I can’t believe we’re going back into the digital world! As a lifelong Digimon fan, I’ve been waiting for this new anime. It’s been a while since we’ve gotten an original Digimon series unrelated to the Digimon Adventure crew, and I want to make sure I don’t miss out following a new group from day one.
About Digimon Beatbreak
Digmon Beatbreak is the newest Digimon series from Toei Animation. Directing the anime is Hiroaki Miyamoto (One Piece Film: Gold), with series composition by Ryouta Yamaguchi (Digimon Data Squad). It’s simulpubbing weekly on Crunchyroll.
The series takes place in the year 2050, where AI technology rules the world. Everyone has an egg-shaped device called “Sapotama.” These sapotamas do everything. They act like phones, can use your biometrics to help you order food, they work as travel passes, and much more. The sapotamas are powered by e-Pulse, which is energy generated by humans.
One day, a teenager named Tenma’s life changes when his Sapotama malfunctions and the Digimon Gekkomon appears. This appearance will change Tenma’s entire life.
My Thoughts
I was blown away at how dark this series got in just the first episode! We start with an intense Digimon battle that already showcases how the sapotamas make a difference in this series. Then we see what the negatives are when a sapotoma malfunctions with Shinomiya, a girl whose device glitches out when Tenma touches it. What stood out to me was Shinomiya and Tenma’s conversation on the rooftop and how there’s an “ideal” society outside of their reach. Shinomiya says that she’s going to get there by working hard, and Tenma counters that he just wants to drum along.
There’s not a lot that is explicitly said, but you can pick up that Tenma is on the other side of that “ideal” society. The apartment he returns to is old, and is the opposite of the shiny and techy look of his high school. There’s also something “different” about him. He’s by himself, and his brother seems to be the only person he has left. Of course, that doesn’t last long!
Gekkomon’s arrival and the existence of Digimon unlock a new world for Tenma. But it’s one he must go on without his brother. I was not expecting a big loss so soon, but I hope we can get him back. (We have to, right??)
This episode and the events in it moved at breakneck speed, but they have set up a decent amount of the background for this story. It left a lot of questions unanswered, which I’m excited to get into in future episodes. I can’t predict where it’s headed, and I’m happy about that.
Digimon Beatbreak is streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes on Sundays.
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