10 is a magic number
Mom, Dad, a brother and a sister. The formula of the perfect family. It’s honestly a foreign feeling to me. No, I wasn’t adopted, and I’m not an Orphan. But I AM an only child, who lived with one parent. That probably doesn’t seem so odd now, but when I was little? Ho boy. Some days it felt like I was some sort of freak for not having siblings or having both parents waiting for me at the bus stop.
But it was alright! The awkwardness at school had an ultimate reward - Saturday morning cartoons.
No need to list what was on - I was born in 1988. I didn’t have cable (except during that one week a year promo thing they would do, and at my grandparent’s house), so I watched what I could, on whatever channel was currently available. But there was still something wrong. That “perfect family” formula.
What was is like, having an older brother? Or sister? What was it like having two parents living in the same house together? I had no clue, but yet, media made me feel like I should know. It wasn’t just on t.v, I read plenty of books too. Always the same thing. Even if the main character didn’t have a sibling present ; eventually an older brother or sister came to visit, or a younger sibling was brought in. It didn’t take long for that formula to start to tick me off. That distaste eventually grew into an apathy for anyone who complained, real people and talking puppets and rabbits alike, about their sibling(s). Even it it wasn’t something that I expressed out loud all of the time, I would always say to myself…”Well, at least you HAVE one.”
Christmas was lonely and awkward (Still is sometimes), Halloween became disappointing when I couldn’t take a hold of a younger siblings hand and lead them from door to door. Easter made me feel stupid, and on snow days I had no one to play with. I’m not going to be ‘Auntie’, unless I marry someone who has siblings with children. And even then, it doesn’t feel the same as being an aunt to your big brother’s little girl.
Fast forward to 5th grade. My knowledge of anime was pretty much nil. I knew what Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z were, and of course Pokemon. But that was pretty much it. Didn’t watch either of them regularly, didn’t know anyone who did. And that’s when I saw it. Turned the TV on one day after coming home from school to see an add for Digimon. My first thought? “HA, Pokemon rip off.”
Did I have any interest it watching it? Nope.
But when the first episode aired, I found I had nothing better to do and decide to sit through it. Not only did I manage to sit through the whole episode, I was baited, hook line and sinker. Episode 2 couldn’t come soon enough. It was better than Pokemon (for me at least): The monsters talked, it was a whole different world, and not to mention those Digivices. Hoboy. The show came on during a time where the only thing I wanted more was to be somewhere else. Anywhere but earth. Episode two came along, and I was finding myself liking the show a little bit more. Even though I was enjoying myself, and really liked this new show…I had no idea just how much the show would affect me.
There were no adults around, and only Matt had a sibling present. The hint of the family formula was present - but it wasn’t being shoved in my face. Figured it was something I could easily ignore, since I didn’t think the topic of family structure would be brought up much other than “Oh, I miss mom/dad/my bed/a decent meal.” Episode three (if memory serves right) was the moment when Digimon stopped being something new I liked, to the one thing that kept me going all through middle school.
Matt and T.K’s parents were divorced, and the two brothers didn’t live together. Matt with their Dad, and T.K was with Mom. The family formula that I had inherently attached to them was blown right out of the sky. I was shocked, amazed, and it made me tear up. I may not have had siblings - but never, had the idea of divorce been mentioned in any show I was currently watching. Suddenly, it was like SOMEONE understood that it existed. And suddenly, Matt became my favorite character.
The show went on, and with each passing episode Digimon continued to break all the rules. Joe had siblings, but didn’t feel a connection with his father. Tai had a little sister and lived with both parents, but Kairi was prone to getting sick, which was the root of several cases of stress. Sora lived with just her Mother and had no siblings, and had a difficult time getting along with her Mother - just like me. Mimi was also an only child, and lived with both parents. And the one that hit me the hardest, was discovering that Izzy was an orphan, who had been adopted when he was just a baby. The only ones who knew this were Tentomon, his adoptive parents, and now the audience. On top of it all? Every single one of these kids lived in apartment buildings. Just like me. This was also something new, seeing as no family formula was complete without the family living in a house. And it didn’t stop there, oh no. Adventure 2 rolls around; Cody’s father had died in the line of duty, and Ken’s older brother had been hit by a car and had died.
