Attribute
Attribute (「属性」; Suffix: 「種」; Dub: Attribute[1]/Type[2])——also sometimes referred to as Type in the context of virtual pets——is a system of categorizing Digimon by their fundamental nature. The majority of Digimon species are classified as one of three principal Attributes, which describe the relationship between the Digimon and the environment that they inhabit.
Overview[edit]
Definition[edit]
Attributes describe a Digimon's nature and disposition,[3] especially as it relates to ecology. A Digimon's Attribute is usually determined by a single question: "How does the Digimon survive?"[4] That is, it usually describes how the Digimon relates to, interacts with, and impacts the environment that it inhabits.[5] On this basis, the majority of Digimon are classified as Data, Vaccine or Virus Attribute.[6]
There are two further Attributes which are only found in certain, rare groups and species of Digimon: Free and Variable. These Attributes do not describe the relationship between Digimon and their environments at all, and are even thought to be vestiges of the early "Genesis" of Digimon, when the question of how Digimon survive had no clear answers.[6] There are also multiple Attribute categories that identify Digimon as lacking an Attribute entirely, or as being of an unknown Attribute.
It is possible for specimens of the same Digimon species to exist in different Attributes. Attribute variants of the same species may be visually distinct from each other, as in the case of Growmon, which exists in both red Virus and orange Data variants.[7] In some cases, these variants may even have unique or different abilities from each other; for example, the familiar, blue-colored Virus Otamamon has water-based abilities and attack techniques, but its red Data variant instead has a different set of flame-based abilities and techniques.[8]
The three principal Attributes are often portrayed with broad moral associations, especially when it comes to Digimon designs, concepts and roles: the Vaccine Attribute is often associated with benevolence, heroism, justice and moral virtue, whereas the Virus Attribute is often associated with villainy, malevolence, antagonism, corruption, and computer malware and hackers. However, these associations are not strict rules. There exist heroic Virus Digimon, as well as antagonistic Vaccine (and Data) Digimon.
Kemonogami[edit]
As Digimon Survive depicts Digimon as Kemonogami, non-digital folkloric creatures, the three primary Attributes have different names in that game that eschew the information technology trappings of their usual names: Harmonious, Moral, and Passionate. Their names are the only difference and they otherwise serve the exact same function as in other Digimon media.
Relationship[edit]
The Attribute system originated as a "rock-paper-scissors"-type matchup system in Digimon virtual pets. The matchup relationship between the three primary Attributes is as follows:[5]
- Vaccine is strong against Virus
- Virus is strong against Data
- Data is strong against Vaccine
The remaining Attributes are usually treated as neutral to/"tied" with all other Attributes in games. Certain media portrays some of these Attributes with different or unique matchup relationships with the three primary Attributes:
- Variable Digimon change Attributes in response to their situation. In the Digital Monster Card Game, this means that a Variable Digimon's Attribute always changes to be the same Attribute as their opponent.
- Unknown is dominant over all other Attributes.[citation needed]
List of Attributes[edit]
Primary Attributes[edit]
The three primary Attributes describe how a Digimon relates to its habitat.
| Initials | Name | Icons | Description | Example | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMW | DMSt | DSR | ||||
| Da | Data 「データ」 (Dub: Data) |
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Data Digimon simply co-exist with the enviroments that they inhabit.[4] They are not predisposed to exert any impactful influence over their environment, and will instead adapt themselves to suit their habitat.[6]
They are unaffiliated with Vaccine and Virus Digimon.[5]
|
 Tyranomon |
| Va | Vaccine 「ワクチン」 (Dub: Vaccine) |
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Vaccine Digimon strive to preserve[6] and protect their territory and the surrounding environment.[4] Their defensive nature puts them at odds with Virus Digimon, and they will also seek to restore environments that Virus Digimon have modified back into their original state.[3] The Attribute's name reflects this relationship with Virus Digimon,[6] identifying them as "anti-virus" entities.
|
 Hanumon |
| Vi | Virus 「ウィルス」 (Dub: Virus) |
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By nature, Virus Digimon actively seek to modify their habitat to suit their own needs,[6] reconfiguring them into environments that they find more hospitable.[3] However, their modifications may have negative impacts on computers and systems, and may cause them to experience errors.[6]
These destructive consequences are why this Attribute is named "Virus,"[5] by analogy with computer viruses. Virus Digimon—specifically, the consciousness of "evil" that resides most commonly within them—are actively opposed by Digimon of the Virus Busters Field,[10] and are hunted by "Virus Hunter" Digimon like Snimon and Dobermon.[11]
|
 Orgemon |
Other Attributes[edit]
These Attributes do not describe how a Digimon relates to its habitat. Instead, they either serve a special purpose, or indicate a lack of a known Attribute.
Note that some Digimon media (most commonly video games) may treat these Attributes as interchangeable or conflated with each other. This is most commonly done to reduce them down to one or two "neutral" or "null" Attributes for game mechanic purposes.
| Initials | Name | Icons | Description | Example | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMW | DMSt | DSR | ||||
| None 「なし」 (Dub: None) |
|
Digimon of this classification have no Attribute at all. This classification is often applied to Baby I and Baby II, which do not exhibit any Attribute because they are still in an early developmental phase of life.[5] |  Botamon | |||
| Fr | Free 「フリー」 (Dub: Free) |
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The Free Attribute predates the emergence of the Data, Vaccine and Virus Attributes,[3] and lacks any Attribute of its own. It is thought to be a vestige of the early "Genesis" of Digimon, when there was no clear answer to the question used to define Attributes: "how does the Digimon survive?"[5]
The majority of known Free Digimon are Ancient Species and/or Armor Digimon.[5]
|
 Digmon |
| Ba | Variable 「ヴァリアブル」[N 1] (Dub: Variable) |
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The Variable Attribute classification is reserved for Hybrid Digimon, and is also thought to be a vestige of the early "Genesis" of Digimon.[5] A Variable Digimon's Attribute changes irregularly in response to their current situation[5] or environment.[12] |  Blitzmon | |
| Uk | Unknown 「不明」 (Dub: Unknown) |
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The Attributes of Digimon of this classification are unknown. |  Culumon |
| No Data 「ＮＯ ＤＡＴＡ」 (Dub: No Data) |
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No information is available on the Attributes of Digimon of this classification.
Kemonogami equivalent: Still known as No Data[9] |
 Huanglongmon | |||
Appearances[edit]
Anime[edit]
Digimon Adventure[edit]
According to Gennai, he does not have an Attribute himself, and his lack of an Attribute is what distinguishes him from Digimon.[13]
Manga[edit]
Video Games[edit]
Virtual Pets[edit]
TCG[edit]
Additional Information[edit]
| References | Notes |
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