Digimon Adventure

Digimon Adventure
Logo used in the Japanese version (above) and the English version logo (below)
デジモンアドベンチャー (Dejimon Adobenchā)
Genre	Action, Adventure, Comedy-Drama
Anime film
Directed by	Mamoru Hosoda
Studio	Toei Animation
Released	March 6, 1999
Runtime	20 minutes
TV anime
Directed by	Hiroyuki Kakudou
Studio	Toei Animation
Licensed by	Saban Entertainment (USA)[1]
Network	Fuji TV
English network	Fox Family, ABC Family, Toon Disney, Jetix (United States) YTV (Canada) CITV, Fox Kids (United Kingdom) Network Ten, Fox Kids, Fox8 (Australia) ABS-CBN (Philippines)
Original run	March 7, 1999 – March 26, 2000
Episodes	54 (List of episodes)
Anime film
Our War Game!
Directed by	Mamoru Hosoda
Studio	Toei Animation
Released	March 4, 2000
Runtime	40 minutes
Related works
Digimon Adventure 02 Digimon Tamers Digimon Frontier Digimon Data Squad Digimon Xros Wars
Anime and Manga Portal

Digimon Adventure (デジモンアドベンチャー, Dejimon Adobenchā^?) is a Japanese animated television series created in 1999 by Toei Animation based on the film of the same name. It is the first series of the Digimon anime "metaseries". The series is continued with the same characters in Digimon Adventure 02.

The planning for Digimon Adventure started in 1998 and was done in cooperation by Toei Animation, Bandai and Fuji Television.

Plot

On August 1, 1999, seven children from Japan are suddenly thrust into a strange dimension called the "Digital World" while they are at summer camp. During their adventure, children Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, and T.K., discover that they are in a land where digital creatures called "Digimon" dwell. Befriending seven other Digimon, the children learn that they have the ability to help their partners digitally evolve (digivolve) into stronger, powerful forms that can combat enemies for a short amount of time. Setting off on their journey, the children start searching for a way home.

Arc 1 (episodes 1-13)

The children later learn that they are the "DigiDestined", chosen children with compatibilities with Digimon, and they are the only hope in destroying the evil that is slowly consuming the Digital World. When the culprit reveals himself to be Devimon, who sent Black Gears that would brainwash other Digimon into attacking them, he begins targeting T.K. and Patamon, as the two have the most effective power against him. Fortunately, Patamon, as Angemon, defeats him at the cost of his own life. However, Devimon is only a pawn in a greater threat, forcing the DigiDestined to move out across the world.

Arc 2 (episodes 14-21)

The DigiDestined travel to the continent Server and learn they have the ability to help their Digimon digivolve further with the power of Crests. However, Etemon, who runs his Dark Network across the continent, is also interested in them and attempts to prevent the DigiDestined from obtaining them. Once all the Crests have been gathered, Tai and MetalGreymon destroy Etemon and his Dark Network for good. Unfortunately, they slip into the Real World, where they realize that evil Digimon have begun crossing a dimensional gate from the Digital World to enter Earth.

Arc 3 (episodes 22-39)

Tai returns to the Digital World to round up the DigiDestined, where he learns of another threat, Myotismon, who is preventing them from working together and activating their Crests. When Myotismon fails, he decides to enter the Real World to capture a pre-destined eighth DigiDestined child. Once the DigiDestined return to their hometown, shortly after, Tai learns that his younger sister, Kari, is the eighth child and is partnered with Gatomon, one of Myotismon's henchmen. Once Myotismon is destroyed, the DigiDestined realize that the Digital World has grown worse since their departure.

Arc 4 (episodes 40-54)

Upon returning, the Dark Masters, four elite evil Digimon, reveal themselves to be the true culprits behind every enemy the DigiDestined had faced thus far. As the DigiDestined battle them while losing allies in the process, they experience hardships of their own, including their group temporarily disbanding. However, all of them realize they cannot save the Digital World without each other, and once the last Dark Master is defeated, Apocalymon reveals himself to be their final enemy. Once he is defeated, the children returned to the Real World, leaving their Digimon partners behind.

