Digital World (Xros Wars)
In Digimon Xros Wars and its related works, the Digital World (デジタルワールド Dejitaru Wārudo) is a world inhabited by Digimon and the principal setting of the conflict known as the Xros Wars. It exists separately from the Real World, although the development of human digital technology gradually causes the two worlds to draw closer together.
Prior to the beginning of the anime, the Digital World was broken apart into 108 independent Zones. Each Zone is represented and sustained by a fragment of the Code Crown, and whoever possesses that fragment is recognized as the ruler of the corresponding Zone. After obtaining all 108 fragments, Bagramon reformats the Digital World into seven Lands surrounding the Bagra Pandemonium.
Overview[edit]
The Digital World is composed of data and is inhabited by numerous communities of Digimon. Its civilizations vary considerably between regions, ranging from villages and kingdoms to highly technological cities. Each region has its own environment, inhabitants and form of government.
The Digital World and the Real World are separate worlds, but passages can be opened between them. Humans and Digimon can be transported through these passages, while the right arm of Bagramon is capable of reaching directly into the Real World. The Xros Loader can also be used to travel between the Real World and the Digital World under certain circumstances.
Following the fragmentation of the Digital World, the individual Zones are separated from one another by Digital Space. Travel between them is normally accomplished by inserting a Zone's Code Crown into a Xros Loader and using Change Zone (ゾーン移動, Zōn Idō). Certain Digimon, such as Wisemon, are capable of travelling through Digital Space by other means.
History[edit]
Anime continuity[edit]
Long before the events of Digimon Xros Wars, Bagramon discovered the existence of the Real World and attempted to bring both worlds under his rule. A group of warriors led by Omegamon opposed him.
At the same time, the continued advancement of digital technology in the Real World caused the two worlds to draw closer together. The resulting energy destabilized the Digital World's Core, eventually causing the world to break apart. Its territory was divided into 108 Zones and the original Code Crown was fragmented into 108 pieces, one for each Zone. The warriors who had fought against Bagramon were caught in the collapse and transformed into DigiMemories.[1]
The fragmentation left the Zones isolated from one another within Digital Space. Although Digimon rebuilt settlements and civilizations within the surviving regions, the absence of a unified ruler allowed armies to compete for control of the Code Crowns. Bagramon established the Bagra Army and began conquering Zones, intending to collect every fragment and reconstruct the Digital World under his rule.
Shoutmon, who sought to become Digimon King, formed Xros Heart with Kudou Taiki and opposed the Bagra Army. Blue Flare, led by Aonuma Kiriha, and Twilight, initially controlled by Dark Knightmon, also took part in the struggle for the Code Crowns.
By the battle in Sword Zone, Xros Heart, Blue Flare and the Bagra Army had collectively obtained all 108 fragments. Bagramon seized the completed Code Crown and sent Taiki and his companions back to the Real World.[2]
Bagramon subsequently used the Code Crown to reformat the Digital World. The 108 Zones were rearranged into seven Lands, each entrusted to one of the Death Generals, with the Bagra Pandemonium situated at their center. The Death Generals subjected the inhabitants of their Lands to suffering in order to gather negative energy, which was transmitted to the Code Crown.
After Xros Heart defeated the Death Generals, Dark Knightmon converted the Code Crown into the Dark Stone. The negative energy stored within it was used to initiate D5, Bagramon's plan to merge the Digital World with the Real World and destroy all life other than himself.[3]
During the final battle, the Code Crown chose Taiki and entered his Xros Loader. Taiki used its power to call the Digimon of the Digital World into the Real World and perform a Final Xros, creating Shoutmon X7: Superior Mode. Following the defeat of Darkness Bagramon, the Digital World was restored and Shoutmon returned there with the Code Crown.[4]
By the time of Digimon Xros Wars: The Young Hunters Who Leapt Through Time, the Digital World is at peace and Shoutmon has become its king. Most of the members of Xros Heart reside there, while Digimon entering the Real World generally appear within DigiQuartz. After the defeat of Quartzmon, the Digimon gathered in the Real World return to the Digital World.
Manga continuity[edit]
In the Digimon Xros Wars manga, the Digital World is also divided into Zones, but its history and governing system differ from those of the anime.
The Digital World was formerly administered by Yggdrasill. After Yggdrasill attempted to destroy the Real World and was defeated, Homeostasis was created as a calmer and more protective successor. Homeostasis governs the Digital World from the Realm of God, with the Royal Knights and an army of Angel Digimon serving under it.
Bagramon was originally a high-ranking Angel Digimon. He became concerned that despair generated by humans was affecting the Digital World and increasing the number of Dark Digimon. When he challenged the system maintained by Homeostasis, he was cast out of the Realm of God. He later founded the Bagra Army and began the Xros Wars against Homeostasis and the Royal Knights.
The manga's Digital World contains Zones and Code Crowns, but it is never reformatted into the seven Lands. Instead, the Bagra Army, Xros Heart, Blue Flare and Twilight travel across a greater number of individually named Zones. Bagramon's ultimate plan centers on the awakening of Zeed Millenniumon, whose emergence threatens to destroy both the Digital World and the Real World.
