Digimon Savers is a Japanese anime television series, and the fifth series produced as part of the Digimon franchise. It is currently in production by Toei Animation, and airing every Sunday at 9:00 AM on the Fuji TV network. In addition, a tie-in movie called Ultimate Power! Burst Mode Invoke! was released on December 9, 2006. [2] Savers is the first Digimon program to be produced in three years, following 2003s Digimon Frontier. With a change on character designs and a more elaborate storyline, this season is considered by some people to be focused on a wider audience than previous seasons have been.
Digimon Data Squad | |
File:Digimon bangumi.jpg Digimon Savers | |
Genre | Action, Adventure, Shonen |
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Anime | |
Directed by | Naoyuki Itou |
Studio | Toei Animation |
Related works | |
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The Digivice used in this series is the "Digivice iC", and its upgraded version, the "Digivice Burst". Some antagonists also are humans possessing a different kind of Digivice yet unnamed.
It has been reported that Bandai will bring Digimon Savers to the U.S. in the summer of 2007. The movie is also confirmed.[1]
Plot summary
A fourteen year old boy, Masaru Daimon, an undefeated street fighter, meets Agumon, who has escaped from DATS, a secret government organization set up to defend the human world from invading wild Digimon. After fighting each other, the two quickly become friends, and through a series of events, are inducted into DATS, where they hope to grow in strength.
Masaru's team-mates include Tohma H. Norstein, a young prodigy, with his partner Gaomon, and Yoshino Fujieda who has Lalamon for partner. As the series progresses, Touma discovers that Digimon respond to the "darkness" in humans, putting them at odds with monsters who seek to use humanity's own vices to bolster their own power.
The plot thickens with the introduction of Mercurimon, one of the rulers of the Digital World, and the human boy Ikuto, who serves him along his partner Falcomon. The DATS team tried to unfold the reason for their hatred of humankind, until is revealed that the real enemy was Akihiro Kurata, a scientist who led an attack on the Digital World years before that resulted in the death of many Digimon, including Ikuto's adoptive mother Frigimon.
Kurata counted with the support of the Japanese government and important businessmen like Tohma's father on his plan to destroy all Digimon in the Digital World, claiming they were a threat to mankind. But this was only a facade to occult his main objective. To harness the energy of the Digimon he destroyed to power-up Belphemon, one of the The Seven Great Demon Lords and use it to conquer the Human World, but his ambitions were shattered by the efforts of Masaru and his allies.
Episodes
Characters
Main characters
Character | Seiyuu | Digimon | Seiyuu | |
---|---|---|---|---|
File:Masaruagumon.jpg | Masaru Daimon Daimon Masaru (大門 マサル) |
Soichiro Hoshi | Agumon | Taiki Matsuno |
The main character of the series, Masaru is the son of the researcher, Suguru Daimon, who disappeared into the mysterious realm known as the Digital World almost 10 years ago. Loud and outspoken, Masaru calls himself "the number one street fighter in Japan." After encountering Agumon, he becomes the Digimon's partner after receiving a Digivice from the mysterious old man, Hiroshi Yushima. Masaru and Agumon later become members of DATS in order to face stronger and stronger opponents. As the series progresses, though, he finds much more to fight for. | ||||
File:Tohma gaomon.jpg | Tohma H. Norstein Tōma H Norushutain (トーマ・H・ノルシュタイン) |
Hirofumi Nojima | Gaomon | Kazuya Nakai |
Tohma H. Norstein is a half-Austrian, half-Japanese young man, and a child prodigy. An Olympic-level boxer and a genius scholarly and tactically, he is a vital member of the DATS team. When Masaru joined DATS, Tohma was away in Europe, and when they finally met, they were at odds. However, they overcame their difficulties, and have since become steady team-mates. Gaomon is Tohma's loyal digimon partner, and is a focused and serious-minded warrior. | ||||
File:YoshinoLalamon.jpg | Yoshino Fujieda Fujieda Yoshino (藤枝 ヨシノ) |
Yui Aragaki | Lalamon | Yukana Nogami |
Yoshino is the third member of the core team, as well as the oldest. She and her partner Lalamon have been partners for many years. Though not initially as strong as Masaru or Touma, Yoshino has more than enough skill at her job. She suffered from self doubt due to experiences in her childhood, but with Lalamon, was able to overcome them. | ||||
File:Ikutofalcomon.jpg | Ikuto Noguchi Noguchi Ikuto (野口 イクト) |
Rie Kugimiya | Falcomon | Chie Kojiro |
Ikuto is a mysterious boy who, years before the start of the series, was lost in an accident involving a Digital Gate. Ikuto was raised by a digimon called Yukidarumon (known as Frigimon in English), whom was killed in a massacre orchestrated by a man named Akihiro Kurata. A servant of Mercurimon, Ikuto eventually hated all humans, but began to change his opinion as he learned his true origins. Falcomon is his partner and childhood friend, who does his best to help Ikuto as he comes to grips with his humanity. | ||||
Supporting Cast
DATS
- Chief Hiroshi Yushima: Hiroshi Yushima is the chief officer of DATS, but for a time, he appeared simply as a street-wandering old man that appeared to aid Masaru and give him critical advice. His Digimon partner is Kamemon.
