View source for Digimon Tamers

{{Short description|2001 Japanese television anime}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image           = Digimon Tamers.jpg
| caption         = North American DVD box set cover
| ja_kanji        = デジモンテイマーズ
| ja_romaji       = Dejimon Teimāzu
| genre           =  [[Adventure genre|Adventure]], [[fantasy]]<ref>{{cite web|author1=IncendiaryLemon|title=Digimon Tamers Review|url=https://animeuknews.net/2018/09/digimon-tamers-review/|website=Anime UK News|access-date=December 29, 2018|date=September 26, 2018|archive-date=April 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411005923/https://animeuknews.net/2018/09/digimon-tamers-review/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = TV series
| director        = Yukio Kaizawa
| producer        = {{ubl|Hiromi Seki|Kyotaro Kimura}}
| writer          = [[Chiaki J. Konaka]]
| music           = [[Takanori Arisawa]]
| studio          = [[Toei Animation]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee|| NA = [[Toei Animation Inc.]]|UK = [[Manga Entertainment]]
}}
| network         = [[Fuji Network System|FNS]] ([[Fuji TV]])
| network_en      = {{English anime network 
| CA              = [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] 
| AU              = Fox Kids, [[Network 10]]
| UK              = [[Disney XD (UK and Ireland)|Fox Kids]], [[CITV]]
| US              = [[Fox Kids]]
| PH              = [[Cartoon Network (Philippines)|Cartoon Network]]
| ZA              = [[M-Net]] (K-TV)
}}
| first           = April 1, 2001
| last            = March 31, 2002
| episodes        = 51
| episode_list    = List of Digimon Tamers episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| title           = Battle of Adventurers
| director        = Tetsuo Imazawa
| producer        =
| writer          = [[Yasuko Kobayashi]]
| music           = Takanori Arisawa
| studio          = Toei Animation
| released        = July 14, 2001
| runtime         = 50 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = film
| title           = Runaway Locomon
| director        = Tetsuji Nakamura
| producer        =
| writer          = Hiro Masaki 
| music           = Takanori Arisawa
| studio          = Toei Animation
| released        = March 2, 2002
| runtime         = 30 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = [[Yu Yuen-wong]]
| publisher       = Rightman Publishing Ltd.
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher
| NA  = [[Tokyopop]]
| SEA = [[Chuang Yi]]
}}
| demographic     = 
| imprint         = 
| magazine        = 
| first           = April 2004
| last            = October 2004
| volumes         = 4
| volume_list     = 
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title           = [[Digimon#Anime|Digimon]] franchise
| content         =
*''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]''
**''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]''
**''[[Digimon Adventure tri.]]''
*''[[Digimon Frontier]]''
*[[Digimon Data Squad|''Digimon Data Squad'' (''Savers'')]]
*[[Digimon Fusion|''Digimon Fusion'' (''Xros Wars'')]]
*''[[Digimon Universe: App Monsters]]''
*''[[Digimon Adventure (2020 TV series)|Digimon Adventure (2020)]]''
*''[[Digimon Ghost Game]]''
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|'''''Digimon Tamers'''''|デジモンテイマーズ|Dejimon Teimāzu|lead=yes}} is a Japanese [[anime]] television series and the third television series in the ''[[Digimon]]'' franchise, produced by [[Toei Animation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/60131/digimon-tamers/|title=Digimon Tamers : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video|publisher=Dvdtalk.com|access-date=2013-09-03|archive-date=2018-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708221517/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/60131/digimon-tamers/|url-status=live}}</ref> The series takes place in a new setting separate from the preceding series, ''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]'' and ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]'', where the characters utilize cards from the [[Digimon#Card game|collectible card game]]s. The series aired in Japan from April 2001 to March 2002.

The series was originally licensed in North America by [[Saban Entertainment]], aired in the US from September 2001 to June 2002 as the third season of  ''Digimon: Digital Monsters''.<ref name="name en">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/digimon/show.asp|title=Digimon: Digital Monsters|work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Family Properties]]|access-date=2018-11-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020124030935/http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/digimon/show.asp|archive-date=2002-01-24}}</ref> A [[Hong Kong comics|Hong Kong manhua]] adaptation of the series, by [[Yu Yuen-wong]], was serialized from April to October 2004.

