Anime Wangst: The Movie
Not going to lie, I did enjoy this series a lot. It was good, but could've been so much better... and shorter.
First, let's start with one of its biggest problems: the pacing. It moves like a snail and you'll feel like watching 20 minutes or so of episodes where almost nothing important ever happens. Not even the last movie is safe from this, as in one moment, you'll feel like the world is about to end, then cut to the protagonists having long, drawn-out conversations they had a million times before, only for the same feeling to come back rushing at you in a cliffhanger. Rinse and repeat.
That leads straight to the second big problem with the series: the padding. With all the pointless scenes and "character development" (in quotes) that keep being retooled over and over again, there's no way in hell you won't feel like this series should've been much shorter.
And that leads straight to the third big problem with the series: THE WANGST. Holy fucking shit, if it isn't filled to the brim with it. By the last movie, any emotional impact whatsoever that these movies tried to convey went right past my head simply because I was past done with these characters. While angst is great for a series with the right dosage, it becomes unbearably annoying when you overdose it.
Combine how slow the pacing is, how long the series is, and how much the characters keep angsting about "Should we do this? Should we not do this? I hate myself, it's all my fault, I want to die" over and over and over and over again, and you'll be literally begging for one or two characters to be killed off early. Specially taking the finale into consideration where all of the freaking wangst you had to endure the entire time turned out to be absolutely pointless.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate this series, it was actually pretty good. It clearly has a lot of effort put into its story and its characters, but it could've been so, so, so much better if it was at least 80% shorter and less angsty. I get it, they wanted to make this series for "adults", but filling it non-stop with angst is not how you do it.
Anime Not the worst Digimon Series, but not the Best Either.
Digimon Adventure Tri. is a divisive series for a variety of reasons, up to and including the Character Development of the Original 8 Chosen, the inclusion of four new characters (Maki, Daigo, Meiko, and Meicoomon), the seeming ignoring of Digimon Adventure 02, and the rate at which the plot progresses.
For me, I like Digimon Tri, but its not one of the best series. Tri has some legitimate problems, one of which being its pacing. Each movie tends to have a minor subplot that many can't agree on whether it's necessary or not. The pacing is also hampered in that as a Film Series, there are several months in between each movies release, making some unwilling to wait so long. I actually find it better to binge watch it, as it keeps you invested more.
If I had to put it simply, Tri's pros are its new cast members, the Original Chosen all getting the chance to head to Mega, the expansion behind the original destined idea, the beautiful animation and fights, and of course, seeing three of the Royal Knights. It's cons however are its ignoring of the 02 cast despite teasing them in the first movie, the slow burn of the plot, the poor placing of Breather Episode 's, and the general Arc Fatigue caused by it being a Film Series.
On the newer characters, they are actually some of the highlights for me regarding Tri.
Meiko is the shy girl of the group, a role Digimon hasn't really used, her arc of gathering self confidence and gaining the resolve to delete Meicoomon is nicely done. She's a realistic depiction of a young girl forced to face so much in so little time, and has nice chemistry with the other Chosen, namely Sora, Yamato, and Mimi. Meicoomon is a nice take on a Digimon Antagonist, that she is unable to really control her actions, like Guilmon when he became Megidramon Up to 11. Daigo is a nice addition as the kind/dorky teacher/Reasonable Authority Figure, and a look into what occurs to Chosen Child after they're done, who lost his partner and had to grow into an adult. Maki is one of the complex characters in Digimon. She's a Chosen who actually lost her partner, how a Chosen could be if their partner dies for good, an ex of the lengths Chosen may go. Seeing her breakdown when her partner can't remember her, I felt sorry for this poor woman. TK and Ken could have been her if Patamon and Wormmon really died.
No good without bad though. Tri has a habit of stretching arcs by not having the Chosen ask questions, and again, the poor placing of Breather Episode. It's fine when placed right, but otherwise comes off as padding.
Tri still has one movie left, and possibly more if they do a continuation series afterwards involving the 02 kids, but my opinion is set. Tri is alright, it's very flawed, but can still be enjoyable, or at least, I believe so. It's not the best, but it isn't the worst. Afterall, Young Hunters, Frontier, and 02 are still a thing.
Anime The DC Extended Universe of anime?
