PushoverMediaCritic @pushovermediacritic - Tumblr Blog

Digimon Tamers 24 - To the Digital World... The Day We Set Off / The Journey Begins

Previously on Digimon Tamers: After promising his superiors that he would not punch another hole in reality, Yamaki punched another hole in reality and then blew himself up. Takato discovered that he can cook bacon by screaming at it, but that victory came at great cost. And Leomon decided that being a little girl's hero isn't so bad, actually.

Leomon: Who needs the admiration of children when I can go brood in a damp tunnel and then sleep on a rock? Rocks are... fine... I've made a terrible mistake. Impmon: GET OUT OF MY BROODING TUNNEL

This episode, Davis has promised an answer to how the Tamers intend to reach the Digital World. Let's go!

We open with a set of establishing shots of Shinjuku. First, Hanazono Shrine now quiet and still.

Takato (V.O.): Our town....

A group of ants carry the corpse of a butterfly away, demonstrating the natural cycle of life and nature that Digimon were meant to emulate.

Takato (V.O.): Our world....

Helicopters fly overhead, and we follow them as they arrive at the wreckage of Meiji-dori, where emergency crews are at work hauling away debris.

Takato (V.O.): And...

On the street, a dewdrop falls onto a tiny shimmer like the one that spoke to Impmon, and the shimmer dissipates.

Takato (V.O.): ...a world we don't understand.

Takato here is framing the broad scope of things that the Tamers now have to think about in the wake of the Vikaralamon fight. Up until now, the Tamers have been largely reactive to the Devas' incursions into the Real World.

But now they have to face the larger topics at hand. The damage their war has done to their home, the nature of the world itself, and the nature of the Digital World that exists in reflection of theirs.

Takato also specifically mentions that they're going to a world they don't understand, which connects with something Juri will be haunted by throughout the episode.

In the dub:

(Hanazono) Takato (V.O.): (thinking) It's so quiet now. Wonder how long that'll last. It's so wild how everything's gone back to normal so quickly. (Dead butterfly) Takato (V.O.): Well, maybe not so normal. But now bad considering the city was this close to being wiped off the planet! (Ruins of Meiji-dori) Takato (V.O.): That last Deva was the most powerful yet! If we have to face another one like it without being able to Digivolve, we'll be toast! (Shimmer hit by dewdrop) Takato (V.O.): We have to find a way to get to the Digital World and rescue Calumon!

The original's going for poetic gesturing at themes here, while the dub goes for a more direct recap of what's happening in this episode and how we got to this point.

From here, we see the Tamers return home.

Takato (V.O.): I'm a horrible son.

Takato and Ruki both have quiet, emotional reunions with their families. Jian's dad was at the scene of the battle so he's just chilling on his computer for his scene; He's fine.

In the dub, Takato finishes his recap.

(Takato reunion) Takato (V.O.): It'll be dangerous and I can't go without telling my parents. I'd tell them about Guilmon and fighting lethal Digimon, but Mom freaks when I get a bloody nose. This will send her off the deep end. (Rika reunion) Rumiko: (crying) Oh, Rika! If anything happened to you.... Rika: (thinking) I've never seen her so worried. I can't leave her, can I? Not without letting her know how I feel. (Henry on his computer) Henry (V.O.): I've scanned the Network but still nothing! I hope the others are having better luck.

Rika here is setting the stage for a later scene, which needs a bit more setup than Ruki does due to the stark differences between how the different versions have presented her relationship to Rumiko.

That night, Guilmon exits out of the tunnel they use to wait out evolutions and into the park.

Guilmon: Hm?

He notices something and sniffs the night air, then follows that scent back to Guilmon Home.

Guilmon: Huh? I smell it!

Guilmon dashes up the steps to investigate, and we cut away to the city.

Renamon bounds over rooftops above the bustling night life, saying nothing before we cut away again.

In the dub:

Guilmon: (thinking) Hmm... Now where would I be if I were a portal to the Digital World? This is sure making me hungry. But everything makes me hungry! Hmm.... (Guilmon sniffs the air, then follows the scent to his den) Guilmon: Wait a minute! Could it be...? Oh, I hope, I hope! (Renamon scours the city) Renamon: (thinking) Nothing. How hard is it to find one lousy portal!? Rika is not going to like this.

There's almost no dialogue here in the original, but the dub states explicitly that they're searching for the portal. This is accurate.

At the Lee residence, there's a knock at Jiang-yu's office door.

Jiang-yu: Come in. Jianliang: (opening door) What did you need, Dad? Jiang-yu: Can I see your Ark? Jianliang: Huh? You mean the Digivice? Jiang-yu: Yeah.

Jian hands his Digivice over to Jiang-yu.

Jiang-yu: The children of the future would use this Ark to communicate with Digital Monsters, or to download information from either the Database or the Network.

Jiang-yu presses a button on the Ark, causing the scanner circle that typically displays Digimon data to appear.

Jiang-yu: That was my vision, anyway. Terriermon? Terriermon: Yes? Jiang-yu: To see something you dreamt of become real…. That kind of shock and gratification…. I wonder if you can understand that? Terriermon: Uhh.... Jiang-yu: Someone has caused the Digimon to undergo a sudden and drastic evolution, and has made the Ark a reality. My team from all over the world is working together to ensure that children never have to fight these dangerous battles again. Terriermon: ... Jianliang: ...I....

Well, Jian obviously can't tell him after that, right!? How do you even!? Dad literally just told Jianliang that his team's gonna make sure Vikaralamon was the last Digimon Fight that Jian participates in.

And the ironic thing is that the Jianliang we met at the start of the series would welcome that resolution. This is literally what he wanted. The authority figure is here to solve everything. He and Terriermon can just go back to their chill lives and never fight again.

He can be done!

Dad says he can be done!

The fate of the world is no longer in his hands! It's over! He can be done!

In the dub:

Janyu: Henry! Get in here, you troublemaker! Come on! Chop chop! Henry: (opens door) Dad? What's going on? Janyu: Give me your portable Digi-Thing. Henry: Huh? You mean my Digivice? Janyu: Yeah! Come on, I'll arm-wrestle you for it. Henry: Uh, since you put it that way.... (Henry hands over the Digivice) Janyu: Hmm... When we designed the prototype, we wanted to give kids a way to communicate with and control Digimon on the Network. Henry: Maybe mine's broken, 'cause I can't control Terriermon at all! Terriermon: It would take more than a piece of plastic to control me! (Janyu presses a button and opens the scanner) Janyu: You know what I mean. But the plan was never for Digimon to show up in the Real World. Terriermon: Why not? Janyu: Well, think about all the havoc Vikaralamon caused when he was here, and multiply the result by a thousand. Not a fun thought now, is it? Terriermon: Mrrr.... Janyu: There aren't enough SWAT teams in the world to take care of something like that. But obviously someone disagrees, and that someone is responsible for these Digimon showing up. My friends and I are working to stop this from happening. In the meantime, stay out of trouble. I don't want to tell Suzie something's happened to her big brother. Henry: (disappointed) 'Kay....

The dub avoids a potential continuity snag brought on by previous changes here. The Wild Bunch previously discovered the schematics of the Ark and copped to having designed it in the past; our King in Yellow, Shibumi, has simply made that design a reality.

But the Monster Makers only said that the plans for the D-Power resemble their "old portables", suggesting that they'd actually manufactured rudimentary Digivices in the past but that those designs aren't the same as the D-Power.

The dub script catches that, with Janyu referring to their old models as "the prototype" and not being sure what to call the modern Digivice. It is a little odd that no one mentions the term D-Power now that we've established it, however.

Jiang-yu says the Ark is supposed to give children the power to communicate with Digimon and to download information from the database and internet. He punctuates this by pulling up the scanner, indicating that the latter function is what the scanner does.

Janyu says the Digivice is supposed to give children the power to communicate and control Digimon, setting up a jokey exchange with Terriermon. He also pulls up the scanner for no particular reason.

Jiang-yu takes a moment to reflect on the way it feels for an old researcher like him to see his creations brought to life in this way.

Janyu takes a moment to reflect on how scary, powerful, and dangerous the Digimon are, and the importance of keeping them out of our world.

Jiang-yu throws it out there that his team's going to keep the kids from having to fight again and Jian stumbles over what he wanted to tell his dad.

Janyu directly tells Henry, "Now don't go thinking of running off to the Digital World and having a big adventure where you fight a bunch of Digimon, you hear?"

Before Jianliang can find his words, a set of slippered footsteps comes running down the hall.

Shaochung: Dad! Mom just sliced the watermelon! Let's eat! Let's eat!

She notices Terriermon and grabs him.

Shaochung: You can eat too, Terriermon! You want to eat too, don't you? Jiang-yu: Read you loud and clear, Shaochung. We'll come right now. Shaochung: Got it. We'll wait for you.

Shaochung leaves, carrying Terriermon with her. Jiang-yu gets up to follow her, but Jianliang sees his window of opportunity closing.

Jianliang: Dad, I.... Jiang-yu: (sternly) Tell me once you can say it clearly. (cheerful) Now, let's go have some watermelon!

Jiang-yu leaves the room, and Jianliang is all alone.

Jianliang: But if I don't say it now....

Jiang-yu can't look at Jian as he delivers his stern line here. I think he knows that he's not going to like what Jian has to say. But he also doesn't want to try and have this conversation with a Jian who's unsure if he even wants to argue about this.

If Jianliang is tripping over his own words, if he can't even form a sentence, then he hasn't committed to what he's trying to say enough to have an argument about it. Jian needs to go get his thoughts in order and chew on what Jiang-yu just told him.

Which is a good sentiment, but what Jiang-yu doesn't realize is that there might not be a "later" to talk about it.

In the dub:

Suzie: Hello! Everybody, dinner is ready! Terriermon! (Suzie grabs Terriermon) Suzie: Want some din-din? Well, of course you do! Janyu: Tell your mother we'll be down in a minute, honey. Suzie: I won't, but Terriermon will! (Suzie leaves with Terriermon; Janyu gets up to follow) Henry: Uh... Actually, dad...? There's, uh... There's something I need to tell you. Janyu: Uh, tell me at dinner, okay? I smell corned beef and cabbage, and I'm starving! (Janyu leaves) Henry: What do I do now?