Not one of those families were perfect.
And it was the imperfectness of their lives that brought out the strengths of each Digidestined, who all had their own crests. Sometimes they were spoiled, sometimes they lied, fought, cried, betrayed the others. They didn’t always know what to do, and they didn’t always say the right thing. The thing that made me the happiest about Digimon, wasn’t the cute monsters or fight scenes, or the “cute boys”.
It was how the show made me feel more like a normal person.
It was okay I didn’t have siblings, it was okay I didn’t live with both parents. Sometimes, someone you love very much passes away, sometimes you make mistakes.
And sometimes, you have to say good-bye.
I was too shy to ask people if they had similar interests. But one day, I turned to a girl sitting next to me and asked “Hey, do you like Digimon?”
“Are you KIDDING? I LOVE DIGIMON!”
It only took one, simple question, and I made a really good friend. A question, I would never have asked if I hadn’t had decided to watch Digimon. A question I never would have asked if Digimon was just another family formula. That show - and that friendship that came from it, not only led to the discovery of Gundam Wing, Escaflowne, Final Fantasy, Cardcaptors…it led to meeting the friends of my new friend. It led me to wanting nothing more than to be able to draw Digimon - and drawing THAT in public led to more friendships, more things to love: Megaman, Fushigi Yuugi, Yuu Yuu Hakusho, Kingdom Hearts, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Fruits Basket…
And of course, where did that level take me?
Making a crapload of friends at Games Unlimited, Naruto, Full Metal Alchemist, Ouran Host Club, Slayers, Magic Knight, Cosplay, World of Warcraft….and then it was Conventions, and online fan groups, and weekly BESM games, questing and raids. Doctor Who, Hetalia, Black Butler, BioShock, Katamari….
All it took, was being brave like Tai for 10 seconds.
So, quick question!
Do you like Digimon? <3
But it was alright! The awkwardness at school had an ultimate reward - Saturday morning cartoons.
No need to list what was on - I was born in 1988. I didn’t have cable (except during that one week a year promo thing they would do, and at my grandparent’s house), so I watched what I could, on whatever channel was currently available. But there was still something wrong. That “perfect family” formula.
What was is like, having an older brother? Or sister? What was it like having two parents living in the same house together? I had no clue, but yet, media made me feel like I should know. It wasn’t just on t.v, I read plenty of books too. Always the same thing. Even if the main character didn’t have a sibling present ; eventually an older brother or sister came to visit, or a younger sibling was brought in. It didn’t take long for that formula to start to tick me off. That distaste eventually grew into an apathy for anyone who complained, real people and talking puppets and rabbits alike, about their sibling(s). Even it it wasn’t something that I expressed out loud all of the time, I would always say to myself…”Well, at least you HAVE one.”
Christmas was lonely and awkward (Still is sometimes), Halloween became disappointing when I couldn’t take a hold of a younger siblings hand and lead them from door to door. Easter made me feel stupid, and on snow days I had no one to play with. I’m not going to be ‘Auntie’, unless I marry someone who has siblings with children. And even then, it doesn’t feel the same as being an aunt to your big brother’s little girl.
Fast forward to 5th grade. My knowledge of anime was pretty much nil. I knew what Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z were, and of course Pokemon. But that was pretty much it. Didn’t watch either of them regularly, didn’t know anyone who did. And that’s when I saw it. Turned the TV on one day after coming home from school to see an add for Digimon. My first thought? “HA, Pokemon rip off.”
Did I have any interest it watching it? Nope.