==Plot==
Takato Matsuki, a fan of the ''Digimon'' card game, finds a Blue Card, which transforms his card reader into a D-Power Digivice.{{efn|name=a|A {{nihongo|D-Power|ディーアーク|Dī Āku|"D-Ark" in the Japanese version}} is a type of [[Digital Monster (virtual pet)|Digivice]] that allows a Digimon to Digivolve and includes a card reader.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://animeanime.jp/article/2016/07/22/29610.html|title=「デジモンテイマーズ」ディーアークが復刻 さらなる進化を遂げて15年ぶりにリリース|language=ja|work=Anime! Anime!|date=2016-07-22|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160506/https://animeanime.jp/article/2016/07/22/29610.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxkids.com/TVshows/digimon/dpower.asp|title=Digimon: Digital Monsters: D-Power|work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Family Properties]]|access-date=2018-11-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020121201211/http://www.foxkids.com/TVshows/digimon/dpower.asp|archive-date=2002-01-21}}</ref>}} His original Digimon creation, Guilmon, materializes into real life when his D-Power scans his drawings. Takato meets Henry Wong and Rika Nonaka, two other children who are partnered with Terriermon and Renamon respectively, as well as Calumon and Impmon. As wild Digimon began roaming [[Shinjuku]], the Tamers defeat them and defend the city. Using their D-Powers, the Tamers can Digi-modify{{efn|name=b|{{nihongo|Digi-modification|カードスラッシュ|Kādo Surasshu|"Card Slash" in the Japanese version}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/647254/|title=人気TCG「バトルスピリッツ」のデジモンコラボ第3弾は『デジモンテイマーズ』！バトスピで決めろ！カードスラッシュ！|language=ja|work=[[Dengeki]]|date=2018-10-05|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103014931/https://hobby.dengeki.com/news/647254/|url-status=live}}</ref> is the process by which a Tamer scans a card through a D-Power that allows a Digimon to access better battle abilities or Digivolution.}} through scanning cards or help them Digivolve.{{efn|name=c|{{nihongo|Digivolution|進化|Shinka|"Evolution" in the Japanese version}}<ref name="earlyplan"/> is the process by which a Digimon evolves into a higher-leveled, more powerful form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/description/random052/00699210.html|title=Publisher description for ''Digimon World: Prima's Official Strategy Guide'' / Elizabeth M. Hollinger.|work=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2022-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826085124/http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/description/random052/00699210.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-02-17/digital-monsters-take-over-the-world-as-bandai-america-unveils-its-fall-digimon-toy-line|title=Digital Monsters Take Over the World as Bandai America Unveils its Fall Digimon Toy Line|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2008-02-17|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105062243/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2008-02-17/digital-monsters-take-over-the-world-as-bandai-america-unveils-its-fall-digimon-toy-line|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tamashii.jp/special/digimon_digivolving|script-title=ja:DIGIVOLVING SPIRITS デジモン超進化魂 スペシャルページ 魂ウェブ|language=ja|work=[[Bandai]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160511/https://tamashii.jp/special/digimon_digivolving/|url-status=live}}</ref>}} After each Digimon is defeated, their Digimon obtains their data. Meanwhile, Hypnos, an intelligence agency led by Mitsuo Yamaki, has been capturing the Digimon and sending them back to the Digital World.

The Tamers eventually began working with Hypnos when the wicked Devas invade the Real World. Calumon is captured by the Devas, and the Tamers follow him to the Digital World to save him. During their journey, they meet Ryo, and his Digimon Partner, Cyberdramon. Impmon turns his back on the Tamers when he encounters the dog Deva Caturamon, and wishes to become strong, thus becoming Beelzemon. Eventually, the Tamers confront Beelzemon, and Beelzemon kills Leomon, causing to Jeri Kato fall into depression. After resolving conflicts with the Digimon Sovereigns, the Tamers learn that the Digimon are protecting themselves from humans and the Real World after the Digital World is invaded by the evil D-Reaper, a rogue clean-up program. As the Tamers return to the Real World, the D-Reaper kidnaps Jeri, manipulating and trapping her inside the body. When the D-Reaper begins to materialize in the Real World, the Tamers defeat it, using the program and saving Jeri. With both worlds restored, the children say goodbye to their Digimon partners, when they end up returning to the Digital World by the effects of the program. The series ends with Takato discovering the portal in the tunnel.

