Digimon Universe: Appli Monsters

soo this is it...the final episode of appmon...for all the series i became very impressed and i love every single thing they did:the cgi,the characters,the semi reboot...

first of all, from july of 2016 i just begin to hate digimon,after 20 years consuming everything they did, but allways felling something like “this is fine but it’s not what i expected for a cybernetic life form story”, and for all this big mess this franchise became. But them, one month ago i simply whant to go back after see some applimon scenes and the openings(koji wada can rest in piece if all the songs have this quality).

i ... just yelled at myself “FINALY DIGIMON IS TRULLY DIGIMON”, i mean isn’t so hard to make an actually digital world not an magic alternitve world with some creatures, they are trully based on digital things...THEY ARE APPS, FOR GOD SAKE.

they recreate all a new system of categories(not as only data,vacine,and virus), and even new levels and we can trully see the difference between the levels only for the size of each one(standard appmon are small and cute, while god appmon have the size of skycreepers). I know savers tried to make it but sometimes this became ridiculous(like tailmon and meikoomon being the same level as greymon but having the size of a child), this make a refferece of “the more powerfull the app is,higher will be ”.

And for the first time the fusions are something good (not something random like jureymon+megadramon=deathmon) but nothing so idiot like jogress of 02 or the digixros (they are just pieces of each other together e-e and pls don't talk of shakkoumon) , i mean they have a real grace in their fusions(EX: gatchmon(google)+navimon(an gps app)=dogatchmon(google maps).

the digimons,like xros wars did too, are real characters in there not for only being the fighting source, they are all very charismatic and it’s impossible to hate one of them...specially offmon(you need to have no soul to do that e-e).

it’s not perfect of course, sometimes they just put some situations to make the plot going but, for all what i have see, i can say for sure this is my favorite digimon series ever, and if you read all of this, i need to thank you because i love digimon so much but i see my favorite franchise drowning on the mud , and it’s very sad but this series,even if don’t have anything to do with the main series, simply gave me hope that digimon can be good. Again thanks appmon for remaking me love digimon

I will update my review once the series ends (at ep 16). I am committed to finishing this series as it's part of the Digimon franchise. So my critique is as a Digimon fan but also as how this series stands on its own since it diverts from Digimon norm and blatantly is about 'AppMon' and not 'Digimon.' (Note there is an Appli Drive and not Digivice, Deep Web and not Digital World.)

First of all let's talk about the overall impression I've seen people compare it to: Digimon meets Yu-Gi-Oh and Yokai Watch. And... so far that is accurate in terms of designs and some ... aspects like: AppMon can be 'summoned' through the Appli Drive using their corresponding App Chips (like cards) and 'realize' into being, much like Duel Disk and cards in Yu-Gi-Oh. Plus clearly the creators are so fair treating this as a 'game' via terminology from 'main character' to 'final boss.' Oh and this takes place in 2045.

Now to be fair folks: This is Digimon Universe, it takes place within the Digimon existence but these creatures are basically Digimon cousins. These AIs are data but not Digimon, living solely in phone apps until they get an App Chip that can be used to realize them through the Appli Drive. So far this show has shown it's heavy with comedy via embarrassment, gags, repeated shots, slap-stick or comedic timing, sure to get darker as the true villain of the show comes into play, but for sure light-hearted because it's obviously for kids!

ART:
The main character only looks like a typical Digimon main character via his goggles (exception being Digimon Savers/Data Squad). Everyone else reminds me of designs seen in typical card game anime (I'm looking at you Cardfight!! Vanguard Card and Yu-Gi-Oh) and even some of the Megaman animes. (For those wondering what I'm talking about: crazy hair, unnatural hair colors and blinding colored outfits. No one in any of the past Digimon seasons has had 'natural' green or pink hair. (Mimi from Adventure was even noted to have dyed it and then switched back)) The show is full of bright colors, though the AppMon designs are interesting which is good and sometimes... simple/???? Some designs are the same just recolored (even made fun of in show by going "Are you two related?" "No, we just look alike" despite familiarity with one another) As of episode 6 they reused a Digimon design as an AppMon so, questions there if they're going to borrow more designs. Also they reuse some Digimon names for new characters/designs unrelated to the original versions from previous series (Raidramon). The fusions of the Appmon are done in CG which either can look borderline cool or gaudy.

