TLDR;
This video reviews Digimon Seekers, a darker and more mature Digimon story aimed at adult fans. The reviewer's initial impressions were negative due to poor translation and slow pacing, but improved significantly with later chapters. While the story has compelling concepts, characters, and twists, the reviewer ultimately finds it difficult to recommend to anyone but hardcore Digimon fans due to persistent formatting issues and translation inconsistencies. The reviewer suggests that an English audio drama or novel adaptation could change this recommendation.
- Improved translation and writing in later chapters.
- Compelling world-building with nation-state mega-level Digimon and mind-linking mechanics.
- Strong characters and surprising plot twists.
- Formatting and translation issues hinder the overall experience.
Intro [0:00]
The video introduces Digimon Seekers, a Digimon story designed for adult fans, which has concluded after four parts. The reviewer previously shared their initial thoughts on the first part in May 2023, describing it as a darker take on Digimon with a clear appreciation for the franchise's legacy. At the time, the reviewer noted potential but criticized the format, rollout, and budget, as well as the poor machine translation. The reviewer now provides an updated and complete review of the entire series.
What Changed [1:20]
The reviewer notes significant improvements in formatting and English translation starting from part two. The shift in quality was immediately noticeable, transitioning from robotic translation to something more human and poetic. Despite these improvements, the writing quality remains below that of a typical novel. The reviewer expresses confusion as to why the first chapter was never rewritten or re-translated, as it remains in its original, flawed state. The reviewer believes the initial poor quality could deter many potential fans, comparing it to a video game with a terrible opening that is never fixed.
The World & Stakes [3:01]
Digimon Seekers introduces several interesting concepts, including nation-states using Mega-level Digimon as weapons of war, creating Cold War-like tensions. The story also features a well-defined system for digivolution with risk-reward elements tied to mind-linking. Mind-linking allows characters to telepathically pilot their Digimon, but it has time limits that decrease as the Digimon gets stronger. Humans who mind-link must also manage their caution and limit lines to avoid going DMIA (digitally missing in action), which results in a comatose state in the real world. The reviewer was surprised and impressed by these unique takes on the Digimon formula, especially the high stakes for human characters. The digital world in Seekers is shrouded in mystery, with characters likened to pioneers exploring an alien landscape.
The Characters [5:51]
Digimon Seekers is a mature Digimon story with many key characters in their 30s, 40s, or older. The protagonist, AG, is a flawed character who cheats and fights dirty, making him an unconventional lead. The reviewer grew to appreciate AG's character arc and enjoyed rooting for someone who wasn't a perfect hero. The story also features standout Digimon, including a unique take on Pulsemon and a well-utilized Omegamon, portrayed as a digital Angel of Death. The Royal Knights are presented as mysterious and powerful figures, adding to the story's intrigue.
The Format [7:34]
Despite improvements in later chapters, the formatting remains a missed opportunity. While some passages are elegantly written and translated, others suffer from broken English, inconsistent names, and bizarre formatting. This inconsistency raises questions about the extent of human involvement in the translation process, even after part two. The reviewer wonders if the well-written lines were simply flukes amidst the overall poor presentation.
Start of Spoilers [8:45]
The reviewer praises the story's twists and the excellent villain, Professor Ryuji. Ryuji, who initially provides AG with his Lugomon, is revealed to be the mastermind behind the events of the story. He manipulated multiple groups of friends over decades, similar to the dynamics in Kingdom Hearts. AG was specifically chosen by Ryuji because he was a loser with no connections, making him the perfect, unnoticed victim.
End of Spoilers [10:02]
Spoilers are over.
The Verdict [10:10]
The reviewer likes Digimon Seekers much more after completing it, considering it one of modern Digimon's best stories, alongside Appmon and Digimon Survive. However, the reviewer cannot recommend it to anyone but hardcore Digimon fans due to its formatting and translation issues. The reviewer suggests that an English audio drama or a novel adaptation with a named translator could make the story more accessible and enjoyable. As it stands, the text-based web novel format on Digimon Donnet limits its appeal.