- Captain Rentarou Satsuma: Satsuma is Masaru and the others' commander, who oversees most of the activities of the Japanese branch of DATS. His Digimon partner is Kudamon.
- Miki Kurosaki and Megumi Shirokawa: The two DATS computer operators. They are partners with the two PawnChessmon, and primarily aid the team from the control room.
Allies (Humans)
- Chief Hashiba: Hashiba is a representative from the Japanese Confindentiality Ministry, whose responsibility is to over-see DATS.
- Sayuri Daimon (Daimon Sayuri): Sayuri is Masaru and Chika's mother, as well as Suguru Daimon's wife. A kind and caring woman, she often does whatever she can to support her children.
- Chika Daimon (Daimon Chika): Chika is Masaru's sister. Though she at first is only a spectator to many of the events involving Digimon, she becomes personally involved after becoming friends with a Digimon named Biyomon.
- Relena Norstein (Ririna Norstein): Tohma's sister. She is handicapped due to an illness. She is well aware of the existence of Digimon.
- Professor Kenji Noguchi (Noguchi Kenji-Hakase): Ikuto's birth father.
- Misuzu Noguchi (Noguchi Misuzu): Ikuto's birth mother.
- Yuka Noguchi (Noguchi Yuka): Ikuto's baby sister.
- Rizumu (Rhythm): A new character in the new movie.
Allies (Digimon)
- Mercurimon (12-25): A powerful Digimon in the Digital World, who comes into conflict with humanity and DATS. He plays an important role in Ikuto's history as well as most of the events in the series. Killed by Gizmon AT/XT.
- Cherrymon (Jureimon): A neutral Digimon, Cherrymon is the protector of the forest. He helped Masaru and his friends by showing where Mercurimon's lair is. Masaru and the others, on their second trip to the Digital World, helped in protecting Cherrymon and the refugee Digimon that escaped Kurata's attacks from the Bio-Hybrids.
- Frigimon (Yukidarumon) (16, 20, 24, 39 (flashbacks)): The adopted Digimon mother of Ikuto. Killed by Gizmon.
- BantyoLeomon (Banchōreomon): A rogue Digimon who comes in contact with the group during their adventures in Digital World, who seems to know more than he lets on. It is very likely that he has some kind of connection with Suguru Daimon.
- ElDoradimon (30-33): Holds the Holy Capital on its back. Killed by the Gizmon Javelin.
- Baronmon (Baromon) (30-33): Lord of the Holy Capital on ElDoradimon. Killed by Gizmon XT.
Villains
- Belphemon Rage Mode (36-38): One of the Seven Great Demon Lords. Kurata fused with Belphemon so he could change from his Sleep into his Rage Mode. Killed by the combined efforts of Masaru and ShineGreymon Burst Mode.
- Belphemon Sleep Mode (25-36): Kurata found Belphemon's Digiegg and planned to revive him with the data of deleted Digimon.
