon be discovered but this time Devimon doesn't laugh.

T.K.: Impossible.... (Emperor extracts Devimon data) Emperor: I'll take what I need from this Digimon, then my Digimon will be completed! Voice: Are you sure? Emperor: Huh? Voice: Do you really believe you can control the powers of Darkness? Emperor: Alright, who are you!? Voice: I am here to warn you. Beware the Darkness! Huhuhuhu.... Emperor: Beware the Darkness? ...ha! I'm the Digimon Emperor. I rule this world and some voice comes out of nowhere and tells me to beware the Darkness!? Who does he think he's kidding!? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

The dub stakes its position pretty unambiguously. This is the Devimon from File Island, and the Dark Whirlpool is the manifestation of his power.

Episode title "An Old Enemy Returns"

"An evil Digimon at the bottom of the whirlpool is responsible for creating the Source of Dark Power."

Devimon laughs going into the commercial break, indicating that this is a conscious and living Digimon and not just an assembly of data.

The source of the Dark Whirlpool is our old nemesis Devimon, and he's the one directly talking to and mocking the Emperor. Which... may or may not also be what's happening in the original.

...it's super odd that the voice says "I'm here to warn you to beware the Darkness". No, it's not. It's here to ridicule him. Why would Devimon himself be warning him away from Devimon?

In any case, Ken included, the new generation haven't had to deal with the kind of traumatic shit that the veterans went through. They get to experience a Digital World created by the veterans' triumph over things like Devimon. Ken's been playing on Easy Mode, doesn't realize it, and is about to unleash a true nightmare.

However, there is one person who does recognize the mistake that the Kaiser is mistaking. In the dungeon, Takeru watches the Kaiser collect Devimon's data through the screen.

Narrator: Takeru still remembered that moment. Three years ago, Angemon gave his own life to seal away Devimon's dark power.

Flashback to Angemon's sacrifice on that day. A young Takeru watches helplessly while his Partner pulls the Holy Light of all seven Digivices into himself, overloading himself to channel the power he needs to strike Devimon down.

Takeru (V.O.): Back then, I desperately wished that I could turn back time. But time only flows one way. Even when we don't want to, we have to face our reality. Drowning in endless despair, I cursed my fate.

The truth of the Dark Whirlpool's power has triggered something in Takeru.

An interesting translation note here is that the Narrator describes Devimon's dark power as 封じた fuujita, which means "sealed away" or "blocked off". This is news to me; I was of the understanding that Angemon had just killed him.

Like I said, this is all wildly subject to interpretation. But my best understanding is that the Devimon inside the Dark Whirlpool is the sealed away power that Angemon carved away from Devimon. He killed Devimon but all that Darkness had to go somewhere and so it was sank into the bottom of the ocean.

All those Black Gears that Devimon took inside himself to become insanely super ultra powerful, all that Dark Power he absorbed to ascend to his kaiju form, is the roiling mass of Darkness now at the bottom of the Dark Whirlpool.

That's the source that the Kaiser is harvesting now, imprinted with Devimon's image and persona which is what was then taunting the Kaiser. Ken is ignorantly taking all that Darkness for himself, assured that he can control it, it's fine.

That is what I think is happening here. But it's equally plausible that the half-finished Devimon is merely a small sample of the greater Dark power at the bottom of the Whirlpool, and something else is speaking to him.

In any case, we return from Takeru's PTSD flashback on a hardened pair of eyes quivering with moisture. He pulls the hat from the top of his head.

Takeru: He doesn't know anything. He doesn't understand anything. He's OUT OF HIS GODDAMN MIND!!!

Takeru crushes his hat and furiously throws it to the ground.

Iori: Ah? Takeru-san?

Takeru drops his backpack too.

Takeru: No more. I'm not doing this with him anymore. I'M SETTLING THIS!!!

Takeru storms away to go kick the shit out of the Digimon Kaiser.

Iori: Ah! Where are you going!? Patamon: Takeru, wait!

Patamon flies after Takeru, but doesn't stop him. Iori remains with Digmon and Tentomon.

Digmon: What was that about-dagyaa?

Iori takes a step to follow after Takeru, but stops when he hears Tentomon calling after him.

Tentomon: Let Patamon look after Takeru while we work on freeing the prisoners. Iori: Oh... Yeah.

Honestly, Iori can probably go after Takeru. It's fine. He's not really contributing anything to the bar-cutting.

