Digimon Reviews, Episode 33: Ryudamon and Friends

Hello, it's me from the future of 2026! During my tidying up of Digimon articles, I realized that episodes 31 and 32 ran way, way, way too long. And there was just a whole mess all around. IN decided to split those articles up, moving the entire Ryudamon family and the 'prehistoric' set out of the Dorumon article, and to move GigaSeadramon and some others from the X-Antibody one to the Dorumon article. I know they're meant to tie in to the X-Antibody species, but it feels a lot cleaner to have those Digimon here, since having different names actually has them appear independent of the X-Antibody stuff. 

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Fufumon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Baby I
• Type: Slime
• Attribute: None

Is that it? Hoo boy, that's a lot of Doru-nonsense, huh? It's not quite as bad as Veemon variants, I guess, but the various Doru's and Death-X's are a lot less derivative. Let's go to the Pendulum-X 2.0 virtual pet, and its star, Fufumon! Fufumon actually looks different enough from his Baby II and Child-level evolutions, while still retaining some visual cues, so points for that! He's a comma with a little horn, though, which isn't the most interesting thing, but eh. Also, Fufumon borrows his name from "Fu", the Pawn piece in the game of Shogi, and this evolution line is going to have that be kind of a running theme.

 3/10.

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Kyokyomon

• Alternate Names: Kyokomon (EN dub)
• Stage: Baby II
• Type: Lesser
• Attribute: None

Kyokyomon (representing the "lancer" piece of Shogi) is the Baby II of this line, and he's a pretty decent-looking little worm-dragon with horns and tiny vestigial fin-legs. Interestingly, Kyokyomon's bio notes that he can stretch to nine times its normal length to attack the opponent. I really don't have a lot to say about Kyokyomon -- he's not the most memorable design out there, but he gets point for at least looking somewhat unique as a design. In the Pendulum-X virtual pet, Kyokyomon can evolve into either Ryudamon below, or an X-Antibody version of Guilmon. Sadly, the entire line tended to get adapted out of most modern video games.

 3/10.

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Ryudamon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Child
• Type: Beast
• Attribute: Vaccine

The Child-level Ryudamon doesn't borrow his name from a Shogi piece, but is apparently a reference to a dragon figurine made out of bamboo used in a rain-making ritual in Japan. Ryudamon himself is... he's basically a more lizard-like and yellow-coloured Dorumon, but with samurai armour, and they don't even do a partcularly good job at making the armour look good. I kind of like how the plates on his body sort of resemble those that armoured dinosaurs like Ankylosaurs have, but the rest of Ryudamon is kind of boring and haphazard, I think. Like Dorumon, Ryudamon is a prototype Digimon, and has the data of Eastern dragons embedded within him. Okay, then? Interestingly for Ryudamon, he apparently attacks by spitting out swords from his mouth. Ultimately, though, despite the... interesting concept, I do feel that Ryudamon is a pretty awkward design that probably could've used several revisions before it really looked good.

 4/10.

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Ginryumon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Adult
• Type: Beast Dragon
• Attribute: Vaccine

There are a couple of things that Ryudamon can evolve into, including X-Antibody versions of Growmon, Allomon and Monochromon, but its obvious, default Adult-level revolution is Ginryumon here, named after the Gin/Silver General piece in Shogi. It's a pretty awkward four-legged lizard with samurai armour, and they don't even try to make it look like it's incorporated into Ginryumon's body the way Ryudamon's back half was. Definitely not a fan of this design, and it just looks weird and awkward. Ginryumon's profile describes it as being able to glide gracefully in mid-air, a property that Fufumon and Kyokyomon notes that the entire line has. Instead of swords, Ginryumon shoots out spears from his mouth. Doesn't make him any more memorable, and it's honestly no surprise the line tended to be ignored in video games.

 2/10.

