D-Reaper



The D-Reaper, also known as the "True Enemy", is a digital lifeform which appears as the central antagonist in Digimon Tamers. It is referred to as "Matador" in Brazilian Digimon Tamers materials.

Unlike most inhabitants of the in Tamers, it is not a Digimon; while Digimon descend from the virtual wildlife system created by the "Monster Makers", the D-Reaper was allegedly created in the late 1970s by the, as an antiviral program for the "Creeper" virus. It is possible it is only a descendant of this program, though, which was then known as the "Reaper", and other theories place its origin with the security program used by the in the 1980s for their "" project. 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 organizations, such as the outbreak of the, one of the first to spread significantly, and , a real, highly secretive worldwide intelligence-gathering network.

Design and conception
When designing the D-Reaper, the head writer Chiaki J. Konaka was looking for an enemy for the show's final story arc that was "an entity that is neither Digimon nor human". In order to create such an entity, he brought together the three foremost designers that worked on Digimon Tamers.

"There was Mr. Kenji Watanabe, originator of the Digimon virtual pet and game. There was Mr. Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, designer of the human characters. There was Mr. Shinji Aramaki, CG Designer as well as a mechanic and character designer. I believed that if these three were to use their imagination and construct the D-Reaper in competition with each other, an enemy character unlike any ever seen before would be born."

Each of the various forms of the D-Reaper was created by one of these artists, except for "Reaper" who was worked on by both Watanabe and Nakatsuru. The general design aesthetic of the D-Reaper was that of a "Digital creature", exemplified in such details as the jigsaw-like fringes of the Agents, and the optic fiber/telephone wire construction of the Reaper and Mother D-Reaper. Konaka remarked that he was especially fascinated by details like the wings on ADR-02. Aramaki was also responsible for the design of the D-Reaper Zone as it appears on Earth.

Digimon Tamers
The Reaper program was created in the late 1970s, allegedly by the United States Department of Defense, before Digimon and even the DigiGnomes, which appeared in the early 1980s. Though this is only set 30 years in the past of Digimon Tamers, in the fast-growing Digital World it is comparable to the period (542-488 ). 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 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, 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 "" began operations. However, the Reaper program caused mass genocide of Tierra's virtual lifeforms whenever they multiplied beyond a certain amount of memory. Throughout the 1980s, the system known as "ECHELON" began operations under the leadership of the, which built communications bases in various nations across the globe. It is thought that the self-defense program used by ECHELON was a forerunner of the D-Reaper, or the program itself.

By the 2000s, 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  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,. 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 in her form to disguise this act and 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. Here, Jeri's grief was provoked to serve as a source of energy for the D-Reaper in a way similar to the Tamers for their partners. Only Biomerged and Mega-Level (like Beelzemon) Digimon were able to fight it on even terms until the D-Reaper evolved it's Mother form and began to outstrip it's foes. Eventually, the D-Reaper began a global attack on Earth's electronic communication, manifesting itself in multiple cities while most of the Digital World was destroyed. It deemed that both races were inherently destructive and therefore unsuitable to live. When the Tamers invade it's zone to fight back, it summons the Cable Reaper through a rift into the Digital World to assist in its apocalypse. However, through the combined effort of everyone in Operation: Doodlebug, the D-Reaper was forcibly regressed back into its original, harmless state, no more complex than a simple calculator. MegaGargomon reversed the pull of the wormhole the Cable Reaper came through and was dragged back down by the, exceeding the speed-of-light, as the Mother D-Reaper and all the chaos got sucked into the hole.

Digimon Rumble Arena 2
The D-Reaper is represented in the Chaos Wasteland stage, in which it forms the backdrop of the area. The flies around in the background of the area.

Digimon Masters
The D-Reaper invades Shinjuku and its Agents can be fought.

