TLDR;
The video reviews "Digimon Tamers: Battle of Adventurers," a mid-season side story that loosely fits into the "Digimon Tamers" timeline. The movie involves a battle with a reincarnated Apocalymon, the introduction of virtual pets (v-pets) reminiscent of Neopets, and a plot where Digimon take over a v-pet company. The review covers the film's strengths, such as its integration of v-pets into the storyline and its connection to the franchise's origins, as well as its weaknesses, including a somewhat generic plot and an anticlimactic final battle.
- The movie's opening features a battle between Omnimon and a reincarnated Apocalymon, sparking debate about its connection to the original "Digimon Adventure" series.
- The film integrates virtual pet toys into the anime storyline, with a plot involving Digimon taking over a v-pet company.
- The final battle is considered anticlimactic, and the movie is seen as more of an advertisement for the "Tamers" series than a crucial part of the canon.
Introduction [0:00]
The video introduces "Digimon Tamers: Battle of Adventurers," a movie that many fans may have missed due to its limited release. Unlike the first Digimon movie, it never had a theatrical run in English and only aired on American TV in 2005, with no home video release for English-speaking audiences. The movie is positioned as a mid-season side story that loosely fits into the "Digimon Tamers" timeline, premiering in Japan in July 2001, just three months after the series began airing. The review aims to answer questions about the film's plot, the inclusion of Omnimon, the role of virtual pets, and whether it's worth watching.
Mind-Bending Opening and Initial Premise [1:22]
The movie starts with Omnimon battling a reincarnation of Apocalymon, the final boss from the first Digimon season, creating a connection to the original series. This has led to fan debates about whether this Omnimon and Apocalymon are the same characters from "Digimon Adventure." While the movie doesn't confirm or deny it, the appearance of these characters evokes nostalgia. The initial premise involves Takato traveling to Okinawa for a summer trip, where he meets his cousin Kai and the president of a virtual pet company.
V-Pets and Initial Encounters [2:47]
The movie integrates virtual pet toys, reminiscent of Neopets or Tamagotchis, into the storyline. The company president pitches his vision for v-pets evolving into virtual personal assistants, similar to modern smartphones with Siri and Alexa. Takato reveals Guilmon to Kai and their grandfather, with Kai knowing about Digimon due to their popularity as a media franchise in the Tamers universe. The group meets a girl named Minami, who is being hunted by Digimon for her laptop containing the original copy of a new v-pet.
Battles and the Mysterious Voice [4:29]
The characters engage in battles, integrating card slashes into the film. A new Digimon emerges from Minami's laptop to protect her, knowing her name and showing a strong desire to defend her. Meanwhile, a voice reaches out to Rika and Henry, asking them to follow it into the light. It is revealed that Digimon have taken over the v-pet company and captured Minami's father.
Omnimon's Arrival and the Villain's Reveal [5:11]
Henry, Rika, and their Digimon partners travel through Subspace with Omnimon, who explains that he comes from a different dimension to chase a dangerous Digimon. The president of the v-pet company is revealed to be a Digimon, the reincarnation of Apocalymon, known as Mephismon. Mephismon's body briefly merges with the human president's face, creating a disturbing image as he taunts the Tamers and wounds Minami's partner.
Mephismon's Plan and the Final Battle [6:25]
Mephismon executes his plan using the v-pets installed on computer systems worldwide, causing global terror, similar to the plot of "Our War Game." Omnimon delivers Rika, Henry, and their Digimon partners but cannot leave the digital space. The final battle takes place in an underwater virtual space. Minami acknowledges her injured partner, Mei, which activates a vaccine program to cure the rogue v-pets. The Tamers evolve to their Ultimate forms and combine into a phoenix-like Trinity Burst to defeat Mephismon.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion [8:48]
The reviewer finds the final battle anticlimactic, feeling that the real resolution was Minami acknowledging Mei and activating the vaccine program. The movie is considered a promotional piece for the "Tamers" series, with the inclusion of Omnimon serving as a draw for the audience. The reviewer appreciates the integration of v-pets into the storyline and the connection to Digimon's origins as a Tamagotchi-like toy. The non-Takato cast members are sidelined, particularly Rika. Overall, the movie is seen as a mid-season side story rather than a crucial part of the Tamers canon.