Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna (2020) Revisited- A Critical Second Opinion

Well, with the 02 cast getting their turn this October; it's finally time. I know I said I wasn't going to formally review this; and I stand by that. I consider this more of an autopsy than anything: fitting for a year which, to paraphrase Beavis and Butt-Head Do America; "sucked more than any year has ever sucked before." I have made no secret of the fact that I do not recognize this movie as the true finale to Digimon Adventure, and now I feel that I can examine why. Here is Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna revisited- a critical second opinion.

Promotional poster for the film.

To be fair, the film actually doesn't open on the worst note- the opening battle is actually a nice callback to the pilot OVA for Digimon Adventure, with the animation quality and usage of "Bolero" being high points. Unfortunately, despite the film's efforts; I have lots of issues with it as a series finale.

The story takes place about five years after the events after the "Tri" movies (which, despite their flaws, I do actually prefer for taking creative risks); and twenty years after the events of the original TV series. Admittedly, the basic premise isn't the worst- the original "Chosen Children" are on the verge of graduating college and going their separate ways. At the same time, a new threat emerges that tests the limits of their bond with their Digimon. However, as I've established before; it's the execution that bothers me.

I'm not the only one who had issues with the story either- Hiroyuki Kadadou, head writer of the anime for its first two seasons; actually was consulted about the film's story, but he left the project on the grounds that it contradicted the established setting of the TV series. His blog has a good summary about the matter, here is the link; and it will be important later.

Personally, I feel that Dragon Ball and One Piece did a better job at actually "Aging with the audience," and I feel it's more accurate that Digimon merely reached the emotional age of its audience. Just saying there are better ways of expressing this transition than Tai pondering his thesis statement while working part-time at a pachinko parlor. Seriously, what was the point of including those students in the galley if they're not going to factor into the plot? That's not the only issue I have with this movie's story; and I once again wonder if it would have been better to do this as an OVA miniseries instead.

It honestly doesn't help that I wasn't fooled by the entrance of Menoa Belucci (because I guess the adult section of the fanbase was into Monica Belucci in the past), and despite her best efforts; I found her among the least compelling villains in the franchise's storied history. Someone also mentioned to me that they were reminded of Scooby-Doo in terms of reveals; and while it does make a modicum of sense for the story, her whole plan just falls apart the more I think about it. This one of the simpler fixes I can propose: if Menoa was a secondary antagonist instead. Here's a placeholder for a primary antagonist.

Preem- so in this proposal, instead of Menoa betraying everyone; Menoa would ally herself with the true antagonist so she can get what she wants. She and the main cast would not realize their mistake until it's too late; and it would also provide a better justification for the story and the presence of the 02 cast. This new villain would also be the true source of the waning bond and the sidelining of most cast members not named Tai or Matt. We will come back to this later, and I now return you to the regularly scheduled program.

So, Menoa contacts our heroes in Izzy's office (one of the few things that actually kind of works for me), alongside her contact Kyotaro Imura. There's a whole litany of issues with him we'll address later. For now, they've contacted them because of what's happening to their friends.

The way it's implemented already starts showing issues: it's revealed that one of their colleagues has fallen into a coma- Miyako "Yolei" Inoue. I know this is going to be contentious; but even the Tri movies did a better job with this storyline; and justifying people going comatose.

No matter- they're sent through the digital gate; and admittedly the first engagement isn't terrible. It's what comes after that's a problem. Their bond is waning as they're about to go their separate ways. This could have worked as a stealth parable for age; but the stealth is essentially nil. It's about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the ribs.

Case in point- the infamous scene of Agumon finding the stash of girlie movies in Tai's mattress. Amusing, but it lacks nuance. However, still less blatant than a folder on his computer full of art of Renamon getting down with Ninetales and Kyubi from Yo-Kai Watch.

However, a greater cardinal sin is that if you've telegraphed Menoa's true nature like I did; it effectively kills any suspense the movie is trying to build. So, that means we're all just playing the waiting game after the 15-minute mark.

I also don't share others' enthusiasm for the supporting roles of the 02 cast either. As a subplot, they're incredibly distracting. As franchise bait, they're more blatant than WandaVision connecting to Multiverse of Madness. As roles in the story overall, they're a circus of clowns crashing their comically-undersized car into a funeral motorcade. Think I preferred Tri making them comatose the first thing they did instead.

