For almost 3 decades, the Digimon and Pokémon franchises have been at war for the title of the original monster-taming series. While both ideas were born at similar times, Digimon commenced as a spin-off of the iconic Tamagotchi and Pokémon as one of the biggest names in the gaming industry.
When their respective anime shows were released, the battle became even more heated, with Ash’s fans claiming that Tai’s story was a copy of theirs. Years later, thanks to the outstandingly different paths both franchises have taken, it has become clear that Digimon was never meant to be Pokemon’s copy, as its core ideas cannot be more different.
Digimon’s Anime Better Proves Their Differences
The Stories and Themes Are Nothing Alike
While the Digimon and Pokémon franchises have been rivals from the beginning, their battle for dominance most fans are aware of revolves around the television series. In 1997, Ash Ketchum was introduced to the world as the protagonist of the animated adaptation of the games, where he would remain for 25 more seasons. His story was simple: he traveled around the world, met fellow trainers, caught new Pokémon, and trained them to become stronger. While he usually developed deep bonds with his teams, they were more akin to pets than friends.
Two years later, the Digimon Adventure anime was released, marking the beginning of a decades-long journey that has recently come to an end after 25 years. This show focused on the adventures of a group of kids in another dimension known as the Digital World. While there, they meet sentient creatures who reveal themselves as Digimon, monsters that inhabit the world in all shapes and sizes. So began a quest to find a way for the kids to return home while also battling the evil forces trying to destroy both the Digital and human worlds.
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The Digimon anime was a tale of friendship between the kids and their unique partners, with neither of the protagonists ever acquiring another creature. The fact that the monsters were able to speak and demonstrate emotions meant that the series could tackle heavier subjects, sometimes becoming fairly messed up and unsettling. While the heroes also used their Digimon for battle, this was more of a necessary evil rather than their entire motivation. When examined closely, there is almost no similarity between the plot and themes of Adventure and those of Pokémon Indigo League.
Digimon’s Origins Further Prove Its Originality
The Series Is Based on Building Friendships
In 1997, Bandai shocked the world by releasing a new model of their most popular toy at the time, the Tamagotchi. This version would be focused on a young male audience, as the previous virtual pets were designed around girls. The project was called Digimon, and it soon became a massive success. The year before, Game Freak had changed gaming history forever with the release of the original Pokémon Red and Green titles, some of the best games ever released.
The short time between the releases caused many to accuse Digimon of copying Nintendo’s success, although the virtual pet had been in development long before Pokémon was released. The concept of Bandai’s toy was nowhere near that of its competitor, and this could be seen in the core gameplay mechanics. Digimon was a toy about taking care of a simple creature, helping it grow and evolve into its most powerful form. The player’s actions or lack thereof directly affect their friend, with bad caretakers receiving weak and often gross monsters.
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Pokémon is a game about capturing several creatures and using them to defeat other trainers. Its simple yet rewarding gameplay prioritized strategy over anything else, and the creatures used by the players required little to no care. Although their premises can be slightly similar on the surface, their mechanics and end goals are completely different. If not for their similar releases, both franchises could have been appreciated for their unique strengths and weaknesses.
Digimon’s Other Entries Diverged Even More
The Series Did Not Maintain the Same Formula
Despite the premise of Digimon Adventure not being nearly as similar to Pokemon’s as many fans would expect, what cements their differences are the following entries in the series. While Ash’s journey to become one of the strongest trainers in his franchise was continuous for more than 20 years, Bandai took a different approach to its continuity. After the release of Digimon Adventure 02, the only official direct sequel that is not a movie, the series decided to explore different universes with completely new casts of characters.
From the widely beloved Tamers to the recently announced Beatbreak anime, each show followed a plot unrelated to the previous. The formula of the Digimon franchise changes constantly, as the team behind the series often attempts to maintain a sense of novelty and excitement. While not all entries have been as successful, the franchise has never attempted to release a direct anime sequel again. Not even the most ardent Digimon critics can argue that this formula is in any way similar to the one used by the Pokémon franchise.
Pokémon and Digimon Deserve Praise and iration
Both Franchises Have Been Pillars of the Anime Industry for Decades
Even though a bit of competitive spirit between two of the most successful monster-taming franchises can be fun and healthy, there is no need for anime fans to attack either one. Pokémon and Digimon are both largely responsible for some of the biggest trends in the anime industry, and their repercussions continue to be felt even to this day. For some fans, Ash’s quest to become a true master might be better, while for others, the heroes of the Digital World and their partners could be more appealing.
At the end of the day, Pokémon and Digimon are incredible series that will forever be held dear in the hearts of millions of fans all over the world. Followers of these amazing franchises should engage each other with the respect and iration that these giants of animation have earned.
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Digimon
The Digimon franchise, created in 1997, encomes digital pets, anime, manga, films, video games, and a trading card game, all centering on creatures called Digimon who inhabit a parallel "Digital World." The series typically follows young humans and their Digimon partners battling threats and evolving through various forms.
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Ash Ketchum, a ten-year-old from Pallet Town, embarks on an adventure to become a Pokémon Master. With his first Pokémon, Pikachu, Ash sets out to capture and train Pokémon while battling other trainers in Pokémon Gyms to earn badges. ed by his friends Brock and Misty, Ash consistently thwarts the plans of the nefarious Team Rocket, all while making new friends and encountering Pokémon across various regions.
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