The series we watch as children stay with us long after, and Digimon is one of those childhood anime that imparts many lessons upon its viewers as its episodes continue. While some children's anime are more lighthearted, Digimon has a tendency to tackle more dark and serious topics -- and for that reason, it's the sort of series that will appeal to fans even as they get older.
Many of the subjects Digimon addresses, both in its main storylines and its subplots, are even more relevant when viewers reach adulthood. For that reason, the lessons viewers take away from the series continue to be significant, even after all these years.
10 Don't Give Up
Toward the end of each season, things begin looking bleak for the DigiDestined and their Digimon, but no matter what the villains throw their way, they keep fighting through it. Even when it seems that all hope is lost, the main characters in Digimon keep pushing forward. They never give up.
That's probably the strongest takeaway from Digimon, whether you're watching as a kid or an adult: Don't give up, no matter how hopeless things seem. Fighting through a problem makes it more likely you'll overcome it.
9 Value Your Friends
Friendship is one of Digimon's biggest themes, whether it's the friendship between the DigiDestined and their Digimon or the bonds between the kids themselves. Sure, none of their friendships are perfect -- Digimon is full of the kinds of arguments you'd expect teenagers to have -- but they always come out on the other side of these tiffs with a stronger appreciation for one another.
And even when the characters from Digimon are fighting, they always go to great lengths to help or save one another. This anime highlights that loyalty between friends is stronger than anything else, and that's a lesson viewers can take into adulthood with them.
8 Evil Doesn't Always Start That Way
While some villains from Digimon are definitely straight-up evil for the sake of being evil, others have backstories that explain how they got that way. Characters like Gatomon, Ken, BlackWarGreymon and Impmon emphasize that not all "bad guys" start out that way -- nor do they necessarily stay that way. Many of them have reasons that make their decisions more understandable, even if they don't fully justify their actions.
Digimon makes it clear that fans should get to know its characters before making black-and-white judgments about them, and that's something that applies to people viewers meet in real life as well.
7 It's OK To Make Mistakes
Just as Digimon's villains can't be painted with a broad stroke, neither can the "good guys." Plenty of the DigiDestined and the generally decent Digimon they meet make mistakes throughout the series, and the anime makes a point of letting them redeem themselves or fix their actions.
Not only does Digimon emphasize that it's OK to mess up every now and then, but it shows that putting effort into rectifying the situation goes a long way toward turning things around.
6 Some Sacrifices Are Necessary
For a children's anime, Digimon often portrays loss, arguing that some sacrifices are necessary (though, to its credit, it usually brings the characters who sacrifice themselves back as Digi-Eggs). One of the first and most notable instances of this occurs during Angemon's fight with Devimon, but many Digimon give up their lives to save their friends over the course of the anime.
The message here seems to be that some things are worth suffering and even dying for. And the fact that the Digimon are resurrected suggests there's always some light to be found when experiencing grief.
5 Letting People In Is Better Than Shutting Them Out
Digimon has a tendency to include a "loner" character in each of its seasons, and that character serves as an example of why it's better to let people in than to push them away. Some examples of this are Matt (season 1), Ken (season 2), Rika (season 3) and Koji (season 4). Each of these characters undergoes a journey during their respective season, and that journey usually results in them learning to accept help and work as a team.
Not only do all of these characters end up happier after they've allowed themselves to form friendships, but they make better decisions as well. The lesson here is that letting people in is a strength, not a weakness -- and that's something everyone needs to hear every now and then.
4 Don't Overthink Things
The characters with a tendency to overthink things typically are forced to confront their fears and learn how to act, and Digimon does a decent job of demonstrating just how much fear can hold someone back. Joe's character is guilty of this in season one, and Yolei seems to be the chronic overthinker in season two.
Most people have frozen up from fear or anxiety at some point in their lives, but Digimon seems to suggest that addressing what's bothering you and acting is a better solution. Wouldn't it be great if every viewer could take that message to heart?
3 Transformation Starts From Within
Digimon aren't able to evolve to their next form until they're on the same page as their DigiDestined -- and sometimes, that requires internal work. Whether it's strengthening their bond with one another or dealing with their own personal troubles and beliefs, the DigiDestined often need to overcome obstacles before their Digimon can level up -- and things can go horribly awry if they don't.
The moral of this seems to be that true transformation requires people to work on themselves and their relationships with others, and that knowledge will prove beneficial to anyone looking to change for the better.
2 Light Wins Out Over Darkness
Similar to never giving up, Digimon also posits that light always wins out over darkness -- even if things don't look all that promising at the beginning. Those fighting for what's right may take losses, and they may find themselves in hopeless situations, but they always win out over those who embrace evil.
This is a message most viewers would like to believe applies to reality as much as it applies to the Digital World, so why not hold onto it?
1 Some Things Never Change
Although Digimon embraces change and growth, it also proves that some things -- usually the most meaningful and important ones -- never change. The fact that the franchise keeps rebooting Digimon Adventure, showing the original DigiDestined returning to the Digital World even as adults, suggests that true friendship and love aren't affected by change or time.
That's a comforting concept, and it's one many of us would do well to remember when going through transition periods in our own lives. Those who are meant to stick around, will, no matter how different things become.