Man the *immediate* and *HUGE* quality jump in Beatbreak with the Kyo arc just makes that one bitchy, whiny Anon look even more pathetic. Imagine slopping up the shit that was the GIFT arc without criticism when the writing, animation, and characters all immediately get 10x better in the first episode of the next arc. Though on a more serious note, I can't imagine watching *any* series or arc, good, bad, or in between without actually thinking and caring about what Im watching. Mindlessly consuming product sounds fucking miserable to me. In no way do my criticisms of Beatbreak or GIFT attack those who enjoy it. I do dislike the glorification of Beatbreak, but that applies to any Digimon season or show in general where I feel fandoms overlook flaws while downplaying the good parts of other seasons. Enjoying media for me IS engaging with it critically, not accepting writing I find bad or wasted potential in a show.
Anyway, Episode 38, Hollow Thirst:
I feel bad for Rose, but Brilliant Thorn was more impactful and useful in their 5 seconds of screentime this episode than they were in the entire GIFT arc. Glowing Dawn *all* feel like characters again with their "Family" shitck actually feeling genuine instead of hollow. The stakes matter because the antagonistisn't a child that the narrative wants to redeem despite, as Kawarazaki said, there being no forgiveness for terrorists. Genjo actaully exists in the arc, the plot matters again, Kyo is present beyond just being backup when needed or written off when not needed. I haven't been this excited for Beatbreak since the Jokermon episode. Maybe not even since the end of Tactics.