The Digimon franchise is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable and beloved around the globe. This success can be largely attributed to the amazing anime shows released throughout the last two and a half decades. Despite how beloved every entry in the franchise is, the original Digimon Adventure and Digimon Adventure 02 shows stand out for being particularly complex and entertaining when compared with other child-oriented series.
These seasons demonstrated that kids' anime did not have to be simplistic, as children could enjoy watching their heroes struggle and learn from their experiences. It is this reason why the ending of Adventure 02 is widely considered one of the worst decisions the creators could have taken. The epilogue to the DigiDestined’s journey not only feels out of nowhere, it goes against the core themes of the series.
Digimon Adventure’s Epilogue Feels Unnecessary
The Ending Does Not Fit the Story
As the Digimon Adventure series progressed, fans were witnesses to the incredible development that the main characters went through. While they began the show as lost children trying to find their way back home, their trials helped them mature and emerge as heroes of the Digital and human worlds. The ending of the first season, while left open-ended, was iconic, with Tai and his friends saying goodbye to their partners with the promise of finding each other again someday. This oath was fulfilled during the second season, better known as Adventure 02.
Accompanied by a new and 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 careful 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 standing up for one’s beliefs are only some of the various teachings of the Digimon franchise. Nonetheless, its most important tenet is that nothing in life is guaranteed.
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This lesson was taught to the children throughout their entire journey, with them being transported to a different world out of nowhere and having to leave their new friends behind after saving the universe. The epilogue of the series went against this beautiful wisdom, giving the characters a generic happy ending that felt forced and did not fit their story. The final fate of the DigiDestined felt empty and undeserved. Worse of all, the ending did not explain the many unresolved storylines left, something that gravely hurt the entirety of this beloved series.
Othe Seasons Did Not Repeat This Mistake
Following Entries Tried to Avoid Such Epilogues
One of the main issues with Digimon Adventure 02’s epilogue is the massive leap in time that it takes. The show went from following the adventures of the children as they deal with their school obligations and saving the Digital World to presenting them as fully realized adults. Fans were not able to see their growth or the experiences that made them who they were by the end. The fact that the epilogue also hinted at a new adventure with the kids 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 onward. Even though 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 their initial motivations to escape into the Digital World were resolved. Other seasons, like Tamers, which is considered one of the best in the franchise, preferred to give fans an open-ended finale, giving them hope for a sequel.
Digimon TRI Attempted to Correct the Epilogue
The 20th Anniversary Movies Helped the Ending Make Sense
To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Digimon anime franchise, a collection of new movies was created to connect the events of the epilogue with the Adventure series. These films, beginning three years after the ending of 02, tell the story of the original DigiDestined as they adapt to a world in which Digimon are a part of their everyday lives. As the movies progressed, fans were given a deeper insight into the events and trials that pushed the heroes into the adults they saw during the epilogue.
Despite the premise of this series being fascinating, audiences did not receive it well, with many assuring that it suffered from the same issues as the epilogue. The new enemies and threats introduced during the films appeared out of nowhere, making their stories feel alien 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 movies from experimenting further.
Digimon Adventure Remains Iconic Despite Its Epilogue
The Series Is Still Considered a Classic
The epilogue of Digimon Adventure 02 might not have been what fans expected and could have been a fatal blow for the franchise. Nevertheless, the fact that this incredible series is still alive after more than 20 years speaks volumes about how much anime fans love it. Digimon is a franchise that has always characterized itself for its emotional, charming, and inspiring storytelling. The adventures of the DigiDestined leave a mark on viewers of all ages due to how timeless its lessons are. As the heroes grow, fans do the same, learning about what is truly important in life.
Adventure and 02 are particularly important, as they were the shows that brought the anime franchise to life. Tai and his friends will forever be recognized as icons of the industry and will likely continue to be the face of the series. It is no secret that the franchise has gone through some rough times, but just like its protagonists, it always finds the courage to keep going and continue bringing joy to the community.
Digimon Adventure 02’s epilogue is undoubtedly one of the worst endings in the franchise, undermining the epic journey of the heroes. Nevertheless, the trials that Tai and his friend endured before this finale are beyond amazing to watch. The anime might not be perfect but it is still a cherished show that fans will never forget or abandon.
Digimon Adventure (1999) is an animated series following seven children who are transported to a digital world and partnered with Digimon creatures. These companions help them navigate and protect the digital realm while uncovering the mysteries behind their arrival.
Cast Joshua Seth , Wendee Lee , Lara Jill Miller , Colleen O'Shaughnessey , Michael Reisz , Philece Sampler , Mona Marshall , Tom Fahn , Jeff Nimoy , Laura Summer , Kirk Thornton , R. Martin Klein
Release Date March 7, 1999
Seasons 2
Creator(s) Akiyoshi Hongo
English (US) ·