- Professor Akihiro Kurata (Kurata Akihiro-Hasake) (21-36, 38-): Arguably the main villain of the series, Kurata is a human who participated in the expedition to the Digital World and developed a hatred of Digimon. His motives now seem to involve their extermination. When Belphemon was revived, Kurata turned himself into DigiSoul in order to Belphemon change from Sleep Mode to Rage Mode. Kurata is separated from Belphemon before he is deleted, and he disappears.
- Bio-Hybrids (26-33): Three humans under the command of Kurata, with the ability to transform themselves into Digimon.
- Nanami / BioCoatlmon / BioLotusmon (26-31): Only female of the group, and a genius strategist like Touma. Defeated by MirageGaogamon.
- Ivan / BioStegomon / BioSpinomon (26-32): Strongman of the group from Russia. Works with Kurata just to earn money for his family. Defeated by Rosemon.
- Kouki / BioThunderbirmon / BioDarkdramon (26-33): The vicious leader of the group, is easily provoked like Masaru, and his greatest desire is to defeat him. Defeated by ShineGreymon.
- Gizmon (22-): Kurata's own creation. It has the ability to delete Digimon, destroying them forever. Gizmon can pseudo-evolve into Gizmon AT and into Gizmon XT. A whole lot of Gizmon XT can merge with a missile which Kurata dubbed the Gizmon Javelin.
- Bio-Hybrids (26-33): Three humans under the command of Kurata, with the ability to transform themselves into Digimon.
- Gotsumon (12-23, 41?-) / Meteormon (Insekimon) (23): Servant of Mercurimon, rode on Yanmamon. Hated humans more than Mercurimon, and tried to get rid of Ikuto on several occasions. Secretly made an alliance with SaberLeomon. Killed by RiseGreymon, although he may return in future episodes.
- SaberLeomon (Sāberureomon) (20-22): Attacked Satsuma and Suguru's group ten years ago. Attacked the real world with an army of Pteramon and Boarmon. Killed by RiseGreymon, with some unwanted help from Gizmon AT.
- Argomon (Algomon) (Movie): Villain of the new Digimon movie.
Future Characters
- Professor Suguru Daimon (Daimon Suguru-Hakase): Masaru and Chika's father, who disappeared on the expedition to the Digital World years before the start of the series. Part of the group's current aims are to find him.
- Yggdrasil (Igudorashiru) (39-): The supposed "god" of the Digital World. Professor Suguru Daimon has been searching for him ever since he first met Mercurimon ten years prior to the series. After Kurata's onslaught on the Digital World, Yggdrasil decides to destroy the Human World to avoid further conflicts.
- The Royal Knights (39-): Yggdrasil's personal guard, with the duty to protect him from Masaru's group.
- Alphamon: Leader of the Royal Knights, has possession of the "Alpha-Gain-Force".
- Omnimon (Omegamon): Alphamon's second-in-command.
- Magnamon
- Gallantmon (Dukemon) (40-)
- Dynasmon (40-): Known as the "Passionate Warrior".
- Crusadermon (RhodoKnightmon): Known as the "Indifferent Warrior".
- Craniummon (39-): Yggdrasil first speaks to Craniummon.
- Sleipmon: Protector of the ice layer of the Digital World.
- UlforceVeedramon (AlforceV-dramon): Said to be the fastest of the Royal Knights.
Movie: Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode
The movie centres around an evil Digimon, called Argomon, who is attempting to put humans into an eternal sleep. A new character, Rhythm will appear to help the Digimon save their human partners by infiltrating the villain's castle. The movie also boasts the first appearance of ShineGreymon Burst Mode [3].
Video Games
As it is part of a resurgence of the Digimon franchise, Digimon Savers has a number of related video games associated with it.
- Digimon World DS: A game featuring several Digimon Savers characters, but does not focus on them. It can arguably be seen as a side-story to Digimon Savers, but may be out of continuity with the rest of the series. Digimon World DS is the only Savers-related media to be, thus far, released in the United States.
