Digimon Tamers: Runaway Locomon (2002) Revisited.

Before I get into this post, I honestly don't think the fallout of that table read this summer proves anything; much less the arguments that nobody is really making. Rather, it just proves that for the majority of fans of that series; it was a specific kind of followup that nobody really wanted, needed or asked for. Honestly, I didn't think Digimon Tamers needed a sequel, yet they keep trying anyway. The one silver lining to that black raincloud is that the disastrous script isn't canon; so my memories of the show will remain untarnished. That, and the writer has walked back his more divisive comments after fans reacted negatively toward the play.

This brings me to our subject today, the short film "Digimon Tamers: Runaway Locomon." It's been a while since I've seen it, and I only fairly recently found out it had an English dub that sees the cast reprise their roles (though it was recorded long after the anime itself dubbed its final episode). So, let's get to it.

Japanese promotional poster for the film.

While not feature-length, the film; much like the original pilot for Digimon Adventure; is an OVA with a larger animation budget than the show proper. Also, for some reason; the dub uses the Frontier opening, which I've previously stated would be more appropriate for a commercial jingle. I prefer the industrial metal sound of the Tamers dub theme; so let's play that instead.

Anyway, there are two major stories in this movie: one is the eponymous Locomon, who must be stopped from going rogue before he makes it to the Digital World; and the other story is one that is a more interesting one in many ways: Rika coming to terms with her father leaving her mother. It's admittedly not a bad idea to explore, but unfortunately; the movie doesn't do that much with it. I'm about to explain why.

At the same time, Takato and Henry are trying to plan a birthday celebration with her mother and grandmother; but Rika, predictably doesn't like being kept out of the loop. Of course, Takato is still trying to hide Guilmon inside a box like a discount Solid Snake; and another recurring problem with this movie is that none of the writing staff from the TV anime were involved, hence it being considered non-canon. Their argument is broken up by Locomon barreling through the station; springing the Tamers into action. (sighs) Kind of underwhelming given how the anime itself ended, feels kind of like a side story more than anything.

After digivolving to Growlmon, he and Takato start looking for a way to stop the train. While this is going on, Takato boards the beast in an attempt to slow it down; while Locomon just wants to run. That is something I just typed; and I once again lament how inconsistent this franchise's cinematic track record is.

Conveniently, Henry is with his little sister Suzy while all this is going on; and joins the effort to quell the chaos alongside Terriermon. The continuity of this film is also quite strange: Suzy has Lopmon with her, yet they don't seem to mention what they just went through in the digital world at all.

Takato realizes he needs to get to the engine to stop the train. Rika also sees Locomon from the hills and runs off toward it, with her opting to improvise when questioned about her plan by Renamon. This is another issue with the movie: even though this isn't something her character would normally do, they don't even delve into this behavior as unusual. I've made no secret of the fact that Rika is among my favorite characters in the franchise; so making her the focal point of this story should have been an easy win. Though I may not be as hard on this movie as I once was, unfortunately; that's not the case.

A digital zone opens in the sky (this movie was kind of ahead of the curve of using openings in the sky as a plot device); though I admit that I do kind of like this scene of Suzy, Terriermon and Lopmon riding on Henry's back. That is just simply adorable.

As the central control at the train station tries to figure out what's happening, Chief Yamaki enters the scene to take over. This movie may have a lot of issues, but hearing the audible chocolate of Steve Blum in the role is not one of them.

Anyway, Yamaki contacts his colleagues and manages to get ahold of Takato; giving him instructions on how to stop the train before it reaches the Digital Zone and a rundown of all the routes it's crossing. Admittedly, not a bad plan; and it is one detail that does show how their relationship has changed since the anime's start and this movie.

Beelzemon also offers an assist on his motorcycle; firing at the train with a shotgun! OK, movie, you get one, as he is my favorite Digimon after all.

The digital zone changes trajectory, and Yamaki now is working on trying to get the train back to the digital world before it can cause more harm! Elsewhere, Guardromon offers an assist to intercept the train with another engine! As previously-stated, the chronology of this movie is kind of weird. The fact Kenta and Kazu have partners, Suzy having Lopmon and other details kind of make me glad this isn't canon.