Characters

The main characters from Digimon Adventure

For more details on this topic, see List of Digimon Adventure characters.

The English version of Digimon Adventure was somewhat unique at the time it was dubbed. Most anime dubbed in the 1990s changed the names of characters and locales for the sake of localization. In Digimon, however, most names of the DigiDestined remained unchanged or were shortened to Americanized nicknames, and almost all name references to the locations in Japan visited during the series were retained. Some Digimon names were modified into English equivalents, and in rare cases to Japanese equivalents.

The eight DigiDestined children are listed first, followed by their Digimon partners.

Main characters

Character	Voice actor	Digimon	Voice actor
Taichi "Tai" Kamiya Yagami Taichi (八神 太一)	Joshua Seth (EN) Toshiko Fujita (JP)	Agumon	Tom Fahn (EN) Chika Sakamoto (JP)
The adventurous leader of the DigiDestined and the older brother of Kari Kamiya. He is characterized as being stubborn and thick-headed, but also cheerful and brave.
Yamato "Matt" Ishida Ishida Yamato (石田 ヤマト)	Michael Reisz (EN) Yuuto Kazama (JP)	Gabumon	Kirk Thornton (EN) Mayumi Yamaguchi (JP)
Though a caring person and a secondary leader to the group, he is often seen as the "lone wolf" of the group. He is the older brother of T.K. Takaishi.
Sora Takenouchi Takenouchi Sora (武之内 空)	Colleen O'Shaughnessey (EN) Yuko Mizutani (JP)	Biyomon Piyomon	Tifanie Christun (EN) Atori Shigematsu (JP)
While somewhat a tomboy, Sora is a very reliable person and tries to take care of the other kids. Thus, her role is often to be a motherly figure for various characters.
Koushiro "Izzy" Izumi Izumi Kōshirō (泉 光子郎)	Mona Marshall (EN) Umi Tenjin (JP)	Tentomon	Jeff Nimoy (EN) Takahiro Sakurai (JP)
A very intelligent and logical thinker, despite being amongst the youngest of the group. He is also a computer expert and constantly uses his laptop.
Mimi Tachikawa Tachikawa Mimi (太刀川 ミミ)	Philece Sampler (EN) Ai Maeda (JP)	Palmon	Anna Garduno (EN) Shihomi Mizowaki (JP)
Although initially seen as being the selfish valley girl of the group, Mimi is loving and greatly loyal to her friends.
Joe Kido Kido Jō (城戸 丈)	Michael Lindsay (EN) Masami Kikuchi (JP)	Gomamon	R. Martin Klein (EN) Junko Takeuchi (JP)
The oldest of the group. He is dependable and thoughtful, although he is always a worrywart. He tries to act as the voice of reason within the group.
Takeru "T.K." Takaishi Takaishi Takeru (高石 タケル)	Wendee Lee (EN) Hiroko Konishi (JP)	Patamon	Laura Summer (EN) Miwa Matsumoto (JP)
The youngest of the group and the younger brother of Matt. A bright child, he grows from being reliant on others to being as much of a fighter as they are.
Hikari "Kari" Kamiya Yagami Hikari (八神 ヒカリ)	Lara Jill Miller (EN) Araki Kae (JP)	Gatomon Tailmon	Edie Mirman (EN) Yuka Tokumitsu (JP)
Gentle but frail, Kari joins the group after the other DigiDestined and is the younger sister of Tai.

