- Digimon Data Squad
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Digimon Data Squad 
デジモンセイバーズ
(Digimon Savers)Genre Action, Adventure, Science Fiction TV anime Directed by Naoyuki Itou Studio Toei Animation Licensed by Studiopolis (USA) Network Fuji TV English network Jetix, Disney XD (USA)
Seven Network, 7Two (Australia)
Kix, Pop (United Kingdom)[1][2][3]Original run April 2, 2006 – March 25, 2007 Episodes 48 Anime film Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode Directed by Tatsuya Nagamine Studio Toei Animation Released December 9, 2006 Runtime 22 minutes Related works Digimon Data Squad, known in Japan as Digimon Savers (デジモンセイバーズ Dejimon Seibāzu), is a Japanese anime television series, and the fifth series produced as part of the Digimon franchise. It was produced by Toei Animation, and aired every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. on the Fuji TV network. In addition, a tie-in movie called Ultimate Power! Burst Mode Invoke!, which is non-canonical, was released on December 9, 2006. [1] Savers is the first Digimon program to be produced in almost four years, following 2002's Digimon Frontier.
Contents
Production
Digimon Savers was first announced during the December of 2005 Jump Festa convention in Japan with advertisements showing a remolded Agumon as the lead Digimon. The name of the series was later revealed in January 2005 with the character designs coming a month later. Savers was the first Digimon series to be produced in nearly four years, but the second Digimon production since 2005, coming off the heels of Digital Monster X-Evolution, where staff had mentioned early on that a new series might be possible depending on its performance. Unlike previous series which all featured human character designs by Akihiro Asanuma, Savers went with designs by Sayo Aoi that featured designs more typical of anime than the staple style of shows past. The series was aired as a family program rather than a children's program in an attempt to capture a wider audience, including those who might have watched the earlier shows but grown older. Because of this new market, this series also contains the oldest cast of main characters, ranging from late teens to early twenties.
Rather than the typical eight month wait between the Japanese airing and the English dub, there was a full eighteen months between the dub and the Japanese airing. Not long after the discovery of an entry for the show on Toei's website, which featured anglicized names for some of the characters and the show's new English title, chosen by Toei, on April 25, 2007, Disney's ABC Network announced that it had signed an agreement [2] with Toei Animation to license the show. Much of the staff that worked on the first season, including director Jeff Nimoy, returned to work on Data Squad. Because Disney had the rights to the show outside of Asia, it was aired in different channels throughout the world than past incarnations.
Bandai, in order to grab the older Digimon fans, wanted the reappearance of a Digimon from the old series, which was chosen to be the original main Digimon, Agumon.[4]
Plot summary
A 14-year-old boy, Marcus Damon, an undefeated ultimate fighter (street fighter in the original Japanese version), meets Agumon, who has escaped from DATS, a secret government organization set up to defend the human world from invading wild Digimon. After fighting each other, the two quickly become friends, and through a series of events, are inducted into DATS, where they hope to grow in strength.
Marcus' team-mates include 14-year-old Thomas H. Norstein, a young prodigy, with his partner Gaomon, and 18-year-old Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda who has Lalamon for her partner. As the series progresses, Thomas discovers that Digimon respond to the "darkness" in humans, putting them at odds with monsters who seek to use humanity's own vices to bolster their own power.
The plot thickens with the introduction of Merukimon, one of the rulers/gods (as a member of the Olympus Twelve, Merukimon has god status in the Digital World), of the Digital World who rules the eastern Digital World and lives in the Infinite Ice Ridge, and the human boy Keenan Krier, who serves him along with his partner Falcomon. The DATS team tries to unfold the reason for their hatred of humankind, until it is revealed that the real enemy was Akihiro Kurata, a scientist who led an attack on the Digital World years before that resulted in the death of many Digimon, including Keenan's adoptive mother, Frigimon.
Kurata gained the support of the Japanese government and important businessmen like Thomas' father on his plan to destroy all Digimon in the Digital World, claiming they were a threat to mankind. But this was only a facade to occult his main objective. He harnesses the energy of the Digimon he destroyed to power-up Belphemon, one of the Seven Deadly Digimon, and uses it in his attempt to rule the Human World (and eventually the Digital World), but his ambitions were shattered by the efforts of Marcus and his allies.
