Digimon is one of the best children's anime, but one part almost ruins it

THE Digimon The franchise is undoubtedly one of the most recognized and beloved in the world. This success can largely be attributed to the incredible anime shows released over the past two and a half decades. Despite how beloved each entry in the franchise is, the original Digimon Adventure and Digimon Adventure 02 The programs stand out for being particularly complex and fun when compared to other series aimed at children.

These seasons demonstrated that children's anime did not need to be simplistic, as children could enjoy watching their heroes struggle and learn from their experiences. It is for this reason the end of Adventure 02 is widely considered one of the worst decisions the creators could have made. The epilogue to the DigiDestined's journey not only seems to come out of nowhere, but it also flies in the face of the series' central themes.

Digimon Adventure's epilogue seems unnecessary

The ending doesn't fit with the story

How the Digimon Adventure series progressed, fans were witness to the incredible development that the main characters went through. Although they began the series as lost children trying to find their way home, their trials helped them mature and emerge as heroes of the digital and human worlds. The ending of the first season, although open-ended, was iconic, with Tai and his friends saying goodbye to their partners with the promise of meeting again someday. This oath was fulfilled during the second season, better known as Adventure 02.

Accompanied by a new, younger group of chosen heroes, Tai and his friends once again risk their lives to save the world from the evil forces trying to rule it. Both series have been praised for their thoughtful and respectful approach to many heavy subjects that children's anime tend to avoid. Dealing with the tragic death of friends like Leomon, cruelty and defending one's beliefs are just some of the many teachings of Digimon franchise. However, its most important principle is that nothing in life is guaranteed.

This lesson was taught to the children throughout their entire journey, being transported out of nowhere to a different world and having to leave their new friends behind after saving the universe. The epilogue of the series went against this beautiful wisdomgiving the characters a generic happy ending that felt forced and didn't fit with their story. The final fate of the DigiDestined felt empty and undeserved. Worst of all, the ending didn't explain the many unresolved storylines that remained, something that seriously harmed this entire beloved series.

Other seasons did not repeat this mistake

The following entries have attempted to avoid such epilogues

One of the main problems with Digimon Adventure 02the epilogue is the huge leap in time it takes. The show went from following the children's adventures as they tackle their schoolwork and saving the Digital World to presenting them as fully realized adults. Fans weren't able to see their growth or the experiences that made them who they were in the end. The fact that the epilogue also hinted at a new adventure with the children of the DigiDestined, who were carbon copies of their parents, felt lazy and uninspired.

Bandai, the company that owns the rights to the franchise, must have learned from this mistake, as they completely avoided such endings from that point onwards. Although they included an epilogue that revealed the fate of the heroes after their adventure, it never strayed too far into the future. At most, these epilogues explained how his initial motivations for escaping to the Digital World were resolved. Other seasons, such as Tamers, considered one of the best in the franchise, preferred to give fans an open ending, giving them hope for a sequel.

Digimon TRI tried to fix the epilogue

The 20th Anniversary Movies Helped the Ending Make Sense

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Digimon anime franchise, a collection of new films was created to connect the events of the epilogue with the Adventure series. These films, which pick up three years after the end of 02, tell the story of the original DigiDestined as they adapt to a world where Digimon are part of their everyday lives. As the films progressed, fans got a deeper look into the events and trials that transformed the heroes into the adults they saw during the epilogue.

Although the premise of this series is fascinating, the public did not receive it well, with many ensuring that suffered from the same problems as the epilogue. The new enemies and threats introduced during the films came out of nowhere, making their stories feel foreign to the original series. Despite having some of the best battles in the series and revealing some of the most powerful Digimon In the franchise, the films added almost nothing to the overall story. Many fans believe that it was the restrictions created by the epilogue that prevented the films from continuing the experiments.

Digimon Adventure remains iconic despite its epilogue

The series is still considered a classic

The epilogue of Digimon Adventure 02 It may not have been what fans expected and it may have been a fatal blow to the franchise. However, the fact that this amazing series is still alive after over 20 years says a lot about how much anime fans love it. Digimon is a franchise that has always been characterized by its exciting, charming and inspiring narrative. DigiDestined's adventures leave an impression on viewers of all ages due to the timelessness of their lessons. As the heroes grow up, fans do the same, learning about what's truly important in life.

Adventure and 02 are particularly important, as were the shows that brought the anime franchise to life. Tai and his friends will forever be recognized as industry icons and will likely continue to be the faces of the series. It's no secret that the franchise has gone through difficult times, but like its protagonists, it always finds the courage to move forward and continue bringing joy to the community.

Digimon Adventure 02The epilogue is undoubtedly one of the worst endings in the franchise, undermining the heroes' epic journey. However, the trials that Tai and his friend faced before this ending are incredible to watch. The anime may not be perfect, but it's still a beloved show that fans will never forget or abandon.