- Digimon Savers: Another Mission: A game focusing on the primary characters of the series, and which presents an original story that apparently runs parallel to the anime. It involves the members of DATS coming into conflict with the Seven Great Demon Lords.
Series Concepts
Digi-Soul
An important concept in the series is the Digi-Soul, the main medium by which the humans in the series evolve their Digimon. Essentially, it is some kind of energy aura that allows a Digimon to grow stronger, and is tied into a human's emotions.
The Digi-Soul usually manifests as a glowing aura around the user's hand, which is then channeled through the Digivice with the command of "Digi Soul Charge". A stronger version is the so-called Full Charge, which erupts around the entire body. Overdrive is the term used to allows the Digimon to evolve into their Mega (Ultimate) form.
Digivice
The digivice is the primary tool used by any human with a Digimon partner. The primary Digivice used by the characters in the series is the Digivice iC.[2]It is used for multiple purposes, the most important of which is the channeling of the human's Digi-Soul, which allows for the Digimon to digivolve (evolve). It can also "store" a partner inside of it, and released back in the world with the command of "realize." Different digivices are also used by the series' villains.
Later on, the Digivice is upgraded into the Digivice Burst, which can channel the full power of the Digi-Soul and activate Mega (Ultimate) digivolution. It also reportedly has another ability called the Air Signal, which can be used to activate Burst Mode.
DATS (Digital Accident Tactics Squad)
DATS is an organization dedicated to keeping the peace between the human and Digital Worlds, by stopping any Digimon that appears in the real world, and returning it to the Digital World in the form of a Digi-Egg (digitama). DATS is apparently a worldwide organization, as Tohma was known to visit the European branch prior to episode three. It is unknown if there is an American branch, or one elsewhere, but the majority of Digimon activity occurs in Japan. The Japanese branch, at least, falls under the direct jurisdiction of Japan's Confidentiality Ministry. Template:Spoiler Due to the manipulation of Akihiro Kurata, the core team of DATS operatives in Japan was dissolved, and the building that housed DATS was annihilated. It is unknown if the organization still exists in some other capacity, or if it will be reinstated - one could argue that Kurata officially oversees the activities of DATS in its current state, but the DATS headquarters was also destroyed by Kurata, who spoke as if all of DATS no longer existed.
Digital World
The Digital World is the otherworldly realm, which as it is in other series, formed due to the growing worldwide digital network. Though we have only seen a part of it in the series, locations include a forest ruled over by Cherrymon, and the Infinity Ice Ridge, the ruling place of Mercurimon. The Digital World is connected to the real world by way of Digital Gates, most of which open incidentally. For some reason, the barrier between both worlds is breaking down. Finally, as stated by Mercurimon, a sort of omnipresent "god" of the Digital World exists, known as Yggdrasil.
Credits
Cast (Japan)
- Commander Rentarou Satsuma: Taiten Kusunoki
- Kudamon: Nanaho Katsuragi
- Officer Shirokawa: Yukiko Hanioka
- Officer Kurosaki: Ai Nagano
- Sayuri Daimon: Mariko Kouda
- Chika Daimon: Kokoro Kikuchi
- Piyomon: Haruhi Terada (12-13)
