"There Are Monsters Among Us" Review (Digimon Savers/Data Squad)

(Note: Due to recent events, this review has been reworked so as to not cause further problems at this time.)

Hey everyone- for this review, I thought I would take another different, more experimental approach to this anime. It's one I've been wanting to address a while now, and now that time is upon me. Let's open up the first episode of "Digimon Savers" (aka "Digimon Data Squad"), "There are Monsters Among Us."

We have a lot to unpack in this episode, so I'll give you all a bit to get any potential "Among Us" jokes out of your system.

First, let's get the obvious out of the way: as the first Digimon anime to see release on both sides of the Pacific after Frontier's disappointing reception, there was clearly a lot to win back the crowd. Though initially more successful in Japan than in the US, the series has since undergone a reevaluation in the latter region. Though the way Tamers handled its dark tone and characterization was like lightning in a bottle (still working on a piece on why it doesn't need a sequel); this one took away the right lessons from that anime. Not by copying it outright, but by using it as a base. There are admittedly some silly aspects to the dub, but whenever a serious situation is onscreen, it's treated as such. So, let's begin.

The theme song is already a vast improvement over Frontier, having much more of a hard rock sound to it. Have a listen for yourself.

After the intro, we open on an underground bunker where a familiar-looking Digimon is on the run. The buildup of this sequence does a good job of establishing the tone and setting, much like Tamers did. The opening scene is in central command of DATS, and their commander is voiced by Gary Chalk. Well, that's just prime!

Within moments, the surrounding areas are evacuated; and DATS has the police use a "gas leak" as cover. Hopefully there won't be any robotic ice cream trucks speaking in ebonics. 

Most of the people in the vicinity are evacuated, but one outlier remains. DATS Agent Yoshino enters the space, and finds 15 people unconscious! The human inside the quarantine zone is revealed to be our protagonist, Marcus Damon! He contrasts heavily with other protagonists in the series before and since, both in looks and personality.

I mean, it definitely stands out to have your lead be a former gangster and aspiring UFC fighter; and his introduction is getting into a fight with an Agumon. Said Agumon happens to be what DATS is after. He predictably refuses orders to vacate the area; and the scrap he has with Agumon already does a great job establishing his character.

On top of the animation being good for the time, I also like how we're actually seeing the blows Marcus and Agumon throw make contact as opposed to using impact cuts or hit flashes. Back in DATS central command, everyone in the control room is shocked that Marcus can still stand after taking Agumon's claw to his face!

Their brawl continues to sunset; and neither one is ready to give up even though they're both on the ground exhausted. The closest Agumon gets is saying Marcus is "not bad for a human." 

After Marcus compliments Agumon, the two decide to call it a draw. The two officially meet, and Agumon declares Marcus "boss" from then on. Yoshino has had enough, and "realizes" her partner; Lalamon. Hey, I never said there was no silliness in this anime.

Marcus and Agumon then flee the scene, since Agumon would essentially be "derezzed" if DATS brought him in. Hiding out in a closed building after hours (another tipoff about Marcus' character); Marcus agrees to protect Agumon from "the institution." 

First, Marcus has to find Agumon some food; but orders Agumon to stay hidden, lest DATS come after him again. I will keep elaborating on this as I go; but Marcus definitely has less in common with previous "goggle-heads" and more with a character from the Yakuza games (which I have been very open about my enjoyment of).

However, he's intercepted by Yoshino; who demands he come with her for questioning. He reluctantly goes along, and we're formally introduced to the commander of DATS, Samson. It's explained that DATS are effectively keeping the peace between worlds. Marcus just wants to get back to Agumon, who the agents keep referring to as "Raptor One." I don't know about that codename- the body type doesn't really say "raptor" to me; even the deinonychus would be pushing it.

At any case, DATS refers to Agumon as a "renegade," a description that Marcus objects to. He also is not onboard with DATS' plan, placing Agumon's needs above the agency's. This also does a good job establishing Marcus as a character that has both distinct and familiar qualities as a protagonist in this franchise. Certainly beats the caricatures we got in the 2020 Adventure.

Bottom line- Marcus agrees to take responsibility for Agumon before asking for some food for him. Just then, the alarm blares in the command center yet again. A hamburger stand is being attacked; and before Marcus heads toward it; it appears to be a WcDonalds (I personally prefer Burger MP or Dairy Archduchess).

While DATS tries to blame Agumon, Marcus and Yoshino searching his hiding spot turns up empty. He also didn't cause a second attack; as he was eating out of a trash can! Well, no worse than Guilmon subsisting on day-old bread and peanut butter. No, the culprit is Kokatorimon!

Gotta say- I do enjoy this scene of Marcus and Agumon running towards Kokatorimon amid all the fire and smoke. While not the exact same letter as Tamers, it does capture the spirit effectively.

The ensuing battle not only shows how capable Marcus and Agumon are at working together; it also catches the attention of Samson back at DATS command about who's really responsible! I especially like the scene of Marcus taking on Kokatorimon himself after Agumon takes a fall.

Also, that fisherman that was evacuated at the beginning of the episode? He gives Marcus his Digivice, which allows Agumon to become Geo Greymon! Way cooler than Geo Stelar.

Kokatorimon is dispatched in short order, and as Marcus finally gets a chance to feed Agumon; Yoshino is recalled to DATS as Samson intends to recruit Marcus himself. We close on Marcus covering for Agumon by claiming responsibility for the guys he attacked; and getting something to eat.

"There Are Monsters Among Us" makes a solid argument for how Digimon Savers (AKA Data Squad) is much better than you remember, and just what the doctor ordered after the reception to Frontier. While some at the time had issues with Marcus' design; more felt that he was simply trying too hard to be serious in a franchise meant for younger audiences. Over time, the series has been increasingly recognized as the ideal spiritual successor to Tamers in style and tone (and one of the arguments on why I don't think Tamers needs a sequel). Likewise, Marcus has gone from mere edgy teen going "it's not a phase, mom" to one of the most capable and powerful leads in the eyes of the fandom. Not saying we get to Goku or Kamina levels, but it would not be out of place for him to fight someone from the Omi alliance by smashing a bicycle on their head; if he's willing to punch Kokatorimon like someone in a UFC cage match.

I also just started a preorder on Generation IX, and I will address the new information that just dropped; but that can wait for now. I'm rooting through potential ideas for my 650th post while also watching my nephew and prepping for the launch of Splatoon 3; so don't be surprised if things take a bit to come out (this post was initially planned for summer; but was postponed due to real-world events causing me to rewrite the review from the ground up). That's all for now, take care.