Less so, is how this film wastes a plot element which I think could have made for a really good story: exploring how Rika is dealing with the absence of her father. Her personality and attitude towards Digimon are both rooted in how he left home; and the day she realized he isn't coming back.

Anyway, the plan is to get off the train before it reaches the downtown area; but Rika; who got a whiff of something that leapt from Locomon's firebox has other ideas, swinging at Takato with a wrench! We're just about halfway through this thing; and I'm already wondering if she's going to be like the abridged Yugi and bust someone's kneecaps with it.

That said, this scene in Rika's memory is effective; especially with the song that she and her father used to sing before he left. This detail actually did make it into canon expanded universe material; and offers a glimpse of what this movie could have been.

Regrettably, the second half of the movie doesn't really reach that far; which has been a recurring issue with many stories involving Tamers made after the show's end. It's not quite like Young Hunters Leaping Through Time making Takato (among other series leads) a glorified Assist Trophy; but it still has this stock, "monster of the week" vibe to it.

Guilmon boards the train as Guardromon follows Locomon; and picks up Terriermon after dropping off Lopmon back with Suzy. I know that attitudes towards leaving someone her age alone are different on the other side of the pacific; but even in 2002, if I didn't know where my kid was; I'd probably have a heart attack. 

Guilmon busts down the back door with his flame breath; and Kenta comments that "he sure knows how to make an entrance." He sure does: watch him swooce right in.

Takato and Rika continue their brawl on top of the train, and Guilmon lets out another Pyro Sphere to get topside! With 10 minutes left, Rika starts sprouting spider legs from her back! ... I may have been going easy on this movie; but I'm not above admitting that's really dumb, especially after a previous story I looked at a while back,

This is actually the result of Parasimon, who is also attached to Locomon! Screw it- got other stuff I want to do on and off this blog and I'd rather not drag this out much more; so let's do this.

I will say this- the animation itself in this last fight sequence actually is pretty decent: not mind-blowing, but certainly not terrible either. Just wish the script was stronger is all.

Guilmon frees Rika; and the train is shifted to another junction point! Unfettered, Locomon turns into Grand Locomon! Gotta say- I actually like this design, and I would not object to owning a model of it if Bandai made one. That, and it reminds me of the album cover for Judas Priest's "Painkiller."

My usual joke about "Crazy Train" would have been way too obvious.

As it's a Mega level Digimon, the finale now revolves around trying to get the train to the digital world before it can cause further damage! It's also not a good sign when even Takato is mentioning how out of character Rika is right now. Renamon boards the train with her partner, and our heroes biomerge to send Grand Locomon back to the digital world! It was time for Locomon to leave: He had seen everything.

So, with the day saved; the film ends on Rika's birthday party; and though she's reluctant, we do close on her singing the song she sang with her father on her porch, reflecting on what has transpired.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Digimon Tamers; which still remains my favorite entry in the series after all this time. People have been speculating about a follow-up, but even though I intend to address this in the near future in greater detail; I don't think we need one. I certainly don't, and though this movie isn't the worst (it's at least better than the 2000 movie and that failed fan fiction masquerading as a script earlier this year); it still wastes a potentially good way to examine Rika's character and fails to live up to the pedigree of the TV anime. I'm not saying that it had to go as far as they went with Jeri's trauma and the denouement of the series; but this has been a recurring experience I've had with the franchise as a whole, and why I don't agree with it being the "better monster franchise." It has the potential to be better, and individual entries have been great; but that potential has more often that not, never been entirely realized. 

Given the disappointment of the 2020 reboot of Adventure (which I will also address in greater detail in the future), the distribution issues with the card game and Digimon Survive being delayed again till 2022 joining the compounding missteps I previously cataloged; Digimon is now a brand that doesn't automatically get me excited, and instead has to earn my trust with each new element. Ghost Game definitely has potential (I've seen the first two episodes and will know what to think after the third goes live); but in an anime landscape where it has to contend with the likes of One Piece, My Hero Academia and especially Demon Slayer (getting a 10% ratings share is quite impressive in this age anywhere), I can only hope it maintains its momentum. This also took a bit longer than I hoped, but I should have other posts hopefully out to you a bit quicker to help celebrate this spooky month. That's all for now, take care.