We have our one female main character, pink-haired Eri, who a pop star (appears in episode 5), and our spotlight goggle boy Haru and another male character Torajirou "Astra" who is an internet celebrity (appears in episode 7), forming a trio with a shady fourth character, Rei who is an edgy/mysterious lone wolf with his own agenda (Rei and Hackmon appear at the end of ep 3, officially debuting to the others in ep 9). Out of the human designs, Rei is the least cringe worthy of outfit colors in my opinion, he wears black unlike his other blindingly clad co-stars.

PREMISE:
Most episodes so far deals with an infected Appmon causing chaos. Appmon reside in mobile apps and act accordingly (messenger Appmon deals with IMs, GPS Appmon for navigation apps, etc); when infected by the L virus they become unstable and the one causing the virus, to quote Gatchmon, is 'the final boss, a sinister artificial intelligence: Leviathan.' In order to stop the out of control AI from causing trouble Haru has to team up with Gatchmon to stop it and its minions, like Cameramon. Using the power of the Appli Drive Gatchmon can achieve super forms to take down the enemy by combining/fusing with ally Appmon. It is revealed in ep 3 there are "7 Codes Appmon" with a special code within them that can fight against Leviathan and Haru needs all 7. (This is reminiscent of any Digimon show, a small time villain/challenge per episode before working up to bigger threats. Also the classic 'infected by a virus/controlled by higher and corrupt power' is classic of the Digimon franchise)

Apparently there is one Appmon per app program not per app download, they are one of a kind and can hop to the same function type app as long as it's on someone's device (ie: any GPS app, any IM app). (THOUGH this is questionable as in ep 3 we see many Roleplaymon via flashback, though he was the AppMon of a specific RPG) Also Appmon via their appli chips can be combined together through "Appli Link" and then a much stronger "Appli Fusion," much like what Digimon fans have seen in Xros Wars/Fusion. Appli Link = power boost and combined look similar to Digimon Xros Wars/Fusion, while Appli Fusion is more like DNA evolution seen in Adventure 02 where two compatible Mons become a new entity in form completely, none of this 'added feature/combined like Voltron.' These forms are called "Super Appmon." Also to engage these rogue Appmon Haru enters an AR Field, much like the Quartz Zone from Digimon Xros Wars Season 3 (Hunters). It should be noted that Appli Fusion can fail though, resulting in a wrong and weak fusion.

In episode 3 it is revealed Appli Fusions are done in CGI, which even Haru remarks 'wow he even looks CG!' (I am not kidding). So you have a CGI Appmon on screen w/ 2D characters, something that isn't uncommon in anime now a days or anyone familiar with early 2000s+ shows. Thankfully it doesn't look too out of place but might take some getting used to from jumping from seeing CG digivolutions to CG forms actually fight non-CG forms.

CHARACTER:
At this point any info about characters we want to know is revealed mainly through Gatchmon via his magnifying glass because he's a search app and can look up any info; he's this show's 'Data Collection/Digimon Database' to provide the viewer insight. *Gatchmon, AppMon of Search Engines, is a curious Appmon who is starry-eyed about the Real World given he only recently exited the internet; he has a "go get 'em' attitude" and supportive of his human buddy. *Haru is suppose to be an introvert with only one best friend and loves books but that so far is only made known via other characters, but he's seen to be very studious with research and pleasure reading. He's a low key guy who 'sees himself as a side character' and doesn't want to stand out, but when prompted by the the Appli Drive and Gatchmon Haru decides he is in fact a 'main character' and becomes more assertive, especially when it comes to the stopping the infected AppMon. (By the end of episode 1, episode 2 he's out of the gate to look for his crush and stop the rogue Appmon.) *Eri using her 'idol persona' is a bit eccentric, haughty, and spouts catchphrases (I'll punch my way into your heart!) but can be calm, awkward and unsure since she's new to AppMon (despite having an AppDrive 6 months before Haru); she's part of an idol group that's obviously inspired by AKB48 (she's member #470). *Dokumon, AppMon of Action Games, and Eri's buddy is a loudmouth but earnest and loyal AppMon who just wants to see people smile. *Torajirou "Astra" is an energetic and almost impulsive kid who is an AppTuber star who spouts "Will I? Or won't I?" catchphrases as he can be eccentric in his videos as an escapism from his obligation to be his family successor. *Musimon, AppMon of Music Players, is supportive and energetic like his human partner, often saying "No Musimon, no life!" and looks for the music in one's heart.
For the record Eri and Astra are eccentric but can be calm, but they contrast Haru with their quirky star personas and huge star egos. (So far Rei's brief appearances have been shady and foreboding.)

