We don’t like time. Mostly because it marches, like a marching thing, or marching ants. Evidence: Digimon, the animated TV series and multimedia franchise we previously thought was a new thing conceived mere weeks ago, is actually 20 years old. Dear reader, this makes us feel positively ancient.
Still, if you love Digimon, or at least have fond memories, there’s good news: it’s getting a movie.
During a special Digimon event in Tokyo on Sunday, animation studio announced that a new movie is in the works for the franchise’s 20th anniversary. Tentatively titled, Gekijō-ban Digimon Adventure (Digimon Adventure The Movie), the film will catch up with all the original characters and stars of the original anime at age 22.
Tai, Matt, Sora, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, TK, and Kari were all just kids when they made their first journey into the Digital World in 1999. This potential film update won’t show them a fully twenty years later, but later enough that the characters have matured a bit. Here is a first look at Taichi Yagami (Tai Kamiya or Tai in the English dumb) and Yamato Ishida (Matt) at 22 years old.
Even Tai’s goggles look more adult! The Digital World has changed quite a bit since 1999.
Original creator Hiromi Seki, the original producer of the Digimon anime, will serve as supervisor for the film. Original character and monster designers Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru and Kenji Watanabe will also return for the project.
Digimon was created in 1997 to capitalize on the Tamagotchi digital pet craze. The electronic devices allowed users to nurture and interact with their own “digital monsters.” The anime followed in 1999 and ended up being much better than anyone would have anticipated for a series supporting a toy.
Since the anime’s debut in 1999, the franchise has expanded to include several TV series, movies, and other media. Still, the projects involving the anime’s original cast and characters tend to be the best.
It could be awhile before English audiences get to see the 20th anniversary film project as the 15th anniversary project, Digimon Tri, is set to debut later this year in the US.
More white-hot Digimon news as we get it.