Crests



The Crests (紋章) refer to two things, the symbols of traits which the Digidestined of Digimon Adventure embodied and drew power from as well as their physical manifestations in the form of small tablets which are then inserted into Tags (タグ) to wear around the neck. When the Digidestined exhibit the trait of their crests, the Crest "glows", and its power is released to allow digivolution from Champion to Ultimate, or in specific cases Rookie to Mega. Though they were often thought to be the catalyst of their digivolution to their higher forms, it was proved that the physical Crests were mere focus points after Apocalymon destroyed the Tags; their power lay within the Digidestined themselves. The powers of the Crests, however, were returned to the Digital World sometime between Digimon Adventure and Digimon Adventure 02, taking away the ability of the Adventure Digidestined's Digimon to digivolve past Champion. However, they were later reformatted into the Digi-Eggs.

It should be noted, however, that the physical Crests also exhibit special powers. For example, when Mimi should have been knocked out by sleeping gas, her Crest shined and revived her, and when a prophecy required T.K. and Kari's partners to fire arrows, the arrows appeared in beams of light from their Crests.

Crest of Courage


The Crest of Courage (勇気の紋章) is embodied by Taichi "Tai" Kamiya. It was the first Crest found, appearing in a cave wall after the Digidestined fled Etemon's attacks and allowing them to escape the collapsing cavern. It is normally used to digivolve Greymon into MetalGreymon, as well as to warp digivolve into WarGreymon, though there was one notable instance where Tai's reckless actions caused the Crest to dark digivolve Greymon into SkullGreymon. It first glowed properly in episode 20 (The Earthquake of MetalGreymon) when Tai risked his own life to save Sora's when she was held captive by Datamon.

Crest of Friendship


The Crest of Friendship (友情の紋章) is embodied by Yamato "Matt" Ishida. It is tied for the fourth Crest found, appearing in a well just out outside of Piximon's domain alongside the Crest of Knowledge. It is normally used to digivolve Garurumon into WereGarurumon, as well as to warp digivolve into MetalGarurumon. It first glowed in episode 23 (WereGarurumon's Diner) when Matt realized that Joe truly was his friend and refused to abandon him. It should also be noted that his Crest helped heal Tai and WarGreymon when they were near death when they fought Piedmon.

Crest of Love


The Crest of Love (愛情の紋章) is embodied by Sora Takenouchi. It is the seventh Crest found, though it was in Datamon's possession, who then used it in an attempt to create a Sora clone to strike back at Etemon. It is used to digivolve Birdramon into Garudamon. It first glowed in episode 26 (Sora's Crest of Love) when Sora refuses to let Biyomon fight Myotismon, to keep her from getting hurt.

Crest of Sincerity


The Crest of Sincerity (純真の紋章) is embodied by Mimi Tachikawa. It is the third Crest found, appearing in the budding flower of a giant desert cactus. It is used to digivolve Togemon into Lillymon. It first glowed in episode 35 (Flower Power) when Mimi wished to protect her family and friends from Myotismon's onslaught more than anything. It also revived Mimi from the sleep spell cast upon all the captive children in episode 37 (Wizardmon's Gift).

Crest of Knowledge


The Crest of Knowledge (知識の紋章) is embodied by Koushiro "Izzy" Izumi. It is tied for the fourth Crest found, appearing in a well just out outside of Piximon's domain alongside the Crest of Friendship. It is used to digivolve Kabuterimon into MegaKabuterimon. It first glowed in episode 24 (No Questions, Please) after Izzy had reclaimed his curiosity.

Crest of Reliability


The Crest of Reliability (誠実の紋章) is embodied by Joe Kido. It is the second Crest found, appearing on the ground in a cage where Etemon trapped the Digidestined. Its obtainment also served as an escape route. It is used to digivolve Ikkakumon into Zudomon. It first glowed in episode 36 (City Under Siege) when Joe rescued TK from drowning despite not knowing how to swim and almost drowning as a result. Also, in the same episode, his Crest's light cut an opening in Myotismon's fog bank.

Given the recent re-translations of the Digi-Egg of Reliability as the Digi-Egg of Honesty, it might be that, should this concept ever reappear, the Crest of Reliability would be translated as the Crest of Honesty.

Crest of Light


The Crest of Light (光の紋章) is embodied by Hikari "Kari" Kamiya. It is the eight Crest found, though it and its associated Tag were already in Myotismon's possession by the time the Digidestined realized its existence. Under Myotismon's command, copies were distributed among his followers and used to detect the, as of that time unknown, Eighth Child. With Kari, however, it is used to digivolve Gatomon into Angewomon. It first glowed in episode 37 (Wizardmon's Gift) when she shed tears at Wizardmon's death as he died in her arms. Her Crest also produced the arrow of light needed to help Agumon digivolve into WarGreymon and acted as a conduit to help the disembodied spirit in the Digital World possess Kari in episode 45.

Crest of Hope


The Crest of Hope (希望の紋章) is embodied by Takeru "T.K." Takaishi. It is the sixth Crest found, appearing on a wall of a cliff which then served as an entrance into Etemon's base of operations. It is used to digivolve Angemon into MagnaAngemon. It first glowed in episode 52 (Piedmon's Last Jest) when TK refused to give up hope despite the horrible odds against them. It also provided the arrow that Angemon used to help Gabumon digivolve into MetalGarurumon.

Crest of Kindness


The Crest of Kindness (優しさの紋章) is embodied by Ken Ichijouji. It is the ninth Crest found, appearing from the Digi-Egg of Miracles after the battle with Kimeramon. Though it was never used to digivolve Wormmon (and its Tag was never found), it was used by Ken in an attempt to shut down the Digimon Emperor's base. It also served as the basis of the Digi-Egg of Miracles.