D-Reaper



The D-Reaper, also known as the "True Enemy", is a digital lifeform which appears in Digimon Tamers. Unlike most inhabitants of the Digital World in Tamers, it is not a Digimon; while Digimon descend from the virtual wildlife system created by "The Wild Bunch", the D-Reaper was allegedly created in the late 1970's by the United States Department of Defense, as a security program for their "ECHELON" project. It is possible it is only a descendant of this program, though, which was then known as the "Reaper". The D-Reaper's only purpose is to purge the Digital World once the number of lifeforms within it surpasses a certain number, and it pursues this goal with deadly efficiency. It is in hibernation deep beneath the Digital World as Tamers begins, but it is reawakened and begins to ravage the Digital and Real Worlds by the end of it. Though it began in an extremely primitive state, it is thought that its ability to become powerful enough to overcome the Digital World was due to its hibernation being so far beneath the Digital World that it actually connected with another dimension.

Despite being a fictional character, the D-Reaper's backstory is linked with real-life events and organisations, such as the outbreak of the "Creeper" virus, one of the first computer worms to spread significantly, and ECHELON, a real, highly secretive world-wide intelligence-gathering network.

Digimon Tamers

 * Voice actor: Yoko Asada (Japanese), Bridget Hoffman (English)

The Reaper program was created in the late 1970's, allegedly by the United States Department of Defense, before Digimon and even the DigiGnomes, which appeared in the early 1980's. Though this is only set 30 years in the past of Digimon Tamers, in the fast-growing Digital World it is comparable to the Cambrian period (542-488 MYE). It was designed so that whenever the number of digital lifeforms surpassed a set amount, it would delete them to return the Digital World back to a state of nothingness, in order to prevent the Digital World from being overloaded. However, when it was written, the Digital World had a very small RAM size, and while the network has grown exponentially, the D-Reaper's threshold is still based on that early, tiny figure. With nothing to do at the time, the D-Reaper program went dormant and remained deep within the recesses of the Net.

At about this time, the "Creeper" virus infected ARPANET, the network belonging to the Department of Defense. It was deleted by the "Reaper" program, which was allegedly created for only this purpose.

In 1980, the Artificial Life research project "Tierra" began operations. However, the Reaper program causes mass genocide of Tierra's virtual lifeforms whenever they multiplied beyond a certain amount of memory. Throughout the 1980's, the SIGINT system known as "ECHELON" began operations under the leadership of the United States Department of National Security, which built communications bases in various nations across the globe. It it thought that the self-defense program used by ECHELON was a forerunner of the D-Reaper, or the program itself.

By the 2000's, the network had expanded exponentially. This created a huge influx of data into the Digital World, which the Digimon used to "Digivolve" and change. Though the system was large enough to handle this load, the Sovereign Azulongmon sensed that it could reawaken the D-Reaper, and with the help of the DigiGnomes he transformed the "Catalyst" program into the form of a Digimon, Calumon. Though this greatly slowed the growth and Digivolution of Digimon, it was not enough to stave off the D-Reaper, which soon reactivated. At the time, though, it was still in an extremely primitive state, and the Sovereigns attempted to find solutions before the problem became too huge.

The D-Reaper kidnapped Jeri in order to learn more about humans, creating its first Agent to lead it to the Real World. The main part of D-Reaper followed the Tamers to the Real World through the Hypnos system and immediately began to spread over Shinjuku, keeping the Kernel Sphere high between the two towers of the Hypnos building, with Jeri sealed inside as its source of energy due to her grief. Only the Biomerged and Mega-Level (like Beelzemon) Digimon were able to fight it until it evolved into the Mother D-Reaper. Eventually, the D-Reaper began a global attack on Earth's electronic communication and most of the Digital World was destroyed by the D-Reaper. It deemed that both races were inheritedly destructive and therefore unsuitable to live. It called the Cable Reaper from the Digital World to assist it in its work. However, through the combined effort of everyone in Operation Doodlebug, the D-Reaper was regressed back into its original, harmless state, no complex than a simple calculator. MegaGargomon reversed the pull of the wormhole the Cable Reaper came through and was dragged back down by the Digimon Sovereigns, exceeding the speed-of-light, as the Mother D-Reaper and all the chaos got sucked into the hole.

Forms
The D-Reaper encountered by the Digimon Tamers was considerably different from the simple computer program it originated from. In the Digital World, the D-Reaper appeared in the form of a large, red chaotic mass of slime. Any data contacting the D-Reaper would immediately become absorbed and disappeared. Despite this, Digimon were able to fight the D-Reaper.

In the Real World, the D-Reaper still looked like a crimson mass. However, it could not absorb objects in the real world as quickly. It worked slower and adapted to the situation by studying the real world. Conventional weapons such as missiles appeared to have no effect on the D-Reaper.

Digimon Tamers
The combination of all the D-Reaper's agents at the Digital World surpassed its own boundaries and was to assimilate with Mother D-Reaper to complete the plan. However, it was dragged back into the Digital World by the Sovereigns, allowing the Operation to begin.

Attacks
 * Shinigami no Kama (死神の鎌)
 * α Houkai Dan (α崩壊弾)

Digimon Tamers
Using Jeri's negative energy, the D-Reaper of the Real World underwent an advance evolution, reabsorbing its agents and becoming the Mother D-Reaper. It managed to create more powerful versions of its most deadly agents and swallowed all of Shinjuku, Tokyo. The Tamers managed to get in (via the Red Card) and save Jeri before the Mother D-Reaper fell victim to the Operation. It was sucked into Juggernaut (Shaggai) and regressed back into a harmless program. Before she was destroyed, she looked like a large red mass with a strange, almost Aztec/Egyptian crown, and several eyes.