In the dub:

T.K.: Of all the Digimon that are out there, why did it have to be Devimon!? (Flashback) T.K. (V.O.): I'll never forget our battle four years ago. Angemon faced Devimon one-on-one! It was our last chance to defeat Devimon once and for all! T.K.: Angemon! Angemon: I'll get him. T.K. (V.O.): Angemon knew what he had to do. T.K.: Be careful! Devimon: COME HERE, PRETTY BOY!!! T.K. (V.O.) The only way to completely destroy Devimon's evil powers was for Angemon to sacrifice himself. I begged him not to do it but we both knew there was no choice. I always felt that it was my fault. That maybe I could have done something! But it was too late.

The dub describes Angemon's sacrifice as "completely destroying" Devimon's powers, which was what seemed to have happened before. But. Uh. If that's the case then what the hell is happening here?

Is this just an unrelated half-Devimon in a non-specific pit of evil? That is also possible.

T.K.: I was too young back then to know how to handle it. Too young to understand. Well, that was then. (T.K. throws hat) T.K.: AND THIS IS NOW!!! Cody: Huh? You okay, T.K.? T.K.: Cody, I've got some unfinished business to take care of. Time to get to work. (T.K. storms off) Cody: T.K., wait a minute! Patamon: T.K.!!! (Patamon flies after him) Digmon: Where's he off to? Maybe we should follow him. (Cody goes to follow) Cody: Mmm.... Tentomon: Don't worry! Patamon will take care of T.K. We need to keep working to free these Digimon. Cody: You're right.

Takeru is completely and utterly melting down. He's erupting with rage and it's all gunning straight for the Kaiser. This is personal now. The Kaiser (probably) just reawakened the thing that traumatized him so badly before.

Now Takeru, demonstrating what he learned from Taichi, wants to punch his trauma away. He wants to hit the Kaiser until it doesn't hurt anymore.

The Kaiser has no idea what he's awakened in Devimon. But he also has no idea what he's awakened in Takeru.

T.K. also gets mad and storms off, but he's more focused and heroic about it. He wants to prove to himself that he's become strong enough to prevent another tragedy like what befell Angemon from ever occurring again.

The Kaiser returns triumphant to his fortress. Entering his control room, he notices an alarm going off and a red dot blinking on a map of the base.

Kaiser: They're invading the base? Right under my nose? ...whatever, I don't have time for that right now.

Sitting down at the controls, the Kaiser raises his fortress from the Dark Whirlpool and departs. Then he turns his attention to his design. A pair of Devimon arms appear on the creature's shoulders.

Kaiser: A perfect fit! My Original Digimon is finally complete!

But while the Kaiser's celebrating, we cut briefly to Wormmon with trembling, frightened eyes. This is going to get bad.

In the dub, the Emperor's still fuming over that encounter.

Emperor: How could he not know who I am? I've told everybody.

In the original, we don't hear the alarm beeping until the Kaiser approaches his console but it's just beeping in sequence. The implication is that it's been beeping for a while now, but he hasn't been up here to notice. The dub has the effect of a screen suddenly turning on, indicating that the alarm is only now starting to go off.

Emperor: Huh? Well, what do you know. I have visitors and it's those kids. I don't have time to deal with those annoying brats right now! Wormmon: You sure have changed, Master. You used to love trying to destroy the DigiDestined. It was your favorite thing to do, next to putting coal in children's Christmas stockings. Emperor: Bah! Humbug! (Emperor adds the Devimon arms to his creation) Emperor: Now for the final touch. There! My masterpiece is finally completed! Nothing can stop me now!

Weird Christmas aside there. The dub came out in mid-November so it was sort of "Christmas lasts for fucking ever" Christmassy but wasn't really "Now is the time for airing Christmas specials" Christmassy.

A brief cut to Jun shows her asleep in the car, slowly making its way along the highway. A wider shot of the car on the highway shows Mt. Fuji in the background, so they're getting there.

Daisuke and V-mon are still making their way out to sea by palm tree island boat.

V-mon: Looks like they went really far. Daisuke: Yeah, and we need to hurry up and get there too. But we're... GODDAMMIT!!!

They are at the mercy of a vehicle with only one speed.

And so, a world apart, the Motomiyas ever so slowly trudge onward to rejoin parties that left them behind.

The dub adds Jun loudly snoring and her grandparents commenting on it, similar to Davis's snoring from the start of the episode.

