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Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)

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This article is about the anime. For the video game, see Digimon Adventure (video game).
Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)
Cover of the U.S DVD box-set.
デジモンアドベンチャー
(Dejimon Adobenchā)
GenreAdventure[1]
Anime film
Directed byMamoru Hosoda
Written byReiko Yoshida
Music byTakanori Arisawa
StudioToei Animation
ReleasedMarch 6, 1999
Runtime20 minutes
Anime television series
Directed byHiroyuki Kakudō
Produced byKeisuke Okuda
Written bySatoru Nishizono
Music byTakanori Arisawa
StudioToei Animation
Licensed by
Original networkFuji TV
English network
Original run March 7, 1999 – March 26, 2000
Episodes54 (List of episodes)
Anime film
Our War Game!
Directed byMamoru Hosoda
Written byReiko Yoshida
Music byTakanori Arisawa
StudioToei Animation
ReleasedMarch 4, 2000
Runtime40 minutes
Anime film
Digimon: The Movie
Directed byMamoru Hosoda
Produced byTerri-Lei O'Malley
Written byBob Buchholz
Jeff Nimoy
Music byUdi Harpaz
Amotz Plassner
StudioFox Kids
Toei Animation
Saban Entertainment
ReleasedOctober 6, 2000
Runtime97 minutes
Anime film
Digimon Adventure 3D:
Digimon Grand Prix!
StudioToei Animation
ReleasedOctober 3, 2009
Runtime7 minutes
Video game
DeveloperPrope
PublisherNamco Bandai Games
GenreRPG
PlatformPlayStation Portable
Released
  • JP: January 17, 2013
Related works

Sequels:

Spin-offs:

Digimon Adventure (デジモンアドベンチャー, Dejimon Adobenchā), known as Digimon: Digital Monsters (Season 1)[3] in English-speaking territories, is a Japanese anime television series created by Akiyoshi Hongo, and produced by Toei Animation in cooperation with WiZ, Bandai and Fuji Television. It is the first anime installment in the Digimon media franchise, based on the virtual pet of the same name. The series aired in Japan from March 7, 1999 to March 26, 2000. It follows a group of children and their partners attempting to save both worlds from evil, after arriving in the "Digital World" for the first time.

An English-language version produced by Saban Entertainment aired in North America between August 1999 and June 2000. A video game adaptation of the series by Prope was released for PlayStation Portable on January 17, 2013. The series was followed by Digimon Adventure 02, which takes place a few years after the events of Adventure. For the series' 15th anniversary, a series of films taking place a few years after the events of Adventure 02, titled Digimon Adventure tri., was released from 2015 to 2018.

Plot and characters

See also: List of Digimon Adventure characters

On August 1, 1999, seven children are transported into the Digital World by Digivices that appeared before them at summer camp, where they befriend several Digimon (Digital Monsters). The children's Digivices[a] allow their partner Digimon to Digivolve[b] into stronger forms and combat enemies. As the children explore to find a way home, they learn that they are "DigiDestined", chosen children selected to save the Digital World.

After defeating Devimon, the DigiDestined are contacted by Gennai, who tells them to travel to the Server Continent in order to retrieve artifacts called Crests, which allows their Digimon partners to Digivolve past their current level. Once Etemon, who is also after the Crests, is defeated, the DigiDestined are tormented by Myotismon, who attempts to prevent them from using the power of their Crests. Myotismon is also searching for the eighth DigiDestined in the human world, who they later learn to be Kari, Tai's sister. When Myotismon reveals his true form, Agumon and Gabumon achieve Mega forms through Warp Digivolution[c] in order to defeat him.

When the boundaries between the human and Digital Worlds begin to intersect, the DigiDestined return to the Digital World to face the Dark Masters, who have each taken control of a part of the Digital World. In the midst of their battles, they learn that they were chosen to save the human and Digital Worlds from encountering Digimon in the human world four years ago. However, tension leads them to infighting in the group and causes them to temporarily separate. After reflecting, the DigiDestined reunite to defeat Piedmon, the last Dark Master, and confront Apocalymon, who attempts to destroy both worlds. Apocalymon destroys their Crests, but the DigiDestined realize the power of their Crests were inside them all along and use them to defeat him. With the Digital World restored, Tai and his friends leave their Digimon partners behind and return to their normal lives.

Development

In 1999, a short film based on the virtual pets called Digimon Adventure was released. However, shortly after the film's storyboard was completed in 1998, producers at Toei Animation were requested to turn it into a television series.

