#perfect level

[camleecomix]

Digivolve into Ultimate!

[digi-monday]

DigiMonday - BASTEMON (aka Beastmon/Persiamon)

(Perfect Level/Virus Attribute/Beast Man Type)

You may already know that cats were historically held in high regard in Egypt, but do you know why this was the case (gremlin charm and loveable toe beans notwithstanding)? In addition to (and likely at as a result of) the role that Domestic Cats served in protecting crops and stored grains from rodents when they were first domesticated in northern Africa cats were associated with several gods and other mythological figures, and were particularly associated with the goddess that lends Bastemon her name, 𓎯𓏏𓏏𓁐 (Bastet!)

(Gunawan Kartapranata's depiction of Bastet, image source here.)

Also known as Bast, Bastet is believed to have originated as a local deity worshipped in the ancient city of Bubastis (located in northeastern Egypt, near where modern Zagazig stands today) over 4,000 years ago, but her influence slowly spread and by around 3,500 years ago she was widely worshiped. A daughter of the sun god Ra and the goddess Isis, she was described as providing protection to both her father and those who worshipped her, although exactly how she was imagined to do this (as well as how she was depicted overall) interestingly changed over time; earlier depictions showed her as a fearsome lioness-headed warrior, but over time she was gradually transformed into a more of a gentle, comforting guardian figure and came to more often be shown with the head of a Domestic Cat to reflect her more approachable theological rebranding. With its apparent ferocity in battle Bastemon seems to draw more from the original formidable, leonine early depictions of Bastet, and while the prominent rosettes on its arms and lower body are clearly more leopardy than lionish, it could be worth noting that Leopards and Lions are relatives (both belonging to the genus Panthera), and that one of the many dubious claims of the ancient scholar Pliny the Elder was that Leopards were the hybrid offspring of a Lioness and a "Pard" (a cat-like critter of unknown identity, possibly a Serval or Cheetah.)

Bastemon debuted in 2002 (being a rare example of a Digi debuting in the original Digimon Card Game,) but is better known among Digi-enjoyers for its role in 2010's Digimon Xros Wars, where a Bastemon makes repeated appearances as a member of the main characters' extended Digimon army.

Favourite Bastemon Art: This card from the Digimon TCG. I'm not a huge fan of Bastemon's design overall (its feels just a little too stereotype-adjacent) but the colours on display here are very pretty, and the inclusion of what appear to be mallows, hibiscuses, laburnums and Papyrus Sedge (all of which are native to, or at least cultivated in, Egypt) is a nice touch!

[sapsanka]

Head of my digisona (digifake): Metal Greymon (virus), Belial Vamdemon (MaloMyotismon), Diablomon (X-antibody) (Diaboromon) and Ogudomon X

[picodart]

[hug-kiss-marry-kill]

What should we do with Pumpmon (Digimon)?

Hug

Pat on the head

Adopt

Kill

Voting ended onAug 26, 2024

[fieriframes]

[I think you have to judge a good pizza by its dough. Dough-n't you know? I’m short. I have to think tall. It's just that perfect level of crispiness, but it still stays chewy.]

[pop-goes-the-sneasel]

Lillymon maybe?

Lilimon!!!! Lillymon in the dub!!!

Lilimon’s a Perfect-level digimon originally slotted as the final form of Palmon in the first Adventure series, for which it’s probably best known. It was one of the earliest examples of digimon getting more humanoid as they evolve, though the trend hadn’t yet gotten ubiquitous enough to be annoying, and ending on a fairy creature felt cool and appropriate for a plant-themed evolution line. And it’s a pretty novel fairy, too!

Usually, fairies in modern media tend to basically be humans with some insect-inspired features – most commonly insectoid wings. What Lilimon does though is take that premise and make it 100% plant oriented, with a set of dragonfly-esque wings made out of leaves, along with a slew of other botanical features. A flower-shaped dress, flower and leaf accessories, and a flower for “hair” along with a bunch of thorny vines for even more hair. The color scheme is also really pleasant, too! Very evocative of spring. Lilimon also has a slight monstrousness to it as well, with sharp claw-like nails and the dark animalistic eyes.

By far the weirdest aspect of Lilimon, though, is its primary means of offense: turning its hands into a gun. Called Flow Cannon or Flower Cannon, this ability kinda thematically clashes with Lilimon’s whole nature motif, but it’s also conceptually hilarious enough that it wraps back around to being cool. Characterization-wise, its profile explains that it has a whimsical and “tomboyish” personality and is prone to “crying like a crybaby”. Okay.

Lilimon also has an X-Antibody form, which is….very forgettable honestly. The art style changes far more than the design itself does, with Lilimon more or less getting just a slightly different outfit. The main additions are the giant bow on its back and the small tiara, which it apparently wears because “it knows it can be the best of itself”. I’m glad at least you’re feeling good about your new design, Lilimon. It’s also said to lightly dismiss even the most horrible of enemy digimon, though its crybaby tendencies have given way to full-blown tantrums. They’re really trying hard to make Lilimon sound unappealing to interact with :v

Regardless, Lilimon’s a classic. Although its vibes aren’t something I’m especially into, it’s a concept I definitely appreciate. Thankfully, there is a Lilimon form that does do something dramatically different, in addition to totally abandoning the other two forms’ crybaby tendencies: Bancho Lilimon. I’ll save it for its own review, though, since it is an evolution.

🔫🌻/10.

[610gonzalez]

Lambs to the cosmic slaughter!