TLDR;
This video summarizes initial reviews and reactions to the new Digimon Adventure 02 movie, "The Beginning," from various sources including anime critics, casual and hardcore Digimon fans, and Japanese audiences. Key points include:
- The film is a ruy story, focusing on a new character and exploring darker, psychological themes.
- Reviews are mixed, with some praising the return to the 02 storyline and others expressing concern over lore changes.
- The movie seems to be divisive, potentially upsetting fans due to significant alterations to established canon.
- There's less action than expected, with a greater emphasis on serious, mature themes.
Intro [0:00]
The new Digimon 02 movie is out in Japan, and the video will cover the first wave of reviews and reactions from Japanese Digimon fans, media websites, and content creators who received early screenings. The video promises a spoiler-free overview of what critics and fans are saying about the film. The creator also mentions plans to attend a US screening in November and provide a review afterward.
Pro Anime Critics [0:40]
Anime News Network gave the film a B+ rating, noting that while it offers a lot for fans of the original Digimon Adventure 02, it also introduces significant changes to Digimon lore that may upset some viewers. The film is a ruy story, focusing on a new character, and is described as oddly dark, resembling a Digimon-themed psychological horror story. The moral of the story emphasizes the importance of communication in relationships, a departure from previous themes. The review concludes that fans who can accept the recc cons will likely enjoy the film, while others may not.
Casual Digimon Fan [2:40]
Big Gold Media, a casual Digimon fan, acknowledged their lack of up-to-date knowledge on Digimon lore negatively impacted their enjoyment of the new movie, leading to more questions than answers. They believe the film will divide fans due to changes to established canon and praised the English dub, especially the return of voice actors from childhood. They noted less action than expected and a shift towards serious themes, advising viewers to recap the lore or watch "Digimon Last Evolution Kizuna" beforehand.
Hardcore Digimon Fan [3:55]
Mark from With the Will, a long-running Digimon fan site, was largely positive about the film, considering it a worthwhile return to 02 while acknowledging it's a ruy story. He confirms the film acts as a proper sequel to "Last Evolution," with much of the same staff working on it. Mark anticipates controversy and debate among fans regarding the movie's ending and apparent lore shifts, similar to reactions to "Last Evolution Kizuna".
Japanese Audiences [5:22]
Japanese fans on Twitter had varied reactions to "Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning." One fan found it five times more interesting than expected, while another wanted more battles. Some felt it was a horror film, comparing it to Eva, while others greatly enjoyed it. A fan noted the focus on new characters, ruy and ukan, was a bit much for older fans who came for the established 02 characters. One viewer warned that the depiction of abuse makes it unsuitable for children and potentially difficult for adults who have experienced similar situations. A nostalgic fan appreciated that the characters remained the same and enjoyed sharing their love of Digimon with other fans in the theater.