Digimon Frontier

Setting

In the events prior to the series, a group of ten Digimon creatures from the "Digital World", a parallel universe originated from Earth's various communication networks, sacrificed themselves to defeat an ultimate evil for invading their world. These Digimon collectively known as "Legendary Warriors" created artifacts from their data, the twenty "Spirits" (ten Human Spirits and Beast Spirits for each elements), before leaving the Digital World in the care of three Celestial Digimon, Ophanimon, Cherubimon and Seraphimon. However, Cherubimon betrays them. To counter this, Ophanimon summons five children.

Characters

Takuya Kanbara (神原 拓也, Kanbara Takuya)

Voiced by: Junko Takeuchi (Japanese); Michael Reisz (TV series), Dave Wittenberg (Island of the Lost Digimon, and some episodes) (English)

Takuya is the leader of the group. He uses the Human Spirit of Fire to become Agunimon (アグニモン) and the Beast Spirit of Fire to become BurningGreymon (ヴリトラモン, Vuritoramon, Vritramon in the Japanese version). The combined spirits allow him to transform him into EmperorGreymon (カイゼルグレイモン, Kaizerugureimon, KaiserGreymon in the Japanese version).

Koji Minamoto (源 輝二, Minamoto Kōji)

Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya (Japanese); Steve Staley (English)

Koji is a loner who eventually becomes one of Takuya's friends. He uses the Human Spirit of Light to become Lobomon (ヴォルフモン, Wuorufumon, Wolfmon in the Japanese version) and the Beast Spirit of Light to become KendoGarurumon (ガルムモン, Garumumon, Garmmon in the Japanese version). The combined spirits allow him to transform him into MagnaGarurumon (マグナガルルモン, Magunagarurumon).

Zoe Orimoto (織本 泉, Orimoto Izumi, Izumi Orimoto in the Japanese version)

Voiced by: Sawa Ishige (Japanese); Michelle Ruff (English)

Zoe is the only female member. She uses the Human Spirit of Wind to become Kazemon (フェアリモン, Fearimon, Fairymon in the Japanese version), and the Beast Spirit of Wind to become Zephyrmon (シューツモン, Shūtsumon, Shutumon in the Japanese version).

J.P. Shibayama (柴山 純平, Shibayama Junpei, Junpei Shibayama in the Japanese version)

Voiced by: Masato Amada (Japanese); Steven Blum (English)

J.P. is the oldest of the group. He uses the Human Spirit of Thunder to become Beetlemon (ブリッツモン, Burittsumon, Blitzmon in the Japanese version), and the Beast Spirit of Thunder to become MetalKabuterimon (ボルグモン, Borugumon, Bolgmon in the Japanese version).

Tommy Himi (氷見 友樹, Himi Tomoki, Tomoki Himi in the Japanese version)

Voiced by: Kumiko Watanabe (Japanese); Brianne Siddall (English)

Tommy is the youngest of the group. He uses the Human Spirit of Ice to become Kumamon (チャックモン, Chakkumon, Chackmon in the Japanese version), and the Beast Spirit of Ice to become Korikakumon (ブリザーモン, Burizāmon, Blizzarmon in the Japanese version).

Koichi Kimura (木村 輝一, Kimura Kōichi)

Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura (Japanese); Crispin Freeman (English)

Koichi is Koji's older twin brother, whose existence was kept from one another after their parents' divorce. He follows Koji to the Digital World, only to be found by Cherubimon. As Cherubimon's servant, he uses a Human Spirit to transform into Duskmon (ダスクモン, Dasukumon), and a Beast Spirit to transform into Velgemon (ベルグモン, Berugumon). Once Koichi reforms, he uses the Human Spirit of Darkness to become Löwemon (レーベモン, Rēbemon), and the Beast Spirit of Darkness to become JägerLöwemon (カイザーレオモン, Kaizāreomon, KaiserLeomon in the Japanese version).

