Episode 004

Episode Stats:

Japanese Episode 004: Red Hot! Birdramon
American Episode 104: Biyomon Gets Firepower
Japanese Air Date: March 28th 1999
American Air Date: September 4th 1999
Important Characters: Meramon, Birdramon
Important Places: Pyocomon Village (Yokomon Village), Miharashi Mountain (Mt. Miharashi)

As the Chosen Children are walking through a desert they find the Pyocomon Village. While there they are offered food & water which comes from Mihirashi Mountain. Little does everyone know that the leader of the mountain, Meramon is affected by a Black Gear which makes him an antagonist. Meramon attacks the village and everyone runs while Piyomon thinks about everybody else's safety over hers which lead into a fight between her & Meramon. Sora is very worried about her friend and wants to protect her which triggers Piyomon's evolution into Birdramon. Birdramon is able to put up a fight with Meramon and destroys the Black Gear inside of him. Meramon apologizes for what he has done and the Children eat with the Pyocomon.

Thoughts
This episode (and the next 2) mean a lot to me as they were the very first episodes of Digimon that made me a fan of the show. I really loved the fight between Birdramon & Meramon. This episode starts showing how much Piyomon means to Sora as well.

The dub was OK, but not as good as the last 2 episodes were. Saban changed Sora & Piyomon's relationship in this episode, but after she evolves it matches up in both versions. Other than that it's decent.


Side Note
In the Japanese version Tentomon speaks with a Kansai dialect which is why he calls Koushirou "Koushirou-Han". The dub doesn't carry this over obviously, but if it did Tentomon would speak with a New York dialect.


Removed Footage-1 second
This has to do with the first commercial break in the dub . In the Japanese version when the camera pans up when Mimi is yelling it fades to the shot of the Black Gear in the mountain. In the dub it cuts to commercial  and the scene is played in reverse and then it cuts to the shot of the Black Gear in the mountain.

Side Note
Sora & Piyomon's relationship in this episode is different from Sora & Biyomon's relationship. In the Japanese version Sora thinks Piyomon is a nuisance and doesn't want her to be around. In the dub Sora doesn't mind Biyomon being around. After this episode their relationship is the same in both versions.

All the Pyocomon have individual voices, some even sound male, but all the Yokomon are clearly voiced by Tifanie Christun.

Dialogue Edit
This is while Tai is dancing around the well with fire coming out.

Pyocomon: "I saw something land on Miharashi Mountain earlier!"

American Mimi: "Look Tai's doing a little dance for us. Is that supposed to stop the fire or bring down the rain?"

Yeah, that's a stupid thing to say Mimi.

Side Note
I really like Meramon's voice in the dub. It sounds almost like his original voice. Good job Peter Spellos.

Dialogue Edit
Before Meramon's attack.

"No Dialogue"

American Meramon: "Is that the best you can do."

I'm putting this down because he doesn't say anything in the original. This happens a few other times as well.

Also his attack name changes from Burning Fist to Fireball.

Paint Edit
During Piyomon's evolution sequence the Romaji is changed to the English name.

Side Note
Melodee Spevack's voice as Birdramon is fine and is a perfect match to Atori Shigematsu, but I hate that Saban made her make these horrible bird cries.

Dialogue Edit
In this episode Birdramon's Meteor Wing is changed to bird cries, but when she shows up later the attack keeps its original name.

At the end we get some Joe stupidity

Jou: "If you chew it enough, it's not so bad."

Joe: "I'm skipping this one too. I just don't like to eat on an empty stomach. Besides I don't even know what that stuff is, but I'm sure I'm allergic to it."

In the original he obviously eats it. I hate how Joe is written sometimes.



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Episode 003

Episode Stats:

Japanese Episode 003: The Blue Wolf! Garurumon
American Episode 103: Garurumon
Japanese Air Date: March 21st 1999
American Air Date: August 28th 1999
Important Characters: Seadramon, Garurumon
Important Places: Lake

After Shellmon's attack the kids wonder what they're going to do next. Then they see 2 Monochromon who the kids think will attack them so they run. Soon after they find an area with a lake that they then decide to stay there for the night. The older boys take turns watching over for the night. Taichi & Agumon don't realize what they are using for their fire is really Seadramon's tail. Seadramon attacks and then everyone gets scared. Takeru falls into the lake and Gomamon rescues him while Yamato & Gabumon try to deal with Seadramon. Yamato is put into danger when Seadramon wraps his tail around him and that triggers Gabumon's evolution into Garurumon. Garurumon & Seadramon fight and is defeated then Garurumon turns back in to Gabumon then morning arises and everyone wants to know what they're going to do next.

