Canadian from la belle province. This blog follows too many fandoms including but not limited to: Idolish7, Digimon, Gintama, Ace Attorney, and j-dramas from time to time. Prone to reblogging interesting posts and bouts of nostalgia...sometimes even posting some art or translations AKA shin/shinraisei
If you follow me on Bsky or Twitter, you may have already seen my posts about this, but I found out Sunday afternoon that one of my older brothers had passed away last week. I don't know what from yet since my dad's niece didn't write anything in her message to me. (Nor to my other brother I'm close to)
At this point I unfortunately can't go to the funeral this week as it's in another country (US) and is too pricey. (1600$C+, not including accommodation, taxis/uber everywhere it's near LA, food etc.)
I'm a bit more "stable" since Sunday, but I think work and keeping Digimon Beatbreak on the brain is keeping my mind sufficiently elsewhere. We'll see how things go.
I might post less here, or I might flood this blog more than ever. But despite that, please feel free to keep chatting with me or sending me messages. It's not my first time dealing with the shock of losing family, and the one thing I've noticed is not talking with others makes things even harder even though the grief gets light enough to become accustomed to over time. 🩷
Just want to say thanks again for everyone's messages. Still processing what happened. Getting a job offer barely 24hrs after finding out was such a whirlwind (that's a whole story in of itself, because it felt like I went from contract to "next week you're permanent. Congrats!" suddenly lol universe intervention). I'm not terribly good at contacting online friends to discuss loss, but I definitely appreciate the messages offering to lend an ear. So thank you again.
I'm entering that weird middle period of the grieving process where you "float" or "phase" through the days, one day to the next I think. But I'm hoping that I can put some energy to stuff I was working on before I got the news, to keep me busy a little. (I want to share my rollercoaster of joy that was the MADKID concert. I even spoke with the band! Truly the biggest group of Digimon fans. And magazine translations — my gears seem a bit stuck since March, but I think a lot of those articles that got selective "pull quote"-like summaries are much better appreciated and understood in full as the risk of losing details is high with the method of the former. And I've been seeing it But that's just me!)
Anyway. Going to continue to use this space to just *be* and enjoy stuff. It's been helpful 🙂
can we all hold hands and agree not to call fanworks content. can we all kiss each other's foreheads and agree not to call it "promoting your content". i beg of you i am not a cog in the machine i am not doing this for profit i am not an influencer im just engaging in a hobby helppppp
The newest episode really re-contextualized this conversation:
There is really no overstating how important this conversation was to Tomoro--this moment sets up his entire character arc for the next forty episodes, as he quite gradually rebuilds himself and his ideals on the foundation Kyo lays here and in episode 7.
Naturally, it sparked a lot of theories about Kyo's history, most of which were based on the thought that Kyo must have learnt this somewhere, picked these words up from someone else. Which made sense!
But the truth being that no, this is and has always been all Kyo, is honestly way more satisfying.
The source was really Kyo's kind, bruised heart that immediately empathized with a creature being called a problem for just existing. Of course he knew exactly the right words to reach Tomoro's own heart, to ignite his empathy for digimon. This is something he's been thinking about, ruminating, stumbling over since he was seven. It's something he knew from the start but betrayed when he had to become a Cleaner, when he started deleting Digimon the World Union deemed prey, and he makes damn sure Tomoro doesn't make the same mistake.
Onwards from episode 3, and especially episode 7, Tomoro wants to be like Kyo so so so much: he wants to forgive and reach out like Kyo does, and he makes Kyo's dream his dream. But for that to happen, it took Kyo ten years of strife, struggling and stumbling with no one to guide him, to go full circle and end up back at the start and realize his heart wasn't wrong--the world was.
But I also don't know if I need to rewatch the series again because when I started episode 1 (11) I was genuinely lost and stopped watching midway. Even the tone seemed bizarre in characters' dialogues? The shift to ultra-spy-almost-holywood film stuff seemed sudden? Like, I understand Beppan's role and whatnot, and that they have a strong financial backing (that seemed deliberately subtle?) but there was something really odd and the air....? Hard to describe. Maybe I haven't sufficiently suspended disbelief....
