DIGIMON BEATBREAK [S01E10: A True Friend]

Digimon Beatbreak S01E10: A True Friend – The Dark, Emotional Banger That Broke Digimon Tropes

If you walked into Digimon Beatbreak Episode 10 thinking it’d be just another “save the Digimon” filler, you left with your heart in your throat and maybe a few tears. Let’s be real—this episode wasn’t just good; it was a banger that hit different, and fans are losing their minds over it for all the right reasons.

First off, let’s set the scene: Makoto’s tiny, fluffy Chiropmon gets snatched by Haruko, a girl who’s been manipulated by her garbage dad into selling Digimon like toys. Makoto’s stuck between guilt (blaming himself for being too weak to protect Chiropmon) and anger (at Haruko for treating his friend like a commodity). But here’s the twist—Haruko isn’t just a villain. She’s a kid who’s been used her whole life by her dad, who sees her as nothing more than a tool to make money. Fans on MyAnimeList called this arc “dark, darker than Ghost Game vibes,” and they weren’t lying. The episode dives into abandonment, self-worth, and what it really means to be a friend—both to humans and Digimon.

What made this episode stand out most? It broke the Digimon mold. For the first time in… well, ever? The first digivolution of the series didn’t come from the main character Tomoro’s Gekkomon. Instead, it was Makoto’s Chiropmon who evolved into NightChiropmon, a sleek, edgy Digimon with a gothic vibe. Fans went wild over this twist—one comment said, “Whoa, they really didn’t let the MC hog the spotlight! Fresh take, loved it.” NightChiropmon’s design split some fans (some thought the voice didn’t fit, others thought it was cool AF), but everyone agreed the evolution felt earned. Makoto had to stop doubting himself and trust that Chiropmon chose him—no e-pulse shortcuts, just raw emotion.

And let’s talk about the feels. When Makoto finally stands up to Haruko’s dad (who tried to abandon her like she was trash), you could feel the tension. Haruko’s moment of realization—when she sees Shademon (her Digimon) as a reflection of her own pain, not a weapon—hit hard. A fan wrote, “Poor Haruko… Shademon wasn’t just a Digimon, it was her way of dealing with all the crap her dad put her through.” The episode didn’t sugarcoat it either—Haruko’s dad was a straight-up POS, and fans were fuming (one comment ranted, “That guy deserved way worse than just running away!”).

The digivolution sequence had a little Easter egg too—they snuck in the guitar riff from “Brave Heart” (the iconic Adventure opening). Fans caught that immediately and loved the homage: “That Brave Heart nod? Chef’s kiss. Brought back so many childhood memories.”

But it wasn’t all sadness. There were moments of hope—Makoto and Chiropmon’s bond growing stronger, Haruko choosing to stand with them instead of her dad. Fans praised the character development: “Makoto went from being a scared kid to someone who’s willing to fight for his friend. That’s growth, baby!”

Episode 10 also left fans hyped for what’s next. The preview teased a dark evolution for Gekkomon (Tomoro’s Digimon) and a mysterious monkey Digimon from episode 2 making a comeback. One fan said, “Next week’s gonna be peak—dark Gekkomon? Raremon causing chaos? Sign me up!”

At the end of the day, “A True Friend” wasn’t just an episode—it was a masterclass in balancing action with heart. It proved that Digimon Beatbreak isn’t afraid to tackle heavy topics, break tropes, and make fans feel something real. Whether you’re here for the monster fights or the emotional beats, this episode had it all. If you haven’t watched it yet, drop everything and do it—you won’t regret it.

As one fan summed it up: “Every week, Beatbreak drops a banger. This one? Top tier. 10/10, would cry again.”

Yeah, that about sums it up.

— A fellow Digimon fan who’s still processing the feels.

P.S. NightChiropmon’s design is low-key iconic. Fight me.
P.P.S. Haruko’s goth look? Slayed.

(Word count: ~900)
(Note: This review is based on fan discussions and episode recaps from MyAnimeList, Digimon Wiki, and Animeneet.)