Forms
The D-Reaper encountered by the Digimon Tamers is considerably different from the simple computer program it originates from. In the Digital World, the D-Reaper appears in the form of a large, red chaotic mass of slime. Any data contacting the D-Reaper is immediately absorbed and disintegrated. Despite this, Digimon are able to fight the D-Reaper.

In the Real World, the D-Reaper still appears as a crimson mass, termed the D-Reapers "Zone". However, it can not absorb objects in the real world as quickly as they are not made of data. It works slower and adapts to the situation by studying the real world, resulting in its mass evolution and production of various Agents, all of whom are tethered to the D-Reaper Zone with a red cable. Severing this cable completely destroys minor Agents and severely weakens more advanced forms.

Furthermore, conventional weapons such as missiles have no detectable effect on the D-Reaper.

Agents
To accomplish its goals, the D-Reaper utilizes a variety of forms known as "ADR's", or "Agents of the D-Reaper". Unlike humans and Digimon, ADR's are not individuals, and they all act according to the single consciousness of the D-Reaper. When they operate outside of the D-Reaper Zone, they are connected to it by red wires, similar in function to umbilical cords. When these cords are severed, the Agent becomes much weaker and easier to defeat, and weaker Agents will dissipate completely. Once the D-Reaper creates a new type of ADR, it will continue to use it until it is no longer useful and efficient. The various ADR's are named by the order they are created in, though they also possess codenames based on their appearance and function. The D-Reaper eventually absorbs its Agents as a last line of defense against it's attackers, becoming the "" and "".

ADR-01: Jeri Type
The ADR-01: Jeri Type is a Spy Agent whose form is based on Jeri Katou from when she started becoming depressed. It was created in order to analyze human thought, and is the only Agent who can operate outside of the D-Reaper Zone detached from the umbilical cords. It starts out identical in form to Jeri, but can evolve into several variations. It was designed by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru.

This Agent is created for the purpose of espionage, posing as Jeri Katou while the real one is in the Kernel Sphere. The infection begins when a small portion of the D-Reaper infects Jeri not long after first appears. It stays dormant while in the Digital World, though it leads to Jeri's thoughts becoming more depressed and fully manifests in her personality once back in the Human World. Takato Matsuki and find this Agent masquerading as Jeri in the D-Reaper during one of their assaults on the program. It acts as the D-Reaper's mouthpiece. It wages a mental war against Takato by displaying the information it took from Jeri's memories, dealing emotional damage and keeping him off balance. When Takato is sufficiently weakened, the Agent reveals its true, monstrous form and begins to attack. It is only warded off by 's power. Eventually, when Jeri regains her will to live, it personally attacks Jeri to absorb her energy, but it itself is reabsorbed by the D-Reaper in the same manner.

The Jeri-type serves as the Mother D-Reaper's first line of personal defense, being made of cables and looking almost like Jeri's face, apart from its distorted eyes and overly large mouth. This avatar is able to incapacitate, but he manages to transform into and destroy the face with his javelin.

The Jeri-Type once again emerges as the last obstacle between the Tamers and the Kernel Sphere. it proves to be quite a challenge for Gallantmon Crimson Mode, destroying his weapons and slamming him into the Mother D-Reaper itself. All the while, the Jeri-Type taunts the hero, saying that humans and Digimon are naturally destructive and do not deserve to exist. However, Takato and Guilmon refuse to give up, calling upon their full strength to break free and declaring they do deserve to exist, but the D-Reaper doesn't. With that, they deliver a devastating punch to the Agent's chest, finally destroying her.

In Digimon Rumble Arena 2, the Jeri-Type appears in the background of the Chaos Wasteland stage.

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

ADR-02: Searcher
The ADR-02: Searcher is an Intelligence Gathering Agent. It is small, and has no offensive capability, but usually appears in large swarms. It was designed by Kenji Watanabe.