Shaochung comes to tell everyone that there's sliced watermelon, while Suzie comes to tell them that dinner's ready.

Janyu says that they'll be down in a minute, indicating that they need to finish up here first. But then he immediately gets up to follow Suzie.

Jiang-yu said "今行く Ima iku", or "We'll go now."

Jiang-yu outright rejects the conversation Jian's trying to have because Jian's tripping over his words. This puts Jian in a bad spot, since he's on a time crunch.

Janyu asks to talk about it over dinner, which leaves Henry confused about what to do now. My recommendation would be to talk about it over dinner, like Janyu said. I'm not sure why this is a big issue. It's not like he's planning to ghost the whole family except Janyu, right?

...I mean, he is going to end up ghosting most of the family. But that's not what he's trying to do right now!

From here we go to the KATŌ RESIDENCE for the first time! Juri is officially a main character so we get to see her home life.

The Katōs live above a family business, similar to the Matsudas. According to the sign out front, her family runs a 小料理 koryōri, or "Small Dish" restaurant. It's kinda like a pub, offering both sake and some small portions of food.

When she comes downstairs to raid the fridge, her dad's chopping something behind the bar; We don't hear exactly what he's chopping (sushi?) but the chopping sound fills the room.

Customer: Hey, Juri-chan! Studying hard? Juri: Good evening! Dad: I told you not to come down to the store. Juri: I know, I'll just be a sec!

Juri grabs a carton of orange juice, then snatches a glass from the bar. We get a brief glimpse of her mom watching her, looking a little concerned. Juri takes the carton and glass, racing back up to her room. Her dad peeks into the stairwell and calls up after her.

Dad: Make sure you wash that before putting it back!

She goes up to her room and enters. As she opens the door, we see a sign hung on it that reads 勉強中 Benkyōchū, or "Studying Within". This is basically a sort of "Do Not Disturb", further reinforcing how studious Juri is.

We already established previously that Juri attends 塾 juku, extracurricular preparatory education designed to help her pass entrance exams and get into a more prestigious middle school once she graduates elementary next year.

Between that, the customer's dialogue, and her door sign, all of this paints a picture of just how seriously her family takes her education.

Dad doesn't elaborate on why Juri's not supposed to come down to the store. Off the top of my head, it could be because she's 10, this is a pub, and people get drunk here, or it could be because she's supposed to be in her room studying right now. Either is plausible.

In the dub, the customer gets a line during the establishing shot.

Customer: Mmm, this baked eel is really tasty! (Jeri goes down to raid the fridge) Customer: Hey there, Jeri. How are you? Jeri: Just peachy, thanks! Dad: Shouldn't you be in bed by now? Jeri: I just want some juice! Dad: Agh, it's juice one minute, cookies the next.... Customer: She is a growing child. Dad: Thanks for the observation, but at this rate, she'll be as tall as a tree! (Jeri runs upstairs, Dad peeks into the stairwell) Dad: And don't spill anything in bed! Jeri: Yes, Dad!

That first line for the customer is a clever choice. Since a Fox Kids audience wouldn't be able to read the 小料理 Koryōri markings on the front of the building, they added a dialogue line to establish audibly that this is some kind of restaurant. They even picked a Japanese dish! A+

The conversation downstairs is completely different in the dub. Jeri's supposed to be in bed, not studying, and this sparks a parenting discussion between Dad and Customer to fill animation space while she's grabbing the juice and glass.

Between the previous removal of her attending juku, this change to the dialogue here, and the fact that her door sign is only readable in Japanese, the dub has given no indication that Jeri is a hard-working academic. This remains an unestablished character trait.

Juri heads into her room, where no studying is taking place. The lights are out and her little brother's sleeping in a bunk bed they share with her sock puppet. Juri quietly stops and pulls the puppet out of his sleeping hands.

Then she goes to the window, letting the puppet speak first.

Puppet: Arf! Juri: Ehehe!

Outside, Leomon's sitting on the roof. He doesn't respond to the puppet. Juri sets down the glass of orange juice on the windowsill.

Juri: Here, Leomon-sama. Leomon: Drop the "sama". Juri: Oh, of course! Hehehehe....

Leomon takes the glass, sniffs it, and then drinks once he's satisfied that it's good. Juri climbs out the window to join him on the roof.

Juri: Leomon, what's the Digital World like? Leomon: That's a hard question to answer. Juri: It's completely different from our world, isn't it? Leomon: It's different, but there are some similarities. Juri: We're going to go there. That's going to be amazing! I mean, nobody's ever been there before!

Her hands clench around her Digivice, and she trembles a little.

Juri: ( 'ヘ') ...no one....

She's more afraid than she lets on. Leomon raises a hand to comfort her but, unsure of himself, he puts it back down.

Leomon: I'm your Partner now. Isn't that right, Juri? Juri: ...it is. ( ^ᴗ^) And I'm your Tamer! So... I have a small favor to ask.

I have no idea what the small favor is; It does not come back up, at least not in this episode. If I had to hazard a guess, she formally requests for him to accompany her to the Digital World. Given how shaky their relationship is right now, it's not something she can assume.

In the dub:

Jeri: Hm? So that's where you went. (Jeri takes her puppet and goes to the window) Puppet: Woof! Jeri: Hehehe, hi! (Jeri sets down the glass) Jeri: I brought you some juice. Leomon: You are too kind. Jeri: I know! Hehehe.... (Leomon sniffs it) Jeri: Go on. It's good for you. (Leomon drinks; Jeri climbs out onto the roof) Jeri: Leomon, what's the Digital World really like? Leomon: Are you sure you want to go? Jeri: Of course I want to! I hardly ever get the chance to travel. Leomon: Well, it's beautiful but it's dangerous. Jeri: I don't care about danger as long as you're there with me! I just hope I live up to being your Partner! Leomon: Huh? (Leomon notices Jeri trembling) Jeri: ( 'ヘ') Sometimes I think I'm not good enough.... (Leomon considers putting a hand on her and then reconsiders) Leomon: You're such a little thing, but you have a lion's heart. Jeri: Aww... ( ^ᴗ^) Why, that's why we're perfect for each other! But I do have one little favor to ask....

The honorific discourse is dropped, seamlessly replaced by Jeri and Leomon briefly discussing the juice she brought.

JP Leomon describes the Digital World as different from the Real World but also bearing some similarities.

EN Leomon describes it as a beautiful but dangerous place.

Juri is putting on a brave front and trying to focus on the positive of getting to visit a new frontier no one's ever visited. But her mask slips and she starts to let it show that she's actually pretty scared of what they're about to do. And reasonably so.

Jeri pivots the topic to her and Leomon's Partnership. She's worried that she's going to prove inadequate as a Tamer, building on the stuff about "Things like this never happen to me," that the dub added to the Kumbhiramon episode.

Speaking of which, the dub takes Jeri and Leomon's Partnership as a given, something they've both already agreed to prior to this point and can talk about openly.

This is still kinda shaky in the original. Juri just got her Digivice, like, yesterday. So Leomon putting voice to it, acknowledging Juri as his Partner for the first time, is a big moment that lifts her out of her worries.

Since he's apparently already locked in as her Partner in the dub, EN Leomon pays Jeri a compliment to cheer her up instead.

At the Matsuda Bakery, Takato's on the phone with Ruki.

Takato: You still haven't found it? That's what I thought.... Tomorrow, I'll help search. It's okay, we'll find it for sure!

Conspicuously lying on the table next to Takato is the flag he once made for the Tamers, once they became an official team.

Ruki: Okay, got it. See you then.

Ruki heads down the hall and stares out into the courtyard. Renamon appears in the doorway to her room.

Renamon: Vikaralamon's influence is gradually starting to fade. We must find the entrance quickly. Ruki: I know.

Like I said earlier, the dub was accurate in suggesting that Guilmon and Renamon were searching for the portal. Renamon's reported in their failure to find it, which Ruki here tells Takato. Guilmon can't go to Takato's home to visit him, however, so he won't be able to report his findings until tomorrow.

The important thing here is that we're up against a ticking clock. Our only way to the Digital World is through the seam that Vikaralamon tore between the worlds in the last couple episodes. But, like Mihiramon's sky crack, that seam is closing. If we don't go soon, we won't be able to go at all.

This is what Jian was gesturing at too in his conversation with his dad.

In the dub:

Takato: No luck? Aw, that's too bad. Henry came up empty too. We'll find it sooner or later. I guess we should just keep searching. Rika: *Brilliant* advice, but we're running out of places to look! Catch you later. (Rika hangs up) Renamon: Rika, Vikaralamon's effects are wearing off. We have to find the portal soon, but when we do.... Rika: What is it?

JP Takato offers to join the search tomorrow himself. Takato and Ruki couldn't search tonight because they were busy having "Hi Mom and Dad/Grandma, I didn't die today!" conversations, so only their Digimon were able to go out and look

EN Takato just says that they should keep looking, a statement so useless that Rika gives him flack for it.

The search is still on but Renamon has other concerns about our plans here.

Renamon: I don't want you to go, Ruki. We Digimon should do this alone. That place is-- Ah!

Suddenly, too late, Renamon notices Seiko stepping quietly down the hall towards them.

Ruki: Grandma!

Renamon tries to duck back inside Ruki's room, but Seiko calls out and stops her.

Seiko: Wait a minute, please. Renamon: ... Ruki: ... Seiko: This house is nothing but old and gloomy; Back when I was your age, Ruki, I though I'd be the first one ever to escape from it. Why, it even appears to be haunted.

Seiko smiles at Renamon with that last part.