Kurata's last act was triggering a bomb which collapsed the frontier between the Human and Digital Worlds, putting both en route on collision, which could have led to the destruction of both realms. The collision was halted by the desperate efforts of BanchoLeomon who ordered Marcus to search for King Drasil, the supreme god of the Digital World. When the DATS team finally met King Drasil, they discovered that his decision to deal with the crisis unfolded, was to protect the Digital World by destroying the Human World, as the two worlds could not coexist in the same dimension. To perform this task, he assembled his elite guard, the Royal Knights.
Marcus was confused at first because King Drasil somehow had the appearance of his father, Dr. Spencer Damon, who disappeared in the Digital World years before. But it was revealed that King Drasil took his father's body, and his soul was somehow preserved by BanchoLeomon, who was revealed to be Spencer's partner Digimon. After defeating some of the Royal Knights, the DATS team decided to confront King Drasil himself, who after being expelled from Spencer's body, transformed himself into an all-powerful robotic form determined to destroy the Human World by itself.
However, even when the Royal Knights rebel against King Drasil, it won't give up its goal, attempting to destroy both worlds and create a new world. Using their emotions, Marcus and Agumon finally defeat King Drasil, and the two worlds cease their collision course. Before disappearing, King Drasil brings Spencer back to life and he returns to his family, but the Digimon decide to return to the Digital World to help restore it, and in the end Marcus decides to not part with Agumon and goes with them.
5 years later, Keenan and Kristy, Marcus' sister, go to the same school together. Thomas finally managed to find a cure for his sister's illness and became the youngest scientist to win the Nobel Prize at age 19. Yoshi has joined the police with the remaining DATS members, and Marcus and Agumon have become peacekeepers in the Digital World, breaking up fighting between rival Digimon factions as seen when stopping an argument between a group of Goblimon and Shamanmon.
Characters
Main characters
Character Japanese voice actor English voice actor Digimon Japanesevoice actor English voice actor Marcus Damon
Daimon MasaruSoichiro Hoshi Quinton Flynn Agumon Taiki Matsuno Brian Beacock The main protagonist of the series, Marcus Damon is the son of the researcher, Spencer Damon, who disappeared into the mysterious realm known as the Digital World almost 10 years ago. Loud and outspoken, Marcus calls himself "the number one ultimate fighter (street fighter in the original Japanese version) in Japan." After encountering Agumon, he becomes the Digimon's partner after receiving a Digivice from the mysterious old man, Homer Yushima. Marcus and Agumon later become members of DATS in order to face tougher and stronger opponents. As the series progresses, he finds much more to fight for. As Agumon's partner, he claims full responsibility for Agumon's actions. Thomas H. Norstein
Touma H. NorsteinHirofumi Nojima Crispin Freeman Gaomon Kazuya Nakai Skip Stellrecht Having graduated from Stockholm University at the age of 13, Thomas H. Norstein is a half-Austrian, half-Japanese prodigy. An Olympic-level boxer and a genius scholarly and tactically, the 14-year-old Thomas is a vital member of the DATS team. When Marcus joined DATS, he was away in Europe, and when they finally met, they were at odds. However, they overcame their difficulties and have since become steady team-mates. Gaomon is Thomas' loyal Digimon partner, and is a focused and serious-minded warrior - he responds to Thomas' every order with a steadfast "Sir, yes, sir!" (in the original Japanese version, he used the English phrase, "Yes, master!"). In the Japanese version, Masaru often refers to him as "Tonma," a rarely used insult meaning "idiot" or "dope." In the English dub, Marcus often calls him "Nerdstein". Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda
Fujieda YoshinoYui Aragaki Colleen O'Shaughnessey Lalamon
RaramonYukana Dorothy Elias-Fahn Yoshi is 18 years old and the third member of the core team. She and her partner Lalamon have been partners for many years. Though not as strong as Marcus or Thomas (but still powerful in her own right), Yoshi has more than enough skill at her job. She suffered from self doubt due to experiences in her childhood, but, with Lalamon, she was able to overcome them and become a more confident member of the team . Keenan Crier
Noguchi IkutoRie Kugimiya Brianne Siddall Falcomon Chie Kojiro Steven Blum Keenan is a mysterious 10-year-old boy who, years before the start of the series, was lost in an accident involving a Digital Gate and was raised by a Digimon called Frigimon, who was killed in a massacre orchestrated by a man named Akihiro Kurata. Because Keenan was raised by Frigimon since he was a boy, when he is discovered he believes himself to be a Digimon. A servant of Merukimon (however Merukimon treats and loves Keenan as a son, with Keenan returning these feelings by seeing Merukimon as a father figure), Keenan eventually hated all humans, but began to change his opinion as he learned his true origins. Falcomon is his partner and childhood friend, who does his best to help Keenan as he comes to grips with his humanity. Keenan looks up to Marcus as a big brother. Keenan is one of the first Japanese characters in the Digimon Anime's US Dub release to have a full Americanized dub name. For some reason he speaks with a Jungle Boy accent speaking in third person and replacing I with me despite all other Digimon speaking perfectly. Supporting cast
Main article: List of Digimon Data Squad charactersDigimon and Digital Entities
- King Drasil (39-48): The final antagonist in the Digimon Data Squad series. Defeated by Marcus and Agumon Burst Mode. In the end, he brought Spencer Damon back to life.