Really- the only thing they really do is find the real dirt on Menoa; something that could have been done by Izzy looking at her files from when she was studying abroad. The Canto Bight subplot in The Last Jedi had more of a point than this; and that's a contentious film I actually like.

As more of their colleagues are hospitalized, Matt, having learned the sickening truth; decides to confront Imura. However, Imura responds by revealing what he's actually doing with Menoa. He's not her assistant- he's actually a federal agent that's been investigating her! Moreover, Menoa created Eosmon and is the one behind everything; including the Digidestined losing consciousness! Izzy is able to warn the others just in time; leading to a confrontation in the digital world.

Her status as a twist villain brings me back to the rewrite I alluded to with her as a secondary villain instead.

MATT: Menoa, what's going on here? Why have you done this?

DR. KURATA: Menoa, if you don't tell them the truth, I will. I trust it will sound better coming from you.

MENOA: When I created Eosmon, I thought it would be the zenith of my studies; but Kurata showed me how much more I can do with the code. You, your friends, your family, your Digimon- we can all be together as the next stage in the evolutionary ladder!

TAI: How could you- you lied to us the moment you walked in the door! Our bond was never in danger- you were trying to tear it apart! You and the doctor must be stopped- no matter the cost!

This is exactly why I brought up Hiroyuki's words at the start: if the film had stuck closer to what was established in canon, I might have shared others' POV of this movie being the franchise's Endgame or Logan. Instead, it wound up feeling more to me like its Dark Phoenix.

Honestly- again with the whistle? This is where the denouement officially fell apart for me; and that also includes the final forms of their partners. Admittedly the designs do look good; and the final blow they deal to Eosmon is also one of the few moments of this climax that actually works for me.

As the Digidestined reawaken and Menoa is presumably brought back to the US to be questioned by the FBI, I will state I'm still not pleased with how the film marginalized Sora once again; and how the film is less a true finale to the whole cast and more "Matt and Tai Face the Music, featuring the cast of Digimon Adventure." I don't plan to watch this movie again; but I will have other ways to address the series from April onward (needed a backup plan after current events soured what I first had in mind).

The film closes on Tai writing his thesis statement, and he and Matt part ways with their Digimon as the credits roll. Many fans found this ending touching. I didn't: it sent a troubling message, indirectly implying that age is the end of the adventure. I can argue that's not just nonsense, but also rather disturbing.

Before I wrap this up, my least favorite characters of the film go to the one scene wonders in the campus dining hall. The scene could have easily worked fine without them, instead of reminding me of people with zero filter whenever I freshen my drink at Burger King. 

Despite who they try to target; jokes about adult film stashes and scenes of binge drinking are not enough for me to truly consider this an "adult" entry in the series; since ones targeted toward the main demographic actually did more to earn that distinction. Tamers, my personal favorite season dealt with inner trauma. Data Squad/Savers had some of the most effective character dynamics of both the heroes and villains (why I chose Dr. Kurata to represent my change here). Xros Wars/Fusion showed the impact war can have on young fighters. Even Frontier, much as I dislike it, did attempt to take a different look at its character dynamic.

That is why I do not recognize this movie as a finale to Digimon Adventure: not only does it not truly feel adult to the audience it attempts to cater to, it fundamentally doesn't understand the material and story it attempted to close. It's entirely ironic that this film attempted to end the story for a fan of my age, and I find the original TV series had a more satisfying ending. What happened instead was a finale that somehow made the infamous epilogue of 02 seem like a more coherent ending by comparison. It's also still canon despite the movie contradicting it in multiple ways, which just raises further questions.

While I'm on that subject; if the same creative forces are involved with 02: The Beginning, I honestly don't have high hopes. I was never the biggest fan of that season to begin with (was more of an Orange Islands/DBZ guy at the time, still am); but if their cast is going to be put through the same motions, I truly think it will be the beginning of the end of this section of the franchise.

On the whole, while this isn't the worst movie I've ever examined (nor even the worst standalone Digimon movie); I don't really think it works as a series finale. That is also further undermined by the announcement and release of the 2020 reboot a mere two months after the film came out, which had its own problems beyond disregarding this film's events entirely.