The DigiDestined's character designs were created by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru. The staff had decided to name the characters based on kanji that related to luck.[9] For the original Japanese version of Digimon Adventure, all music was composed by Takanori Arisawa. In addition to composing original music for Digimon Adventure, Arisawa has also recycled and made remixed versions of several music tracks from Sailor Moon Sailor Stars.[citation needed]

Media

Anime

Main article: List of Digimon Adventure episodes

Digimon Adventure was produced by Toei Animation and ran for 54 episodes on Fuji TV in Japan between March 7, 1999 and March 26, 2000. The main opening theme for all episodes aired in Japan is "Butter-Fly" by Kōji Wada, which peaked at #47 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart.[10] "I Wish" by AiM is used as the ending theme from episodes 1-26,[11] while "Keep On", AiM's 5th single, served as the ending theme from episodes 27-54.[12] The series also uses three insert songs: "Brave Heart" by Ayumi Miyazaki as the Digivolution theme,[13] "Seven" by Kōji Wada,[14] and "Yūki o Tsubasa ni Shite" (勇気を翼にして) by Toshiko Fujita, Tai's voice actress.[15] On August 1, 2014, during the series' 15th anniversary, a Blu-ray Disc box of the original series was announced and set for release in Japan on March 15, 2015.[16]

Saban Entertainment licensed the series in North America and produced an English-language version under the title Digimon: Digital Monsters, which aired on Fox Kids Network between August 14, 1999 and June 24, 2000. The English version featured an original soundtrack and made changes to character names, as well as edits pertaining to certain aspects such as violence to make the series more suitable for younger audiences. Wendee Lee, Michael Sorich and David Walsh became the voice directors. The original soundtrack of the show was replaced by music composed by Udi Harpaz[17] and Shuki Levy,[18][19] which recycled several music soundtracks from Starcom: The U.S. Space Force, Princess Sissi, Masked Rider and Spider-Man: The Animated Series.[citation needed] The opening theme for all episodes is "Digimon Theme" by Paul Gordon.[20] "Hey Digimon" by Gordon, an insert song featured in the show, and was released on the original soundtrack of Digimon: The Movie along with "Digimon Theme."[20][21]

The series was released on DVD by Twentieth Century Fox (Saban's parent company) in 2000 and by Buena Vista Home Entertainment in 2002. A complete DVD boxset of the English dub was released by New Video Group on October 9, 2012 in the U.S[22] and was released by Madman Entertainment on June 18, 2014 in Australia.[23]

Digimon Adventure was added to the Netflix Instant Streaming service along with Digimon Adventure 02 from August 3, 2013 to August 1, 2015 in separate English dubbed and Japanese subtitled versions.[citation needed] Crunchyroll acquired streaming rights to the English dubbed versions, while Funimation acquired rights to the English subtitled versions. The English dubbed version of Adventure briefly returned to Netflix while the English subtitled version is now exclusive to Funimation.[citation needed]

Films

Main articles: List of Digimon films and Digimon: The Movie

Several short films based on the series were released in theaters in Japan. Digimon Adventure (デジモンアドベンチャー, Dejimon Adobenchā) was originally released on March 6, 1999. The story focuses on Tai and Kari finding a Digi-egg from their computer, which hatches and quickly Digivolves into Greymon, culminating in a battle with Parrotmon. The film grossed ¥650 million.[24]

Digimon Adventure: Children's War Game! (デジモンアドベンチャー ぼくらのウォーゲーム!, Dejimon Adobenchā: Bokura no Wō Gēmu!)[25] was originally released on March 4, 2000. In the film, Tai and Izzy find a virus Digimon who Digivolves into Diaboromon, resulting in him infecting the Internet and launches nuclear missiles towards their home. The film introduces DNA Digivolution through Omnimon. The film's ending theme song is "'Haru' Ichōchō" (「春」イ長調) by AiM.[26] The film grossed ¥2.166 billion.[27] Children's War Game! later served as the inspiration for director Mamoru Hosoda's film Summer Wars.[28]

The two short films were combined with Digimon Adventure 02: Part 1: Digimon Hurricane Landing!! / Part 2: Transcendent Evolution!! The Golden Digimentals and was released as Digimon: The Movie in North America on October 6, 2000. Digimon: The Movie was altered from the original script to remove "culturally awkward" Japanese elements and introduced jokes suitable for a North American audience.[29] Originally, scriptwriter Jeff Nimoy wanted to combine Digimon Adventure and Children's War Game! while releasing Digimon Hurricane Landing/Transcendent Evolution!! The Golden Digimentals as a direct-to-television movie, but the idea was overruled. In order to connect the film's stories, the script was rewritten to include Willis involved in Diaboromon's creation.[30]

Digimon Adventure 3D: Digimon Grand Prix! (デジモンアドベンチャー3D デジモングランプリ!, Dejimon Adobenchā: Dejimon Guran Puri), a stereoscopic 3D short film, was shown at Toei Animation Festival on October 3, 2009 and was later included on a set of DVD works released on February 21, 2010.