===Tamers===
;{{nihongo|Takato Matsuki|松田 啓人|Matsuda Takato|'''Takato Matsuda''' in the Japanese version}}<ref name="toei takato">{{cite web | url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_t/chara/takato.html | title=Digimon Character List: Takato | language=ja | work=[[Toei Animation]] | access-date=2018-11-04}}</ref>
:{{voiced by|[[Makoto Tsumura]]|[[Brian Beacock]] (US);}}
:Takato is a 10 year old student.{{efn|name=age|In the Japanese version, the main characters are 10 years old and in 5th grade. In the English version, the characters' ages were changed to 13 years old.<ref name="konaka takato"/><ref name="konaka rika"/><ref name="konaka henry"/>}} His parents run their own [[bakery]].<ref name="konaka takato"/> Takato plays card games with his friends and draws his own Digimon on paper. After finding a Blue Card, he uses it on the Digivice to create Guilmon. Learning that Digimon are mysteriously appearing in their world, Takato joins the battle. Because Guilmon was a product of his imagination, Takato appears to be empathic with him and thus the two influence each other in every fight. Their bond is augmented when Takato biomerges with Guilmon into Gallantmon. Takato becomes the leader of the organization. He also appeared in ''[[Digimon Fusion]]''.
:To reflect the normalcy of the characters, Takato was imagined to be a "normal" boy who is "full of curiosity" and "fascinated by monsters and Digimon."<ref name="konaka takato"/> To continue the tradition of naming the leading characters in the ''[[Digimon]]'' series, Takato's name began with the same sound as [[Tai Kamiya|Tai]] and Davis' Japanese names, the leading characters from ''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]'' and ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]''.<ref name="konaka takato"/>
;{{nihongo|Rika Nonaka|牧野 留姫|Makino Ruki|'''Ruki Makino''' in the Japanese version}}<ref name="toei rika">{{cite web | url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_t/chara/ruki.html | title=Digimon Character List: Ruki [Rika] | language=ja | work=[[Toei Animation]] | access-date=2018-11-04}}</ref>
:{{voiced by|[[Fumiko Orikasa]]|[[Melissa Fahn]] (US);}}
:Rika is a 10-year-old{{efn|name=age}} champion of the Digimon Card Tournament and known by the title "Digimon Queen." Her relationship with her mother is initially strained, as she is often too busy with work to spend time with her.<ref name="ep6">{{cite web | url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_t/episode/summary/6/ | title=パートナーの意味 レナモン進化！ | language=ja | work=[[Toei Animation]] | access-date=2018-11-04}}</ref> She is partnered with Renamon.<ref name="toei rika"/> At first, she has a cold and lonely personality and believes in fighting Digimon to become the strongest.<ref name="toei rika"/> However, Takato helps her see that there is more to Digimon beyond fighting.<ref name="toei rika"/> She also appeared in ''[[Digimon Fusion]]''.
:Rika was designed with a "strong" image and character in an attempt to boost sales for products based on female characters, which traditionally did not perform well in the market.<ref name="konaka rika"/> In early stages of her design, Konaka and Nakatsuru based her on [[Trinity (The Matrix)|Trinity]] from ''[[The Matrix]]''.<ref name="konaka rika"/> [[Fumiko Orikasa]] was cast to play her due to her clear, strong voice.<ref name="konaka rika"/> Konaka decided not to give Rika a father figure to reflect how many Japanese children have grown up without fathers, and he did not intend it to be the cause of her "twisted personality" in spite of the events portrayed in the film ''Runaway Locomon'' (which he had no involvement in).<ref name="konaka rika"/>
;{{nihongo|Henry Wong|李 健良|Rī Jenrya|'''Lee Jianliang''' in the Japanese version}}<ref name="toei henry">{{cite web | url=http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_t/chara/lee.html | title=Digimon Character List: Jianliang [Henry] | language=ja | work=[[Toei Animation]] | access-date=2018-11-04}}</ref>
:{{voiced by|[[Mayumi Yamaguchi]]|[[Dave Wittenberg]] (US);}}
:Henry is a 10-year-old student{{efn|name=age}} of half-Japanese and half-[[Hongkongers|Hong Kong Chinese]] descent from Takato's school,<ref name="toei henry"/> though they are not in the same class.<ref name="konaka henry"/> In the Japanese version, he is nicknamed {{nihongo|'''Jian'''|ジェン|Jen}} for short when he grows closer to his friends. Because Henry takes care of his younger sister, Suzie, he is patient and mature for his age.<ref name="toei henry"/> He is also experienced with computers and technology because his father is a computer engineer.<ref name="toei henry"/> Henry is partnered with Terriermon, and because he dislikes hurting others, he is reluctant to fight.<ref name="toei henry"/> He is also a [[tai chi]] practitioner. Throughout the series, he is unaware of his father's connection with the Monster Makers and Hypnos.
:Henry became the basis of the proposed non-Japanese or emigrant character Hiromi Seki had wanted for the main cast.<ref name="konaka henry"/> Konaka decided to make him half-Chinese and half-Japanese based on the statistics of non-Japanese students in elementary schools.<ref name="konaka henry"/> Originally, Henry was written as a foil to Takato, where he would offer "a difference in values" that contrasted with Takato's "child-like beliefs and values."<ref name="konaka henry"/>

