Digimon Frontier- How to Divide a Fanbase

This has been a long time coming. I have been working out how to approach this for ages, and now I finally have it. Here is my post on Digimon Frontier: how to divide a fanbase.

Courtesy: Toei/Bandai Namco/Akiyoshi Hongo

Though some have come around to the anime, it still remains a sore spot in many circles of the fandom. In hindsight, the shift from partnering with a Digimon to becoming one should have rung some alarm bells. To put this into context, it would be like a Pokémon spinoff that involved a livestream of Iono shambling through a let's play of Live A Live. Granted, while the "biomerge" in Tamers came first; it made more sense there; censor-dodging drawings aside. It's a symptom of the issues with this anime, but not the cause.

On that note, this was intended to reinvigorate the franchise after Tamers was met with underperforming results in the target audience in Japan. As you all know, it backfired: the changes did not attract new fans and alienated existing ones. This is especially true in the West and in my own personal experiences- I loved Tamers as a kid and did not particularly enjoy Frontier as that same kid. So, let's explore why this anime played a part in the franchise going on hiatus for years afterward.

First, let's address a major issue right off: the tone. Don't worry, I will address the other problems in a moment; but this is the first major reason why I considered Frontier a big step backwards from Tamers. I'm not saying the franchise has been immune to bizarre silliness (hence why it's standard procedure for me to give it the MST3K/Rifftrax treatment as part of the writing process) but it does do its best to treat a serious situation as such. This anime fundamentally imbalanced that mixture, with the dangers faced in the digital world and personal arcs being juxtaposed with shenanigans in a hamburger stand along with very awkward scenes of Zoey Akiyama trying on swimwear. That should make a decent enough segue into the next problem I have with the series.

The second point of contention is the characters. I know the franchise is first and foremost targeted at younger audiences; but that doesn't mean that it's incapable of elevating the material even as a marketing tool. I know the previous anime cast a long shadow; but I don't think that's the only reason. Arguably, subsequent incarnations made the shortcomings of the cast standout more. I may have issues with the 02 cast as well; but at least they had ideas that were better implemented later on. Frontier, however, had characters that just felt like recycled archetypes from the previous seasons and whatever new ideas they had broke suspension of disbelief. Takuya wants to help anyone, any way he can. Koji is aloof, but ultimately good-natured with a troubled past. Tommy is younger, doubtful of himself but also kindhearted. Zoey is out to prove herself. JP is the oldest of the team, but can still be one of the kids. Even Koichi seems like a glorified remix of the Ichijoji storyline from 02; and that had its own issues as a "sixth ranger" narrative. (Sighs) Guess there's no point delaying the inevitable any longer.

My third top issue is many others' primary one- the shift in dynamic from partnering with Digimon to becoming them. Sure, I'm not the first person to walk out on this anime because of that change or to agree that it wasn't the best idea; but I'd like to try and explain why that is. Honestly, I can see where the idea came from on paper- there are numerous tokusatsu series in Japan that made the idea work. Even in the US, Power Rangers was on the first decade of its run and had made absurd amounts of money. The problem is that after three seasons of a workable anime concept (alongside a variety of manga, video games, toys and other merchandise), it's what I would call a "New Coke" rebrand. Basically, the intent is to entice new customers and excite existing ones; and the opposite happens instead.

The next issue is the story; and especially its pacing. Typically, I can tell what an individual season wants to accomplish over its run. Here, though; I legitimately don't know what the intent of the story is. It seemed all over the place, lacking the focus of entries before and after its release (which would not be seen again until the 2020 reboot of Adventure). Parts they don't breeze through feel utterly glacial. That includes the infamous ending stretch of the series where the heroes suffer a streak of defeats even the Washington Generals would take pity upon. I understand that an occasional defeat does help make a story more interesting; but too many makes it boring and adds to the previous problems I addressed.

However, beyond all these bullet points is arguably the most clearly noticeable issue that encapsulates the previous ones: the lasting effects on the franchise as a whole. After Frontier ended its run, it would be three full years before another attempt was made at a Digimon anime- Savers, later dubbed as Data Squad. Though it too is not without its detractors, I maintain that it's among the better installments and has held up much more than I thought. While a dedicated fanbase remained, the general public never saw the franchise the same way again. That perception still remains even now- no matter what Toei and Bandai Namco try; most general audiences just see it as another brand of monster collector. 

That said, much like Avis; being #2 gives the creators motivation to try harder. Though not every experiment works; they are at least willing to try. I don’t know what to expect from the reveal of a new Frontier project at Digimon Con- whether it's a sequel or a reboot; I just hope it's better than the last attempt.

Above all, my expectations are low for the next content in this anime (whether or not that will be a follow-up or reboot hasn't been made clear); but hopefully they'll be able to avoid and rectify the mistakes they made in the past. There's definitely a low bar to clear, so hopefully I won't have to do a followup whenever it comes out. Given what I've said above, they definitely have an uphill battle on their hands. That is all for now, take care.

Pokémon Horizons (JP) First Impressions.

