REVIEW: ‘Digimon Beatbreak’ Episode 2 – “Glowing Dawn”

Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2, “Glowing Dawn,” sees Tomoro (Miyu Irino, Unicorn Overlord) rescued by the members of the Glowing Dawn before his canine adversaries can put him and Gekkomon (Megumi Han, Oshi No Ko) down for good. But while being saved is great, there is so much more help that Tomoro needs if he’s going to make it through the challenges that are coming. 

The series’s sophomore entry picks up during the battle between Gekkomon and the unknown Digimon, but from an outside perspective. We discover that the members of The Glowing Dawn, the team featured during the pilot’s opening confrontation, have arrived and are looking for both Tomoro and his brother. Through them, we learn that many elements of the fight that concluded the last episode and continue in Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2 are unusual. Solidifying that Gekkomon is not a run-of-the-mill Digimon.

The showdown comes to an abrupt end when the Dawn’s leader, Kyo Sawashiro (Yôhei Azakami, Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions), arrives and sends the last of the threatening Digimon packing. Kyo’s entrance sees not only the end of the fight, but the beginning of the exposition portion of Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2.

Gekkomon is proven to be unusual in Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2.

Kyo is a great character to use for this purpose. He emits the aura of a gentle, older brother, making it easy to listen to what he says. As he guides Tomoro through the details of what’s happened and how they may save his brother from the Cold Heart sickness, Azakami’s voice work is always soothing and empathetic. Understandably, this does little to put the still-shocked Tomoro at ease. 

Regarding what the show reveals about its world, it makes as much sense as one would expect, given the core concepts at work. All the information is delivered cleanly, and none of the points are belabored. Among the answers, there are a few more questions slipped in as well, making sure that there are new mysteries to wonder at. 

Kyo’s informational moment ends with him extending an invitation to Tomoro to join the Glowing Dawn. Unsurprisingly, he rejects, as the boy isn’t in the mood for adventuring at the moment. Still reeling from the complete shattering of his world, this makes perfect sense. 

What comes next is the only headscratcher moment in Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2. Once home, Tomoro finds himself beset by a group another group of Digimon handlers. The oddly mushroom-themed Kinoko Gang has arrived to take Tomoro into custody. It turns out that if your Sapotama spawns a Dogimon, you are required to hand it over to the government, or a bounty is placed on your head. 

Exposition in the episode’s second half leads to a confusing development surrounding the world’s government.

How Kyo failed to warn Tomoro about this eventuality during his Digimon orientation lecture feels like a bit of an oversight. Going some way to make up for it is the timely arrival of Dawn members, Makoto (Arisa Sekine, My Hero Academia) and Reina (Tomoyo Kurosawa, Clevatess). The duo instantly steps in to protect the beleaguered boy.

Much like the opening fights, this encounter is a fairly paced clash. Plenty of dialogue and announcement of attacks break up the action. The new threat’s abilities are creative, adding interesting elements to the brief battle. 

Once the current threat is past, and with few options remaining to him, Tomoro agrees to return to the Glowing Dawn’s base with Reina and Makoto. As Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2 draws to a close, the group sits down for dinner. Through some gentle encouragement, Tomoro can partake with the others, setting up what will hopefully be a fruitful found family arc for the series. 

Digimon Beatbreak Episode 2 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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