The Live Action Digimon That Never Left Japan

Brief Summary

This video explores the obscure live-action adaptation of Digimon Adventure Tri, titled "Super Evolution Stage Digimon Adventure Tri: Adventure of August 1st." It highlights the unique production choices, such as using puppets for the Digimon, and the storyline, which focuses on the original chosen children's camping trip reunion. The play addresses themes of growing up and moving on from the past, and surprisingly garnered positive reviews, even from theater critics.

• Live-action Digimon Adventure Tri adaptation is largely unknown.
• Puppets were used to represent Digimon on stage.
• The story centers on the original characters' anxieties about growing up.
• The play received positive reviews for its themes and execution.

Intro

The video introduces the topic of a live-action adaptation of Digimon Adventure Tri, a project that is not widely known among Digimon fans. It sets the stage by referencing the various iterations of the original Digimon Adventure story, including the original anime, the sequel seasons, and the more recent Tri series and Last Evolution Kizuna movie. The video aims to shed light on this obscure yet ambitious project from 2017.

Digimon Tri

In 2015, Toei Animation launched Digimon Adventure Tri, a series of six films (or 26 TV episodes) that continued the story of the original DigiDestined during their high school years. These films were released every five to six months between 2015 and 2018 and were available internationally on Crunchyroll. During the Tri era, a live-action version of Tri was created and released in August 2017.

Live Action

"Super Evolution Stage Digimon Adventure Tri: Adventure of August 1st" featured a live-action cast dressed in the same outfits as the Tri movies but followed a different storyline. The story revolves around the original chosen children and their Digimon partners going on a camping trip on August 1st, commemorating the sixth anniversary of their first adventure in the Digital World. Instead of using CG or mascot costumes, the Digimon were represented by detailed, to-scale puppets. The stage play was performed only 10 times in Tokyo's Roppongi district.

Production

Kenichi Tani, the writer and director, emphasized the importance of having physical representations of the Digimon on stage. He insisted on using puppets to highlight the strong bond between the children and their Digimon, which he felt could not be adequately conveyed through screen projections. Despite initial concerns about including all eight Digimon partners, Tani fought to ensure that each one was represented in puppet form. While only Metal Greymon, Metal Garurumon, and Omegamon had physical evolved forms on stage, these were impressively large and detailed. The production team drew inspiration from stage productions like War Horse and The Lion King, as well as Japanese lion dances and Chinese dragon dances, to create a visually impactful experience.

The Plot

The three-act play centers on the chosen children's camping trip reunion, which is disrupted by Etemon, who seeks revenge against Tai and Metal Greymon. The digital area they become trapped in is revealed to be a manifestation of their desire to return to their childhood. Joe is the first to break free, realizing a future for himself. The others confront their fears with the help of their Digimon. In the final act, Tai and Metal Greymon face Etemon and other villains, ultimately forming Omegamon to escape the time loop and move forward, also there is a reference to Mako and Meicoomon. The story addresses themes of growing up and maintaining a connection with childhood nostalgia.

The Critics

The live-action show was well-received, even by theater critics. One reviewer praised the puppets, video clips, original voice actors, and lighting and sounds for creating a powerful effect. The story was described as relatable, addressing the worries of modern individuals who isolate themselves from their dreams, and paralleling the children's growth with the Digimon's evolution.

Outro

The video concludes by noting that the entire play can be found streaming online and is also available on DVD. It encourages viewers to share their thoughts on the production, particularly the puppets and the story's comparison to the Tri anime. The video positions "Super Evolution Stage Digimon Adventure Tri: Adventure of August 1st" as a surprisingly successful and unique entry in the Digimon Adventure story.