I'll definitely rewatch episode 10 (S1) and try to start this season again. This was an insanely exciting jdrama to follow weekly (episode 4's twist still haunts me)
DIGIMON BEATBREAK 42 - This is a great [and roller coaster ride] start to this final arc...!
And you thought this was going to be a simple flashback episode, didn't you? Well, think again! Hah haha h--- SCREAMING LOUDLYY--
(Fun fact: The drumming by 7-year old Asuka was done by a friend's 7-yr old son, according to the staff responsible for music selection, Sato Yasuno.)
*ahem*
Well, now that that's out of my system (it's not), time to discuss some things about this episode. Because, oh my goodness.
The directions during the flashback was perfect -- Asuka being the one to bring colour to Kyo's world
I love, loved, how the flashback started out dull, cold, with very little colour or hues, and white blurred edges.
Then gradually, colour, warmth and light came to Kyo's world thanks to Asuka coming into his world.
One thing that's noticeable is that until his world becomes completely full of colour, the surrounding scenery and changing seasons change and brighten with him. (We start around the late-fall or mid-winter and end in the spring)
By the end, the missed meeting, Asuka being held, the struggle? (I wasn't the only one who noticed that Asuka was, with all his might, trying so hard to get to Kyo's side that he pulled those kids with him before freeing himself) All that turns a dark red and features orange hues; the music darkens in tone and increases even when Cougarmon appears. When Kyo escapes from the fight with Cougarmon to learn how they came to be, everything is more sombre with dark purples, and mauves and dark blues. The warmer pinks of the sakura blossoms' petals are darker and lavender and the light is coming (likely) from the moonlight.
His first meeting with Cougarmon even parallels Tomoro's with Gekkomon so much. Even down to Kyo's encounter with the MCP agents explaining that his Digimon (without naming it) is a glitch and they'll replace his Sapotama paralleling how the Mushroom Gang give a quick overview with a short sketch of what the MCP agents do in this situation.
Alternate reading of the colours: Kyo's world during his childhood is presented dull, monochrome, emotionless and lacking any colour....except for his favourite places, which gradually expand to include the whole world he lives in after he meets Asuka.
As a notable example: Our first glimpse at the lighthouse Kyo goes to and watches the sunset. The subsequent scenes after this are back to being dull and almost monotone and cold.
DID YOU HEAR HIM SQUEE? DID YOU HEAR HOW HE SQUEED AFTER HE WAS THANKED?
Final point on this--I just loved how bright and energetic 7-year old Asuka was. And honestly such a child. The little lie to save Kyo from the bullies, the pouting when Kyo ignored him and didn't thank him at first for what he did, the glee and energy he had introducing himself, then the squee when he got an answer and learned Kyo's name.
The fact that this friendship ended like this so dramatically and abruptly...was sad. I can't wait to find out how they reconnected.
A "final" goodbye...
This hurt. I loved the flashback but this part was painful.
His first real friendship and it lasted a while. At least a few months? From fall or late winter until spring? That's practically a decade for a young child. Even more incredible is how Kyo's desire to protect, not just people, but someone whom he considers a friend being harmed in front of him (and also fights to protect him) was strong enough to trigger Cougarmon's birth.
We know they eventually reunite, but I think before the day Asuka has Kyo promise to take care of Tomoro should anything happen to him, there were other reunions, like while Kyo was a Five Star. One involves a wild theory which could actually work given Asuka's Digimon.
....Which speaking of--
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH WHAT
HE HAD A DANGER-CLASS DIGIMON. I KNEW IT. AAAAAAAAAAH
There's a lot happening here that I don't know where to start. The sun imagery for Asuka to Tomoro's moon imagery with Gekkomon's line and designs being clear as day (ha). The fact that Asuka's partner hid itself within or in the form of the White Core. The fact that this Digimon, four years ago, exhibited signs that it had the potential to be as powerful as the amalgam/null Digimon that destroyed Kano Island and violently altered the world and changed society forever? The fact Genjo knew of this Digimon's existence and disappearance 4 years ago? Is this how he maybe joined the Five Stars--by offering information to Wong? (Much like we see Kishiwada do) How did Heliosboamon get sealed with Asuka's original Sapotama? How did he even get by without it?
