Misconceptions

Japanese anime is dubbed in English for our convenience.  Much as we complain, in a lot of ways it's probably for the best.  It brings the stories and characters closer to us and we have a much more complete understanding of them.  However, there is one thing that separates western viewers from their anime that the dubbers can't help us with.  The culture.  Japanese culture is so different from out own that a lot of the time people get angry or don't understand what's going on just because they don't understand the culture.  Now, I don't pretend to be an expert, but I'm learning the Japanese language and a bit about the culture, so I'm going to try to inform you of some cultural differences that cause common misconceptions in the Digimon fandom.  (Source:  My Japanese textbook, Kimono 2)

Numero uno: "Matt's an astronaut?  What's up with that?  He's supposed to be a rock star!"

Okay, so turning the guy into an astronaut was a little extreme and a big surprise (although I think it's cool).  But Yamato was never going to be a rock star, not professionally.  Sure, he had the talent, the looks, the fanbase; everything you'd need to be a mega-star in the western world.  Let me stress the western.  Fact is, people, the Japanese music industry is very different to our own.
It goes something like this: a teenager is selected in an audition by a recording company.  They train the lucky kid (or kids, if it's a band like Yama's) teaching him/her/them everything they'll need to know to be a real star.  If they decide to package whoever, they're really big news - for a while.  Posters, telephone cards, an 'image video' (I don't actually know what that is, but still...) they get on TV shows, and even have live TV coverage of their concerts.  In fact, most of them are BIGGER than good old Yamato Ishida.  Hard to believe, but true.  There are about 75 new hot-shot teen stars in Tokyo each year, according to my sources, but after a little while they just drop.
Looking at the way Yamato went (we don't see him in any soapies, do we?) I'd say he dropped.  Even if a Japanese pop singer or band became a lasting influence, they quit when they're 19 or so to go get a more secure job and, quite often, start a family.  That's the way it is.

Nummer Zwei: "Sora and Matt aren't married, they're not even standing that close to each other!"

So?  There's a very good reason for this.  In traditional Japanese families (which we know the Takenouchis are) showing affection towards loved ones in public is strictly frowned upon.  Hugging, kissing; even holding hands is a big no-no.  We know that Sora's family is a traditional one: her father's caught up in mythology, for one thing, so he obviously has a liking for the old things.  Her mother is always wearing kimonos and other traditional Japanese clothing.  Mrs T also does ikebana (flower arranging) and is very fond of the tradition in which family members carry on the business that their elders ran.  She would almost certainly disapprove of Sora hanging all over Matt.  Hell, she probably disapproved of Matt!  So it's no wonder that Sora and Matt aren't hanging all over one another.
But look at Miyako and Ken!
Yes, believe me, I'm well aware that those two are very obviously together and openly show a great deal of affection for one another.  But neither the Ichijouji nor the Inoue families are terribly traditional, so I don't think it's that circumstantial.

Just to carry on beyond the 'cultural' thing, let's look at another epilogue picture:
Now, tell me, what do you notice when you look at this picture?  If it's, 'Ahh, Sorato!  Die, Sora, die!' then get out of my sight and my site.  I'll deal with you later.  Back on track, what do we have here?  We have Taiorato Junior, that's what we have!  See, there's the little Matt who's really a girl and little Sora who's really a guy and little... Okay, so that's not the point.
I will admit that Sora and Matt are not standing too close together.  Sora is closer to Jyou and Yamato is closer to Taichi.  Why?  Because Gabumon's in the way!  Now, some of you out there might say that's a sign; Gabumon's separating Sora and Yamato because 'THEY'RE NOT MEANT TO BE TOGETHER IT'S ALL A DIRTY LIE SORA TRICKED MATT INTO MARRYING HER THE EVIL WITCH AND SHE SHOULD DIE DIE DIE' but as I said before, I'll deal with them later.  When you think about it, Gabumon couldn't be put anywhere else because then he'd either block the kids out or be too far away from Matt.  The other reason that makes me think the two of them must be married is the kids.  We have a girl (yes, she is a girl) who looks like Yamato because he's her father.  However, she's holding a Yokomon because that's Sora's digimon and Sora's her mother.  Plus they were dating in the series and, apparently, in the fourth movie.
Well, now that I've done that topic to death, let's move on to the third and final misconception that I've put in this section at the moment.

Number three (yep, English this time): Sora stole the Sailor scouts' outfit!

That's standard uniform for all high-school girls in Japan.  I know you don't have uniforms in a lot of American schools, but that's no excuse for that sort of ignorance!  Every other girl at Sora's school wears the 'Sailor Scouts' outfit', just as Mimi, Hikari and Miyako would if they were there.  This doesn't really qualify as a misconception per se, because I've only heard it once, but I just wanted something else to put down here.  Oh, and FYI, the sailor suit is called a fuku.

Well, that's it from me.  If you can think of any more misconceptions the send them in.  Otherwise you can go back.