===Partner Digimon===
;{{nihongo|Guilmon|ギルモン|Girumon}}
:{{voiced by|[[Masako Nozawa]]|[[Steve Blum]] (US);}}
:Guilmon is a [[Reptile|reptilian]] Digimon that resembles a [[Theropoda|theropod]] [[dinosaur]] with a digital [[hazard symbol]] on his chest. He is created by Takato, who drew him and was brought to life soon after by the Blue Card which the DigiGnomes secretly placed among his card deck. Guilmon originally has the mentality of a child, unaware of the differences between humans and Digimon, often calling his partner "Takatomon". He stays in a shed of [[Shinjuku Park]], learning to speak normally and develops a better understanding of the world around him. Guilmon possesses a taste for bread, often being distracted by the thought of food. Guilmon has a very keen sense of smell and possesses somewhat of a sixth sense to detect other Digimon in the vicinity, usually going [[feral]] in fights due to his virus-type nature. He is also loyal and protective. When Guilmon reverts into Gigimon as a side effect of the Red Card, he says goodbye to Takato. Guilmon also appeared in ''Digimon Fusion''.
:Guilmon was created by [[Chiaki J. Konaka]], influenced by ''[[Ultraman (1966 TV series)|Ultraman]]'' and [[Kaiju]] films. Upon viewing the initial design sketches, he assumed that the character would be roughly the same size as [[Agumon]]. However, when he realized that Guilmon would be about the size of a human adult, he realized that "[h]e was nowhere near small enough for a child to hide in his room." Konaka realized that he could tailor the plot of the series to incorporate the problem.<ref name="konaka">{{cite web|title=Renamon|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/renamon-e.html|publisher=Konaka.com|last=Konaka|first=Chiaki J.|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|access-date=July 8, 2010}}</ref>
;{{nihongo|Terriermon|テリアモン|Teriamon}}
:{{voiced by|[[Aoi Tada]]|[[Mona Marshall]] (US)}}
:Terriermon is a small one-horned [[terrier]] Digimon with a laid-back personality, often using the word "Momantai" (written as [[Wiktionary:無問題|無問題]] or [[Wiktionary:无问题|无问题]]), a [[Cantonese]] phrase meaning "''take it easy/no problem''". Terriermon was originally a wild Digimon living by the [[survival of the fittest]] rules in the Digital World. Henry chooses Terriermon, while playing a video game. When Terriermon digivolves into Gargomon, he goes on a rampage while fighting Gorillamon and loses control. Henry uses a Blue Card to send him out from the computer to the real world. Throughout the series, Henry hid Terriermon from his family, using him like a [[stuffed toy]] which Suzie plays with. When Terriermon reverts into Gummymon as a side effect of the Red Card, he says goodbye to Henry.
;{{nihongo|Renamon|レナモン}}
:{{voiced by|[[Yuka Imai]]|[[Mari Devon]] (US);}}
:{{visible anchor|Renamon}} is a yellow bipedal [[fox]] Digimon with a mature personality for a Rookie level. In a fight, she uses ninja-like skills, such as vanishing from view until called and moving at fast speeds. These traits mean that, unlike Guilmon and Terriermon, she can fend for herself when Rika is at school, and never gets into trouble like Guilmon. She has no memory of her life before meeting Rika, whom she first saw as nothing more than a means to become stronger. Her initial exchanges with the other Tamers and their Digimon cause her to question this belief, and Rika's obsession with battle. When Rika and Renamon part ways, they begin to understand each other, and reunite themselves for their apology. Renamon learns that Impmon is selfish, because he is desperate for digivolution. When Renamon reverts into Viximon as a side effect of the Red Card, she says goodbye to Rika. Renamon also appeared in ''Digimon Fusion''.

==Production==
After the success of ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]'', Hiroyuki Kakudo and staff did not know what to do now that the series was finished.{{clarify|date=November 2018|reason=This sentence doesn't make sense and needs to be reworded.}} The team was satisfied with the release of ''Digimon Tamers'', as Kakudo believed the setting could have also been applied in the previous anime. <!--Digimon Adventure 02 DVD Box, SPECIAL INTERVIEW! with Hiroyuki Kakudou published by Happinet in 2002 (Needs proper source format)--> [[Chiaki J. Konaka]] was concerned that the portrayal of the Digimon as "kind-hearted creatures" in ''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]'' and ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]'' might affect the "monster-like spirit of ''Digimon''." As a result, Konaka wanted to explore the primitive nature of Digimon, where they instinctively harm other creatures to become stronger and would learn morals from their partners. This aspect would be primarily explored through Guilmon.

Konaka was also worried about Digivolutions losing impact due to their repetitiveness. In order to solve this, the D-Power was designed as the new Digivice so that it could be used alongside cards and give the characters another "ace up sleeve." The writers wanted to limit the use of cards to one at a time. The main characters being more responsible of the evolutions and their adventures was another of Konaka's priorities as a message to children from modern society.<ref name="earlyplan">{{cite web|author=Chiaki J. Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/plan-e.html|title=Early Planning|work=Digimon Resources|date=September 29, 2000|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=June 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620042020/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/plan-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the last episodes of the series, Konaka believed the final enemy is the D-Reaper.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chiaki J. Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/d-reaper2-e.html|title=ADR Variations|work=Digimon Resources|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=June 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620080213/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/d-reaper2-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While making the series, Konaka had conceptualized the idea of the Tamers combining with their Digimon to reach the highest level of evolution, Mega. Shinji Aramaki joined the design team in the CGI animation, which including the Bio-merge scenes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chiaki J. Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/aramaki-e.html|title=Design Works by Shinji Aramaki|work=Digimon Tamers Resources|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=June 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619164848/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/aramaki-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unlike the previous series, Konaka did not introduce the idea of Digimon being reborn after death, as he believed death should be portrayed realistically in a show for children, especially since the main characters were risking their lives. As a result, the staff decided to portray death as a shocking event by using Leomon like in ''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]'', even though Konaka had doubts about it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/leomon-e.html|title=Leomon|publisher=Konaka|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=February 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222115517/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/leomon-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While the series was presented as dark, Terriermon and Calumon balanced out the tone of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/terriamon-e.html|title=Terriermon|publisher=Konaka|access-date=November 25, 2013|archive-date=April 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414203037/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/terriamon-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

