Digimon Adventure: Episode 4- Birdramon Soars

[Vande]

This is the episode discussion thread for Episode 4, Birdramon Soars

An extended version of the episode preview from the end of episode 3.

Episode 4 airs Sunday, June 28th, 9am in Japan.

The simulcast for Crunchyroll is shortly after at:
Saturday, June 27th, 7:30pm in California (Pacific)
Saturday, June 27th, 10:30pm in New York (Eastern)
Sunday, June 28th, 3:30am in the UK

If your time isn't included in the short list above this link will take you to an easy to use time converter so you check yours.

(Most countries) Crunchyroll Series Page- Episode 4 Page
(US only) VRV Series Page- Episode 4 Page
(AU only) Anime Lab Series Page- Episode link will be added when available



No spoilers past this episode and no posting before the episode is commonly available for most people at the simulcast times listed above (if you are posting about the episode trending on social media in Japan, feel free to post about that.) You can discuss any next episode previews if they are shown at the end of the episode.


Feel free to join us in the Discord if you want to chat about the episode.

 

[MarcFBR]

The animation was pleasant, but not grand like in the prior episodes, which is mostly what we expected.

The overall structure was also overall quite similar to many Digimon episodes.


It was an enjoyable episode overall, but with some more obvious issues.

The break made them decide to be very direct with their target audience about introducing new Digimon. Seemed unnecessary since they all got proper introductions at roughly the same time as the onscreen text.
Many people don't like how contrived it was that towards the end of Hatchet, that Brian finds a wealth of supplies and is quickly rescued. That feels fine compared to Sora just... coincidentally having gone to pick up survival gear. At least Jou having equipment sort of made sense based on the personality and background they gave him.
Also... Sora has... no real reaction to Digimon existing, even when she thinks Agumon is a dinosaur. She's more surprised when he talks. Which feels weird.


A good introduction episode for Sora, but perhaps also shows how the unique way the original Adventure started out was to the benefit of characters getting their 'introduction' type episode after we already knew them in some cases for a number of episodes.


The Agumon evolution sequence was nice, and will no doubt be used many a time during the show.

The new insert song is... it's a good song, and I rather like how it sounds, but it also comes across pretty standard? Not sure what I was expecting, but the OP has some great energy, and this felt a bit step down from that.


Very happy to hear Tentomon, as everyone always is.


Like I said, enjoyable episode, and starting off on the journey of feeding us information and character intros.

 

[MagnaAngemonn]

What an amazing episode. Those evolutionary sequences were something else. I can't wait to see those for the other characters.

The show trended worldwide and in Japan today along with Sora.

 

[Leoil01]

The animation was pleasant, but not grand like in the prior episodes, which is mostly what we expected.

The overall structure was also overall quite similar to many Digimon episodes.


It was an enjoyable episode overall, but with some more obvious issues.

The break made them decide to be very direct with their target audience about introducing new Digimon. Seemed unnecessary since they all got proper introductions at roughly the same time as the onscreen text.
Many people don't like how contrived it was that towards the end of Hatchet, that Brian finds a wealth of supplies and is quickly rescued. That feels fine compared to Sora just... coincidentally having gone to pick up survival gear. At least Jou having equipment sort of made sense based on the personality and background they gave him.
Also... Sora has... no real reaction to Digimon existing, even when she thinks Agumon is a dinosaur. She's more surprised when he talks. Which feels weird.


A good introduction episode for Sora, but perhaps also shows how the unique way the original Adventure started out was to the benefit of characters getting their 'introduction' type episode after we already knew them in some cases for a number of episodes.


The Agumon evolution sequence was nice, and will no doubt be used many a time during the show.

The new insert song is... it's a good song, and I rather like how it sounds, but it also comes across pretty standard? Not sure what I was expecting, but the OP has some great energy, and this felt a bit step down from that.


Very happy to hear Tentomon, as everyone always is.


Like I said, enjoyable episode, and starting off on the journey of feeding us information and character intros.

I think it makes sense for this sora the feel I get from her is shes more of an outdoorsy type it wouldn't be that farfetched that she was probably going camping

 

[MarcFBR]

Also, I got distracted by typing that Tentomon was there. We also got Ogremon at the end really quickly, as expected, and the return of Whamon, which... hopefully we get more of him.

