Being one long action sequence, this is the first episode of "Tamers" to really focus on thrills, which is a welcome change of pace after the dominant feeling of meandering. I definitely like how the opponents have escalated thus far, as Mihiramon is convincingly portrayed as the biggest threat the trio has faced; notice how casually he brushes off their attacks. His size is highlighted in many shots, and his samurai tiger tail attack is simple, yet brutal. Some of the season's highest quality animation so far is a definite plus.
We get another example of Takato's tendency to experience strange things, as, for some reason, he is the only one of the group to feel the pain of his partner digimon (a throwaway reference to Neon Genesis Evangelion, no doubt). What follows is intended to be the first pivotal point in his personal journey, but the concerns established so well in the previous episode are presented so murkily that the whole thing comes across as a typical case of growing in bravery and perseverance in battle. Between Growlmon's urgings to be allowed to fight again (even though there is practically nothing to warrant this) and Takato's inexplicable flashbacks to Rika and Henry with their beaten digimon, you'd think his real fear was the possibility of Guilmon being destroyed.
It's barely perceptible that Takato is hesitant to allow Guilmon to evolve, but this personal block isn't utilized very well because Takato isn't given the opportunity to be affected by the consequences of his mistakes. The moment he allows Guilmon to become Growlmon, the fear of evolution is no longer relevant, resulting in Takato beating on himself over something that he has no reason to believe is his fault. There's absolutely no indication that Growlmon stumbles because of any hesitation on Takato's part, and, as far as we can tell, how hard he fights wouldn't have made an ounce of difference anyway. While it is true that the blue card only appears after Takato overcomes his fears, he was not aware that that would happen. Thus, the motivation for him gaining his new resolve receives little credibility. Had he gotten a blue card in the previous episode, but hesitated to use it, the situation would have been completely different. What's even more unfortunate is that this is the least ineffective introduction for an ultimate in the series. WarGrowlmon is great, looking like a sleek armored war machine, and the way he destroys Mihiramon is spectacular.
I've also got to comment on some stuff that is, for lack of a better term, dumb. The fact that Juggernaut allowed Mihiramon to bio-emerge is appropriate, since it goes with Yamaki's folly of trying to control the network, but having him break down in such a display of insecurity borders on laughable; the scene of him suspending Henry by the collar would have worked well enough on its own. Maybe it's just me, but the random little artsy touches, like the shot of Yamaki and Henry's feet as they stop walking and the wall clock in the previous episode, are becoming increasingly unnecessary. And don't you just love how after several episodes that made digivolution seem like the most difficult thing in the world, the kids just whip out a handy card that allows it to happen instantly? This wouldn't be so irritating if these weren't kids that are supposed to be familiar with the card game, and digivolution weren't such a basic strategy in that game! Nevertheless, this is a thoroughly entertaining episode that initiates the Deva arc, the first real sign of the plot kicking off.
We get another example of Takato's tendency to experience strange things, as, for some reason, he is the only one of the group to feel the pain of his partner digimon (a throwaway reference to Neon Genesis Evangelion, no doubt). What follows is intended to be the first pivotal point in his personal journey, but the concerns established so well in the previous episode are presented so murkily that the whole thing comes across as a typical case of growing in bravery and perseverance in battle. Between Growlmon's urgings to be allowed to fight again (even though there is practically nothing to warrant this) and Takato's inexplicable flashbacks to Rika and Henry with their beaten digimon, you'd think his real fear was the possibility of Guilmon being destroyed.
It's barely perceptible that Takato is hesitant to allow Guilmon to evolve, but this personal block isn't utilized very well because Takato isn't given the opportunity to be affected by the consequences of his mistakes. The moment he allows Guilmon to become Growlmon, the fear of evolution is no longer relevant, resulting in Takato beating on himself over something that he has no reason to believe is his fault. There's absolutely no indication that Growlmon stumbles because of any hesitation on Takato's part, and, as far as we can tell, how hard he fights wouldn't have made an ounce of difference anyway. While it is true that the blue card only appears after Takato overcomes his fears, he was not aware that that would happen. Thus, the motivation for him gaining his new resolve receives little credibility. Had he gotten a blue card in the previous episode, but hesitated to use it, the situation would have been completely different. What's even more unfortunate is that this is the least ineffective introduction for an ultimate in the series. WarGrowlmon is great, looking like a sleek armored war machine, and the way he destroys Mihiramon is spectacular.
I've also got to comment on some stuff that is, for lack of a better term, dumb. The fact that Juggernaut allowed Mihiramon to bio-emerge is appropriate, since it goes with Yamaki's folly of trying to control the network, but having him break down in such a display of insecurity borders on laughable; the scene of him suspending Henry by the collar would have worked well enough on its own. Maybe it's just me, but the random little artsy touches, like the shot of Yamaki and Henry's feet as they stop walking and the wall clock in the previous episode, are becoming increasingly unnecessary. And don't you just love how after several episodes that made digivolution seem like the most difficult thing in the world, the kids just whip out a handy card that allows it to happen instantly? This wouldn't be so irritating if these weren't kids that are supposed to be familiar with the card game, and digivolution weren't such a basic strategy in that game! Nevertheless, this is a thoroughly entertaining episode that initiates the Deva arc, the first real sign of the plot kicking off.