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Hisyaryumon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Perfect
• Type: Beast Dragon
• Attribute: Vaccine

The default Perfect-level evolution is thankfully far more cohesive, with Hisyaryumon (Flydragomon in the English dub) clearly based on an oriental dragon. Hisyaryumon also incorporates the samurai armour plates a lot better, and having a mainly-red body ends up making the colour scheme look so much better than Ginryumon's clashing colours. I also enjoy how different Hisyaryumon looks compared to fellow oriental-dragon-inspired Digimon Qinglongmon and Majiramon. And being not quite as awesome as the Four Holy Beasts or the Devas, Hisyaryumon manages to look a bit less impressive than them while still looking pretty powerful himself. The Shogi piece this time is Hisya, the Rook. Hisyaryumon is noted to be the complete combination of the dormant "dragon" and "general" data within Ryudamon, and while normally calm, it will get really pissed off if you scratch the two magic orbs it's holding. Whereas Ryudamon and Ginryumon shoots out weapons from their mouths, Hisyaryumon instead transforms into a giant blade to whack people. Overall, a pretty pleasant design, even if one that basically all subsequent Digimon material ignore.

 7/10.

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Ouryumon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Ultimate
• Type: Beast Dragon
• Attribute: Vaccine

Hisyaryumon's final Ultimate evolution is Ouryumon (representing "Ou", the King piece in Shogi), and it's such a more cluttered design than Hisyaryumon. Here is a less cluttered artwork of him. It's a serpentine dragon holding blades in his arms with wings made of blades, and if you've been following this page from top to bottom, you'll realize that Ouryumon's whole point is to transform into a mighty accessory for Alphamon. There's not really much in Ouryumon's profile that really tells me a lot about him specifically, though, beyond the fact that he's a sword dragon. Not particularly interesting to me, honestly, and with the one role he was designed for -- being the weapon for Alphamon -- tended to be adapted into an ability that Alphamon simply has, it's not looking good for Ouryumon to ever see the light of day. Ultimately, though, he's a dragon that honestly looks different enough that I don't mind him being around.

 5/10.

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Tobucatmon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Adult
• Type: Puppet
• Attribute: Data

Tobucatmon is an... interesting little fellow. Let's ignore the fact that this is Ryudamon's Adult-level stage that leads to a series of Perfect- and Ultimate-levels that are themed after dinosaurs, and chalk that up to weirdness in its early appearance. 

But Tobucatmon is a cat with wings, and a bunch of stripes, tattoos and 'F14' tattooed on it. It's got alternating-colour claws, and its classification even has it as a 'Puppet' Digimon for some reason. See, Tobucatmon is a massive pun on... the F-14 Tomcat Fighter Jet. Which... uh... okay? That explains the cat, the wings, and the F14 tattoo. It is a bit of an odd choice to pick an inspiration of, but Tobucatmon isn't an unpleasant-looking Adult level. 

Tobucatmon is noted to really love the ocean, which... combined with Tobucatmon also having the title of 'Cat Gun', seems to indicate that there might be a Top Gun reference there somewhere? It's really weird! Tobucatmon would be ignored for quite a while until it got a huge spotlight in Liberator as one of the Digimon used by the Puppet Digimon-using Arisa, with much nicer and proportioned artwork. It still ultimately 'just' a winged cat, but separated from this evolutionary line, I've warmed up to it a lot compared to how I was when I initially wrote this article.

To reiterate and to build up the rest of the article, most of the Tobucatmon evolutions are all dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures of some sort, with only SkullBaluchimon and Dinotigermon really fitting with the feline aesthetic. But all in all, I feel like I don't mind this one. It's all right, and one that goes a bit underappreciated. 

 6/10.
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SkullBaluchimon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Perfect
• Type: Undead
• Attribute: Data

I've always had a fondness of SkullBaluchimon ever since I first met one while playing through Digimon World Dusk, where it serves as a recurring antagonist. SkullBaluchimon draws its name from the genus Baluchiterium, which are a genus of extinct pachyderms that are now known as Paraceratherium. 

