For many decades, anime fans have imagined what inhabiting the worlds of their favorite shows would be like. Pokémon and Digimon, two of the most well-known series of all time, are popular settings among viewers, as the idea of having a powerful monster by their side is beyond enticing.

While the years have helped the fandoms of these beloved shows learn to coexist, as the allegations of Digimon ripping off Pokémon have subsided, fans have learned to appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of these universes. Lamentably for fans of the digital monsters, Ash’s world has a major advantage, as it is far safer to live there than in the Digital World.

Digimon’s World Is Not a Good Place To Live

Pokémon Has a Much More Amicable Universe

Digimon is undoubtedly one of the most beloved monster-taming anime ever released, praised countless times for its amazing cast and fascinating premise. Although the focus of the series is often on the lives and adventures of the DigiDestined and their partner Digimon, fans have learned to love the universe in which the heroes live. The Digital World is a stunning place that has never failed to amaze and enchant viewers, traits that have helped it withstand the age of time.

Even though shows like the beloved Adventure, which has concluded after 25 amazing years of bringing joy to the world, have helped this world become a staple of the franchise, not many fans wish they had the chance to visit it. This universe has proven time and time again to be among the most dangerous and hostile ones in the anime industry. Due to the nature of this land, which learns and grows thanks to its connection with the human world, it has become a place where only the strongest Digimon can survive.

Pokémon, in contrast, has one of the most welcoming universes in the industry, a world where even small children can have adventures without any semblance of danger. Throughout his 25 years as the protagonist of the anime, Ash demonstrated that his world was never meant to be considered dangerous or harmful to the trainers. Besides the occasional fight against the villain organizations of this universe, the world of Pokémon lives in perpetual peace. While the series still has some unnerving aspects, like the bloody and enigmatic war between regions, there is no real danger of another conflict commencing.

The Creatures Themselves Reflect the Danger

Pokémon Are Far Friendlier Than Digimon

One of the main reasons why the Pokémon world seems to be far more friendly to newcomers than Digimon’s is the fact that its creatures are several times tamer. The strongest and most skilled trainers of this universe know how dangerous a rogue pocket monster can be, seeing as they are beings who can control aspects of nature. However, while there have been examples of Pokémon becoming a danger to the world, such as the heavily censored rampage of Tentacruel, humans have learned to live in peace with these animals.

The Digital World does not enjoy such luxuries, as it is a lawless land where only the most powerful creatures survive. Episode #1 of the Adventure anime, considered one of the best in the Digimon franchise, is an excellent example of how hostile the inhabitants of this universe can be. As soon as Tai and his friends arrived at their new home, they were attacked by a wild Kugawamon. The beast had no real reason to kill the kids and the original group of Digimon, yet it nonetheless attempted to end their lives as soon as it saw them.

Etemon and the Dark Masters, villains with much higher intellect and reasoning capacities, tended to listen to their instincts for conquest before anything else. Living in the Digital World would be a constant battle for survival for any fans unfortunate enough to wake up in one of its jungles. Having one of the most powerful Digimon introduced to the franchise as a protector would be a major advantage, but even then, there would be no guarantee of safety for the tamer, as their partner could still lose a fight and leave them at the mercy of a dangerous monster.

Digimon's Danger Is Part of the Series’ Charm

The Anime Was Meant To Be Darker

Even though it is true that Pokémon’s universe would be a much better and safer place for fans to live, the fact that the Digital World is a hostile environment is one of the reasons why Digimon is so beloved. It is not a secret that the adventures of Tai and his friends are far darker than other similar series, to the point that many fans would call them messed up. Digimon has never shied away from teaching viewers about the harsh truths of the world, handling topics that other kids’ anime would not approach.

The Digital World, being a ruthless environment where humans are constantly in danger, is far more realistic than the peaceful world of Pokémon. Ash and his friends seldom had to worry about being attacked by wild creatures during their journey, as even the most powerful Pokémon in the anime were friendly. Digimon created a universe that would accurately show children the dangers of traversing nature without preparing themselves. However, at the end of the day, if fans were asked what world they would rather inhabit, Pokémon would be the obvious choice.

Having a Pokémon or Digimon Would Be Amazing

​​​​​​​Fans Would Love To Have a Powerful Partner by Their Side

Although Pokémon’s world has proven to be the superior choice for fans to live in over the years, there is one aspect that both this beloved series and its direct competitor have accomplished to a similar degree: interesting fans in having their pet monster. Digimon might not be as friendly or easy to tame as the creatures used by Ash during his journey, but they are just as fascinating and powerful. Both fandoms would love to wake up in a world where their partner Digimon or Pokémon was by their side to help them deal with everyday life.

These series have become staples of kids’ anime, being considered among the best to introduce kids to the industry. Without their contributions to the monster-taming world, this cherished genre would likely have never reached the popularity it enjoys today. Whether someone enjoys Digimon or Pokémon best, there will always be space within the anime community for both shows to be praised and enjoyed by fans all over the globe.