Digimon Data Squad

Digimon Data Squad (デジモンセイバーズ), known as "Digimon Protectores de Dados" in Portugal, is a ese  television series, and the fifth series produced as part of the Digimon franchise. It was produced by Toei Animation, and aired every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. on the Fuji TV network. In addition, a tie-in movie titled ''Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!!'' was released on December 9, 2006. Savers was the first Digimon program to be produced in three years, following 2002's Digimon Frontier.

Unlike previous Digimon series, which were broadcasted in English in Autumn of the same year as their Japanese release, there were a full eighteen months between the Japanese and English broadcasts, leading at first to some doubt as to whether the series would be dubbed at all. Not long after the discovery of an entry for the show on Toei's website, which featured anglicized names for some of the characters and the show's new English title, on April 25, 2007, Disney's ABC Network announced that it had signed an agreement with Toei Animation to license the show. On May 4, director of previous Digimon series Jeff Nimoy confirmed that he had returned to direct the series, confirmed its English title, and revealed the majority of voice actors for the main cast of the series. Data Squad premiered on Jetix on October 1, 2007 at 8:30 PM, and has begun airing on Kix in the United Kingdom.

The Digivice used in this series is the "Digivice iC", and its upgraded version, the "Digivice Burst". This series is the first to feature the lead character not sporting a pair of goggles, and to have all main characters' Digimon evolve to the same level. This series is also the second one where the last battle is fought in the Real World against a non-Digimon entity, the other one being Digimon Tamers. Unlike the previous seasons, Digimon Data Squad took on more radical changes for the character designs ditching the style animation always used previously in favor of more traditional bishōnen/bishōjo animation similar to Gash Bell (also known as Zatch Bell), YuYu Hakusho or Naruto. Also, according to this series' composer, Ryota Yamaguchi, this series was to take in a wider age group, and was aimed to also appeal to late teens aged 16 to 21 years, however, without ending it as a hobby anime. This is why the characters are much older (ranging from early teen to adult) and the story is much darker than in previous series. Also, as requested by Digimon's sponsor, Bandai, in order to grab the older Digimon fans, Bandai wanted the reappearance of a Digimon from the old series, which was chosen to be Agumon.

Plot summary
A 14-year-old boy, Marcus Damon, an undefeated ultimate fighter ("street fighter" in the Japanese version), meets Agumon, who has escaped from DATS, a secret government organization set up to defend the human world from invading wild Digimon. After fighting each other, the two quickly become friends, and through a series of events, are inducted into DATS, where they hope to grow in strength.

Marcus's team-mates include 14-year-old Thomas H. Norstein, a young prodigy, with his partner Gaomon, and 18-year-old Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda who has Lalamon for her partner. As the series progresses, Thomas discovers that Digimon respond to the "darkness" in humans, putting them at odds with monsters who seek to use humanity's own vices to bolster their own power.

The plot thickens with the introduction of Merukimon, one of the rulers of the Digital World, and the human boy Keenan Crier, who serves him along with his partner Falcomon. The DATS team tries to unfold the reason for their hatred of humankind, until it is revealed that the real enemy was Akihiro Kurata, a scientist who led an attack on the Digital World years before that resulted in the death of many Digimon, including Keenan's adoptive mother, Frigimon.

Kurata gained the support of the Japanese government and important businessmen like Thomas' father on his plan to destroy all Digimon in the Digital World, claiming they were a threat to mankind. But this was only a facade to occult his main objective. He harnesses the energy of the Digimon he destroyed to power-up Belphemon, one of the Seven Deadly Digimon, and uses it in his attempt to rule the Human World (and eventually Digital World), but his ambitions were shattered by the efforts of Marcus and his allies.

