The Exposition Dragon @tobiasdrake - Tumblr Blog

10h

Digimon Tamers 30 - Urgent Message from the Digital World; Culumon is.... / The Imperfect Storm

Previously on Digimon Tamers: Upon discovering another realm of the Digital World, the Tamers decided it was lame and went back to the desert. After punching out a Deva, Ryō got bored and decided he'd literally rather go grind XP than keep slumming it with the noobs, so he left. He tried to flirt with Ruki on his way out the door but she made the wise choice to be tactically AFK until he was gone.

You may notice the subtitles in these screencaps are a bit different. The source I was grabbing subtitled episodes for my screencaps from crapped out and forced me to resort to pulling off of Crunchyroll directly, which is a whole process that sucks.

Fortunately, I do my own translations, so this doesn't affect much. I just like having subtitles in the images for image context.

The biggest difference seems to be that Crunchyroll doesn't subtitle insert songs in the top left corner when they're playing. Which sucks because we have a new insert song this episode.

Also they sometimes use dub-friendly terms like "Digivolve" and then others they'll say "Shaggai" instead of "Juggernaut", so they go back and forth on which proper nouns they use.

Note: There's going to be a Censored and Edited Shots addendum to come, but that probably won't go up until tomorrow.

As we open our episode, Takato wakes up in a cave the team's camping out in. Hirokazu and Kenta are snoozing over by the wall, while Juri is laying on Leomon's leg.

Takato shakes Guilmon to rouse him.

Takato: (whispering) Guilmon. Guilmon! Wake up! Guilmon: (rousing) Meal time? Guilmon's so hungry.... Takato: ( ^ᴗ^) No meals for you today, Guilmon. Guilmon: HCKG!!!

Guilmon disapproves of this "We don't technically need to eat in the Digital World" thing we've discovered.

In the dub:

Takato: (whispering) Guilmon. Hey, boy. Wake up. Guilmon: (rousing) Mmm... breakfast ready? Just give me one of everything.... Takato: ( ^ᴗ^) It's the middle of the night. It's not eating time. Guilmon: Awwww....

Dub does a good job with the dialogue exchange; My one criticism is that EN Guilmon's disappointed "Awww" isn't as funny as JP Guilmon's disgruntled throat sounds.

Takato takes Guilmon outside, where it's revealed that they're camping out on a mountainside in the luminescent speckled rock area that we saw Culumon pass through a few episodes ago.

Takato: Jian, time to switch shifts. Go and get some sleep. Jianliang: Thanks. I'll do just that.

Jian reaches down, picking up Terriermon by his ears. Terriermon lets out a big yawn.

Terriermon: Sleepy....

With Terriermon in tow, Jian heads inside.

Guilmon: Have a good night!

Once they're gone, Takato looks out at the Real World sphere hanging low over the region.

Takato: I wonder... Where could Ruki have gone?

Seems the Tamers have picked up sleeping shift rotation, though I'm not sure what woke Takato up just now. It's not like he has a clock on him.

In the dub, Guilmon's still upset about not getting breakfast:

Guilmon: Can I eat breakfast anyway? Please? Takato: No, it's our turn to keep watch. Hey Henry, why don't you go get some sleep? We'll take over. Henry: Thanks, guys. Just make sure the two of you stay awake. (noticing Terriermon) Huh? Ugh.... (Henry picks up Terriermon) Terriermon: Did you say we have to wake up now, Henry? (Henry and Terriermon head in) Henry: Dude, you're making me look bad! Terriermon: Sorry! Takato & Guilmon: Heh, goodnight. (Takato looks out at the Real World) Takato: I'm worried about Rika. Guilmon: Hm? I bet she and Renamon are having so much fun, their faces are all crampy. Takato: Haha, yeah, I bet you're right. But where could they be?

The dub inserts a few jokes here. Nothing really notable, but I do want to nitpick the breakfast bit in this scene and the last.

I'm not sure the dub understands why Guilmon isn't getting breakfast. JP Guilmon asks for ご飯 gohan, which means a meal, to which Takato tells him that he won't be getting any gohan 今日 kyō, which means today. No meals for Guilmon today.

That sounds harsh but you have to remember what we learned from Ryō: eating food is optional in the DIgital World. We don't have any food to eat and we don't need to eat food, so we're just not gonna.

The dub script makes it sound like a temporary thing. Guilmon can't have breakfast right now because it's not the right time; It's shift duty time. Which implies that there is a right time for breakfast, and we do intend to eat a regular breakfast when morning comes.

As Takato wonders about Ruki, we transition over to another world of the Digital World. Ruki's found her way out of the clockwork world and into a heavily forested area.

Axolotls flit about the trees around Ruki and Renamon while they sleep. Renamon wakes up briefly, glancing over to check and make sure Ruki's safe. Then they close their eyes and go back to sleep.

This passes with no dialogue in the original, but the dub makes Renamon intensely grumpy.

Renamon: (thinking) Annoying little beasts! How can she sleep through all this stupid chatter!? (sigh) I'm starting to sound like Rika. How disturbing....

EN Renamon shit-talks the axolotls and then insults Rika for good measure.

We've got one more person to check in with before the night is done. Beelzebumon bikes through a canyon in the desert world.

Beelzebumon: I have the strength I wanted. The formidable body I wanted. The overflowing power I wanted! But I won't know what it's truly capable of until I fight! ANYBODY!!! FIGHT ME!!!

From a distance, Terriermon cries out, "WE'RE TRYING TO SLEEP!!!"

Here, we go to title card. All of the players are set for this episode and we're ready to pick things up in the morning.

In the dub:

Beelzemon: (thinking) Now this is the way I always imagined myself! Beelzemon: Unfortunately, there's still one problem. I've got plenty of power, a brand new lean, mean body and machine, not to mention intelligence and looks, but none of it means anything without having someone to fight! I need a challenge! ALRIGHT, WHERE IS EVERYBODY!?!?

The dub takes its first commercial break here.

Again, this is pretty solid.

The following morning, Takato's crew all wake up and assemble outside the sleeping cave. Takato has an idea.

Takato: Hey, Jian? About Ruki.... Jianliang: Yeah? Takato: I think we'd be better off waiting over by the flag rather than searching all over the place for her.

Jian takes a moment to consider Takato's words.

Jianliang: ...yes, you might be right. I want to find Culumon as soon as possible but right now, meeting back up with Ruki and Renamon takes priority. Okay, let's head back to the flag. Terriermon: Mōmantai!

Kinda wild how we have a sort of "base camp" in the Digital World. We keep dipping our toes into other worlds only to then return to the flag site in the desert world.

The need to keep using the flag site as a place to meet back up coupled with the fact that we keep getting separated in the first place has really handicapped us from doing much proper exploration. We visited that eerie monochrome place last episode and barely did more than point at things and go "That's neat!" before circling straight back here again.

In the dub:

Takato: Hey, Henry, I was thinking about Rika. Rika: Yeah? What's up? Takato: Well, she knows where the flag is so instead of us aimlessly searching, we should just go there and wait for her to come. (Henry considers) Henry: ...yeah, maybe that is a better plan. I am worried about Calumon, but if we regroup with Rika and Renamon, we'll have a better chance of finding them. Alright, it's settled! Let's go back to the flag! Terriermon: Original idea.

Again, we're doing a great job staying on script right now. The dub even keeps Henry's pause while he considers; This is unusual because the dub's usually allergic to pauses.

Typically, if character X stops talking and there's a gap of a second or two before character Y says something, the dub will ensure no break in conversation occurs by extending character X or Y's dialogue; Whichever one doesn't have visible lips. Or they may have someone else chime in from offscreen.

But here, Henry's contemplative pause is retained. They add a "Hmmm" from him and another one from Terriermon so there is still some vocal activity, but they let the conversation die down while he thinks.

Terriermon's last remark seems to be a joke but I'm not sure about what. Is he implying that Henry stole Takato's idea and is claiming credit for it? Or is he riffing on how we keep returning to the flag over and over? Both are plausible but neither really feels adequately set up.

While the Tamers make their way back towards the flag, Hirokazu and Kenta bring up the rear.

Kenta: To be honest, maybe I'll just never get along with Ruki-chan.... Hirokazu: I know, right? It feels like she looks down on us just because we don't have Partner Digimon. Juri: You think so? I actually really like Ruki-chan! Hirokazu: You wouldn't understand, Katō-sama, because you have a Partner Digimon. Leomon: Don't be so disheartened! Boys: Huh? Leomon: Partners will appear for you both in due time. Hirokazu: Whoa! You really think so, Leomon!? You know, I was just thinking about how much I'd want an Angemon. Kenta: No, no, there's no way you'd ever get Angemon, Hirokazu. Someone like Scumon would be more your speed--HCK

Hirokazu retaliates by grabbing Kenta in a chokehold.

Hirokazu: What the hell!? Don't say things like that! Kenta: S-Sorry.... Juri: Hehehe....

While Hirokazu murders Kenta behind them, Juri and Leomon confer more privately.