Ruki: You knew about Renamon? Seiko: I took them for the Great Fox Spirit watching over you, Ruki. I was just a little off, huh? Renamon: My name is Renamon. Please forgive my impertinence in imposing on you all this time. Seiko: ( ^ᴗ^) You look so beautiful! Ruki: Mom will never understand, though. Seiko: That girl is very grounded, but perhaps if you took the time to explain it-- Ruki: We don't...! ( ._.) ...we don't have that time. Seiko: Then Renamon will just have to protect you. Isn't that right? Renamon: I will defend Ruki with my life. Seiko: Please do. Ruki: ...I... I'm sorry....

This is sweet. Seiko finally meets Renamon, but Ruki asserts that she won't be telling Rumiko before she leaves because we simply do not have enough time for the ordeal of a conversation that's going to be.

Seiko also shares an anecdote of her childhood, relating to Ruki's acts of rebellion against Rumiko. This huge, miserable old house makes every young Makino a little restless, it seems.

On that note, we learn a bit about the Makino family wealth. It seems they come from old money, as this house has been in the family since Seiko was a little girl. At least three generations of Makino women have walked these halls, at least two of which felt that urge to escape into the world and run away from all this.

I wouldn't be surprised if Rumiko did too.

But whatever Seiko may have gotten into when she was young, she came home. She's here today. And if Rumiko felt that urge to escape then the same is true of her, because she's here too. In this moment, we not only hear Seiko express herself, but while Ruki says little, her body language speaks volumes.

Now that she's standing on the precipice of diving into the Digital World, now that it's her turn to escape this house and this family in her own way, she just looks haunted.

Forty years from now, she may be standing in this hall sharing these words with her own granddaughter.

In the dub:

Renamon: I don't want you to come. The Digital World wasn't made for humans. There's no telling what-- (big gasp) (Suddenly Grandma is there) Rika: Grandma! I can explain! (Renamon tries to retreat) Grandma: Please, don't go. Renamon: ... Rika: ... Grandma: At my age, I thought I was seeing things. I've always known you had a guardian angel, but in my wildest dreams, I never thought it would be a talking fox. Oh well, you've always been a special girl. (Grandma smiles at Renamon) Rika: So you don't have a problem with her? Grandma: ( ^ᴗ^) Not at all. I think she's simply beautiful. I guess she's one of those creatures I've been hearing about on the news? Renamon: My name is Renamon, and I'm sorry if I've caused any trouble. Grandma: Oh, you're no trouble at all! You'll add some excitement to my life. Rika: Grandma, I'm going to be going away for a little while. Grandma: But why, Rika? Where are you going? You really should tell your mother. Rika: I can't. Please. ( ._.) Don't tell Mom. She won't understand. Grandma: She'll be worried about you, but I'll do what I can, Rika. You'll protect her? Renamon: I will protect her with my life. I promise you. Grandma: Thank you, Renamon. Rika: (thinking) They shouldn't worry about me. Everything will be fine. Rika: I... I hope....

The dub takes its first commercial break here.

JP Seiko calls Renamon 大狐様 Ō-kitsune-sama, or the Great Fox Spirit. She thought Renamon was Inari, the Kami to whom Hanazono Shrine is dedicated and the patron deity of foxes. As she notes, this is incorrect, but it's not that incorrect.

EN Grandma mistakes her for a guardian angel and jokes about how little Renamon resembles our conception of angels.

As with what was implied about Jiang-yu in episode 17, JP Seiko has been aware of Renamon's presence this whole time. She just hasn't said anything because of the Inari/Renamon misunderstanding, which she only now realizes the truth of because of Vikaralamon's public rampage.

It hasn't come up yet in the original, though the dub mentions it here, but everyone knows about Digimon now thanks to today's inescapably devastating fight and possibly also the destruction of Hypnos, which implies the loss of Hypnos's information control.

The cat is out of the bag.

Following today's carnage and the subsequent revelations, it's likely that Seiko sought this conversation on purpose. That's how she was able to catch Renamon unawares like this; She was being very quiet as she approached.

In the dub, it's a lapse in Renamon's alertness that leads to a chance encounter. EN Grandma happens upon Renamon and learns about her for the first time in this scene, but she's shockingly chill about everything nonetheless.

Rika tells Grandma outright that she's leaving. In the original, that subtext hangs over the scene but nobody voices it outright; From her words, Seiko clearly knows Ruki's leaving and likely caught the snippets of conversation from before they noticed she was there.

There's some emotional beats that are lost in the dub. Seiko sharing an anecdote about her own childhood wanderlust and Seiko admitting that Rumiko's a little too down-to-earth for an easy conversation like this one are both dropped, with the dub only bringing over the part about how Rumiko won't understand why she has to go.

Similarly, we don't get the emotional complexity of Ruki regretting the situation she now finds herself in. She's in this time crunch, she's never told her mom, she can't tell her mom now because it's too late, and she's having complicated feelings and a bit of remorse over the fact that she's about to just vanish on Rumiko with no explanation.

Rika asks Grandma to cover for her, then expresses that she doesn't want her family to worry, which doesn't quite hit those same levels.

The next morning before school, Takato goes to visit Guilmon. He races up the stairs to Guilmon Home.

Takato: GUILMOOOOOON!!! GOOD MORNI-- Huh?

To his surprise, Guilmon Home is empty.

Takato: Wha... Guilmon? Guilmon: (muffled) TAKATOOOOOO!!!

Guilmon's voice echoes from a small hole he's dug in the bottom of his burrow, almost imperceptible but for the noise coming out of it. Takato hurries to the edge, where he sees Guilmon peeking out of a tunnel.

Takato: Guilmon!? Guilmon: Come down here! Takato: Huh?

As Guilmon goes back into the tunnel, Takato slides down to join him.

Takato: Why did you dig so deep? Guilmon: Look! Takato: Look at wh-- AH!!!

Guilmon holds his hand out at the end of the tunnel, which starts to fizzle like it did that time he disappeared into the Zone. Takato runs forward, grabbing Guilmon's arm and pulling it back.

Takato: GUILMON!!! Guilmon: This is it! Pretty shocking that it's right below where Guilmon lives, huh? Takato: Yeah, that really is shocking. Finding the entrance here of all places....

Takato leaves that thought hanging but the point is made. It's good that we found the portal, but it's really weird that it's right under Guilmon Home. Why would it be here? How would it be here?

In the dub:

Takato: GUILMON!!! WHERE ARE YA??? (Takato enters den) Takato: Guilmo-- Huh!? Ah... Someone's been busy! Uhh... Guilmon? Guilmon: (muffled) TAKATOOOOOO!!! (Takato notices the hole) Takato: What's up? Guilmon: Well, come down and see! Takato: Huh? (Takato slides down and follows) Takato: So what did you find, boy? Buried treasure? Guilmon: Portal. Takato: Huh-- Whoa! (Guilmon puts his hand in the rift; Takato pulls it back) Takato: Hey! No! Guilmon: I smelled something and it wasn't the muffin I buried last week, so I started digging and I found this. Takato: Good job! Do me a favor. Just keep away from it for now, okay?

EN Takato says "Someone's been busy" during a panning shot of Guilmon's burrow, as if the huge dug-out burrow hasn't been here for twenty episodes. The only thing new here is a small hole in the middle of the dirt area leading down.

The dub drops Takato and Guilmon's discussion of how eerily convenient this seems to be.

From here, we transition through the rift into the Network, where Monkey's speeding along with his stolen prize. He has Culumon in a small cage now.

Monkey: Hahahahahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahahahaha! Culumon: Nnnnnngh... Culu. Monkey: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Must be thinking about something funny. I guess you had to be there. Maybe he really enjoyed the part where (God?) shot Leomon full of acupuncture.

Elsewhere in the Network, Impmon is drifting through as well. It seems he has taken (God?) up on their conversation and is returning to the Digital World.

Impmon: What did I do wrong? I just wanted to be strong. Is it so wrong to think that way? ...in the end, I'm only data. Does that mean this world is where I belong?

He's going through some things, but it is convenient for us that he'll be in the Digital World right when we get there. Considering the eerie convenience of the Guilmon Home portal, possibly too convenient. Takato and Guilmon have my hackles up.

In the dub:

Makuramon: Chin up, shorty! You'll be back in the Real World soon. Ahahahahahahaha heehee hahahahahaha! Calumon: But when? Makuramon: After you've helped us become its MASTERS!!! (Elsewhere, Impmon sinks through the Network) Impmon: Have I died and gone to Heaven? Wait a minute... in Heaven, I'm supposed to feel like a million bucks! But I feel a turkey with the stuffing beat out of it. Oh well. At least I know I'm alive.

Makuramon promises to bring Calumon back to the Real World once they've enslaved humanity. None of this is in the original; JP Monkey just laughs for an uncomfortably long time.

JP Impmon spends his scene emoting to the camera about his self-destructive despair. His previous attempt at Suicide by Indramon failed and now he's self-destructing a different way, by giving up on ever finding a place for himself in the Real World.

EN Impmon vamps at the camera and just points out how beat up he is.

As morning progresses, we find Takato in Asanuma-sensei's class staring out the window rather than listening to the lesson.

Asanuma-sensei: To identify changes in paragraphs, read carefully and pay attention for shifts in topics. In different texts.... Takato: (thinking) Culumon....

On his desk, he's drawn doodles of Guilmon, Impmon, and Culumon. He's topped the images with the words デジタルワールド Dejitaru Wārudo or "Digital World". While he's distracted, Asanuma sidles up to his desk.

Takato: Oh! Asanuma: Is my class really so boring? Takato: N-No!

Takato stands up quickly.

Asanuma: Maybe this is fine for you, Takato-kun. But it makes problems for me if you drag down the class's average scores in academic achievement testing. Takato: I'm sorry. Asanuma: You'll stay after class and write a reflection essay. Honestly, you need to get it together. You're in fifth grade already!

Suddenly, Juri raises her hand and stands up.

Juri: Sensei! I wasn't paying attention to the lesson either! Asanuma: Huh? Katō-san...?

Hirokazu follows.

Hirokazu: And I was dozing off.

And then Kenta.

Kenta: Yeah, I was thinking about something else. Asanuma: You... ALL OF YOU, GO STAND IN THE HALL!!! All four of you are staying after class to write reflection essays!