Grandma: She sure can snore! Grandpa: No louder than you.... (Meanwhile in the Digital World) Veemon: Gee, Davis, the rest of the guys must be way ahead of us. Davis: Yeah! We're just gonna have to go faster! Agh, I still can't believe Kari did this to me!

Loud snoring is apparently a Motomiya family trait.

Hikari and Miyako are still in flight to the Dark Whirlpool.

Hikari: Hey, do you think Daisuke-kun is mad at us? Miyako: There was nothing we could do. Huh!? Look!

Miyako turns to answer Hikari's question, but when she looks ahead again, she spots the Kaiser's fortress coming the opposite direction.

Horusmon: It's coming right for us! Nefertimon: Careful, everyone!

Too late for caution. In his control room, the Kaiser's already spotted the girls and has them up on his screen.

Kaiser: What a perfect opportunity to test out my Original Digimon. GO... Chimeramon!

A hatch opens in the roof of the base. A lift raises Chimeramon up into the fresh air. Silently, they take flight and set out on their mission.

Somehow, the Kaiser has completely forgotten about the fact that there is an active insurgency taking place inside his lair.

In the dub:

Kari: Yolei, do you think Davis is really mad at us? Yolei: Nah, he's a pretty good sport. HEY!!! LOOK AT THAT!!! (Emperor's base coming back their way) Halsemon: It's headed right for us! Nefertimon: Alright, everyone, get ready. (Control room) Emperor: If I had known I was having visiting guests, I would have catered. Ooh! I can still give them a party favor. Go get 'em. (Fortress releases Chimeramon)

The Emperor has completely forgotten too but also he isn't salivating over the chance to use the Digimon he put all this work into the way the Kaiser is. He talks like this is any old deployment of an enslaved Digimon to fight.

Miyako: Something's coming this way.

Miyako adjusts her glasses to see better. We finally get a good look at the Kaiser's creation. And so does she.

Miyako: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?!?

Chimeramon is a Perfect-stage Data-attribute Composite Digimon. They originally debuted in the Wonderswan V-Pet before going on to feature kind of prominently in the Tamers video games released during the airing of the Adventure shows.

These games followed protagonist Ryo Akiyama as he's thrust again and against into conflict with Millenniummon which, to my understanding, is a Jogress between a Chimeramon and a Mugendramon. He also runs into the Chosen Children of the anime sometimes? IDK.

The games are considered canon, with Ryo even making a cameo appearance in Our War Game. The second game, Tag Tamers, was released at around the same time as this Kaiser arc finale was airing and serves as a prequel. Ken and Ryo team up to take down Millenniummon with their respective Partners Wormmon and V-mon. It explores who Ichijouji Ken was before he was the Kaiser and how he came to be like that. Which the anime will also talk about in time.

But exactly what connection, if any, Ken's Chimeramon has with Millenniummon is a question for people who've actually played the games. The show is pretty explicit that Chimeramon is Ken's Original Creation Do Not Steal and has never, ever existed before now. So it's kind of hard for there to also be another Chimeramon that became Millenniummon before 02 ever began? It's weird.

Narrator: Chimeramon! A Composite Digimon created by the Digimon Kaiser by combining parts from various Digimon. They have a ferocious fighting instinct and immense destructive power. Their special attack is a deadly heat ray called Heat Viper.

They should be able to use special attacks from all of their component parts, but that's just me.

Through the inexplicable ceiling screen, Iori's group watches Chimeramon's deployment too.

Digmon: I've never seen nor heard of a Digimon like that before-dagyaa! Tentomon: We need to go fast! While Nefertimon and Horusmon are keeping that thing busy, we can free the rest of the prisoners! Iori: Got it!

Iori's team double-times it to finish up.

In the dub:

Yolei: Do you see what I see? (It's Kimeramon!) Yolei: What is that thing!? Emperor: (rundown) Hahaha! Kimeramon is my ultimate creation! I combined the most powerful parts of other Digimon to form this unstoppable fighting creature! His Heat Viper attack will melt my enemies into oblivion! (Cody and the others watch from the dungeon) Digmon: I've never heard of a Digimon like that before, and I get all the news from the underground! Tentomon: Listen, Cody. While those guys do battle with him, we can free the prisoners! Cody: Let's go!