Juri: Hey, Leomon, do you really think those two will find Partners? Leomon: (flatly) I only said that to cheer them up. Juri: ( °⌓°) Leomon: .... Juri: Ahaha! Well... I hope they find Partners.

Hirokazu and Kenta have decided that the reason Ruki doesn't like them is because she looks down on them for not having Partners. This interpretation doesn't come out of nowhere; Ruki has stated multiple times that they shouldn't be here because they don't have Partners, so it's easy to see where they got that impression.

But no. That's a tactical consideration; The two of them are dead weight on this expedition. Ruki doesn't like them because they're idiots who have been nothing but a burden on her specifically since she got here.

Hirokazu blows off Juri's impression of Ruki because Juri has a Partner so obviously Ruki would like her. But Ruki and Juri were getting along before Juri and Leomon formalized their Partnership, when it still seemed like Juri would never see Leomon again.

Not to mention, Hirokazu and Kenta wouldn't know this since they weren't around for it but Ruki doesn't exactly have a reputation for being approachable when it comes to other Tamers like Takato and Jianliang. It took a long time chipping down her walls to get her to accept being in community with them.

And she demonstrably can't stand Ryō.

So no, Hirokazu and Kenta are shifting blame. Ruki's beef with them isn't because they aren't proper Tamers like Juri. It's because they keep acting like Hirokazu and Kenta. They think she's just fixated on their lack of Partner Digimon because they are, themselves, fixated on that and are projecting their insecurity onto her.

An insecurity we see come out directly when Hirokazu lashes out and rejects Juri's opinion, even calling her "Katō-sama" to insinuate that she's better than him or thinks she is, because she has Leomon. Notably, this targeting of Juri for their insecurities seems to be what provokes Leomon's deception.

I also want to note that I really appreciate the Angemon/Scumon exchange because it's a rare instance of these characters actually talking like people who are invested in Digimon fandom.

In the dub:

Kazu: Dude, why are you so quiet today? You've usually embarrassed yourself at least ten times by now. Kenta: I should feel worse about Rika missing, but I just don't like her very much. Kazu: Attaboy, Kenta! Needless guilt! Hey, she is always bagging on us because we don't have our own Digimon. Jeri: You just haven't gotten to know her. I like Rika! Kazu: You've got Leomon; Of course she'll talk to you, but anyone without a Digimon is slime. Leomon: Don't give up just yet. Boys: Huh? Leomon: I have no doubt that your Partners will appear eventually. Kazu: Well, I'm glad somebody else believes it besides me! I wonder which Partner I'm gonna end up with? Maybe Angemon! Now that would be real power! Kenta: Right; You're not gonna be the new Digimon Emperor! There's no way you're gonna get Angemon! Maybe a Sukamon if you're lucky.

The dub censors out Hirokazu strangling Kenta, cutting straight to the next shot of Jeri looking back at them.

Kazu: You'd be lucky to get Dorkmon, your majesty! Kenta: You're a Dorkmon!

Kazu and Kenta continue bickering unintelligibly in the background while Jeri and Leomon talk.

Jeri: Hey, did you really mean that? You think those two goofballs will get Digimon Partners someday? Leomon: No, but if I didn't say something, they'd never shut up. This will keep them busy for a while. Just my humble attempt to bring a little joy into the lives of some poor, misguided youths. Jeri: Hahaha!

When Jeri looks back at the boys, the second shot of Hirokazu strangling Kenta is also censored out.

Kenta's first line is "I should feel worse about Rika missing" which feels a mistake that got left in. Was he supposed to say "Rika going missing"? or "I should feel worse with Rika missing?"

The dub's so focused on its longstanding favorite joke, "Characters insulting each other", that it ends up not really being clear on what Leomon accomplished here.

In the original, Hirokazu and Kenta are depressed until Leomon perks them up. The punchline then is Leomon privately admitting to Juri that his encouragement was completely insincere; He was just telling the boys what they need to hear to feel better about themselves.

In the dub, Leomon's interjection does pivot the conversation but his motives are changed from "cheering them up" to "making them shut up". In which case, he failed miserably; They're still yammering on in the background even as he claims credit for silencing them.

Kenta takes the original's "actually talking like Digimon fans" bit one step further and directly references the Digimon Emperor from Adventure 02.

The Tamers make it back to the flag site only to make a shocking discovery.

Takato: (gasp) The flag's missing! Juri: You're sure this is the right place. Jianliang: Yes. Right in front of the three rocky mountains. It should be right here. Kenta: So then, could someone have taken the flag?

Guilmon sniffs the dirt, revealing the hole where the flagpost once stood.

Guilmon: Oh! This smells like Culumon! Takato: Huh? Really!? Guilmon: Yeah! I'm sure of it!

Terriermon hugs his ears together and puts on an impersonation of Culumon's voice.

Terriermon: Then Culumon must be the culprit who stole our flag-culu!

No one's impressed. The BGM cuts out and the desert is deathly quiet, but for a single dust packet rolling along in the background. After the packet passes, conversations continues without acknowledgment.

Leomon: If so, then at the very least, that means that Culumon's managed to escape from the Devas. Takato: That's not all. If they came all the way here and took our flag, then that means Culumon must be looking for us too!

This is a major discovery. It dramatically changes the nature of our mission here. This is no longer about saving Culumon from the Devas; Now it's a race to see who can reach Culumon first, with the added handicap that Culumon's actively trying to reach us as well.

In the dub:

Takato: Oh no! The flag's gone! Jeri: Takato, are you sure this was the place? Takato: Well, uh-- Henry: Definitely. It was right by these three rock formations! Kenta: Then someone took the flag? Guilmon: Mrrhm? Kazu: No, genius, they moved the rocks. (Guilmon starts sniffing) Takato: What is it, boy? Guilmon: Huh? Hey, I smell Calumon! Takato: That means he was here! Guilmon: Yep. Not that long ago. (Terriermon hugs his ears) Terriermon: Now that Calumon's a real criminal, will he be punished with a public flagging? Group: Hrn. Terriermon: What? I thought that was a reasonable question. Leomon: Despite the heinous criminal allegations, if Calumon was here, at least we know he escaped from the Devas. Takato: You're right, and that's not all! If he did come here to take the flag, it must mean that he's looking for us too. And that makes us one giant leap closer to finding him!

Calumon doesn't have any verbal tics like Culumon so a straight translation of the impersonation bit wasn't going to fly. The dub opts to use a tortured pun for Calumon's bad joke.

Back in the Real World, Yamaki watches a recording of the news footage from Vikaralamon's attack. Footage from a helicopter shows the devastation dealt to Meiji-dori.

Reporter: I repeat, an evacuation order is currently in effect for the entire West Shinjuku area. For more information--

Yamaki turns off the TV.

From the kitchen, the forever-unnamed Reika calls out to Yamaki.

Red: Breakfast will be ready soon, so clear off the table, please.

Yamaki does not. He looks out the window instead, his eyes drifting to the Metropolitan Government Building.

Aww, somebody's still depressed that he finally got fired from his job at the Secret Conspiracy Factory. Maybe should have thought about that before you invented the machine that visibly breaks the sky open directly above Conspiracy HQ. And then turned it on a second time knowing full well that it was going to break the sky open.

In the dub:

Reporter: West Shinjuku has officially been declared a disaster area. Unstable structures could collapse at any t-- (Yamaki turns off the TV) Yamaki: Disgusting. Riley: Breakfast will be ready any minute! Would you mind clearing the table off for me, (flirty) Mr. Boss Man? (Yamaki does not) Yamaki: (thinking) It's like a bad dream. I wonder if there's anything left at all....

In the original, Yamaki's watching a recording from the day of Vikaralamon's attack, as indicated by the evacuation order. This conveys the way he's dwelling on that day, the day that Hypnos died. He's in a rut and unable to move on from the failure that shattered his career and his ambitions.

The dub has no indication that this is footage from the past. It sounds like a current broadcast, and Yamaki reacts to it as if he hasn't seen this a hundred times. So this is likely a current-day news report.

EN Yamaki's last line segues us into the next scene.

Moving over to the Metropolitan Government Building, engineers are hard at work in the destroyed Hypnos facility. One of Yamaki's superiors, the man with dark glasses, is engaged in argument with a buff man with a crew cut.

Shades: You cannot operate this facility without someone on-hand with knowledge from the previous team! I was under the impression that this was the basis for which your approval was granted. Crew Cut: Yes, and it's only a matter of time before the person who gave that approval loses their seat. But despite its involvement in that horrible incident, this facility may still be of use to our nation. That's why we're running this inspection. Though I'm sure you already knew all that. Engineer: We're ready to restart Hypnos! Crew Cut: Proceed!

The engineers power up the system and, console by console, Hypnos comes back online.

Considering Crew Cut brought in a team of all-new people with no prior experience with Hypnos to run this reactivation, I'm sure this will go well.

Judging from the conversation here, Crew Cut seems to be circumventing the parameters of his approval. He was told he needed to bring at least one experienced professional from the Hypnos team in to oversee any usage of the Hypnos system, and he's chosen to disregard that instruction.

To Crew Cut, it doesn't matter what the parameters were because the person who signed off on this is about to be fired anyway.