Following the defeat of Zeed Millenniumon and Ultimate Chaosmon, the Digital World survives. Dark Knightmon is redeemed and departs to travel throughout the world, while Taiki and the members of Xros Heart continue to maintain their connection with it.
Composition[edit]
Zones[edit]
After its Core became unstable, the Digital World was divided into 108 Zones. Each Zone is comparable to a country and contains a fragment of the original Code Crown. A Zone's Code Crown represents both the region itself and the right to rule it.
The destruction of a Zone's physical structure can cause it to collapse into Digital Space. Digimon caught in a collapsing Zone are at risk of being destroyed unless they are transferred elsewhere or stored within a Xros Loader.
A person in possession of a Zone's Code Crown can use a Xros Loader to travel to another Zone. The Code Crown may also release the power or data of its corresponding region, as when the Code Crown of Sand Zone is used to form the Pyramid of Revival.
The following Zones are visited or identified in the anime:
| Zone | Description |
|---|---|
| Green Zone | A fertile region containing forests, open plains and several Digimon settlements. It is the first Zone visited by Taiki, Akari and Zenjirou. |
| Island Zone | An oceanic region formed by numerous islands. The largest apparent island is actually the body of King Whamon. |
| Magma Zone | A volcanic region containing ancient ruins and extensive underground tunnels. |
| Lake Zone | A region dominated by a large lake, with Bastia Castle situated at its center. |
| Sand Zone | A desert region containing pyramids, ruins and other structures associated with Pharaohmon. |
| Heaven Zone | A city situated on a floating island and governed through presidential elections. |
| Forest Zone | A densely forested region inhabited by numerous insect Digimon and protected by Deckerdramon. |
| Dust Zone | A wasteland covered in refuse discarded from other Zones. |
| Shinobi Zone | A mountainous region inhabited by ninja Digimon. |
| Disc Zone | A region ruled by Mercuremon. It collapses following the battle between Xros Heart and Blue Flare. |
| Sweets Zone | A region whose landscape and structures are composed largely of confectionery. |
| Sword Zone | A region inhabited by swordsman Digimon who value honorable combat. |
| Gold Zone | A Zone identified in supplementary material. |
The manga introduces several additional Zones, including Snow Zone, Colosseum Zone, Corridor Zone, River Zone, Rain Zone, Jupiter Zone, Factory Zone, Bamboo Zone, Mist Zone and Study Zone.
Digital Space[edit]
Digital Space is the unstable void situated between Zones. Digimon are generally unable to maintain their data there for extended periods of time. Wisemon uses the space contained within his Book to protect himself while travelling through it.
When Taiki is separated from the Sword Zone during an attack by Arkadimon, he becomes stranded in Digital Space and encounters Wisemon. Millenniumon is also sealed outside a Zone in Digital Space in the manga.
Lands[edit]
After collecting all 108 Code Crowns, Bagramon reformats the Digital World into seven Lands. The Lands surround the Bagra Pandemonium and each is ruled by a Death General. Each Land has a luminous core corresponding to one of the seven colors of the visible spectrum.
| Land | Ruler | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Land | Dorbickmon | A volcanic kingdom inhabited by Dragon Digimon and dominated by the Death General's dragon army. |
| Vampire Land | Neo Vamdemon | A dark kingdom whose inhabitants are repeatedly drained of their energy by Neo Vamdemon. |
| Honey Land | Zamielmon | A forested kingdom in which the native Digimon are hunted for sport. |
| Cyber Land | Splashmon | A technologically advanced kingdom whose cities are surrounded by water. Splashmon uses deception and psychological warfare to turn its inhabitants against one another. |
| Gold Land | Olegmon | A maritime kingdom formed by islands and oceans, ruled from Olegmon's fleet. |
| Canyon Land | Gravimon | A rocky kingdom of deep canyons in which Gravimon can manipulate gravity. |
| Bright Land | Apollomon | A sunlit kingdom containing Hell's Field, where Apollomon is forced to execute captured opponents. |
The Bagra Pandemonium, Bagramon's stronghold, is situated at the center of the seven Lands. A hidden eighth Land, Prison Land, exists as a spiritual dimension used by Dark Knightmon to imprison the souls of dead Digimon.
Core and Code Crown[edit]
The Digital World possesses a Core. Energy produced by the convergence of the Digital World and the Real World destabilized this Core and caused the world's fragmentation.
The original Code Crown was a single object associated with the entire Digital World. When the world split apart, the Code Crown was divided into 108 fragments that became the cores of the individual Zones. Collecting all of them makes it possible to reconstruct and reshape the Digital World according to the holder's wishes.
Although Bagramon succeeds in taking the complete Code Crown and using it to reformat the world, it ultimately rejects him and chooses Taiki. Following Bagramon's defeat, the Code Crown returns to the restored Digital World with Shoutmon.
