Why Digimon Remains My Favorite ’90s Anime Despite Pokémon’s Greatness

For over twenty years, the charismatic worlds of Pokémon and Digimon have captured the hearts and minds of fans, particularly those who grew up in the ’90s. These two franchises present narratives centered around courageous groups of heroes navigating vibrant realms inhabited by a myriad of creatures—some friendly, others menacing. While the similarities between them are notable, their distinctions fuel an ongoing debate among enthusiasts about which anime reigns supreme. Personally, I find the adventures of Tai, Agumon, and the DigiDestined far more compelling than those of Ash and Pikachu.

Debuting in 1997, Pokémon: The Series follows Ash Ketchum as he aims for the title of Pokémon Champion alongside his trusty partner, Pikachu. Joined by trainers like Brock and Misty, they encounter challenges, notably from the scheming Team Rocket, all while aspiring to “catch ’em all.”

Digimon Adventure 02 and 2020 Ending DigiDestined — Custom image by J.R. Waugh

In contrast, Digimon Adventure, which premiered in 1999, took the notion of partnered creatures to new heights. Unlike Pokémon, where evolutions are permanent, Digimon allow for temporary transformations, thereby creating more dynamic storytelling. This flexibility adds depth to the characters’ journeys, making Digimon a more engaging show overall.

The Rich Narrative of Digimon

The Era of Digimon Adventure

In contrast to Pokémon’s often slow-paced and formulaic storytelling—where Ash only recently achieved his champion status—Digimon consistently crafts narratives that resonate with real-world challenges. Over the span of years, as seen in the transitions from Digimon Adventure to Digimon Adventure 02 and later Digimon Adventure tri., characters like Tai face weighty themes such as divorce, mortality, and the struggle for redemption. This evolution is facilitated by Digimon’s serialized storytelling approach.

Unlike Pokémon, where character growth can take considerable time to become apparent, the pacing in Digimon allows for meaningful character development to unfold rapidly. Each season and episode contributes significantly to the overarching plot while elegantly balancing a larger ensemble cast, featuring eight DigiDestined and their digital companions. The narratives continually escalate, with the invasion of the digital realm into the real world serving as a captivating backdrop that enhances the show’s overall impact and memorability.

Digimon Adventure's partner monsters standing side by side in the intro theme.

A Closer Look at Popularity vs. Narrative Depth

The Rise of Pokémon

Ash Ketchum from the Pokémon anime superimposed on the cover art featuring Pikachu from Pokémon Yellow.

Both series are known for their unforgettable theme songs. While the “Pokémon Theme” is intrinsically recognizable, evoking nostalgia for many fans—including myself, who frequently played the Pokémon: 2. B. A. Master soundtrack—the thrilling digital opening of Digimon ignites an incomparable excitement every time I hear it. I still find myself adding it to my Spotify playlists.

Ash looking sad on an orange striped background.

Though Ash’s tenure as a principal character in Pokémon may have draw to a close, the franchise remains robust, with the recent release of Pokémon Horizons, featuring a fresh generation of characters. Meanwhile, Digimon, after a successful reboot in 2020 that revived the spirit of earlier series, demonstrated its enduring legacy. While Pokémon may hold the title for overall popularity, the compelling adventures of Digimon continue to resonate more profoundly with me.

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