TLDR;
This episode of the With the Will Digimon Podcast covers a range of Digimon news, including the new Digimon Liberator web novel chapter, extensive details on the various editions and pre-order bonuses for Digimon World: Next Order, a deep dive into the card game reveals from the Next Plan presentation, and other Digimon-related updates. The hosts also discuss their personal preferences regarding the upcoming Time Stranger game, card game art, and answer questions from the chat about favorite mobile games and potential new Digimon additions to future games.
- New Digimon Liberator web novel chapter and web comic are discussed, highlighting character interactions and plot developments.
- Extensive details on Digimon World: Next Order versions, pre-order bonuses, and collector's editions are provided, including differences between digital and physical releases.
- A thorough review of new Digimon card game reveals, including box toppers, parallel cards, and upcoming sets based on Cyber Sleuth and anime villains.
- Discussion on the specs for Time Stranger, including resolution and frame rate, and disappointment over the lack of HDR support.
- Hosts answer questions from the chat, covering favorite Digimon mobile games, potential new Digimon in future games, and personal preferences for upcoming releases.
Intro [10:46]
Mark and Dev introduce the podcast, mentioning Dev's new computer and their experience with applying a phase change pad to it. They briefly discuss decorating the computer case and then transition into the main topics of the episode.
Digimon Liberator [13:18]
The hosts discuss the new web novel chapter, "Debug 13 Freedom Part 1," noting its unusual opening and Queen Beemon's helpful actions. They mention the appearance of Digimon from Cross Connect and the NPCs being problematic. The conversation moves to the web comic, highlighting Yao's character and the introduction of the Smiley Navigator, speculating about a potential Tamer card for him. They appreciate the cute art featuring Yao and Globon, and address a word joke that doesn't translate well, suggesting an author's note could have helped. They also note Yao's excitement and frustration with new card game features and the appearance of Gowamon at the end of the chapter, as well as Mariah and Kaguyaman.
Time Stranger [17:38]
The hosts discuss the various versions of Digimon World: Next Order, including standard, deluxe, ultimate, and collector's editions, detailing the contents of each. They explain the season pass and its potential inclusion of five Digimon with dedicated evolution paths. They clarify the confusion around the Xbox Series X exclusivity for the physical collector's edition due to the disc drive. The collector's edition includes the game for PS5 and Xbox, a Steam game code, an AON card, Lunamon, Coron, Grace Novamon, a 100-page art book, and a Jupitermon Wrath mode figure from Mega House. They also mention additional costumes and the different collector's edition formations in Japan, which include bonus items like a flash drive with game music, an acrylic diorama, a steel bookcase, and an art mirror. They confirm that Xbox and Steam pre-orders will open later.
Time Stranger Trailer and Specs [24:30]
The hosts discuss the new trailer and Japanese commercial for Time Stranger, highlighting the suggestive casting choice of Miyuki Sawashiro, who voices Mariah in prior games, and her isolated placement in the cast list. They express disappointment with the game's specs, noting the lack of PC minimum or recommended specs and the strange console specifications. PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X are all listed at 4K 30fps, while Xbox Series S is at 1440p 30fps. The Steam version lists 1080p as the baseline, with a maximum of 3840x2400 for a 16x10 screen. They also express disappointment over the lack of HDR support and the 30fps frame rate, especially since Cyber Sleuth ran at 60fps.
Time Stranger Editions and Terion Assistant [29:13]
The hosts discuss Terion Assistant's overview of the physical items in the various editions of Time Stranger. They speculate whether the music included is a full soundtrack or just selected tracks. They also discuss the Agumon Bond of Bravery and Gabumon Bond of Friendship previews, noting the common complaint that "Bond of Bravery" should be "Bond of Courage". They touch on the debate around frame rates, with Dev mentioning her new 165Hz monitor. They also discuss the Agumon Black, Gabumon Black, and Milleniumon Black pre-order bonuses, explaining why these are used instead of the main characters.
Time Stranger Characters [32:49]
The hosts discuss the new characters Kodai Kurumi, Shod Koy, Monica Simmons, Asuna Shurroi, Bakaspot, Siren, Coron, and Lunaman. They express skepticism about Kodai, noting his resemblance to Gankoomon and his Kiyoko last name, feeling it's too much like a "nonsense mystery box." They also comment on Siren's unusual appearance and the large size of Coron's head in the promotional material. They acknowledge Junomon's reveal and her potential story importance. Dev expresses her desire for the art book from the collector's edition, while Mark wants an Aon figure with all his evolutions around him.