It's hard to really parse this conversation because we know next to nothing about who the higher-ups like Shades actually are or what they do.

I do find myself thinking back to episode 7, though, when an inspector came by to look at Hypnos. Who I am now realizing was Shades himself, making this his fourth appearance in the show.

Shades mentioned back then that if the public learned about Hypnos, it could lead the Prime Minister to dissolve the House of Representatives over the public outcry, which is a thing Japanese Prime Ministers can do.

This would trigger a snap election; Everyone in Congress is immediately fired and we all have to elect new Representatives.

But it's hard to say if that's related because we don't know if any of the four Hypnos senior leadership are members of the House of Representatives or not.

Nonetheless, Shades says they need someone from the Hypnos team on-staff and Crew Cut retorts that the person who signed off on this is about to be fired so who cares what he thinks? Or he could be saying that they need to move fast and get this done regardless of whether it's within parameters because they'll be shuttered as soon as their approver gets fired; We have a very short window of time right now.

Either way, considering Shades's past involvement vouching for Hypnos and with the way Crew Cut says it, I feel like he's talking about Shades himself.

But again, we know so little about these people that it's difficult to truly make sense of this conversation apart from its main point of setup: They need someone here from the Hypnos team and they do not have that someone.

In the dub:

Shades: These systems are extremely complex. There's only one man qualified to run this operation. Without him, there's no way we can go online again! Crew Cut: Don't worry. We'll eventually convince him to return. In the meantime, I suggest that you stay out of my way! While I appreciate your input, this has become a matter of national security and it's my job to get Hypnos working again as soon as possible with or without Yamaki. Is that clear? Engineer: Sir, we're ready to go online. Crew Cut: Do it! Engineer: Here we go. (Engineer 2 activates the console) Engineer 2: Key 1 operational! (sigh) I hope we're not making a big mistake. Engineer 3: Key 2 operational! Engineer 4: Confirmed. Engineer 5: Key 3 is operational. Engineer 4: Resonators activated and powering up. Engineer 6: Data recall access confirmed! Engineer 2: Going online in 3... 2... 1.... (Hypnos comes back online) Crew Cut: Yes!

The dub conversation between these men is more polite.

Yamaki is mentioned by name as the person Shades wants brought in to oversee the reactivation, where in the original he simply says he wants someone experienced from the Hypnos team.

The dub comes down on the side of urgency. Crew Cut is respectful of the desire to re-hire Yamaki but doesn't have time to wait for that all to get sorted out.

EN Crew Cut says that this is a matter of national security, implying that he wants to use Hypnos to repel further Digimon incursions.

JP Crew Cut says only that Hypnos can still be of use to Japan. He's vague on what exactly that means. He might be saying the same thing, but it's worth keeping in mind that apart from fighting Digimon poorly and blowing open the sky, Hypnos is also a system of information control.

The dub adds a lot of technobabble dialogue over Hypnos's reactivation sequence, which is admittedly pretty dry in the original; It's several seconds of just watching screens boot up while the camera pans across the lab.

As Hypnos reactivates, the Tamers suddenly learn firsthand what its activation means for the Digital World.

A nasty windstorm swirls around them. Black stormclouds appear in the sky all of a sudden. Leomon grabs onto Juri to protect her.

Leomon: Juri!

Hirokazu and Kenta cling to each other. Jian holds on tight to Terriermon to keep him from blowing away.

Jian: Wh-What just happened!? Takato: Gack... A light pillar!

Takato warns the others about a data stream coming their way.

Kenta: If that thing touches us, we'll be hurled somewhere else again! Takato: RUN!!! Hirokazu: RUN WHERE!?!? Guilmon: GUYS!!! OVER HERE!!! Takato: GUILMON!!!

Guilmon found a safe cave for the team to hide out in, and they tuck inside before the data stream passes over.

Jianliang: That was close.

So, here we finally get to see what exactly Hypnos has been doing to the Digital World that has the Devas so incense. This is what the war was about, and why the war seems to have ended as of Hypnos's destruction.

Makuramon was very clear in episode 23 that the Devas' attacks were an attempt to destroy Hypnos in retaliation for something Hypnos was doing to the Digital World. According to him, Hypnos shot first, and the Devas were defending their world by attacking Shinjuku. Their goal was always the destruction of Hypnos specifically.

Now we know the context. As a system of information control, Hypnos wreaks havoc on the Digital World. The humans really did start this war.

Two sides to every conflict. To those who worship the Devas, they are heroes. But to those who worship the Asuras, the Devas would appear as villains.

EN Makuramon even stated that the humans "polluted your world and then started messing with ours", which once again raises the question of how much Dub Team knew in advance. That's not too far off from what we're seeing right here.

But it was also right next to statements like "You humans want to wipe yourselves out!" and "We have plans and you're in our way!" so it's hard to tell whether Dub Team knew about this in advance or if they were just writing Bad Guy Bluster and ended up getting lucky.

In the dub:

(Windstorm picks up) Kazu: Geeze, Kenta! What'd you eat for lunch!? Kenta: Very funny! (Leomon grabs Jeri) Leomon: Jeri! (Kazu and Kenta hold each other, Henry gets Terriermon) Henry: We have to find some cover! Run for it! Takato: How can I run when I can barely stand!? (Incoming data stream) Kazu: I think our ride is here! Kenta: That thing is gonna suck us up like a giant slushie! Kazu: Oh man, not again! This whole place is starting to suck! Guilmon: Takatomon! Over here! Henry: Go! GOOOOOO!!!! (Everyone takes shelter in the cave) Henry: Whew! That was close.

Some added bits of Kazu and Kenta being goobers.

Henry tells everyone to run away and take cover from the windstorm, but Takato indicates that running isn't possible in these conditions. A weird thing to add to a scene that ends in everyone running away and taking cover.

In the original, running away is only brought up once the data stream approaches, but they don't run because they don't know where to run. Which is odd in its own right because, uh, how about away? Away sounds like a good direction to run.

The data stream passes harmlessly in front of the cave entrance. For the moment, the Tamers are safe once more.

Takato: You did it, Guilmon! Thank you! Guilmon: Hehehe! Leomon: This world has gone haywire ever since these storms started raging. Jianliang: Ever since the storms started raging...? Terriermon: Hey, Takato? The pocket of your rucksack... Takato: Huh? Terriermon: It's glowing.

Takato takes out the communication device that Yamaki gave him. Now that Hypnos is online, the device is working.

Takato: What the... It's working! Jianliang: Do you think...?

Ever the contemplative one, Jian seems to be trying to puzzle this out. He doesn't have the context to understand the source of the violent storm, but he did pick up on what Leomon said: Ever since the storms began, the Digital World has gone おかしく okashiku, which means crazy, absurd, ridiculous, losing one's marbles.

This again reinforces that the humans fired the first shot, unknowingly though they did. Hypnos is the cause of this war.

I wonder if the evolution theft is related or separate? I'm leaning towards separate right now. The Devas describe it as a theft, which implies an intentional thief, rather than just a weird quirk of Hypnos.

And I'm leaning towards Shibumi as the thief. Maybe he needed to steal the power of evolution to make the Arks and Blue Cards work.

In the dub:

Takato: Guilmon, you saved us! Guilmon: Haha, yeah! Leomon: There must be some kind of energy disruption in the Digital World that's causing these storms. It's not normal! Henry: Energy disruption? What could that be from? Terriermon: Maybe it's the same thing that's making Takato's butt glow. Takato: Huh? Guilmon: That's his backpack! Terriermon: Same difference! (Takato takes out the comm device) Takato: Whoa! The communicator's working! Henry: But I thought it was fried!

Terriermon, that's clearly on his side, midway up his torso. Learn anatomy!

EN Leomon sticks to the present tense; some sort of energy disruption (Hypnos) made this storm kick up just now.

In the Real World, Yamaki's earpiece starts beeping. Curious, he picks it up and puts it in, but all he hears is a digitized screeching, like a fax machine trying to call into his earpiece.

Setting the earpiece down, Yamaki pulls over his laptop, typing frantically just as Red enters the room with a meal tray.

Red: Didn't I ask you to clear the table?

She did, but her voice comes out more curious than upset. She carries the tray around behind the couch so she can peep at the laptop.

Red: What are you doing?

A message pops up on the laptop's screen.

メールが受信されました Mēru ga jushin saremashita An email has been received.

Yamaki lets out a gasp.

Yamaki: (gasp) Red: An email? From who? Yamaki: Could it be...?

Yamaki brings up the email and it's just as he thought.

タカトヨリヤマキサン、ボクタチハゲンキデスマツダタカト Takato tori Yamaki-san, boku-tachi wa genki desu Matsuda Takato From: Takato Yamaki-san, we are in good health. Matsuda Takato

Absolute nothing of an email, but it tells Yamaki that Takato and the others are in the Digital World and alive, at least.

Yamaki: (gasp) Red: Is that...? "We are in good health. ~Matsuda Takato." I'm glad to hear they're okay! How about you?

Red gives Yamaki a verbal nudge, but he says nothing. He stares silently at the message in contemplation.