Thoughts
You know I really like this mini-arc as there is a lot of action. It was a good way to pull viewers in all over the world. I liked the moments between Yamato & Takeru in this episode. Taichi & Yamato get in their first fight here as well.

The dub was handled well once again though Saban changed the fact that Yamato & Takeru were brothers into half-brothers. This will be retconed later though.

Side Note
Tom Fahn takes over from Michael Lindsay as Agumon here. It will be that way until the end of Digimon Adventure 02. His Agumon is OK, but he's no Chika Sakamoto.

Monochromon is given a voice in the dub while in the original he they have no voices.

In the dub Mimi says about the trolley "Maybe it can take us home." That's some major foreshadowing.

Dialogue Edit
The way the whole let's take Gabumon's fur scene is handled very differently in the 2 versions.

Taichi: "Hey, Gabumon Let me borrow your pelt to use as a blanket. I've been dying to see what you look like underneath that. Let me see!"
Japanese Gabumon: "Anything but that."

Tai: "Hey, Gabumon Watch it Mimi may sneak up on you and steal your fur. So if you feel a little tug it might be her about to cut off your tail. *laughs*"
American Gabumon: "Stop Tai, that's not funny."

Matt's line about what him & T.K. are:

Yamato: "We're brothers. Our parents divorced, so we're living separately."

Matt: "Not anymore, We're half-brothers, and we don't get to see each other much."

Yeah, not right at all. I can see why Saban made this mistake as their last names are different, but it shows that they didn't bother to read the translation of the original script.

Side Note
So we went from the brothers line all the way up to the fight between Garurumon & Seadramon with no really stupid lines. That's good. Anyways Garurumon's voice is an excellent fit. Kirk Thornton is another one of the best American voice actors this show has. He does make him a bit higher pitch later, but even then it's still great.

Dialogue Edit
Garurumon's attack name has been changed from Fox Fire to Howling Blaster.

An exchange from Gabumon & Matt.

Japanese Gabumon: "You're just too shy."
Yamato: "Look who's talking."

American Gabumon: "You know you were the man."
Matt: "And you're the wolf man."

Yeah, the wolf man reference was unnecessary.

Gomamon's attack name is changed again. In this episode it's Fish Power.


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Adventure Episode 2 Added

The comparison for the 2nd Adventure episode has now been added.

Episode 002

Episode Stats:

Japanese Episode 002: Explosive Evolution! Greymon
American Episode 102: The Birth Of Greymon
Japanese Air Date: March 14th 1999
American Air Date: August 21st 1999
Important Characters: Shellmon, Greymon
Important Places: Ocean

The kids fall off the cliff, and when they think they've fallen to their doom Gomamon calls out his Marching Fishes to save the day. Everybody is safe, and the Digimon explain that it's thanks to them that they evolved. After that they look for where to go next. They wind up on a weird beach with telephone booths that are malfunctioning. The kids wonder what they're going to do. It is revealed that Takeru brought food with him. While discussing a plan Taichi & Agumon stuff their faces and then Shellmon attack, and only Agumon can actually fight him as everyone else is too tired. Taichi puts himself into danger which triggers Agumon's evolution into Greymon. Greymon & Shellmon get into a fight which results in Greymon winning, and he reverts back to Agumon, and asks Taichi for some food.

Thoughts
This begins the mini-arc of each chosen Digimon evolves into its Adult form, and this is a good episode to start things off with. The battle between Greymon & Shellmon is very good for a first fight between 2 Adult level Digimon.

The dub turned out pretty good actually. Not too much cringe worthy dialogue & no cut footage whatsoever though there was some added footage early on in the episode. A lot of the dialogue was dead-on accurate here.

Dialogue Edit
Gomamon's attack name is changed from Marching Fishes to Fish Net but only in this episode. In later episodes the original name is used.