According to Chiaki Konaka, the story-line of ''Digimon Tamers'' was largely influenced by one of the original scripts prepared for ''[[Gamera: Guardian of the Universe]]'' by Chiaki and Kazuya Konaka before the script written by [[Kazunori Itō]], and the ideas by Konaka brothers were later adopted for ''Digimon Tamers'' and ''[[Gamera the Brave]]''.<ref>Eiga Hiho (映画秘宝), 2021, Vol. April</ref>{{Page needed|date=October 2023}}<ref>Heisei Gamera Perfection (平成ガメラ パーフェクション), 2014, KADOKAWA/[[ASCII Media Works]]</ref>{{Page needed|date=October 2023}}<ref>{{cite tweet|author=Konaka, Chiaki J.|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|number=975012785389109249|user=yamaki_nyx|script-title=ja:という事をここに書いているのは、以前にも書いたけれど、テイマーズの1～3話は設定などは全然違うものの、小中兄弟版ガメラのエッセンスが濃厚に入っている。だからもしこの映画が成立していたら、テイマーズは生まれなかったとも言える。|date=March 17, 2018|access-date=October 20, 2023|language=ja}}</ref>

===Character design===
The characters were designed by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru and was based on the concept of "a normal elementary school student has a great adventure over the span of a year."<ref name="konaka takato">{{cite web|first=Chiaki J.|last=Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/takato-e.html|title=Character Notes (Takato Matsuda/Takato Matsuki)|work=Digimon Resources|date=2002|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2016-09-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909172054/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/takato-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Producer Hiromi Seki had wanted the three main characters to be of mixed genders and consist of an immigrant or someone not raised in Japan.<ref name="konaka rika">{{cite web|author=Chiaki J. Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/ruki-e.html|title=Character Notes (Ruki Makino/Rika Nonaka)|work=Digimon Resources|date=2002|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2021-05-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510231424/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/ruki-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="konaka henry">{{cite web|author=Chiaki J. Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|title=Character Notes (Jianliang Lee/Henry Wong)|url=http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/jen-e.html|work=Digimon Resources|date=2002|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106040006/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/jen-e.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rika was designed with a "strong" image and character in an attempt to boost sales for products based on female characters, which traditionally did not perform well in the market.<ref name="konaka rika"/> Henry became the basis of the proposed non-Japanese or emigrant character, and Konaka decided to make him half-Chinese and half-Japanese based on the statistics of non-Japanese students in elementary schools.<ref name="konaka henry"/> Originally, the main cast from ''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]'' and ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]'' were set to appear as mentors, but the idea was scrapped and only Ryo Akiyama from the [[WonderSwan]] games was used.<ref name="earlyplan"/>

===Sequel===
In 2021, Konaka had posted on his blog that he originally had plans to create ''Digimon Tamers 2020'', which would have been the continuation of an [[audio drama]] that was released with the 2018 limited edition Blu-ray box set of ''Digimon Tamers''.<ref name="konaka 2021-08-08">{{cite web|first=Chiaki J.|last=Konaka|authorlink=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=https://cjkinnyx.fc2.net/blog-entry-1.html|title="Digimon Tamers 2021" Announcement to Overseas Fans|work=Chiaki J. Konaka in Nyx|date=2021-08-08|accessdate=2021-08-08|archive-date=2023-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520064805/https://cjkinnyx.fc2.net/blog-entry-1.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ann 2021-08-09"/> However, Toei Animation had rejected the pitch; Konaka claimed it was due to casting problems, particularly in regards to having some voice actors reprise their roles or play older versions of their characters convincingly.<ref name="konaka 2021-08-08"/><ref name="ann 2021-08-09"/>