Yeah, the official English spelling is "Kimeramon". I suspect this is another Horusmon/Halsemon case where they didn't know what that word meant. The Japanese spelling of chimera is キメラ kimera, because you can't use チ chi to make that hard 'k' sound, and the dub translated that straight across.

The girls fly into battle with Chimeramon.

Horusmon: RED SUN!!!

Horusmon takes the first shot, but his eye beams glance harmlessly off of Chimeramon's horn.

Kaiser: That won't work against Kabuterimon's metallic head. Nefertimon: CURSE OF QUEEN!!!

Chimeramon backs off, dodging Nefertimon's shots. Chimeramon then swoops around behind the girls, catching them off-guard with superior aerial maneuverability.

Kaiser: With Angemon's and Airdramon's wings, they're swift in the air.

Kaiser: Now it's my turn.

As Chimeramon descends from behind, Horusmon and Nefertimon split up. Chimeramon turns to follow Nefertimon, but smacks Horusmon out of the air with their tail.

Kaiser: Garurumon's legs and Monochromon's tail!

Chimeramon swipes at Hikari. Nefertimon dodges the Kuwagamon arm and then the SkullGreymon arm, but one of the two Devimon arms catches her from behind and smacks her down.

Kaiser: Arms from Kuwagamon, SkullGreymon, and Devimon! The body of Greymon and the hair of MetalGreymon! Well? Isn't the Digimon I created amazing?

Before he and Miyako can hit the water, Horusmon recovers. He rights himself and soars above the water's surface.

Miyako: What the hell is that thing!?

The hair.

The hair of MetalGreymon.

...okay but why though? Kaiser really had to stretch to try and fit a third Agumon form into his Fanfic Digimon. Notice me, Taichi-senpai.

In the dub:

Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! (No effect) Emperor: That's why I picked Kabuterimon's head. They don't come any more hard-headed. Nefertimon: CAT'S EYE BEAM!!! (Kimeramon dodges, then swoops around) Emperor: And he's fast with Airdramon and Angemon's wings! Playtime's over. Now it's my turn!

A white flash censors the point of impact when Kimeramon tail smacks Halsemon.

Emperor: Throw in Garurumon's legs as well as Monochromon's tail.

Another white flash censors the point of impact when Kimeramon swats Nefertimon.

Emperor: I added Kuwagamon's, SkullGreymon's, and Devimon's arms. His body is Greymon's and I topped him off with MetalGreymon's hair. He's perfect! Hahahahaha!

The dub takes its third commercial break here, which is surprisingly early for it. But also it makes sense because there is some shit about to come.

However, we come back right into the next scene, so Horusmon recovering from his fall and Miyako's final line end up cut. I guess they hit the water in this version.

Back in his control room, the Kaiser gloats about his creation.

Kaiser: Huhuhuhu...HAHAHAHAHA!!! This is exactly what I was expecting! Perfectly suited in every way to be my Partner Digimon.

Suddenly he turns and glares at poor little Wormmon. The Kaiser's eyes burn with contempt.

Kaiser: Unlike you.

There was an implication in the Agumon arc that the Kaiser was trying to replace Wormmon entirely and take Taichi's Agumon for his Partner Digimon. Now that he's made a new Agumon with extra bells and whistles, the Kaiser says the quiet part out loud. Chimeramon is to be his Partner going forward, not Wormmon.

While he's hyperfocused on that, the insurgency he ignored has reached its completion. The jailbroken Digimon descend a rope from the hidden cave onto one of those mobile islands while Iori, Digmon, and Tentomon supervise from the tunnel.

Nine Elecmon, four Mushmon, four Floramon, and four Delumon in total. Four very slappable Delumon because these birds are Perfect level and allowed themselves to be caged anyway.

Tentomon: That's the last one. Now it's our turn to get out of here. Iori: But what about Takeru-san? Tentomon: He can take care of himself. Come on, let's go!

Digmon picks up Iori with his scoopy hands and bounds down to the island. Only Takeru and Patamon remain within the fortress.

In the dub:

Emperor: Hahahahahaha! Where's my VCR? Ooh, I wish I was taping this! Take a good look at him, Wormmon. Now that's what a Partner should look like! (Emperor turns and scowls at Wormmon) Wormmon: Hmph! Not a scrawny runt like you. (Meanwhile, Cody frees the remaining prisoners) Tentomon: Okay, that's the last one! Come on! It's time we got out of here too! Cody: We can't leave without T.K. Tentomon: He'll be fine. We've got to get these Digimon to safety! Let's go!