Though this movie and the Adventure brand have definitely been something of a rough ride; the franchise as a whole still has potential. I have never perceived it as "better" than you-know-what; and it still doesn't make sense to compare them to me.

If the film centered on the 02 cast manages to rectify the issues I had with this film and undoes its events in any way; I will acknowledge that as an improvement. Given what I've just detailed and my overall mixed feelings towards 02- they have an uphill battle on their hands. That will be all for now, good night to you all.

Honest Thoughts on 10 Years of Yo-Kai Watch and Level-5 Re-entering the US Market.

Well, this is certainly curious: after many murmurs in online forums and a somewhat cryptic call for employment earlier in the year, Level-5 is re-entering the US market after the closure of the Abby in 2020 (with the COVID-19 pandemic being a contributing factor). This coincides with the 10th anniversary of the Yo-Kai Watch franchise in Japan. Here are my honest thoughts on the matter as they attempt to rise from their grave; especially in the West.

A Level-5 collage featuring characters from Layton, Ni No Kuni, Yo-Kai Watch and Inazuma Eleven.

Let's start with the chocolate bar-guzzling elephant in the room, as it's only been around domestically for eight of the ten years of its existence. I began covering it around the time its international release was going to come out; and looking back, I definitely believe I could have handled things differently. I was certainly skeptical, but for all the things I said at the time; I made sure not to pull the "ripoff" card as that was never going to be the biggest roadblock to the global release. 

That aside, I still don't like the original anime that much and made no secret of my disdain for it. I also have little need or desire to mine subsequent adaptations for reviews: besides the fact that fan translations have slowed down or outright stopped, it just doesn't offer the same material as it did in the past. Despite expressing interest in an international release of Yo-Kai Watch 4 and its accompanying films; such a release has yet to materialize. Though the trademarks have been registered for the Jam Project (under the Y School Heroes imprint), it remains to be seen whether or not anything will come of that. The most recent film does not appear to have charted at the Japanese box office, and I don't know what to expect from any of the commemorative toys they've announced (including this promotional video on Bandai's YouTube channel with Akihiro Hino that almost borders on an ASMR vid or perfume commercial).

As for the rest of the developer- that's another story. I am glad that they're starting with not just proven IPs such as Professor Layton and Fantasy Life, but promising new ones such as Deca Police (all three of which were unveiled during the February Nintendo Direct presentation). That said, Deca Police and the next Fantasy Life currently don't have release dates beyond just 2023; and the next Layton doesn't have a release date at all. The next Inazuma Eleven has had quite the troubled production behind it (so much so that a similar game based on Captain Tsubasa has come out in the interim). Megaton Musashi going free-to-play suggests that it didn't get the audience they were hoping for (also doesn't bode well given how many games of that nature have gone dark or will go dark this year alone). Dragon Quest was never entirely theirs to begin with. The Snack World trying to ride on the success of Adventure Time also didn't work as planned, as by the time its US release finally came out; Adventure Time had evolved far beyond wacky shenanigans.

So, with Level-5 re-entering the market; what does that mean for them and the Yo-Kai Watch franchise? Well, the short answer is that I'm not entirely certain. Here is the long answer; as I shall lay out in several key points.

First and foremost is how modestly they announced the return. Though I advocated for selling the company to someone else (even it meant ceding some creative control to their buyers), they instead hired new employees both for their native Japan and international markets. As previously mentioned, the past venture with the company came to an abrupt end in 2020. Though it was mismanaged and apparently a pretty awful place to work, the pandemic was easily the final nail in the coffin. Also, while the games they announced may not have been the biggest attractions (my personal highlights were new info on Tears of the Kingdom, Pikmin 4, confirmation of Metroid Prime Remastered, Game Boy Online, Game Boy Advance Online, and pleasant surprises such as Ghost Trick Remastered and a new Samba De Amigo. Seeing the details on the Splatoon 3 Expansion is also a plus); it was the smart choice not to treat them as such. Not every game of theirs needs to be a multimedia franchise or live service (wasn't the best idea in hindsight to embrace them; given the sheer volume that are being shutdown this year alone); which brings me to the next point about this.