== Media ==
=== Anime ===
{{main|List of Digimon Tamers episodes{{!}}List of ''Digimon Tamers'' episodes}}
The series aired 51 episodes on [[Fuji TV]] from April 1, 2001, to March 31, 2002. The opening theme is "The Biggest Dreamer" by [[Kōji Wada]], which peaked at #59 on the [[Oricon]] Weekly Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/255494/products/444480/1/|title=The Biggest Dreamer|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105161948/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/255494/products/444480/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> The ending themes are performed by [[Ai Maeda (voice actress)|AiM]], the first half of the show being "My Tomorrow"<ref name="ed1">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/437630/1/|title=My Tomorrow|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160520/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/437630/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> and the second half being {{nihongo|"Days (Aijō to Nichijō)"|Days-愛情と日常-}}. "My Tomorrow" peaked at #70 on the [[Oricon]] Weekly Singles Chart, while "Days (Aijō to Nichijō)"<ref name="ed2">{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/456392/1/|title=Days-愛情と日常-|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105161941/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/456392/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> charted at #68.<ref name="ed1"/><ref name="ed2"/> Insert songs featured in the show include "Slash!!" by [[Michihiko Ohta]] as the Digi-modify theme,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/231422/products/441329/1/|title=SLASH!!|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160423/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/231422/products/441329/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> "Evo" by Wild Child Bound as the Digivolution and Matrix Digivolution themes,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/275919/products/444387/1/|title=EVO|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160512/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/275919/products/444387/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> and "One Vision" by [[Takayoshi Tanimoto]] as the Biomerge Digivolution theme.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/291125/products/464807/1/|title=One Vision|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160425/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/291125/products/464807/1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

An edited English-language version was produced by distributor [[Saban Entertainment]] and aired on [[Fox Kids]] in the United States from September 1, 2001, to June 8, 2002 as the third season of ''Digimon: Digital Monsters''. Saban's version received various changes to character names, music and sound effects, as well as edits pertaining to violence and cultural references. The show also began airing on [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] in 2002, after [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] had [[Freeform (TV channel)#Sale to Disney and rebranding as ABC Family (2001–06)|acquired the rights]] from [[Saban Entertainment]], which later also included a package deal with ''[[Digimon Frontier]]''.<ref name="erickson">{{cite book|title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003, Volume 1|last1=Erickson|first1=Hal|author-link1=Hal Erickson (author)|year=2005|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0786420995|page=249}}</ref> The show was released on [[Hulu]] with English subtitles in January 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Manry|first1=Gia|title=Toei Animation Adds Gaiking, Digimon Tamers to Hulu|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-26/toei-animation-adds-gaiking-digimon-tamers-to-hulu|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=January 5, 2019|date=January 26, 2011|archive-date=January 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105201030/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-01-26/toei-animation-adds-gaiking-digimon-tamers-to-hulu|url-status=live}}</ref> [[New Video]] Group release the dubbed version as a DVD boxset in North America on June 11, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-16/new-video-group-confirms-digimon-tamers-on-dubbed-dvd|title=New Video Group Confirms Digimon Tamers on Dubbed DVD|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2013-02-16|access-date=2013-09-03|archive-date=2013-08-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823175932/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-02-16/new-video-group-confirms-digimon-tamers-on-dubbed-dvd|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Manga Entertainment]] released the series in the United Kingdom in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Digimon Tamers (Digital Monsters Season 3)|url=https://www.mangauk.com/product/digimon-tamers-digital-monsters-season-3-dvd/|publisher=[[Manga Entertainment]]|access-date=January 4, 2019|archive-date=January 4, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190104180554/https://www.mangauk.com/product/digimon-tamers-digital-monsters-season-3-dvd/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The series was added to the [[Netflix]] Instant Streaming service on August 3, 2013 in separate English dubbed and Japanese subtitled versions. The series was removed on August 1, 2015,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Plante|first1=Chris|title=Netflix streaming strategy for August: replace great movies with Reading Rainbow nostalgia|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/27/9049263/netflix-movies-television-shows-august|website=[[The Verge]]|access-date=December 30, 2018|date=July 27, 2015|archive-date=December 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230181132/https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/27/9049263/netflix-movies-television-shows-august|url-status=live}}</ref> after nearly two years on Netflix when [[Crunchyroll]] acquired streaming rights to the English dubbed versions and [[Funimation]] acquired rights to the English subtitled versions, the English dubbed version of ''Tamers'' returned to Netflix while the English subtitled version of ''Tamers'' are now exclusive to Funimation.

