WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Digimon Adventure 2020, now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Whether or not the rebooted version of Digimon Adventure surpasses the original where quality is concerned will always be a matter of opinion, but one area it inarguably outshines its predecessor is the more equal distribution of Mega evolutions. In the first iteration of the inaugural Digimon series, only Taichi/Tai and Yamato/Matt were able to unlock these superior forms for their partners, later combining them in the first Digimon movie to become the now-iconic Omnimon.
The rest of the DigiDestined gang -- Sora, Koshiro/Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Takeru/T.K and Hikari/Kari -- had to wait until the sequel installments to get theirs, but that's not the case in Digimon Adventure 2020. With the series over 60 episodes into its run, let's rundown the full roster of Mega evolutions for the main gang that have been introduced so far.
Introduced in Episode 30 of Adventure 2020, the fan-favorite WarGreymon is the Mega-evolved form of MetalGreymon, who evolves from Greymon and before that, Agumon. Prior to this, MetalGreymon taps into some of WarGreymon's power without pulling off a true transformation during the group's desperate struggle to defeat Devimon and its Ultimate form, DoneDevimon. In a throwback to the original movie, WarGreymon appears proper in the anime during a battle with Parrotmon.
Not satisfied with giving fans just one Mega evolution, MetalGreymon can also transform into an alternate form, BlitzGreymon, previously a video game-exclusive. This reveal occurs in Episode 36, in which the new form assists Koshiro and AtlurKabuterimon to prevent the ISS from crashing to Earth.
Episode 45 of Adventure 2020 reintroduces fans to MetalGarurumon, the Mega-evolved form of WereGarurumon, who evolves from Garurumon and before that, Gabumon. Yamato and WereGarurumon achieve the form during a death-defying race against Machmon, a battle-hardened racer looking to go out in a blaze of glory on the track. Luckily, Yamato's 'lone wolf' instincts forge a bond with the depressed Machmon and steer it away from this self-destructive path.
Not one to trail behind Taichi, Yamato and WereGarurumon also receive an alternate Mega form, CresGarurumon. In Episode 56, a moonlit duel in a haunted forest sees the Digimon cross swords with Zanbamon, unlocking the golden-armored, lupine samurai.
Taichi and Yamato aren't the only ones whose Digimon have branching Mega evolutionary lines. The former's younger sister, Hikari is fortunate to have a Holy Digimon as her partner, Gatomon/Tailmon, who also maintains the Champion level as a baseline, making its proceeding forms, like Angemon, even more powerful. Holydramon/Magnadramon is the first Mega evolution Gatomon reaches, appearing in Episode 50 when the Chosen Ones fight to stop Millenimon's apocalypse.
Since then, another form has been hinted to be on the way -- Orphanimon. Mirroring MetalGreymon channeling a fraction of WarGreymon's power without achieving a full transformation, Angewomon is enhanced by the Celestial Digimon's power in Episode 58 without fully becoming it. It's only a matter of time before Orphanimon makes a proper debut.
The male-presenting counterpart to Angewomon, Angemon, the evolved form of Patomon and partner to Takeru (Yamato's younger brother), also has two options to Mega-evolve into. Goddramon appears alongside Holydramon during the Milleniumon battle, with the godly Digimon draining themselves of holy energy to weaken the foe, leaving WarGreymon to administer the final knock-out hit with a Spirit Bomb-apeing Gaia Force.
Once again, an additional Mega form has been teased in Adventure 2020 for MagnaAngemon, the Ultimate form of Angemon. Seraphimon's glowing outline appears in Episode 61 when MagnaAngemon teams up with Gravimon to return the ancient Eldoradimon to its home, which was dislodged from its floating position by Millenimon. Seraphimon will doubtless make its physical debut sometime soon.
Episode 52 introduces Hououmon, also known as Phoenixmon, the Mega form of Garudamon, who evolves from Birdramon and before that, Biyomon -- Sora's partner. Searching for the true meaning of her Crest of Love, Sora and Biyomon push the former to the Mega evolutionary level in order to quell an erupting volcano -- saving those at the bottom trying to escape the lava.
Like Gatomon, Hououmon is also in possession of Holy Rings, enhancing its status as not only a powerful Mega Digimon but also a divine presence in the Digital World.
Possibly the most elegant of the Chosen Ones' Mega-level partners, Rosemon arrives in Episode 55 of Adventure 2020. The Mega-evolved form of Lilimon, who evolves from Togemon and before that, Palmon, Rosemon makes its twirling debut at a Digimon school to subdue a rebellious graduate who returns to menace the current students -- including Mimi and her Digital companion.
Known as the "Queen of Flowers," Rosemon has a Poison Ivy-esque mix of danger and delicacy, using a large thorn as a rapier to evoke anime classics like Revolutionary Girl Utena.
Arriving in Episode 59, HerculesKabuterimon is also a result of a member of the DigiDestined unlocking the full potential of their crest. In this case, Koshiro's Crest of Knowledge, which is put to the test by the maniacal Nanomon, who attempts to outwit the child with a series of deadly and confounding traps in an underground lair.
Also known as Herakle Kabuterimon, HerculesKabuterimon is the Mega-evolved form of AtlurKabuterimon, who evolves from Kabuterimon and before that, Tentamon. It has a similar golden shell to CresGarurumon, as well as plenty of stoic samurai flavor.
Last but certainly not least, the Chosen One's appointed leader, Joe-senpai pushes the Ultimate-level Zudomon to reach its full potential in Episode 60 of Adventure 2020. Challenging the seafaring shogun Olegmon to a battle of strength and honor, Vikemon appears for the first time, securing both the fight and Joe's status.
Evolving from Zudomon, who evolves from Ikkakumon and before that, Gomamon, Vikemon contrasts the Norse 'beserker' archetype with a not-so-cold compassionate spirit.
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