- Royal Knights (39-48): King Drasil's followers.
- Gallantmon (40-41, 46-48): the first Royal Knight to attack the human world. Defeated by Sleipmon. Later became an ally.
- LoadKnightmon (40-42): Killed by MirageGaogamon Burst Mode.
- Knightmon (42): LoadKnightmon's minions. Killed by Shawjamon and MirageGaogamon.
- Leopardmon (43): Killed by Ravemon Burst Mode and Rosemon Burst Mode.
- Craniamon (39-48): The Royal Knight that was the closest to King Drasil. He was defeated by the DATS after his shield broke. Later became an ally.
- Royal Knights (39-48): King Drasil's followers.
- Biyomon (12-13, 43-48): Befriended Kristy as her friend. Destroyed by Merukimon. Returned later in the series to see Kristy again.
- Frigimon (16,24): Keenan's foster mother. Killed by Gizumon.
- Merukimon (12-25): A powerful Digimon that rules the Ice Ridge. He plays an important role about Keenan's past. Killed by Gizumon XT.
- Gotsumon/Meteormon (12-23): A servant of Merukimon. He uses Yanmamon as transportation. Met his end as Meteormon by RizeGreymon. Later returned as an ally to the Data Squad.
- Mammothmon (17): A servant of Merukimon. Killed by Lilamon.
- SaberLeomon (20-22, 24 flashback): An Digimon that Spencer Daimon encountered 10 years ago. Killed By RizeGreymon.
- Eldradimon (30-33): A huge turtle like Digimon that is the Sacred City. Killed by the Gizumon Javelin.
- Baromon (30-33): The mayor of the Sacred City. Killed by Gizumon XT.
- Ninjamon (30-33): Baromon's assistants. Some of them were killed by Gizumon, but the rest of are unknown if any of them survived.
- Baromon (30-33): The mayor of the Sacred City. Killed by Gizumon XT.
- Eldradimon (30-33): A huge turtle like Digimon that is the Sacred City. Killed by the Gizumon Javelin.
- BanchoLeomon (28-46): A lone-wolf Digimon that showed Marcus about his father's power. Sacrificed himself to hold off King Drasil while ShineGreymon defeats him.
- Drimogemon (4,5): A Digimon who was accidentally brought to the Real World. He was subsequently manipulated and corrupted by two bank robbers. Escaped during the battle, and later digivolved to Digmon to fight back. Defeated by the combined efforts of GeoGreymon and Gaogamon.
Villains
- Akihiro Kurata (21-38): The primary antagonist that has a hatred of Digimon, and desires their annihilation through genocide. Digimon. Met his end when he disappeared into a white light, never to be seen again.
- Gizumon (22-35): Kurata's own creations. They come in 3 forms, Gizumon, Gizumon AT, and Gizumon XT. They were never seen again after Kurata's disappearance.
- Bio-Hybrids (27-33): Kurata's henchmen that each have the ability to transform into a Digimon. Nanami can Bio-Hybrid Digivolve to BioQuetzalmon and BioRotosmon, Ivan can bio-hybrid digivolve to BioStegomon and BioSupinomon, and Kouki can Bio-Hybrid Digivolve to BioThunderbirdmon and BioDarkdramon. They were all defeated by ShineGreymon, MirageGaogamon, and Rosemon.
- Belphemon Rage Mode (36-38): Kurata's "partner" for whom he would harvest the energy of his Digimon victim's as Belphemon Sleep Mode. Killed By the combined efforts of ShineGreymon Burst Mode and Marcus.
- Argomon (Movie 9): The main villain in the movie. Killed by ShineGreymon Burst Mode.
