Digimon Tamers 41: Return to the Real World!

A data storm hits, urging the Tamers into the ark. Despite Cyberdramon's attempt to keep the ark grounded, it starts taking off and it's yet another race as Takato tries to run after it. Ryo gets the silly idea to go after Ruki and Renamon and conveniently forgets that helping Takato would help too. Dunce.

It's only Guilmon's pleading with the ark that makes it stop, and soon enough Ruki and co. return to grab Takato and pile into the ark. Kenta finally gets his partner, Guilmon says that the ark listened to him, Jen stares at Ryo, there's much light-heartedness, and you'd think all would now be well. Except it's Digimon, so things are never that easy. The D-Reaper bubbles end up slowing down the ark's progress, but Takato's pleading seem to make it hurry along.

The kids turn up in Shinjuku Gyoen, and many happy reunions are to be had. Though, Ryo's dad seems to be more annoyed than anything, probably because Ryo's the type to run off without warning anyone. No one's waiting for Impmon, who wanders off with a kicked puppy look, and Juri, who ends up being escorted to Matsumoto, where her family is staying. The ark ends up disappearing back into the Digital World.

On the train to Matsumoto, Takato runs into a conductor (voiced by Seta Ikkei, who has also done Santiramon and Cyberdramon/Monodramon) who is eventually convinced that Guilmon isn't all that bad. After much food, Takato admits to liking Juri amidst bungled attempts to express sympathy and regret over Leomon. Her only response is recitation of the meal's nutrition label.

Eventually they arrive at Matsumoto, where Juri is taken by her father to their house and she turns evil again. Oh, and the D-Reaper decides to turn up in the real world. Didn't think they'd get away THAT easily, did you?

Random rant: Much of fandom uses this and the subsequent eps to portray both Mr. Katou and Mr. Akiyama as abusive jerks, and clearly have no idea of the cultural values they need to take into account. Japanese fathers are typically stern figures, it's what's expected of them. This does not mean that they abuse their children or don't care about them, this just means they usually hide their feelings. It is later revealed that yes, these fathers do care for their children, but they're just not used to expressing it. Stop it with the abusive father figures, m'kay?

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