Story

The five DigiDestined find their respective Human Spirits and merge with them to "Spirit Evolve" into Digimon themselves. While finding each of their Beast Spirits, they meet five other Legendary Warriors, who serve Cherubimon. After defeating them (the rest of them destroy one and Koji takes another Beast Spirit), Koji notices that Cherubimon and Koichi are opposing them. Takuya and his friends free Koichi, restores his power, and allows him to join them. They rescue Ophanimon. However, she sacrifices herself to save them. Ophanimon upgrades Takuya and Koji's D-Tectors, with the last of her strength to allow them to Unity Spirit Evolve. After defeating Cherubimon, the DigiDestined learn that Lucemon is sealed within the Digital World's core. Two Royal Knights, Dynasmon and Crusadermon, scan all of the world's data to awaken Lucemon. Takuya and Koji defeat the knights, just as they scan the Digital World. When Lucemon frees himself, he opens a portal to the real world. After Koichi sacrifices his power, Lucemon leaves the Digital World. While all spirits combine to form into the ultimate Legendary Warrior Digimon Susanoomon, Lucemon reveals his true form and arrives at the real world. After reviving Ophanimon, Cherubimon and Seraphimon, Susanoomon destroys Lucemon, recovering the data and restoring the Digital World.

The children return to the real world and find that an hour has not even passed since they left. They save Koichi by using the power of D-Tectors, before it reverts into cell phones. Takuya and his friends embrace their future.

Anime

Certain scenes involving sexuality were censored for the North American release.

The series aired in Japan for 50 episodes on Fuji TV from April 7, 2002 to March 30, 2003.^[6] An English-language version, produced by Sensation Animation and recorded by Studiopolis, aired in North America on UPN, ABC Family, and YTV between September 9, 2002 and July 14, 2003. The dubbed version featured an original soundtrack, sound effects, character name changes and edits pertaining to content scenes thought to be inappropriate for all audiences. The series was originally scheduled to air on Jetix in the United Kingdom (after Digimon Tamers). However, the series was put on hold and was never broadcast by the time the channel ended in August 2009. New Video Group released a complete DVD box set of English-dubbed Digimon Frontier on September 10, 2013 in the US,^[8][9] and a DVD collection with all Digimon shows up to Frontier on October 22, 2013.^[10] Out of fan requests, the UK got a release of Frontier on October 29, 2018.^[11]

In addition to the television series, a film adaptation titled Digimon Frontier: Island of Lost Digimon was produced. It had the same writer, composer and character design from the TV show, but was directed by Takahiro Imamura.^[12] The film premiered at Toei's Summer Anime Fair on July 20, 2002 along with three other productions.^[13][14] Although the fair was deemed a box office failure, earning 800 million yen (US$6.8m)—whereas last edition earned 2 billion yen—,^[14] the film alone grossed half of it, 460 million yen.^[15] The film aired on American Jetix on November 27, 2005,^[16] and reruns were broadcast on Toon Disney in 2007.^[17]

Music

The opening theme song used for the series which was first broadcast in Japan is the song "FIRE!!" by Kōji Wada. Two different songs were used for the end themes, one for the first twenty-six episodes, and the other which covered the rest. For the first ending theme, the song "Innocent ~Mujaki na Mama de~" (イノセント〜無邪気なままで〜, Inosento ~Mujaki na Mama de~, "Innocent (Remain Innocent)") by Kōji Wada was used. The second ending theme song was entitled "an Endless tale" which was done by Kōji Wada and Ai Maeda. In addition to the theme songs four insert songs were used for the series these include; "With the Will" by Kōji Wada, "The Last Element" by Ayumi, "Salamander" by Junko Takeuchi, and "Oreta Tsubasa de - With Broken Wings" by Spirit Shinkers. The English adaptation of the anime uses a single theme song called "A World for Us All" by Christopher Horvath. The end theme features a remixed version of the opening theme. In addition to the single theme song, one insert song entitled "Digivolution" by Deddy Tzur and Inon Zur is present.

Audio drama

This audio drama takes place during and after their adventures in the Digital World. The children find a mailbox and decide to write letters for people.^[18]