HomeGames Text

Digimon Fans Still Exist—and They’re the Keepers of Its Future

DeliaGames2025-07-0320715

In an era when everyone wants to peek behind the scenes at the development of their favorite games, it’s harder than ever to separate the final product from the news of its dev cycle. That's especially true with Digimon Survive, the latest installment in the monster-collecting franchise that was announced in July 2018 for release the following year. That, of course, did not happen. A 2019 release became a 2020 release, a 2020 release evolved into a 2021 release, and a 2021 debut turned into a 2022 finish line. Pandemic delays, an overhaul of the game’s engine, and a complete switch in production teams combined to turn the wait into a seemingly indefinite one.

Of course, this is nothing new for Digimon fans. For years, a dearth of official releases and scattershot localization of the anime meant that the franchise has been kept alive only by fan passion in America. It doesn’t have the almost omnipotent branding of Pokémon, where every big release is a major pop culture event. Instead, Digimon is only as strong as the will of its fan base. But in 2022 that fan base is more than eager to see its favorite batch of monsters thrive.

A far cry from the explosion of Digimon in the late ’90s, the number of games bearing the Digimon logo on store shelves would be reduced to a trickle by the end of 2002. When the anime did finally show up again in the US, it was on short-lived programming blocks like Disney’s Jetix, and some series never even finished their runs. Even now, the latest three series have never been dubbed and aired on American television, though fans can find the Japanese versions on streaming services like Crunchyroll.

Sign Up TodaySign up for our Games newsletter and never miss our latest gaming tips, reviews, and features.

However, even though the landscape looks barren, “what allows Digimon to continue growing today is this passion from fans,” says Ravel Carvalho Monte, a notable Digimon enthusiast and the researcher responsible for the Digital World Archive blog. Monte’s love of Digimon actually blossomed during those lean times. He first encountered the franchise through a DVD of the second anime series that he’d watch during school breaks in 2006, while “hundreds of children played with different things” around him, he says. Nearly a decade later, he’d throw himself into fan communities on Facebook and other platforms, even as Digimon was breathing its last on network TV outside of Asia. (The most recent Twitter post for the brand’s TV efforts was in September 2015.)

Monte has made deep dives into the franchise’s history, often aided by The Digi-Lab, a one-person labor of love by its site owner. Translating everything from Japanese chats with artists and writers to CD liner notes, the site allows fans to play catch-up and learn the intentions of the franchise’s creators. “Even when Digimon isn’t airing an anime, there’s already so much content that those fans just continue making new fan content,” Monte says.

Interviews aren’t the only things fans are translating. In 2013, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the anime, a Digimon Adventure game was released by Bandai Namco on the PlayStation Portable. It seemed like the game was destined for a wide release in Europe and North America. But when that didn't happen, fans stepped in, creating a full English translation patch for it in 2018. Fans gave the same treatment to the similarly region-locked Digimon World Re: Digitize, and though there remains a broad spectrum of Digimon games that haven’t been translated or patched, officially or otherwise, fan perseverance continues to fill in the blanks.

The Digimon community remains strong, albeit on unofficial platforms. The With the Will forums are a popular hub for news and discussion, one can find threads almost 20 years old on Neoseeker’s still functional Digimon section, and the Podigious! podcast regularly revisits older eras of Digimon along with the latest subtitled episodes. For years, Digimon Forum Roleplay has operated as a center for fans who wish to act out their stories of having a Digimon partner, and as I’m writing this, the latest piece of Digimon fan fiction on Fanfiction.net was updated 12 hours ago. (The oldest, 1,673 pages of stories prior, is from December 4, 1999. That’s less than four months after Digimon first appeared on American TV.)

Post a message
Melody

Despite the transition of generations and evolving trends, Digimon fans remain steadfast—a resilient community that nurtures its passion as guardians to a digital world's future.

2025-07-05 22:27:25 reply
Tahlia

Despite the passage of time, Digimon's faithful fans continue to thrive as its dedicated keepers in both reliving nostalgic adventures and nurturing fresh engagement against new frontiers.

2025-07-05 22:27:40 reply
Esme

The enduring passion of Digimon fans forms a cohesive legacy, ensuring that the world's journey through digital co-evolution continues to thrill and inspire generations yet unborn as these dedicated keepers maintain its vibrant future.

2025-07-05 22:27:55 reply
Hayes

The passion of Digimon fans, persevering despite the franchise's evolution over time into a faithful guardianship for its enduring legacy and potential in shaping tomorrow’sties.

2025-07-09 02:13:52 reply
Romilly

The passion of current Digimon fans, who continue to nurture their love for the digital monsters as custodians in these dimensions' hearts and minds—their devotion is a testament that this incredible legacy thrives on spite tide.

2025-07-09 02:14:07 reply
Astra

In the ever-expanding digital universe of today, it's heartening to see that Digimon fans remain steadfast and devoted – becoming not just guardians but architect sm τηςince the future potentiality wafts sorted like a whimsical breeze through their collective nostalgia.

2025-07-10 14:26:21 reply
Henry

In the digital world of memories, Digimon fans remain steadfast as guardians who cherish and nurture every aspect of their beloved franchise's future legacy.

2025-07-10 14:26:36 reply
Guillermo

Despite the years passing, Digital Monster (Digimon) fans remain resilient and passionate—they are not only nostalgic guardians of a bygone era but also vital in shaping our next chapter's adventures for this beloved franchise.

2025-07-18 19:49:45 reply
Brody

In the digital realm of nostalgia, Digimon fans remain steadfast—germinating and nurturing a legacy that transcends time barriers to become an influential force in shaping its dimly-lit future.

2025-07-18 19:50:01 reply
Hadley

Digimon fans, the dedicated guardians of a digital world remnant yet vibrantly alive today - confirming that even beyond generational leaps in pop culture hype cycles; passionately nurturing its legacy bequeaths them as stewards for Digimons' unique future.

2025-07-18 19:50:17 reply
Amari

Generation after generation, Digimon fans continue to thrive as the dedicated stewards of their beloved digital universe's legacy and future.

2025-07-20 07:18:25 reply
Paola

In the realm of digital adventures, Digimon fans remain a vibrant community that not only cherish but actively nurture our beloved creatures' legacy—they are indeed keepers and stewards for this franchise’s future generation.

2025-07-20 07:18:40 reply
Joaquin

Despite the passing years, Digimon fans remain steadfastly devoted—they are not just enthusiasts but guardians of a nostalgic future that continues to thrive in their hearts and passion.

2025-07-23 08:03:13 reply
Cali

The unwavering dedication of Digimon fans, who continue to thrive in their love and appreciation for the franchise even after years have passed—they are truly descendants safeguarding its legacy with a passion that ensures it remains forever alive.

2025-07-23 08:03:28 reply
Maximus

The loyal Digimon fans, who continue to thrive amidst the ages like relics of a digital experience gone but not forgotten—they are indeed guardians preserving its legacy and ensuring that this timeless tricycle continues itinerating towards new adventures for generations yet unborn.

2025-07-26 14:13:56 reply

您暂未设置收款码

请在主题配置——文章设置里上传