In my youth, I found myself drawn to both Pokemon and Digimon, but if you asked me about anime, it was always Digimon that stole the show. My parents and I often clashed over their plans to leave home when a new episode was supposed to air. The release of Digimon: The Movie in America was an event I eagerly anticipated. To this day, whenever I reminisce about Digimon, it’s the movie that resonates most. With a fresh Digimon Story game on the horizon, it seems the perfect moment to revisit and appreciate that nostalgic experience once more.
Is the 1999 film “Digimon: The Movie” somewhat disorganized or chaotic? Indeed, it is. However, the soundtrack is absolutely superb, especially the song “One Week” by Barenaked Ladies, which instantly brings back memories of Sora and Tai’s montage in the movie for me. Despite my lifelong affection for its clever humor and pop culture references, even my younger self could sense that something about it seemed a bit out of sync or unbalanced.
Among the factors that made me lean towards Digimon over Pokemon when I was younger was its captivating plot structure. Unlike Pokemon, which followed an episodic format with a vague, far-off objective, Digimon: Digital Monsters had engaging seasonal storylines that were meticulously developed. Additionally, it boasted more fully-fleshed characters that I found myself drawn to, which was significant for me during that stage of my life as I had romantic feelings towards them.
As a long-time Digimon fan, I must confess that my initial viewing of “Digimon: The Movie” left me somewhat underwhelmed. The narrative, spanning numerous years and punctuated by brief, climactic scenes, seemed to echo rather than build upon one another. Despite enjoying the return of beloved characters like an older TK and Kari from the second series, I yearned for a more cohesive and polished storyline.
It wasn’t until much later, when I stumbled upon “Digimon: The Movie” on a streaming service, that I discovered the truth behind its seeming disjointedness. What I had watched was not a single movie but a Frankenstein’s monster of sorts, pieced together from elements of three different Japanese films released over time. This revelation shed light on why the film felt like a patchwork rather than a unified whole.
It’s Hard to Rewatch Digimon: The Movie… But Will a New Game Change That?
In Digimon: The Movie, the diverse plotlines combine the first three movies as they were initially released in Japan. The original Digimon Adventure, launched in 1999, narrated the tale of how Tai and Kari encountered their initial Pokemon characters. At the beginning of Digimon: The Movie, we see Kari and Tai encountering a unique Aguman character, unlike the one who would eventually become Tai’s partner later on. If this seems random to you, it’s because the movie has a prequel-like feel, which accounts for its unusual storytelling.
In essence, the remaining part of the movie “Digimon: The Movie” draws inspiration from films number two and three. Specifically, the battle against Diaboromon that’s somewhat connected to the virus unintentionally summoned by Willis in his virtual digi-egg – this is the plot of a 2000 Digimon film titled “Our War Game”. As for the future events involving Kokomon, those are derived from another 2000 Digimon movie called “Hurricane Touchdown”. In summary, various seemingly unrelated elements in “Digimon: The Movie” are actually adapted from more developed films, which may account for their slightly disjointed feel.
Nowadays, it’s less challenging to discover such information, but in late 2000, when “Digimon: The Movie” debuted in the U.S., it was a different story. I suspect there were many fellow fans who remained unaware for years that each of these seemingly disconnected parts had richer tales to unfold. Despite being a box office success upon release, “Digimon: The Movie” has a complex history. By complex, I mean there’s no simple way to rewatch it when nostalgia strikes. It hasn’t been made available for streaming anywhere, so your best option is an old VHS or DVD. And that’s only if you still possess one.
Towards the end of last year, it seems Bandai may have been preparing us for the announcement of Digimon Story: Time Stranger, as they remastered and re-released the original trilogy of Digimon: The Movie. This updated collection is titled “Digimon The Movies 1-3 Collection“, and features the classic films in their entirety. However, what truly sets this edition apart is the inclusion of new English dubs for the initial three tales, providing Digimon enthusiasts with an opportunity to indulge in a nostalgic viewing experience while also enjoying fresh dialogue.
Although it simplifies things somewhat, obtaining this collection isn’t cheap or readily available. It typically costs around $30 on Blu-Ray. Given that many people today lack devices capable of playing physical discs, I can’t help but wish that the excitement for Digimon Story: Time Stranger would attract a streaming service. I still have my old DVD of Digimon: The Movie and a PS5 with a disc drive, but for those who don’t, I hope they can enjoy the nostalgia, the jokes, and the reason why I occasionally utter “One step ahead of ya, Tai,” in casual conversations.
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2025-02-26 06:41