TLDR;
This video provides a comprehensive overview of Digimon virtual pets (VPets) and Digivices, tracing their evolution from the original Digital Monster in 1997 to more recent releases. It covers various models, their features, and the history and design choices behind them.
- The video differentiates between VPets and Digivices, highlighting key features and evolution lines.
- It includes details about the development of the first Digital Monster, including insights from developer Aumu Kimura.
- The summary covers numerous devices, including pendulum devices, Digimon Mini, Vital Bracelet, and Digital Monster Color, among others.
Introduction to Digimon Devices [0:00]
The video introduces Digimon devices, distinguishing between V-Pets and Digivices. V-Pets can be confusing due to their similarities, but they are differentiated by the Digimon available in each. The video focuses on devices released in Japan, Digimon's country of origin, noting that not all were released internationally or in English.
The Creation of the First Digital Monster [2:00]
Aumu Kimura, a graduate of an art college, was tasked with creating a product similar to Tamagotchi but geared towards boys. The concept involved raising a digital monster with a harder edge style influenced by American comics and video games. The project was a collaboration with Wiz, with Watanabe Kenji designing the creatures, including the first, Tyrannomon. The team was small, and the planning phase took about 8 months.
Design and Features of the Original V-Pet [3:29]
The first V-Pet featured 14 monsters, fitting into a 16x16 pixel size. The creatures had three attributes: data, vaccine, and virus. The device was designed to align with school hours, with a lifespan of about 10 days due to battery limitations. In the US release, the creature was reborn instead of dying. Kimura wanted players to reflect on their actions and enjoy nurturing the creatures.
Naming and Evolution of Digimon [5:05]
The term "Digimon" was created by combining "digital" and "monster," and names were designed to end with "mon." Kimura aimed to expand Digimon beyond toys, leading to a manga called "on Digimon" developed by T. Yabuno. Kimura reflects that most Digimon fans are now adults and hopes Digimon will continue to resonate with children.
Digital Monster Version 1 [6:30]
Released in June 1997, the first Digimon V-Pet looked like an ancient stone relic with an LCD screen and three buttons. The design included a keyhole meant to represent a cage. The device featured feeding, training, and battling, with pins on top for connecting with other devices. Version one had six color variations, and subsequent versions expanded color options.
Digital Monster Versions 2-6 [7:57]
Version two was released in December 1997, followed by version three in March 1998, version four in May 1998, and version five in August 1998. Version six was exclusively released in Australia in 2002. Each version had 14 Digimon.
Pendulum Devices [8:30]
Pendulum devices are similar to the Digital Monster but have a larger evolution tree and a pendulum for shaking during training and battles. The versions are named after Digimon Fields. Version one, Nature Spirits, was released in October 1998 and had 20 Digimon. Version 1.5 was released in January 1999, with slight variations in Digimon.
Pendulum Versions 2-5 [9:40]
Version two, Deep Savers, was released in December 1998, with version 2.5 following in April 1999. Version three, Nightmare Soldiers, was released in March 1999, with version 3.5 in October of the same year. Version four, Wind Guardians, was released in June 1999, with version 4.5 in May 2000. Version five, Metal Empire, was released in September 1999, with version 5.5 in June 2000.
Pendulum Version Virus Busters and Progress [10:50]
Version Virus Busters, labeled as zero, was released in March 2000. Digimon Pendulum Progress is the third evolution of Digimon virtual pets, with three versions containing 23 Digimon and a larger screen. Version one, Dragon's Roar, was released in July 2002, version two, Armageddon Army, in September 2002, and version three, Animal Coliseum, in March 2003.
Pendulum X [11:40]
Digimon Pendulum X is the fourth evolution, with five versions containing 20 Digimon and introducing X antibody Digimon. It also introduced X AI, used in training and battles. Version one was released in April 2003, with version 1.5 in September 2003, version two in August 2003, version 2.5 in October 2003, and version three in November 2003.
Pendulum Cycle [13:06]
Digimon Pendulum Cycle is a Bandai Asia exclusive series of four devices released in 2003, labeled as versions 7, 8, 9, and 10. They feature a sped-up life cycle. Version 7 has the same Digimon as Pendulum version 2, version 8 as Pendulum version 3, version 9 as Pendulum version 4, and version 10 as Pendulum version 5, with some additions.
D-Cyber [14:24]
Digital Monster D-Cyber is a Bandai Asia exclusive equivalent of Digimon Pendulum X, serving as the Digivice for the D-Cyber storyline. It has four versions: versions one, two, and limited have 20 Digimon, while version ultimate has 23 Digimon.
Accelerator [15:33]
Digimon Accelerator is a virtual pet device with a matrix scanner for DNA and DDP chips, allowing progress to be saved. The first device, Evil Genome, was released in March 2005 and has 30 Digimon. Justice Genome was released in March 2005, Nature Genome in July 2005, and Ultimate Genome in November 2005, with 32 Digimon.
Digimon Mini and Twin [17:07]
Digimon Mini is a series of three less expensive mini versions made for the 10th anniversary. Version one was released in November 2005, version two in March 2006, and version three in June 2006. Digimon Twin is a set of two V-Pet devices, L and R, with an easier communication system through infrared, released in March 2007, both having 22 Digimon.
Digimon Neo and Mini Xros Wars [18:21]
Digimon Neo is a line of V-Pets exclusive for Bandai Asia, released in 2009, with two versions. Four years later, in November 2010, the miniseries was expanded with three Xros Wars steam devices: Digimon Mini Shoutmon Red, Digimon Mini Greymon Blue, and Digimon Mini Dark Knightmon Black.