Second is the current state of the Yo-Kai Watch franchise in Japan. Although the 10th anniversary is currently in progress; it's been rather muted so far. Apart from what I mentioned above about the DX watches, the anime is going on hiatus and another project is taking its place; at least based on a somewhat cryptic tweet Hino made. Among the many "Games as a service" titles shutting down this year, Yo-Kai Watch World is among the games closing down. We still have no word on a fifth main game or any updates on the fourth being localized as I write this; which should make a nice transition to the next key point.

My third point is going to connect the two I just mentioned- the state of the franchise and Level-5 prior to this news. One by one, each pillar of the franchise fell after the other. The toy license was dropped by Hasbro in 2018. The English dub of the anime ended after this third season; and the fate of YW4, Y School Heroes or any future localized games is in limbo after the disappointing sales of YW3 (though launching after the Switch overtook the 3DS; plus both Kingdom Hearts III and the Resident Evil 2 remake didn't help either). In this month's Level-5 Vision, the franchise was conspicuous by its absence (it remains to be seen how the games they did announce will do).

However, beyond all this is the greatest risk of all- that of the company's reputation. Level-5 was once seen as an antidote to the likes of Konami, Ubisoft and Activision Blizzard (especially given the controversies all three have faced). Now, since then, they've shown a willingness to embrace anything from live service titles (Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League has even been delayed largely due to negative feedback of these aspects), to bleeding franchises dry (seeing new Layton and Fantasy Life games were, to quote Palpatine, "A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one") and even NFTs. Just the potential for that idea caused me to abandon the promising Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds; and I haven't looked back since.

As for the reputation of Yo-Kai Watch- that's harder to parse. I have detailed the previous international missteps at length; so for those unaware or need a refresher, here's the rundown. Though the 2015 launch didn't yield the worst results; it also didn't yield the blockbuster status that many others expected. The anime was getting a second dubbed season alongside the sequels being released in 2016 in the US. While many pundits claimed the series would be a "Pokémon killer" (a mindset that has doomed countless other games in the past- look at how many "Halo killers" became niche titles at best and complete flops at worst); the release of Generation VII, Pokémon Go and Final Fantasy XV would ultimately doom the sequels. The Pokémon anime joining the same network as the Yo-Kai Watch dub would be catastrophic, and even with the dub being recast in 2018; it was canceled after its third season. One by one, each pillar of success fell in the West- the toys were discontinued in 2018, the anime was canceled in English in 2019; and little has been heard of the localization of Yo-Kai Watch 4 since 2020.

In the past, I compared Level-5 and their handling of Yo-Kai Watch to Sega; and I think now would be a good time to explore the analogy further. They had a dedicated fanbase and a meteoric rise in popularity, but they also had a steady fall and the east and west portions of the company being at odds with one another. Though there is a mutual hope for return, there is also just as much realization they might never reach the heights they once had. However, I would argue the biggest parallels I can draw between them are the most tragic: they lost sight of what worked to begin with. They became their own biggest competition, and let nearly every partnership that could have changed their trajectory slip by them.

Above all, Level-5 is responsible for; and capable of correcting the trajectory of both the Yo-Kai Watch franchise and their company as a whole. Given what has transpired over the last decade; they definitely have an uphill battle on their hands. That will be all for now, and I will see you all again soon. Take care everyone.

Aim to Be a Pokémon Master First Viewing Thoughts- How to End an Endless Journey

As wise people once said, all good things must come to an end. Now that I’ve seen the entire miniseries; I will give my first viewing thoughts on Aim to Be a Pokémon Master. Here is how to end an endless journey.

You see, Last Evolution Kizuna? THIS is how you end a beloved anime series.

In the long and storied history of fiction; there have been many series finales that managed to successfully close the book on their chapters of television, and many that haven’t. Fortunately, this is an example of the former.

Over the course of these 11 episodes, which serve as something of an epilogue to Pokémon Journeys (and the last quarter-century of the anime as a whole); the legacy of the series is both honored and remixed. “The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master” makes a fitting bookend to such a beloved series; and I would be more than happy to talk about it in further detail after it’s brought stateside (as well as further coverage of the video games). I am far less down that the story is over and more pleased that I got a chance to experience it. Can’t say for certain if this is my favorite series finale ever, but I can say for certain it’s made my list. 

Honestly choosing not to be sad the story is ending for now, just glad it's not ending like Digimon Adventure 02 did. Still not certain about this truly being the final chapter for them overall. Have a feeling they’ll be back- certainly wouldn’t be the first time I heard this. All the same, as long as they’re remembered; no one’s ever really gone.