Having successfully bullied their teacher into keeping them together, Takato and the others vacate to the hallway.

Hirokazu: Oh man, she's making us stand in the hall. Kenta: This is your first time out here, isn't it, Katō? Hirokazu: And all because Takato was doodling something. Juri: And this might be our very last class too, huh? Takato: (gasp) Juri: Summer is already over, isn't it?

Takato was staring at Juri and blushing but those words seem to strike a chord with him. I don't think he'd realized until this very moment that this might be their last class.

In the background, the insert song ひまわり Himawari or "Sunflowers" plays us off to the commercial break, including a closeup shot of actual, physical sunflowers.

This is a deeply symbolic moment. Juri here gives voice to the unspoken weight hanging over each of their heads. An uncertain potential finality in the decision that they've made. The plan is to enter the Digital World through a portal that is rapidly disappearing and will soon be gone.

There is a very real and likely chance that no one who enters that portal will ever come back. But also a very real chance that they might. It's not a certain ending to this chapter of their lives, but a possible one.

Even if they do come back, they are stepping across the threshold of something very dangerous, very difficult. If everything up to this point has been the "summer", symbolizing warmth and joy and good fortune, then the Tamers are about to pass into "winter". Things are about to get very difficult.

That's how I interpreted it, anyways.

As an aside, Asanuma-sensei now lends her voice to Takato's mom at the start of the Vikaralamon two-parter telling Takato he needs to start taking his academics seriously.

In the dub:

Ms. Asaji: Today, we'll discuss a book about a strange troll called Wakami the Weird. Notice the use of adjectives when Wakami is described as a ten-foot slimy.... Takato: (thinking) I can't believe I'm going on the biggest adventure of my life. Hang in there, Calumon. We're coming for ya. Ms. Asaji: Takato! Takato: Oh! Huh? Ms. Asaji: Can you repeat anything I've just said? (Takato stands up) Takato: I, uh... Uh.... Ms. Asaji: It's detention for you, and I want an essay on the importance of paying attention. Takato: Yes, Ms. Asaji. Ms. Asaji: Takato, I don't understand you. Don't you care about your grades at all? Takato: I guess I do. Ms. Asaji: Well, you seem to care about your funny little drawings more. I hate doing this but if you're not punished, you'll never amount to anything.

Ms. Asaji tests Takato to see if he's been paying attention. Asanuma-sensei doesn't need to do that because she can see his doodling with her eyes.

Asanuma-sensei is concerned with Takato's poor academic performance dragging down the entire class. Ms. Asaji is concerned with him dragging down himself.

Ms. Asaji quasi-apologizes for punishing Takato, offering justification to him in the middle of trying to punish him. Asanuma-sensei scolds him out of exasperation and implies that his doodling is unbecoming of his age.

(Jeri raises her hand) Jeri: Ms. Asaji? Ms. Asaji: Huh? Yes? (Jeri stands) Jeri: I wasn't paying attention in class either. Ms. Asaji: What? But Jeri.... (Kazu stands) Kazu: I want to amount to something too! Hehe.... Ms. Asaji: I.... (Kenta stands) Kenta: Hey, don't leave me out of the action! Ms. Asaji: It's an all-out mutiny! GO ON, STAND OUTSIDE!!! You will all stay after school and write essays! Understood!?

JP Hirokazu and Kenta offer ways in which they too weren't paying attention to the class and need to be punished. EN Kazu and Kenta stand up and volunteer for detention as if that were a thing.

(Tamers go stand in hall) Kazu: This is the noblest thing I have ever done. Kenta: Dude, you just wanted to cut class. Kazu: Whatever. I'm just psyched we're going to the Digital World! Jeri: This could be the last class we attend all year! Takato: (gasp) Kenta: (thinking, sad) No more soccer.... Kazu: (thinking, excited) No more soccer! Jeri: Well? Should we ask for extra homework? Boys: Hmmmmmm.... Nah! Ahahahaha! Jeri: It was just a suggestion! Kazu: You're crazier than a fruit bat, Jeri!

The dub takes its second commercial break here as well.

The hallway talk is completely different. JP Kenta points out that our lady of academic excellence Juri has never been punished before. EN Kenta accuses Kazu of just trying to skip class rather than express team solidarity and do the thing they've all decided to do; More on that after the commercial.

Jeri delivers the "last class" line but qualifies it with "all year". While Juri indicates that they might not be coming back, Jeri just indicates that they could be gone a while.

The "end of summer" line is dropped, with Jeri using those lip flaps to ask about extra homework. And, of course, they need to fill the space from the insert song with dialogue, so the kids start riffing.

The extra homework bit would play to Jeri being highly academic, but the dub hasn't established that character trait and instead attributes it to her being weird and zany.

But the "No more soccer" gag is random. Like. Since when do Kenta and Kazu play soccer? When have we ever seen them play soccer? Their after-school activity is going to the playground to play the DIgimon TCG.

Coming back from commercial, we get a brief glimpse of the four Tamers writing their reflection essays in class after school, then cut over to Yamaki's home.

A news report is playing, revealing everything about what happened yesterday to the public.

Reporter: According to the Ministry of Information's Network Administration Bureau, the massive damage caused to the Shinjuku area by the appearance of a colossal pseudo-lifeform called a Digimon was an isolated incident not expected to recur. However, the Secretary-General has issued a statement that the Ministry is taking these events seriously, are investigating the cause, and are deliberating on future countermeasures. In other news.....

Yamaki's phone rings on the table in front of him while the report's playing, but he ignores it. After the ninth unanswered ring, the caller hangs up and the phone goes silent.

Red slides the door open and enters.

Red: So, what will you do now? Yamaki: There's nothing we can do now. Red: That's not what I said. What are you going to do now? Yamaki: ...nothing we can do...? Red: Hey, are you even listening!?

He's not. Suddenly struck with an idea, Yamaki turns to his laptop and pulls up profiles on Guilmon and Takato.

This one's a tricky translation because it revolves around an absent pronoun. As I've often mentioned, Japanese is context-sensitive and often foregoes pronouns.

Red's first line is literally, "What will be done from here?"

Yamaki thinks she's asking, "What will we, the Hypnos organization, do now?" To which the answer is nothing. Hypnos is cooked. Their data center was completely destroyed. Their mechanisms are lost. They've been delivered a profound defeat in this war that will be difficult if not impossible to come back from.

Red clarifies that she meant, "What will you, the self-motivated and kinda rogue agent Yamaki, do now?"

But the misunderstanding gives him that flash of insight, as he remembers that there is a third-party, someone who is not "we", still active in all this.

The profiles, written in Japanese, read:

ギルモンネット世界からリアライゼーションしたワイルドワン口から高熱の火炎弾を吐き出す他に、二形態への変身を確認非常に危険な存在 Girumon Netto Sekai kara Riaraizē shon shite Wairudo Wan kuchi kara kōnetsu no kaen-dan o hakidasu ta ni, ni keitai e no henshin o kakunin hijō ni kiken'na sonzai Guilmon A Wild One that Realized from the Net World. It spits intensely hot fireballs from its mouth. Additionally, two transformations have been confirmed. An extraordinarily dangerous entity.

松田啓人年齢10才性別男淀橋小学校5年2組自宅は西新宿けやき商店街にて「まつだベーカリー」を経営父松田剛弘母松田美枝性格至って温厚ワイルドワン（ギルモン）のパートナーとしての活動を確認 Matsuda Takato Hito Nenrei 10-sai | Seibetsu Otoko Yodobashi Shōgakkō 5-nen 2-kumi Jitaku wa Nishishinjuku Keyaki Shōten Machi nite Matsuda Bēkarī o keiei Chichi Matsuda Takehiro | Haha Matsuda Yoshie Seikaku itatte onkō Wairudo Wan (Girumon) no Pātonā to shite no katsudō o kakunin Matsuda Takato Age: 10 | Gender: Male Yodobashi Elementary School, Grade 5, Class 2 Residence: West Shinjuku, Keyaki Merchant District Family runs Matsuda Bakery Father: Matsuda Takehiro | Mother: Matsuda Yoshie Personality: Exceptionally gentle. Confirmed active as Partner to a Wild One (Guilmon)

Some interesting details in here. First off, Takehiro and Yoshie now have names. Like Seiko, their names haven't been spoken but they have now appeared onscreen in text.

A fun fact about Yoshie: The dub cast Philece Sampler, the actress who played Mimi Tachikawa, to play her. This is a hilariously serendipitous choice for reasons that can't possibly have been deliberate: If you add just one kanji to Yoshie's name, you get 味美枝 Mimie.

So that's pretty fun!

It's not a deliberate reference, however. Mimi's name is spelled ミミ in Katakana. Just a funny coincidence.

Another interesting note is that we get a very specific location for Takato's place of residence. He's on the Keyaki Merchant Street, which cannot be located on Google Maps but is somewhere around the Oedo station just west of Central Park.

Blue circle is Central Park Black is Government Building. Green is Big Guard crossing. Pink is Isetan and Hanazono Shrine. The Keyaki Merchant Street was somewhere around the red circle but it's hard to get a precise location because I say "was" for a reason.

Per this article from 2013, it seems the Keyaki Merchant Street or rather けやき橋商店会 Keyakibashi Shōtengai/Keyaki Bridge Merchant Association was gentrified that year, with businesses chased out to new locations and torn down.

Why were they called Keyaki Bridge, the name of a small footbridge in the gardens of the Kyoto Imperial Palace? I don't know. But they were. Nonetheless, this area doesn't exist anymore. They paved over Matsuda Bakery to put up condominiums.

I wonder if the Katō family pub is also on Merchant Street?

In the dub, the kids at Yodobashi get a bit of throwaway dialogue before we move to Yamaki.