The thing is, SkullBaluchimon does not actually resemble a Baluchitherium skeleton in any way. Even if you discount the giant bone wings, SkullBaluchimon is noted to be born out of the data of counterfeit fossils! Which is why it has random sabertooth tiger fangs, and a lot of exaggerations that make it look particularly weird, and like the skeleton of a mythical creature such as a gryphon or something. I do like it. As my complaint about some of the Ultimates in this page would be, SkullBaluchimon actually has that pizzazz that elevates it beyond 'just a weird animal'. 

SkullBaluchimon is noted to be unnatural, and attacks out of reflex with the 'data of nerves' in its body, which I assume are those lightning-like sparks between its bones, constantly obsessed at bringing death to those around it. SkullBaluchimon would make a major appearance in Adventure 2020 as a kaiju-sized antagonist, stomping around the forest and leading an army of Soulmon. This SkullBaluchimon was the manifestation of the hatred of Digimon that could not be reborn, and are attacking the newborn Digi-eggs. Upon defeat, that SkullBaluchimon's soul would be purified, revealing a regular 'Baluchimon'.

Because that's right, despite debuting much earlier, 'Skull'-Baluchimon is its own thing and a regular Baluchimon would not debut until nearly two decades after SkullBaluchimon's original debut. Digimon history is fun like that!

 8/10.
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Dinotigermon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Ultimate
• Type: Ancient Beast
• Attribute: Data

Dinotigermon is the perhaps most natural Ultimate-level evolution from SkullBaluchimon, although he's one that hasn't shown up in as many places as SkullBaluchimon. Dinotigermon is kind of... kind of just a mismash of different animal parts. I can see sabertooth tiger, beare and wolf thrown into the mix, although I'm not quite sure where the "dino" part is? Dinotigermon is also one of those Ultimate-level Digimon that keeps surprising me that it's actually Ultimate and not an Adult or Perfect. Dinotigermon's profile notes that it is apparently a form of SaberLeomon that has survived so many battles, evolving into a slower but far more powerful form. Not the biggest fan of this design, but I can't find much to complain about it. It's a pretty neat cyborg beast.

 6/10.

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Mametyramon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Perfect
• Type: Mutation
• Attribute: Data

Hey, a Mamemon variant! Part of the theme of the Ryudamon line is apparently ancient prehistoric beasts, and Mametyramon is apparently a tiny little fusion of Tyrannomon and mamemon, and... and I kind of like this thing! It's got such a mischievous shit-eating grin on its face, it's got stubby dinosaur feet and gangly dinosaur arms, and a fun little steel helmet that marks it as part of the Mamemon family while not just being a Mamemon-with-an-accessory. Mametyramon is also noted to be very tiny, apparently not much bigger than a fist, and it's kind of a shame that he's never really shown up in any anime series. Nope, instead let's just use Betsumon. Mametyramon is also one of the few Pendulum X Digimon to show up in a bit more video games, which is why I was somewhat familiar with him. A pretty fun concept, honestly, and one that reminds me of two old-school Digimon, which is neat.

 8/10.

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Dinorexmon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Ultimate
• Type: Dinosaur
• Attribute: Data

Mametyramon's default Ultimate-level evolution is another one that, like Dinotigermon, sort of makes me keep second-guessing myself if this is merely an Adult-level or a Perfect-level. Dinorexmon isn't really based on a Tyrannosaurus rex, mind you, but the super-elongated leg claw makes him more similar to the Dromaeosauridae family, famously known for its member, Velociraptor. That's pretty much where the similarities end, though, as Dinorexmon's elongated claw extends waaaaay longer than any Dromaeosaurid would, and his body is covered with hard, spiky scales. I'm not sure if I like it better than other dinosaur Digimon like Tyrannomon or Triceramon, though -- definitely feel like they could've done more to make Dinorexmon a lot more impressive than just drawing a funny-looking dinosaur. Not bad by any stretch, but not good.