The Emperor horribly dates this episode by knowing what a VCR is. XD If this were today, "Digimon Emperor DESTROYS Fake Nerd Girls" would already be up on YouTube and Tiktok.

In any case, this bit is pretty much perfect. No notes.

Still inside the Kaiser's base, Takeru storms down the hall while Patamon pleads with him to withdraw.

Patamon: Takeru! Can't we settle this later? We have bigger priorities right now.

Takeru doesn't even answer him. He keeps right on marching until a shadow emerges from a doorway up ahead, followed by the Digimon Kaiser. Who I guess has finally remembered about the intruders.

Kaiser: (playful) You have some nerve.... Sneaking inside the fortress of the Digimon Kaiser, who commands the power of Darkness! Huhuhu....

Takeru tries to keep a straight face. But after stifling his laughter for a moment, he loses the struggle and lets it out. That reaction catches the Kaiser offguard.

Takeru: Tehe! Kaiser: W-What!?

Takeru recovers and, with a confident smirk on his face, fixes a cold, hard gaze on the Kaiser.

Takeru: Ichijouji-san. How long have you been pretending to conquer the world? Are you having fun? Ken: ... Takeru: And now you're talking about the power of Darkness. But do you even know what that means? Ken: ... Takeru: You have no idea, do you? You won't get away with a simple injury. Isn't it time for you to grow up?

Takeru's words cut Ken down to his bone. This is not Daisuke. Takeru is not his bitter archnemesis, here to face the Kaiser in another exciting round of Heroes and Villains. He isn't speaking to the Digimon Kaiser at all. He's speaking to Ken-chan.

Ken is a petulant child playing with forces he cannot comprehend, and Takeru has no intention of giving him any more dignity than that.

In the dub:

Patamon: T.K., can't you do this later? We gotta get out of here while we can. Don't be so stubborn! T.K.: ...hm? (Emperor emerges) Emperor: I don't remember sending you an invitation. I must admit, you have a lot of nerve... Sneaking into the base of the most powerful being in the Digital World! Huhuhuhuhu.... (T.K. tries to keep a straight face and fails) T.K.: Ahahaha! Emperor: What's so funny!? T.K.: Let me ask you something, Ichijouji. Don't you think it's time that you gave up on this little charade? It's getting old. Ken: ... T.K.: You say you're the most powerful being in the Digital World and yet you have no idea about the powers that are here! Ken: ... T.K.: You're a pretender. You're like that story, "The Emperor's New Clothes".

This is pretty close. The original hits harder, though. It's the attitude. T.K. is angry and accusatory in his delivery, while Takeru is aloof and condescending. "It's getting old!" vs. "Are you having fun?"

This is what cuts Ken so deeply in the original. He doesn't just tell Ken to eat shit. He talks as if all of this Digimon Kaiser nonsense is beneath him.

Because compared to what he and his team went through three years ago? It is.

Ken takes a moment, struggling to even come up with a retort. But in the end, the only thing he can spew from his mouth is frothing anger.

Ken: You worm! YOU WORM!!! WORM, WORM, WORM!!! Takeru: Is that all you have to say? Ken: SH-SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!

Before he knows what he's doing, Ken lashes Takeru with his whip. He lands a direct hit to the left side of Takeru's face. Takeru doesn't even flinch as the whip strikes him, then falls ineffectually to the ground. Even Ken seems surprised by what he just did.

Ken: ...oogh.... Patamon: (gasp)

Takeru calmly reaches up, feeling the bloody wound on the side of his face. Then he pulls his hand away and inspects it for blood.

Takeru: You can't get your way with words, so you resort to violence, huh? Ken: (stunned) N-No.... Takeru: Hm? Am I wrong? Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Are you finished? Ken: ... Takeru: Guess so. Now it's my turn.

Ken has just enough time to let out a gasp before Takeru crosses the hall and decks him. A right haymaker takes Ken off his feet, laying him out on the hallway floor. He drops his whip as he goes down; It falls to the floor where he'd been standing.

In the dub:

Ken: YOU'RE NOBODY!!! NOT LIKE ME!!! You will bow down before me! T.K.: Sorry, the floor's kind of dirty. Ken: YOU WILL LISTEN TO ME!!!

They censor the moment of impact for the whiplash with a white flash but, to my surprise, they do leave it in there.

Ken: Agh! Patamon: (gasp)

They also leave in the bloody wound T.K. gets from it.

