Digimon is a popular Japanese children’s toy similar to Pokemon with digital games, movies, T.V shows and battle cards. Digimon was originally called by several other names including Digital Demon, Digi Demon and Digital Monster www.virtualpet.com/vp/farm/digimon/digimon.htm. Let’s see how Digimon shapes up in our Discernment test….
1. What does it teach you?
Digimon is about “Seven kids at summer camp (who) are unexpectedly transported by ‘digivices’ to a colourful and enigmatic world. Lost and alone, they are befriended by small digital monsters, Digimons. The kids and their Digimon partners quickly become inseparable, and the little creatures who guide their human friends throughout the wondrous Digiworld, protecting them from the hordes of evil Digimons” (Fox Kids TV).
2. Does it have anything to do with supernatural power?
Digimon exposes the user to the concept of other supernatural realms. In the Digimon Movie viewers are told that “There are two worlds - our world and the digital world”. The digital world makes you ’scared at first’ but you get used to the strange looking creatures some of whom become “friends for life”.
3. Does it have any symbols or characteristics that link it to New Age or Occult powers?
Yes. Many Digimon characters are able to transmit supernatural power (psychic powers), some are able to evolve or transform (known as shape-shifting). e.g. Patamon becomes Angemon - a majestic male angel with power to defeat all kinds of vicious enemies. Each ‘Digimon’ is trying to obtain power to defeat an enemy by evolving into a more powerful creature.
4. Does it teach anything about violence or immorality and their consequences?
The Digimon characters ‘battle’ each other to defeat their enemies. “In the show, Digimon can kill. It doesn’t happen a lot but can sometimes be gruesome. In one episode, a Digimon has these giant claws, that twirls around really fast and goes right through a ’sea monster Digimon’ tearing it up. Dead bodies dissolve once they have been hit.” J. Breen, age 13.
5. Does it build Godly character?
No, Digimon does not endeavour to develop Godly character because it encourages children to call on a supernatural strength that is not Godly. Instead of calling on Jesus as their help and strength, they learn to call on Digimon as their defender.