Added Footage+21 seconds all together
When each Digimon is explaining who they Digivolved from their evolution footage from the previous episode is shown.

Side Note
This is the first episode we hear Jeff Nimoy as Tentomon. To me he is pretty much an English speaking Takahiro Sakurai. He is by far one of the best voices the dub has to offer.

Dialogue Edit
We went about 12.5 minutes with no cringe worthy dialogue then we get this exchange from Tai & Izzy.

Taichi: "He calls Yamato Onii-Chan."
Koushirou: "Maybe they're cousins."

Tai: "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse."
Izzy: "I'd settle for a small cow."

Not only is it a stupid rewrite it covers up something pretty damn important. It's the fact that Yamato & Takeru are brothers but have different last names due to their parents divorce.

Here's one from Joe.

Joe:" ...And doesn't Shellmon know I'm allergic to shellfish."

Contradicts what he said about not being allergic to seafood.

Side Note
Greymon's voice is very different from what it will be later, but it's still Michael Lindsay voicing him here.

Dialogue Edit
Greymon's attack name has changed from Mega Flame to Digi Nova Blast in this episode, but in future episodes it will be just Nova Blast.

What was with the random Digimon call thing at the end of the episode?

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Episode 001 Of Adventure Uploaded

My comparison of the very first episode is now on the site.

Episode 001

Episode Stats:

Japanese Episode 001: Adrift! The Island Of Adventure
American Episode 101: And So It Begins...
Japanese Air Date: March 7th 1999
American Air Date: August 14th 1999
Important Characters: Taichi Yagami (Tai Kamiya), Yamato Ishida, (Matt Ishida), Sora Takenouchi, Koushirou Izumi (Izzy Izumi), Mimi Tachikawa, Jou Kido (Joe Kido), Takeru Takaishi (T.K. Takaishi), Koromon, Agumon, Tsunomon, Gabumon, Pyocomon (Yokomon), Piyomon (Biyomon), Motimon, Tentomon, Tanemon, Palmon, Pukamon (Bukamon), Gomamon, Tokomon, Patamon, Kuwagamon
Important Places: Summer Camp, File Island (DigiWorld)

Seven children who live in Japan are enjoying a peaceful day in Summer Camp when suddenly weird things start happening and it is snowing in Japan in the summer. The seven children then get these weird devices which then sends a tidal wave and sucks them into the Digital World. Shortly after each kids is partnered with their own Digimon. An evil Digimon named Kuwagamon attackgs them, and with nowhere else to run they must fight, but the Digimon who are in their Baby II forms can't do anything but blow bubbles. With the power of their Digivices the Digimon evolve into their Child forms and save the day....Well that's what everyone though then suddenly Kuwagamon comes out and uses an attack that destroys the cliff they were all on and sends them falling.

Thoughts
I think anyone who grew up with Digimon could tell you the whole story of this first episode without even reading the above summary. This is the episode most people watched as their introduction to the series. It is a little cluttered as in it's 2 episodes in 1, but it's overall very enjoyable.

The dub is decent despite lots of rewrites. If I posted all of them I'd typing out entire transcripts, and that's not my job here therefore I'll only point out the really stupid lines.

As far as voice acting goes I won't be too harsh since it was the first episode the dub actors did, but I will say if the if I think the voice fits the character.

Tai: I personally think a woman should have voiced him in English, but Joshua Seth does an admirable job.

Matt: He's every bit as good as Yuuto Kazama

Sora: Also a good fit

Izzy: I love Mona Marshall as Izzy. This was one of the better dub voices

Mimi: Philece Sampler is every bit as girly as Ai Maeda is in the role

Joe: Sounds almost like Masami Kikuchi

T.K.: Wendee Lee did a great job with him.

I won't comment on the Digimon until later.

Side Note
In the Japanese version there is a narrator that recaps the story, and tells the events in this episode in the beginning, but in the dub Tai does the narrator's job. The dub won't get a narrator until Episode 34.

Paint Edit
When the kids are introduced their Japanese names & school information are removed and their English names are put in its place. This is the only time you see the original names of Tai, Matt, Izzy, Joe & T.K. in the dub. Japanese version on top, dub on the bottom.