===Films===
{{Main|List of Digimon films{{!}}List of ''Digimon'' films}}
{{nihongo|''Digimon: Battle of Adventurers''|デジモンテイマーズ 冒険者たちの戦い|Dejimon Teimāzu: Bōkensha-tachi no Tatakai}} was released on July 14, 2001 as part of Toei Animation Summer 2001 Animation Fair. The film was featured along with ''[[Ojamajo Doremi|Mōtto! Ojamajo Doremi: The Movie: Kaeru Seki no Himitsu]]'' and ''[[List of Kinnikuman films#Kinnikuman Second Generations|Kinnikuman: Second Generations]]''. The film takes place during the Tamers' summer vacation, where Mephistomon sends Digimon to invade the Real World through a virus called the "V-Pet." The film's ending theme song is "Moving On!" by [[Ai Maeda (voice actress)|AiM]], which peaked at #95 on the [[Oricon]] Weekly Singles Chart.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/444385/1/|title=Moving on!|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160509/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/444385/1/|url-status=live}}</ref> An insert song in the film, {{nihongo|"Tomodachi no Umi"|トモダチの海}}, was performed by Sammy and released as a single on September 29, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feelmee.jp/index.php/item/product/776|title=トモダチの海|language=ja|work=[[Dreamusic|Feel Mee]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160524/https://www.feelmee.jp/index.php/item/product/776|url-status=live}}</ref> The film's original soundtrack was released on December 5, 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feelmee.jp/index.php/item/product/770|title=デジモンテイマーズ 冒険者たちの戦い オリジナルサウンドトラック|language=ja|work=[[Dreamusic|Feel Mee]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160540/https://www.feelmee.jp/index.php/item/product/770|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{nihongo|''Digimon: Runaway Locomon''|デジモンテイマーズ 暴走デジモン特急|Dejimon Teimāzu: Bōsō no Dejimon Tokkyū}} was released on March 2, 2002 as part of Toei Animation Spring 2002 Animation Fair. The film was double-billed with ''[[List of One Piece films#Chopper's Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals|One Piece: Chopper's Kingdom on the Island of Strange Animals]]''. The film grossed [[Japanese yen|¥]]200 billion. The film's story is centered on the Tamers battling Locomon, who has been infected by Parasimon and led into the Real World. The film's ending theme song is {{nihongo|"Yūhi no Yakusoku"|夕陽の約束}} by [[Ai Maeda (voice actress)|AiM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/471217/1/|title=夕陽の約束|language=ja|work=[[Oricon]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160523/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/229849/products/471217/1/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== CD dramas ===
Two [[Radio drama#Japan|CD dramas]] written by Chiaki J. Konaka were released. The voice cast from the series reprised their roles.

{{nihongo|''Digimon Tamers: Original Story: Message in the Packet''|デジモンテイマーズ オリジナルストーリー メッセージ・イン・ザ・パケット|Dejimon Teimāzu: Orijinaru Sutōrī: Messeji in za Paketto}} was released on April 23, 2003 and follows the lives of each Tamer after the events of ''Digimon Tamers''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.feelmee.jp/index.php/item/product/745|title=デジモンテイマーズ オリジナルストーリー メッセージ・イン・ザ・パケット|language=ja|work=[[Dreamusic|Feel Mee]]|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2018-11-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105160527/https://www.feelmee.jp/index.php/item/product/745|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{nihongo|''Digimon Tamers: 2018 Days: Information and the Unordinary''|デジモンテイマーズ 2018 Days -情報と非日常-|Dejimon Teimāzu: Ni-sen-jū-hachi Deizu: Jōhō to Hinichijō}} was released on April 3, 2018 as a bonus with the first-press edition of the ''Digimon Tamers'' Blu-ray disc set.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/10/02/digimon-tamers-blu-ray-box-to-include-newly-recorded-special-drama|title="Digimon Tamers" Blu-ray Box to Include Newly-Recorded Special Drama|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=2017-10-02|access-date=2018-04-06|language=en|archive-date=2018-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407115941/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/10/02/digimon-tamers-blu-ray-box-to-include-newly-recorded-special-drama|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Short story ===
''Digimon Tamers 1984'', written by Chiaki J. Konaka and illustrated by Kenji Watanabe, was published on July 5, 2002 in Volume 5 of ''SF Japan'', a Japanese science fiction magazine. The story focuses on the creation of the original Digimon program by the Monster Makers at [[Palo Alto University]] and dealt largely with the philosophical and technological issues surrounding the creation of artificial intelligence.<ref name="digimon tamers 1984">{{cite web|author=Chiaki J. Konaka|author-link=Chiaki J. Konaka|url=https://sites.google.com/view/digimon-tamers-update/digimon-tamers-update-e|title=Digimon Tamers Update|access-date=2018-11-04|archive-date=2023-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220213221/https://sites.google.com/view/digimon-tamers-update/digimon-tamers-update-e|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Konaka uploaded an updated version of the story onto his website.<ref name="digimon tamers 1984"/>

==Reception==
Due to its differences from the first two ''Digimon'' series, ''Tamers'' received mixed reviews when it first aired in the United States (September 1, 2001). Tim Jones of THEM Anime writes, "Although ''Digimon Tamers'' has its faults (slow character development, a sudden change in new characters from the last series, and a less-than-exciting first half), the more you watch it, and the further you get into it, the more you'll enjoy it." In comparison to the first two series, ''Tamers'' also displayed darker undertones in its plot.<ref>{{cite web|last = Jones|first = Tim|title = Digimon Tamers|url = http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=506|publisher = THEM Anime|access-date = September 15, 2009|archive-date = March 31, 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190331132559/http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=506|url-status = live}}</ref> According to English-language dub voice actor [[Dave Wittenberg]], the new series possessed "an element of seriousness" that was not present in the first two series. Additionally, some parts would be better understood by older viewers due to the introduction of more difficult concepts.<ref>{{cite web|last = McFeely|first = Chris|title = Interview With Dave Wittenberg|url = http://digipedia.db-destiny.net/cast_crew/wittenberg.htm|publisher = The Digimon Encyclopedia|date = August 2002|access-date = September 15, 2009|archive-date = July 27, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080727011359/http://digipedia.db-destiny.net/cast_crew/wittenberg.htm|url-status = live}}</ref> Regarding this, Konaka believes that Calumon and Terriermon were able to tone down the grim and serious atmosphere of the occasionally tough scenes throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|last = Konaka|first = Chiaki|title = Terriermon|url = http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/terriamon-e.html|date = 2002|access-date = February 20, 2015|archive-date = March 4, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035459/http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/characters/terriamon-e.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