Small note, Takato's email is written entirely in Katakana due to his youth and inexperience with writing. To my understanding, some children cling to Katakana when learning because they haven't figured out the complex labyrinth that is Kanji yet and Katakana's shapes are simpler and easier than Hiragana's.

In the dub, Yamaki's earpiece rings like a phone. When he puts the earpiece in, however, no sound comes out. We're given no indication at all of what he's hearing that prompts him to suddenly grab his laptop.

Riley: So much for quality time. Did you forget about breakfast? (Riley comes behind the couch to see what Yamaki's doing) Riley: Hello? Anybody home? (Email received notification) Yamaki: (gasp) Riley: An email? Well, who's it from? Yamaki: It might be them.

The dub leaves the email notification in Japanese, but whites out the text boxes of Takato's actual email so they can rewrite it in English.

To: Mr. Yamaki WE MADE IT! WE'RE ALL FINE! Takato

Then we continue.

Riley: Is that really from... "Takato Matsuki"!? They made it! And they're alright! Well, that's a relief. I was beginning to worry about them. Yamaki: .... Riley: Can you even hear me?

Takato's letter is written in all caps, which is a nice touch. It's an English way of conveying the childishness of writing in all Katakana. Though for some reason it's not consistent. I would have put the subject header and Takato's signature in all-caps too.

Also, Takato only puts his first name in there but Riley asks "Is that really from...?" Then when they put the message onscreen again, she says "Takato Matsuki" like she's reading it off the email.

I don't know why they didn't put "Matsuki" in the message text. Poor communication between writing team and editing team, I guess. Like the whole Shogunmon/ShogunGekomon thing from Adventure.

Riley gives Yamaki a lot of crap for how nonverbal he is in this scene and I'm here for it. Sometimes the Abridged Parody-ass dialogue is warranted.

Back in the Digital World, the storm dies down just as suddenly as it began. The Tamers emerge from the cave to clear skies and the Real World sphere hanging in the sky as ever.

Terriermon: Looks like it's died down.

Juri notices that Takato isn't with them. He's still in the cave staring despondently at the device.

Juri: Is something wrong, Takato-kun? Takato: Yeah... It stopped working after the winds died down. I just hope my email made it through....

The Tamers don't have the necessary context to understand what this means, but we do. Crew Cut's test of the Hypnos system has concluded, and Yamaki's communicator requires Hypnos to be active in order to reach the Real World. That makes sense.

In the dub:

Kazu: Thank goodness that's over! I'm gonna be ralphing up sand for a week! Henry: (sarcastic) Nice image, Kazu. Thanks. (Jeri notices Takato) Jeri: Hey, aren't you coming? Takato: In a sec. The power went off as soon as the storm was over... I hope my email got through alright.

Again, the only notable difference is the addition of a goober line for Kazu. So far, this might be the most faithful episode yet.

Over in the rainforest world, Ruki and Renamon continue to make their way through an ocean of axolotls. Ruki isn't amused by their constant fluttering about.

Ruki: (annoyed) Seriously, Renamon, what even are these things!? Renamon: Proof that Digimon aren't the only things living in this world. Let's rest here for a bit. I'll go look for something to eat. Ruki: Just don't bring back any gross mushrooms, got it?

Renamon vanishes without answering.

There's a few interesting details about this scene.

First, Renamon confirms that the axolotls are not Digimon. They're some other form of life native to the Digital World. This is really interesting and raises further questions about their connection to Culumon.

If axolotls are not Digimon, then could Culumon be an axolotl Digimon then?

Second, Renamon goes foraging for food for Ruki. She wasn't there for Ryō telling everyone that eating is optional, so it figures that she and Renamon are still making a point to feed her while Takato's over there like "No meals today! Oh well!'

And third, minor thing, but Renamon confirms that there is food to scrounge up in the Digital World as long as you're in the right world. Which means, Dub Team circa episode 26, that the desert world is not barren because of the changes it's undergone since Renamon left. It's barren because it's a desert.

Though I suppose changes it's undergone could be the reason why it's a desert. That door's still open.

In the dub:

Rika: Renamon, what are these things? Renamon: They're called DigiGnomes. Relax, Rika. At least they're friendly! In fact, why don't we rest here? I'll go find us something to eat. Rika: Well, maybe you can find some gnome repellant while you're at it!

EN Renamon answers Rika's question confidently and with an official proper noun to call the axolotls by, as though they're a completely normal and standard fixture of the Digital World.

JP Renamon answers more cryptically, either not knowing what they are beyond "not Digimon" or just not sharing.

Ruki instructs Renamon not to bring back gross mushrooms, which sets up a funny visual later in the episode when we see Renamon in fact gathering gross mushrooms for her. Rika asks for gnome repellant, ruining the joke setup.

While Renamon goes to forage, we turn our attention back to Beelzebumon.

Driving through the canyon, Beelzebumon notices something. He skids to a stop, dropping the kickstand and stepping off his cursed bike. He steps away slowly, every footfall framed like a cowboy western, to face a large purple column.

Beelzebumon: Adult-level Digimon can't really compete with me, but I guess this'll do for a light snack. Won't it, Chrysalimon?

The spire disperses, revealing itself to be a crowd of hundreds of Chrysalimon. As Beelzebumon faces them, a new insert song starts to play. This is Beelzebumon's character theme Black Intruder.

It's a boisterous edgelord song about Beelzebumon with lyrics like

Spoiled brats who speak of "Faith" Know nothing of betrayal! Solitude is what made me strong It gave me these wings and these guns!

And

Black wings are the mark of my solitude. I control all darkness. I keep slashing, I keep challenging As for those who've seen me twice? There are none!

Fittingly braggadocious for a character like Impmon, but with a confidence he could only play at before.

Beelzebumon laughs mockingly at the Chrysalimon swarm.

Beelzebumon: Ahahaha! Now that's more like it! There's a worthy opponent.

The swarm rushes Beelzebumon. He draws his shotguns, letting off his signature move.

Beelzebumon: DOUBLE IMPACT!!!

Double Impact fires two slugs from his shotgun with superheated, glowing cores. As the slugs travel, they obliterate every Chrysalimon that's even near them, every shot annihilating huge chunks of the swarm with Beelzebumon's sheer overwhelming power.

Beelzebumon laughs as, shot after shot, the Chrysalimon are slain.

Far away, in the rainforest world, poor battered Culumon looks up suddenly.

Culumon: Culuuu?

The gem on their forehead shines and, with their blessing, all of the Chrysalimon Jogress, merging with one another and evolving together into Infermon.

Beelzebumon: What? They evolved into Infermon?

Infermon opens their mouth and shoots Beelzebumon in the chest, knocking him backwards several feet before he skids to a stop.

Beelzebumon: Ehehe... That was nothing! Hahahahahahaha!

Beelzebumon puts away his shotgun.

Beelzebumon: This is the best!

Infermon lunges forward at Beelzebumon. Beelzebumon bounds over Infermon and, as his prey passes underneath, lets off another attack.

Beelzebumon: DARKNESS CLAW!!!

After Beelzebumon's attack, Infermon holds in place for a couple seconds. Then they disintegrate into pixel dust. Their data turns blue as Beelzebumon begins to Load them.

Beelzebumon: Ahahaha! This is my strength! My POWER!!! Hahahaha! AHAHAHA-- Huh?

Beelzebumon's mood drops instantly, as does Black Intruder, when Catsuramon shows himself on the cliff above.

Beelzebumon: Catsuramon? Catsuramon: We have upheld our end of the pact. Now it's your turn. Beelzebumon: (gruffly) Yeah. I know.

And break for commercial.

Catsuramon also noticed that Beelzebumon doesn't seem in a hurry to slay the Tamers too. I'm glad it's not just me. He's here with a gentle reminder of the obligation that Beelzebumon owes to God.

In the dub:

Beelzemon: Huh? Beelzemon: (thinking) Alright.... (Beelzemon stops and approaches the purple column) Beelzemon: Well, this isn't exactly what I had in mind but I suppose a little target practice couldn't hurt. Isn't that right, little Chrysalimon? (Chrysalimon surround Beelzemon) Beelzemon: Hahahaha! Ohhh yeah. I'm gonna enjoy hearing you scream! (Chrysalimon rush Beelzemon) Beelzemon: HOW 'BOUT A DOUBLE IMPACT!?!? (Beelzemon slaughters many Chrysalimon) Beelzemon: This is way too easy! (Cut to forest) Calumon: Huh? (Calumon's powers activate; Chrysalimon Digivolve to Infermon) Beelzemon: Interesting. Somehow, they Digivolved into Infermon. Infermon: SPIDER SHOOTER!!! (Infermon shoots Beelzemon) Beelzemon: Aw, now you hurt my feelings! Huhuhahahahahaha! (Beelzemon puts his guns away) Beelzemon: Time to have some real fun. (Infermon lunges) Beelzemon: DARKNESS CLAW ATTACK!!! (Infermon dies; Beelzemon Loads his data) Beelzemon: Ahahahahahahaha! Ohhh yeah, come to Papa. I've waited so long for this. Hahahahahahahaha--Hmm? (Catsuramon reveals himself) Beelzemon: Catsuramon! Catsuramon: Stop wasting time! We've kept our promise. Now it's your turn. Beelzemon: I'm in! Let's get it over with.

