Which is better between Pokémon and Digimon? After all, there is so much to compare that on any given day, on any given subject, the “win” could go to either side. Many fans will cite the fact that Digimon came after Pokémon as being a trump card in why Pokémon is better. However, if that metric is used then we also have to acknowledge Pokémon is a copycat too, right?
The first major video game to feature monster-catching is often considered to be Dragon Quest V, released in 1992 for the Super Famicom, which was four years before Pokémon as a brand launched. Another source could be cited as the original Shin Megami Tensei.
Whether or not Digimon is an IP (intellectual property) clone is irrelevant in comparing these series. With that out of the way, there are more than a dozen potential categories that can be used to compare them, like monster designs, games vs. anime, and etc. Let’s dive into them.
Updated by Juliet Childers on September 08, 2020: Over the years, there have been many storied rivalries: red vs. blue, dubbed vs. subbed, and even which way you should cut your sandwiches (diagonally, of course).
But there is no question greater to many Millennials and Gen Z kids than the following: which is better between Pokémon and Digimon? Comparing monster designs, the complexity of storylines, video games vs. tv shows, and more, let’s see how the rival franchises compare.
12 The Games: Pokémon
Digimon had a gaming hit via Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth on PS4 and PS Vita, but that was one in a long, long line of trash. With no release date for Digimon Survive to challenge the success of Pokémon Sword and Shield, this is a mostly open and shut case.
Sure, Pokémon has dropped the ball numerous times in both it’s core and spinoff series but it’s consistently superior when it comes to games. Some fans would argue Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield are a step back, but the majority of the games are solid.
At the very least, many games are home runs compared to Digimon’s output.
11 Real-World Connections: Digimon
As cool as Pokémon are, the fact that the events of Digimon could happen in our reality intrigues fans. Think about it: the characters are warped from our reality into a digital world of monsters. Is that going to happen tomorrow or even ten years from now? No, but the capabilities of VR and AR technology will continue developing.
Someday Digimon will become real.
But by that same logic, Nintendo, Niantic, and Game Freak could make a more realistic digital Pokémon VR world than Pokémon GO, too, but for now, we’re giving this one to Digimon.
10 Consistency: Pokémon
The great thing about the Digimon anime is that it is ever-evolving. It never stays with the same cast for long and when seasons do change, the story is something new. Pokémon has been with Ash and friends for way too long. That said, many fans find the majority of that anime to be pure gold.
Pokémon manages to skillfully blend an action anime into one filled with comedy and a lot of heart. Though there are some heavy moments (more so in the films), fans always feel like Ash and company will be able to overcome the challenges they face, no matter what.
9 Complex Storylines: Digimon
In stark contrast to the overall optimistic feel in the Pokémon series, Digimon always seemed to have more realistic stakes. In fact, as many fans of the original Digimon show will remember, Leomon actually dies.
Beyond teaching kids about mortality, Digimon also features characters whose parents are divorced or may struggle with issues like anxiety. For many kids growing up, that kind of representation helps them feel a little less lonely or like a “weird kid.”
Despite the pluses of the Pokémon shows, Digimon always came through with storylines that make fans cry (every time). Fans can also watch the reboot now, as well.
8 Mentors: Pokémon
One of the big plot points in the Digimon series is that the Digidestined are kind of on their own. There’s an element of unicorn-ism here in that the kids (the “pure of heart”) have to be the ones to help save the world.
In Pokémon, there are clear mentors that help guide you and teach you as you go on your journey. Even in Pokémon GO, trainers have someone who acts as a quest giver and carries on the trusted, informed, and helpful Professor mantle.
7 Scary Designs: Digimon
Creatures like Mewtwo or Spiritomb, as Pokémon go, can be a bit intimidating. But the designs of Pokémon often don’t convey scariness like their lore might suggest. In contrast, Digimon’s designs take a more literal approach when it comes to conveying how dangerous a Digimon might be.