Villains

Devimon (デビモン)	Episodes 1-13	Tom Wyner (EN) Kaneto Shiozawa (JP)
The first villain the DigiDestined faced. Destroyed by Angemon. Resurfaces in Episodes 19-21 in Digimon Adventure 02, where the Digimon Emperor uses his remains to complete Kimeramon, and consequently he manipulates the latter's actions, unbeknownst to the DigiDestined (except possibly TK).
Etemon (エテモン)	Episodes 14-20, 46-47	Richard Epcar (EN) Yasunori Masutani (JP)
The second villain the DigiDestined faced. First destroyed by MetalGreymon, but later returned as MetalEtemon. Permanently destroyed by SaberLeomon and Zudomon.
Myotismon Vamdemon (ヴァンデモン)	Episodes 20-39	Richard Epcar (EN) Ryūzaburō Ōtomo (JP)
The third villain the DigiDestined faced. First destroyed by Angewomon and the other Digimons, but returned as VenomMyotismon. Destroyed again by WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon. Reppears in Digimon Adventure 02 as MaloMyotismon, destroyed for good by Imperialdramon Fighter Mode.
Piedmon Piemon (ピエモン)	Episodes 50-52	Derek Stephen Prince (EN) Chikao Ōtsuka (JP)
The leader of the Dark Masters. Destroyed by MagnaAngemon with the help of WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon.
MetalSeadramon Piemon (ピエモン)	Episodes 41-42	Doug Erholtz (EN) Yuuto Kazama (JP)
The ruler of the Net Ocean, which consisted of large Ocean space with a few little islands. During the time the DigiDestined were fighting Myotismon in Tokyo, MetalSeadramon had taken to ruling over the Ocean portion of Spiral Mountain. Destroyed by WarGreymon.
Machinedramon Mugendramon (ムゲンドラモン)	Episodes 48-49	Dave Guerrie (EN) Hisao Egawa (JP)
The ruler of the Digital City, which looked like a fusion of the prominent cities on Earth. He was the third Dark Master to attempt to destroy the Digidestined. Destroyed by WarGreymon.
Apocalymon Apokarimon (アポカリモン)	Episodes 52-54	Paul St. Peter (EN) Chikao Ōtsuka (JP)
The villain that originally put the Digital World in danger. The creator of the Dark Masters and the one who gave the DigiDestined's three original enemies (Devimon, Etemon and Myotismon) their powers. Permanently destroyed by the combined efforts of WarGreymon, MetalGarurumon, Garudamon, MegaKabuterimon, Lillymon, Zudomon, MagnaAngemon and Angewomon.
Puppetmon Pinocchimon (ピエモン)	Episodes 43-47	David Lodge (EN) Etsuko Kozakura (JP)
The smallest of the Dark Masters and the one who lasted longest fighting against the DigiDestined (five episodes, though this is partly because of other major enemies and events, such as the return of Etemon as MetalEtemon, and the group discovering why they were selected as the DigiDestined). Destroyed by MetalGarurumon.

Other Digital World characters

• Gennai (13-54): An old man created from data who acts as a guide to the DigiDestined.

• Andromon (5, 48-52, 54): An android-like Digimon that was freed in Episode 5 by Sora, Tai, and Joe, but attacked due to the presence of one of Devimon's Black Gears. Defeated and freed by Kabuterimon, he reappeared in Episodes 48 and 49 to hunt down and destroy Machinedramon, and stayed with them until the final battle with Piedmon, going so far as to hold him off while they attempted to escape all being turned into keychains and defeated. Once revived by MagnaAngemon, he participated in the final battle against Piedmon and the Vilemon swarm, and returned with their other allies to congratulate the Chosen Children on defeating Apocalymon.

• Centarumon (Kentarumon) (10-14, 52-54): Guardian of an ancient temple on File Island, the place in the Digital World the children were first transported to. Returned to help the kids build a raft, and met Gennai at the Wall of Fire. He congratulated them on defeating Apocalymon, and went on to point out the eclipse and informs the children that it was time to say good-bye.

• Leomon (8-14, 46-47): Protector of File Island. Constantly enslaved, freed and reenslaved by the Black Gears, until right before the final battle with Devimon. He surprised the partner Digimon when he attacked them with Ogremon, as his reputation was that of a just Digimon and was well-known to be Ogremon's mortal enemy. Presumably, it was he who organized the party of Digimon who built the Chosen Children a raft to travel to Server Continent. Was given the ability to Warp Digivolve into SaberLeomon after intense exposure to Tai, Matt, Mimi and Izzy's Digivices. He is killed by MetalEtemon, taking an attack intended to kill Mimi.