I find it very interesting that even with the dark e-Pulses of three sources (Miharu, Mephismon, and Souji), it still isn't enough to evolve Heliosboamon to Mega. I find it extra interesting and even more exciting how Tomoro's abnormal e-Pulse is key here. I think this indirectly serves to highlight just how strong Kyo's e-Pulse is. (I do wonder if Kishiwada relayed what he witnessed. Because I think that would put him as a "backup" option, though his e-Pulse is mostly of light granted we witnessed him wield dark e-Pulse easily?)
I'm very curious what role Genjo's mission of ensuring Heliosboamon evolves to Mega will be. I do think this will finally bring him into more direct confrontation with Glowing Dawn (or I hope so), soon.
I've bounced theories back and forth a while back with a mutual that the fact Asuka had an a coloured e-Pulse meant he birthed a Digimon (or the potential to? IIRC, Tomoro's e-Pulse was purple from the start?), where we concluded that it had to have been caused by an emotionally significant moment in his life. The only one we know of from the story so far is the arrest of his and Tomoro's parents 5 years ago and the fallout that ensued as their life was upended.
The weight, the indescribable pressure and stress, the early years...this was a recipe for disaster. The mask would've cracked at some point when this happened and something made him snap. I'm worried it was because of comments from Tomoro that were the final straw curious.
I do hope we get to see that moment as I feel it's connected to one of the final moments that lead to Kyo's possibly tumultuous depature from the Five Stars, the severe burns he suffers, and the beginning of his life as a Cleaner.
I like how with his plans marching forwarded almost perfectly, Wong's "old" mask is showing cracks and he's starting to act just a little bit excited and potentially unhinged. Much like he did 21 years ago during the Kano Island disaster.
Professor Tasuku Tenma
Ok, I so I see some reasonable complaints and people clowning on Tomoro again for not asking Kyo nor Yoshimura about if they knew his grandfather sooner but:
1- He had no reason to (genuinely. 😭). I know it feels out of nowhere, but he genuinely had no reason to and we may find out why very soon.
2- Like with him not asking about Asuka, suspicions of Kyo early on would've never led him to ask. Asking him, especially someone who's a highly-skilled conversationalist like Kyo, would've led to him skillfully guiding the conversation away and Tomoro would've gotten half-answers or a change of topic.
3- Yoshimura chiming in happens in real life too. (As does Tomoro's "Wait, you know my grandpa too?" reaction. No one knows all the people who know our parents and extended family) We've learned from this exchange that he knows about the Sakura Park (さくら園) orphanage work, and I guess figures having watched Tomoro these few months, jumping in to explain this made sense. This also allows his character to take some early steps in the story's expansion of its remaining lore and hopefully tie him to the past.
4- We may learn something about Dr Tenma's absence from the present day of the story to explain why Tomoro doesn't ask (whether death, they lost touch, or he cut ties with the family for their safety (which failed), or he's in touch with someone "in secret" but otherwise "out of the picture")
5- Unrelated - but I genuinely hope we learn how he got involved in Sapotama development. From the graph in the OP, it's a development that spans 20+ years minimum (assuming the lower y-axis values are not zero, and the units are millions for example). It'll be a sad story, and I'm sure one where he only realizes when it's too late that things are not going to end well.
You know what I find insane? This cycle that's going on in this series
Asuka brought light and colour to Kyo's world when he was an outcast.
After Tomoro is born, Asuka becomes a reassuring presence in the face of all the problems Tomoro faces non-stop because of him e-Pulse. After their lives are upended, Asuka tirelessly continues to be Tomoro's light and like anchor despite it all. (a heavy burden for a teenager)
Kyo in turn, years later, fulfills a promise and takes in Tomoro after arriving too late to save him--becoming his light and source of stability after traumatic loss.
Later, after having to adjust this new life and new form of family, Tomoro (and Reina (who leaves her orphanage) and Makoto (who leaves his family to save their reputation)) in turn become Kyo's light when his past returns and endangers them all, leading to him to not place his faith his in them.
