Digimon Next

Digimon Next is the second and most recent Digimon manga to be printed in the pages of V-Jump magazine, starting on December 17, 2005. Its main purpose is to promote the Digimon virtual pet (V-Pet) toys. The main character is called Tsurugi Tatsuno and is partnered with a Greymon (later Agumon). Tsurugi makes contact with the Digital World through his Digimon Mini virtual pet device and a "Battle Terminal", a virtual reality interface. Digimon can use the technology to materialize in the human world as well.

It seems to share a few key elements with Digimon Data Squad, such as the use of Digisouls, Agumon's evolution to GeoGreymon in chapter five and the appearance of Tsurugi's Digivice iC when Piximon upgraded it in chapter four.

Plot
Tsurugi Tatsuno is a boy who competes in Virtual Digimon Battle tournaments. When a Kuwagamon appeared in the Real World, his Greymon came to life and protected him. Tsurugi is summoned to the Digital World by Piximon to save the Digital World from the evil Barbamon. Since his Digimon has a hexagon shape on him, it's an Illegal Digimon, meaning that Digimon bearing such symbols can help save the Digital World. Tsurugi's Greymon later De-Digivolves to Agumon and they meet other characters destined to save the Digital World from the forces of Barbamon. Now they must stop Barbamon and his minions before they get all the DigiMemories and take over both worlds.

Tsurugi Tatsuno and Agumon
Tsurugi Tatsuno was originally partnered with a Greymon. However, in a battle against Peckmon, Piximon De-Digivolved Greymon to the Rookie level - Agumon. Agumon later gains the ability to Digivolve into GeoGreymon. Later, when Tsurugi and GeoGreymon were fighting Shou and Yatagaramon, GeoGreymon gained the ability to digivolve into RiseGreymon. Now, in the System World, after Tsuguri receives the Digivice Twin R, RiseGreymon has digivolved into VictoryGreymon.

Yuu Inue and Gaomon
Gaomon is the Digimon partner of Yuu Inue. Tsurugi Tatsuno and Agumon first encounter them when Gaomon steals from them. After the defeat of a Tankdramon, they joined Tsurugi in his adventures to stop Barbamon. Gaomon, in the encouner with Meramon, was able to digivolve to Gaogamon, and by combining his power with that of GeoGreymon, they were able to ultimately destroy Meramon. Gaogamon later was able to digivolve to his ultimate form, MachGaogamon. Now, in the System World, after Yuu receives the Digivice Twin L, MachGaogamon has digivolved into Z'dGarurumon.

Ami Kitajima and Pitimon
Pitimon is the digimon partner of Ami Kitajima. Their purpose in the storyline is unknown at this time. In Chapter 11 however, it is revealed that Pitimon carries the DigiMemory of Water and can Digivolve to MarineAngemon. Pichimon and Ami are kidnapped and Pichimon alongside his DigiMemory is taken.

Shou Kahara and Peckmon
A black Peckmon is the Digimon Partner of Shou and possesses the Bird Digi-Memory, which Barbamon needs to gain total control over the Digital World. Peckmon first appeared when Shou attacked Tsurugi Tatsuno under the guise of the Hacker Tamer "the Black Winged Knight". Peckmon fought Tsurugi's Greymon, causing it to de-digivolve into Agumon, and would have claimed total victory if not for Piximon's intervention. In its battle against MegaKabuterimon to claim the Plant/Insect DigiMemory, Shou Digivolved Peckmon into Yatagaramon. During the attack on Light City, Chaosdramon revealed to Shou that Barbamon told him to dispose Shou and that is why Chaosdramon tried to kill him. Afterwards, he reappears to fight Murmuxmon, making Peckmon digivolve into Ravemon.

Barbamon
Barbamon seems to be the main enemy in this manga. Barbamon was able to hijack the host computer of the Digital World, which lied in the System World. His target is to take over the Digital World, and for this goal, he has gathered a large army of Digimon and even a human named Shou (together with his partner Peckmon) to help him. To take over and reform the Digital World as he wishes, he needs the eight "DigiMemories", which Shou is helping him gather. It is later revealed that he was merged with Yggdrasil. In the end, he is defeated by Tsuguri and VictoryGreymon, but not before completing N.E.O.

Yggdrasil
A resident of the System World and the God of the Digital World. After he sent Norn to the real world, he was forcibly merged with Barbamon.

N.E.O.
An artificial Digimon being created by Barbamon. To complete this creation, all 8 DigiMemories are needed. He first appears as a small black blob, but evolves to an embryonic form by merging with the Holy and Insect Digimemories. It grows arms after receiving the Machine Digimemory and begins to grow a body after receiving both the Water Digimemory and Pichimon's data. After Barbamon is defeated, it absorbs the Bird and Darkness Digimemories along with a massive amount of data to take on a completed humanoid form.

DigiMemories
DigiMemories are eight pendants that are stopping Barbamon from taking over the Digital World. He will stop at nothing to get them. If he collects all of them, he'll recreate the Digital World in his image. The eight DigiMemories are:


 * Dark DigiMemory, symbolized as a dark skull: Owned by Barbamon and added to N.E.O. after Barbamon's defeat. Used to form N.E.O.'s body
 * Bird DigiMemory, symbolized as a bird: Owned by Shou Kahara's Peckmon until it was stolen by Barbamon, completing N.E.O. Used to form N.E.O.'s wings
 * Holy DigiMemory, symbolized as a cross: Stolen from Piximon and given to Barbamon to be part of N.E.O. Used to form N.E.O.'s hair.
 * Dragon DigiMemory, symbolized as a dragon: Owned by Tsurugi Tatsuno's Agumon. Used to form N.E.O.'s right arm.
 * Beast DigiMemory, symbolized as a wolf head: Owned by Yuu Inue's Gaomon. Used to form N.E.O.'s feet.
 * Insect/Plant DigiMemory, symbolized as a beetle horn: Stolen from MegaKabuterimon and given to Barbamon to be part of N.E.O. Used to form N.E.O.'s shoulders.
 * Water DigiMemory, symbolized as a dolphin: Owned by Ami Kitajima's Pitchmon until it was claimed from her after her kidnapping and is now part of N.E.O. Used to form N.E.O.'s antennae.
 * Machine/Mutant DigiMemory, symbolized as cogs: Stolen from Andromon and given to Barbamon who uses it as a part of N.E.O. Used to form N.E.O.'s left arm.

Video Games
Whilst not having their own videogame, Tsurugi, his GeoGreymon, Shou, his Peckmon, Yuu, and his Gaogamon appear in a Special Post-Game Union Quest in Digimon World Dawn and Dusk.