 6/10.
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UltimateBrachimon

• Alternate Names: Ultimatebrachiomon, UltimateBrakimon
• Stage: Ultimate
• Type: Cyborg
• Attribute: Data

Good old forgotten Brachimon ended up getting a proper Ultimate-level evolution, although in the Pendulum-X games UltimateBrachimon just evolves from a bunch of assorted Perfect-level dinosaurs like Mametyramon, Triceramon and MegaloGrowmon. It's pretty cool looking, honestly, and such a fun, chunky-looking monster. I love the huge amount of details packed into this thing without ruining the obvious Brachiosaurus look,  like the exhaust vents above each leg, or the giant axe on his whip-tail, the artery/vein-like veins on his neck and especially the exhaust vents on his back. Apparently those vents are there to compensate UltimateBrachimon's insanely heavy body and allow it to walk around. I don't know if I'm just a sucker for these imperfect-looking techno-punk cyborgs, but I definitely like UltimateBrachimon a whole lot. Unfortunately, though, poor UltimateBrachimon has never really appeared anywhere else, despite being a pretty dang cool design.

 8/10.

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Kenkimon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Armor - usually treated as Adult-equivalent
• Type: Machine
• Attribute: Data

Kenkimon appeared in Digimon Story and was one of the surprising new additions because he's an armour evolution of several Digimons like Armadimon, Gabumon or Solarmon with the Digimental of Friendship. Friendship, if you forgot, was the one that doesn't make any real sense so yeah, why not? Kenkimon's a pretty neat-looking construction robot-tank dude, honestly, with a fun forklift for an arm and an excavator shovel for another. Not sure if I like it a lot as an armour evolution, but as a standalone design I definitely don't mind him. Not much to say here. I like his head, I guess?

 5/10.
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Kogamon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Adult
• Type: Mutation
• Attribute: Data

Another minor Digimon that was introduced in a trading card game (and one that I'm somewhat familiar with, with him showing up in Digimon Story: Dawn/Dusk), Kogamon here is a purple repaint of Igamon, representing the Koga-ryu school of ninja arts. There's... there's not much for me to say about Kogamon, honestly. He's a purple Igamon with a different looking samurai. It's an inoffensive variant. 

 3/10, as a variant. 

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Gladimon

• Alternate Names: Gradimon
• Stage: Adult
• Type: Warrior
• Attribute: Vaccine

Gladimon is a Digimon that showed up in exactly a single card in the TCG, apparently based on gladiators. It's an Adult-level and it's not quite my favourite design... but I do like that -- especially comparing it with Kogamon above (and Kogamon's twin Igamon) that this little gladiator knight is a round 'monster' with super-long stretchy arms wearing funky armour. This is what makes it a 'gladiator digimon' instead of just a gladiator that wandered in from a generic fantasy setting. It's still not my favourite design, but as a commentor mentioned below, it does make Gladimon an ideal knight-themed Adult-level pre-evolution for Knightmon, who previously was just associated with the artificial machine Digimon. This is like a 'page' or a 'squire' to the Knightmons!

It is not 'my thing', but I can appreciate its existance and I can most definitely appreciate those rubber-hose arms. 

 4/10.

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Mistymon

• Alternate Names: N/A
• Stage: Perfect
• Type: Magic Warrior
• Attribute: Virus

The Perfect-level Mistymon here is Gladimon's evolution, and it looks like he should be hanging out with Yu-Gi-Oh's magicians-knights instead of with Digimon. This is literally just a dude in fantasy magician armour and a flaming sword! Not a big fan of this one, he's just a pesron in gaudy cosplay. It just plain doesn't fit the setting, and there isn't any attempt to make it look a bit monstrous like its fellow Magical Witches homages Witchmon and Wizarmon. 

There are a lot of 'fantasy NPC' Digimon that have appeared over the years, but Mistymon has the misfortune to be one of the least interesting ones among them. 

 1/10.

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