Score: A-

This episode really pulled me in and revived my hopes a bit. The previous episode wasn’t bad, but I needed something a bit different and this episode provided that. It was a great look at different types of relationships in a way the previous episode wanted to do, but didn’t quite nail. It’s probably a bad sign that I enjoyed this far more with just Tomoro and Gekkomon while the rest of Glowing Dawn was left behind. This was just a nicely put together episode and one that will continue into the next.

I don’t like Gekkomon’s chances vs this guy

The ending got me honestly. I figured they’d get the win and walk away with smiles. But instead they got ambushed at an opportune moment. Astamon picked the perfect moment to make his move. And of course a slimeball gangster would be using this Digimon! No offence to Astamon. But he certainly fits for this sort of guy. Very much a Digimon that is just a guy with a gun! A gun that’s incredibly powerful and able to cover a large amount of territory. While Glowing Dawn is going the pacifist route that doesn’t mean their enemies are! Astamon just wiped out that little Digimon and delivered some serious damage to Pandamon on top of it all. Things get pretty scary when the other side is more than willing to get bloody. Not a good spot for Gekkomon and Tomoro who still haven’t reached the Champion level.

I like this guy

The situation with Pandamon is pretty good. It appears as if he was abandoned by his partner and was left in a desperate state. Needing e-pulse to survive, but not wanting to harm people at the same time. I’m still guessing there very much is a Digital World in this setting and it naturally is full of e-pulse so this sort of desperate state doesn’t happen. But in the Human World…that’s how it is. Pandamon got picked up by a good old guy and kept stable thanks to him giving up what e-pulse he could spare. But it’s obviously not a long-term solution. I’m presuming partners deliver a far more effective and sufficient amount of e-pulse naturally while it’s less effective going after others. But he’s all Pandamon has. So the poor guy is left without enough energy to truly fight effectively.

This situation really brought home the value of the idea of found family. The last episode tried for it, but this just worked better. Sasatake is such a good guy. He’s clearly the classic “boss” of this area that has mellowed out a bit in his old age. Still just doing his best though to protect his community and those that follow him. Even in a world that’s basically handed their independence over to follow the directives of Sapotama.

Isolated paradise

This really is a place that Tomoro could find some peace with. Sure, Glowing Dawn is a group of Cleaners and there’s potential bonds to form there. But this place fits him. They may have done it out of principle, but they’ve abandoned Sapotama’s and having their lives “guided” by AI. Tomoro is a bit different in that he couldn’t get along with Sapotama even if he wanted to. But he never really did anyways. He’s someone that believed in his own beat and this place resonates with that. Tomoro can’t really stop and step away since he’s got his brother to think about. But this place could be a sort of home for him really. Part of me thinks that’s why this conflict will likely destroy that community, but who knows.

Tomoro could fit in here

It is a relief to see a place where people are…a bit more sane. Society has gone a bit crazy honestly. AI are a helpful tool, but this society has gone way to the extreme. People are just following the suggestions without thinking twice about them. Makes sense to me though that even if the whole world went one way…that some people would reject that and make their own space. It’s sadly really relevant these days. We are looking at a world where AI keeps growing and also where online controls are steadily tightening. Heck, you can go a bit lighter with it and look at physical vs digital gaming. No matter what angle you take it makes sense that some would cling to what works for them and feels right. Not to say that the Sapotama push will be proven evil. But the Digimon situation is being kept quiet.

I worry for this guy

The episode ended on such a strong note and I’m really excited to see the next one. Tomoro is in a tough spot and will need some help. I don’t expect any other enemies to show up after that ambush. But it’s hard to say. Clearly this mob guy is working with a third party who is giving information about guys that get a Digimon before they can be grabbed by Cleaners. He might make an appearance if not make a move. The real question will be if this crisis is emotional and weighty enough to push Gekkomon to digivolve? I’d be fine with seeing that happen of course. But part of me thinks we might get through a whole cour without it happening. It’s just hard to gauge at this point.