 

[GoldenEXP]

Aaaa the evolution sequence was AMAZING!! i cant wait to see the other ones going forward
they went all out on this one, which is good for a canned animation. Finally the 3d is used in a good way for these
The episode itself was pretty nice, the animation quality hit was thankfully not as severe as i feared, tho there were some weird shots here or there

Interesting that the net space is, like, the "upper layer" or something for the digital world! Also interesting that it doesnt seem like the time dilation was brought back
Tentomon is always a treat! Happy to hear his voice again

Ill take the little names appearing on the side over having to pause for the analizer every time a new diggle is on screen, ngl
Insert song was... there?Doesnt really have the energy i was hopin for, but oh well, it does its job okay... Hope they have different, cooler songs for perfects/ultimates
All in all, a fantastic return with one or two problems, really really excited for more~

The show trended worldwide and in Japan today along with Sora.

Always good news! Glad the hiatus wasnt too much of a hit on its viewership

 

[Sparrow Hawk]

Agumon to Greymon animation was so godly. On the level of Frontier transform evolution animation for sure!

I agree. Sora's reaction towards digimon was not normal for a young kid, how do I say... Too chilling and relaxed?

What's up with all wild digimons drooling so menacingly? lol

This episode had amazing animation but few scenes weren't animated very well it seemed. For example, Meteor Wing and Greymon with long arms after fried Coelamon out. Same things for Tylomon's helmet got squished.

Importantly... How do they able to tell when wild digmons suddenly charge at you? I mean Agumon knew Snimon and Coelamon's intentions. All they seemed to me, they went arggghhh and growling.

 

[ryuujinkurodou]

The animation was pleasant, but not grand like in the prior episodes, which is mostly what we expected.

The overall structure was also overall quite similar to many Digimon episodes.


It was an enjoyable episode overall, but with some more obvious issues.

The break made them decide to be very direct with their target audience about introducing new Digimon. Seemed unnecessary since they all got proper introductions at roughly the same time as the onscreen text.
Many people don't like how contrived it was that towards the end of Hatchet, that Brian finds a wealth of supplies and is quickly rescued. That feels fine compared to Sora just... coincidentally having gone to pick up survival gear. At least Jou having equipment sort of made sense based on the personality and background they gave him.
Also... Sora has... no real reaction to Digimon existing, even when she thinks Agumon is a dinosaur. She's more surprised when he talks. Which feels weird.


A good introduction episode for Sora, but perhaps also shows how the unique way the original Adventure started out was to the benefit of characters getting their 'introduction' type episode after we already knew them in some cases for a number of episodes.


The Agumon evolution sequence was nice, and will no doubt be used many a time during the show.

The new insert song is... it's a good song, and I rather like how it sounds, but it also comes across pretty standard? Not sure what I was expecting, but the OP has some great energy, and this felt a bit step down from that.


Very happy to hear Tentomon, as everyone always is.


Like I said, enjoyable episode, and starting off on the journey of feeding us information and character intros.

I totally agree with you, but it kinda useless to fit botamon, koromon even agumon pixelated data animation in evolution scene

 

[MarcFBR]

I totally agree with you, but it kinda useless to fit botamon, koromon even agumon pixelated data animation in evolution scene

I saw it as a sort of way to show off cycling through possibilities of the characters levels. Almost like how characters would wipe through choices in Minority Report.

 

[icomeanon6]

I only have two real complaints, main one that Meteor Wing was pretty flat, and minor one that I don't dig the captions with the digimon names; feels too artificial. Those gripes aside, I continue to dig this.

They're really emphasizing the tomboyish side of Sora's character, and I think it's a good fit so far. And man, there's just no fazing her. I totally approve of this survival-gear-shopping, cliff-jumping, Snimon-jacking Sora. I can definitely see where the complaint comes from that she didn't have much of a reaction to the Digital World, but it just didn't bother me. If the show were realistic about what actual ten-year-olds could handle, they'd all be rolled up in a ball crying or in actual, medical shock or something. But it's an Adventure, and these are adventurous kids; I take it as just part of the fantasy of the premise. There's an un-cynical purity to the show and its characters so far, like these are just the kinds of kids who can be thrust into fantastic adventure and barely miss a beat, and I just buy it. (Of course, I'm still looking forward to Joe's inevitable freak-out.) As for the survival shopping and its conspicuous convenience, I dunno. Maybe with Tokyo's near collapse from apparent cyber-terrorism and near brush with nuclear disaster she decided it'd be good to be prepared, and camp gave her a better idea of the kind of stuff to get.