Created for information gathering, these small -like agents appear in large numbers. They are the only type of Agent not made for fighting. Guilmon tried to have a "staring contest" with one before Takato pulled him away. 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

ADR-03: Pendulum Feet
The ADR-03: Pendulum Feet is an Antiaircraft Attack Agent. It is the first offensive Agent created by the D-Reaper, and uses its floating extensions to perform remote strikes. It was designed by Kenji Watanabe.

The first Agent of the D-Reaper the Tamers fought, it resembled a stereotypical wraith with a cloth-like body, a -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

ADR-04: Bubbles
The ADR-04: Bubbles is a Ground Combat Agent. Like the Searcher, it is a small Agent which appears in swarms, but it is able to use the wave motion guns on its arms to attack. It was designed by Shinji Aramaki.

These are small -like agents built for ground assaults, these Agents have pulse cannons in their arms and move in groups. They are rather weak and easily destroyed.

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

ADR-05: Creep Hands
The ADR-05: Creep Hands is a Grappling Agent. It is a medium-sized offensive unit, which uses its spiral-shaped, stretchable arms for locomotion and hand-to-hand combat. It was designed by Shinji Aramaki.

This medium sized Agent was adapted for hand-to-hand combat. Its arms were extendable. Killed by Gallantmon and MegaGargomon in the first fight. One later appeared during the final assault on the D-Reaper and fatally damaged Grani with a hit before being destroyed.

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

ADR-06: Horn Striker
The ADR-06: Horn Striker is a Military Commander Agent. It is a medium-sized combat unit of overwhelming power. It was designed by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru.

This Agent was a green -like agent with overwhelming strength and the ability to grow to gigantic proportions when wounded. It was very strong and took the combined powers of, , and  to kill it. They were mass-produced to serve as the second defense of the D-Reaper but were easily destroyed by.

Attacks
 * Engetsugeri (円月蹴り)
 * Baldy Blow

ADR-07: Palates Head
The ADR-07: Palates Head is a Agent. It is large, and somewhat like the of a video game. It makes sinister, unpredictable attacks. It was designed by Kenji Watanabe.

The "Palates Head" has many mouths which speak with Jeri's voice.

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

ADR-08: Optimizer
The ADR-08: Optimizer is a Mother Ship Agent. It is large, and somewhat like the of a video game. It was designed by Kenji Watanabe, who focused the design on its huge size.

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, , , and to defeat. It was destroyed by Gallantmon when he obtained. 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
The ADR-09: Gatekeeper is a Base Defense Agent. It is formed to protect the D-Reaper's core, the "Kernel Sphere". It was designed by Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru.

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)

Reaper
The Reaper is an Ability Synthesis Agent. It is the final form of the D-Reaper, created when all of its remaining Agents fuse in order to use all of their offensive capability, exceeding the limits of the D-Reaper itself. It was designed by Kenji Watanabe and Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, who gave it scythes to symbolize that it is a physical manifestation of.

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)

Mother D-Reaper
The Mother D-Reaper is an Ability Synthesis Agent. It is the form created when the D-Reaper unifies itself with ADR-01, ADR-09, and the consciousness of the humans and Digimon it has swallowed. Its body is made up of countless cords, optic fibers, and electrical and telephone wires, and when it appeared it swallowed the town of Shinjuku. It was designed by Kenji Watanabe.

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, and the, where Hypnos was located. 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.

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

Similar concepts
Chiaki J. Konaka, the head writer for Digimon Tamers, is also one of the writers for the, and the D-Reaper is primarily based on the ancient horrors of 's work, sleeping until they wake and destroy the world. It also draws from the Rei/ fusion in Neon Genesis Evangelion; like the Rei/Lilith fusion, it seeks to absorb the world in order to eradicate humanity's illogical emotions and negative feelings. Furthermore, the Mother D-Reaper's mask resembles that of Lilith, and at one point it even materializes a giant replica of Jeri's head to attack while the real Jeri is held inside of it, similar to how the Rei/Lilith fusion's mask falls off to reveal Rei's face.

Notes and references
D-Reaper D-Reaper D-Reaper D-Reaper