So, the time has finally come: Pokémon Horizons has begun its run in Japan and I have mixed feelings on the matter. On one hand, it’s not the disaster I was concerned about it being; but on the other, I also don’t have the same enthusiasm for it others do at this stage. I think the best way to explain why would be to talk about the first three episodes of this “new era,” and there will be spoilers as well if you care. I will also try not to mention “you-know-who” as much as possible, and see how this works as both its own thing and an adaptation of the games. So, let’s open this up and get started.

Having seen the first three episodes (the most recent loosely translating to “I’m Sure As Long as I’m with Sprigatito”), there isn’t really that much different from previous incarnations apart from the new leads. I think it’s all right, if others think more highly of it I’m not going to try and dissuade them; but it’s not doing a whole lot for me right now. I may check out the next couple just to be safe; but I think I need a break for the first time since AG nearly 20 years ago. I’m just kind of surprised they aren’t using Florian and Juliana, or other game characters; or making Paldea the main setting.

I also want to make clear that I’m not against reboots, nor am I against the idea of alternating characters in franchises. It’s just that the way this one has been set up isn’t exactly what I had in mind; especially coming off both Sun and Moon and Journeys. I will admit that I do not bear the new cast or their fans any ill will; even if they personally don’t do anything for me.

That’s not to say there isn’t room for improvement; nor anything of value. The animation and music are quite good; and keeping the dual protagonists and globetrotting adventure premise of the previous incarnation are appreciated. All the same, I hope that they flesh the leads out more as time goes on. I found Riko less “reserved” and more needlessly pessimistic. I certainly hope the inner monologues stop before long. Seriously- there’s a moment where she realizes she’s the heroine and I slapped my forehead in disbelief. I may be fine with a degree of doubt in a character when it makes sense, but even though I have concerns about the Rising Volt Tacklers as well; I would have preferred them as leads if you-know-who or characters from the games weren’t an option.

Not only do I know more about Riko and Roy’s trinkets than I do about them; I actually know less about their characters than I do about any previous incarnation of the series at the same point. I’m not as convinced about the characters as others are at this stage, nor do I feel the same way about the characterization as a whole. That said, part of me is hoping more can be done even if we’re in uncharted waters for the series now.

What surprised me the most is that all trepidations aside, this actually works fine as an alternate continuity/AU from the previous seasons. Why the people in charge didn’t just come right out and say so is beyond me.

The success of Pokémon Detective Pikachu, the live-action Sonic movies and the recent animated Super Mario reboot have proven that you can honor the legacy of the source material and make a satisfying adaptation on its own merit: it is possible.

Though the series could go in any direction from here, part of me hopes that the series will find its groove over time. However, given how it’s not the only piece of content we’re getting in the near future (personally more interested in the stop-motion Pokémon Concierge and finally getting Detective Pikachu 2); it’s admittedly got its work cut out. I still will not be formally reviewing any of the series until it gets an English dub; depending on what happens next. That will be all for now, take care.

Updates on Pokémon Detective Pikachu 2 and the 2023 anime.

Hey everyone- I’ve just been handed a couple updates about Pokémon adaptations coming in the near future. One of them I’m eager to see and have been itching to hear more about, the other; much less so. Let’s get to it and open them up.

First, let’s talk about the sequel to “Pokémon Detective Pikachu.” Between the upheaval of the pandemic and the WB Discovery merger (which saw many projects infamously shelved for tax write-offs); I am thankful to hear the project is still on its way. On top of a new draft to the script being written by Chris Galletta (best known for the indie films “The Kings of Summer” and “Galveston”), a new director is being courted with Jonathan Krisel (co-creator of the hit TV series “Portlandia”). Though the cast has been quiet about reprising their roles (Justice Smith was notably unsure, but also expressed interest in returning); I am very interested to experience the sequel once it releases (as well as the sequel to the game for Nintendo Switch).

On another note, the 2023 anime based on “Pokémon Scarlet and Violet” is set to begin this month in Japan. In addition to new leads Riko and Roy, there are more new characters that include Professor Friede and Captain Pikachu… which should be a good opening to express my feelings on the matter. I once again wonder why they don’t appear to be using characters from the games, since Clavell, Sada and Turo are among my favorite aspects of Generation IX so far. Though I am pleased to see Ceruledge, I’m less certain about its partner, Amethio and the Explorers. Honestly was hoping to see Team Star be used, and I again question the point of the reboot if they aren’t going to adapt the storylines from the games. For everyone who seems open to the idea; there’s a fair amount who are more skeptical. As I have made clear, I fall in the latter camp. We arguably have less information about this anime now than we did about the Advanced Generation nearly 20 years ago. The skeptic in me is concerned about this actually lasting beyond 2023 as they’re claiming (comments made by the producers to me seem like an insurance policy in case things don’t work out). However, the optimist in me is hoping to be proven wrong. That’s a mindset I approach a lot of fiction with these days, and is a reasonable one to have. Seems to be the consensus among other reactions I’ve parsed as well.

I will give the 2023 series the usual litmus test of three episodes (sometimes I do five just to be sure), but beyond that; I have no plans to formally review it. By contrast, “Pokémon Detective Pikachu 2” should be an easy win once it finally is made a reality; and I look forward to telling you more about that. Later.