Toei Animation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nakano-ku, Tokyo, President and Representative Director: Katsuhiro Takagi) is pleased to announce the release of an interview with Series Director Hiroaki Miyamoto to commemorate the completion of the [GIFT Arc] in the TV anime "DIGIMON BEATBREAK," the first new installment in two years.

The GIFT Arc: A Turning Point Moving the Story Towards its Climax

--We interviewed you last time around the time the Tactics Arc began. This time, it's at the point where the GIFT Arc has reached a milestone. Director Miyamoto, what kind of position did the GIFT Arc hold in the overall story for you?

In the Tactics Arc, we depicted quite a bit of the battle between Cleaners. However, this world shouldn't just have Cleaners; there must also be criminals and fugitives using Digimon. If we don't show that, the story will become "a story about fighting only Cleaners." My initial thought was to introduce an entity like a large-scale criminal organization.

However, in a broader sense, "DIGIMON BEATBREAK" aims to depict the grand theme of Growing Dawn creating a future where humans and Digimon coexist. Within the World Union, there are people who view Digimon as "bugs." Ultimately, how Tomoro and the others confront this will be important, so I wanted to create a flow where the dangers of what the World Union is doing become clearly visible to Tomoro and the others.

To achieve this, we introduced GIFT as a third force. By going through the GIFT Arc, the desire within Tomoro and the others to "create a future where Digimon and humans are together" becomes even clearer. I considered it an arc that would elevate their awareness one step further as they head towards the final chapter.

--It felt like GIFT also reflected the distortions in the society that the World Union had created. What were you particularly conscious of when depicting the GIFT faction?

This world's setting isn't a straightforward dystopia. Ordinary people benefit from the World Union, or are saved by the convenience of "Saputama." It's a world where people live conveniently. Therefore, it's not depicted as simply "everyone is oppressed." I've tried to make it feel closer to reality.

However, within this, there are people suffering because of this world. But their suffering is either unseen or suppressed. People who get drawn into GIFT have those kinds of feelings. From Tomoro and the others' perspective, there are parts they can empathize with, and parts that are similar to themselves. But that doesn't mean it's okay to do things like terrorism against the world. We've created this knowing that there are aspects that aren't so easily resolved. That's precisely why I wanted it to be an arc where Tomoro and the others' decisions become important.

Miharu Kagemori: A Figure Tomoro "Could Have Become"

--Miharu Kagemori, who appeared as a key person in the GIFT Arc, was a character who had some overlap with Tomoro. What role was Miharu intended to play in the story?

Tomoro, while being the protagonist, is in a sense a character who starts from an outlaw position. He suffers from his circumstances being treated like a "bug," and fundamentally believes "isn't this world strange?" He's not a protagonist who fully believes in the world as it is. Therefore, he can somewhat understand what Miharu is saying. Miharu also senses that atmosphere from Tomoro. I wanted them to be characters who could connect in that way.

Actually, Tomoro and Miharu are positioned as counterparts. Tomoro has a brother who watched over him, and Miharu has a sister. Tomoro himself once thought, "I wish Digimon would just disappear," but he was saved by meeting the Family. However, Miharu hasn't found that salvation and has reached her current state. Tomoro, if things had gone differently, might have ended up on her side.

I felt that through Miharu, Tomoro within the Family could be highlighted, and the answer Tomoro reaches might become the key to saving Miharu.

--By confronting Miharu, Tomoro himself seemed to take another step forward as a protagonist. Could you tell us about Tomoro's growth that you aimed to depict in the GIFT Arc?

If we could depict that, I thought we could show Tomoro taking a step forward in his growth as a protagonist. What Miharu did is unforgivable, and she must atone for her crimes. But I hoped we could reach a point where her heart could be saved. It's not a complete happy ending, but leaving a light for the future. I'm glad we were able to achieve that kind of ending.

--Miharu's age, 13, was also a striking detail. What was the intention behind depicting her as a young girl with lingering childishness, rather than an adult?

Initially, I thought about making her a bit older. However, I wanted the recklessness that comes with being a child. Because she hasn't fully become an adult, there are aspects of her thinking that are incomplete. Moreover, what Miharu does is significant, so by making her a minor, I wanted to leave room for her rehabilitation in the future. If she were too adult, I felt her irredeemability would stand out more. I thought it would be better for Miharu to have a future where she can atone and start over. That's why the final setting became 13 years old.