The dub also takes its second commercial break here.

Infermon calls his attack.

For some reason, Darkness Claw is renamed Darkness Claw Attack. Weird choice.

After defeating Infermon, JP Beelzebumon gloats about how powerful he's become. EN Beelzemon reflects on how good it feels to finally be able to kill and Load a Digimon.

EN Beelzemon is more enthusiastic about fighting the Tamers. JP Beelzebumon answers Catsuramon gruffly, like he's pissed off about the reminder.

In the rainforest world, Ruki waits for Renamon's return with a crowd of axolotls.

Ruki: Oh, where did Renamon get off to? Ugh... Now I'm starting to get thirsty too.

The axolotls look at each other, letting out high-pitched trilling noises. Then they grab Ruki by the arms and pull her away.

Ruki: H-Hey, what are you doing!?

As the axolotls drag Ruki through the woods, she smiles fondly at them.

Ruki: ( •᷄ᴗ•᷅) Where are you taking me?

Then she looks up and sees their destination. The axolotls release her at the edge of a gorgeous river.

Ruki: It's beautiful....

The axolotls are helpful and apparently understand human speech. But what's more interesting about this scene is how gentle Ruki is about being dragged away by them. She's so warm and welcoming about this, in stark contrast to how she normally is.

Could Ruki have a weakness for little adorable critters? Is that how Culumon was able to defrost her back in the human world?

In the dub:

Rika: I wish she'd hurry up; I'm tired of resting! I wonder if these flying nightlights know where to find water? (Axolotls trill and drag Rika away) Rika: Hey! What are you doing!? (They take her through the woods) Rika: ( •᷄ᴗ•᷅) Slow down. That tickles! Where are you guys taking me? (They bring her to the river) Rika: Beautiful....

Ruki happens to mention that she's thirsty, which the axolotls suddenly decide to fix for her. Rika wounds aloud if the DigiGnomes can take her to water, which they can and do; She remains confused about what they're doing, however, despite having all but outright asked them to do it.

Once at the river, Ruki bounds across the rocks and scoops up some river water in her hands. She tastes it.

Ruki: It's so good!

The axolotls giggle together. But then they notice something. The axolotls swirl in a figure 8 pattern, trying to warn Ruki. Ruki doesn't understand and looks upriver only to see a massive flood come gushing towards her.

In the woods, Renamon hears her scream.

Ruki: AHHHHHH!!! Renamon: Ruki!

Renamon takes off into the woods, leaving behind the gross mushrooms they'd picked out for Ruki.

This is the visual payoff I was talking about earlier.

In the dub:

Rika: Amazing! (Flood comes for Rika) Rika: AHHHHH!!! Renamon: Hm? Rika!

There's not really much dialogue here to change.

The dub still has some of the context for why we get a closeup shot of the mushrooms; That's the food Renamon was gathering for Rika. But why that closeup is funny is lost.

The flood washes Ruki helplessly downriver. Struggling against the current, it's all she can do just to keep her head afloat.

Ruki: Help me, Renamon!

From the shore, a branch with a vine wrapped around it is thrown to Ruki. She grabs hold of it with her right hand, then climbs the vine to shore.

Ruki: Thank you, Renamon.

But when she looks up, it's not Renamon she sees. It was Culumon who tied the other end of this vine to a tree and threw her the stick.

Culumon: Are you okay-culu? Ruki: CULUMON!!! Culumon: Yep!

Culumon bounds up into Ruki's arms.

Ruki: We've been looking all over for you! Culumon: Culumon was looking for you too-culu.

We did see that Culumon's in rainforest world after falling down that hole in desert world, so it does parse that they'd be close enough to hear her scream. The worlds don't seem too terribly huge. The more interesting question is how Ruki and Renamon got here from clockwork world.

In the dub:

Rika: Help me, Renamon! (Stick thrown to Rika; Rika climbs it to shore.) Rika: Thanks, Renamon. Calumon: You sure picked a silly time to go swimming, Rika-Rika! Rika: CALUMON!!! Calumon: Hoohoohohoho! (Calumon jumps in Rika's arms) Rika: Where have you been!? We searched everywhere! Calumon: I'm not sure I searched everywhere, but I tried.

As usual, it's unclear how much Calumon actually understands about what he just saved Rika from. Given his tendencies, his first line may or may not be in jest. It's always hard to tell with him.

Suddenly, the actual Renamon calls out.

Renamon: RUKI!!! RUN!!!

Ruki looks up just in time to see Renamon speeding towards her and away from the goddamn flood, which has left the river and is now sweeping through the forest towards her and Culumon.

Renamon snatches up Ruki just before they're caught up in the water once more. The flood spits them through a geyser up into the desert world.

Ruki: AHHHHHH!!! RENAMON!!!

Culumon's sigil activates, prompting Renamon's evolution. Kyūbimon

Kyūbimon lands first, then provides a soft landing spot for Ruki. How this is helpful is unclear; There's no such thing as fall damage in the Digital World, we've long established that, but I guess it's nice that she didn't land in the dirt.

Ruki: Thank you, Kyūbimon. Culumon: Culu! Ruki: Where are we? Kyūbimon: It would seem we've returned to the world we started from.

Probably through the same crack that Culumon fell through last episode.

Oh hey, look at that! We're back in the desert world! And we didn't need Ryō's dumb face to help us get there after all. Eat it, Ryō.

In the dub:

Renamon: RIKA!!! HOLD ON!!! (Renamon scoops up Rika; Flood washes them into desert world) Rika: AHHHHHH!!! RENAMON!!! (Kyubimon Digivolves; Rika lands softly on her back) Rika: That was pretty impressive. Thanks. Calumon: What a ride. Rika: Where are we? Kyubimon: I believe it's the same place we were transported from the last time.

JP Renamon tells Ruki to run, but she freezes instead so Renamon's forced to snatched her up. EN Renamon tells her "Hold on". Hold on to what? Does she mean, like, "Don't run, I'm coming to get you"?

Or, wait, does she mean "Hold on to Calumon"? That might be it.

Either way, "Hold on" is a confusing instruction for someone that has a natural disaster barreling straight towards them.

Back at Hypnos, the tests continue.

Crew Cut: So how about it? Can you run a test of Shaggai? Engineer: Yes, I think we can manage that. Shades: Wha--!? Crew Cut: And hurry it up. We're behind schedule. Shades: No one said anything about activating Shaggai! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is!? Crew Cut: We have authorization. Now, I'd appreciate if you refrain from any unnecessary interference.

Crew Cut walks away to oversee the activation, leaving Shades alone. Shades stares after him for a moment in thought. Then he makes a decision, taking out his phone and dialing a number before raising it to his ear.

Shades: (thinking) How long do you plan to languish in seclusion?

Specifically, he asks how long Yamaki intends to くすぶって kusubutte, which means to smolder. Like an ember on the verge of going out, kicking up smoke and soot but offering little of value. Socially, this means to go into seclusion and just rot away, which is what Yamaki's been doing ever since Hypnos was destroyed.

The sub here says "remain in hiding" which implies that he's on the run from the government or something, but he's not. He's depressed and given up, like an old man who spends all day bitterly watching video cam footage of the high school football games where he was star quarterback.

Yamaki is just slowly dying on that couch, rewatching Vikaralamon's attack over and over again while he wastes away. And in light of Crew Cut's bullshit, Shades wants to reignite him and get him back down here with all that passion and zeal burning in him.

I, of course, disagree because fuck Yamaki. "Oh no, they're going to test Shaggai! Yamaki would never!" Shaggai was Yamaki's pet project to begin with! And he turned it on a second time after it already fucked the sky and brought the Devas here! Crew Cut sucks but let's not pretend like Yamaki was any better!

In the dub:

Crew Cut: How soon before we can test the Juggernaut program? Engineer: We're reloading the files right now, sir! Shades: What!? Crew Cut: We're behind schedule! Hurry it up! Shades: It's bad enough that you started up Hypnos again without him, but how can you even think think of relaunching the Juggernaut after what happened!? Crew Cut: The question is, how can we not? But thank you for your opinion. Huhuhu.... (Crew Cut walks away; Shades's phone rings and he answers) Shades: (thinking) I've got to put a stop to this before it's too late.

EN Shades brings up starting Hypnos "without him" again, once again directly signaling that Yamaki should be here to oversee this.

JP Crew Cut blows off Shades's concerns by bluntly stating that the test's been authorized, then telling him to fuck off in Japanese Politeness.

EN Crew Cut plays the reverse-question game as if it were some kind of answer and then walks off like he landed a clever gotcha.

JP Shades then makes his first direct reference to Yamaki, his question about Yamaki smoldering, which the dub drops and replaces with Shades remarking on how urgently he's taking action.

Also, for some reason, EN Shades is answering a phone call instead of sending one. To Yamaki. Who the fuck is calling him and how does that pertain to the task of bringing Yamaki here?

