Film Review: Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning

By J.D.

Digimon is back with another new movie set in the original Adventure continuity: Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning. As the name implies, this movie’s main characters are the Chosen Children (Is that what they’re calling DigiDestined now?) from Digimon Adventure 02.The Chosen Children from the original Digimon Adventure, minus Takeru and Hikari who are also part of the 02 group, are relegated mostly to references and Taichi’s appearances as an expert on Human-Digimon relations on TV a few times.

Contrary to its name, the movie isn’t a prequel or the first of a recap film series but a sequel to the Digimon Adventure tri. series of films and Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna. Despite this status as a sequel, I don’t think knowledge of the tri series and Last Evolution Kizuna are necessary. I only came in with my knowledge of watching the original English dubs of Adventure and 02 and had no trouble following this movie other than having to remind myself of the original Japanese names of the characters. 

The story of the film starts in 2012, ten years after the original series. A DigiTama appears above Tokyo Tower sending out a message that it wants everyone in the world to have a Digimon partner, the world is left wondering what exactly its message could mean. The 02 crew start investigating when they see a young man climbing the tower. After saving his life, they learn his name is Lui and he claims to be the first Chosen Child. He also claims to have killed his partner Digimon and that the DigiTama is calling to him. What follows is a look at the nature of friendships between human and Digimon alike.

©Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation, TOEI

©Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation, TOEI

A lot of this film is spent delving into Lui’s backstory and his status as the first human to have a Digimon partner. His relationship with his former partner Ukkomon is the pivotal relationship of the movie. The voice actor for young Lui very much sells the situations that the character finds himself in and delivers a great performance during the most emotional moments of these flashbacks. All other relationships are static throughout the movie. The other characters themselves also feel that way and I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. They have the right mix of childish and mature, even Daisuke. They feel like people who have figured out their place in the world and are fine staying there. I’m about a decade older than they are and envy that greatly.

I also have some bad news if you were hoping for an action-packed movie. Barring the final act, this movie is mostly the 02 Crew and Lui talking. While the film budget allows for the fighting to look as good as it’s probably ever been, in terms of actual time, it might not be that much more than seen in a regular 30-minute episode. Despite this, the movie never seems to drag on and by the time it’s over, just about everything has been wrapped up nicely with just an unanswered question or two and interesting developments in Human-Digimon relations that could be explored if more films are ever made.  

The art direction keeps the style from tri with its softer character designs. I don’t mind them. It’s cool to see characters I still recognize from my childhood twenty years ago (Wow. I’m starting to feel old) but now they’re slightly more grown up. The music was nice with the start of the third act being the most memorable for me. I don’t really have much more to say about that.

©Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation, TOEI

©Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation, TOEI

In conclusion, I’m sure a certain percentage of the audience will have a problem with a sequel film focusing on a new character who brings big retcons to the franchise’s history but for those willing to take this ride, this is an emotional tale of friendship for Digimon fans new and old.

​You can catch Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning in US theaters on November 8-9 from Toei Animation and Fathom Events. Links to the Fathom Events page, and trailers for both the subbed and dubbed version, can be found below.

Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning Fathom Events Page:
https://www.fathomevents.com/events/digimon-adventure-02-the-beginning/

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Rating: B+

+ A great look at the relationships between humans and Digimon.
+ Great music.

- Big retcons and other changes might be difficult for some to swallow.

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