My favorite part is that after 2.5 blisteringly fast episodes (which I loved), the more sustainable pace starting after Taichi returns from the Net continues here. This episode knew where to breathe and where to charge forward. There's a good sense of place and some nice character interactions.

Another thing I love so far is how consistently evolutions have followed actions by the kids to help/protect their Digimon. It really sells the idea that the Chosen Children are the ones providing the power for evolution with their emotions. And in the course of battle, we see that the more determined the kids are, the more powerful their Digimon become, especially with their special attacks.

While I maintain that stock evolution sequences are a crutch rather than an asset (yes, I know a lot of fans really love them), Greymon's was really dang good. I loved that they maintained some of the tactile quality of the custom evolution sequence from episode 1; it had good animation substance in addition to all the flash. Generally with these sequences, the more substantive animation they have, the more I can tolerate their repeated use. And in my book, insert songs are insert songs--my favorite Digimon moments are usually the ones that eschew them. Maybe after I hear it more it'll get something of an emotional response from me like Brave Heart or EVO, but no insert song has ever sold or sunk an anime for me.

This show is just so much fun. Makes me wish I'd seen it at age seven. And Sora rules.

What's up with all wild digimons drooling so menacingly? lol
[...]
Importantly... How do they able to tell when wild digmons suddenly charge at you? I mean Agumon knew Snimon and Coelamon's intentions. All they seemed to me, they went arggghhh and growling.

I think you answered your own question, at least with Snimon. It was going after Piyomon and was drooling; it's not a huge leap of logic for Agumon to assume it's trying to eat Piyomon. As for Coelamon, it's not unprecedented for Digimon to have a good sense of when enemies are approaching. Agumon probably heard or felt something in the water.

 

[Sarabande__]

Another great ep, with what I have seen so far I can't fault anything at all. I hope they keep these great episodes coming.

 

[Sparrow Hawk]

Still, it's really hard to tell why they attack at you. Snimon drooling and Piyomon running away situation easily could be misleading. And it's true Agumon sensed the danger when Coelamon approached but when Coelamon popped out and Agumon said we are not foods which it confused me. It seemed Coelamon was randomly doing "Flying Fish" actions to me.

Digimon partners able to read the movements or intentions of the wild digimon is something fun and interesting to watch...

Oh yeah. 2020 Digivices got so much amazing tricks and more useful than D-arks. It got Digi-Text translation skill installation, 3D model hologram, and light of... "Map directions" guidance. Shame it didn't get Digi-Analyzer.

 

[Lord Bearmon]

Still, it's really hard to tell why they attack at you. Snimon drooling and Piyomon running away situation easily could be misleading. And it's true Agumon sensed the danger when Coelamon approached but when Coelamon popped out and Agumon said we are not foods which it confused me. It seemed Coelamon was randomly doing "Flying Fish" actions to me.

What's so weird about a digimon understanding another digimon? I don't expect them all to communicate in japanese language. They probably can communicate like real life animals as well which humans wouldn't understand.

 

[Digiforlife]

hmm it is definitely an interesting episode. I'm somewhat surprised that they used "wild digimon attacking" plot rather than "some evil stuff infected digimon going rampage". About the insert song I did not get the same kind of vibe that Brave Heart routinely brings which hopefully I will like it as it is used more often. My overall impression for this is that Adventure 2020 is an alternative route of what original Adventure could have gone.

 

[Sparrow Hawk]

Still, it's really hard to tell why they attack at you. Snimon drooling and Piyomon running away situation easily could be misleading. And it's true Agumon sensed the danger when Coelamon approached but when Coelamon popped out and Agumon said we are not foods which it confused me. It seemed Coelamon was randomly doing "Flying Fish" actions to me.

What's so weird about a digimon understanding another digimon? I don't expect them all to communicate in japanese language. They probably can communicate like real life animals as well which humans wouldn't understand.

Hmm true. Japanese language? Nah all anime series automatically have it in order to understand better besides subtitles.
I guess I should be glad to have those digimon partners to translate for us. But honestly all wild ones seemed to lack of capable of speaking or even intelligent... You know? I mean, it's making all digimon partners look smart. Heh.