((((SCREAMS INTO A CUSHION))))
I hope Tomoro, with Kyo, Reina and Makoto's help, work together to get Asuka back. You bet Kyo will be fighting tooth and nail not to go overboard and delete Asuka's Digimon (I have a theory that the first or second time Kyo and Asuka reunite is when he's a young Five Star but is told to stop a very strong Digimon birthed from a child's Sapotama. He deletes it. (or so he thinks))
I also think Reina and Makoto will equally have stakes in this that could test them emotionally: Reina is an orphan who left because she spawned a Digimon (like Kyo), while Makoto has a younger brother whom he "lost" after leaving and emphasizes profoundly with Tomoro's situation. They will have roles in this, trust.
The new Star of Earth: Kishiwada Kanchi - KAWARAZAKI I'M GOING TO NEED YOU TO MAKE SURE NONE OF YOUR STAFF HAVE ACCESS TO PANOPTICON JAIL ROOM OK?
Nah nah nah n ah nahhhh.
Yes he did human and Digimon trafficking. Yes he ran an illegal ring. Yes, I know. (And was running a decades-long revenge plan to get back at the humiliation he and his people went through as test subjects)
But I'm worried that whatever this new group is --whether GIFT extremists who were found by Kishiwada, or a new group --they will find a way to get to the "weakest" links of the Five Stars. In fact, I wouldn't b e surprised if their plan is to usurp control or quietly replace most o fthe members of the Five Stars through whatever means they can via currying favour with Chairman Wong.
This may also mean that Souji is also in danger? Oh and Miharu being in MCP's direct custody feels like a stroke of genius (While Kawarazaki did initiate the process to get MCP the custody of Miharu, Kyo was genuinely concerned about her ending up in Wong's custody. I wonder if we'll catch glimpses of his reasons for that, especially as he was the "lapdog" for Wong)
I do get the feeling the remaining active Five Stars may need to be careful going forward as Wong completely gives in to his greed and then some?
Briefly also want to mention how Rose, who's been revived, firmly has Glowing Dawn's back. I sincerely hope she can get back on her feet soon and help them (I need her to get on Kyo's nerves just for fun when she shows up. "Oh, don't mind us Kyo" *puts hand on his opposite shoulder* "We're only here to return a favour. You have no say in the matter *smiles serenely*" "....😐".
I had made a whole post of random dialogue ideas after ep 29 lol
Episode 43 - Preview. I need Kyo going all out like yesterday
Now it will be extremely telling if Kyo knows Heliosboamon. While Tomoro will definitely be unable to fight, I need Kyo and the others to go all out (they probably won't. Or Kyo will try and have the worst trouble since this is right out side their doorsteep AAAAAAAAGH)
I do wonder if Kyo was the one Five Star sent to deal with Heliosboamon when it emerged. I think he dealt with it and deleted it to save Asuka, but the act was enough to break him further and led to his departure from the Five Stars. Much like how Glowing Dawn defeated Mephismon, maybe he didn't realize the White Core was there and thought from what they could see that all was said and done. (Or maybe, as Wong's "lapdog", he was already aware of the search for the White Core and the only one in charge of that at the time? Maybe upon discovering that Asuka's Digimon, when it evolved a certain way or gave off some kind of energy he could perceive, that set off a chain of events. But also maybe guaranteed his safety after his departure?)
Also: Kaito might have an interesting reaction to seeing Asuka next week. A very interesting one. And I hope he decides to act on his own for a bit and "visit" the GD base for answers.
I might delete this later, and/or rework it into my main post, but it's been on my mind after seeing some comments—
I have come to the conclusion that I am not someone who expects everything to be resolved in a single episode after a reveal when said episode shows signs that it is setting up the early stages of its reveals, instead of dropping everything at once (the latter of which has been a complaint in the past.) I like it when a story lets itself reveal what is necessary in stages.
And at this stage, these are the reveals that need to be known.
But also that for this series, I've noticed watching without subs first makes for a somewhat to markedly different experience — there's some nice, and very interesting, details in many episodes that can be missed. (I could also see how this will lead to complaints later) If you know some Japanese, there's some interesting uses of language that differ from what has been used in the show's general "jargon" recently that hint at more reveals about the past possible down the road.
