To Be Digimon

A Wild and Adventuresome Frolic

Yamato: Why do you want to find a crest, Izzy?

Koushiro: Well, I guess it's mostly because of Kabuterimon. I would like to see what stage he'd digivolve to after that one. Isn't that why you're looking for a crest?

Yamato: No. I want to use the crest to digivolve me.

Koushiro: Oh?

Yamato: Not into a Digimon, but to make me stronger and smarter, maybe learn something new about myself. You know, to reach my next level.

Consistently and increasingly throughout the season, the cast of Digimon Frontier reflected on the responsibilities they had as Digimon. This seems appropriate, since they were coming in as humans to do a job designed for and desired by Digimon. Yes, they were called, and they should not feel ashamed for helping, but being considerate of what's best for the Digimon is a reasonable requirement. The newest set of Tamers (of Beast Spirits, at least) undertook this readily -- but they took it too far.

The problem (which is only a problem because the kids didn't realize it) is that they are not Digimon. Let's say it again -- THEY AREN'T DIGIMON! They can use the spirits of Digimon to transform their bodies into those of Digimon, but their minds are still human. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Digimon aren't innately smarter, or kinder, or braver. They aren't even more knowledgeable -- but they are more knowledge about their own world. The kids also completely misunderstand what it means to be a Digimon.

"When I'm a Digimon, I don't fear anything!" And if Tommy carried a gun to school, he'd never have to worry about being bullied again. Being a Digimon makes them brave not because Digimon are brave, but because they now have a powerful new weapon.

"Why do you care about this world?" "I'm a Digimon! It's my world, too!" Hate to break it to ya, Takky, but you're just a squatter -- and a selfish one, too. When did the motivation for saving the Digital World change from altruism to self-defense? Why did "I won't let you kill living creatures" turn into "I won't let you kill me"? Was it truly so unlikely that kids could care about something that didn't directly affect them? If that's an attempt at reality, then I think I'm happier with lies.

"I can control the forces of nature, because I'm a Digimon!" This, on the other hand, I like. Although of course impossible, it nicely, subtly, points out that humans live in active opposition to the nature that gave them birth. Nice touch.

"I'm a Digimon, so I know what's best for this world!" Okay, they never said this straight-out, but I almost wish they had so that I could just fall over twitching and be done with it. Not that I'm saying that Lucemon's pursuit of chaos was right -- although that would be an interesting argument to make. It would ultimately be a failing one, however, since there were outside sources agreeing that "this is bad." Can't blame the kiddies for listening to their elders. Which brings me to my next point...

"I'm a Digimon, so I know what's best for YOU!" Finally, we reach the true root of the problem! If they'd killed Nefertimon like she'd asked, maybe Lucemon would never have been revived. And it's not like sparing her life gave her more than five extra minutes to live. A paltry exchange for a world, if you ask me. If you think you know the right answer to everything, and believe you can/must do it all by yourself -- like these Digidestined do -- then you should be willing to do whatever it takes. Would I rather they became cold-blooded killers? Well, no, but... there has to be a better answer than just "sit there like a lump and wait for death." And if there isn't, yeah, then, kill. Nefertimon knew what was going on. Most of the native Digimon do. The kids were still just kids, and should have realized that a month in a world does not make you an expert -- even when you can dress up like the natives.

"I know I can save this world, because I'm a Legendary Warrior!" ...and there my argument falls to shreds. Damn it. They might not be Legendary Warriors any more than they are Digimon... but it still lays the world at their feet. It opens doors for them, gets them into scrapes, and leaves them hanging by their toes... and winning the day. They aren't Digimon. But they can sure put on a nice show as Legendary Warriors.