So, to summarize:

JP Shades: -> You need a Hypnos member to oversee this operation! -> You can't activate Shaggai! It's too dangerous! -> I need to make a phone call. -> It's time to get Yamaki off his couch and back to work.

EN Shades: -> You need Yamaki to oversee this operation! -> You can't activate Juggernaut, and also you should have brought Yamaki here before activating Hypnos like I told you! -> Oh, somebody's calling me. -> It's time to put a stop to this!

...I guess that was Yamaki calling him? That's the only thing that makes sense.

Back in the Digital World, Guilmon sniffs the flagpost hole again to get a trail.

It goes very well.

Guilmon: I smell Culumon! Takato: Yeah, we know. Culumon came through here, right? Guilmon: No, that's not right. It's more like they're coming this way! Huh? Oh, I smell Kyūbimon too. Takato: Wait, really?

Guilmon points off into the distance.

Guilmon: HERE THEY COME!!!

Sure enough, Kyūbimon can be seen heading their way from a distance with Ruki on their back. The tattered flag trails behind her as if she were wearing it like a cape.

Takato: Kyūbimon! Ruki! And that's our flag!

Culumon peeks out from their spot on Ruki's back.

Takato: CULUMON!!!

The Tamers run out to meet Ruki and the others. Culumon leaps into Takato's arms, and Takato spins him around in a terrible bit of animation that just rotates two frames back and forth. That's not the gif quality; It actually looks like that.

Takato: It's Culumon! We finally found you! Jianliang: You had us worried, Ruki. Ruki: Sorry.

At long last, the Tamers plus Hirokazu and Kenta are reunited.

Can we just take a moment to admire what a boss Ruki is. Not only did she show up Ryō by finding her way back without him, but she also completed our goddamn mission while she was at it.

"Oh, Ruki's hard to get along with, she's surly and looks down on us for not having Digimon." Meanwhile, Ruki's out there fucking finding Culumon singlehandedly and then riding in victorious like that was no big deal.

And also she made friends with the mysterious axolotls while we were all standing nearby watching Ryō fight a Deva.

It's a good thing Culumon destroyed the flag. That means we can make a new one and promote Ruki to top billing. We all know who the queen here is.

In the dub:

Guilmon: I smell Calumon. Takato: You already told us that, boy. Are you getting delirious from hunger? Guilmon: Well, yeah, but I actually meant he's on his way here right this minute. And not only that, he's got Kyubimon with him. Takato: Are you sure, Guilmon!? (Guilmon points) Guilmon: Yeah! Here they come! (Kyubimon incoming) Terriermon: You're right! That nose of yours knows all! Takato: Kyubimon! Rika! And she's wearing our flag! Terriermon: Actually, she's wearing Calumon! Calumon: Oh ho hohoho YAYYYYY!!! (Calumon bounds into Takato's arms) Takato: Alright, you're back! Welcome home! Henry: We were worried about you. Rika: Sorry about that.

The dub does a good job with the gag where Takato doesn't connect the dots on the flag right away and thinks Ruki/Rika's wearing it.

They bring Terriermon into it for some reason. Maybe because he's one of the comic relief so they just felt weird doing this bit without him?

With the team reunited, the Tamers discuss next steps. Culumon rests in Juri's lap while Jianliang has Yamaki's communication device in hand, using its stylus to fiddle with it.

Juri: (to Culumon) You must be exhausted.... Culumon: ...suya suya.... Ruki: Now that we've found Culumon, we should return to the Real World as soon as possible. Takato: I agree. Everyone must be worried about us. Oh, but how do we get back? Terriermon: What are you doing, Jian? Jianliang: It's no use. I can't get through. I thought if I could get in contact with Yamaki-san, we might learn something from him. Hirokazu: On that note, maybe we should ask Ryō-san. Kenta: Great idea! Ruki: Hmph! Who needs him? Kyūbimon: Ruki, why does that boy upset you so much? Ruki: I don't get upset!

Culumon's onomatopoeia this time is the sound of someone soundly snoozing. That's right, they even pronounce sound effects in their sleep.

Takato raises the question of how we return to the Real World, which Jian wants to consult Yamaki on. But. Like. Why don't we start by asking Renamon and Leomon, both of whom have made that trip before? We need to Realize, so we should consult Digimon who have Realized in the past.

Though I have a sneaking suspicion that Hypnos might need to be online in order to give us our opening. If Hypnos's activation destabilizes the Digital World and Shaggai ripped open a hole so wide that Devas could enter the Real World, then it naturally follows that Hypnos itself may be the mechanism by which Digimon Realize.

This may be why there's been no indication of any further Digimon incursions into the Real World. With Hypnos destroyed, the war is over; There's no longer a reason for the Devas to attack. But also, there may no longer be a means by which Digimon can enter the Real World either.

Also, Ruki may be right to dismiss Ryō. We don't really have any proof that he knows how to Realize either. He's been in the Digital World on a permanent basis for ten months; It's not like he's popping in and out of his school computer lab every day. So far as we know, video game knowledge notwithstanding, Ryō has never made the trip the other way before.

He talks like he knows, but I'd still trust Renamon or Leomon over him on that front.

In the dub:

Guilmon: Poor Calumon. He needs to play. Jeri: Right now, he needs to sleep. Calumon: Zzzzz... oogh.... Guilmon: Awww.... Rika: Now that we've found him, can we get back to the Real World? I've had about as much of this place as I can stomach! Takato: I bet our families are worried sick about us by now. Um, just one problem: How are we gonna get back home? Terriermon: Hey, whatcha doin', Henry? Henry: I'm trying to send an email to Yamaki. I thought he could help us find a way out of here, but this thing doesn't seem to work unless there's a storm! Kazu: Hey dude, why don't we just ask Ryo? He knows how to get ouf here. Kenta: Yeah, he rocks! Rika: Please, he doesn't know! Kyubimon: Rika, why do you get so bent out of shape when you hear Ryo's name? Rika: Ugh, I'd like to bend him out of shape.

The dub takes its third commercial break here following a camera pan up to an ominous figure looming on the cliffs above.

To be fair, Rika gets bent out of shape when she sees linoleum. Her default mood is grouchy.

But also, fuck Ryo.

Calumon's always had his play fixation as his bit, as opposed to Culumon's onomatopoeias and culuculu utterings. The dub here actually manages to insert a Calumon Play bit into his sleeping scene to replace the loss of suya suya. Well played.

Looming above the Tamers, an ominous figure perches on the edge of the cliffs. Beelzebumon has found them.

Beelzebumon: Heh. Found you.

Beelzebumon revs his engine and jumps the cliff, landing on the ground in front of everyone.

Tamers: WHUH!?!? Leomon: Who are you!? Beelzebumon: Huhuhuhuhuhuhuhu.... Terriermon: It's that motorcycle Digimon from the other day! I've got a bad feeling about this....

Terriermon scans Beelzebumon with his eyes, but nothing comes up on Jian's Digivice.

Jianliang: The data isn't showing up... Does that mean you're another Deva!? Beelzebumon: Eh, I guess you'll find out. Kyūbimon: (gasp)

That's actually a really good question. Is Beelzebumon a Deva now? In terms of official Digimon categorization, no. Beelzebumon is one of the great Demon Lords and the Devas are their own group. But in show context, does how he got his evolution make him a Deva?

I feel like this confirms that the reason the Digivices have a hard time scanning Devas is because of God's power. They've scanned even Ultimate-level Digimon with no problem before, but the Digivices struggle with Beelzebumon.

And what does Beelzebumon have in common with the Devas? He too is a vessel for God's power.

In the dub, it's the reveal of Beelzemon's motorcycle tire on the cliff over the Tamers that brings us to our third commercial break, which is a great ominous note to break on. After commercial, we pick up right where we left off.

Beelzemon: Time for a little payback.

The dub inserts an extra shot here; They play the slow pan up the cliff in reverse so that we slowly pan back down to the Tamers.

Takato: Man, at least our final moments here are peaceful ones. Guilmon: I'd rather they be fun ones. Can I wake up Calumon now? Everyone: NO!!! (Guilmon jumps the cliff) Tamers: WHOA!!! Leomon: Who are you!? Beelzemon: This is gonna be fun. Hehehehehehehehe! Terriermon: Well, at least he's got a sense of humor. But there's something oddly familiar about him.... (Terriermon scans Beelzemon) Henry: I can't get any data on this guy. You a Deva that was kicked out of the program? Beelzemon: I've got my own program. Kyubimon: (gasp) Beelzemon: (thinking) And you guys are gonna pay the price to guarantee its success.

The extra scene is so they can make a couple jokes before the confrontation starts. Takato tempts fate in a bit of dramatic irony and no one wants to deal with a conscious Calumon.

I don't know what Takato means by "our final moments", though. We were just saying we have no idea how to leave, but now Takato's talking like we just need to open the Digi-Port with our D-3s and go home.

EN Terriermon can tell that Beelzemon's someone they all know; He just can't put his finger on who. JP Terriermon has no idea; It's actually about to be Kyūbimon who puts the pieces together, which means we are once again letting the boys steal Renamon's thunder.

