Digimon Data Squad (Savers) デジモンセイバーズ

• Data Squad | Characters | Episode Guide | Dats | Voice Actors
  
  After a three year hiatus, a fifth Digimon series began airing on April 2, 2006. Like Frontier, Savers has no connection with the previous installments, and also marks a new start for the Digimon franchise, with a drastic change in character designs and story-line, in order to reach a broader audience. The story focus on the challenges faced by the members of D.A.T.S. ("Digital Accident Tactics Squad"), an organization created to conceal the existence of the Digital World and Digimon from the rest of mankind, and solve any Digimon related incidents occurred on Earth in secret.
  
  Later the D.A.T.S. team is dragged between a massive conflict between Earth and the Digital World triggered by an ambitious human scientist determined to make use of the Digimon to his own personal gains. The English version was dubbed by Studiopolis and it premiered on the Jetix block on Toon Disney on October 1, 2007. Digivolution in Data Squad requires the human partner's DNA ("Digisoul" in the Japanese version) to activate, a strong empathy with their Digimon and a will to succeed. Like previously in Tamers, this plot takes on a dark tone throughout the story and the anime was aimed originally in Japan at an older audience consisting of late teens and people in their early twenties from ages 16 to 21 years. Because of that, and due to the designs and because the anime is heavily edited and localized for western US audiences like past series and the English dub is aimed mostly toward younger audiences of children aged 6 to 10 years and has a lower TV-Y7-FV rating just like past dubs, Studiopolis dubbed the anime on Jetix with far more edits, changes, censorship, and cut footage. This included giving the Japanese characters full Americanized names and American surnames as well as applying far more Americanization, cultural streamlining and more edits to their version similar to the changes 4Kids often made (such as removal of Japanese text for the purpose of cultural streamlining in which there are more being translated and removed).
  
  The Plot
  
  

  A 14-year-old boy, Marcus Damon, an undefeated ultimate fighter (street fighter in the original Japanese version), meets Agumon, who has escaped from DATS, a secret government organization set up to defend the human world from invading wild Digimon. After fighting each other, the two quickly become friends, and through a series of events, are inducted into DATS, where they hope to grow in strength.

  Marcus' team-mates include 14-year-old Thomas H. Norstein, a young prodigy, with his partner Gaomon, and 16-year-old Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda who has Lalamon for her partner. As the series progresses, Thomas discovers that Digimon respond to the "darkness" in humans, putting them at odds with monsters who seek to use humanity's own vices to bolster their own power.

  The plot thickens with the introduction of Merukimon, one of the rulers (as a member of the Olympus Twelve, Merukimon has a god status in the Digital World), of the Digital World who rules the eastern Digital World and lives in the Infinite Ice Ridge, Floramon and the human boy Keenan Krier, who serves him along with his partner Falcomon. The DATS team tries to unfold the reason for their hatred of humankind, until it is revealed that the real enemy was Akihiro Kurata, a scientist who led an attack on the Digital World years before that resulted in the death of many Digimon, including Keenan's adoptive mother, Frigimon.

  Kurata gained the support of the Japanese government and important businessmen like Thomas' father on his plan to destroy all Digimon in the Digital World, claiming they were a threat to mankind. But this was only a facade to occult his main objective. He harnesses the energy of the Digimon he destroyed to power-up Belphemon, one of the Seven Deadly Digimon, and uses it in his attempt to rule the Human World (and eventually the Digital World), but his ambitions were shattered by the efforts of Marcus and his allies.

  Kurata's last act was triggering a bomb which collapsed the frontier between the Human and Digital Worlds, putting both en route on collision, which could have led to the destruction of both realms. The collision was halted by the desperate efforts of BanchoLeomon who ordered Marcus to search for King Drasil, the supreme ruler of the Digital World. When the DATS team finally met King Drasil, they discovered that his decision to deal with the crisis unfolded, was to protect the Digital World by destroying the Human World, as the two worlds could not coexist in the same dimension. To perform this task, he assembled his elite guard, the Royal Knights.

  Marcus was confused at first because King Drasil somehow had the appearance of his father, Dr. Spencer Damon, who disappeared in the Digital World years before. But it was revealed that King Drasil took his father's body, and his soul was somehow preserved by BanchoLeomon, who was revealed to be Spencer's partner Digimon. After defeating some of the Royal Knights, the DATS team decided to confront King Drasil himself, who after being expelled from Spencer's body, transformed himself into an all-powerful robotic form determined to destroy the Human World by itself.