The reveal late last year didn’t impact my plans for the most part; though it will be an opportunity to take a new look at material I haven’t yet through a new lens. That will include full reviews of both this miniseries and the special “The Distant Blue Sky” once English dubs are officially released in the US. On that subject, I have concluded that I will not be addressing the 2023 series at this time. Until I can determine the trajectory of the new series, I will not be reviewing it in the foreseeable future. That will be all for now, as I have some unfinished business to attend to. Thank you, treasured friends.

Honest Thoughts- The End of Team Rocket in "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master."

Well, I had entertained this before; and now it seems they've finally done it. Though I have no formal opinion on the new information revealed about the 2023 anime (seriously considering taking a break from it depending on what the initial episodes are like), nor am I certain the retirement of the protagonist will stick; this is something that's worth addressing even if I don't have plans for a full review right now. Here are my honest thoughts on the end of Team Rocket in "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master."

In the episode entitled "Team Rocket Strikes Back" that just debuted in Japan earlier today; the team assembles nearly every monster they've partnered with in one last heist attempt. Yet, despite their best efforts; the venture ultimately fails. Though they're no strangers to this, it seems that their partnership is finally over. To prove I'm not just trying to clickbait people (like the rumors about the classic titles on Game Boy Online/Game Boy Advance Online or the Switch successor); I did indeed take screenshots when the HQ subs went live.

Team Rocket: April 8, 1997-March 10, 2023

Between the fact the games have been changing adversaries ever since Generation III, the reduction of screen time the characters have had in the last decade or so and how the anime for Generation VII and VIII have been willing to break the formula (for the better in my POV); I had a feeling this would happen. The only questions I had were how and when. It would have been nice if they decided to live a normal life; but sometimes things happen like that.

With this, the main Team Rocket trio is functionally disbanded. Though I was not initially planning on addressing the topic this week; I thought I would strike while the iron is hot. I do not know what to expect from the 2023 anime; and I have no plans to examine it in detail at this time.

Bottom line: this is a bittersweet end to characters that may not be my favorites, but marks the end of an era in its own way. This won't be the only opportunity I have this year to address such an ending either; but that can wait for now. I will see you all again soon, take care.

PS- Go watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, it really is that good.

"History's Strongest Collaboration VS The Glutton of the Sea" First Viewing Thoughts

Well- that may not have been "the most ambitious crossover ever made," but it is interesting to talk about. Here are my first viewing thoughts on the special "History's Strongest Collaboration VS The Glutton of the Sea."

From left: Monkey D. Luffy, Son Goku and Toriko

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The first thing you may notice is the presence of Toriko and his source material in this crossover. Though I previously made a post recommending it, it's one of the few pieces I actually took down (don't go looking for it, it's gone). Aside from the creator's, shall we say, indiscretions, the series kind of fallen by the wayside among Shonen Jump's catalog compared to One Piece and Dragon Ball (there wasn't even any representation in the now-defunct video game Jump Force). That said, with this special finally getting an English dub nearly ten years after the fact; it certainly was an interesting experience watching it.

The plot is simple- the casts of all three anime gather for a tournament and gourmet feast; which goes awry when a pufferfish known as "Big Chu" disrupts the proceedings. It falls to Goku, Luffy, Toriko and their respective friends to save the day.

Though in hindsight, the special is definitely an unintentional period piece, watching it a decade later is interesting given how much the landscape has changed. As I type this, Toriko has become something of a footnote in Shonen Jump's vast catalog, Dragon Ball remains a pop culture phenom, and One Piece is finally in its endgame (no formal opinion on the AI assist in a recent chapter beyond this: the ethical debates are worth having, though it is kind of fun just messing around making Pokémon characters say CDi Zelda quotes).

However, from a purely objective standpoint, it is still a fun half-hour; with the final battle against Big Chu a highlight in terms of animation. The casts of all three anime reprise their roles; and the interactions between the casts are quite fun. I am making good progress on both Punk Hazard and the remainder of the anime's adaptation of Wano; and I have much in store for this coming spring. Just thought I would offer something different amid what I'm working on. That's all for now, and I will see you all again another time. Later.