WARNING: The following contains spoilers for episodes 31 and 32 of Digimon Adventure: (2020), "A New Darkness, Millenniumon" and "Soaring Hope," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Digimon Adventure: (2020) is nothing if unexpected. How else would one describe the sheer jump-off-the-couch shock of seeing Pegasusmon appearing in the Episode 32, "Soaring Hope?" Add to this the fact that during the previous episode, "A New Darkness, Millenniumon," the final forms of the three celestial Digimon were showcased, and already fans noticed changes in the lineup. By switching up something that fans thought was entirely predetermined, the show has injected some new life into the wait between episodes, and created new possibilities while also stripping away many preconceptions.
While branching digivolutions is actually very common for the series, with hundreds of Digimon able to become a wide array of other Digimon -- for example, Plotmon can digivolve into Tailmon, BlackTailmon or Mikemon -- it's not an aspect that the anime has tapped into too many times, aside from dark digivolutions. Except, for Digimon Adventure 02, which introduced armor digivolutions and debuted Pegasusmon.
This opens up a bucket-load of questions for longtime fans, as a key aspect of 02's plot was that normal digivolution was not possible, meaning that the kids had to find a new way to digivolve: digi-eggs. The same digi-eggs that are nowhere to be seen in the reboot. Lopmon offers a partial explanation as to how this is possible by alluding to Patamon's long time in the darkness, implying that Pegasusmon is simply a weakened version of his true strength -- though he still looks plenty strong.
But Lopmon's explanation does somewhat account for the lineup change in the other celestial Digimon, as it is not the original series' Holydramon, but Ophanimon who appears as Tailmon's fully digivolved form. If, in keeping with the weakened powerset of her counterpart, Tailmon is unable to digivolve into Angewomon and instead digivolves to Nefertimon, it would finally explain why Hikari's partner digivolves to the flying sphinx instead of the more angelic female warrior. Conversely, it could also be hinting that, given Ophanimon Fall-Down Mode's presence in the Tri movies, the staff want to give Tailmon's mega form an update.
It also opens possibilities for other characters to branch out their evolutions into new forms as suits the situation, something that02 did frequently. And with one 'mon from 02 already in play, it's possible that the reboot may do something even more unexpected: give the 02 kids a role.
With Pegasusmon and the Armor Digivolutions now on the table, the show has every opportunity to seize the idea and bring the rest of 02's cast back as younger versions of themselves. Not only would it be great to finally see the Crest of Kindness fully represented in the cast, but it could even create conflict as the kids suddenly find themselves caring for a bunch of very strong, but even younger kids. While DNA Digivolutions (besides Omegamon) may still be out of the picture, Veemon, Hawkmon, Armadillomon and all their various forms could be huge helps in the coming battles, keeping everyone guessing.
Overall, Pegasusmon's appearance may just be a turning point for the reboot, creating chances for new lore, some downtime to relax and process the plot's development while opening the door for loved-but-often-overlooked characters to enter and spice things up, while possibly finally offering an explanation for the mega-level question that's been on fans' minds for over 20 years.
