Summary

• Digimon Frontier introduced a fresh perspective with DigiDestined becoming Digimon themselves, a departure from the traditional partner dynamic.
• Cherubimon and Lucemon emerge as memorable villains, adding depth and intrigue to the series, with well-developed backstories and designs.
• Despite mixed reactions, Digimon Frontier offers unique storylines and characters, earning its place within the Digital World lore.

Originally debuting in 1999 with the animated short Digimon Adventure, the franchise surrounding the Digital World and its inhabitants has been showcased in a variety of ways over the years, and none of these adventures is as polarized as Digimon Frontier. Including its first season, Digimon has been reinvented with a new cast and their digital companions nine times, each one unique, but overall carrying the same core concepts. Frontier, however, attempted to break the mold in more ways than just updating the opening theme, and in return received what could only be described as a mixed reaction.

Digimon Frontier is the fourth season of Digimon, but on the rare occasions Digimon becomes a conversation topic, Frontier practically never comes up. Thoughts instead go to the undeniably iconic original cast, which included such characters as Tai/Taichi and series mascot Agumon.

With the recent releases of such pieces as Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna (2020) and Digimon Adventure (2020), it's an understandable train of thought – it's just a shame it can come at Digimon Frontier's expense when it has so much to offer.

Digimon Frontier Has Not One, But Two Iconic Digimon Villains

Cherubimon and Lucemon Act as Digimon Frontier's Formidable Foes

Although Myotismon, the Digimon Emperor and the D-Reaper all placed their long-lasting mark on the series, Frontier's Cherubimon and Lucemon are arguably some of the most memorable. Cherubimon was initially one of the Digital World’s protectors and acts as the series' first antagonist. He’s the reason behind the corruption of the Legendary Warrior Spirits and attempting to cause a war between the Human and Beast Digimon. While the DigiDestined are eventually able to purify Cherubimon, they discover his initial fall into evil was helped along by none other than the true evil mastermind: Lucemon.

Lucemon's concept is a familiar one, and one that melds well into the Digimon franchise. Originally a benevolent ruler, Lucemon's thirst for power twisted him into a tyrannical overlord, one that could only be defeated by the Ten Legendary Warriors, six of whom lend their power to the DigiDestined later down the line. His design reflects this storyline as his initial form resembles that of an innocent angel, quickly followed by his intimidating Lucemon Chaos Mode before ultimately becoming Lucemon Shadowlord Mode. This fall from grace is, of course, taken from the infamous tale of Lucifer from Christian beliefs.

How Digimon Frontier Successfully Moved Away From The Franchises' Constant Pokémon Comparisons

Frontier Shifted From Befriending Monsters To Becoming Monsters

Throughout Digimon's tenure, it has consistently and unfairly been tagged as a Pokémon knock-off due to its central theme being about befriending cute and powerful monsters. Much like modern Pokémon games, the seasons leading up to Digimon Frontier attempted to add in a new gimmick to draw in the fans, and season four was no different. While Digimon Adventure 02 introduced Armor Digivolution and Digimon Tamers added Digi-Modify, two new methods for the main cast to enhance their Digimon partners, Frontier shook things up by removing Digimon partners entirely.

Instead, the DigiDestined have the ability to 'Spirit Evolve' and become Digimon themselves. Digimon Frontier therefore marked the first occasion where the dynamic of the DigiDestined and their partners was scrapped altogether, shifting the show into a direction that Pokémon couldn't match. It provided a fresh take on the series and provided many unique scenarios, such as the heart-wrenching storyline involving the terrifying Duskmon and his counterpart Koichi Kimura. Overall, while it is understandable that a change in format can be received poorly, with Digimon Frontier, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, therefore earning its place in the Digital World.