Takato: We should tell Ms. Asaji we're not gonna be in school. Kenta: We're gonna get busted! (Kids working on their essays; Takato looks out a window) Takato: I wonder if the sky in the Digital World looks the same? (Cut to Yamaki's residence) Yamaki: Years of work. Research. My brilliant plan to wipe out the digital plane. All flushed down the toilet. Failure does not become me. Reporter: According to government sources, the large boar that appeared in Shinjuku was an artificial lifeform called a Digimon. We have been told this was just a freak accident. Apparently the rampage was due to incompetence of a certain network official who has since been reprimanded. Up next, killer chimpanzees! (Riley enters the room) Riley: So, you just gonna sit here and mope? Yamaki: Well now, that sounds like a brilliant idea. Riley: You can't shut yourself off just because Hypnos is gone! Yamaki: Hypnos has nothing to do with it. (sigh) Riley: There must be something you can do! Are you listening to me!? Yamaki: Actually... Maybe there is something I can do. (Yamaki pulls up profiles) Yamaki: Those children and their Digimon... I may still have a chance.

EN Yamaki emotes about how much failing sucks before the news report comes up. He doesn't really say anything so much as he just vibes audibly at the camera. This might be meant to recap for the audience that he's a bad guy who just suffered a tremendous setback.

The report hits the key note: The Ministry is pretending this is the first time this has happened and assuring folks that it's also the last. The dub adds that they're blaming it all on Yamaki. I can see why, given that the shadowy conspirators threatened to do exactly that the first time we saw them.

Riley comes at Yamaki a lot harder in the dub, which has to talk around the pronoun confusion while still hitting the core point since that bit doesn't translate super well.

JP Yamaki thinks of Takato after reconsidering his own phrasing of "nothing we can do". EN Yamaki thinks of Takato after Riley tells him, "There must be something you can do."

Riley also asks "Are you listening to me!?" but this is founded in nothing because Yamaki is clearly listening and responding to her. This line is from the original, but JP Yamaki is has actually stopped listening to Red when she says it. Probably should have snipped this line.

The dub goes the extra mile and rewrites the two profiles in English.

"Guilmon" "A Wild One who Bio-Emerged from the net world. Emits a red-hot blast of fire from his mouth. Is able to transform into a second form. A dangerous being."

"Takato Matsuki" "Age 12 male. Middle school. His home is above the Matsuki Bakery in the Keyasaki shopping district of West Shinjuku. Father: Takehiro Matsuki Mother: Yoshie Matsuki Gentle personality. Sees himself as the partner of the Wild One Guilmon."

I have a few notes.

They say that Guilmon can transform into a second form, which is a contextual error. The original says he can transform into two forms. Growmon/Growlmon and MegaloGrowmon/WarGrowlmon.

"Age 12 male" strikes me as oddly unprofessional for an official government record. Also, I thought they were aged up three years but apparently it's just two. Huh.

Takato's profile just says "Middle School" but offers no specifics.

They added a syllable to Keyaki Merchant Street for some reason.

Everything is in quotation marks for some reason? I have no idea why the quotation marks are there. Is the profile quoting another, better profile?

At Yodobashi Elementary, Takato and the others finish their reflection essays and exit the classroom.

As they leave, Juri turns to the door and bows.

Juri: Please excuse us!

The phrase Juri uses here, 失礼します Shitsurei shimasu, literally "I'm being rude", can be used to enter or exit a conversation in the same way you might say "Excuse me" or "Pardon me", but can also be used as an apology. In this context, she's basically combining, "We're leaving now" with "I'm sorry for our earlier behavior".

A short time later in the staff room, Asanuma grades test papers on algebra and geometry. She sighs and, taking a break from those, turns her attention to the notebooks containing each punished student's reflection essay.

She opens Takato's notebook and reads his essay. The first line makes her smile, but then she reads the rest.

Takato (V.O.): It's not that your classes are always boring, Sensei. However, we'll be taking a break from school, starting tomorrow. I'm sorry that this reflection essay turned into a notice of absence instead.

Understandably freaked out, Asanuma grabs Juri's notebook and opens that.

Juri (V.O.): We're leaving to go to a world no one's ever been to before. Hirokazu (V.O.): We're going to the Digital World! Kenta (V.O.): I wonder if the class's average test scores will go down without me? Asanuma: ( °⌓°) W-What is all this!?

Kinda rude of them to do that.

I know they meant well, and I appreciate their little child brains for trying to say goodbye to Asanuma-sensei. But if she doesn't call the police about this, then she's going to have to be the responsible adult who knew four children, four of her own students, were about to go missing and didn't call the police.

If she doesn't try and stop this, she'll be an accomplice to the disappearance of children. You don't want to be an accomplice to that. That's a bad thing to be accompliced to.

And if they don't come back, which is a very real possibility? And she didn't stop them?

Even if no one finds out, she's going to have to carry that and know it herself while talking to panicked and grieving parents and possibly press cameras and the police.

This is a really bad position to put her in. Their little kid brains meant so well but they should not have done this. This could ruin Asanuma's life and career.

As an aside, Kenta's essay implies that he's one of the kids with top grades, which is the first distinct character beat we've gotten for him. 90% of Kenta's dialogue in the series up to this point has basically been, "Yeah, what he said!" Up until now, he's just been Hirokazu's purse. Wherever Hirokazu goes, Kenta isn't far behind.

Though I'd be more worried about the effect that losing Juri will have on the average grades than Kenta all the same, but that might just be because I know her better.

In the dub:

Jeri: Bye, Ms. Asaji. (Kids leave, Ms. Asaji judges scores) Ms. Asaji: I need a break from this. Well, might as well see what they wrote. (Ms. Asaji opens the first notebook) Takato (V.O.): I think you're a great teacher, Ms. Asaji, so I'm sorry if I've offended you. Also! I won't be in school after today. Please don't take that personally either. P.S., if I don't make it back, you can have the Fruit Roll-ups in my locker. (Ms. Asaji grabs Jeri's notebook) Jeri (V.O.): We're going because it's our duty as responsible citizens! Kazu (V.O.): We're off to kick butt in the Digital World! That could be educational, right? Kenta (V.O.): I'm coming clean before I go! I stole the class hamster. Ms. Asaji: ( °⌓°) What's going on!?

Takato's notice is more casual and jokey, and also slips in some product placement in a really dark way.

Juri's notice brings up that idea of "a world no one's been to" again, showing that this is still weighing on her mind. Counting Takato's "A world we don't understand", this is the third repetition of this idea. The episode's really driving home the uncertainty of stepping across the threshold into an alien frontier untouched by human hands.

Jeri and Kazu's notices are both written to emphasize that they're superheroes going off to fight evil.

The dub takes the opposite tack with Kenta from the original. JP Kenta reveals that he's one of the smartest kids in class, while EN Kenta reveals that he's a delinquent troublemaker.

Outside the school, Jianliang and Terriermon wait for the 5-2 kids. I'm guessing he did not leave a similar notice for Mori-sensei. As the 5-2 kids approach, so too does Asanuma-sensei, racing to catch up to them.

Asanuma: Wait! Stop right there!

As the children stop, Asanuma sprints up to them, stopping to catch her breath after pushing herself as hard as she could. When she finally finds the breath to speak, she starts yelling.

Asanuma: All of you.... what the hell is this!? What do you mean by this!? Takato: We wrote everything that needed to be said. Asanuma: Explain it in a way I can understand! (sudden realization) Those kids they say were with the Digimon….

Terriermon leans over from Jian's shoulders and waves to Asanuma.

Terriermon: That's me! Juri: Sensei, I'm sorry for being so inconsiderate, but we felt it wouldn't be right to leave school without saying something. Hirokazu: It'd be nice if we could have gone during summer vacation. Kenta: Well, things aren't always so convenient. Asanuma: THAT'S ENOUGH!!! Deciding to do this all on your own… Children going off on a journey like this… It's basically running away from home! Why did you have to tell me about this!? It has nothing to do with me! What did you think I was going to say!?

Asanuma breaks down, crying in front of the children.

Takato: We're leaving tomorrow morning. But we'll tell our parents before we go. So could you please not tell anyone until tomorrow, Sensei? Juri: We're really, truly sorry. Hirokazu: But our minds are made up. Asanuma: What…? Terriermon: Mōmantai! Mōmantai! Jianliang: Mōmantai. It means "No worries".

The children all bow to Asanuma, then turn and leave the schoolyard together. Terriermon waves farewell to Asanuma from Jian's back.

Terriermon: Bye-bye! Asanuma: I… What am I supposed to do now…?

Asanuma falls to her knees and weeps.

Right. This. Right here. This is what I was talking about. I feel like she's obligated to call the police right now. Like she said, these children have outright told her that they intend to run away from home. Actually doing nothing and letting this happen is a wild decision to make.

At the very least, she needs to be insulated so that if she's ever asked why she didn't stop them, she'll have something to point to and say, "I did everything I could." If she really does just let them go like they asked her to, then she becomes complicit.

If that complicity is found out, it probably won't send her to prison. I don't think this is a crime. But it can probably get her fired, and it'll weigh on her conscience one way or the other all the same.

Again, the kids were trying so hard to be kind but this was actually a really cruel thing to do.

As an aside, I can't help but take Hirokazu and Kenta's "Aww man, it'd be so great if it happened to be summer break right now but life isn't always so convenient!" remark as a jab at the Adventure duology. The Chosen Children have always had narrative conveniences keeping them from having to actually take that step and become Missing Persons like the Tamers are doing now.

Except when the Kaiser decided to move permanently into the Digital World, of course.