T.K.: Hm... When you can't think of anything to say, do you always resort to fighting? Ken: ...I guess? T.K.: That's your problem. You don't know when to talk and when to fight. Now's a good time to talk. Ken: ... T.K.: On the other hand, IT'S ALSO A GOOD TIME TO FIGHT!!!

T.K. punching Ken in the face is also retained, with a white flash obscuring the moment of impact. They seem to have judged this fistfight too important to mess with, and they are correct.

Again, the dub covers the material pretty well but you can feel the tonal difference. Takeru's condescending behavior has Ken completely on the backfoot. Even Ken's shocked when he cracks the whip; It just kind of happens out of pure desperation to make Takeru stop talking down to him.

(Takeruing down to him?)

By contrast, T.K. and Ken seem like they're on the same level. Dub Ken hasn't utterly lost control of this conversation the way his original counterpart has, and T.K.'s dialogue comes off as more reasonable pre-fight banter.

Outside, the battle with Chimeramon remains ongoing.

Tentomon dodges and swerves to avoid rays of what I assume are Heat Viper. One shot kicks up a massive explosion of water.

Nefertimon and Horusmon drop off Hikari and Miyako on Iori's island, then return to the fray. The girls call after them.

Hikari: Be careful out there, Nefertimon! Horusmon!

Chimeramon emerges from the water spray and charges up another shot in their mouth. They fire on Tentomon once again. Tentomon nimbly flips upwards in the air to avoid the shot, which continues on and strikes the Kaiser's fortress.

In the dub:

Kari: Nefertimon! Halsemon! You guys be careful, okay? Kimeramon: HEAT VIPER!!!

The only difference is that Kimeramon calls their attack.

Inside the base, Takeru is on top of Ken and pummeling him in the face.

The sudden impact jostles Takeru just enough that Ken's able to push him off. Ken scrambles for his whip, snatching it from the floor and lashing it at Takeru.

Takeru catches the goddamn whip out of the air.

Ken: WHAT!?!?

Takeru throws it to the floor and lunges, tackling the Kaiser and taking him back off his feet.

Outside, Horusmon spins up his tornado attack.

Horusmon: TEMPEST WING!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!!

Both attacks slam uselessly into Chimeramon, who doesn't even seem to notice. Worse, Tempest Wing brings Horusmon straight into melee distance.

Horusmon: What can we do!?

Horusmon tries to back off, but one of the Devimon hands smacks him out of the air. He lands hard on his shoulder, skidding across the fortress's roof. Chimeramon closes in to capitalize on his momentary vulnerability.

In the dub:

(T.K. catches the whip) Ken: HEY!!! (T.K. tackles him; Meanwhile, outside) Halsemon: TEMPEST WING!!! Nefertimon: ROSETTA STONE!!! (No effect) Halsemon: They had no effect! (Chimeramon smacks him down)

Solid.

Seeing how badly Ken's being beaten, Wormmon tries to intervene.

Wormmon: NEBANEBA NET!!!

ネバネバ Nebaneba means sticky or gooey. This is another rare attack to be named at least partly in Japanese, rather than using English.

The attack is a conical web that Wormmon sprays from his mouth. Patamon's quick to counter it.

Patamon: AIR SHOT!!!

Patamon's Air Shot goes straight down the cone and beans Wormmon in the face, knocking him across the floor. Patamon flies in close to challenge him.

Patamon: You wanna fight? Wormmon: You're hurting Ken-chan!

Wormmon's spirit is willing, but Patamon's going to dribble him like a basketball. Just like PicoDevimon.

In the dub:

Wormmon: Oh no. STICKY NET!!! Patamon: BOOM BUBBLE!!! (Patamon knocks Wormmon around) Patamon: Wanna fight!? Wormmon: Actually, I'd prefer a staring contest.

The scene ends with closeups of Patamon and Wormmon staring each other down, building anticipation for their battle. Which the dub riffs on with that last line from Wormmon.

Topside, Nefertimon flies in at the last second to save Horusmon.

Nefertimon: HORUSMON!!!

She pushes him off the roof just before Chimeramon fires off another shot of Heat Viper. The beam blows straight through the base, ripping through the walls above where Takeru is....

At this point, it's not even a fight anymore. Ken's on his back and not even trying to defend himself anymore. He is thoroughly and utterly whipped.

But when that shot blows through, Takeru stops and looks up.

