For many anime fans, Digimon Adventure has been a pillar of the industry for over two decades. The tale of Tai, Agumon, and their friends fighting against the evil creatures trying to destroy the Human and Digital worlds is ed fondly by millions of viewers. There is no denying the effect this beloved show had on the culture, as it is still perceived as one of the greatest anime in history.

Lamentably, its popularity also became one of the biggest thorns in the side of the franchise. Digimon has refused to let go of its most popular season for years, and each new entry revolving around the original Adventure show has proven to be less and less successful. If the franchise wishes to revitalize itself, the original Digimon and their partners need to be allowed to rest.

Digimon Can No Longer Rely on Nostalgia Alone

The Franchise Is Quickly Losing Relevance Due to This Issue

When Digimon Adventure was first released in 1999, the series became an instant hit among children all over the globe. Its unique approach to the concept of the monster-taming genre, with sentient creatures who could directly communicate with their partners, was a genuine game-changer. What began as an idea to sell virtual pets to children became the beginning of a successful franchise that has remained relevant even decades after it began. Lamentably, the success of what many consider the best show in the series has caused grave damage to future projects.

The franchise, knowing that Adventure is their most popular entry, has not allowed the series to truly rest, returning to it at any opportunity. Such was the case with Digimon Tri, a series of movies released to celebrate the 15th anniversary. While the films were enjoyable overall, a large majority of fans did not agree with the decision to once again utilize the characters from the original series. In the end, the project ended up being a major letdown for both the fandom and the company behind the series.

Years later, Digimon Adventure 2020 would be released, a remake of the original show that tried to recapture the magic and attract a new generation of fans. The series is by no means bad, but it is noticeably lacking in the care and attention to detail that Tai’s adventure had. Older viewers consider it a nostalgia-based attempt to recover the relevance and revenue that the franchise had lost over the years. With each new entry based on Adventure that is released, fans become more disinterested in both the original story and products.

Adventure Has Contributed More Than Enough

​​​​​​​Tai and His Friends Cannot Help the Franchise Anymore

Even though the nostalgia brought up by the Digimon Adventure anime has been reduced each time the franchise uses its characters again, there is no denying the importance it has had over the years. Its story served as an inspiration for not only future entries but also anime from completely different creators. To this day, it is hard not to see Agumon or another of the beloved original patterns without ing the show that started it all. Nevertheless, it has become clear that the franchise can no longer cater to the fandom’s nostalgia effectively.

The original DigiDestined should not be celebrated by bringing them back whenever Digimon reaches a new milestone. They should serve as inspiration for new heroes to their ranks and have unique journeys. Series like 2022's Digimon Ghost Game did quite a good job trying to distance themselves from the original. The franchise needs to continue with this formula, as trying once again to become successful via nostalgia could cause irreparable harm.

The Latest Series Looks Promising

​​​​​​​It Is a Completely Original Idea

Recently, it was announced that a new anime, named Digimon Beatbreak, would be released in October 2025. While now, only its first promotional image has been released so far, it seems like the franchise is no longer trying to use Adventure as a selling point for new shows. Beatbreak is a show that will seemingly continue the somber and enigmatic formula of Ghost Game. If this is true, it might be an indication that the franchise has found a trend that works, one that will bring the heroes and fans to a new era far away from nostalgia.

Although the road has not always been smooth, it is impressive that Digimon remains as beloved and relevant as it is now, decades after its release. The latest entry in the series could be just what was needed to help this cherished franchise reignite its flame and return to its former glory.