SOUND
The music can get funky at times and rather repetitive. Especially when doing the Appli Link, the voice goes over and over again and there's this sorta clap beat when it happens. Not to mention it gets a sorta eurobeat as the voice starts to get sped up to the point of sounding warped and high: App Link! GACCHI! GACCHI! GA-GA-GA-GACCHI. (Note this happens for all the Appmon, like DOKA! DOKA!) Otherwise there isn't much of a soundtrack past the action sequences and the opening and ending. So far it's only been during App Realize, Appli Link and Appli Fusion. All with the overly dramatic voice that says English words oddly like ATTENSHION PLEEEEZ~

ENJOYMENT
If you stop comparing it to past Digimon Seasons (which can be hard given it has the Digimon name in it and if you're like me and seen all the seasons), it looks like it can be an enjoyable show to just kill time. I wouldn't bank on a ton of character development but one can hope or else this is just 'come as you are for an adventure' type deal. The main character Haru doesn't really standout but can relate to anyone who feels average, just blending in and not standing out. Hopefully given his choice to change to be more proactive in episode 1 is actually impactful; but given we only had like 5 minutes to see his former self before being throw into the Appmon drama and finally make his choice in the end, that might be hard. Also we have a sibling situation reused from Digimon Fusion/Xros Wars which gives one character their motivation to act and act the way they do; which is points down from me since that was just used in the last Digimon series.

OVERALL: So if you look at the basics: Kid/boy meets AI made of data, gets device to symbolize and empower partnership, helps AI partner grow stronger via higher/combined forms, fights opposing AI forces (and some humans), saves our/real world AND digital/AI world... you got the typical Digimon set up. Just toss in some non traditional designs, different species and characters, and hip if not questionably annoying music/sound effects and you've got a new show. The tone and silliness of the show clearly show who the target audience is from ages 6-11, the young Millennials since the main Appmon human cast is basically a Youtube star and a young Japanese pop singer and the one who's "ordinary" (meant to be the viewer's intro into the series/world as just a normal person becoming extraordinary) and then the brooding hacker who stands on his own. There is some drama but nothing like in previous series that had light moments and darker, this so far (as of ep 15) it's just "silly and light", "background bad guy", "minor accidental opponents", "one of us is aware of the real threat but doesn't always show up" and "something sinister is a foot but meanwhile we'll deal with malfunctioning apps causing havoc while looking for a way to stop the bad AI, Leviathan."

A quick note: Digimon fan since I was 7 years old... I'm 28 now and I've watched all Digimon media to this point and also played a few Digimon videogames.

Warning to everyone planning to watch this because it's related to Digimon: it isn't. The name is there to create buzz and bring viewers because there's absolutely nothing Digimon in this series. The monsters are mainly based on smartphone apps and I would have no issues with this if the show didn't try to leech off Digimon (or any other series). Oh and what are they called? AppliMonsters. As I said, the only Digimon here ... is in the tittle.

We have a main character that wears goggles like 90% of Digimon stuff but that's all the similarities. Why is there no creativity for character design when it comes to DigiKids?

