Digimon’s Anime Wasn’t Just Great, It’s Honestly the Gold Standard For Kids Television
Throughout the years, anime fans have been introduced to countless memorable shows that all family members can enjoy. Among them, the Digimon Adventure series stands out as being one of the most popular and beloved, even decades after its initial release. This massive success is not a coincidence, as there are various valid reasons why fans enjoy this iconic show so much.
Unlike many other kids’ shows from the late 90s, the original Digimon anime tried to be a compelling adventure that did not belittle watchers by assuming their maturity. It is a series riddled with complex and hard-to-discuss topics while still maintaining a child-friendly atmosphere. Adventure is, without a doubt, one of the best shows directed at kids ever created.
Digimon Adventure Respects the Intelligence of Its Audience
The Series Knew Children Could Understand Complex Plots
When thinking about children’s anime, fans might remember shows like Crayon Shin-chan or Doraemon. These titles are undoubtedly among the best child-centered series in existence, as they can teach and entertain their audience with relative ease. Nonetheless, there is no denying that they tend to underestimate the viewers, shying away from intricate storylines and true character development. Digimon Adventure is one of the few series aimed at younger audiences that understand that children are smarter than most adults believe.
As such, the anime did not hold back when creating the complex and delightful adventure of Tai and his friends. The premise of the series, while simple at first glance, is far more difficult to understand than expected. The DigiDestined and the original Digimon team were not simply trying to find a way back home, they were chosen to be the protectors of the Digital World. Their quest was filled with peril, difficult puzzles, and powerful monsters trying to bring them down at every turn. Each episode was a piece of something much grander, refusing the genre’s episodic nature.
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Moreover, while the main story was undoubtedly focused on the kids returning home, each of them had several side adventures that helped them mature and understand the difficulties of life. Each character had a unique arc that affected not only their actions in the Digital World but also how they perceived the surrounding universe. From coming to terms with absent and uncaring parents to finding the confidence to stand up for themselves, the DigiDestined’s adventure was filled with lessons that any fan could apply to their lives.
Darker Themes Were Often Addressed
The Series Did Not Shy Away From Death or Trauma
One of the reasons why adult viewers can often find it difficult to relate to child-centric anime is that these series often try to downplay how crude life can be. Digimon Adventure is one of the few shows that did not try to hide pain and suffering from its audience. The DigiDestined were confronted by enemies who were not trying to incapacitate or persuade them to join their ranks. Some of the most powerful Digimon in the series wanted to use their strength to end their lives. The heroes were in a constant battle for survival.
While they might not have died during the series, they were witnesses to some gruesome fates. Leomon, by far the most tragic character in the series, acted as a guardian for the kids for most of their adventure, only to die in front of their eyes. The final antagonist, Apocalymon, was born from the fear and anger of Digimon deleted while trying to Digivolve, like the villains defeated by the kids. The final battle of the series was akin to mental torture for the children, as they began feeling despair and deep sadness just being in the presence of Apocalymon.
Other Shows Should Follow Adventure’s Example
Its Formula Still Works to This Day
Digimon Adventure is by far one of the most successful and enjoyable children’s cartoons in existence. Despite how long it has been since its release, the series still has the power to captivate and teach new generations. It might be time for shows focused on younger audiences to approach the genre in a similar way to the original Digimon anime. Kids deserve shows that do not insult their intelligence by underestimating their abilities. Including hard-to-bear but useful lessons, such as the inevitability of death, could also help children understand their world better.
Digimon Adventure
- Release Date
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1999 – 2006
- Network
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Fuji TV
- Directors
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Hiroyuki Kakudou
- Writers
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Satoru Nishizono, Chiaki J. Konaka, Reiko Yoshida, Akatsuki Yamatoya, Atsushi Maekawa, Hiro Masaki
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Hiroaki Hirata
Takeru Takaishi (voice)
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