Top 10 Legendary Dark Digivolution Scenes

“Digimon Ghost Game” (2021-)

Transactional relationships are tough even when both halves are human. Unfortunately, the digital Pucchiemon didn’t quite understand the limitations of her and Riku’s dynamic. Once she discovered that her new friend couldn’t reciprocate her magical gifts, she instilled a new kind of exchange rate: an eye for an eye. Even though Riku had no idea what a Digimon even was, it’s still spine-tingling to see a partner turn on their tamer. Especially when they digivolve into something as terrifying as Meicrackmon. In the end, it took the full might of two Ultimate level Digimon to quell her rage. Even then, something tells us Meicrackmon won’t be befriending more humans any time soon.

“Digimon Adventure 02” (2000-01)

When Ken’s dark spiral infected Agumon, the Digidestined were left with an impossible choice: fight their friend, or let him ransack the whole Digital World. The ensuing scuffle isn’t exciting at all, and not just because the Armor Digimon are clearly holding back. Honestly, they probably couldn’t have beaten Virus MetalGreymon even if they wanted to. Instead, this brawl is painfully somber because each blow is hurting Agumon, too. Just when it seemed there was no way out of this situation, Raidramon came in clutch by reminding everyone what real friendship looks like. It’s almost poetic that Agumon was saved by a literal embodiment of the bond between Digimon and humans.

“Digimon Adventure Tri” (2015-18)

Not every tamer suffers through their partner turning evil. But, Meiko didn’t just do it once, she endured it over and over and over again. The story of “Adventure Tri” hinges upon Meicoomon’s descent into madness, and that’s visually conveyed through her ever-worsening digivolutions. If the shift from cuddly cat to humanoid knight didn’t clue you in to her villainy, the way she aimlessly tears through friend and foe alike definitely would. The resulting transformations are so sinister that even Meiko agrees the only option left is to put Meicoomon down, permanently. By that point, ending her villainous rampage was a mercy to everyone involved.

“Digimon Adventure 02: Digimon Hurricane Touchdown!! / Transcendent Evolution!! The Golden Digimentals” (2000)

Willis was just a kid when he discovered that, like any digital file, Digimon can be corrupted. Let’s just say it's a good thing he had two partners, else his infected Kokomon may have successfully corrupted him, too. The problem only escalates as the years go by, until eventually, the 02 Digidestined show up to offer support. But, there’s no sense of victory in taking on Kokomon’s sinister digivolutions. Instead, there’s something deeply tragic about realizing that, at its core, even Cherubimon wants to be put out of its misery. This two-parter has its fair share of shiny new digivolutions, but it’s Cherubimon’s that leaves the biggest impression by far.

“Digimon Adventure Tri” (2015-18)

Kari bears the crest of light, so dimming her spirits should be the most difficult of all. But, there was one weakness she could never fully shake: her love for her brother. So, after thinking Tai’s died in battle, Kari’s grief transforms her partner into the coming of the end. Ophanimon Falldown Mode is all the more haunting because no one expected a dark digivolution from a Digimon representing light. Plus, the twisted Mega only becomes more intimidating once it merges with Raguelmon, creating the towering Ordinemon. The only silver lining here is that all of Kari’s hardships paved the way to Gatomon’s true Mega form.

“Digimon Ghost Game” (2021-23)

From the very start of this evolution sequence, it’s clear that Gammamon’s fourth Champion is unlike any of the others that had come before. But, just to prove it, the new GulusGammamon turned his savagery towards even Hiro and the others. It’s a genuinely scary turn of events, and you can’t even blame it on an uncontrollable rampage, either. GulusGammon is terrifyingly aware of what he’s doing. In fact, that’s the worst part; not that Hiro and the others almost die, but that there’s such darkness buried inside Gammamon. It’s just a good thing he snapped out of it when he did, or else Gammamon may have woken up to realize he didn’t have a tamer anymore.

“Digimon Adventure: 2020” (2020-21)

Against an opponent like DoneDevimon, Tai and MetalGreymon’s only hope was a miraculous last-minute digivolution. And they got one, for better and for worse. Tai’s presumed death forces his partner to embrace the “metal” part of his name. Then, the new Machinedramon goes on a tear that can only be described as a total frenzy. At a certain point, you can’t help but feel a little sympathy for DoneDevimon. After all, the villain somehow ended up on the wrong side of one of the most vicious sequences in “Digimon” history. It’s a deserved beatdown, but it’s hard to feel that way when the victory comes at the cost of everything that makes Agumon, Agumon.

“Digimon Data Squad” (2006-07)

Marcus Damon is easily one of the spunkiest Digidestined out there. But, after Thomas seemingly betrayed the Data Squad, the hothead’s intense anger boiled into a new kind of digivolution: ShineGreymon Ruin Mode. Now bigger, badder, and bolder, the Mega’s only goal was to destroy. So, it did just that. The corrupted ShineGreymon tore through just about everything in its path, whether it was MirageGaogamon or human homes. Ruin Mode proved so disastrous that the only way to stop him was to revert Agumon back to a Digi-egg altogether. Understandably, the reboot weighs heavily on Marcus’ shoulders, but at least it finally taught him to think with his head instead of just his fists.

“Digimon Adventure” (1999-2000)

Once he discovered Greymon could digivolve even further, Tai took it upon himself to force the transformation by whatever means necessary. However, the ensuing SkullGreymon is pretty much Greymon’s evolution in name alone. And it didn’t hold back on that fact one bit. This might be the first time in the whole franchise that a Digimon lived up to their title of digital “monsters.” Except, in this case, Tai’s the one to blame. SkullGreymon’s assault is so difficult to stomach because, at the end of the day, Agumon is the real victim here. After a fumble like this, it’s no surprise Tai was scared of ever evolving Greymon again.

“Digimon Tamers” (2001-02)

On pure aesthetics alone, Megidramon might just be one of the most terrifying Digimon ever created. But, to make matters worse, it somehow digivolved from Guilmon. It’s just plain disturbing to learn that even Takato’s loving partner was capable of such a despicable transformation. Megidramon isn’t shy about it, either. Its very first fight is nothing short of barbaric, to the point it even Beelzemon looks tame. The rageful Takato asked for a Mega, and he definitely got one in Megidramon. But, no amount of vengeance was worth what he did to Guilmon. It’s just a shame Takato learned that lesson a bit too late.