Kurata's last act was triggering a bomb which collapsed the frontier between the Human and Digital Worlds, putting both en route of collision, which could have lead to the destruction of both realms. The collision was halted by the desperate efforts of BanchoLeomon who ordered Marcus to search for King Drasil, the ruler (god in the Japanese version) of the Digital World. When the DATS team finally met King Drasil, they discovered that his decision to deal with the crisis unfolded was to protect the Digital World by destroying the Human World, as the two worlds could not coexist in the same dimension. To perform this task, he assembled his elite guard, the Royal Knights (Craniamon, Gallantmon, Magnamon, Dynasmon, LoadKnightmon, UlforceVeedramon, Leopardmon and Omnimon).

Marcus was confused at first because King Drasil somehow had the appearance of his father, Dr. Spencer Damon, who disappeared in the Digital World years before. But it was revealed that King Drasil took his father's body, and his soul was somehow preserved by BanchoLeomon, who was revealed to be Spencer's partner Digimon. After defeating some of the Royal Knights, The DATS team decided to confront King Drasil himself, who after being expelled from Spencer's body, transformed himself into an all-powerful robotic form determined to destroy the Human World by itself.

However, even when the Royal Knights rebel against King Drasil, it won't give up its goal, attempting to destroy both worlds and create a new world. Using their emotions, Marcus and Agumon finally defeat King Drasil, and the two worlds cease their collision course. Before disappearing, King Drasil brings Spencer back to life and he returns to his family, but the Digimon decide to return to the Digital World to help restore it, and in the end Marcus decides to not part with Agumon and goes with them.

5 years later, Keenan and Kristy, Marcus' sister, go to the same school together. Thomas finally managed to find a cure for his sister's illness and became the youngest scientist to win the Nobel Prize at age 19. Yoshi has joined the police with the remaining DATS members, and Marcus and Agumon have become peacekeepers in the Digital World, breaking up fighting between rival Digimon factions.

Episodes
Digimon Savers aired 48 episodes on Fuji TV in Japan from April 2, 2006 to March 25, 2007. In Germany the series first aired on RTL 2 from November 30, 2007 to February 14, 2008. it also aired in the US on the Jetix Block of Toon Disney.

Video Games
As part of a resurgence of the Digimon franchise, Digimon Data Squad is in continuity with several of the video games released alongside it. Digimon World Data Squad is an explicit sidestory to the main cartoon, while Digimon World DS uses the characters in cameo roles. Its sequels, Digimon World Dawn and Dusk, portray the Data Squad continuity as a separate universe that is in contact with that of the games.

D.N.A.
An important concept in the series is the D.N.A. (which stands for Digimon Natural Ability; it is called Digi-Soul in the Japanese version), the main medium by which the humans in the series evolve their Digimon. Essentially, it is some kind of energy aura that allows a Digimon to grow stronger, and is tied into a human's emotions.

The D.N.A. usually manifests as a glowing aura around the user's hand, which is then channeled through the Digivice with the command of "D.N.A. Charge".

A stronger version is the so-called Full Charge, which erupts around the entire body. Overdrive is the term used to allows the Digimon to evolve into their Mega (Ultimate) form. When activating Burst Mode, the person will shout the command "Charge! Digi-Soul Burst!". In the US translation, however, the command is "Charge! D.N.A. Burst Mode!".

Digivice
The digivice is the primary tool used by any human with a Digimon partner. The primary Digivice used by the characters in the series is the Digivice iC. It is used for multiple purposes, the most important of which is the channeling of the human's D.N.A., which allows for the Digimon to digivolve (evolve). It can also "store" a partner inside of it, and released back in the world with the command of "realize." Different digivices are also used by the series' villains. Later on, the Digivice is upgraded into the Digivice Burst, which can channel the full power of the D.N.A. and activate Mega (Ultimate) digivolution. It also reportedly has another ability called the Air Signal, which can be used to activate Burst Mode or (this only involves Marcus) can be used to summon the GeoGreySword for ShineGreymon.

DATS (Digimon Data Squad/Digital Accident Tactics Squad)
DATS is an organization dedicated to keeping the peace between the human and Digital Worlds, by stopping any Digimon that appears in the real world, and returning it to the Digital World in the form of a Digi-Egg (digitama). DATS is apparently a worldwide organization, as Thomas was known to visit the European branch prior to episode three. It is unknown if there is an American branch, or one elsewhere, but the majority of Digimon activity occurs in Japan. The Japanese branch, at least, falls under the direct jurisdiction of Japan's Confidentiality Ministry.