The airing of the series coincided with the [[September 11 attacks]], and in at least one case, the events have been analyzed within the context of the series. Margaret Schwartz of [[PopMatters]] writes, "As [[National Public Radio|NPR]] and other […] media began to debate the September 11 images, I began to see just how important it was to consider how we as a culture define and experience 'reality' […] Some argue that the shocking video footage […] is a necessary experience of the catastrophe—even a condition of it." She points out the [[metafiction]]al story of ''Tamers'' where "bits of forgotten computer data have fused to become a separate world inhabited by live creatures". In acknowledging the line drawn between [[good and evil]] in the series, Schwartz writes, "The evil here consists in refusing to see that Digimon are 'real', real creatures, and that destroying any one of them is in fact [[murder]]." Through the existence of intangible communication networks as a "product of human ingenuity", she concludes that "those of us in the 'real' world have become so good at playing creator, at making 'things' appear much like 'real' creatures, that we tend to confuse the two."<ref>{{cite news|last = Schwartz|first = Margaret|title = Real Consequence|url = http://www.popmatters.com/columns/schwartz/011008.shtml|publisher = [[PopMatters]]|date = October 8, 2001|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050208180838/http://popmatters.com/columns/schwartz/011008.shtml|archive-date = February 8, 2005|access-date = September 16, 2009}}</ref>

===Controversy===
DigiFes 2021, an official ''Digimon'' event taking place annually on August 1, held a live reading featuring the original voice cast of an original [[audio drama]] that Konaka had written for ''Digimon Tamers''' 20th anniversary.<ref name="ann 2021-08-04">{{cite news|first=Kim|last=Morissy|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-04/digimon-tamers-20th-anniversary-stage-show-features-cancel-culture-villain/.175872|title=Digimon Tamers 20th Anniversary Stage Show Features 'Cancel Culture' Villain|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2021-08-04|accessdate=2021-08-04|archive-date=2023-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408161459/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-04/digimon-tamers-20th-anniversary-stage-show-features-cancel-culture-villain/.175872|url-status=live}}</ref> The script featured the Tamers fighting a villainous entity called "[[political correctness]]", which used an attack called "[[cancel culture]]."<ref name="ann 2021-08-04"/> Prior to this, Konaka had been keeping a retrospective blog for rewatching ''Digimon Tamers'' and had blogged his opinions about conspiracy theories around [[9/11 conspiracy theories|9/11]] and [[COVID-19 misinformation|COVID-19]].<ref name="ann 2021-08-04"/> The audio drama was met with international backlash.<ref name="ann 2021-08-04"/> Konaka released an apology on his blog and clarified that he did not associate with any political ideology.<ref name="konaka 2021-08-08"/><ref name="ann 2021-08-09">{{cite news|first=Kim|last=Morissy|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-09/digimon-tamers-writer-chiaki-j-konaka-responds-to-overseas-backlash-over-20th-anniversary-stage-play/.176064|title=Digimon Tamers Writer Chiaki J. Konaka Responds to Overseas Backlash Over 20th Anniversary Stage Play|work=[[Anime News Network]]|date=2021-08-09|accessdate=2021-08-09|archive-date=2022-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120173731/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2021-08-09/digimon-tamers-writer-chiaki-j-konaka-responds-to-overseas-backlash-over-20th-anniversary-stage-play/.176064|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.toei-anim.co.jp/tv/digimon_t/ Toei Animation official site] (Japanese)
* [http://www.konaka.com/alice6/tamers/ Digimon Tamers Resources]
*{{Anime News Network|anime|2171}}

{{Digimon}}
{{Toei Animation}}
{{Toei Animation films 2000s}}

[[Category:2001 films]]
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:Adventure anime and manga]]
[[Category:Animated television series about children]]
[[Category:Anime and manga about parallel universes]]
[[Category:Card games in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Digimon anime and manga|Tamers]]
[[Category:Fantasy anime and manga]]
[[Category:Fuji Television original programming]]
[[Category:Japanese children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:Metafictional television series]]
[[Category:Television series by Saban Entertainment]]
[[Category:Television series set in 2001]]
[[Category:Toei Animation television]]