Anime lovers who grew up in the '90s know the Digimon vs. Pokémon debate is one that's been happening for years. Many have accused Digimon of ripping off of Pokémon, which arguably had a bigger fanbase and still does -- but while the names and premises of the series are similar, everything else about the two animes is actually quite different.
For one, Digimon tends to take a darker approach for a children's anime, mostly because it's dealing with genuinely evil villains. Pokémon, on the other hand, presents itself as more of an adventure -- and it plays out like a video game more than a typical good verses evil story.
Here are five reasons Digimon is better than Pokémon (and five reasons Pokémon will always be the very best).
10 Digimon Is Better: Because The Storylines Tend To Get Darker
While Pokémon has its share of tearjerker moments (Pokémon: The First Movie, anyone?), the storylines throughout Digimon have a tendency to get much darker than those featured in regular episodes of Pokémon. Digimon covers everything from grief to depression, making it relatable even as an adult.
Looking back on the anime's early storylines, like BlackWarGreymon, Ken's descent to becoming the Digimon Emperor and Jeri's possession by the D-Reaper, it's hard to believe the anime didn't appeal to an older audience. When it comes down to it, it tackles some really important real-world issues.
9 Pokémon Is Best: Because It's Lighthearted And Fun
While Digimon often dives into harder topics, Pokémon presents itself as an adventure -- and sometimes, that's exactly what viewers need. Ash's escapades are entertaining, even if they aren't necessarily deep, and they offer viewers comedy and action that can be enjoyed on the surface level. (Plus, fans don't necessarily need to watch every single episode to know what's happening!)
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Digimon's willingness to embrace real-world issues is respectable, but Pokémon's lighthearted energy has its own appeal. And that's why so many fans have fallen for it over the years.
8 Digimon Is Better: Because The Digimon Can Talk Like Regular People
Anyone who has ever asked why Pokémon don't talk should probably just pick up Digimon -- because these cute creatures actually do talk like regular people, and it makes them feel like main characters on the show, instead of just background entities that push the story forward.
Not only does the ability to talk give the characters on Digimon more personality, but there's something fulfilling about watching the humans and the Digimon on the series make decisions together. It's just more satisfying than watching Ash yell out moves that his Pokémon then have to enact.
7 Pokémon Is Best: Because Trainers Can Have More Than One Companion
The cute creatures from Pokémon may only be able to say their names, but trainers on the series can collect far more than one of them. While some may argue that the bond between one Digimon and their DigiDestined partner is what makes Digimon special, it's clear the trainers on Pokémon have relationships with all of their charges as well.
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Perhaps most of us are collectors at heart, because there's something inexplicably fun and satisfying about watching Ash and the others catch 'em all. Maybe it's the hope we can do the same once we get our hands on the latest Nintendo game.
6 Digimon Is Better: Because The Villains Are More Interesting
The stakes throughout Digimon often feel much higher than those of Pokémon, and much of that has to do with the former's lineup of villains. Not only do the villains in Digimon get increasingly more powerful -- and terrifying -- as each season progresses, but they present real danger to the DigiDestined and the world they live in. Plus, they're difficult to defeat, and there are times it seems like they might actually win.
These sorts of villains make the story more suspenseful for those watching, and suspense is something fans definitely won't feel while watching Team Rocket's attempts to kidnap Pikachu. Still...
5 Pokémon Is Best: Because Who Doesn't Love Team Rocket?
Listen, Team Rocket may not be formidable, but it's impossible to dislike them. Jesse, James, and Meowth follow Ash and his companions around in the hopes of catching Pikachu and presenting him to their boss, and their attempts to kidnap the electric mouse Pokémon are ridiculous and hilarious.
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Anyone who grew up watching Pokémon will likely feel a fondness at hearing the words "Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Even if they weren't good at being villains, they were great at keeping fans entertained.
4 Digimon Is Better: Because Digimon Return To Their Original Form
While evolutions in Pokémon cause the Pokémon themselves to look and act differently, they have much fewer consequences in Digimon. Digimon can return to their Rookie, In-Training or even Baby forms after a fight, meaning the DigiDestined and the fans don't need to say goodbye -- or get used to new, crankier versions of them (ahem, Charizard).
Unfortunately, this means many Digimon episodes are full of evolution sequences that take time away from an already-short installment. But it's sort of worth it to see Agumon and his friends the way we know and love them once the battle is over.
3 Pokémon Is Best: Because Evolution Is Based More On Power
Although Pokémon evolutions come with a bit of sadness, there is one area the anime has Digimon beat: Its evolutions are also based on training and powering up, which makes it more logical (and more interesting to gamers who want to see the characters "level up").
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Digimon has its own set of rules, but, for the most part, evolutions come from a powerful connection between Digimon and DigiDestined. Evolutions in Pokémon play out more like a video game -- and watching trainers and their companions work hard in order to reach the next level or evolution is gratifying in its own way.
2 Digimon Is Better: Because The Themes Are More Meaningful
Both Digimon and Pokémon have themes of love and friendship at their core, but Digimon is a bit more upfront about it. That's probably because these things are integral to the story -- and to defeating whatever evil happens to be plaguing the DigiDestined at the time -- while the friendships in Pokémon serve more as subplots on the way to Ash becoming "the very best."
In addition to those themes, Digimon has also been known to tackle what it means to be a "good person" -- and shown plenty of redemption arcs featuring characters wishing to achieve that feat. These things make the show feel more relatable, and they humanize the characters in a way that makes fans want to root for them.
1 Pokémon Is Best: Because The Games Are Superior
At times, Digimon may be more fun to watch than Pokémon, but Pokémon fans can immerse themselves in the anime's world through the Nintendo games and Pokémon Go. Even as the anime's popularity has dwindled over the years, Pokémon's games have remained a hit -- and there's something special about the platform the franchise has built.
Not only have the Pokémon games kept the franchise on people's radar over the years, but they've also enabled those watching the anime to experience the story in a different way. While Digimon has come out with its own games, they just haven't had the same cultural impact.
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Tags: pokemon, Digimon
"Detective Pikachu" has now arrived on the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Photo: Nintendo
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