Due to the manipulation of Akihiro Kurata, the core team of DATS operatives in Japan was dissolved, and the building that housed DATS was destroyed. In later episodes they operate secretly from underground after the core team of DATS come back together, though not officially. After the Partner Digimon (including Biyomon), Gotsumon and Marcus Damon returned to the Digital World, DATS is permanently dissolved. Five years later most of the members of DATS has moved on and have jobs at the local police station, while Thomas cures his sister's illness and wins a Nobel Peace Prize.

Digital World
The Digital World is the otherworldly realm, which as it is in other series, formed due to the growing worldwide digital network. Though we have only seen a part of it in the series, locations like an underground passage where Drimogemon dwells, an ice stadium, a forest ruled over by Cherrymon, a gorge where Dokugumon and MetalPhantomon live, a mansion where they encountered Blossomon, the Infinity Ice Ridge, the ruling place of Merukimon, the Sacred City, home of ElDradimon, and a gigantic tree where King Drasil and the Royal Knights live. The Digital World is connected to the real world by way of Digital Gates, most of which open incidentally. For some reason, the barrier between both worlds is breaking down. Finally, as stated by Merukimon, an omnipresent god of the Digital World exists, known as King Drasil.

Cast (Japanese Version)

 * Taiten Kusunoki: Commander Rentarou Satsuma
 * Nanaho Katsuragi: Kudamon
 * Yukiko Hanioka: Officer Shirokawa
 * Ai Nagano: Officer Kurosaki
 * Mariko Kouda: Sayuri Daimon
 * Kokoro Kikuchi: Chika Daimon
 * Haruhi Terada: Piyomon
 * Yuuichi Nagashima: Hiroshi Yushima
 * Naozumi Takahashi: Kamemon
 * Hozumi Goda: Professor Suguru Daimon
 * Eiji Takemoto: BanchouLeomon
 * Kousei Hirota: Mercurymon
 * Ken Maeda: Gotsumon / Insekimon
 * Hitoshi Bifu: SaberLeomon
 * Masami Kikuchi: Akihiro Kurata / Belphemon Rage Mode
 * KENN: Kouki / BioThunderbirmon / BioDarkdramon
 * Ryoko Ono: Nanami / BioCoatlmon / BioLotusmon
 * Takanori Hoshino: Ivan / BioStegomon / BioSpinomon
 * Rica Fukami: Yggdrasill
 * Masako Nozawa: Dukemon
 * Hiroki Takahashi: Omegamon
 * Hiroshi Kamiya: Craniummon
 * Kazunari Kojima: Dynasmon
 * Satoshi Tsuruoka: UlforceVeedramon, Chief Hashibana, Drimogemon (4-5). Mr. Hashiguchi (7)
 * Susumu Chiba: LordKnightmon
 * Takehiro Murozono: Duftmon
 * Tatsuhisa Suzuki: Magnamon
 * Rieko Yoshimoto: Takashi (2)
 * Akimasa Haraguchi: BomberNanimon (7)
 * Tomokazu Seki: Neon Hanamura (8)
 * Isshin Chiba: Hayase Tsubasa (9)
 * Masafumi Kimura: Jureimon (14)
 * Ken Yamaguchi: MetalFantomon (15)
 * Gou Shinomiya: Dokugumon (15)
 * Tetsuharu Ohta: Blossomon (16)
 * Tomoko Ohtsuka: Yukidarumon (16)

Cast (English Version)