• Ogremon (8-13, 46-54): Leomon's rival. Was the only Digimon willing to help Devimon not under the influence of the Black Gears. After Devimon was destroyed, Leomon scared him off. He reappears in episode 46, wounded badly after a fight with Woodmon and the earthquake caused by MetalEtemon. Mimi and Joe tend his wounds, and he is incredibly touched that they would help him after he tried to kill them. He allies himself with Mimi and Joe after Leomon's death, realizing he was more than just a rival, and agrees to help the Chosen Children fight the Dark Masters. He is present for the final battle with Piedmon, and appears after the final battle with Apocalymon to thank and congratulate the children, but leaves after they take a commemorative photograph in Primary Village

• Whamon [14-15, 41-42 (42-43 in the English Dub)]: The second to last Digimon with a Black Gear, encountered en route to Server Continent. Once the Gear is destroyed, he apologizes for destroying their raft and offers to ferry the Chosen Children to Server himself. Reappeared in episode 41 (42 in the dub version) to save and protect the children from MetalSeadramon, but is killed in the ensuing battle.

• Piximon (Piccolomon) [18, 40 (and 41 in the English Dub)]: Well-known in the Digital World as a trainer, Piximon takes on the Chosen Children, particularly Tai and Agumon. Returns in episode 40, sacrificing himself to the Dark Masters to ensure the escape and safety of the Chosen Children.

• Wizardmon (Wizarmon) (30-37): Gatomon's old friend. She saved him from death, and told him she was looking for someone. Out of gratitude and affection, Wizardmon allied himself with Myotismon to keep an eye on Gatomon, and ultimately repaid her by solving the mystery of who she was waiting for and why. He briefly united her with Chosen Child partner, before they took on Myotismon together, in an effort to retrieve the Crest of Light. Ultimately, he died to protect Gatomon and Kari. He returns briefly on Earth during the second season as a ghost to warn Gatomon of danger ahead.

Development

Shortly after the storyboard for the Digimon Adventure film was made, producers at Toei Animation were requested to turn it into a television show as well.

The DigiDestined's character designs were created by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru. The staff had decided to name the characters based on kanji that related to luck.^[2]

For the Japanese Language version of Digimon Season 1, all music was composed by the late Arisawa Takanori who was best known for his compositions for the Sailor moon Series and the Galaxy Fraulein Yuna Series.

When the show was brought over to North America, Wendee Lee, Michael Sorich, and David Walsh became the voice directors. The original soundtrack of the show was replaced by music composed by Udi Harpaz and Shuki Levy.

For the English language version of Digimon Season 1, Shuki Levy recycled a lot of the music soundtracks from Starcom: The U.S. Space Force an 80s cartoon produced by DIC Entertainment in addition to recycling a lot of music from the Masked Rider TV series based on the 80s Tokusatsu Kamen Rider Black RX.

Media

Anime

Main article: List of Digimon Adventure episodes

Digimon Adventure aired 54 episodes on Fuji TV in Japan from March 7, 1999 to March 26, 2000. In the United States it aired on Fox Kids from August 14, 1999 to June 24, 2000. Canada cable carried Fox, therefore Fox Kids, but independent network NTV aired reruns in Newfoundland & Labrador.

Theme songs

Opening theme

• "Butter-Fly" by Kōji Wada

Ending themes

• "I wish" by Ai Maeda
  • Episodes: 1-26
• "keep on" by Ai Maeda
  • Episodes: 27-54

Insert song

• "brave heart" by Ayumi Miyazaki
• "Seven" by Kōji Wada
• "Yūki o Tsubasa ni Shite" (勇気を翼にして^?, "Winged Courage") by Toshiko Fujita

Films

Digimon Adventure (Movie)

Digimon Adventure (デジモンアドベンチャー, Dejimon Adobenchā^?) is the first Digimon film. It was released in Japan on March 6, 1999. It was released in the United States on October 6, 2000 as the first part of Digimon: The Movie.