Also, Miharu's relationship with her Digimon is depicted in a somewhat special way. The Digimon that becomes Mephistmon was originally born from Miharu's sister, and the "Saputama" was also used by her sister. In other words, for Miharu, that Digimon is a being onto whom she projects the image of her sister. She believes it as her sister's words and tries to protect her sister's only remaining will. However, in reality, Miharu's own feelings have intruded, becoming noise that leads to dark evolution. While she believes it's "for her sister," the fact that she's driven by those feelings is where Miharu's youth and recklessness lie, I believe.

--What were your impressions of Ayane Sakura's performance as Miharu?

Miharu is, at her core, a pure character. She has strong feelings for her sister, and at the same time, she was somewhat dependent on her sister. As a result, she has abandoned some of her own thinking, leading to the recklessness that defines her now.

When I first met Ms. Sakura, we were starting without knowing the full development, so I verbally explained, "Actually, she has this kind of backstory, and she has a sister..." Ms. Sakura really tried to understand Miharu's character and asked many questions from the beginning.

I wanted Miharu to show her feelings for her sister in the nuances of her words, not just as a suspicious character. But we couldn't show it too much. Ms. Sakura grasped that balance very accurately and incorporated it into the subtle nuances of her performance. As the story approached Miharu's true nature, her real feelings gradually emerged. I listened with great admiration for how skillfully she conveyed that change.

Evolution: Depicting the Moment of Becoming an Adult

--In the GIFT Arc, through the evolution episodes of Kilopmon and Pristimon, you delved deeply into the inner lives of Makoto and Rena. What were the key points you focused on when depicting each of their evolutions?

When depicting evolution episodes, I have a sense that "evolution doesn't happen without a reason." I believe that unless it depicts the moment the protagonists take a step forward in their growth, the moment they become adults, it's not the right time for evolution.

In Makoto's case, there were things she couldn't say truthfully regarding her family and her relationship with her parents. Facing those issues directly and expressing herself in her own words was the moment Makoto took a step towards adulthood.

On the other hand, Rena is a child with potential. However, as she moved forward carrying the burden of the Family, she gradually lost faith in herself. She had the anxiety, "If I don't try harder, will I be kicked out of the Family?" But everyone in the Family believed in Rena. That's why she realized, "I can believe in myself more," and broke through her shell one more step. I felt that once we depicted that, Rena's evolution would be established.

Rena's evolution might have felt like "a long time coming" to everyone (laughs). We also had to advance the GIFT Arc's story, so timing was difficult. However, the delay in her evolution ultimately led to Rena's own impatience. Since we were able to create that kind of situation, I think the timing was right.

--Rena, in particular, seemed to have her sensitivity and anxieties carefully depicted, not just her strength, throughout the GIFT Arc. How did you intend to explore Rena's character?

Rena is surprisingly sensitive. The reason she's told "When you're scared, move forward" since she was little is because she's a character who needs to actively encourage herself to move forward. There have been many moments when she felt like she would collapse if she wasn't strong, and she has overcome them.

That's probably why she's not good at showing her weaknesses. Pristimon is a partner who has always understood and watched over her. The fact that this was released in Episode 35, leading to Bearmon, feels very fitting. It seems to bring out the more straightforward and pure aspects within Rena.

--In "DIGIMON BEATBREAK," the inner lives of the characters, which differ from their initial impressions, are gradually revealed as the episodes progress. Is there anything you, Director Miyamoto, are conscious of when depicting characters?

When depicting characters, I want viewers not to see them solely based on their one-dimensional appearance. Even if they initially seem like that kind of character, they've actually struggled with many things to get to that point, or they've created their current persona with the thought, "I want to be this kind of character." Each character has those elements.

Tomoro, too, probably seemed cool at first. But in reality, he has a very passionate core inside that he was forcibly suppressing. As that gradually gets released, his protagonist qualities become stronger. Makoto isn't just a good kid; she's carrying various things. In Episode 30, her shouting at Kilopmon was also done to deliberately bring out her true feelings. I find it interesting when the inner workings of characters are gradually revealed like that.

The Kyo Past Arc: Growing Dawn's Next Stage of Development

--Within the GIFT Arc, there were scenes that connected to previous stories, such as episodes featuring the Tactics members and Maki. What were you conscious of when bringing back characters like them?

Since there are many characters, it's difficult to take the time to clearly explain each one's backstory. However, I've tried to create it so that viewers can vaguely grasp the relationships between the Tactics members. This is also supported by the cast's performances and the subtle expressions that the staff meticulously crafted, so I hope something can be conveyed through those elements.