First of all, I'm writing this review based on the four movies already released, so my opinion is might change once the rest of the films come out.
Tri. is divisive, to say the least. It's one of those Love It or Hate It series. It had a promising start, with familiar characters and the feeling of nostalgia added with a new original, even darker story fit for the modern age.
As time goes by, however, it seems Tri. doesn't really know which direction it's going. The first and second movies establish that humans now have mixed reactions toward the Digimons despite all the heroics they performed in the past, and the Digidestineds now also have to balance between their personal lives and saving the world. The third movie dropped all that in exchange for the Reboot plot and the prospect of the Digimons losing all their memories of everything they've done. The latest movie dropped that as well to dwell deep into the Digimon lore that some casual Digimon fans might have a hard time catching on, as the Digimons apparently bonded with their partners again, even Sora and Biyomon who have the most issue over it. The story keeps introducing more and more plotlines without resolving the ones before them in a satisfying manner (or sometimes dropped completely). The story as a whole seems rushed and focused more on fanservice and building the universe than resolving the plot arc at the moment. When it was good, however, it works. Joe and Mimi's subplots in Determination is realistic and relatable, and the dramatic scenes in Confession is very well-done. Most of the action scenes are also entertaining enough, and I loved the remixed soundtracks from the original series.
That is why I called it the 'DCEU' of anime: it is by no means a bad series, it is just messy. It can't decide whether to focus on Meiko and Meicoomon's story, each Digidestined's personal arcs, Maki and Daigo's 'Precursor Heroes' subplot, the Digital World lore, the mysterious disappearance of the 02 kids, etc. As a result, none of this ever reaches its full potential and just turned out subpar. For example, Meiko and Meicoomon could've turned out to be interesting new characters and a perfect Audience Surrogate had they been handled better, and so they wouldn't be so hated by fans. Personally, I believe if Tri. had been a full TV series instead of just a six-part film series, more time could be spend developing all these plotlines equally.
With two movies left to go, I've been left worried by this series' uncertain future. It reminds me of when Eureka Seven AO was aired. A continuation of a beloved classic series that turned out mediocre because of its messy plot that goes all over the place and ended up tanked the series. I hoped that the people at Toei get their acts together and take their time to make the last two films a worthy conclusion to the Adventure series or an introduction to a larger, brighter Digimon universe.
Anime I was wrong - A promising starting
When I learned that Tri was going to be released, my first reaction was the standard one / why do they want to exhumate this corpse again? They were not satiated after 02? (hold on account that I am not a 02 hater - it was just when I myself became a writer and troper that I saw what a script disaster it was, but I had always been quite a fan) so I naturally freaked out when I saw the vast amount of changes and the announcement of films and not a series. So I asked myself: can this be any good? Can it do good for a mistreated but mythical saga?
I thought not. But yes, it could.
The changes of art style in Saikai were deep, to the point I almost did not recognized it. Those grownup boys didnt looked very much like the old Digidestined. But when Agumon and company entered the match, I knew - it was them. The spirit did not fly away. And this time perhaps a new story will can advance, and not a shady remnant of a past arc. Even with the chants of potentially spot-stealing, Mary Sue, etc for Meiko and depowered, out-of-nowhere for Alphamon which surely will rise up, the development is promising enough to make a difference.
Rock the remixed songs and put aside the prejudices, because not caring how it will turn out eventually, Digimon Adventure Tri has passed its baptism of fire. It's soon to say nothing, but this cynic guy Cieloazul is gonna give out an opportunity. Lets wait to March to see the next installment and judge.
Anime Watched it to confirm all the nasty shit I read on Japanese wikis — It's just as bad as I thought.
I just watched all six movies from days ago to confirm if it's really as bad as people say. It doesn't disappoint. I say this is on par with Digimon Frontier in its own way.
TL;DR version: If you can imagine an edgy teen creating a fanfic about a Darker and Edgier retelling/sequel of Digimon Adventure, this is the result. There are just LOTS of amateur storytelling mistakes/flaws that it covers almost everything on how to NOT write a story. The only thing it's lacking is an actual Mary Sue. Aside that it's a big studio which makes it even more jarring.
Do I have anything good to say about it, though? Yes, I have.