Attacks
 * Shoumetsu no Hadou (錆滅の波動)
 * 175mm α Houkai Dan (175mm α崩壊弾)

Agents
To accomplish its goals in the real world, the D-Reaper utilized a variety of forms called "Agents". These agents were created from the main form of the D-Reaper. Most of these agents were connected to the main body through a red cord, except for the Jeri-type. When the cord was cut, the agents became weaker and easier to defeat.

Digimon Tamers
This Agent was created for the purpose of espionage, posing as Jeri while the real one was in the Kernel Sphere. The Jeri-Type was unique among the Agents and was the only Agent that did not to need a cord to be linked to the D-Reaper. She eventually revealed her true form to Takato after manipulating the boy's feelings with her Mind Scan, tapping in key memories of Takato's relation to Jeri. She was driven off by MarineAngemon's Kahuna Wave attack. Initially the Jeri-type looked identical to the real Jeri, but when exposed it took on a more adult, blue-skinned, almost demonic form based on Jeri's form. She was eventually reabsorbed back into the D-Reaper when it became the Mother D-Reaper. An abnormally strong Agent, her face served as the Mother D-Reaper's first defense while the stronger, faceless version of herself became the last defense. She was finally destroyed by Gallantmon Crimson Mode.

Attacks
 * α Houkai Dan (α崩壊弾)
 * Mind Scan

Digimon Tamers
Created for information gathering, these small bird-like agents appear in large numbers. They are the only type of Agent not made for fighting. At first, the Tamers were wary of them, but they soon discovered they were relatively harmless. After the Tamers regained the ability to Bio-merge, Gallantmon was seen destroying many of these.

Attacks
 * Gokumon Chou no Haoto (獄門蝶の羽音)
 * Jamming Hertz

Digimon Tamers
The first Agent of the D-Reaper the Tamers fought, it resembled a stereotypical wraith with a cloth-like body, a pumpkin-like face and cord-like limbs with sickles at the ends. It has the ability to mimic a Digimon's attacks. Built for aerial combat, it had a long-distance pendulum attack. After it was killed by Beelzemon Blast Mode. More appeared after the Tamers regained the ability to Bio-merge, but they were destroyed by Sakuyamon.

Attacks
 * Housenka (鳳仙花)
 * Shadow Sickle

Digimon Tamers
These are small squid-like agents built for ground assaults, these Agents have pulse cannons in their arms and move in groups.

Attacks
 * 35mm α Houkai Sokushahou (35mm α崩壊速射砲)
 * Energy Bomb

Digimon Tamers
This medium sized Agent was adapted for hand-to-hand combat. Its arms were extendable. Killed by Gallantmon and MegaGargomon in the first fight.

Attacks
 * Rasen no Benwan (螺旋の鞭腕)
 * Squeeze Vine

Digimon Tamers
This Agent was a green beetle-like agent and an overwhelming opponent. When injured it could grow to gigantic proportions, roughly the same size as the enormous MegaGargomon. It was very strong and took the combined powers of Sakuyamon, MegaGargomon, Justimon and Antylamon to kill it. They were mass-produced to serve as the second defense of the D-Reaper but were easily destroyed by Gallantmon Crimson Mode.

Attacks
 * Engetsugeri (円月蹴り)
 * Baldy Blow

Digimon Tamers
The "Paratice Head" (a mis-transliteration of Palates Head) is a Reconnaissance in Force Agent with many mouths. Its attack patterns were unpredictable, and its mouths speak with Jeri's voice. Killed by Guardromon and Justimon. Another one was killed by Guardromon alone. One of its many attacks is it can fire a red energy beam presumably from one of the many mouths on it or from the tentacles it has on it.

Attacks
 * Kyougeki no Koudan (虚撃の口弾)
 * Möbius Bite

Digimon Tamers
This giant Agent was a carrier ship and carried Bubbles in its body. It could also fire a powerful blue energy blast from its mouth. Proved to be a difficult opponent for Gallantmon, Sakuyamon, Justimon, and Guardromon to defeat. It was destroyed by Gallantmon when he obtained Grani. A second Optimizer in the finale was destroyed by Sakuyamon's Amethyst Mandala attack.

Attacks
 * 46cm α Houkai Hou (46cm α崩壊砲)
 * Mjöllnir Thunder

ADR-09: Gatekeeper
Chiaki J. Konaka gives this Agent the name "D-Reaper Ball".

Digimon Tamers
This Agent was formed around the Kernel Sphere to protect it. It was assimilated back into the D-Reaper, forming the face of Mother D-Reaper in Episode 49.

Attacks
 * Active Wing
 * 35mm α Houkai Sokushahou (35mm α崩壊速射砲)

Similar Concepts
The D-Reaper is primarily based on the Rei/Lilith fusion from Neon Genesis Evangelion, as well as the ancient horrors of H.P. Lovecraft's work, sleeping until they wake and destroy the world.

The D-Reaper is also reminiscent of Star Trek's Borg or Homeworld: Cataclysm's "The Beast". The Agents are not individual entities, but rather are extensions of a part of the D-Reaper controlled by a central mind. The D-Reaper is also able to absorb buildings and redesign them, similar to how The Beast infects starships.

Notes & References

 * Digimontamers Resources: D-Reaper Variations