 * Brian Beacock—Agumon/GeoGreymon/RizeGreymon/ShineGreymon, Champ (9), Male Nurse (12), Agent #1 (20-21), Soldier #3 (24), Pilot (39)
 * Beau Billingslea—Leopardmon (43)
 * Adam Bitterman—Franz Norstein
 * Steven Blum—Falcomon/Peckmon/Crowmon/Ravemon, Cameraman (13), Nyokimon (14, 28), Doctor #2 (19), Bicyclist (21), Trooper #2 (23), Motimon (24, 47), Pabumon (24), Sepikmon (31), Tankmon (31), Pumpkinmon #2 (33), Franz's Agent #2 (33), Chopper Pilot #3 (36), Male Nurse (36), Poromon (43)
 * Susan Boyajian—Piximon (30, 32-34), Ninjamon #2 (31), Tanemon (32)
 * Dave Bushnell—LoadKnightmon (42)
 * Jonathan David Cook—King Drasil/King Drasil 7_D6 (46-47)
 * Christopher Darga—Ivan/BioStegomon/BioSupinomon
 * Mari Devon—King Drasil's Female Voice (48)
 * Henry Dittman—Craniamon, Bukamon (43)
 * Chris Edgerly—Dynasmon, Doctor #2 (42), Pilot (42)
 * Dorothy Elias-Fahn—Lalamon/Sunflowmon/Lilamon/Rosemon, Pedestrain (8), Mrs. Harris (9), Female Reporter (33), Pink Shirt Girl (39)
 * Richard Epcar—Merukimon, Doctor #4 (19), Okuwamon #3 (19)
 * Jonathan Fahn—Connor (Shitori's son) (11), DemiDevimon #2 (11)
 * Melissa Fahn—Kristy Damon
 * Tom Fahn—Boxer Hayase Harris (9), DemiDevimon #3 (11), Thug (11), Professor (11)
 * Brain Fairlee—Magnamon
 * Quinton Flynn—Marcus Damon, Dean (23), Deputymon #2 (24)
 * Crispin Freeman—Thomas H. Norstein, Photographer (8), Boom Operator (13), Male Anchorman (13)
 * Michael P. Greco—Komiya (4)
 * Kyle Hebert—Belphemon, Chopper Pilot #1 (36)
 * Kate Higgins—Officer Miki Kurosaki, Minnie Harris (9)
 * Neil Kaplan—Pumpkinmon #1 (30-34), Ninjamon #3 (31), Piximon (32), Franz's Agent #1 (33), Desk Man #1 (33)
 * R. Martin Klein—Hagurumon (20), Zudomon (23), Trooper #1 (23), Gomamon/Ikkakumon (24)
 * Steve Kramer—Rocky (9), Vilemon (11)
 * Lex Lang—Drimogemon/Digmon (4-5)
 * Michael Lindsay—Gotsumon/Meteormon, Agent #3 (21), TV Announcer (48)
 * Yuri Lowenthal—Pop Star Neon Hanamura (8)
 * Dave Mallow—Elecmon (6), Togemon (9, 26), Ring Announcer (9), Gekomon (24), Numemon (24), Otamamon (24, 43, 45), Agent #1 (27), Tokomon (43)
 * Mona Marshall—Young Thomas (15, 42), Frigimon (16, 24), Kuramon (16-18), Nurse #1 (42), King Drasil 2-9000WZ (47-48)
 * Michael McConnohie—Cherrymon (14, 28)
 * Mary Elizabeth McGlynn—Sarah Damon
 * Jeff Nimoy—Kamemon/Gwappamon/Shawjamon, Dr. Spencer Damon, Policeman (1), Kokatorimon (1), Slacker #2 (3), Waiter (7), DemiDevimon #1 (11), Danny (11), Horse Race Announcer (11), Mammothmon (17), Boarmon (21), Pteramon (21),Agent #2 (21), Jerry (23), Deputymon #3 (24, 31), News Anchor (26), Scientist (26), Eldradimon (30-33), Ninjamon #1 (30-33), Cerberusmon (30), Crow (34), Chopper Pilot #2 (36), Punimon (43), Nyaromon (43)
 * Joe Ochman—Kevin Crier, Deputymon #1 (24), Soldier #2 (24), UlforceVeedramon (46)
 * Colleen O'Shaughnessey—Yoshino "Yoshi" Fujieda, Nurse #2 (42)
 * Brian Palermo—Akihiro Kurata, Yasyamon (32)
 * Paul St. Peter—Keramon/Kurisarimon (8), Editor in Chief (8), MetalPhantomon (15), SaberLeomon (20-22, 24), Lynxmon (24)
 * Jamieson Price—Commander Sampson, Kensington (9), Centarumon (31)
 * Sam Riegel—Kudamon/Leppamon/Chirinmon/Kentaurosmon, Ferris Wheel Operator (7), Policeman (7), Pedestrian (8), Security Guard (8), Crew Man (13), Okuwamon #2 (19)
 * Michelle Ruff—Michelle Crier
 * Philece Sampler—Thomas' Mother, Nanami/BioQuetzalmon/BioDarkdramon
 * Stephanie Sheh—Officer Megumi Shirokawa, Anchorwoman (8), Female Reporter (13), Weather Girl (13), Little Girl (21), Girlfriend #1 (26), Yokomon (43, 45), YukimiBotamon (43)
 * Brad Sherwood—Gallantmon
 * Brianne Siddall—Keenan Crier
 * Susan Silo—Grandma Norstein (42)
 * Michael Sorich—Baronmon (30-33)
 * Peter Spellos—Meramon (3), Slacker #1 (3), Omnimon (46-48), Shamanmon (48), Arcade Owner (48)
 * Melodee Spevack—Yoshino's Mother (14, 17), Blossomon (16)
 * Skip Stellrecht—Gaomon/Gaogamon/MachGaogamon/MirageGaogamon, Doctor #3 (19)
 * Doug Stone—Director Hashima
 * Terrence Stone—Puwamon/Biyomon/Aquilamon/Garudamon, Doctor (12)
 * Kirk Thornton—Commander-General Homer Yushima, Butler, Slacker #3 (3), Virus Garurumon (6), Citramon (7), Teacher (7, 26), Soulmon (10), Guy with Chopsticks (10), Shitori (11), Soldier #1 (24), Agent #2 (27), Soldier (31, 33), Desk Man #2 (33), Doctor #1 (42), Co-Pilot (42)
 * Kari Wahlgren—Relena Norstein
 * Debi Mae West—Young Marcus (40-41, 46)
 * Travis Willingham—Boomer (6), Tortomon (6)
 * Wally Wingert—BanchoLeomon, Kunemon/Flymon (2), Policeman (2), Doctor #1 (19), Okuwamon #1 (19), Radio DJ (19), Soldier (30), Male Reporter (34), Co-Pilot (39), Anchorman (40)
 * Dave Wittenberg—Kouki/BioThunderbirdmon/BioDarkdramon, Mushroomon (28)
 * Dan Woren—DemiMeramon (3), Numemon (4), Okawa (4)