Manga and comics

Digimon: Digital Monsters
File:Digimon Dark Horse.jpg
Cover of issue #1
Publication information
PublisherDark Horse Comics
Schedulemonthly
FormatLimited series
GenreComedy-drama, Fantasy
Publication dateMay 2000 – November 2000
No. of issues12[31]
Creative team
Written byDaniel Horn, Ryan Hill
Artist(s)Daniel Horn, Cara L. Niece
Colorist(s)Zachary

A manga adaptation illustrated by Yu Yuen Wong was published in five volumes. Tokyopop published the series in English. In North America, a comic book adaptation of the Devimon arc was published by Dark Horse Comics between May and November 2000.

Light novels

Hiro Masaki, one of the screenwriters of Digimon Adventure, co-wrote a novelization of Digimon Adventure with series director Hiroyuki Kakudō.[32] The light novels were separated into three parts.

Drama CDs

A series of mini-drama CDs were released throughout the run of Digimon Adventure and included supplementary audio dramas. In addition to this, character image songs for the main DigiDestined were included.

  1. Digimon Adventure: Character Song + Mini Drama 1 (デジモンアドベンチャーキャラクターソング＋ミニドラマ(1), Dejimon Adobenchā Kyarakutā Songu + Min Dorama 1), was released on November 5, 1999 and is centered on Tai, Sora, and Joe.[33]
  2. Digimon Adventure: Character Song + Mini Drama 2 (デジモンアドベンチャーキャラクターソング＋ミニドラマ(2), Dejimon Adobenchā Kyarakutā Songu + Min Dorama 2), was released on December 3, 1999 and is centered on Izzy, Mimi, and Kari.[34]
  3. Digimon Adventure: Character Song + Mini Drama 3 (デジモンアドベンチャーキャラクターソング＋ミニドラマ(3), Dejimon Adobenchā Kyarakutā Songu + Min Dorama 3), was released on January 7, 2000 and is centered on Matt and T.K.[35]
  4. A full-length drama CD, Digimon Adventure: Original Story: Two-and-a-Half Years (デジモンアドベンチャー オリジナルストーリー 2年半の休暇, Dejimon Adobenchā: Orijinaru Sutōrī: 2-nen-han no Kyūka) was released on April 23, 2003 and follows the lives of Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Mimi, and Joe in the two-and-a-half year period before Digimon Adventure 02.[36]

Video games

See also: List of Digimon video games and Digimon Adventure (video game)

Characters and Digimon from Adventure appear throughout many video games based on the franchise, such as Digimon Rumble Arena.

An RPG based on the original storyline of Adventure developed by Prope and published by Namco Bandai Games, also title Digimon Adventure, was released for the PlayStation Portable on January 17, 2013, part of the line-up of video games of the 15th anniversary celebration of the franchise.[37][38] The game covers the entire series as well as the second Japanese film, Bokura no War Game, and sees the return of all the main voice actors.[39] The game also features original story elements and an unlockable dungeon mode featuring the protagonists of the other anime series in the franchise.[40]

Reception

On its initial release,[41] the series found a rather large success in the United States.

Initially, many American viewers were quick to dismiss Digimon as a Pokémon rip-off meant to cash in on that show's success. However, audiences eventually noticed that compared to Pokémon, the characters interacted and developed realistically, as well as the integration of more complicated science fiction stories and societal themes. The English dub gradually improved as well, making fewer and fewer alterations to the Japanese original by later episodes. As a result, many young viewers quickly outgrew Pokémon and migrated to Digimon instead.[42]

On Anime News Network, Luke Carroll gave the Digimon: Digital Monsters - Collection 2 DVD an overall grade of D+.[43]