Takeru: Ah! What the--!?

Through the gaping hole in the wall, he finally lays eyes on Chimeramon outside.

Ken: That's Chimeramon, the Digimon I created. Isn't it incredible? Even if you all fight together, you still won't be a match for them.

Takeru has Ken in the palm of his hands. But now he has a decision to make.

In the dub:

Nefertimon: HALSEMON, LET'S GET OUT OF HERE!!! (Nefertimon saves Halsemon; Kimeramon silently fires) T.K.: What's that thing!? (T.K. sees Kimeramon through the hole in the wall) Ken: Didn't I tell you? I have a new pet. Kimeramon! My secret weapon that's not a secret anymore. Don't worry if you didn't get a good look; You'll see him up close and personal real soon!

Takeru reacts to the sudden energy beam exploding through the wall, while T.K. reacts to Kimeramon himself before laying eyes on him.

Dub Ken rambles a bit. "My secret weapon that's not a secret anymore" is a Mojo Jojo-ass line. He also refers to Kimeramon as "my new pet" which again understates the relationship Ken thinks he has with this particular Digimon.

Chimeramon isn't just some mind-controlled minion; They're Ken's new Partner Digimon, the replacement for Wormmon. Dub Ken doesn't seem to have any particular reverence for Kimeramon whatsoever; Just another Digimon to add to the collection. Nothing special or meaningful in any way.

Outside, the fight is over. Chimeramon's got Nefertimon in their SkullGreymon hand and Horusmon in their Kuwagamon hand, and is crushing the life from both of them.

Patamon: Takeru! Takeru: Yeah. DIGIMENTAL UP!!!

Priorities. Without hesitation, Takeru gets up off of Ken and Armor Evolves Patamon to go join the fight.

Takeru: Ichijouji! Next time, we finish this!

With Takeru gone, Wormmon approaches Ken.

Wormmon: Ken-chan?

Battered and wincing in pain, Ken slowly sits up.

Ken: (weakly) Don't look at me.... Wormmon: Ken-chan....

Ken stands up and slowly withdraws into the depths of his base.

Outside, Pegasmon joins the fight. Between now and the last time we saw them, Horusmon and Nefertimon have been moved to Chimeramon's Devimon hands. Unclear if this is a consistency error or intentional decision on Chimeramon's part.

Pegasmon: SILVER BLAZE!!!

Pegasmon fires off two shots, hitting each of Chimeramon's wrists and forcing them to release Nefertimon and Horusmon. The pair join him in the air.

Nefertimon: Thank you, Takeru! Pegasmon! Takeru: Chimeramon isn't moving! Now's our chance to retreat!

At that, the team withdraws from the Kaiser's fortress.

In the dub:

Patamon: T.K.? T.K.: Mhm. DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!!! (Pegasusmon evolves) T.K.: Hey, Ken! Remind me where we left off the next time I'm pummeling you into oblivion! Wormmon: Master? (Ken weakly sits up) Ken: ...I guess I'm not as cool as I think I am. Wormmon: Off day. Ken: Time for me to regroup and come back stronger than ever. (Up top, Pegasusmon frees Nefertimon and Halsemon) Pegasusmon: EQUUS BEAM!!! (The two join Pegasusmon in the air) Halsemon: Thanks, Pegasusmon. Pegasusmon: It was just a little... horseplay. T.K.: Kimeramon stopped moving! Let's take this opportunity to get out of here!

As usual, Dub Ken's a lot more willing to open up and engage with Wormmon. He even admits weakness to Wormmon. Original Ken basically tells Wormmon to fuck off and withdraws both physically and emotionally into the depths of his lair. He doesn't want to be seen in this state, battered and bruised after horribly losing a fight.

The team withdraws to the mobile island with the rescued prisoners. Which has, at some point, been joined by Daisuke's mobile island. Driving the islands back to land, they regroup.

Iori hands Takeru back his hat, which Iori apparently picked up off the ground after Takeru stormed off.

Iori: Here you go, Takeru-san. Takeru: Oh! Thank you. Daisuke: After all that... Dammit! V-mon: If only I could fly.... Daisuke: Don't say that! You and I have our own way to fight. V-mon: Yeah!

Took Yamato a whole character arc to come around to "Maybe you have your own unique strengths and don't have to be good at what someone else does" but Daisuke effortlessly cuts right through to it.

