Digimon Adventure REBOOT Episode 32 "Soaring Hope" Review
Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.
Episode 32—“Soaring Hope”—gave me hope. This episode had good character moments, amazing action sequences, and more foreshadow on the Holy Digimon lore. The episode was what I wanted the reboot series to be from the very beginning.
The opening scene showed TK and Patamon getting hunted by a Fangmon, a coyote-wolf type Digimon. The reboot using different types of Digimon will always be a plus, but they need to have personalities. The lack of characterization for the evil Digimon is something that needs to be fixed at some point in the series, starting with DarkKnightmon.
Patamon tried to digivolve into Angemon to fight Fangmon, but he was too tired to do it. The “too tired to digivolve” aspect is making its way back. This is something that needs to happen a lot more often for the second half of the reboot series. Like seriously, when was the last time anyone ate or drink anything? This is what I want to know, Digimon writers!
Back to the Fangmon attack, Tai and Sora came in with Birdramon and Greymon to save TK and Patamon. The quick real-time digivolution orb sequence was sweet and saves us time for more quiet character moments between TK and Patamon later on. The episode was not playing around with the character development. There was awesome character development! Also, Tai and Sora were giving commands to their Digimon like Pokemon Trainers. Adding battle tactics and coordination was nice as well. Future episodes got to do this stuff more often.
I was having a good time with episode 32 “Soaring Hope”. I was feeling so much hope.
After Tai, Sora, and TK escape the Fangmon, they check in with the other children. After a few episodes of not mentioning the other children in my previous episode reviews, I’m so happy we’re finally checking on their current status. Mimi and Togemon are digi-fighting with a Golemmon in front of a Gotsumon crowd. I actually laughed when the episode did this reference from Digimon Adventure 02.
Joe was being harrassed by a CherryBlossomon… and Izzy is traveling on Kabuterimon over some metal Digimon territory. Izzy is on his computer, looking up the situation in the Human World about fake news and the “dire threat” heading toward Tokyo. Either blow something up or kill someone off. I think I need to see the kids fail at least once. I think it just helps elevate the stakes of the story.
Matt was on his way to Tai and the others, but he did give TK some nice brotherly advice about taking care of Patamon. He also told Tai to take care of his little brother. Of course, Tai agreed. Again, the character moments were amazing because this reboot didn’t give us any of these moments until now. The reboot is showing promise for the second half. I am allowing myself to have hope.
Another nice character moment was Lopmon visiting Patamon’s dream. So, remember what I said about evil Digimon needing personalities? At least the good Digimon have personalities like Lopmon, Ogremon, and Leomon. I certainly like it, so that’s all I’ll say about it. I think it might be too early to give out an opinion right now on Lopmon’s role moving forward in this arc. Anyway, these quiet character scenes are a must!
I want to see more character-driven scenes MORE often in the reboot series.
Keep doing this type of writing, Digimon writers! You’re almost there!
TK and Patamon’s emotional scene about their struggles was one of the best scenes the reboot has ever delivered. Patamon is feeling down about not having the power to keep everyone safe. Then TK asked Patamon if he can swim.
TK told Patamon a story about not being able to swim and having a weak body, but Matt assured TK that he’d be able to swim someday and stayed by his side until TK could swim on his own. So, TK says he’ll always be by Patamon’s side in the same way. I was so moved by that cute story. After 32 episodes of watching Digimon Adventure Reboot, I finally saw a real effort to build the human-Digimon bond. I was running low on digi-nostalgia fuel. If that ever run out… Let’s keep it digivolving!
The final boss action sequence was amazing. Two Fangmons and Cereberumon attacked the group and Komondomon they were riding on, and Sora ended up hurt protecting TK. Then Tai is knocked off the Komondomon, but he’s hanging on.
TK and Patamon had a moment that allowed a new evolution to be unleashed. ‘Soaring hope, Pegasusmon has come as Patamon’s alternative Champion. I loved the change up from needing to Armor Digivolve, and making Pegasusmon such a monster during that fight scene. Now we know for sure Gatomon is going to get her armor digivolve at some point too! When Pegasusmon spinned into a wheel, I was concerned for TK’s safety. The Rodeo Gallop attack should’ve made TK’s head explode at the very least from whiplash.
I didn’t like how Sora had to get hurt—screwed over (!)—again for the plot. Sora deserves so much better as leading female character. The writers need to stop putting her down at every corner. Tai, Matt, and Sora are the Holy Trinity of the DigiDestined. That’s how I see the group, but Sora is never treated like an equal with Matt and Tai. When Sora’s episode for Biyomon going Mega happens, she better have a good story to go with that.
The ending with TK and Patamon was so cute. I can’t wait to see how the others’ Mega-centric episodes play out. However, the series is choosing to resolve saving Kari first. In the upcoming episodes, Kari will meet Gatomon. Next episode is 33, which is half of 66. We’re at the halfway point, fellow Digi-Destined! The series is getting so good now. We have to keep this excitement going!
Image of my Digi-Destined Avatar, NGO DM AA.
Thanks so much for reading this episode review, everyone! I appreciate the time y’all are taking to hear my thoughts. Remember I have a Twitter and Instagram account that will cover more Digimon content regarding the card game. Y’all should check it out if y’all are interested in playing the DCG (Digimon Card Game). I have big plans for my growing digi-channel. I’ll see you all next week in the Digital World!