The premiere of Digimon Adventure 02 was a highly anticipated event for me as a kid. It would not be hyperbole to say that this particular season was on par with my excitement for the opening of The Phantom Menace the previous summer. Every weekend for years, I would rush to the TV to see what adventures Tai, Matt, and the rest of the DigiDestined would be getting into. As a result, I was shocked to learn how upset I was when I saw Tai pass the goggles to this ‘this Davis kid.’ Yet, throughout the season, Davis, Yolei, Cody, and even Ken proved they were more than up to the task (alongside OGs Tk and Kari) of saving the digital world. I was so enamored with the new cast that when they were sidelined in the previous Digimon Tri film, I was a bit disappointed. Thankfully, Davis and Co. finally get to step into the spotlight in this new installment that is billed as the series finale to 02.
So, how did this final adventure stack up? Let’s get out of our digivices for the digital world and find out.
Digimon Adventure 02: The beginning centers on the iconic DigiDestined team of Davis, Ken, Yolei, Ken, TK, and Kari. The team encounters a fellow DigiDestined named Lou, who claims to be the first. When a Digiegg appears in the sky, they learn not only about Lou’s connection to it but also the possible origins of their bonds with their Digimon partners. Together, they must figure out how to stop Ukkomon and save the world again.
At its core, Digimon 02, the beginning, is a story of friendship and the importance of listening to one another even when it seems impossible. While this seems like meat-and-potatoes old-school Digimon, that is exactly what the finale to this franchise iteration should be. Although Tai and most of the original Digidestined aren’t present, there is a comfort in seeing Davis, Veemon, and Co back together again (there’s even a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo for fans of the original 1999. movie I won’t spoil here). Some of the best moments in the original series were just the gang hanging out together, and Digimon 02, the beginning has long-time fans covered in that regard. As important as the friendship and slice-of-life elements were addressed here, the darker elements were also explored to the point that it almost made this reviewer uncomfortable, particularly regarding the relationship between Lou and Ukkomon. That being said, I’d expect nothing from the franchise that taught a few years earlier than I would’ve liked some hard life lessons about shifting family dynamics on the shoulders of Matt and T.K.
Although Lou and Ukkomon’s relationship is not identical, it provides food for thought and the viewer can identify with them at various points in the film. Moreover, I found the concept of providing a more concrete explanation for why the Digimon chose their partners to be intriguing, and I enjoyed seeing the cast grapple with this. However, this aspect was not given enough attention and felt more like exposition than active storytelling. It would have been better if the characters were more involved in the story.
While the film has many great aspects, it does have one drawback that is worth discussing in more detail. The issue is the lack of focus on the original 02 characters. Instead, the movie seems to prioritize the new characters, such as Lou and Ukkomon, over the old favorites. This is particularly disappointing since this movie was supposed to be a proper send-off for the original characters. As a result, it feels like we only get a brief glimpse of the 02 characters, rather than the satisfying goodbye that fans were hoping for. This is especially noticeable in some of the movie’s emotional moments, where it’s clear that the audience is meant to feel a strong attachment to the original characters. However, because they are not given enough screen time, these moments fall a bit flat. Of course, this is not to say that the new characters are not enjoyable or well-developed. But for fans who have been following the series since its inception, it’s a bit disappointing to see the original characters take a backseat in their own finale. Despite this flaw, the movie is still a fun and engaging watch. And while the door may not be completely closed on Davis and the rest of the gang, it’s hard not to feel like we missed out on a true farewell for these beloved characters.
Despite this complaint, much like the Digimon tri cast led by Joshua Seth, the dub cast of 02 has never been better. I was worried the nostalgia might have caused the voices to hit the ear differently. I’m pleased to say that wasn’t the case, and it was as though no time had passed at all. I particularly loved some of the growth we saw from our favorite ramen-loving hero (not named Naruto Uzumaki, of course), even if the acknowledgment of said growth was a bit on the nose.
The animation in this film deserves special attention due to its remarkable quality. It’s interesting to note that there has been a lot of discussion among a particular anime fandom generation regarding the superiority of 2D or 3D animation. However, this film provides a perfect balance between the two animation styles, creating a smooth and cohesive final product. It’s important to note that hand-drawn animation still holds much value, and this film serves as an excellent reminder to Toei of this fact. The attention to detail in the animation is captivating, bringing the story to life and making it a pleasure to watch.
Overall, Digimon 02’s beginning is a fitting continuation of an iconic era in this storied franchise’s history. With great characters, nostalgia, and a few new twists that might make longtime fans look at the franchise in a new light, there’s something here for longtime fans, and I would encourage everyone to check it out. While this may be billed as a conclusion, hopefully, we’ll get to see more adventures with our favorite characters in the future. Thanks to Toei Animation for the early screening. The film opens in Limited release on November 8!
Access to the Screener was provided for review.