Media
Anime
Main article: List of Digimon Data Squad episodesDigimon Savers aired 48 episodes on Fuji TV in Japan from April 2, 2006 to March 25, 2007. In Germany, the series first aired on RTL 2 from November 30, 2007 to February 14, 2008. Digimon Data Squad finished airing in the US on Jetix on November 1, 2008, 13 months after premiering on the October 1, 2007. Digimon Data Squad has started broadcasting in Italy since Autumn 2009. In Brazil, twenty episodes have aired on Rede Globo, since August 10, 2009. After that, the series was no longer broadcasted. In Latin America (including Brazil), the anime premiered on Disney XD on February 22, 2010. Since Monday 15 March, Digimon Data Squad finally began airing in the United Kingdom on Kix! (Only on Sky and FreeSat). Since then, it continually airs every day at 7am, 1pm and 4pm throughout the day, however since Pinky and the Brain premiered it is only shown at 7am, 09:30am, 11:30am and 3:30pm.
It was announced on February 12, 2009 that Toei Animation has signed Well Go USA instead of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment with the DVD rights to Digimon Data Squad, and the first thirteen US sub and dub episodes has been made available on May 26, 2009. The first DVD showed the North American edited TV version as seen on Disney XD. The second DVD set was available on May 25, 2010, this set will also feature promo videos for the series. There are no uncut DVDs. The release of the third DVD set is unknown. [5]
Theme songs
- Opening themes
- "Gōing! Going! My soul!!" (強ing! Going! My soul!!) by Dynamite SHU
- Episodes: 1-29
- "Hirari" (ヒラリ, ep. 30-48) by Kōji Wada
- Episodes 30-48
- Ending themes
- "One Star" by Yousuke Itou
- Episodes: 1-24
- "Ryūsei" (流星, "Meteor") by MiyuMiyu
- Episodes: 25-47
- Insert song
- "Believer" by Ikuo
Film
Main article: List of Digimon filmsDigimon Savers: Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!! (デジモンセイバーズ: 究極パワー! バーストモード発動!! Dejimon Seibāzu: Kyūkyoku Pawā! Bāsuto Mōdo Hatsudō!!) is the ninth Digimon film. It was released in Japan on December 9, 2006.
- The movie is in fact a 22 minute story without any continuity to the series. Its plot revolves around Agumon, Gaomon and Lalamon, whose partners are put into an eternal sleep, along with the rest of the humans, because of a mysterious thorn that spread throughout the city. After saving Rhythm, a Digimon in the form of a young girl, they hear from her that the thorns are the work of an Ultimate Digimon, named Argomon, and the four set out for the villain's castle to confront him.
Video games
As it is part of a resurgence of the Digimon franchise, Digimon Data Squad has a number of related video games associated with it.
- Digimon World DS: A game featuring several Digimon Savers characters, but does not focus on them. It can arguably be seen as a side-story to Digimon Savers. The game, released in America before the concept of Data Squad, uses the original Japanese names of the DATS team, who appear in certain quests.
- Digimon World Data Squad: A game focusing on the primary characters of the series, and which presents an original story that apparently runs parallel to the anime. It involves the members of DATS coming into conflict with the Seven Great Demon Lords.
- Digimon World: Dawn and Dusk: Sequel to Digimon World DS, a set of two games with slightly different stories. At the end of the game, the four main characters from Data Squad appear to battle the main character.
- Digimon Masters: A Digimon MMORPG were Players control an avatar of one of the four main characters of Digimon Data Squad
References
- ^ WithTheWill.net – Data Squad starts in the UK
- ^ WithTheWill.net – UK finally gets Digimon Data Squad
- ^ popfun.co.uk – Digimon Data Squad Trailer
- ^ [WtW] Translation of Yamaguchi Ryota's Notes on Digimon Savers!
- ^ "Toei Names Well Go USA for "Digimon Data Squad" DVD Rights". Licensemag.com. http://www.licensemag.com/licensemag/Entertainment/Toei-Names-Well-Go-USA-for-Digimon-Data-Squad-DVD-/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/581262?contextCategoryId=9991&ref=25. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
External links
- Digimon Data Squad on Digimon Wiki, an external wiki
- Official Site (Japanese)
- Fuji TV site (Japanese)
- Digimon Savers (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia
- AnimeNation News
- Digimon Uncensored's Digimon Savers Comparisons
Categories:- Anime series
- Anime films
- Digimon anime and manga
- Anime spin-offs
- Anime of 2006
- Anime of 2007
- King Drasil (39-48): The final antagonist in the Digimon Data Squad series. Defeated by Marcus and Agumon Burst Mode. In the end, he brought Spencer Damon back to life.
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