- Hiroshi Yushima: Yuuichi Nagashima
- Kamemon: Naozumi Takahashi
- Mercurimon: Kousei Hirota
- Takashi: Rieko Yoshimoto (2)
- Drimogemon (4-5). Mr. Hashiguchi (7), Chief Hashiba (13): Satoshi Tsuruoka
- BomberNanimon: Akimasa Haraguchi (7)
- Neon Hanamura: Tomokazu Seki (8)
- Hayase Tsubasa: Isshin Chiba (9)
- Gotsumon / Insekimon: Ken Maeda
- Jureimon: Masafumi Kimura (14)
- MetalPhantomon: Ken Yamaguchi (15)
- Dokugumon: Gou Shinomiya
- Blossomon: Tetsuharu Ohta (16)
- Yukidarumon: Tomoko Ohtsuka (16)
- Kouki / BioThunderbirmon / BioDarkdramon: KENN
- Nanami / BioCoatlmon / BioLotusmon: Ryoko Ono
- Ivan / BioStegomon / BioSpinomon: Takanori Hoshino
Staff (series)
- Original Concept: Akiyoshi Hongo
- Serialization: V. Jump (Shuueisha)
- Series Director: Naoyuki Itou
- CG Director: Kouichi Noguchi
- Chief Animation Director: Akihiro Asanuma
- Animation Directors: Akihiro Asanuma, Yoshitaka Yajima, Toshio Deguchi, Satoko Itou, Ken Ueno, Shigetaka Kiyoyama, Setsuko Nobuzane, Kinhiro Takeda, Sayo Aoi, Kumi Nakajou
- Art Directors: Yoshito Watanabe, Tetsuhiro Shimizu, Ken Tokushige, Shigekata Toku
- Chief Art Director: Yoshito Watanabe
- Art Advance: Honma Ochimu
- Character Design: Sayo Aoi
- Color Key: Yasue Itasaka
- Music: Keiichi Oku
- Scenario/Script/Screenplay: Ryouta Yamaguchi, Michiko Yokote, Meihiko Inari, Akatsuki Yamatoya, Kenichi Yamada
- Editing: Kouichi Katagiri
- Series Composition: Ryota Yamaguchi
- Episode Direction: Naoyuki Itou, Toshinori Fukazawa, Kenyo Sasaki, Tooru Yamada, Yutaka Tsuchita, Morinama Hatano, Sachihiko Nakao, Tetsuo Imazawa, Hidehiko Kadota, Makoto Sonoda
- Production Manager: Shousuke Okada
- CG Producer: Takeshi Himi
- Producers: Koji Kaneda(TV Fuji), Atsuya Takase(TV Fuji), Shinichi Ikeda, Atsutoshi Umezawa, Hiroaki Shibata
- Digital Coloring: TAP, M.S.J. Bushuku Notoge Sakusho, Kagura, Studio Okyattsu
- Online Editing: TOVIC
- Sound Studio: Tabakku
- Design Cooperation: VIZ
- CG Production Cooperation: Office Purion
- Music Cooperation: Index Music, Fuji Pacific Music Publication, Toei Animation Music Publication
- Production Cooperation: Toei
- Production by: TV Fuji, Yomiuri Koukokusha, Toei Animation
Staff (movie)
- Director: Tatsuya Nagamine
- Animation Director: Tadayoshi Yamamuro
- Art Director: Yoshito Watanabe
- Screenplay: Ryouta Yamaguchi
- Animation Production: Toei Animation
Theme songs
Opening Theme #1: Gou-ing! Going! My Soul!!
Artist: Dynamite SHU
Songwriter: Tooru Hiruma
Composer: POM
Arranger: Cher Watanabe
- (eps. 1-29)
Opening Theme #2: Hirari[3]
Artist/Songwriter: Kouji Wada
Composer: IKUO
Arranger: SPM@
- (eps. 30-)
Ending Theme #1: One Star
Artist: Yousuke Itou
Songwriter: Tomoko Sakakibara
Composer: POM
Arranger: Hiroaki Oono
- (eps. 1-24)
Ending Theme #2: Ryuusei (FALLING STAR)
Artist: MiyuMiyu
Songwriter/Composer: yukiko
Arranger: Kazunori Miyake
- (eps. 25-)
Insert Song: Believer
Artist: IKUO
Songwriter: Hiroshi Yamada
Composer/Arranger: Michihiko Ohta
Sources
See also
References
- ^ "Digimon Re-Launch in Japan". ICv2.com. 2006-03-23. Retrieved 2006-06-24.
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(help) - ^ The term "Digivice iC" is not actually used in the show, but is used here to identify it in comparison to other digivices.
- ^ Based on news reported on the official website of Index Music [1]
External links
- Official Site (Japanese)
- Fuji TV site (Japanese)
- Anime News Network Page for Digimon Savers
- Digimon Savers @ AnimeSuki.com fansub Listing
- AnimeNation News