During these screens in the dub Tai makes some douchebag like comments about the others that I find unnecessary.

Dialogue Edit
In the Devimon arc of the dub they erase any reference to the kids living in Japan.

Koushirou: "That's..."
Japanese Sora: "An aurora"
Taichi: "It's my first time seeing one."
Japanese Mimi: "Isn't it amazing."
Koushirou: "But that's weird! How can there be an aurora in Japan?"

Izzy: "Yeah, what is it?"
American Sora: "Maybe an Aurora."
Izzy: Oh you mean Aurora Borealis, the northern lights? That's impossible, you see that in Alaska. We're way too far south."

Fortunately in the Myotismon arc they retcon it and say the kids are in Japan.

Dialogue Edit
This is when Koromon is introducing himself to Taichi

Japanese Koromon: "I'm Koromon! I've been waiting for you Taichi!"
Taichi: "Koromon..? You were... waiting for me?"
Japanese Koromon: Yeah!

American: Koromon: "My name's Koromon...and we're...partners!"
Tai: "Koromon?  That means...talking head?"
American Koromon:  "Hmm.  It means brave little warrior, and don't forget it, Tai!"

Side Note
During the Digimon Analyzer screens the narrator tells information about the Digimon in the Japanese version. In the dub it's one of the characters who tells information.

I must say that Masami Kikuchi's screaming is much better than Michael Lindsay's.

Removed Footage-4 seconds/Added Footage+2 seconds
When the Digimon state what they are to the kids there is a 4 second scene that is cut which is still shot of them laughing.

Dialogue Edit
The kids in the dub don't state they're from Odaiba Elementary instead they say stupid one liners like "Do you have Internet access?"

Side Note
Tanemon's name is horribly mispronounced in the dub. It's Tah-Nay-Mon not Tan-A-Mon.

Now that all the In-Training Digimon have appeared I'll comment on their voices.

Koromon: I'm not impressed. Fortunately he will get a voice change later, and it will be for the better.
Tsunomon: Fits pretty well.
Yokomon: Another good fit
Motimon: He's decent enough.
Tanemon: A great voice.
Bukamon: Another one I'm not a fan of. He sounds totally wrong. Give me Junko Takeuchi any day of the week.
Tokomon: Cute, but Laura Summer will change her voice for him later which sounds even cuter.

Dialogue Edit
2 lines, one from Joe & one from Matt. There was no talking in either scene of the original.

Joe: "My mom is going to want a total refund."

Matt: "I knew I should have brought my bug spray."

Music Edit
The main evolution theme to this series is Brave Heart. The dub replaces it with an instrumental piece.

Paint Edit
During Pyocomon & Pukamon's evolution screen their names in Romaji plus Piyomon's are edited out and replaced with the English names. Funnily enough the Katakana is untouched. As always Japanese on top, American on bottom.

Dialogue Edit
Almost all of the Digimon's attack's names were changed in the dub. The only one that is the same is Palmon's which is Poison Ivy. As for the rest:

Patamon: Air Shot becomes Boom Bubble
Tentomon: Petit Thunder becomes Super Shocker
Agumon: Baby Flame becomes Pepper Breath
Gabumon: Petit Fire becomes Blue Blaster
Biyomon: Magical Fire becomes Spiral Twister

Side Note
I'll comment on the Rookie Digimon's voices now.

Agumon: It's OK, he'll get a voice change in Episode 3 anyways, so not much to say now.
Gabumon: It fits
Biyomon: Another good fit
Tentomon: Awful, but his voice changes in the next episode, so it's not a big deal.
Palmon: Good
Gomamon: Still awful
Patamon: Adorable

Removed Footage-2 seconds/Added Footage+4 seconds
The way the reaction to Kuwagamon's attack is a bit different in the 2 versions. In the Japanese version Kuwagamon attacks the cliff then we see the kids in panic then a bird's eye view of the cliff then the same shot as before. In the dub the first reaction shot is removed and replaced with a 4 second scene of Izzy, Matt, Joe & T.K. from earlier in the episode.

After this the episode ends the same way in both versions.

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I Forgot To Mention Yesterday's Update Didn't I?

Yesterday I uploaded Movie 1's comparison. That was really hard to do.