In 1996, Pokémon swept the world with its unparalleled popularity. In an attempt to cash in on the overwhelming success of the Pokémon franchise, other studios began releasing anime series that share many unmistakable similarities with the influential franchise.
Considering how saturated the market became with Pokémon clones, it's no surprise that some franchises were more successful than others. Though many of these anime are impressive and unique in their own right, they simply fall short when attempting to capture the undeniably enduring nature of Pokémon. However, for anyone looking to scratch that Pokémon itch, some of these franchises may still be worth checking out.
10 Zatch Bell! And The Next Mamodo King
In 2003, Toei Animation released the anime adaptation of Konjiki no Gash Bell!!, titled Zatch Bell! The series ran for several years and was heavily influenced by Pokémon in the late '90s. The plot revolves around a competition amongst Mamodo that occurs every 1,000 years and will determine the next King of the Mamodo world.
For Mamodo to achieve their true potential, they require a human companion to read from their spellbooks. Depending on the relationship between the two, the Mamodo's power can increase exponentially. Like Pokémon, Mamodo have different abilities and spells, allowing them to combat various opponents on their journey to become the next King.
9 Angelic Layer, A Story About Collectible Fighting Dolls
The Angelic Layer manga was released just a few years after Pokémon in 1999 and was adapted into an anime two years later. The anime follows Misaki Suzuhara, a seventh-grader who lives in Tokyo with her aunt.
After arriving in Tokyo, Misaki witnesses a live competition called Angelic Layer involving two dolls referred to as "Angels." Using a mental connection, players are able to control their angels and battle against other opponents in tournament-style combat. Though unique in its own right, Angelic Layer still falls very much in that Pokémon mold.
8 Medabots is Pokémon with Robots
Like Pokémon, Medabots started as a video game and was released just a year after Pokémon Red & Blue. In response to the game's popularity, it was eventually adapted into a manga series and anime in 1999. The plot revolves around Ikki Tenryō, who, like Ash Ketchum, starts his journey when he's 10 years old.
Tenryō wants to "be the very best" and become the next World Robattle Tournament champion; however, he is unable to afford a Medabot to compete with. He eventually purchases an obsolete Medabot and stumbles upon a special medal, allowing him to activate his Medabot.
7 Digimon Features Monsters That Fight & Evolve
Digimon is perhaps one of the most successful of all of the franchises to be influenced by Pokémon. It began as a series of virtual pets released in 1997 similar to a Tamagotchi. Following the success of the toys, Toei Animation released an anime adaptation called Digimon Adventures in 1999.
The anime has many aspects that are unmistakably similar to Pokémon, like battling creatures that are able to evolve into stronger Digimon. Unlike Pokémon, Digimon only exist in a Digital World, accessible with "Digivicies." The series has been frequently compared to Pokémon, with Entertainment Weekly once describing it as the "Worst Pokémon/Net Crossbreeding Attempt" of 2000. However, it has since established itself as a unique franchise of its own.
6 Fighting Foodons, Delicious Battles With Anthropomorphic Food
Ever wondered what Pokémon would be like if it involved recipe cards and battling anthropomorphic food? Fighting Foodons is the answer. The anime adaptation was released in 2001 and follows an apprentice chef, Chase, on his journey to become an "Elite Master Chef."
Using mystical recipe cards called "Meal Tickets," Chase is able to turn food into battling Foodons. Like the Elite Four in Pokémon, Chase's goal is to battle against the "Big 4" and other Glutton Gormandizers. The first episode of the anime is even reminiscent of a familiar Pokémon phrase, as it's titled "Hey! Omachi!"
5 Yo-Kai Watch Revolves Around Nate, Who Catches Monsters With His Watch
Yo-Kai Watch began as a manga and was adapted into an anime in Japan in 2014. Like Digimon, Yo-Kai Watch has become popular in its own right; however, the similarities between the anime and Pokémon are unmistakable.
In the Yo-Kai Watch universe, mystical creatures known as "Yo-Kai" inhabit the city, allowing the citizens to befriend and battle with the creatures. Once a character successfully befriends a Yo-Kai, they are awarded a friendship medal, allowing them to summon the Yo-Kai. Instead of Poké Balls, however, they use their special Yo-Kai Watches.
4 Bakuten Shoot Beyblade & The Bladebreakers
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade began as a multifaceted marketing campaign intended to promote a line of toys, video games, and a manga series in the late '90s. Due to the popularity of the manga, it was eventually adapted into an anime in 2001.
The premise revolves around the protagonist Tyson Granger and his team of Bladebreakers, whose mission is to win the Beyblade World Championship, which is a not so subtle reference to the Pokémon World Championships. The characters rely on their Bit Chips for battle, which are inhabited by powerful creatures called Bit-Beasts.
3 Dinosaur King is Pokémon With A Prehistoric Twist
In 2005, Sega released a digital card game called Kodai Ōja Kyōryū Kingu, or Dinosaur King as it's known to North American audiences. The game was eventually adapted into an anime a few years after its release, which was heavily inspired by Pokémon.
One day, the protagonist, Max Taylor, witnesses a meteor crashing down from the sky. It turns out the meteor contained magical stones and a special card, allowing Max to summon a Triceratops named Chomp. Like Ash and Pikachu, the pair are inseparable as they begin their journey to combat the very Team Rocket-esque Alpha Gang.
2 Dragon Drive is Set In A Virtual Reality World With Battling Creatures
Dragon Drive began as a manga, serialized in Monthly Shōnen Jump back in 2001. Impressively, the series spanned almost five years with 14 volumes. Madhouse studio adapted the franchise into an anime just a year after the manga's initial release.
The story follows Reigi Ozora, an unremarkable and lazy student who is eventually introduced to an amazing virtual reality game called Dragon Drive. In the game, he is partnered with a dragon named Chibi, who turns out to be one of the rarest creatures in the Dragon Drive universe. The pair are tasked with the daunting mission to protect Earth from the creators of the game, RI-ON.
1 Monsuno Features Re-Awakened Monsters Who Form Bonds With Their Masters
Jūsen Battle Monsuno actually made its debut in the United States in 2012 on Nickelodeon. The series was animated by the Japanese animation studio Larx Entertainment and borrowed much of its inspiration from the Pokémon franchise.
In Monsuno, prophecy tells of five people destined to change the world with the power of their creatures called Monsuno. Chase, the series' protagonist, is on a mission to locate his missing father, who also happens to be the original creator of the Monsuno.