Staff (Japanese Version)

 * Original Concept: Akiyoshi Hongo
 * Serialization: V. Jump (Shueisha)
 * Series Director: Naoyuki Itou
 * CG Director: Kouichi Noguchi
 * Chief Animation Director: Akihiro Asanuma
 * Animation Directors: Akihiro Asanuma, Yoshitaka Yajima, Toshio Deguchi, Satoko Itou, Ken Ueno, Shigetaka Kiyoyama, Setsuko Nobuzane, Kinhiro Takeda, Sayo Aoi, Kumi Nakajou
 * Art Directors: Yoshito Watanabe, Tetsuhiro Shimizu, Ken Tokushige, Shigekata Toku
 * Chief Art Director: Yoshito Watanabe
 * Art Advance: Ochimu Honma
 * Character Design: Sayo Aoi
 * Color Key: Yasue Itasaka
 * Music: Keiichi Oku
 * Scenario/Script/Screenplay: Ryouta Yamaguchi, Michiko Yokote, Meihiko Inari, Akatsuki Yamatoya, Kenichi Yamada
 * Editing: Kouichi Katagiri
 * Series Composition: Ryota Yamaguchi
 * Episode directors: Naoyuki Itou, Toshinori Fukazawa, Kenyo Sasaki, Tooru Yamada, Yutaka Tsuchita, Morinama Hatano, Sachihiko Nakao, Tetsuo Imazawa, Hidehiko Kadota, Makoto Sonoda
 * Production Manager: Shousuke Okada
 * CG Producer: Takeshi Himi
 * Producers: Koji Kaneda (Fuji TV), Atsuya Takase (Fuji TV), Shin'ichi Ikeda (Yomiko Advertising, Inc.), Atsutoshi Umezawa, Hiroaki Shibata
 * Digital coloring: TAP, M.S.J. Bushuku Notoge Sakusho, Kagura, Studio Okyattsu
 * Online editing: TOVIC
 * Recoring studio: Tavac
 * Design cooperation: VIZ
 * CG production cooperation: Office Purion
 * Music cooperation: Index Music, Fuji Pacific Music Publication, Toei Animation Music Publication
 * Production Cooperation: Toei
 * Production: Fuji TV, Yomiko Advertising, Inc., Toei Animation Co., Ltd.

