For many years, the Digimon franchise has been singled out for its unique and often eccentric evolution lines. Anime fans love poking fun at the series for the strange changes its titular creatures go through when transforming. This is quite understandable, as it can be quite odd to see a cat-like creature become an angelic woman after evolving.

Yet, as followers of the fan-favorite 90s Digimon anime are aware, there is a reason behind this decision, one that makes each transformation special and significant. Due to their digital nature, Digimon evolve according to the data they consume, oftentimes influenced by human behavior. Thanks to this phenomenon, each evolution has an untold story, making each of these transformations relevant to the series itself.

Digimon’s Evolutions Are More Complex Than Imagined

The Result of These Transformations Is Decided by Various Factors

Digievolution is the process that the digital creatures from the Digimon franchise undergo to become stronger. While one of the ways for these monsters to transform is with the love and care of their tamers, as occurred with the original group in Digimon Adventure, there are many other ways for the creatures to evolve. One of the most common ways is for them to absorb the data of other Digimon after defeating them in battle. By doing so, the victors can adapt their bodies, making them either like those of their victims or more adept at hunting them.

One of the best examples of this phenomenon is the fan-favorite WarGreymon, the Ultimate level of the Greymon family tree. These creatures evolved from MetalGreymon, a species that has been in constant war with of the Dramon lineage. As such, MetalGreymon developed a pair of claws known as the Dramon Killers, capable of destroying opponents with a single cut. The anime briefly mentioned this when this form of Agumon’s evolution was introduced, but overlooked the deep history behind this trait. While insignificant to some, these claws are the representation of a long-lasting battle between two Digimon species.

Another character who is often mocked for its evolution is Gatomon, Kari’s partner and the last member of the original DigiDestined team. Their evolution is the popular AngeWomon, a humanoid creature who greatly resembles the Abrahamic representation of an angel. Although this choice might seem bizarre at first, seeing as Gatomon looks like a cat, it demonstrates the final stage of this divine character. Kari’s partner is one of the few Digimon who holds a Holy Ring, an artifact that shows they are part of the Digital World’s celestial pantheon.

Humans Also Influence Digimon’s Lines

The Digital World Feeds From Earth’s Information

Another common way in which the Digimon have evolved is their connection to Earth. While the anime often attributes the creation of the Digital World to humans, the reality is that this land is a parallel world, connected to Earth via the Internet. As such, whenever humans use the web to share information, a fraction of that data arrives in the Digital World, influencing the evolution of its inhabitants. One of the first Digimon ever created, Anomalocarimon, was born after a virus infected a laboratory where prehistoric creatures were being studied.

After absorbing enough data about these creatures, its body began to morph, evolving into the ancient Digimon fans are familiar with. Other transformations in the franchise have also been influenced by humans, albeit in smaller ways. Some of Terriermon’s evolutions, which is one of the most beloved characters in the series, are directly inspired by human-created weapons. Some of the strongest Digimon in the anime were born thanks to human intervention, either by being created by them or influenced by their emotions.

Digimon Not Having a Set Evolution Line Keeps the Show Interesting

All Creatures Can Evolve as Needed

Unlike its counterpart, the iconic and world-famous Pokémon franchise, the evolution lines in Digimon are not set in stone. Each time one of these creatures transforms, they can surprise audiences by revealing a new form that has never been seen before. This happened several times during Digimon Adventure 2020, a retelling of the original show. As the series progressed, fans saw Agumon and his friends DigiEvolve into various powerful monsters. Many of the best episodes in the Digimon Adventure remake obtained this coveted title thanks to the epic reveal of new forms for the Digimon.

While it might be frustrating for some to learn that the digital monsters do not have a set evolution line, this concept has often helped the franchise remain entertaining. The flexible transformations give the writers the possibility of new Digimon forms any time they are needed. Iconic forms like Agumon Bond of Bravery were only created because Tai’s partner can undergo more than one transformation. These versatile transformations are unique to Digimon, and fans of this beloved franchise love the shocking twists that can be included in the story thanks to this skill.

The origin and implications of Digimon’s evolution lines help explain why some of the transformations seen in the anime seem so out of place. While this does not make Digimon better than Pokémon, it does add complexity to the process that its counterpart lacks. Nonetheless, both franchises are worth celebrating and enjoying, as they both have brought joy to millions of fans for decades.