Geography[edit]
Because the Digital World undergoes several large-scale reconstructions, it does not have a single permanent geography during the series.
During the first Xros Wars, its habitable territory consists of the 108 Zones scattered throughout Digital Space. The Zones have highly varied environments and are not arranged as adjoining countries. Travel between them therefore requires dimensional transportation rather than conventional overland travel.
Following Bagramon's reformatting, the Digital World consists primarily of the seven Lands arranged around the Bagra Pandemonium. Each Land is connected to the others through dimensional routes controlled by the Bagra Army. After the defeat of Darkness Bagramon, the Digital World is restored, though the exact geographical form taken by the restored world is not shown in detail.
Government[edit]
The fragmented Digital World has no single recognized ruler at the beginning of Digimon Xros Wars. Authority is instead exercised locally within each Zone. Possession of a Zone's Code Crown is treated as proof of sovereignty, although local communities may have their own rulers or political systems.
The competition to reunite the Code Crowns is also a competition to become the Digimon King. Shoutmon wishes to use this position to protect the inhabitants of the Digital World, while Kiriha initially believes that its ruler should be the strongest. Bagramon seeks absolute control over both the Digital World and the Real World.
After obtaining the complete Code Crown, Bagramon briefly becomes the effective ruler of the Digital World and delegates control of the seven Lands to the Death Generals. Following his defeat, Shoutmon fulfils his ambition and becomes the Digimon King.
In the manga, Homeostasis occupies the position of the Digital World's god and governing system, while the Royal Knights act as its guardians. This system does not appear to govern the Digital World in the anime continuity.
Inhabitants[edit]
The Digital World is inhabited primarily by Digimon. Its population is divided among independent settlements, kingdoms, military forces and travelling communities. Some Digimon live peacefully within villages or cities, while others join armies such as Xros Heart, Blue Flare, Twilight or the Bagra Army.
Digimon who are destroyed may leave behind data or a Digitama, although the treatment of death and rebirth varies between the anime and manga. The souls of certain deceased Digimon can also be held within Prison Land or revived through the power of the Code Crown and the Revival Circuit.
Relationship with the Real World[edit]
The Digital World and Real World affect one another through digital technology and human emotions. In the anime, technological development causes the distance between them to decrease, contributing to the destabilization of the Digital World's Core. Bagramon later attempts to merge the worlds through D5.
In the manga, negative human emotions generate and empower Dark Digimon within the Digital World. This phenomenon is one of the reasons Bagramon rebels against Homeostasis.
A Xros Loader can open passages between the two worlds. Bagramon and Dark Knightmon are also capable of interfering directly with the Real World. During the final conflicts of both the anime and manga, large numbers of Digimon materialize in the Real World.
DigiQuartz is distinct from the Digital World. It is a separate space existing between the Digital World and the Real World, and becomes the principal setting of Digimon Hunts in Digimon Xros Wars: The Young Hunters Who Leapt Through Time.
Appearances[edit]
Anime[edit]
Digimon Xros Wars & The Evil Death General and the Seven Kingdoms[edit]
Taiki, Hinomoto Akari and Tsurugi Zenjirou are drawn into Green Zone after Taiki receives a Xros Loader in response to Shoutmon's call. They become involved in the war between the Digimon armies and travel through multiple Zones while collecting Code Crowns.
The Bagra Army eventually obtains the completed Code Crown and expels them to the Real World.
Taiki and Kiriha return to find that the Digital World has been reformatted into seven Lands ruled by the Death Generals. They travel through the Lands, liberating their inhabitants and reuniting with their former companions.
Bagramon subsequently uses the Dark Stone to activate D5, but is defeated by Shoutmon X7: Superior Mode. The Digital World is restored and Shoutmon becomes its king.
Digimon Xros Wars: The Young Hunters Who Leapt Through Time[edit]
The Digital World itself is rarely visited, with most Digimon activity taking place in DigiQuartz and the Real World. Shoutmon continues to rule the Digital World and returns to assist Taiki during the battle against Quartzmon.
Manga[edit]
Digimon Xros Wars[edit]
Taiki, Akari and Zenjirou are transported to the Digital World and arrive near the Village of Smiles in Green Zone. They form Xros Heart and travel across the Zones while opposing the Bagra Army and collecting Code Crowns.
The war eventually expands into the Real World when the Bagra Army invades Odaiba. Xros Heart later returns to the Digital World with members of the Royal Knights to prevent the fulfilment of Homeostasis' prophecy concerning Zeed Millenniumon.
Notes and references[edit]
- ↑ Digimon Xros Wars: "Glorious DigiXros, Seize it! Our Future!!"
- ↑ Digimon Xros Wars: "Taiki and Kiriha VS the Bagra Army, An All-out Showdown!"
- ↑ Digimon Xros Wars: The Evil Death Generals and the Seven Kingdoms: "Bagra Brothers, The Bond of Darkness!" and "Approach! The Human World's Last Day, D5!!"
- ↑ Digimon Xros Wars: "Glorious DigiXros, Seize it! Our Future!!"