I personally enjoy stories where you need to listen to the dialogue, but also see what you can pick out from the details in a scene — I don't mean picking out *every* detail, because otherwise what's the point of rewatching? I especially enjoy stories where rewatching it from the start while it's airing leads to a shift in your experiences of the story as the main story progresses. And I just rewatched 1-2 at an event Saturday and......boy oh boy is Asuka's body language and subtle and visible reactions significantly more interesting. In light of developments in episode 42, there's a line from him that brings up more questions which I hope get answered as it looks to me that episode 42's visit to the past isn't going to be a one-off.
(I also feel that we only saw the beginning of his friendship with Kyo. There's still some questions to answer that tie heavily to present events — how did they reunite? How did he get Kyo to swear to take in Tomoro should something happen to him? Was the "Call out of blue" the first time he contacted him in 15 years? Who would've intervened to stop the Digimon who emerged 4 years ago?)
Scripts by series planner Yamaguchi Ryota with Fukuda Daichi (ep 32) returning with Kaizawa Yukio to handle the storyboards for Part B and A respectively. According to him, this was the heaviest compared to the previous episode he was on -- 190 pages each!
Don't even know where to start.
Realizing that he didn't need to focus on protecting his allies, seeing them as capable equals who could be trusted enough to support him and protect him in return....? Amazing.
"I'll never forgive you, but I won't let you die" is a fitting ending for Souji.
It wasn't said, but that's the message I felt when Kyo went to save him and prevent him from having the satisfaction of fulfilling his wish to die (and get the last laugh).
I also loved the way we got a brief flashback to Souji's past. It explains a lot and contextualizes how he turned out to be the way he is, sad as it may be. It shouldn't excuse what he did.
Probably one of the best villains in a long time, with a profound lack of morals and depravity as Kurata. (Different motives, of course -- a warped desire to feel through any means, the other using his fear to order the wanton murder of defenseless Digimon) I wouldn't be surprised if Yamaguchi Ryota drew from that and others.
For some reason, I do think he'll be back. Because unlike Kyo, he didn't lose his eye rings....speaking of which--
Kyo's eye rings disappear (again)...but I noticed an effect
It may have happened too quickly, but as Kyo got himself together again, there was a "blast" shockwave that emanated from him....and the eye rings were gone. And he got stronger.
WIth how strong he is, how intensely bright his e-pulse is, his own ability to also control black e-Pulse (<- new!) demonstrated this episode, and how once again another opponent commented "What is with this your e-Pulse?!"...I wonder if Kyo is strong enough, or too strong, for whatever these eye rings do or symbolize. Perhaps the reason he lost them when he first stumbled into Nirinsou was because he was at peace, mentally? So much that he "disconnected" from work?
Genuinely curious how these eye rings will play a role later if they do. (I honestly think they will and I think it links back to Wong and the Shangri-La Project)
*ahem* let's enjoy this sequence because this is the first and last time we see this version
(there's definitely going to be a Version 2, minimum 😌)
Credit for Kyo's e-Pulse activation animation bank sequences go to Shida for the animation with Niiyama (I'll add a link soon!) who I believe has been in charge of all of Kyo's e-Pulse activation sequences. Fukuda, as well as Asanuma and Kojima (as Animation Supervisors) helped out
I really love each one we've gotten for him. The thematic consistency is nice too (I think Tomoro's and Reina's are by the same animator, while Makoto's is by another ?).
Also: Kyo's always the most powerful in action of the ones we've seen so far!
Habakirimon and another method to Mega Evolution in Beatbreak (brief (??) thoughts) - hint: It's not reduced to "augh the power of friendship no jutsu"
(I'm going to blab a bit here, sorry)
I had seen some complaints (very few) about how this evolution came to be, in spite of the rules set up (or demonstrated by Klay).
I think we need to remember that: Kyo is strong, his e-Pulse is very (abnormally?) bright, which reflects how strong he is despite his thoughts to the contrary. Strong characters have commented in bewilderment asking what"s going on with his e-Pulse (similar to Tomoro). He can wield powerful e-Pulse in short bursts without exhausting himself too easily, he can manipulate black e-Pulse without exhibiting exhaustion/side effects unlike Tomoro and Raito.
