Digimon Universe: App Monsters

Digimon Universe: App Monsters (Japanese: デジモンユニバース アプリモンスターズ, Hepburn: Dejimon Yunibāsu Apuri Monsutāzu) is a Japanese multimedia project created by Toei Company, Dentsu and Bandai Namco Holdings, under the pseudonym Akiyoshi Hongo. It is the seventh anime series in the Digimon franchise, but also considered to be a spinoff from the original. It is also the first official installment of the Digimon franchise after WiZ became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bandai Namco Holdings on September 30, 2016.

An anime adaptation of the franchise was animated by Toei Animation, produced by Dentsu, directed by Gō Koga and written by Yōichi Katō (Mushibugyo, Yo-kai Watch) with character designs by Kenichi Ōnuki (Gundam Build Fighters). It began airing on all TXN stations in Japan on October 1, 2016, replacing Time Travel Girl in its original time slot.

The series' theme revolves around technological singularity and artificial intelligence, a theme shared with the Appmons and the dangers of technology when used unwisely.

Plot
Main article: List of Digimon Universe: App Monsters characters

In the year 2045, technology has finally evolved to a degree of prosperity for the world. The World Wide Web has become a world for "App Monsters" (アプリモンスターズ, Apurimonsutāzu) or "Appmons", artificially intelligent beings born within mobile apps. The series focuses on Haru Shinkai, an everyday Junior High Student. One day, he discovers an Appmon lurking in his Smartphone, which reveals himself to be Gatchmon and the two become partners. Haru also learns from Gatchmon that the artificial intelligence Leviathan is creating viruses to turn all Appmons evil, and the two join forces to stop them. As the series progresses, Haru gains the help of the rookie idol Eri Karan, the famous AppTuber Torajirou Asuka, the prodigy hacker Rei Katsura, who is in search for his younger brother that was kidnapped by Leviathan and Haru's best friend Yūjin Ōzora, each one partnered with their own Appmon to help in the fight to defeat Leviathan and restore the balance between their two worlds.

Anime
Main article: List of Digimon Universe: App Monsters episodes

The anime adaptation of the series began airing on all TXN stations in Japan on October 1, 2016, replacing Time Travel Girl on its original timeslot, and aired until September 30, 2017. The series's opening theme from episodes 1 to 25 is "DiVE" by Amatsuki and from episodes 26 to 52, "Gatchen!" by SymaG. The ending theme from episodes 1 to 13 is "Aoi Honoo Syndrome" (青い炎シンドローム, Aoi honō shindorōmu, "Blue Flame Syndrome") by Riho Iida, from episodes 14 to 25, "Ai" (アイ, "Eye") by Ami Wajima, from episodes 26 to 38, "Little Pi" by Ange☆Reve and from episodes 39 to 52, "Perfect World" (パーフェクトワールド) by Traffic Light.

On October 14, 2019, the series begin airing in the U.S. on ArobaCentral, with English voice acting produced by Fresh Studios.

Manga
Two manga adaptations were released by Shueisha. The first one was illustrated by Naoki Akamine and was serialized in V Jump from September 21, 2016 to August 21, 2017. The Second manga, titled Digimon Universe Appli Monsters: Appmon Gakuen (Japanese: デジモンユニバース アプリモンスターズ アプモン学園, Hepburn: Dejimon Yunibāsu Apuri Monsutāzu Apumon gakuen) is illustrated by Katsumi Hirose and was serialized in Saikyō Jump from October 1, 2016.