Royal Knights

Lore & Background

The source identifies two specific members of the Royal Knights appearing in human form within Kamishiro Enterprises. Rie, the current president of the company, is revealed to be the Royal Knight Crusadermon. Kyoko Kuremi, a detective who recruits the protagonist Aiba, reveals herself as the Royal Knight Alphamon. The source notes that Crusadermon advocated destroying the human world's digital connection to eliminate Eaters at their source, while Alphamon opposed this plan. Crusadermon intended to carry out this destruction alone, against Alphamon's wishes. Notably, Alphamon and Crusadermon were aware of each other's presence and identities early in the story.

In Their Own Story

Aiba and allies search for the other Royal Knights to convince them to favor peace over destruction. Rie reveals her true identity as Crusadermon. Later, Kyoko reveals herself as Alphamon, explaining that the real humans she and Rie were based on had been attacked by Eaters and inflicted with EDEN Syndrome, allowing the Digital entities to possess their comatose bodies. Despite defeating Crusadermon, Alphamon warns Aiba that Crusadermon's leader intends to destroy humanity alone.

Reader's Guide

The Royal Knights in this story serve as a faction divided on how to handle Eaters. King Drasil ordered them to stop the attacks. One Knight, Crusadermon (Rie), advocated for destroying humanity. Another, Alphamon (Kyoko), worked with Aiba and the group to recruit other Knights to their cause of peace. The leader of Crusadermon sought to destroy humanity independently.

Did You Know?

• In Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, Rie is actually the Royal Knight Crusadermon possessing a human body.
• The detective Kyoko Kuremi is revealed to be the Royal Knight Alphamon.
• Crusadermon advocated for destroying the human world's digital connection to wipe out Eaters at their source.
• Alphamon and Crusadermon were aware of each other's identities from early in the story.

Series Origins and Global Release

Digimon Data Squad, originally titled Digimon Savers in Japan, stands as the fifth major anime installment within the expansive Digimon franchise. Produced by Toei Animation, this series premiered on Fuji TV in April 2006 and concluded its initial run in March 2007. A standalone theatrical film complemented the television narrative, releasing in December 2006 to further expand the story's reach. The show found an international audience through a dedicated English adaptation produced by Studiopolis, collaborating with Toei Animation USA and Disney Enterprises. This localized version aired across North America on the Jetix programming block of Toon Disney between October 2007 and November 2008, introducing the unique digital battles to Western viewers.

The DATS Organization and Mission

Their primary operational mandate involves transporting stray Digimon back to their native dimension to prevent dimensional instability. These partnerships highlight the cooperative nature required to manage digital incursions effectively.

Protagonists and Their Digital Partners

Unlike previous franchise leaders, Marcus does not wear goggles, marking a distinct visual shift. His partner, Agumon, possesses red training bracers and evolves into forms like GeoGreymon and the cyborg RizeGreymon. The team also includes Thomas H. Norstein, a strategic genius whose partner Gaomon wears boxing gloves and evolves into wolf-themed forms. These diverse pairings drive the emotional core of the series.

Villainy and Cosmic Stakes

Kurata's manipulation leads him to use the powerful Belphemon before ultimately attempting to merge both worlds via a bomb, an act that forces BanchoLeomon to intervene. This crisis reveals King Drasil (Yggdrasil), the supreme ruler of the Digital World, who seeks to destroy mankind to prevent dimensional coexistence. The conflict deepens when it is revealed that Marcus's father, Spencer, was trapped for ten years with his soul held by BanchoLeomon while Drasil possessed his body. After Marcus defeats Drasil, the worlds are restored, and partners eventually return to their own dimension.