But when the first episode aired, I found I had nothing better to do and decide to sit through it. Not only did I manage to sit through the whole episode, I was baited, hook line and sinker. Episode 2 couldn’t come soon enough. It was better than Pokemon (for me at least): The monsters talked, it was a whole different world, and not to mention those Digivices. Hoboy. The show came on during a time where the only thing I wanted more was to be somewhere else. Anywhere but earth. Episode two came along, and I was finding myself liking the show a little bit more. Even though I was enjoying myself, and really liked this new show…I had no idea just how much the show would affect me.
There were no adults around, and only Matt had a sibling present. The hint of the family formula was present - but it wasn’t being shoved in my face. Figured it was something I could easily ignore, since I didn’t think the topic of family structure would be brought up much other than “Oh, I miss mom/dad/my bed/a decent meal.” Episode three (if memory serves right) was the moment when Digimon stopped being something new I liked, to the one thing that kept me going all through middle school.
Matt and T.K’s parents were divorced, and the two brothers didn’t live together. Matt with their Dad, and T.K was with Mom. The family formula that I had inherently attached to them was blown right out of the sky. I was shocked, amazed, and it made me tear up. I may not have had siblings - but never, had the idea of divorce been mentioned in any show I was currently watching. Suddenly, it was like SOMEONE understood that it existed. And suddenly, Matt became my favorite character.
The show went on, and with each passing episode Digimon continued to break all the rules. Joe had siblings, but didn’t feel a connection with his father. Tai had a little sister and lived with both parents, but Kairi was prone to getting sick, which was the root of several cases of stress. Sora lived with just her Mother and had no siblings, and had a difficult time getting along with her Mother - just like me. Mimi was also an only child, and lived with both parents. And the one that hit me the hardest, was discovering that Izzy was an orphan, who had been adopted when he was just a baby. The only ones who knew this were Tentomon, his adoptive parents, and now the audience. On top of it all? Every single one of these kids lived in apartment buildings. Just like me. This was also something new, seeing as no family formula was complete without the family living in a house. And it didn’t stop there, oh no. Adventure 2 rolls around; Cody’s father had died in the line of duty, and Ken’s older brother had been hit by a car and had died.
Not one of those families were perfect.
And it was the imperfectness of their lives that brought out the strengths of each Digidestined, who all had their own crests. Sometimes they were spoiled, sometimes they lied, fought, cried, betrayed the others. They didn’t always know what to do, and they didn’t always say the right thing. The thing that made me the happiest about Digimon, wasn’t the cute monsters or fight scenes, or the “cute boys”.
It was how the show made me feel more like a normal person.
It was okay I didn’t have siblings, it was okay I didn’t live with both parents. Sometimes, someone you love very much passes away, sometimes you make mistakes.
And sometimes, you have to say good-bye.
I was too shy to ask people if they had similar interests. But one day, I turned to a girl sitting next to me and asked “Hey, do you like Digimon?”
“Are you KIDDING? I LOVE DIGIMON!”
It only took one, simple question, and I made a really good friend. A question, I would never have asked if I hadn’t had decided to watch Digimon. A question I never would have asked if Digimon was just another family formula. That show - and that friendship that came from it, not only led to the discovery of Gundam Wing, Escaflowne, Final Fantasy, Cardcaptors…it led to meeting the friends of my new friend. It led me to wanting nothing more than to be able to draw Digimon - and drawing THAT in public led to more friendships, more things to love: Megaman, Fushigi Yuugi, Yuu Yuu Hakusho, Kingdom Hearts, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Fruits Basket…
And of course, where did that level take me?
Making a crapload of friends at Games Unlimited, Naruto, Full Metal Alchemist, Ouran Host Club, Slayers, Magic Knight, Cosplay, World of Warcraft….and then it was Conventions, and online fan groups, and weekly BESM games, questing and raids. Doctor Who, Hetalia, Black Butler, BioShock, Katamari….
All it took, was being brave like Tai for 10 seconds.
So, quick question!
Do you like Digimon? <3