Score: A-

No hiding that this is the moment that’s been long-awaited. It seemed likely for a while that they would save Gekkomon digivolving for the end of the first cour and that’s what happened. That’s not to say it was a bad transformation or that they didn’t lean into it enough. There’s a lot that I like about this episode and the events within it. There are some criticisms, but overall it was a positive experience. There’s already been some reveals and hints about where things are going next. But within the show itself they haven’t gone into that so I won’t go into it for this episode.

He did put in good work!

Kyo has been doing a good job bouncing back from what I’d consider some disastrous leading in previous episodes. He’s finally getting out there with the team, taking some hits, and giving everyone room to grow without putting them in absurd danger. I was happy to see him giving Tomoro the freedom to grow. It’s fine that he only made that offer now since giving Tomoro the chance to stand with this group and find a place isn’t something he would have chosen without a push. But now that Tomoro has had some time there and things have gotten so strained…it’s a good time to make that offer to let him step away. That Asuka’s case will continue even if Tomoro isn’t actively fighting.

I honestly was enjoying that brief Kyo flashback so much that I kind of wish the show had been about that! It wouldn’t have been a bad journey. You get to see him rise up the ranks, get disillusioned with how things are working out, and establishing his somewhat idealistic dream of digimon and human cohabitation. I’m sure we will get more flashbacks showing exactly what made him break away, but I just enjoyed what we got of a younger Kyo.

Apparently you can just quit this stuff

This does seem to confirm that you can absolutely quit being a cleaner so long as you get officially recognized at the start. That or Kyo was going to pretend Tomoro was still with them. So I guess Tomoro did always have the option of going back to school if he wanted. I do find it a bit funny though that Kyo talks about still working on Asuka’s case. They’ve made zero progress on that! There’s honestly little reason to think that his e-pulse is even still recoverable. Sure, it’s inside that sapotama, but Digimon tend to use that stuff. But obviously because Asuka matters to the protagonist that won’t be an issue.

Asuka really was a good guy

I get what the show wants to do with Tomoro and Gekkomon. And I don’t mind the idea of drawing comparisons between a younger Tomoro and who Gekkomon is right now. But I feel like the show was giving Tomoro too much freedom to beat himself up. Gekkomon was intolerable last episode. And not in a way that was entirely out of character for him up to this point. But the past Tomoro snapped at his brother after their parents had been taken away 6 months ago. That’s a pretty good time to swallow frustrations. Tomoro just wanted Gekkomon to stay out of a hospital room when he hasn’t shown the ability to calm down for 5 minutes. I don’t think those situations are that comparable. On the positive side, at least the other characters weren’t all over Tomoro. He was free to think on his own.

I like it

Now for the digivolution itself. I like the design. It’s a nice champion level. There are some colour scheme connections still in place which I like. But it’s also different enough. I say that, but there’s still very much the combat style of throwing oneself at enemies! But the tongue isn’t in play anymore which is fine. Instead Armalizamon has a mouth beam! That’s a pretty good way to switch things up. In terms of the digimon itself, I have no issues. The fight was good, the music was good, and it was nice seeing Tomoro look as free from the weight on his shoulders as he’s ever been. Excellent digivolution and debut fight.

But I still hate that we had to wait until episode 12! That is way too late. Honestly a lot of this episode feels like it was meant to happen several episodes ago. Gekkomon was acting out too much in the last episode for someone that looked to be maturing (especially with his brotherhood with Pandamon). If you just remove the Chiropmon digivolution from all this…it still works as an earlier episode. I feel like this digivolution was pushed way too far back and for little reason than simply to be different.

Finally get more of this plot

I am overall really happy with this episode though. It could have done much worse! I would’ve been annoyed if everyone was all over Tomoro and they weren’t. While Tomoro’s thinking didn’t quite line up for me, at least he was free to think. And I don’t mind the complaint from Gekkomon that Tomoro is always thinking by himself without verbalizing. Because that his a flaw for him. This episode did also show the perpetrator behind Asuka’s condition and no shock it’s a member of the 5 Stars. Not that they can go after this guy anytime soon. Not until probably another cour when they’ll likely hit the ultimate level.

In terms of whether I’ll cover this show in the winter…I’m not sure yet. It’s not necessarily right, but I’ve generally been taking each season on its own and deciding what I’ll cover from that. And wow…winter looks good this year. But will cover that on my little slice of a preview later on. For now will look ahead to what episode 13 will deliver.