JIanliang assumes that Beelzebumon is a Deva. Henry assumes that Beelzemon is a fired ex-Deva candidate. He just makes up a backstory for Beelzemon on the spot.

As with the earlier scene with Catsuramon, EN Beelzemon comes off a lot more malevolent than JP Beelzebumon. JP Beelzebumon is acting aloof. He's threatening, but he's also keeping some emotional distance. When Jian asks if he's a Deva, he answers with どうだかな Dōda ka na which is basically a verbal shrug. "Sure, why not. I dunno, what do you think?"

But EN Beelzemon's proactively talking about delivering payback and sacrificing them to ensure his program's success. He is eager to kill these people.

Suddenly, Kyūbimon lets out a gasp. They step forward, taking a closer look at Beelzebumon.

Kyūbimon: (thinking) Could it be!?

Kyūbimon flashes back through their encounters with Impmon in the past.

-> The night they met Impmon, trading barbs across the telephone wire. -> Being confronted by Impmon at Hanazono Shrine. -> The moment under the bridge right after Impmon punched Renamon, when he was pounding his fist on the floor. -> Impmon battered and bruised in the fight with Indramon.

Kyūbimon: Are you... Impmon!? Others: HUH!?!? Beelzebumon: Impmon? That guy isn't around anymore. Now, I'm Beelzebumon! Kyūbimon: So you've finally evolved!?

It's Kyūbimon who clocks Beelzebumon here because they're the one who's spent all this time trying to understand him. Guilmon has played with Impmon and Terriermon's bickered with him, but it's Renamon who's really reached out and tried to connect with him. So Kyūbimon now can see what goes over the heads of everyone else here.

In the dub:

Kyubimon: (thinking) Could it be...? (Telephone wire flashback) Impmon: Hello, Fox Face! (Shrine flashback) Impmon: Huh!? WHO ARE YOU CALLING WEAK!?!? (Bridge flashback) Impmon: IT'S JUST NOT FAIR!!! (Indramon flashback) Impmon: I WANT TO DIGIVOLVE!!! (End flashbacks) Kyubimon: It is! Impmon! Others/Terriermon: WHAT!?!? / I knew it! Beelzemon: Heh. That loser doesn't exist anymore. This is my true form. The name's Beelzemon! Kyubimon: Tell me, what did you promise them!?

Again, this is Kyubimon's moment, but the dub makes a point to say that Terriermon already figured this out even without her history with Impmon because he's just so smart and intuitive.

It probably goes without saying but the dialogue added to the flashbacks are not direct quotes, to varying degrees. He did say "It's just not fair" in the bridge scene of episode 19, for instance.

But in the shrine scene of episode 10, Impmon was trying to trick Renamon into fighting Terriermon. At no point did Impmon's strength or lack thereof ever enter into the conversation.

And at no point in episode 6 did Impmon call Renamon "Fox Face". I believe he has in other episodes, but not in that episode let alone that scene.

JP Kyūbimon realizes that this is Impmon in an evolved form, but makes no assumption as to how. EN Kyubimon intuits that he must have made a deal with the Devas even though he just denied being involved with them.

On Jian's Digivice, Beelzebumon's profile finally comes up.

Jianliang: Beelzebumon. Ultimate-level Demon Lord-type Digimon. His special attack is Double Impact.

Beelzebumon draws his shotgun, leveling it at Kyūbimon's face. Kyūbimon doesn't even flinch.

Beelzebumon: You're referring to this. Kyūbimon: ( ≖_≖) Beelzebumon: And now, all of you... I'll kill you!

Over in the human world, Crew Cut checks his watch impatiently. One of the engineers turns to him.

Engineer: Shaggai is ready to go. Crew Cut: Great! Run the test now.

Then we cut back to the Digital World.

Guilmon: Impmon's gotten really scary.... Hirokazu: Impmon's that guy we met before, right? Kenta: Yeah. Juri: That Digimon who could be a little obnoxious but was also kind of cute. Ruki: Who cares if it's Impmon? CARD SLASH!!! MATRIX EVOLUTION!!!

A lot of mixed feelings on this revelation, while Ruki uses our recovered Culumon to Matrix Evolve Taomon and meet Beelzebumon's strength.

But what really sticks out to me is Kyūbimon's stone-faced stare down the barrels of Beelzebumon's gun.

Beelzebumon growls out the vulgar word 殺す korosu, "to kill, to murder, to slay, to assassinate", in a much deeper and more gruff voice than he's been using up to this point. It honestly feels more like he's trying to psyche himself up to do something he doesn't want to do, and I think Kyūbimon feels that too.

So by not moving, not flinching, and just staring down the barrels of the gun, it's as if Kyūbimon is daring Beelzebumon to actually pull that trigger, if he can bring himself to do it. Beelzebumon is saying "I'm a bad man who does bad things now woohoo," and Kyūbimon's putting their face into his gun and saying "If you're so bad then do it. Come on."

...do people ship these two? Because I could totally see shipping these two. This scene right here makes me want to ship them.

In the dub:

Henry: Beelzemon! Mega-level! His Double Impact and Darkness Claw attacks are almost always lethal! (Beelzemon points his shotgun at Kyubimon) Beelzemon: Make that "always"!

The dub censors out both the shot of Beelzemon leveling the gun at Kyubimon's face and the closeup of Kyubimon staring down its barrel. These are replaced by splicing in the later reaction shots of Takato and Guilmon then of Hirokazu and Kenta.

You can still see Beelzemon pointing the gun at Kyubimon's face from a distance in his next shot, but it's easy to overlook.

Beelzemon: It's a simple trade: Your lives... for my life! (Cut to Hypnos) Engineer: Sir, the Juggernaut program is loaded and ready. Crew Cut: Good. Run the first test immediately. (Back to Digital World) Guilmon: Impmon's sure a lot scarier than I remember him. Kazu: This trade only applies to kids with Digimon, right? Kenta: Mhm. Jeri: I knew Impmon had issues but I never thought he could be so evil! Rika: I don't really care who he is! DIGI-MODIFY!!! MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVATE!!!

The censoring deprives Kyubimon of that firm, daring stand that her Japanese counterpart makes against Beelzebumon. Again, this gives the whole scene a much more threatening tone, as if Beelzemon is sincerely and entirely committed to murdering everyone here.

Speaking of censoring, give yourself a cookie if you noticed they dropped "Demon Lord" from Beelzemon's profile.

Beelzemon says it's a trade of their lives for his life, which means Beelzemon has forgotten the plot. He's trading their lives for his Digivolution.

EN Crew Cut says to run the "first" test. JP Crew Cut makes no indication that he intends to do this multiple times.

The kids' reactions match Beelzemon's more vicious tone. Hirokazu, Kenta, and Juri reflect on what a little guy Impmon was, matching the original's general tone of disbelief that Beelzebumon could or would actually go through with this. Kazu, Kenta, and Jeri take him at face value, with Kazu and Kenta trying to squirm out of it while Jeri calls him evil.

Taomon finishes Matrix Evolving just as the humans at Hypnos do their thing.

Engineer: Activating Shaggai!

In the Digital World, another wicked storm kicks up.

In the Real World, Jiang-yu and Shaochung watch through the window of their apartment as Shaggai's sky hole opens above the Metropolitan Government Building.

Jiang-yu: Is that...?

An adorable closeup of Shaochung reveals that she's made a substitute doll for Terriermon. It's some kind of pink bunny toy, but she's scribbled green marker on its ears, hands, and feet. She's also taped a cone to its forehead for Terriermon's horn. Awwwww!

In the Digital World, Shaggai's storm seems worse than Hypnos's storm. Lightning crackles throughout the sky.

Taomon: Om!

Taomon raises their barrier to protect the Tamers and their Partners just before a bolt of lightning strikes the barrier.

After all that time Beelzebumon just spent not shooting Kyūbimon in the face, he now takes this as a perfect excuse to back down. He rides his motorcycle up a nearby cliff, calling out to the Tamers.

Beelzebumon: We'll save this for next time!

I'm sure we will, Beelzebumon. This is definitely a tactical retreat and not at all you staring at the prospect of sacrificing your only friends for personal gain and blinking.

In the dub:

Engineer: Juggernaut sequence commencing. Heaven help us.... (Engineer activates Juggernaut; Digital World storm begins; Janyu and Suzie watch out window) Suzie: Daddy? What's that? Janyu: A bad idea. (Back to Digital World) Taomon: TALISMAN SPELL!!! (Barrier raised) Beelzemon: Aw, nuts! (Beelzemon rides off) Beelzemon: I'll finish this later!

EN Engineer makes a point of letting us know that he's morally opposed to activating Juggernaut while he does exactly that. Uh, okay, guy. Great moral stand.

This is probably Engineer 2, the guy that was also opposed to activating Hypnos earlier. My guy, if you really don't want to blow up the sky then why are you here? Do you really need the money that badly?