Staff (Movie, Japanese Version)

 * Original Concept: Akiyoshi Hongo
 * Director: Tatsuya Nagamine
 * Screenplay: Ryouta Yamaguchi
 * Original Character Design: Sayo Aoi
 * Character Design and Animation Director: Tadayoshi Yamamuro
 * Art Director: Yoshito Watanabe
 * Art Advance: Ochimu Honma
 * Color Key: Kunio Tsujita
 * CG Director: Terushige Watanabe
 * CG Producer: Takeshi Himi
 * Digital Photography Director: Tomokazu Shiratori
 * Music: Keiichi Oku
 * Recording: Nobuteru Ikegami
 * Editing: Shin'ichi Fukumitsu
 * Planning: Atsutoshi Umezawa, Hiroaki Shibata
 * Production: Hiroshi Takahashi(Toei Animation), Kazuhiro Tanaka(Bandai)
 * Animation Production: Toei Animation
 * Production: DSTM Production Committee (Toei Animation, Bandai)

Staff (English Version)

 * Director—Jeff Nimoy
 * Executive Producer—Jamie Simone
 * Composer (Theme)—Thorsten Laewe
 * Composers (Orchestral Music Score)—Thorsten Laewe, Udi Harpaz, Amotz Plessner, Adam Berry, John Van Tongeren, Michael Tavera
 * Sound Supervisor—Melinda Rediger
 * Sound Design—Johnnie Valentino
 * Supervising Sound Editors—Otis Van Osten, Johnnie Valentino
 * Sound Effect Mixer—Jason Brennan
 * Sound Re-Recording Mixers—Gary Alexander, Jason Brennan, Mark Ettel, Stephen Fitzmaurice
 * Foley—Jody Thomas

Japanese
'''Opening Theme #1: Gou-ing! Going! My Soul!!'''

Artist: Dynamite SHU

Songwriter: Tooru Hiruma

Composer: POM

Arranger: Cher Watanabe
 * (eps. 1-29)

Opening Theme #2: Hirari

Artist/Songwriter: Kouji Wada

Composer: IKUO

Arranger: SPM@
 * (eps. 30-48)

Ending Theme #1: One Star

Artist: Yousuke Itou

Songwriter: Tomoko Sakakibara

Composer: POM

Arranger: Hiroaki Oono
 * (eps. 1-24)

Ending Theme #2: Ryuusei (FALLING STAR)

Artist: MiyuMiyu

Songwriter/Composer: yukiko

Arranger: Kazunori Miyake
 * (eps. 25-47)

'''Ending Theme #3: Gou-ing! Going! My Soul!!'''

Artist: Dynamite SHU

Songwriter: Tooru Hiruma

Composer: POM

Arranger: Cher Watanabe
 * (eps. 48)

Insert Song: Believer

Artist: IKUO

Songwriter: Hiroshi Yamada

Composer/Arranger: Michihiko Ohta

English
Opening Theme: Never Surrender

Artist: Jason Joseph

Songwriter/Producer/Arranger: Thorsten Laewe