Another thing is that most episodes (specially in the beginning) feel like this show exists with the sole purpose of parodying Digimon, rather than a story set in the Digiverse: a couple of monsters are basically old Digimon with new names and colours, whether humans can see and/or hear the AppliMonsters is completely random, AppliFusions visually look lazy because usually we can only see one of the monsters' design, ... If this show didn't try to leech off Digimon as a series but came up on its own it would've been way better because some ideas were really cool but the execution is lacking most of the time, specially when it comes to the plot.

There's no solid pace and everything that happens seems to be random. Every several episodes the story moved forward, only to be paused for no good reason at all a few more episodes in. It's like the characters forget what the heck is going on and we get more stupid slice of life stuff. The series is 52 episodes but wrapping the story in 30 would be enough. Another thing about the bad pacing, is how many recaps throughout each episode. I'm not talking about the usual recap in the beginning of each episode or the same AppliFusions every episode. I'm talking about story/character development flashbacks that were shoved down on my laptop screen every 20 minutes. It's too much.

Now, on to characters: I didn't find any particulary annoying (despite Offmon) and the Noreru Norenai Cho Noreru slogan. That thing got old after 3 seconds. I was really disappointed when Eri and Dokamon were introduced because they were fused straight away with Gatchamon, which left me to wonder what was the point of having more main characters if everyone is just going to be cannon fodder for the Goggles-Boy. Fortunally I was proven wrong because throughout the show, every single main character gets to show off in equal amounts of time and the monsters are well-balanced. This was actually the first time that I saw this happen and I'm pleasantly surprised.


Extra things that don't make sense:
1) Hidden bookshelf's switch changes location depending on the episode
2) the NO! joke that happens every episode is a copy of Excel Saga and Nabeshin. A 1-time reference would've been good. Every episode is just ridiculous.
3) SPOILERS: once the kids reach Deep Web World for the first time, Rei leaves with Hackmon to search for his missing brother. This makes no sense whatsoever because everyone is after Leviathan and everyone knows it was Leviathan that kidnapped him. Not to mention that it's unbelievable that no one would offer to search for the little kid as well.
4) for an anime that recaps in the beginning of each episode, what's the logic behind having a full 24 minute episode of only recaps? Honestly, feel free to skip episode 26 because it's just flashbacks.
5) SPOILERS: Drawmon is an enemy from the start (although the kids are unaware) but still decides to warn them of their fate if they die in the Dark Web World. Even if this monster was an ally, there's been so many battles up to that point that it's mighty clear that death means death.
6) Episode 37 is so dragged out with nonsense. Only the first 3 and last 3 minutes are watchable without yawning.
7) SPOILERS: episode 40 - Astra and Musimon know for a fact that Fakemon is a lying, cunning and manipulative creature. However, Astra is still easily tricked.
8) Everytime a new character is introduced of gets AppRealized, their power levels show up. Dokamon has an higher power level than Gatchamon and this doesn't change after their power levels increased. However, Dokamon's punches do less damage than a soft push from Gatchamon. Also, a stronger version of Musimon still got beaten after a single weak bomb attack.
9) Knight's horrible laughter is intentional but it's just cringe
10) Knight's backstory and reasoning for being a villain is one of the most pathetic plot-devices I've ever watched in an Anime
11) SPOILERS: Hajime just got back his human form out of nowhere. I get, the scent of burnt eggs woke him up. And? Where's the transformation????
12) Agumon and WarGreymon are the only "Digimon" that show up. Why "Digimon"? Because in this show, they're regular videogame characters and not Digimon. I appreciate the original kick-ass Digivolution soundtrack but this cameo just makes the entire thing look terrible. If Digimon are no longer Digimon, then how can anyone claim that this series happen in the same Digiverse?
13) The final battle between all the Godly AppliMonsters was the worst final battle I've ever seen. There's no sense of speed or power, no momentum, everything moves so slow and there's nothing spectacular going on.
14) SPOILERS: the whole Yuujin-Haru thing was so uninteresting and cringe
15) the last 2 episodes begin with quotes about how Artificial Intelligence will drive humanity to extinction. This is a very interesting idea to explore but the way that this show explores it is just plain terrible.


I think the soundtrack is flawless and the animation is pretty good for the most part. I just hated every time they used CGI.

All things considered, this show gets a 4/10 from me.