Daisuke: In any case, we'll rest for now and then we go after the Kaiser! Group: YEAH!!!

This isn't over yet.

And speaking of things that aren't over, Jun finally makes it to the lake! So... why does she seem so unhappy about it?

Jun: Uh... This place.... Mary: It's Hamanako! Jun: But I said Yamanakako! YAMATO-KUUUUUUN!!!

Hamanako is a lagoon about 3-4 hours' drive southwest of Odaiba. It didn't just take all day because of how slow Kenny drives, but also because they left her intended destination behind halfway down the highway.

In the dub:

Cody: Here's your hat back, T.K. I didn't want anyone to step on it. T.K.: That's okay, Cody. I have six others just like it. One for each day of the week! Davis: I'm ready to fight and all the action's over with! I wish we'd gotten here sooner! Veemon: The other Digimon can fly. Why can't I? Davis: Come on... You've got your own fighting skills. Like, that head of yours is as hard as mine! Veemon: Right! Davis: Anyway, let's hear it for T.S.! He really let Ken have it! Group: YEAH!!! T.K.: Uh, that's T.K.....

Lot of gags to lighten the mood after that brawl just now. Daisuke's promise that we aren't done here and are going to hit the Kaiser again tomorrow doesn't make it in. I feel like these episodes are trying really hard to make each piece seem like an isolated adventure rather than a multi-parter. This episode and the previous one cut a lot of cross-episode continuity.

Jun: Are we at the right campsite? Grandma: Guess they told you the wrong place. Jun: Why wouldn't Matt give me the right information? Could it be that he doesn't want me around? Grandpa: Ah, she's just as sharp as Davis. Narrator: What is the next step in the battle for control over the Digi-World? Tune in to the next Digimon: Digital Monsters!

Matt didn't give her any information. We saw their conversation and at no point, in either version, did he provide her with details of his destination. Jun had to find out either by forcing it out of Daisuke/Davis offscreen or exercising stalker fu.

Probably stalker fu.

In any case, they can't make the Hamanako/Yamanakako bit work here so someone lying to Jun and providing her incorrect details makes sense as a replacement gag. It just can't really be Matt directly.

Assessment: Takeru beating the shit out of Ken is one of the moments I've been eagerly anticipating, and it did not disappoint. Ken activated Takeru's Child Soldier mode and had regrets. He pushed the trauma button and then paid for it in teeth.

It's not just the physical beating, but the devastating verbal evisceration of the "Digimon Kaiser" as a concept. Ken's been thwarted and defeated and vanquished in battles before. But here, he was just beaten in a way he's never been beaten before.

A fitting way to herald the beginning of the end for the Digimon Kaiser.

And Wormmon. God, Wormmon. Ken-chan told him to his face that he's obsolete and he still tries with what meager strength he has to protect Ken from Takeru. Wormmon's loyalty and devotion even in the face of so much physical and emotional abuse is downright tragic.

Also, gotta give a shout out to Iori. Not just for prioritizing saving Digimon over blowing up the base, but also the hat. Despite the dub's flippancy about it, Iori picking up Takeru's hat and holding onto it for him is a small gesture that speaks to how considerate and thoughtful he is. Takeru throws his hat down in a fit of rage and Iori's reaction is, "He doesn't mean it. He's gonna want this back."

[erior]

Well... Digimon kinda has that going with the Chessmon family:

Child PawnChessmon, Adult KnightChessmon, Perfects BishopChessmon and RookChessmon, and Ultimates KingChessmon and QueenChessmon. All come in black and white versions, although the Ultimates have only been ever featured in the shown ones.

Chess anime adaptation. Not about playing chess. Chess itself. A war between enemy forces featuring giant walking castle robots, bulky war horses, and battle priests mixed up among the regular fighters.

At one point the queen steps up off the throne like, "It's time for me to get serious," and powers up like a Dragon Ball character before rocketing into the fray shooting ki blasts.

One of the grunts manages to breach the front gates of the enemy stronghold and then undergoes a Magical Girl transformation to become another queen.

[erior]

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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Barn Owl (Tyto alba), fledgling chick hauling ass across a lawn, as it was learning to fly, family Tytonidae, order Strigiformes, Netherlands

photograph by Hannie Heere

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Reminder that you can block most ads on Android. yes, including youtube ads.

Steps: Download Firefox -> Install uBlock Origin extension.

That's literally it. Enjoy ad free web browsing while we still (barely) have it!

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