In the dub:

Takato: Hey, Henry! Kazu: By the time she reads those, we'll be loooong gone! Ms. Asaji: STOP!!! Kids: Ahh, nuts! (Tamers stop and wait for Ms. Asaji) Ms. Asaji: Wait! (Ms. Asaji stops to catch her breath) Ms. Asaji: What is this!? What do you mean, you're not coming back, huh!? Takato: Like we said, we've gotta go to the Digital World. Ms. Asaji: You have to do nothing of the sort! (sudden realization) Wait... Are you the children who were seen with the Digimon? Terriermon: You talkin' about me? Jeri: Ms. Asaji, we didn't want you to worry. You see, we couldn't just leave without saying anything to you. Kazu: And you don't want us around! We're nothing but trouble! Kenta: Why don't you speak for yourself, doofus? Ms. Asaji: IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY!?!? HOW DO YOU THINK THIS MAKES ME FEEL!?!? You're all... You're my responsibility! Those creatures could be dangerous! They could have rabies! And who will take care of you!? For goodness's sake, you're only kids! You can't even get through P.E. without getting hurt! (Ms. Asaji starts crying) Takato: We know you care for us, Ms. Asaji, but we were meant to do this. You don't have to worry. We're gonna go tell our parents now. So we'd appreciate it if you don't tell anyone else until tomorrow. Jeri: I promise, we'll be fine. Kazu: And besides, I'll be there to keep an eye on 'em. Ms. Asaji: You can't.... Terriermon: Come on, lady! Mōmantai! Henry: Mōmantai. It means don't worry. Takato: Goodbye, Ms. Asaji. (Kids bow and leave schoolyard) Ms. Asaji: Wait... Please.... Terriermon: Buh-bye! Ms. Asaji: Impossible... They're just children!

Everyone knows what a Digimon is because of Vikaralamon's rampage, but the dub goes one step further. Ms. Asaji engages with the Digital World as if she actually understands what it is and what the Tamers intend to go face.

Asanuma-sensei only understands that these children are running away from home for an indeterminate amount of time and "Something Something that Digimon fight from the news".

This makes the original script come off more grounded, focusing on the mundane elements of the children running away and Asanuma's complicity in letting them go. The dub script focuses more on the epic peril of fighting deadly monsters while exploring a fantasy world.

Kazu and Kenta's crack about summer vacation is dropped, replaced with them riffing on what misbehaving delinquents they are. Well, Kazu is. Kenta says "Speak for yourself" as if he didn't just confess to stealing the class hamster.

Considering the summer vacation remark is likely a jab at the Adventure duology, this feels like a missed opportunity for the dub characters, who've actually watched those shows.

EN Takato says "We were meant to do this" as if this mission were a calling they were chosen by destiny to fulfill. Chosen children, you might say. DigiDestiny.

This feels like another attempt to make their journey seem grander and more like the Adventure shows, when really this is just a smash-and-grab to spring our buddy Culumon/Calumon. Nobody's telling the Tamers to do this. They're acting on their own initiative and plunging into the unknown.

We aren't meant to do this. We want to do this. Nobody's said anything about a grand meaning.

Once their farewell to Asanuma is said, the Tamers convene in the park.

Ruki: I can't believe it was here.... Jianliang: Guilmon, you should stay away from this place until it's time to leave. Guilmon: Yeah, I know. HIrokazu: Agh, what will we tell our parents? Kenta: More like, can we even tell them? Juri: We have to tell them! ( ._.) ...we have to. Kenta: Yeah. Hirokazu: Got it. Ruki: You two don't even have Partners. Shouldn't you just stay here? Hirokazu: We're planning to search the Digital World for Partners! Isn't that right? Kenta: Yeah! Takato: We'll meet back here tomorrow at 6 AM. We have no idea what the other world will be like, so make sure to pack as much food and supplies as you can. See you tomorrow! Team: YEAH!!!

The kids all put up their fists together, and then break to go their separate ways. Ruki, Juri, and Jianliang leave together.

Kenta: What should we even bring? Hirokazu: I have no idea....

Promising. We're definitely not screwed at all.

Once Takato's left alone with Guilmon, he has one last thing to attend to.

Takato: Okay, let's go, Guilmon. Guilmon: Yeah! Uh... huh?

We'll get to that in a second.

I appreciate Ruki for calling out how pointless bringing Hirokazu and Kenta is. That's kinda the elephant in the park right now. Only four of us need to go missing but six of us are planning to.

In the dub:

Rika: You're telling me we searched every block in the city and it was here the whole time!? Typical.... Henry: Guilmon, I don't know how you got to it without a bulldozer but I'm impressed! Guilmon: Why, thank you! Kazu: Man, we are so gonna party! Kenta: Can we barbecue there? Jeri: We're there on a mission! ( ._.) Not fun.... Kenta: Wha--? Kazu: You lost me. Rika: Hold it, you guys don't even have Partners, so why are you coming, again? Kazu: Why should you get to have all the fun!? We're coming so we can find our own Partners and you can't stop us! Right? Kenta: Right. Takato: Okay, troops! We meet here tomorrow at 0600 hours. We'll embark on a perilous journey into a dimension fraught with dangers heretofore unknown to man! So remember to pack a toothbrush. TO ADVENTURE!!! Kids: YEAH!!! (Fists go up and everyone splits) Kenta: I'm packing my lucky underwear! Rika: I'm packing an air freshener. (They leave) Takato: You ready buddy? Guilmon: Yeah...? (hiccup)

Jian points out that, given his past history with vanishing into reality warps, Guilmon should not sleep at Guilmon Home tonight.

Henry again expresses amazement at Guilmon's long-established burrowing skills as if the burrow hasn't been there for twenty episodes.

Hirokazu and Kenta discuss ghosting their families without notice, which upsets Juri greatly.

Kazu and Kenta treat the trip like it's a vacation, which Jeri gets upset about because this mission is serious business.

JP Takato warns everyone of the uncertainty of what they're going into and tells them to pack food and supplies. The dub turns this into a comedy skit about children acting like soldiers but having childish priorities.

Once everyone's splitting up, JP Takato says, "Let's go, Guilmon." As in, let's go home like everyone else is doing. To the bakery. Together, you and me. Guilmon initially agrees reflexively and then stops and realizes that this was a weird thing for Takato to have said. What do you mean "Let's go"?

EN Takato asks Guilmon if he's ready, implying that they've already discussed what's about to happen and he agrees. Then the animation from JP Guilmon getting confused is spent on EN Guilmon randomly hiccupping.

At Matsuda Bakery, a woman goes to leave with her purchases.

Yoshie: Thanks for your patronage!

Takato and Guilmon enter the bakery. When the woman sees Guilmon, she screams and flees. Takato keeps walking, approaching the counter.

Yoshie: Oh, Takato-- (gasp) WHAT IS THAT!?!? Takato: Mom. Yoshie: D-D-DINOSAUR!!!

Hearing the commotion, Takehiro pokes his head out of the kitchen.

Takehiro: What's going on?

Then he sees Guilmon.

Takehiro: Th-The cardboard box!? Guilmon: (uncertain) ...Takato?

Back in episode 2, when Takato tried to stash Guilmon in his room, his parents caught him moving a large cardboard box upstairs and instantly knew he'd found some stray animal. It prompted some discussion between them about whether he could keep whatever pet he'd tried to bring home.

Seeing Guilmon, Takehiro instantly connects him to that moment.

In the dub:

Yoshie: Thank you, come again. (Woman sees Guilmon and flees; Takato and Guilmon approach counter) Yoshie: Takato-- (gasp) OH DEAR LORD!!! Takato: Don't freak, Mom. Yoshie: IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT!!! (Takehiro peeks out of kitchen) Takehiro: Honey, what's wrong? Guilmon: Hi! Takehiro: Gah! Is that what was in the cardboard box!? Guilmon: Oh boy....

Solid. No notes.

In the dining room, Guilmon sniffs the TV for a moment, then Takato starts talking.

Takato: This is Guilmon. He's a Digimon I came up with. Guilmon became real and then appeared in this world. Now he's a treasured friend of mine. Yoshie: Isn't this dinosaur just like the giant creature from yesterday!? Guilmon: Creature? Takehiro: Let's let Takato explain it. Takato: Guilmon is not the only Digimon that's appeared in this world. My friends Jianliang and Ruki also have Digimon Partners, and there's also this really cute Digimon named Culumon. They're really small, but they have an incredible power. But Culumon was kidnapped by evil Digimon and taken to the Digital World, the world where Digimon live. I'm going there too. Yoshie: Stop it! I don't want to hear that! Takato: Culumon is my friend! And besides, if we just leave things like this, who knows what other terrible things might happen!? Yoshie: But why do you have to go, Takato? Takato: Actually, I... I want to go. I want to go see the Digital World!

Here, Takato brings up the possibility that the Devas might use Culumon to do something terrible. That's the drum that the dub's been beating all episode. It isn't not a consideration, but it's not the main focus of the episode or even of his own motives.

Truly, Takato's going to the Digital World because he wants to. He wants to see the world that no one's ever seen before, that we know nothing about.

In the dub:

Guilmon: Helloooo, handsome! Ehehe! Takato: His name is Guilmon. He's a Digimon I created. I drew pictures of him and one day he just appeared, and I kept him a secret because I knew you wouldn't let me keep him. You don't even let me keep goldfish! Yoshie: A Digimon!? You mean like that horrible monster at Shinjuku!? Guilmon: Monster? Takehiro: Let's hear what he has to say. Takato: My friends Henry and Rika have Digimon too. They're nothing like the bad DIgimon. In fact, Guilmon's the best friend I've ever had! Guilmon: Aww... Thank, Takato. See? I'm not a monster. Takato: If you want to know the truth, we and our Digimon keep the bad ones from making trouble. I never told you, well, because you would ground me for life. And I didn't want you to worry. But now a little Digimon called Calumon has been kidnapped and we have to go to the Digital World to rescue him. Yoshie: You can't! Especially not with that creature! Takato: But see, Calumon has these powers! Which the bad guys might use to destroy the city! And besides, Calumon's my friend too! Yoshie: Nonsense. Why can't a grown-up deal with this? Takato: Well, they've tried. But we're the only ones who can do anything about it!

JP Guilmon sniffs the TV. EN Guilmon checks out his reflection in it.

Takato guilts his parents about not letting him have pets.

Yoshie calls Vikaralamon "That horrible monster at Shinjuku", which is a weird thing for someone who lives in Shinjuku to say.

EN Takato adds the detail that he and his friends fight wicked Digimon. JP Takato left that part out, focusing on Culumon's specific plight.

There's something funny about the way Takato's penultimate line is ordered in both versions. Like.

JP Takato: Culumon is my friend! And also there might be a threat to the city or something, I guess. EN Takato: There's a threat to the city! And also Calumon might be my friend or something, I guess.