 

[Tetsuya Suoh]

Agumon to Greymon animation was so godly. On the level of Frontier transform evolution animation for sure!

I agree. Sora's reaction towards digimon was not normal for a young kid, how do I say... Too chilling and relaxed?

What's up with all wild digimons drooling so menacingly? lol

This episode had amazing animation but few scenes weren't animated very well it seemed. For example, Meteor Wing and Greymon with long arms after fried Coelamon out. Same things for Tylomon's helmet got squished.

Importantly... How do they able to tell when wild digmons suddenly charge at you? I mean Agumon knew Snimon and Coelamon's intentions. All they seemed to me, they went arggghhh and growling.

Personally, the Savers sequence was always my favorite. This seems to mix some of that with a little bit of Tamers style wire framing, which is pretty cool.

I think in this Digital World, stronger Digimon eating weaker ones is just the norm, so if a bigger Digimon randomly attacks you, it's a safe bet they've marked you as lunch. I've always seen the Digital world, without the intervention of humans, is a very Darwinian, survival of the fittest type place. It's literally a Digi eat Digi world. At least it was in Tamers and, to some extent, X Evolution. In Tamers, digimon got stronger by absorbing teh data of therir fallen foes, and in X Evolution, Digimon without the X antibody would hunt down those who had it so they could absorb it and survive Project X. Eating other Digimon just seems like a more direct way of absorbing their data.

As for me, my only real complaint (I don't tend to analyze stuff I watch until well after the fact. Usually when I'm trying to sleep) Is the way Biyomon's first evolution was handled, It's like, yeah, they technically went for the real time evolution, but we didn't actually see it happen. Just *whoosh!* Fire! And suddenly Birdramon. I know the episode was 2/3rds over, so I wasn't expecting something as grand and drawn out as Agumon's "first" time, but I wold have like to actually see the body change. Maybe something similar to Ep1, but faster. I do like that we see Botamon and Koromon in Agumon's stock footage and I hope that continues with the other 6 Adult level sequences.

As for the music, I actually kind of prefer the music used in the intros and during Agumon's evolution to the insert song. I also wouldn't mind if the battle theme was the instrumental version of Unidentified Airship from Ep2

 

[Vande]

I really liked the new evolution sequence for Greymon.

The Digivice has more features now which fills in for Koushiro not being with them in person to deciper things.

I do have a feeling that the drooling is to do with 'corruption' of some sorts rather than 'they are food' due to things we've already seen in other Digimon media.

I did like the insert song, defo want to hear more of that.

Decent episode, Episode 5 will be an info drop by the looks of things.

 

[dgmn]

Yes yes Sora's reaction to seeing Agumon was a bit too flat imo. Nevertheless, they still got her character right, oh and helmet was great. Tentomon standard relations with Koshiro. Good thing they managed to keep them progressing through this episode aka no raft building scenes. Like the drooling feature in some of the enemies, makes them behave like any wild digimon. Ogremon looks more menaicng in tht small cameo than in original. Thing is most probably many thing about Chosen, their digimon, and even villains can surprise us anymore so that's why many pointed out blandness of Sora's 1st interaction with digimon and Digital world as kinda bland.

 

[ryuujinkurodou]

Anyone notice that Greymon reverts to Agumon based on his relaxing stats. It's a kindly odd reason recently, cause Greymon in episode 1 can maintain his form until episode 2 after he performs his final attack 'Mega Flame' to Algomon 'Adult level'. I hope there will be a rational reason that explained later about this problem.

 

[arisniko1]

I liked the epi but it seemed too generic. Of course it's still the 4th episode so it makes sense. I liked the evo sequence but I still havent heard anything quite like Brave Heart to pump me up for the action following the evolution. Also I found strange that they showed Botamon and Koromon. Anyway...
What I like most about this show is that we dont know what to expect. In the original we had one evolution per episode etc etc. Now we dont even know how Mimi and Joe will join the team as they didnt seem to have any acquaintance. I still believe (and hope) that Ophanimon and Seraphimon will be shown as part of the holy Digimon and then revert back to join Takeru and Hikari. Or maybe they reverted to hide from whatever darkness they'll have to fight.