  However, even when the Royal Knights rebel against King Drasil, it won't give up its goal, attempting to destroy both worlds and create a new world. Using their emotions, Marcus and Agumon finally defeat King Drasil, and the two worlds cease their collision course. Before disappearing, King Drasil brings Spencer back to life and he returns to his family, but the Digimon decide to return to the Digital World to help restore it, and in the end Marcus decides to not part with Agumon and goes with them.

  5 years later, Keenan and Kristy, Marcus' sister, go to the same school together. Thomas finally managed to find a cure for his sister's illness and became the youngest scientist to win the Nobel Prize at age 19. Yoshi has joined the police with the remaining DATS members, and Marcus and Agumon have become peacekeepers in the Digital World, breaking up fighting between rival Digimon factions as seen when stopping an argument between a group of Goblimon and Shamanmon.

  Characters and Voice Actors
  

  Character	Voice Actor	Digimon	Voice Actor
  Marcus Damon Daimon Masaru	Soichiro Hoshi (JP) Quinton Flynn (EN)	Agumon	Taiki Matsuno (JP) Brian Beacock (EN)
  The main protagonist of the series, Marcus Damon is the son of the researcher, Spencer Damon, who disappeared into the mysterious realm known as the Digital World almost 10 years ago. Loud and outspoken, Marcus calls himself "the number one ultimate fighter (street fighter in the original Japanese version) in Japan." After encountering Agumon, he becomes the Digimon's partner after receiving a Digivice from the mysterious old man, Homer Yushima. Marcus and Agumon later become members of DATS in order to face tougher and stronger opponents. As the series progresses, he finds much more to fight for. As Agumon's partner, he claims full responsibility for Agumon's actions.
  Thomas H. Norstein Touma H. Norstein	Hirofumi Nojima (JP) Crispin Freeman (EN)	Gaomon	Kazuya Nakai (JP) Skip Stellrecht (EN)
  Having graduated from Stockholm University at the age of 13, Thomas H. Norstein is a half-Austrian, half-Japanese prodigy. An Olympic-level boxer and a genius scholarly and tactically, the 14-year-old Thomas is a vital member of the DATS team. When Marcus joined DATS, he was away in Europe, and when they finally met, they were at odds. However, they overcame their difficulties and have since become steady team-mates. Gaomon is Thomas' loyal Digimon partner, and is a focused and serious-minded warrior - he responds to Thomas' every order with a steadfast "Sir, yes, sir!" (in the original Japanese version, he used the English phrase, "Yes, master!"). In the Japanese version, Masaru often refers to him as "Tonma," a rarely used insult meaning "idiot" or "dope." In the English dub, Marcus often calls him "Nerdstein".
  Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda Fujieda Yoshino	Yui Aragaki (JP) Colleen O'Shaughnessey (EN)	Lalamon Raramon	Yukana (JP) Dorothy Elias-Fahn (EN)
  Yoshi is 16 years old (18 in Japan) and the third member of the core team. She and her partner Lalamon have been partners for many years. Though not as strong as Marcus or Thomas (but still powerful in her own right), Yoshi has more than enough skill at her job. She suffered from self doubt due to experiences in her childhood, but, with Lalamon, she was able to overcome them and become a more confident member of the team .
  Keenan Crier Noguchi Ikuto	Rie Kugimiya (JP) Brianne Siddall (EN)	Falcomon	Chie Kojiro (JP) Steven Blum (EN)
  Keenan is a mysterious 10-year-old boy who, years before the start of the series, was lost in an accident involving a Digital Gate and was raised by a Digimon called Frigimon, who was killed in a massacre orchestrated by a man named Akihiro Kurata. Because Keenan was raised by Frigimon since he was a boy, when he is discovered he believes himself to be a Digimon. A servant of Merukimon (however Merukimon treats and loves Keenan as a son, with Keenan returning these feelings by seeing Merukimon as a father figure), Keenan eventually hated all humans, but began to change his opinion as he learned his true origins. Falcomon is his partner and childhood friend, who does his best to help Keenan as he comes to grips with his humanity. Keenan looks up to Marcus as a big brother. Keenan is one of the first Japanese characters in the Digimon Anime's US Dub release to have a full Americanized dub name. In the original Japanese, he speaks in broken Japanese. In the dub he speaks in broken English and also replaces "I" with "me" in addition to talking in the third person.