For some, they go so far as to have them use firearms. For others like Devimon, the creators took a more artistic approach and draw upon similarities to known evil or dangerous entities like demons.
Then you have SkullGreymon. For kids, right?
6 Marketing: Pokémon
This may not seem like something relevant to fans, but it plays an integral role in how each series gains new fans, caters to current fans, or even loses fans over time. Considering the amount of support Pokémon has not only from Nintendo, but from Niantic, publishers of the shows, and more, Pokémon is ahead of the game when it comes to marketing.
This extends into the commercialization of the IP, as well. Think of just how many toys, figures, plushes, and other merch types there are for the Pokémon franchise vs. Digimon. That ubiquity plays a huge part in the popularization of the series.
And yes: that’s an Adidas x Pokémon collab sneaker to the left of the plushies.
5 Heroes: Digimon
Let’s face it: Ash, as the main character, lacks a few things such as a dynamic personality. Though he loves his Pokémon and has a lot of heart, he comes across as arrogant entirely too often. Many fans believe he is the worst trainer in existence.
One big question: why does he catch so few Pokémon and then release them? These issues have encouraged many fans to follow secondary characters like Misty or Brock.
Now, compared to the original Digimon anime, fans cared a lot more for Tai, Matt, and the original Digidestined. Fans actually see them age and pass the torch to siblings and new Digidestined members, unlike the never-aging “Pokémon Master" Ash is supposed to be.
4 Villains: Pokémon
In terms of villains, Pokémon wins by a landslide thanks to Jesse and James. Their wacky antics give the show a Saturday morning cartoon vibe. We’ve seen Team Rocket (Jesse, James, and Meowth specifically) come in and blast off for hundreds of episodes now and yet it still brings a smile to fans everywhere regardless of age.
Many of the villains in Digimon are fellow Digimon themselves. While this is kind of neat from a George Lucas way of story-telling, the goals remained the same across most of the villains: destroy or take over the Digital World and/or the real realm.
Pokémon villains wanted that sometimes, too, but they also wanted to flood the world or rip people off at casinos or even just get some much-needed attention (looking at Team Skull here).
3 Communication: Digimon
Meowth is another great villain in that pack. Know what’s great about him? He can talk. Know what’s great about Digimon? They can all talk. It leaves out the guesswork when trying to plot out a story.
As adorable as Pikachu’s “Pika Pikas” can be, it sure would be nice if Pikachu and its Pokémon brethren could talk. Also, for that matter, how can a Pokémon just say their own name? A name is a word, right?
If Meowth can learn to talk, then so could the others theoretically. Many fans have resigned themselves to this fact, however absurd and still unexplained it remains.
2 The Monsters: Pokémon
Talking aside, the variety across Pokémon species is astounding. On top of that, their names are unique and often cleverly turned into puns.
Digimon names are almost always straight on the nose descriptions with a “mon” thrown at the end. This linear naming schema can seem to lack originality at times. Plus, some fans find some Digimons’ human-esque designs creepy. These are not the humanoid Digmon, but actual humans like Angemon. Does this mean that humans can digivolve into monsters or vice versa?
Pokémon also tend to be way cuter, so there’s that.
1 Evolution vs. Digivolution: Digimon
Speaking of Digivolution, let’s talk about the two ways both properties use change. When Pokémon evolve, they literally turn into something else forever. As one example, trainers can use a Thunder Stone to evolve a Pikachu into a Raichu. But then you’re stuck with Raichu forever.
In Digimon, it varies. Sometimes they change due to leveling up, like in most cases with Pokémon. But in the anime, Digimon usually Digivolve via Crests and the bond they might have with their partner.
When a bond is formed between a human and a Digimon, these Crests can temporarily change them into a more powerful being. It’s a move so good that Pokémon eventually copied it with Mega Evolutions. Since that is without a doubt a cloned technique, the win automatically goes to Digimon for this category.
NEXT: Digimon: The Heaviest Digimon In The Series, Ranked