This film acts like a pilot episode for Digimon Adventure. The first story focused on Tai and Kari Kamiya four years before their adventure in the Digital World. It shows their first encounter with Digimon and what happened to them (as well as the other children that saw it became the other DigiDestined) when they participated in their first Digimon battle after raising a quickly growing Botamon. In the story, that Digimon hatches from a Digi-egg and eventually evolved into Greymon to fight a Parrotmon who appeared in the city. The movie was used in episodes of Digimon Adventure to explain why Tai and company became DigiDestined.

Our War Game!

Digimon Adventure: Our War Game! (デジモンアドベンチャー ぼくらのウォーゲーム, Dejimon Adobenchā: Bokura no Wō Gēmu!^?) is the second Digimon film. It was released in Japan on March 4, 2000. It was released in the United States on October 6, 2000 as the second part of Digimon: The Movie.

The second story occurs a few months after the battle against Apocalymon. It shows many of the DigiDestined, but primarily focuses on Tai, Matt, Izzy, and T.K., as they end up saving the day when a computer virus Digimon raises havoc all over the world through the Internet. The kids must stop the evil Digimon quickly before he provokes the launching of a nuclear ICBM aimed at Japan (where the kids live). Tai and Matt end up getting so worried about their Digimon (in the form of WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon) badly losing to the evil Digimon Diaboromon that they actually phase into the Internet and miraculously give them the power to destroy him in time. Both Digimon merge, evolving into the powerful Omnimon. However, Diaboromon is still too fast, until Izzy comes up with the idea to redirect e-mails that they are receiving from children watching the battle all over the world via the internet to slow Diaboromon down, allowing Omnimon to finish him off just before the missiles hit. In the end, the deactivated ICBM lands harmlessly in Tokyo Bay. Our War Game! appears to be inspired by the 1983 film, WarGames. This movie is considered canon due to Izzy's analysis of ExVeemon and Stingmon's DNA Digivolution in Adventure 02, because Izzy compares it to WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon's own DNA Digivolution and how 02 character Yolei Inoue became a Digidestined.

Digimon: The Movie

Digimon: The Movie is an English language movie released in North America by Fox Kids on October 6, 2000. The movie edits together both two Digimon Adventure movies, as well as the Digimon Adventure 02 movie, Digimon Hurricane Touchdown, editing some scenes and story details to form one story.

Drama CDs

A series of mini-drama CDs were released throughout the run of Digimon Adventure and included supplementary audio dramas that did not influence the television show's plot. In addition to this, character image songs for the main DigiDestined were included. The first drama CD was released on November 5, 1999, followed by two more releases on December 3, 1999, and January 7, 2000.

A final drama CD, titled Digimon Adventure: Original Story: 2 and a Half Year Break was released in 2003.

Light Novels

Hiro Masaki, one of the screenwriters of Digimon Adventure, co-wrote a novelization of Digimon Adventure with series director Hiroyuki Kakudou.^[3] The light novels were separated into three parts.

Production staff

North American english staff

• Wendee Lee - Voice Director
• Michael Sorich - Voice Director
• David Walsh - Voice Director
• Shuki Levy - Composer

References

1. ^ Lazarus, George (March 8, 2000). "Digesting Latest Promotion For Kids: Digimon". Chicago Tribune. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2000-03-08/business/0003080068_1_digimon-delta-air-lines-tags/2. Retrieved 2010-09-03. 
2. ^ "Memories of Our Digimon Adventure, Part 6". http://digitalscratch.wordpress.com/2009/08/01/interview-memories-of-da-pt-6. Retrieved 2010-12-26. 
3. ^ Kakudou, Hiroyuki; Hiro Masaki (2001). Shōsetsu Digimon Adventure: Ima Bōken ga Hajimaru. Tokyo: Shueisha. p. 260. ISBN 978-4086300292. 

See also

• Digimon - Franchise
• List of Digimon Adventure episodes

External links

• Digimon Adventure on Digimon Wiki, an external wiki
• The Digimon Encyclopedia