It’s a great time to be a monster fan in Japan. Digimon is marking 25 years since its anime debut in 1999, a franchise that grew from humble virtual pet roots into a full-blown multimedia juggernaut. But what if these two pop culture titans teamed up? The answer is the “Digimon x Godzilla 70th Anniversary Edition Digital Monster Color,” a gaming device that might sound like a licensing fever dream but is very real.

This new handheld device blends two of Japan’s most iconic brands into a crossover so seamless it feels like it should have happened years ago. This isn’t just another anniversary toy. It’s a pocket-sized monster mash that has already got fans buzzing.

Kenji Watanabe, the longtime Digimon designer responsible for many of the franchise’s most iconic creatures, leads the creative charge on this unlikely fusion. His style, an electrified blend of Western comic books and Japanese mecha design, was made for something like this. The results speak for themselves. Familiar Digimon like MetalGreymon and SkullGreymon have been overhauled with claws, scales, and kaiju body horror straight out of Toho’s monster playbook. The visuals hit a perfect balance between nostalgic and fresh, and the UV-printed shell designs on the virtual pet devices add just the right layer of polish.

The DigimonxGodzilla Vinyl Figure That Roars

Gameplay with a Kaiju Core

Of course, the crossover isn't just about looks. The Godzilla influence runs deep into the actual gameplay. A new feature called the G-Cell Activation Value introduces an infection mechanic that changes how your Digimon evolves depending on its exposure to Godzilla-style radiation. This isn’t surface-level fanservice. It adds genuine strategy for longtime Digimon trainers, letting them tweak evolution paths in new ways. Battles now unfold with the iconic Godzilla theme rumbling in the background, and the training mode includes anti-G weapons and guest appearances from classic kaiju movie tech like MOGERA. It's a full-bodied tribute to the cinematic legacy of Godzilla, wrapped inside a digital monster simulator.

The crossover also branches into the physical world, thanks to a collectible figure that is already turning heads. Revealed during Digimon Con, the MetalGreymon “G” Erosion Mode vinyl figure by X-Plus has become one of the hottest crossover items in recent memory. It stands 16 centimeters tall and fuses Godzilla’s raw power. There are jagged dorsal fins, clawed limbs, and a torso twisted by G-cell corrosion. The sculpt’s asymmetry makes the figure feel dangerous and unstable, like a kaiju caught in mid-mutation. Priced at 15,400 yen, the figure is being called a must-have by Japanese fans who are impressed with its sheer presence.

Fans in Japan Are All In Digimon's Latest Collaboration

A Match Made in Monster Heaven

Fan response in Japan has been overwhelmingly positive. On Futabanet, one wrote that this doesn’t feel like a cash grab but a proper crossover made by people who get it. Another post praised the way the transformation logic of both series aligns, making the fusion feel surprisingly natural. Both Godzilla and Digimon have rules about how monsters change and adapt, which is why this works. On Twitter, s began sharing Godzilla x Digimon fan art, reaction videos, and even mock battle scenarios. It is clear this mashup struck a chord with a very specific kind of fan, the kind who owns a vintage Tamagotchi and a Criterion Godzilla box set.

Pre-orders for the digital pet device opened in Japan on March 20, and importers quickly began listing the item for overseas buyers. Priced at 7,700 yen, or about $51 USD, it is already moving fast. Between collectors of vintage Digimon gear, hardcore Godzilla fans, and curious newcomers drawn in by the crossover’s sheer weirdness, demand is sky-high. With a release window set for August, there is still time to get one if you move quickly. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself brushing up on your old V-Pet strategies before long.

What makes this crossover shine is how perfectly Godzilla’s primal chaos plugs into Digimon’s digital framework. The resulting monster energy feels both engineered and instinctual, like a cybernetic beast built to destroy and evolve. It's rare to see a collaboration that honors the spirit of both franchises without watering either down, but this one nails it. From the gameplay tweaks to the collectible figure, every detail feels considered. It is gloriously metal, deeply nerdy, and far more than just a nostalgic novelty. If this is what franchise anniversaries look like in 2025, then the future of monster fandom is in very good hands.

• 

  Digimon

  The Digimon franchise, created in 1997, encomes digital pets, anime, manga, films, video games, and a trading card game, all centering on creatures called Digimon who inhabit a parallel "Digital World." The series typically follows young humans and their Digimon partners battling threats and evolving through various forms.

  Expand Collapse
• 

  Godzilla

  The Godzilla franchise, spanning over six decades, follows the adventures of the titular kaiju, a colossal, prehistoric sea monster awakened and empowered by nuclear radiation. Originating in Japan, Godzilla has evolved from a destructive force of nature to a protector of humanity, battling various other giant monsters, including iconic foes like King Ghidorah, Mothra, and Mechagodzilla. The series explores themes of environmental destruction, nuclear anxiety, and human resilience. With numerous films, TV series, and an expanding universe, Godzilla remains a cultural icon, captivating audiences worldwide with its epic battles and compelling narratives.

  Expand Collapse