Mind you, some staff being opposed to Hypnos's activities is a thing even in the original. Red's voiced several concerns but put them aside because she's hooking up with her boss, just another reason Yamaki should stay fired, and then there was that guy who gave Yamaki a scathing verbal beatdown so severe that he is still, as of this episode, recovering from it.

That one random engineer scarred Yamaki's soul.

Suzie and Janyu's exchange is fire. I love it. Brilliant work.

Once again, EN Beelzemon actually meant to kill everyone and is sincerely disappointed, while JP Beelzebumon doesn't feel like his heart was really in this.

At Hypnos, the test wraps up. Prognosis?

It does not go well.

Crew Cut: Great! The test's complete. Engineer 1: Problem is, we can't shut down Shaggai. Crew Cut: What!? Engineer 2: The system isn't accepting any commands. Engineer 3: Shaggai is out-of-control. Engineer 1: If this keeps up.... Crew Cut: ( °⌓°)

Crew Cut stares uselessly at the screen in silence for a couple seconds before uselessly barking orders instead.

Crew Cut: Do something! Shut it down now!

But while he's freaking out, across the room, the door slides slowly and dramatically open to reveal Yamaki and Red. Shades is the only one paying attention to the new arrivals.

Shades: ( ¬ᴗ¬) So, you finally made it. Yamaki: This is a job for the pros. Amateurs should step aside. Crew Cut: ( ಠ_ಠ) I'm going to report this!

Crew Cut runs off with his tail between his legs. Buh-bye, dickweed. It's time for Hypnos to be retaken by its... rightful leader? That doesn't sound right.

Hey, check it out. Shaggai is 3-for-3 on disastrous cock-ups. It's almost like it's a bad system or something and everyone should stop turning it back on! Stop it! Stop tearing holes in the fabric of reality! No more!

In the dub:

Crew Cut: Good. Shut down the test sequence. Engineer 1: Sir, there's a problem. The system won't respond. I can't stop it! Crew Cut: What do you mean!? Engineer 2: It's supposed to automatically shut down after the test! Engineer 3: There's no manual override! Crew Cut: ( °⌓°) Engineer 3: It's completely out-of-control, sir! Computer Voice: Non-functional. Juggernaut engaging now. Juggernaut engaging now. Crew Cut: Well, don't just stand there like potted plants! Somebody do something! (Door opens) Shades: ( ¬ᴗ¬) It's about time you showed up. Yamaki: See what happens when I leave you alone? Now let me through so I can clean up this mess. Crew Cut: ( ಠ_ಠ) (to Shades) This is all your fault!

Crew Cut riffs on the animation with the "potted plant" bit.

JP Yamaki comes in spitting fire at this whole room full of new hires unfamiliar with Hypnos's tech. As was mentioned at the start, none of these people have ever worked with Hypnos before.

EN Yamaki directs his ire at Shades for some reason.

JP Crew Cut threatens Shades to tell their superiors that he brought in Yamaki against Crew Cut's wishes. EN Crew Cut blame-shifts the Juggernaut crisis on Shades.

Down in the Digital World, Beelzebumon may have seen the storm as a good excuse to peace out, but Catsuramon doesn't share his reluctance. He appears amidst the windstorm, entirely undeterred about it.

Catsuramon: Foolish humans.... Taomon: Who are you supposed to be?

Ruki gets his profile on her Digivice.

Ruki: Catsuramon. Perfect-level Holy Beast-type Digimon.

She dismisses the profile, drawing the obvious conclusion.

Ruki: A Deva!?

Considering that Beelzebumon is a level above Catsuramon, his willingness to just come fuck us up right now in the midst of the Shaggai storm is just another indictment of Beelzebumon's stomach for this job.

Then again, Digimon levels don't seem to matter for much in Tamers.

Why did God make Impmon into an Ultimate Digimon but only made the Devas into Perfects anyway? That seems weird.

In the dub:

Catsuramon: It's over for you and your humans. Rika: Not just yet. (Caturamon profile appears) Rika: Catsuramon. Ultimate-level Exalted Beast Digimon! (Profile disappears) Rika: That guy's a Deva!

The dub continues the confusion over Catsuramon's name by spelling it correctly as Caturamon but having all the characters pronounce it Catsuramon.

So in Japanese it's spelled チャツラモン Chatsuramon and pronounced "Cha-tsu-ra-mon". But it's supposed to be Caturamon because it's a reference to Catura and that's how you spell a "Cha" sound but it's not how you spell a "tu" sound, so we end up with Catsuramon.

In English, it's spelled Caturamon and pronounced "Kat-soo-ra-mon". They swap the "Cha" for a hard "Kuh" while keeping the incorrect "tsu" sound from the Japanese spelling and pronunciation, making the English pronunciation of Caturamon wrong in two places even though you would think they would pronounce the "tu" the way it's fucking spelled.

They didn't get this from the Japanese spelling or pronunciation because if they did, they'd be saying Chatsuramon instead of Katsuramon. And they didn't get it from the correct spelling because if they did, they'd be saying Katuramon.

How did the dub pronunciation happen!?

Also, Catsuramon is an Exalted Beast Digimon. Weren't they just calling them Deva type for a while? Exalted Beast is a great translation. A fancy way to get around the whole "We don't say Holy" thing. Very well thesaurus'd. But inconsistent.

Catsuramon attacks suddenly and subtly, exhaling into Taomon's barrier.

Catsuramon's breath shatters the barrier and lifts Tamers and Digimon alike into the air. Catsuramon bounds into the air, levitating after them.

Everyone: AHHHHHH!!! Leomon: Juri!

Leomon grabs Hirokazu, Kenta, and Juri, holding them together in a bear hug. But in the chaos, she loses her grip on Culumon, who Leomon doesn't save with the others.

Culumon: CULUUUU!!!

Culumon flies away uncontrollably until Catsuramon snatches them out of the air. Catsuramon quickly leaves the scene with his prize in tow.

Takato: GIVE BACK CULUMON!!!

He does not. He's gone.

Taomon: OM!!!

Taomon forms a new yin/yang barrier around themself, catching Ruki, Guilmon, Leomon, and the kids in Leomon's arms. But Takato, Jian, and Terriermon are too far away. Takato gets launched into a data stream, with Jian and Terriermon falling into a different data stream.

Great. One step forward, two steps back. We reunited with Ruki. We found Culumon. And now not only have we lost Culumon again, but we've also split the party three ways!

And what's worse is that Takato doesn't have Guilmon with him. That's not going to be pretty....

In the dub:

Catsuramon: HOWL OF THE HEAVENS!!! (Catsuramon blows everyone away; Leomon grabs humans) Leomon: Gotcha! (Calumon goes flying) Calumon: HELP!!! (Catsuramon snatches Calumon and takes off) Takato: CALUMOOOOOON!!! Taomon: TALISMAN SPELL!!! (Taomon raises new barrier; Takato and Henry are lost)

Catsuramon calls his attack, but otherwise no notable differences.

At Hypnos, the engineers stand by doing nothing as instructed while Yamaki and Red work the consoles.

Yamaki: Shut down resonators 2 and 4! Red: Resonators shutting down! Yamaki: Put Shaggai in emergency shutdown! Red: Shaggai shutting down!

The big screen displaying Shaggai goes dark.

Shades: Yamaki!

Outside, the sky hole dissipates. Shaggai has been shut down.

And we didn't even get to send an email! Fucking Catsuramon! Takato's mom wants to know he's okay! We could have used Yamaki as a message boy; He owes us that much!

In the dub:

Yamaki: Alright, Riley, let's do this. Shut down resonators 2 and 4! Riley: I'm in... Got it! Yamaki: Now terminate Juggernaut! Riley: Confirmed. Termination complete! (Screens shut down) Shades: Yes!

No notes.

With Shaggai shut down, the Digital World storm calms down. Taomon lowers their barrier to the ground, then releases it.

As the calm settles in over everyone, Guilmon looks up despondently.

Guilmon: Takato!

We close here, with the team now worse off than they were when this episode began and Culumon now firmly back in Deva custody.

In the dub:

Guilmon: ...Takato's gone.... Davis: Man, it's hard to keep things together here, especially your friends! It's gonna be a wild one on the next Digimon: Digital Monsters.

JP Guilmon cries out despondently. EN Guilmon states Takato's absence matter-of-factly, albeit sadly.

Davis makes a very subjective promise so we'll see how that shapes up next episode!

Assessment: Feels like a lot happened this episode. The Tamers meet Beelzebumon and Catsuramon. Yamaki and Red are back at Hypnos, though Red's still waiting to have her name dropped. We finally get to see what Hypnos looks like from the other side and why the Digimon are so mad about it.

It kinda feels like a chapter of the arc coming to an end and a new chapter beginning. The old configuration of who's here and who's lost has been switched up, while Culumon is no longer "out there" but is now actually with the Devas.

Out of everything, right now I'm eager to see where Catsuramon is taking Culumon and what comes next for Beelzebumon. I assume he's going to keep trying to psych himself up to fight the Tamers. Maybe get in a dash of redemptive heroic sacrifice at some point, IDK. We'll see how it goes.

#digimon #digimon tamers #revisiting digimon #digimon tamers blind watch in two languages

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