Catch Gar Monamon and Digital Monster Version 20th [19:20]
Digimon Catch Gar Monamon is a device released in 2010 for the Xros Wars Fusion, mimicking the design of Monimon, with 55 Digimon. Digital Monster version 20th is a remake of the original device for the 20th anniversary, released in June and November 2017 in over 30 colors, each with an exclusive egg.
Pendulum Version 20th [20:43]
Pendulum version 20th is the remake of the original pendulum devices, released in 2018 for the 20th anniversary, containing all Digimon from the original versions. It added features like raising two Digimon and Jogress evolution.
Digital Monster X [21:36]
Digital Monster X is a series of three devices focusing on the X antibody Digimon, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the anime Digital Monster X Evolution. These devices feature the XAI system. Each version came in two color variants.
Digital Monster X Versions 2 and 3 [22:17]
Version two was released in November 2019, with red and purple variants. Version three was released in March 2020, with yellow and blue variants. The devices also have 23 enemies.
Pendulum Z and Z2 [23:37]
Digimon Pendulum Z is a series of three devices released in November 2020, called after Digimon Fields: Nature Spirits, Deep Savers, and Nightmare Soldiers. Digimon Pendulum Z2 is a continuation of the series, released in March 2021, including Wind Guardians, Metal Empire, and Virus Busters.
Vital Bracelet [25:06]
Vital Bracelet is a V-Pet device incorporated into a smartwatch with a color display and sensors for activity and heart rate. It uses DIM cards to load Digimon. A total of 37 cards were released, including various themes and evolution lines.
Vital Bracelet BE [28:35]
Vital Bracelet BE is an upgraded version of the original Vital Bracelet, released in November 2022. It requires BM cards but is backwards compatible with DIM cards. The cards came with a maximum of 23 Digimon and can also be used with BM cards containing characters from other franchises.
Digital Monster Color [29:51]
Digital Monster Color is a series of five devices intended as a remake of the original Digital Monster but with a color display and rechargeable battery. Version one was released in February 2023, with versions two, three, four, and five following in September 2023.
Pendulum Color [31:14]
Pendulum Color is a remake of the original devices with a color display and a rechargeable battery, being released in two waves in February and September 2024.
Digivice (Original Adventure) [32:07]
Unlike V-Pet devices, D-Devices are real-world copies of devices used by chosen children in the Digimon anime. The series started with the device from the first anime, Digimon Adventure, released in July 1999. It has a pedometer and an antenna that picks up electronic signals.
Digivice Version 15th and Reboot [34:00]
Digivice version 15th was released on August 1, 2014, for the 15th anniversary, allowing Digimon to evolve to the ultimate stage. The list of partners includes all eight chosen children partners, wizardmon, hakmon, and vidramon. The Digivice series also includes the device from the 2020 Digimon Adventure reboot, featuring a minimalistic redesign.
Digivice Version Complete and 25th Anniversary [35:24]
Digivice version complete was released in January 2021, including the chosen eight, wizardmon, makon, and hakmon. The 25th anniversary version of the Digivice will be released in July, featuring a color display, colorful lights, and a vibration motor.
D3 Digivice [36:21]
D3 is a device based on the D-Devices used by chosen children in Digimon Adventure 02. It stands for Digimon detect and discover. D3 has three versions with two partner Digimon on each.
D-Arc Digivice [37:36]
The Arc devices are modeled after the D-Devices from the anime Digimon Tamers. Initially, four devices were released: versions 1, 1.5, 2, and ultimate. Version 15th was released in January 2017 for the 15th anniversary of the original device and anime.
D-Scanner [39:04]
This scanner mimics the Digivices from Digimon Frontier. It has three versions, each with over 70 Digimon. The device assigns a Digimon and an element based on the player's birthday and can obtain more Digimon by scanning barcodes.
Digivice IC [39:44]
Digivice IC is based on the device used in the Digimon Savers anime. Unlike other Digivices, IC serves as a V-Pet. Four versions were released, and the device has an infrared sensor and a charging terminal.
Cross Loader and Fusion Loader [40:47]
Cross Loader is a device from the Xros Wars anime, released from October 2010 through January 2011. It has a color LCD display and can be used as an MP3 player. Digimon Fusion Loader toy is a downgraded version of the Cross Loader with a monochromatic display.
Apple Drive and Vital Bracelet VV [41:52]
Apple Drive is a toy from the Appley Monsters, a Digimon universe sub-franchise. Vital Bracelet V and VV are respective Digivice versions of the Vital Bracelet Digital Monster and Vital Bracelet BE V-Pets.
Digimon Analyzers and Terminals [42:34]
Digimon Analyzer is a toy based on Koshiro's laptop from Digimon Adventure. The terminal was released in July 2000 and mimics the device from the anime used to store digimentals.
D-G and D-Spirit [43:12]
D-G is a Digimon Tamer version of the D-Terminal, released in 2001. D-Spirit is the Digimon Frontier analyzer device, released in 2003, serving as a database on Digimon from the anime.
DigiWindow [43:47]
DigiWindow is a real-world version of a laptop used in the anime Digimon Savers. It can connect to the IC series of D-Devices and contains a database on over 160 Digimon.
Conclusion [44:08]
The creators of Digimon devices say that their evolution will never end and hope to continue surprising Digimon fans around the world.