Card Game Reveals [38:26]
The hosts discuss the numerous card game reveals, starting with the Dracomon box topper and its profile reference to liking gems and shiny things. They move on to the panorama card of CrestGarurumon Ace, Omegamon Alter S, and BlitzGreymon Ace, noting it's a follow-up to a previous Omegamon panorama. They discuss the Hackmon box topper, Kaguyaman, Zuban, Kabuterimon, and Chimeramon cards. They also mention the Ludomon box topper and the anime-style art of Tai, Shin, Yamato with Blitz and Crest.
Card Game Parallel Cards [43:45]
The hosts discuss the parallel cards, including MetalGreymon, MetalMammon, Andromon, MetalTyrannomon, and Mugendramon. They point out that the cyborg Digimon parallel cards are all posed at the same angles. They also discuss the Chimeramon parallel card and the clean images of EX9 and recent promo cards. They mention the common and uncommon cards getting parallel cards with color borders and the recent promo cards for the world championship and welcome tamer pack.
Card Game Art and References [47:51]
The hosts discuss various card game art, including Devimon, Deathmon, Jimmy Ken, Mummymon, Mephismon, Petermon, and Tylomon. They clarify that Jimmy Ken is the persona name of Masaru Tanaka. They also discuss the GoldNumemon and PlatinumNumemon cards, noting their popularity for grinding in Cyber Sleuth. They mention Effectmon, Recomon, Shoutmon, Ryudamon, Mcmon, Roromon, Tapirmon, Dreammon, MetalGarurumon, WarGreymon, and Omegamon. They highlight the Omegamon card's reference to the battle against Holydramon, TigerVespamon, and Sakuyamon, and Nokia's Gunbuster pose.
Card Game Launch Event and Sleeves [56:38]
The hosts discuss the Vikemon card from the launch event and the upcoming panorama with Paladin Mode, Vikemon, and Valkyriemon. They then discuss the new trailer for EX9 and the English versions of the secret parallel cards. They also mention the card sleeves for the fifth anniversary, Cyber Eden, and Sinister Order, as well as the upcoming Hacker's Slumber set and the Amethyst Mandala starter deck.
Card Game Future and Other News [59:48]
The hosts discuss the Time Stranger set and the promo packs featuring Time Stranger key art. They mention the Liberator-themed EX booster and the second reprint boost. They also discuss the debugger set, the second premium heroine set, and the championship cards based on Kazuchimon and the Lugamon family. They mention the Digimon card game's presence at Digimon Con and Anime Expo, as well as the return of Card Battle with a return to Digimon Card Room.
Merchandise and Polls [1:03:21]
The hosts discuss the Kenji Watanabe 02 25th anniversary art and the new Digimon Adventure pop-up shop at Tree Village. They also discuss the results of the favorite armor evolution poll, with Laramon winning, and the new poll for favorite armor evolution from the Digimental of Purity/Sincerity. They predict Sheraimon will win and debate whether Yashimon or Ponchamon will be the runner-up, and Kabukimon will be at the bottom.
Social Media and Questions [1:08:05]
The hosts discuss various social media posts, including photos of summer products, Muro and Chiba on the set of Digimon Card Room, the Yamato and the Teenage Wolves album, and Miyazaki's event in Nanchang, China. They also discuss the Digimon Seekers comic, the card game art of the week featuring McQueen putting Gabumon in a costume, and the Tolli Museum's Digimon Adventure display. They mention people receiving their cassette project stuff and Kenji Watanabe and Yumi Miyazaki's music and art event. They also discuss the card game art featuring Violet and Arisa and the Liberator art featuring Yao Quingan.
Chat Questions [1:12:51]
The hosts answer questions from the chat, including their favorite Digimon mobile game (Digimon Heroes), what they look for in game footage, and what new Digimon goodies they think will be released. They also discuss the possibility of Digimon Ghost Game not getting a home video release and their plans for the summer. They speculate on where Digimon games will go after Time Stranger and whether Atmon will be added to more Digimon games. Dev recommends the Wikimon article for Mcmon.