Notes

  1. ^ A Digivice (デジヴァイス, Dejivaisu), based on Bandai's Digital Monster virtual pet toy,[4] is a digital device that the DigiDestined use to enter the Digital World and help their Digimon partners Digivolve.
  2. ^ Digivolution (進化, Shinka) is the process by which a Digimon evolves into a higher-leveled, more powerful form.[5][6][7]
  3. ^ Warp Digivolution (ワープ進化, Wāpu Shinka) is a type of Digivolution that allows a Digimon to skip levels to reach a higher stage.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Digimon: Digital Monsters Season 1 Collection". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Lazarus, George (March 8, 2000). "Digesting Latest Promotion For Kids: Digimon". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2010-09-03.
  3. ^ "Digimon: Digital Monsters Episode Guide". Fox Family Properties. Archived from the original on 2001-06-15. Retrieved 2018-11-02. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ Nick Valdez (2018-04-30). "'Digimon' Fans Can Now Get Their Own Digivice". Comicbook.com. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  5. ^ "Publisher description for Digimon World: Prima's Official Strategy Guide / Elizabeth M. Hollinger". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  6. ^ "Digital Monsters Take Over the World as Bandai America Unveils its Fall Digimon Toy Line". Anime News Network. 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  7. ^ "DIGIVOLVING SPIRITS デジモン超進化魂 スペシャルページ 魂ウェブ". Bandai (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  8. ^ "『デジモンアドベンチャー』ウォーグレイモンがパートナー・八神太一とともに力強い姿でメガハウスからフィギュア化！". Dengeki (in Japanese). 2018-02-15. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  9. ^ "Memories of Our Digimon Adventure, Part 6". Digital Scratch. Archived from the original on 2011-10-11. Retrieved 2016-10-18. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 2010-10-11 suggested (help)
  10. ^ "Butter-Fly". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  11. ^ "I wish". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-11-01.
  12. ^ "keep on". Feel Mee. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  13. ^ "brave heart". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  14. ^ "デジモンアドベンチャー・シングルヒットパレード". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  15. ^ "新垣結衣さん出演作も！デジモンアニメシリーズを初代から映画tri.最新作まで総まとめ". Animate (in Japanese). 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  16. ^ "Digimon Adventure Anime Returns Next Spring in High School Sequel - News". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
  17. ^ "Udi Harpaz: Composer - Projects". Udi Harpaz. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2018-11-04. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Digimon Series – Shuki Levy". Shuki Levy. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  19. ^ Adrian Mackinder (2015-10-05). "Shuki Levy: The Soundtrack to a Generation". Den of Geek!. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  20. ^ a b Karen Ressler (2016-02-19). "Digimon, Transformers: Robots in Disguise Musician Paul Gordon Passes Away". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
  21. ^ "Digimon: The Movie-soundtrack". Fox Family Properties. Archived from the original on 2000-10-17. Retrieved 2018-10-31. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "New Video Group to Release Digimon Adventure Season 1 on DVD". Anime News Network. 2012-08-02. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  23. ^ "Digimon: Digital Monsters Season 1 Collection". Madman.com.au. 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  24. ^ "キネマ旬報ベスト・テン85回全史 1924-2011". Kinema Junpo (in Japanese). Japan: Kinema-Junposha.Co.Ltd. 2012-05-17. p. 586. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  25. ^ "「デジモンアドベンチャー ぼくらのウォーゲーム！」がYouTubeで配信中　4月16日までの期間限定". ITmedia [ja] (in Japanese). 2018-03-22. Retrieved 2018-10-08.
  26. ^ "「春」イ長調". Oricon (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  27. ^ "キネマ旬報ベスト・テン85回全史 1924-2011". Kinema Junpo (in Japanese). Japan: Kinema-Junposha.Co.Ltd. 2012-05-17. p. 600. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  28. ^ Osmond, Andrew (March 2011). "Our War Game!". Neo (82): 12.
  29. ^ Lacey, Liam (2000). "Digiconfusion from a parallel universe". The Globe and Mail.
  30. ^ Chris McFeely (2005). "Retrospective with Jeff Nimoy". Retrieved December 27, 2010.
  31. ^ "Digimon" DarkHorse.com
  32. ^ Kakudou, Hiroyuki; Hiro Masaki (2001). Shōsetsu Digimon Adventure: Ima Bōken ga Hajimaru. Tokyo: Shueisha. p. 260. ISBN 978-4-08-630029-2.
  33. ^ "デジモンアドベンチャーキャラクターソング＋ミニドラマ(1)". Feel Mee. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  34. ^ "デジモンアドベンチャーキャラクターソング＋ミニドラマ(2)". Feel Mee. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  35. ^ "デジモンアドベンチャーキャラクターソング＋ミニドラマ(3)". Feel Mee. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  36. ^ "デジモンアドベンチャー オリジナルストーリー 2年半の休暇". Feel Mee. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
  37. ^ "Sonic Creator's Prope Studio Develops Digimon Adventure RPG". Anime News Network. 2012-08-22. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  38. ^ Gil, Andrea (2012-10-19). "Prope's Digimon Adventure finally got a release date". TSSZ News. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  39. ^ "Digimon Adventure PSP to Cover All Episodes, 2nd Film". Anime News Network. 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  40. ^ "Digimon Adventure PSP Game's 4-Minute Promo Streamed". Anime News Network. 2012-11-19. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  41. ^ "Digimon Adventure: Volume 1 : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video". DVD Talk. Retrieved 2015-05-29.
  42. ^ Camp, Brian and Julie Davis. Anime Classics Zettai!: 100 Must-See Japanese Animation Masterpieces. 2007. p.106.
  43. ^ Luke Carroll (February 12, 2012). "Digimon: Digital Monsters - Collection 2 DVD". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
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