  Digimon and Digital Entities

  King Drasil (39-48): The final antagonist in the Digimon Data Squad series. Defeated by Marcus and Agumon Burst Mode. In the end, he brought Spencer Damon back to life.
  Royal Knights (39-48): King Drasil's followers.
  Gallantmon (40-41, 46-48): the first Royal Knight to attack the human world. Defeated by Sleipmon. Later became an ally.
  LoadKnightmon (40-42): Killed by MirageGaogamon Burst Mode.
  Knightmon (42): LoadKnightmon's minions. Killed by Shawjamon and MirageGaogamon.
  Leopardmon (43): Killed by Ravemon Burst Mode and Rosemon Burst Mode.
  Craniamon (39-48): The Royal Knight that was the closest to King Drasil. He was defeated by the DATS after his shield broke. Later became an ally.
  Biyomon (12-13, 43-48): Befriended Kristy as her friend. Destroyed by Merukimon. Returned later in the series to see Kristy again.
  Frigimon (16,24): Keenan's foster mother. Killed by Gizumon.
  Merukimon (12-25): A powerful Digimon that rules the Ice Ridge. He plays an important role about Keenan's past. Killed by Gizumon XT.
  Gotsumon/Meteormon (12-23): A servant of Merukimon. He uses Yanmamon as transportation. Met his end as Meteormon by RizeGreymon. Later returned as an ally to the Data Squad.
  Mammothmon (17): A servant of Merukimon. Killed by Lilamon.
  SaberLeomon (20-22, 24 flashback): A Digimon that Spencer Damon encountered 10 years ago. Killed By RiseGreymon.
  Eldradimon (30-33): A huge turtle like Digimon that is the Sacred City. Killed by the Gizumon Javelin.
  Baromon (30-33): The mayor of the Sacred City. Killed by Gizumon XT.
  Pumpkinmon (29): Baromon's assistants. Some of them were killed by Gizumon, but it is unknown if the rest them survived.
  Ninjamon (30-33): Baromon's assistants. Some of them were killed by Gizumon, but it is unknown if the rest of them survived.
  BanchoLeomon (28-46): A lone-wolf Digimon that showed Marcus about his father's power. He sacrificed himself to hold off King Drasil while ShineGreymon defeats him.
  Drimogemon (4,5): A Digimon who was accidentally brought to the Real World. He was subsequently manipulated and corrupted by two bank robbers. He escaped during the battle, and later digivolved to Digmon to fight back, and was defeated by the combined efforts of GeoGreymon and Gaogamon.

  Villains

  Akihiro Kurata (21-38): The primary antagonist that has a hatred of Digimon, and desires their annihilation through genocide. Digimon. Met his end when he disappeared into a white light, never to be seen again.
  Gizumon (22-35): Kurata's own creations. They come in 3 forms, Gizumon, Gizumon AT, and Gizumon XT. They were never seen again after Kurata's disappearance.
  Bio-Hybrids (27-33): Kurata's henchmen that each have the ability to transform into a Digimon. Nanami can Bio-Hybrid Digivolve to BioQuetzalmon and BioRotosmon, Ivan can bio-hybrid digivolve to BioStegomon and BioSupinomon, and Kouki can Bio-Hybrid Digivolve to BioThunderbirdmon and BioDarkdramon. They were all defeated by ShineGreymon, MirageGaogamon, and Rosemon.
  Belphemon Rage Mode (36-38): Kurata's "partner" for whom he would harvest the energy of his Digimon victim's as Belphemon Sleep Mode. Killed By the combined efforts of ShineGreymon Burst Mode and Marcus.
  Argomon (Movie 9): The main villain in the movie. Killed by ShineGreymon Burst Mode.

  Media
  Anime

  Digimon Savers aired 48 episodes on Fuji TV in Japan from April 2, 2006 to March 25, 2007. In Germany, the series first aired on RTL 2 from November 30, 2007 to February 14, 2008. Digimon Data Squad finished airing in the US on Jetix on November 1, 2008, 13 months after premiering on the October 1, 2007. In Brazil, twenty episodes have aired on Rede Globo, since August 10, 2009. After that, the series was no longer broadcasted. In Latin America (including Brazil), the anime premiered on Disney XD on February 22, 2010. Since Monday 15 March, Digimon Data Squad finally began airing in the United Kingdom on Kix! (Only on Sky and FreeSat). Since then, it continually airs every day at 7am, 1pm and 4pm throughout the day, however since Pinky and the Brain premiered it is only shown at 7am, 09:30am, 11:30am and 3:30pm.