Maki's episode was something I always wanted to include. I believed that delving deeper into Maki's character would add depth to the work itself. Maki watches, believing that Tomoro and the others, who have received their past, will carry it forward. I'm glad we were able to depict it in that way.

--From here on, episodes focusing on Kyo Sawashiro will also be depicted. How will the story progress by exploring Kyo's character?

Kyo, in a sense, is not a saint. While he is committed to the coexistence of Digimon and humans, he has not yet fully matured as a human. As I've mentioned in previous discussions, characters have aspects beyond what is initially apparent. I hope to delve into that through Kyo's past arc. By doing so, I believe Growing Dawn, as a family, will achieve another step in its growth. Therefore, it won't just be Kyo's story; it will also be a story that leads to the growth of Tomoro and the others.

Kyo has always had parts that he deliberately hasn't spoken about himself. Elements like the scar on his chest and why he wears the bracelet were things I felt I had to depict eventually. It feels like the timing to depict them has finally arrived.

However, to do that, it was necessary to first establish the family known as Growing Dawn. I believe this is something we can do precisely because we've spent this much time on it. It will be a very heavy story, including the connection between Shoji Kuroshio and Kyo, and how the Five Planets are involved. Although everyone might be tired after the GIFT Arc, you may need to brace yourselves a bit. However, in the end, I want it to be a story of "DIGIMON BEATBREAK." While there are heavy parts, I would be happy if you look forward to what will be depicted beyond them.

▼[GIFT Arc] Completion Commemoration! Series Director Hiroaki Miyamoto Interview

https://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_beatbreak/special/interview/07/#interview07

About the TV Anime DIGIMON BEATBREAK

▼INTRODUCTION

"e-Pals," born from human thoughts and emotions, were utilized as the energy source for the AI support device "Saputama." In the shadow of its remarkable development, a terrifying monster appears. It is a "Digimon," a life form that evolves by consuming e-Pals.

Tomoro Tenma gets caught up in the extraordinary after meeting Gekkomon, who was born from Saputama.

While living together with Kyo Sawashiro and the team "Growing Dawn," who work as bounty hunters, Tomoro renews his resolve.

What is the new future that humans and Digimon will draw──

▼STAFF

Original Concept / Akiyoshi Hongo

Series Director / Hiroaki Miyamoto

Series Composition / Ryota Yamaguchi

Character Design / Takahiro Kojima

Digimon Design / Kenji Watanabe

Animation Digimon Design / Akihiro Asanuma

Art Director / Ayaka Jin

Color Design / Sayoko Yokoyama

CG Director / Yusuke Oosone

Director of Photography / Tomoyuki Ishiyama

Editing / Eiichi Nishimura

Music / Arisa Okehazama

Production / Fuji Television, Dentsu, Toei Animation

▼CAST

Tomoro Tenma / Yuu Irino

Gekkomon / Megumi Pan

Rena Sakuya / Tomoyo Kurosawa

Pristimon / Mutsumi Tamura

Makoto Kuonji / Arisa Sekine

Kilopmon / Misaki Kuno

Kyo Sawashiro / Yohei Azakami

Murusamon / Daiki Hamano

▼Broadcast Information Now airing on Fuji TV and others every Sunday at 9:00 AM starting October 5th.

*Broadcast times and days may vary by region.

▼Streaming Information

Missed viewing starts every Sunday at 9:30 AM, immediately after terrestrial broadcast

TVer/FOD

Sequential distribution starts every Wednesday at 0:00 AM

・Unlimited viewing distribution

FOD Premium/Prime Video/U-NEXT/d Anime/Hulu/DMM TV/ABEMA/TELASA/Toei Animation Channel, etc.

・Rental distribution

Bandai Channel/Lemino/HAPPY Douga/BVIDEX/Prime Video, etc.

*Distribution start dates are subject to change without notice. Please check the information for each distribution service for details.

▼"DIGIMON BEATBREAK" New Arc [Tactics Arc] PV

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvHjGnHrn4Y

▼"DIGIMON BEATBREAK" Pre-Broadcast PV

https://youtu.be/WgCglA2Twnw

▼"DIGIMON BEATBREAK" Official Website

https://www.ei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_beatbreak/

▼"DIGIMON BEATBREAK" Official X

@digimon_tv (https://x.com/digimon_tv)

▼Copyright Notice

©Akiyoshi Hongo, Fuji Television, Toei Animation

*When posting or using image materials, please be sure to include the copyright notice.

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: アニメ