When Yoshie asks why this should be Takato's problem, JP Takato answers that he wants it to be. He wants this for himself. No one's making him do it; This is his choice. EN Takato answers that it has to be him because nobody else can do it. He is being made to do it. He has a hero's duty that he needs to live up to.

Once the recap is settled, Takato announces his plans.

Takato: We're leaving early tomorrow morning. We don't know if there will be anything to eat over there, so I wanted to bring lots of bread. Yoshie: STOP MESSING AROUND!!! Do you even realize what you're saying, Takato!? Takato: Please let me go.

Takehiro's heard enough of this. He stands up suddenly, walking away from the table without saying a word.

Yoshie: There's school to think about... And you're only children... Honey?

Takehiro enters the kitchen and grabs a metal mixing bowl, setting it on the counter. He starts to knead dough until Yoshie goes in to check on him.

Yoshie: Honey, what are you doing at a time like this!? Takehiro: We should let him go. I've never seen Takato look so serious about anything before. Yoshie: But he's only ten years old! Takehiro: In older times, that would be considered a perfectly dignified age to go on a journey. Yoshie: Honey!

Unable to form words to respond to that wild-ass statement, Yoshie just grabs onto Takehiro and cries. Then Guilmon enters the kitchen. Yoshie, startled, leaps behind Takehiro.

Guilmon: Takato's Dad? Takehiro: Yep. And you're Guilmon? Guilmon: Uh-huh! Takehiro: Takato's friends once asked me to make Guilmon Bread. Guilmon: Guilmon Bread? YAY!!! YAY!!! GUILMON BREAD!!! Takehiro: I'm going to bake a huge one, so be sure you make it back. Guilmon: Okay, I'll look forward to it! YAY!!! YAY!!! GUILMON BREAD!!! GUILMON BREAD!!!

While Takehiro starts work on Takato's provisions, Yoshie joins him in the kitchen, still physically keeping him between herself and Guilmon. Takato peeks in from the dining room.

Takato: Dad, thank you. Mom... I'm sorry.

Let's unpack that one statement from Takehiro for a moment. Throughout Japanese history, the age of maturity has moved around a lot, generally falling into the ballpark of 12-16 but sometimes going as low as 10 depending on societal needs at the time.

This is probably where a lot of child hero anime draws its inspiration from. There have been times throughout Feudal Japan where 10 was considered a fine age to start working in the sawmill or to begin samurai training.

In the dub:

Takato: We're leaving tomorrow morning. We don't know what we're in for so I'll need to pack as much food and bread as possible. I know this is asking a lot but I need you to trust me just this once. Yoshie: OUT OF THE QUESTION!!! You're not traipsing into goodness knows where with these monsters! Takato: Please let me go. (Takehiro stands up and walks away) Yoshie: In any case, I can't let you miss school! Takato: But Mom, if we don't do this, soon there might not be a school to go to! Don't you get it!? (Yoshie enters the kitchen) Yoshie: Honey, say something! Takehiro: Let him go. Obviously, Takato's been able to take care of himself so far. Yoshie: But he's just a baby! Takehiro: No, he's not. And it's time we learned to trust him. Yoshie: But he's still my baby! (Yoshie cries until Guilmon startles her) Guilmon: I'm a baby. Takehiro: So, you're Guilmon. Now it makes sense! One of Takato's friends wanted me to make Guilmon bread. Guilmon: Bread shaped like me? OOH I'M GONNA BE A BREAD ROLL!!! YUMMY!!! Takehiro: I'll even make it life-sized. Just look out for my boy, okay? Guilmon: Promise! I promise! GUILMON BREAD!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! Can it have peanut butter filling? Huh? Pleeeease? Takato: I can't believe they trust me.... I won't let you down.

The dub takes its third commercial break here.

JP Takato doesn't respond to Yoshie's statement about school. EN Takato claps back at her about the world being imperiled.

JP Takehiro makes that statement about the age of maturity being different way back when. EN Takehiro just says "No". Just. No. "12 is too young to die fighting apocalyptic monsters!" "No, it's not! I will not qualify that."

On the topic of coming-of-age, JP Takehiro chooses to trust Takato because Takato's never looked this serious about anything before. Takato believes in something and is speaking to them with earnest conviction about that belief for the first time, and that's what convinces Takehiro that he should put faith in Takato. Takato is growing up.

EN Takehiro says that "It's time we learned to trust [Takato]", indicating that he's always been earnest and serious and responsible, but his parents have just been underselling him all this time. He's not changing; They're just coming around to seeing how great he is.

EN Takato completely ignores the fact that only Takehiro is in favor of this. He says "they" trust me as if Yoshie's onboard too.

Cut to the Lee resident, where Shaochung's playing with Terriermon.

Shaochung: Terriermon! Ahahahahaha!

She slips, losing her grip on Terriermon. Only then does she seem to notice what Jianliang just said to her.

Shaochung: A trip? Jianliang: That's right. I'm going on a trip tomorrow. Shaochung: Aha! That's great! Who are you going with? Your friends? Jianliang: Yep. And... Terriermon as well. Shaochung: Terriermon?

Terriermon stops doing his Toy Story act, flumping over onto the couch and standing up behind Shaochung. She turns around to look at him.

Terriermon: Even though playing with you has been really hard, Shaochung, it's also been a lot of fun! I'm going to miss you. Jianliang: Sorry for not telling you, Shaochung. Terriermon: Shouldn't you tell your parents too, Jian? Jianliang: I sent them an email earlier. After all, Dad would definitely try to stop me. Terriermon: Yeah, I guess it can't be helped-- Shaochung: TERRIERMON!!!

Suddenly, Shaochung tackles Terriermon and nuzzles him on the couch.

Jianliang: Shaochung! Shaochung: Shaochung will stay behind, but you better bring back souvenirs! Terriermon: Oh, sure.... Shaochung: Great! Such a good boy, Terriermon!

Fuck the rest of Jianliang's siblings, I guess. He's telling Shaochung and Shaochung alone. At least he sent his parents an email. XD Jiang-yu's gonna be so pissed.

More importantly, this discovery has done absolutely nothing to reduce her enthusiasm for Terriermon.

In the dub:

Suzie: Aha! Ahahaha! (Terriermon slips out of her grip) Henry: (annoyed) Suzie.... Suzie: Henry? Henry: Listen, I'm going on a little trip tomorrow. Suzie: A trip!? What fun! One day, I'll be a big girl and go on trips too! Henry: Yeah! And there's something else you should know. Suzie: What's that? (Terriermon stands up and waits for Suzie to notice) Terriermon: Yep, I'm not a doll, Suzie! I'm a lean, mean Digi-machine. NOT Princess Pretty Pants. Although that does have a ring to it. Henry: Sorry I never told you. Terriermon: Try not to miss us too much when we're gone, okay? Henry: I, uh, I sent Dad an email. But it's a surprise, so don't tell anyone before we leave, okay? Terriermon: We're going stealth. Like the shadows! Suzie: TERRIERMON!!! (Suzie tackles Terriermon) Henry: Ack! Uhh, Suzie!? Suzie: I knew you were real! You'll come back soon, won't you? Terriermon: Okay. Just calm down. Suzie: I love you, Terriermon!

EN Terriermon doesn't have as kind of things to say to Suzie as JP Terriermon did for Shaochung.

Shaochun asks them to bring back souvenirs. Suzie asks them to hurry back, and also claims she knew Terriermon was alive this whole time.

At the Makino residence, Rumiko pours herself a glass of wine as she settles in for the night.

Ruki: Mom....

Rumiko turns and sees Ruki wearing the pink dress from her camera test in episode 18.

Rumiko: Ruki-chan.... Ruki: Does it suit me? Rumiko: Yes, very much so. You are my daughter, after all.

Ruki smiles at Rumiko's praise, and Rumiko returns the smile with a glowing smile of her own.

Rumiko: Ruki... Thank you for doing this for me. Ruki: Mom... I'm sorry.

Ruki turns and runs from the doorway while Rumiko knocks back her wine.

This is a really sweet moment. Ruki and Rumiko have their problems which they still haven't quite fully unpacked, but Ruki does know that her mom cares about her. She can't tell Rumiko where she's going, so she offers her this olive branch instead.

And we can see in Ruki's eyes just how much Rumiko's gratitude and affirmation of their bond means to her.

The dub cuts this scene up a bit to try and eradicate all traces of Rumiko's wine, though the glass is still visible in one shot.

The opening shots of Rumiko pouring her wine are removed, opening right on the dress reveal.

Rumiko: (gasp) Rika...! Rika: ...so how do I look? Rumiko: Just radiant. You look beautiful in anything. Well, of course you do; You're my daughter. (Rika and Rumiko exchange smiles) Rumiko: You don't know what this means to me! Thank you. Rika: You're welcome. Rika: (thinking) Goodbye, Mom....

They speed up the footage of Rika looking away from Rumiko at the end. Then they cut the shot of her running away since it reveals Rumiko drinking her wine. Instead, they reverse the animation to have Rika look at Rumiko again.

This scene is very true to the original, but hits weird given the way the dub's been playing Rumiko. Up to this point, JP Rumiko has had a complex and flawed relationship with Ruki. A failed connection between two people struggling to see past themselves, neither really understanding how to meet the other on their level.

For Ruki, this scene is her doing that. She meets Rumiko on her level in order to express physically what she doesn't have the words to say. To let Rumiko know she loves her in these final moments before she's gone.

The dub, however, has not been playing their relationship as mutually flawed. EN Rumiko has been very much the villain of this dynamic. She's been presented as a shallow caricature of the worst kinds of celebrity self-absorption. She's dismissive and even outright demeaning to her child, saying some very cruel shit throughout the last 24 episodes like "[Rika's] the girl next door, if you live next to a gas station."

The dub's understanding of their dynamic has been "Celebrity Debutante Evil Queen of Motherdom wants to force her Awesome Tomboy Daughter to wear dresses and be 'properly girly'! How dare she!"