  It was announced on February 12, 2009 that Toei Animation has signed Well Go USA instead of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment with the DVD rights to Digimon Data Squad, and the first thirteen US sub and dub episodes has been made available on May 26, 2009. The first DVD showed the North American edited TV version as seen on Disney XD. The second DVD set was available on May 25, 2010, this set will also feature promo videos for the series. There are no uncut DVDs. The release of the third DVD set is unknown. Madman Entertainment have released all 48 episodes across four sets on Region 4 DVD in Australia and New Zealand with only the US English Edited TV dub by Studiopolis.
  
  Theme songs

  Opening themes - "Gōing! Going! My soul!!" (強ing! Going! My soul!!?) by Dynamite SHU
  Episodes: 1-29 -
  "Hirari" (ヒラリ?, ep. 30-48) by Kōji Wada
  Episodes 30-48

  Ending themes - "One Star" by Yousuke Itou
  Episodes: 1-24
  "Ryūsei" (流星?, "Meteor") by MiyuMiyu
  Episodes: 25-47

  Insert song - "Believer" by Ikuo

  Film

  Digimon Savers: Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!!

  Digimon Savers: Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!! is a movie connected to Digimon Data Squad, although it is not considered to be in continuity with the series.
  
  The film begins with around Agumon, Gaomon and Lalamon, whose partners have been placed in a magical slumber along with the rest of city's population, by a mysterious thorned vine that spread throughout the city. As the Digimon make their way through the silent city, they stumble upon a pack of Goblimon, led by an Ogremon, who are attacking a young girl. They scare off the goblins, and the girl, Rhythm, reveals that she is actually a Digimon, then explains that the thorns are the work of a Digimon named Argomon. The quartet sets out to confront the villain atop his skyscraper lair.

  On the way to the castle, Gaomon stays behind to hold off an army of Goblimon. After Lalamon flies Agumon and Rhythm near the top of Argomon's lair, she stays behind as well to hold off an attacking swarm of Pipismon. Agumon and Rhythm find Argomon at the top of the tower, spreading his vines throughout the city. Argomon seems too strong for Agumon to face at first, but Agumon's "Spitfire Blast" is able to knock the villain out. However, Argomon digivolves into its Mega form and turns the tide of the battle. When Agumon is just about to give up after taking a beating, he remembers how Marcus would never give up, no matter what, and this determination frees Marcus from his coma. Marcus Damon arrives at the scene and punches Argomon to activate his D.N.A., which he uses to digivolve Agumon to ShineGreymon. Despite faring better against Argomon, ShineGreymon is still not strong enough to win the battle, and Argomon shatters his GeoGrey Sword. In response, Marcus just becomes more determined, evoking the Burst Charge, which is supplemented by Rhythm's wish for ShineGreymon to win. With these, ShineGreymon digivolves to ShineGreymon Burst Mode, and impales Argomon through the chest with his sword, killing the evil Digimon. After the battle, Rhythm gives Agumon a kiss.

  Video games

  As it is part of a resurgence of the Digimon franchise, Digimon Data Squad has a number of related video games associated with it.

  Digimon World DS: A game featuring several Digimon Savers characters, but does not focus on them. It can arguably be seen as a side-story to Digimon Savers. The game, released in America before the concept of Data Squad, uses the original Japanese names of the DATS team, who appear in certain quests.
  Digimon World Data Squad: A game focusing on the primary characters of the series, and which presents an original story that apparently runs parallel to the anime. It involves the members of DATS coming into conflict with the Seven Great Demon Lords.
  Digimon World: Dawn and Dusk: Sequel to Digimon World DS, a set of two games with slightly different stories. At the end of the game, the four main characters from Data Squad appear to battle the main character.
  Digimon Masters: A Digimon MMORPG where players take control of the primary characters of the DATS team. This game follows the storyline of the anime, however it is still incomplete and there are several story segments still currently missing.
  

  Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digimon