Toei Animation introduced a new reboot for the original series, Digimon Adventure, which premiered on April 5th, 2020. The trailer looked promising, and the backgrounds which were shown looked familiar to Digimon: Cyber Sleuth game as they give an identical virtual feel.
While the environments looked different, designs of characters stayed close to the originals. All in all, fans were definitely rooting for the new anime. Three episodes have come out before the anime went on hiatus due to COVID-19.
With the anime production on halt, it is about time we discuss the pace of the new anime and see what disappointed us so far.
Audience’s Dismay
A massive pacing problem: no introduction of Crests and Tags. The second episode into the series and we have Omegamon already. If you have watched the original series, you’d know why it is so wrong, but still, let us break it down for you.
What are Crests/Tags?
Tags
A tag is like a pendant worn around the neck, which helps in evolution and, when combined with a Crest, allows the evolution of Digimon to the Perfect Level.
Crests
Crests refer to the symbols of traits that the DigiDestined of Digimon Adventure embodied and drew power from as well as their physical manifestations in the form of small tablets which are then inserted into Tags.
When the DigiDestined use their trait, the Crest glows. Its power is released, which allows their Digimon to digivolve from their Champion to Ultimate level, or in specific cases, from Rookie to Mega level as well.
In the original Digimon series, there are a total of 9 Crests:
- Crest of Courage
- Crest of Friendship
- Crest of Love
- Crest of Knowledge
- Crest of Purity
- Crest of Sincerity
- Crest of Hope
- Crest of Light
- Crest of Kindness
Now you see why the introduction of Omegamon makes no sense right now? The show is only two episodes in and is already showing Fusions and OP Digimon.
The show didn’t even build any sort of relationship between the DigiDestined and their Digimon, which was a primary part of the original series. The show is thrown right in the middle of boss level battles from the beginning itself.
No-Holds-Barred Evolution
The original series took its time to build the characters and gradually improved upon the relationship between the Digidestined and their Digimon, which resulted in epic and much-anticipated evolutions. However, rushing in with the evolutions not only kills the anticipation but also breaks apart the evolution sequence.
Let us assume for a second that the series is targeting only those people who have already watched the original series. Even though I can’t see why they would do something like that in the first place, bringing Ultimate level evolutions so early in the anime, without the prerequisite introduction of Crests and Tags is just unthinkable.
One big difference from before is that the main characters don’t all know each other before they head to the Digital World. I must admit that it does make the storyline more intriguing than it was before.
Still, if you are a longtime fan of Digimon series, then you might need some time digesting all these new things.
My best guess is that the creators had an understanding of what makes the series work, and they tried to make it enough to offer new things on its own and be worth watching.
The strongest factor I found was the animation, which was sharp, colorful, and vibrant. Overall, I am disappointed due to the points mentioned above.
I would say the new 2020 series is more “reimagining” than “reboot.” However, it will be interesting to see how they handle the rest of the series.
About Digimon
Digimon, short for “Digital Monsters,” is a Japanese media franchise offering toy pets, manga, anime, games, films, and even a trading card game. The franchise was created back in 1997 as a series of virtual pets, influenced by Tamagotchi/nano Giga Pet toys.
The franchise gained momentum with its first anime, Digimon Adventure, and an early video game, Digimon World, both of which were released in 1999.
Digimon, the series focuses on monsters like creatures, who inhabit a “Digital World,” a parallel universe that originated from Earth’s various communication networks. Digimon hatch from eggs called Digi-Eggs, and they go through Digivolution, which changes their appearance and increases their powers over time.
The effect of Digivolution, however, is not permanent. Digimon who have digivolved will find most of the time revert back to their previous form after a battle or if they are too weak to continue. Most of them can even speak.
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