To the original, this dress is a small bridge across that broken relationship. When Ruki wore this for the camera test, she actually enjoyed herself for a time before the lights and in-your-face camera caused her to freak out.

It's girly and feminine like Rumiko, but according to Sugai, it's a look that's distinct to Ruki. It's not Rumiko's dress. It's her dress, in the style that Rumiko likes so much.

But to the dub, this dress is a symbol of control. It represents Rumiko's efforts to tear Rika's identity out of her body and then fill the void with herself. Ruki actually liked this dress but Rika hated it.

They dial back the cruel caricature here in this scene. EN Rumiko is mostly on-script with JP Rumiko. They do have Rumiko say "You look beautiful in anything" which is not the correct thing to say when someone is wearing a specific thing as a kind gesture to you.

Wow, Mom. I look good in anything? Glad I wasted time putting on this dress for you when I can wear my jeans and look just as good.

But that isn't deliberate cruelty; It's just a poor writing choice.

However, so much damage has been done already. Rika putting on these chains in order to give one happy moment to her domineering abuser hits gross. Dub Team has severely fucked up this relationship.

The next day. 6 AM. Juri arrives at Central Park with Leomon. Hirokazu and Kenta approach from behind them.

Hirokazu: Hey, Katō! Leomon! Good morning! Juri: Good morning! Hirokazu: I ended up lying and saying this was a school trip. Kenta: I couldn't bring myself to tell them, so I wrote them a letter. How about you, Katō? Juri: Huh? Oh, w-well, I'm going with Leomon so--

Jianliang passes by behind Juri. Terriermon calls out to them.

Terriermon: HEY GUYS!!! Hirokazu: Ack, wait for us!

The boys run to catch up before Juri can finish. She and Leomon turn and follow.

I don't know if Juri told her family. That was a very suspicious bit of off-topic rambling.

In the dub:

Kazu: Jeri! Leomon! Top o' the mornin' to ya! Jeri: Hi, guys! Kazu: Guess what! I told my folks this was a school trip and they gave me permission! Kenta: I left mine a letter next to the coffee pot. What about you, Jeri? Jeri: Huh? Well, I, uh, I had Leomon talk to my Dad.... (Henry passes with Terriermon) Terriermon: HEY GUYS!!! Kenta: Wow, Jeri, you're a braver man than I am!

Juri starts to say she was going with Leomon, but then gets interrupted before she can elaborate on how that's relevant to the question at hand.

Jeri says she had Leomon explain the situation to her dad, giving a decisive answer to whether or not she told her family.

Kenta's "braver man than I am" remark got me. XD

The team all meets up in front of Guilmon Home with their bags. Ruki's only brought a small backpack compared to the huge bags everyone else has.

Ruki: What are you going to do with all that luggage? Hirokazu: We'll manage, it's fine. Ruki: Sheesh.... Juri: Huh? Where's Takato-kun? Guilmon: That's weird. He was just here a moment ago. Ruki: (sigh)

Suddenly, Takato comes running with a second overflowing bread bag.

Takato: GUYS!!! Juri: Ah! Hirokazu: Takato! Takato: Sorry to keep you waiting!

In his hands, he's hoisting aloft the Tamers flag he made way back when. He's added Juri, Hirokazu, Kenta, and Leomon to it. Juri has elaborate eyelashes to let you know she's a girl. Ruki does not because Takato does not wish to be punted into space by the crotch.

Hirokazu: A TAMERS FLAG!!! Kenta: Is that us!? Hirokazu: No way! Takato: I worked really hard to draw this last night! Juri: Thank you, Takato-kun! Takato: ( ˶^ᴗ^˶) Well, uh... Hirokazu: ( ¬_¬) Must be nice to be you, huh?

The flag, as before, reads デジモンテイマーズ Dejimon Teimāzu or "Digimon Tamers".

In Hirokazu and Kenta's defense, Takato has a giant backpack full of perishables strapped to Guilmon's back. Things that go moldy might not be the best choice for long-term rations if we end up stuck there for an extended period of time.

In the dub:

Rika: We're just going for a couple of days. What'd you pack, Kazu? Your whole room? Kazu: Oh, lighten up. Rika: Uh-uh! Jeri: Hey guys, where's Takato? Guilmon: I don't know. Maybe he's playing hide and seek. Rika: Agh.... (Takato comes running) Takato: Haha, here comes the cavalry! Jeri: Haha! Kazu: Chumley! Takato: Sorry I'm late! (Everyone sees flag) Kazu: What the heck is that!? Kenta: I think that's us! Kenta: I'm not that ugly. Takato: It's a Tamers flag! Rika: Not this again. Jeri: I think it's wonderful! Takato: ( ˶^ᴗ^˶) Aww, thanks Hirokazu: ( ¬_¬) Wonderful!? I got no nose!

The dub version of the flag has the text at the bottom translated into English. It reads "DIGIMON TAMERS".

Rika says they'll only be gone a couple days but there's no way for her to know that. Both versions do give Hirokazu/Kazu crap for how much he packed, though.

Hirokazu expresses jealous resentment when Takato and Juri have their sweet exchange about the flag. Kazu complaint about Takato's art style.

While the kids are laughing it up, a man emerges from the underbrush. Ruki's the first to notice.

Ruki: Jian! Takato!

It's Yamaki on a strategically chosen hill that he can look down on the Tamers from.

Jianliang: You're... Yamaki: So you're leaving, then? Jianliang: Yes. Takato: You can't stop us! Yamaki: It'd be best if you had a means of communication.

Yamaki tosses Takato a handheld square device. Takato looks down at the device, then back up at Yamaki. Yamaki takes off his sunglasses, revealing his eyes for the first time.

Yamaki: ( ^ᴗ^) I envy you all. Takato: ( ^ᴗ^) Thank you.

You know, I've had this going theory about the Hypnos Ladies over the course of the series. Whenever their eyes are covered by their visors, that's when we're meant to see them as professional cogs in the machine of Hypnos. But when their eyes are uncovered, that's when they're more humanized, when they're allowed to emote more.

Seeing Yamaki suddenly reveal his eyes and then humanize himself like this is an interesting datapoint in that idea.

It's also interesting the way his admission of envying the Tamers mirrors that one random scientist's declaration of envying the Wild Bunch last episode, while Hypnos was coming down around them. It seems Yamaki really took that random guy's scolding to heart.

I still can't believe they didn't use a named character for that.

In the dub:

Rika: Hey, who's there? (Yamaki emerges) Kazu: It's Creepy Dude! Henry: What do you want? Yamaki: So, are you kids taking off? Henry: Yeah. Takato: And you can't stop us! Yamaki: I can't let you go. Not without this, anyway. (Yamaki tosses Takato the device) Takato: Huh? (Yamaki takes off his sunglasses) Yamaki: It's a comm device so you can stay in touch. Now go get 'em. Takato: I don't believe it!

Kazu, you've never met Yamaki. You don't know him. There's a reason you, Kenta, and Jeri all quietly disappear offscreen for this conversation so the characters who've actually met Yamaki can be in focus.

But at least you don't somehow know his name like Rika did last episode.

EN Yamaki makes no admission of envying the Tamers for what they're about to do. The most he's willing to offer is an encouraging "Go get 'em".

With comm device in hand-- No, I'm sorry, comm device vanishes from hand between frames so I assume Takato tucked it in his pack real fast. Nonetheless, with comm device stowed away, the Tamers are ready to go.

Takato: Alright! The Digimon Tamers are setting off for the Digital World! Kids: YEAH!!!

The Tamers enter Guilmon Home and descend into the tunnel.

Unfortunately, the portal has already closed since we waited a full day after finding it to disembark. Whoopsy. Now everyone has to sheepishly crawl back out, go home and figure out what to do from here. Seeing Asanuma-sensei in class today is gonna be super awkward.

As they descend, the narrator kicks up again.

Narrator: At the end of summer, Takato and the other Tamers set off on a journey into the unknown realm of the Digital World. What sort of adventures await them there? No one knows....

We close on one last iteration of the episode's recurring theme about stepping into the unknown, as well as a reiteration of the symbolic "End of Summer" note.

In the dub:

Takato: Right! Digimon Tamers! Now it's on to the Digital World! Kids: YEAH!!! (Tamers descend) Davis (V.O.): And so our brave Tamers set off on a journey into the Digital World. (Rika and Henry crawling) Davis (V.O.): Some with a sense of purpose. (Leomon helps Jeri) Davis (V.O.): Some hoping to find what they're made of! (Kazu and Kenta struggle with the flag) Davis (V.O.): And some who didn't have a clue what they were doing. (Takato leads the others into the portal) Davis (V.O.): All armed with nothing but their hearts and the hopes of those they left behind. Even Yamaki, who seemed to have taken a ride on the happy train! Will they make it? Keep watching Digimon: Digital Monsters.

The ominous poetry of summer's end is once again dropped from this version.

Davis does a fun thing here where he calls out each subgroup that the animation settles on during the narration.

This episode, we were promised an answer to how the Tamers will reach the Digital World. Did we get that answer? Um. Yes. Decisively. The whole episode was about that. So, Promise Kept.

Davis also refrains from making any sort of promises that the Digital World stuff will be figured out next episode. He throws up a Keep Watching to avoid committing to anything.

Assessment: For what is effectively a bridging episode into the next arc, there's a lot going on in this one, particularly a lot of character drama.

We get something of a resolution to Terriermon and Shaochung's subplot, as well as some first steps for Ruki and Rumiko.

The destruction of Hypnos seems to have been the kick in the teeth Yamaki needed to maybe start evolving in his own right.

We got to see Juri's home life!

We got name reveals for Takato's parents as well as finding out just where his home is!

Red is still going by a descriptor! What the hell!

We traumatized Asanuma-sensei for funsies!

Seiko met Renamon!

Takato's family met Guilmon!

The dub thinks Jeri's dad got to meet the shirtless muscular adult lion man she keeps in her room offscreen and they better not be right because I need to be a fly on the wall for that conversation!

This episode is so busy and I love it. But now we're finally ready to go see the Tamers version of the Digital World next time!

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

PushoverMediaCritic