Digimon Has Always Been Better Than Pokemon When It Comes To Stories

by

Around the same period, I began following Digimon and Pokemon. As a kid, I didn’t view them as rivals; instead, I appreciated both. Pokemon provided laughter with its cheerful escapades and the catchy tunes from Pikachu’s Jukebox. On the other hand, Digimon captured my attention through the engaging dynamics among the characters and their authentic challenges.

In a more conversational manner: I found that Digimon made me reflect on my own life in ways that Pokemon didn’t, and those insights have stuck with me throughout my adult years. Even though I still follow Pokemon mainly through its video games and global marketing hype, I must admit that when it comes to storytelling, I believe Digimon surpasses Pokemon.

This opinion isn’t unique. Fans who grew up watching Digimon between the late ’90s and early 2000s often ponder why the show didn’t thrive like Pokemon, despite having warm memories of its stories. Many even believe that the Digimon games have a better storyline than Pokemon’s. While I personally appreciate the anime series, some people extend this admiration to the video games as well.

For those unfamiliar: Digimon and Pokemon may share similar names, but their atmospheres are distinctly different. The Pokemon series often centers around a young hero embarking on an adventure to become the greatest Pokemon trainer in their region. This usually involves assembling a team of adorable creatures capable of battling other trainers’ creatures, earning gym badges from the strongest trainers in major cities, and ultimately facing off against the strongest rival in a climactic tournament at journey’s end.

In simpler terms, Digimon revolves around children who find themselves in the midst of a perilous conflict between our world and a parallel universe inhabited by Digimon creatures. Unlike other monster-taming shows, you don’t catch Digimon; rather, each generation follows young protagonists teaming up with their unique Digimon companions to achieve common objectives, often involving battles against rogue monsters or other challenges.

Instead of yearning to emulate Ash Ketchum’s Pokemon catching adventures from the early Pokemon animated series, I found myself drawn to Digimon’s portrayal of a digital world intertwined with our own reality. As a child, I was primarily captivated by Digimon Adventure, but the show’s overarching theme of characters grappling with real-world issues such as familial strife and academic responsibilities remained compelling throughout its run. Characters like the DigiDestined, or the “Chosen Ones,” who were transported to an alternate realm, still dealt with relatable struggles such as disagreements with parents and the need to study for school exams. I also enjoyed watching both Digimon Adventure 02, a continuation that fast-forwarded into the future and introduced new characters, and Digimon Tamers, arguably one of the darkest installments in the Digimon anime franchise.

In comparison to Pokemon, Digimon Adventure offers a more emotionally charged narrative. For instance, the conflict between Tai and Matt over whether they should search for a way home or prioritize finding their missing friends resulted in a heated argument. Similarly, Sora’s understanding that her mother’s stringent behavior stemmed from love and protection rather than oppression added depth to her character. Characters like Mimi, who became the queen of her Digimon kingdom, also struggled with power trips, requiring encouragement from her friends to return to normalcy.

In a unique approach among children’s shows, Digimon explores themes of loss and trauma. Each season features a Digimon character that seems to perish, with the possibility of resurrection, which often leaves its human companion deeply affected. For instance, TK continues to experience disturbing dreams following the loss of his partner. In Digimon Tamers, this loss takes a significant emotional toll on Jeri, leading her into a state of depression that makes her vulnerable to the show’s antagonist. It’s worth noting that Tamers was particularly effective at creating unsettling imagery for a series aimed at kids.

To put it in my own words as a fan, the world of Pokémon offers a delightful blend of pure fun without delving excessively into intricate emotions or ominous subjects. For quite some time, Ash has been our leading character in the anime series, but since we’re meant to perceive him as ten years old consistently, his growth across seasons can feel inconsistent at times. There are instances where Ash seems to forget crucial knowledge and abilities he acquired earlier, which serves as a “refresh” for new viewers. While this approach has its justification due to the episodic nature of Pokémon, it leaves the show lacking the depth that more experienced audiences crave.

Pokemon presents playful battles that often result in everyone becoming friends later on. I find Team Rocket amusing as a source of humor, but their attempts to capture Pikachu and portray “villainy” never truly seem harmful or threatening. It’s a brighter, less stressful world where characters don’t face challenges such as grades, financial issues, personal relationships, or sorrow. Characters are spared the burdens of real-life responsibilities, and conflicts are typically resolved swiftly within each episode.

Undeniably, Pokemon holds an undisputed position in terms of global popularity. Its reach extends across various platforms such as television shows, video games, and trading card games, maintaining its relevance worldwide. While it was once speculated to be the most financially successful media franchise ever, recent reports suggest otherwise, with GamesRadar debunking this claim. On the other hand, Digimon seems to have a more specialized audience in 2025, often discussed among millennials but not as universally recognized as Pokemon.

Despite Digimon seemingly lagging in the marketing competition, it excels in crafting captivating narratives and intriguing characters. As one of my peers put it, I’d prefer to embrace passionately created work that may slightly miss its mark compared to something widely praised yet safe and monotonous.

If you find yourself drawn to exploring Digimon, I’d strongly suggest diving into Digimon Adventure. Oh, and if possible, give the subtitled version a try. Enjoy your journey!

Read More

2025-09-10 21:10