Digimon Story Time Stranger Bancho DLC Makes Me Think We Can Be Saved From The Omnimon Apocalypse

When it comes to monster collectors, there's always a problem with scale creep. By endgame it doesn't matter what game you're playing, your lineup almost always consists of old testament allegories and one mascot freak that you've been saving despite the lack of synergy. 

Yet, having beaten the Digimon Story Time Stranger DLC episode GAKU-RAN, I realize it doesn't have to feel that way. Despite its framing as an episode, the DLC is actually pretty simple for what it is: here's a roster update, and a showcase of the cool stuff we added. 

More Weirdo Digimon Please

While DLC episode 1 added an infestation's worth of Omnimon to the game, GAKU-RAN does something I really hope we get more of in future DLC- it takes a subgroup of Digimon and throws them in front and center. No, they're not the Royal Knights. No, they're not the Olympus XII. Instead, they're just the Banchos, a group of Digimon that act as Mega-stage evolutions for mostly-forgotten Digimon lines. The catch? They all dress and act like delinquents. 

It's important to the bit that the game acknowledges they're incredibly cool for doing this. Each Bancho naturally comes with their own unique special moves, all highlighting their unique factors. Flashy unique attack animations have always been Time Stranger's strong suit, and having cool attacks like BanchoGolemon piercing the heavens with a giant arm drill feels like even the devs knew the direness of this situation: only through sheer aura can we show the masses that there are more Digimon than Omnimon. Like up close and personal? Look at BanchoStingmon's Bloody Finish move. Something more fantastical? Try BanchoLeomon. 

Even in their own DLC episode, the Banchos aren't even that important. Story-wise, it acts as more of a redemption for Hiroko- a character who's mostly been relegated to gag status in the main story as she chases a career of being a paranormal YouTuber. 

Despite no actual story outside of being goofy goobers, the Banchos still end up stealing the show- they all believe their Gakuran to be some sort of sacred relic, validating their existence as leaders of individual gangs. Watching Banchostingmon and Bancholeomon hit every cliche in the book as they stare each other down is such a fun sell of their characters- and the general attitude associated with the Bancho Digimon. 

It's something I'd really like to see more of in the 3rd DLC too. Digimon has no shortage of groups of weirdos, each capable of their own similarly structured substories. Wanna have a group of Weapon Digimon? Sure. Explore X-Antibodies? Why not. 

Parallelmon is apparently everywhere, let him terrorize a real group of losers for a change instead of always accidentally ending up facing off against another Omnimon in the finale. Heck, giving the non-Adventure anime some love would totally be cool too, especially considering Beatbreak is currently airing. I mean, consideing this DLC even has a token Omnimon in it, it's an acceptable template- chuck in a new Omnimon for 5 weirdos. 

Still, if you've just been staring at a bunch of cool jacket-wearing Digimon this time thinking "My party could use a dash of rebellion", Digimon Story Time Stranger DLC 2 GAKU-RAN is available now both individually and part of the season pass. In the off chance your top 5 favorite Digimon are all Omnimon, consider looking into DLC 1 too- which features, I kid you not, three whole new Omnimon.