October 6th, 2020 
Charles Solomon 
The theatrical feature Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna premiered in Japan in February, marking the 20th anniversary of the franchise. (A subtitled version of Last Evolution was slated for US theatrical release in late March, but the run was postponed due to COVID 19, then cancelled.)
Takeru “Tai” Takaishi (Joshua Seth) and Yamato “Matt” Ishida (Nicolas Roye) look older and taller, although Tai’s trademark mop of hair remains as unruly as ever. They’re seniors in college: The little boys who befriended their Digimon years ago drink beer now (and Tai keeps a stash of porn under his bed.)
Although they attend different schools, they’re still best buds facing two troubling issues. Their circle of friends is drifting apart as they pursue different career paths: Joe is in medical school, Mimi has an internet start up, TK is writing a novel, Izzy is the president of his own company. “Too bad things can’t stay the same forever,” Matt sighs over dinner.
Like many young men in Japan, Matt and Tai aren’t sure how they’ll fit into the post-Bubble economy–or if there will even be a place for them in society. And after spending years fighting battles in an alternate dimension, an office job is hardly an exciting prospect. No wonder Tai can’t focus on his poli sci thesis.
When the film opens, auroras are appearing during the daytime all over the world. The rippling colors cause problems with electronic devices, then a parrot-like Digi-monster appears and has to be subdued. This sequence has little to do with the main plot, but it provides an excuse to reunite the familiar gang of DigiDestined kids.
The film doesn’t really get going until another weird phenomenon strikes: Members of the DigiDestined fall into comas for no apparent reason. Doctors can’t explain why, nor can they awaken the unconscious teens.
At the same time, Menoa Belluci (Erika Harlacher), a brilliant America scientist who studies Digimon, arrives in Japan. She explains that the bond between humans and Digimon is finite: When the DigiDestined become adults, they’ll no longer be able to communicate with their Digimon. As their friends slip into comas, it’s up to Tai and Matt to discover the nature of the problem and solve it.
Menoa was so devastated by the loss of the Digimon who was her only friend, she’s devised a way to strip the memories from the DigiDestined to create juvenile fantasy worlds where they remain children, endlessly playing with their Digimon. Tai and Matt are heartbroken at the thought of losing Agumon and Gabumon, but they can’t let their friends remain trapped in these adorable prisons. If it’s their last battle as a team, they’ll give it their all, and director Tomohisa Taguchi throws plenty of explosions and ice effects into the fight.
Last Evolution brings the original Digimon saga to its conclusion. It’s not a great film: Akatsuki Yamatoya’s script feels disjointed and needlessly complicated in places. But Digimon fans will be happy to rejoin the familiar characters, albeit in more mature forms.
At a time when politicians and media figures act like spoiled children, Tai and Matt’s willingness to accept the sacrifices and responsibilities of adulthood feels especially welcome. They’re sad to leave their childhood companions behind, but, Tai concludes, “Our story hasn’t ended: we’re Digivolving in a new direction!”
Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna
Shout Factory: $26.99 2 discs, DVD and Blu-ray
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