Synopsis

Takato, Ruki, and Lee are children who have, by fate, received real Digimon, unlike the imaginary ones in the card game they play. Each of the children, or Digimon Tamers, have their different views on how Digimon should be treated. But when other Digimon begin to appear around Japan, they must put aside their differences to fend off the digital intruders.

After the success of Digimon Adventure 02, Hiroyuki Kakudo and staff did not know what to do now that the series was finished.

Konaka was concerned that the portrayal of the Digimon as "kind-hearted creatures" in Digimon Adventure and Digimon Adventure 02 might affect the "monster-like spirit of Digimon." As a result, Konaka wanted to explore the primitive nature of Digimon, where they instinctively harm other creatures to become stronger and would learn morals from their partners.

The kaiju from the Ultra Q and Ultraman franchises is also referenced in the spin-off prequel novel Digimon Tamers 1984.

Due to its differences from the first two Digimon series, Tamers received mixed reviews when it first aired in the United States (September 1, 2001).

Tim Jones of THEM Anime writes, "Although Digimon Tamers has its faults (slow character development, a sudden change in new characters from the last series, and a less-than-exciting first half), the more you watch it, and the further you get into it, the more you'll enjoy it." In comparison to the first two series, Tamers also displayed darker undertones in its plot.

According to English-language dub voice actor Dave Wittenberg, the new series possessed "an element of seriousness" that was not present in the first two series.