Members of the Five Stars have praised him. Some have lamented how he's changed and lost his strength, even.
When viewers meet him, he's nerfed. Still very strong, but self-nerfed for his own personal reasons/punishment/atonement via his own continuation of the Nirinsou project as a shelter.
(I mean, he also doesn't view himself as "strong", but I wonder if he meant that in the sense that even for what it took to evolve to Habikirimon, this is still a far cry from how strong he used to be. Or if he doesn't view himself as strong because of all the horrible things he did as a Five Star -- murder among them. I do love that side of him though. A character so powerful that he uses as little of his true strength as possible, but is still strong enough on his own. Yet doesn't feel he's worthy enough to call himself that? )
Klay resorted to artificially inducing the evolution given the lack of stability because he admitted (indirectly) that his e-Pulse wasn't powerful enough and iirc kept praising Kyo's. In a wild theory, I wonder if he attempted to recruit him to his internal coup plan because he knew or had an inking that Kyo could evolve his Digimon further, but with significantly less stress on the surface.
If it were Reina, Makto or Tomoro going through this, then I'd understand comments like that, for example.
I think the key is based on actual, deep, bonds (Digimon and those who love and support you) and trust and understanding. Klay had a much longer partnership with his Digimon than Kyo yet still resorted to artificially inducing a mega evolution. And while he and his Digimon were more or less on equal standing (as in, he wasn't abusive), it seems like he rarely gave Proganomon his e-Pulse.
Kyo has been partners with his Digimon not for as long as Klay (minimum 20 years), but longer than most on his team (minimum 11 years). Beatbreak has demonstrated with this arc that artificially inducing an evolution to Mega, even when your Digimon is party to it, will only produce something that is powerful, but is highly unstable. A natural evolution, built on deep, strong and supportive bonds between Partner and Digimon, a strong or powerful enough e-Pulse, plus a partner Digimon who also feels the time is right for the simple reason that they see and feel deeply that their human partner is ready...is the key, I think in this series. And that's what we got)
Also--why are we putting faith in Klay's methods for achieving Mega? The man who admits to using others as a means to an end? It is interesting that his Digimon is one that saved him from being Cold Hearted by berserk, hungry, wild Digimon after the explosion at the heart of the Kano Island Incident and helped him survive in the post-disaster world after being stripped of his status and reduced to being a test subject. In another timeline, their bond would've been insanely powerful.
These two...I swear!
I was half expecting a Gruff Uplifting Speech of Motivation, but a silent but gentle fistbump to his back to get him to say what he truly wanted to say? May as well be a hug.
This was so beautiful.
It's impressive that their bond is just that solid. And we get to see the proof of this through actions like this, among others. I'm also beyond happy that staff were going for a moment where Kyo leans to trust the kids and let himself be loved and protected.
Also: we know Kyo and Murasamemon met 11 years ago, but what if it was earlier than that? I love that Beatbreak has explored long term Digimon and human partnerships. Because when compared to Makoto and Tomoro, the difference is stark, but not in a bad way.
Episode 42 preview - WAIT WHAT THE ACTUAL WHAT WAIT!?
WAIT
WHAT!?
OH MY GOD?!
OLD FRIENDS?! TRULY OLD FRIENDS?!???
OLD FRIENDS THEORY CONFIRMED. CHILDHOOD--MAYBE LOST CONTACT AFTER GETTING A DIGIMON THEN MAYBE REUNITED AS TEENS THEN AS YOUNG ADULTS --FRIENDS AAAAAAH??????
(I have nothing to add other than I have a suspicion that in this screenshot, Kyo was waiting for Asuka and he never showed up or didn't respond for...reasons we learn relate to that time (he gets cornered by those bullies?) or something related to his e-Pulse, like glitching his Sapotama)
I need to dig through my old theory posts because there's something on there that I made a theory about that I think got dismissed in the comments, that I think will now play a big role in the arc. (Or maybe it's in my drafts)
