The niche monster hunting genre has become progressively mainstream, but it’s hard to compete with the standards that have been set by both Pokémon and Digimon. These two evergreen franchises have their roots in video games, but they’ve slowly evolved to encompass more entertainment mediums and mix up their story and gameplay to fit with the times.
Pokémon has done exceptional work to bring its grand total of monsters from 151 to nearly quadruple digits, while Digimon continues to subvert expectations with its unconventional anime. There’s friendly debate over which of these two series is superior and more often than not it’s a comparison between Pokémon and Digimon designs that plays the deciding factor. Some huge differences exist between the look of Pokémon and Digimon, but that doesn’t mean that fans don't get confused sometimes.
10 Zarude Is Caught Between Two Extremes, Making Him The Ideal Digimon
There’s plenty of crossovers when it comes to the qualities that make up Pokémon and Digimon, but the latter of which are usually more independent and walk upright to prove that they’re more sophisticated than basic animals. Zarude is one of the newest Pokémon to enter the series and serves as the focal point of the anime’s feature film, Secrets of the Jungle.
Zarude is a unique Dark-Type Mythical Pokémon from Generation VIII who also embraces his Grass-Type roots. The way Secrets of the Jungle presents Zarude makes the elusive Pokémon function like a special Digimon who steals the focus for an episode.
9 Genesect Is A Robotic Insect Time Traveler That Would Make For A Great Terminatormon
There are no official rules when it comes to the foundations for Pokémon and Digimon designs. However, Pokémon fans seem to prefer when creatures resemble animals and nature instead of artificial structures.
Digimon, on the other hand, is more likely to indulge in mechanical digital monsters that might feel more at home in a mecha series. Genesect is a time-traveling Mythical Pokémon from Generation V that’s kind of like the series’ version of Terminator’s T-1000. Genesect is a Steel and Bug-Type tool for destruction that no one would question in a Digimon battle.
8 Rayquaza Exists Beyond The Planet With A Dark Master Sensibility
Bold and extravagant Legendary Pokémon are present from the start of the series, but it’s not until Generation III and the Hoenn region that these creatures acquire God-like powers and properties.
Rayquaza is a sprawling Dragon and Flying-Type Pokémon that’s hundreds of millions of years old and spends most of its existence above the Earth’s atmosphere. Rayquaza feels both natural and artificial, which is consistent with Digimon ideals and this Pokémon's attitude brings the deadly Seadramon to mind.
7 Blaziken Evolves Into A Courageous Competitor Who Can Handle Himself
The trio of Starter Pokémon that kick off each game in the series typically feature some of the best monster designs in the series. Blaziken is the formidable end result of Hoenn's Fire-Type starter and it's such a distinct change of pace from the Fire-Type starters of the first two generations.
Blaziken's design slowly becomes more popular in Pokémon, but it would immediately feel at home within Digimon’s Digital World. Blaziken already has the makings of a Digimon, but the character feels even more representative of this separate series after his Mega Evolution and the design changes that are incorporated.
6 Tyrantrum And His Dinosaur Demeanor Could Be A Lost Member Of The Greymon Clan
The Pokémon games are no stranger to Tyrannosaurus Rex-esque dinosaurs as well as intimidating Dragon-Type Pokémon that have been around for millennia. Tyrantrum is a Dragon and Rock-Type Pokémon from Generation VI’s Kalos region who’s a fan favorite because it’s basically a Pokémon dinosaur.
Digimon establishes this dino archetype much earlier in its series through the whole Greymon evolutionary line. Tyrantrum could easily be a Greymon Digivolution, as it already feels like it’s cribbing on Digimon designs by the time it shows up in Pokémon X and Y.
5 Cofagrigus Is A Disturbing Case Of Camouflage That Aligns With Digimon Deception
Ghost-Type Pokémon have represented some of the creepiest and most unusual creatures in the series ever since the original 151 Pokémon came out of Kanto. Ghost-Type Pokémon have only grown more ambitious across generations and they’ve become prone to designs that help them camouflage as ordinary objects as a way to better terrify their audience.
Cofagrigus gets unearthed in Unova and it’s one of the more memorable Gen V Pokémon due to its atypical approach. Cofagrigus is basically a haunted sarcophagus, complete with ghostly appendages that reach out of its tomb. This complex design feels much more in line with the weirder Digimon.
4 Buzzwole Bursts With Ultra Beast Power And Feels Like A Pokémon Outlier
Each generation of Pokémon incorporates bigger and bolder Legendary and Mythical Pokémon that push the series’ limits. Generation VII goes one step further with this concept with its introduction of Ultra Beasts, a new tier of Pokémon that are among the series’ most extravagant.
There’s a case to be made for how most Ultra Beast Pokémon could qualify as suitable Digimon, but Buzzwole especially from the Galar region. The Bug and Fighting-Type Pokémon is a burly mosquito whose muscles consume his entire body. It’s a powerful creature who feels abnormal in Pokémon, but is a vintage Digimon design.
3 Dusk Mane Necrozma Is An Intimidating Legendary With A Digimon Ethos
Pokémon Generation VIII brings forward a new breed of Legendaries that feel like they have the power to end reality if they were so inclined. Necrozma is a legitimate danger out of Pokémon Sword and Shield who can transcend into three malevolent states, Ultra Necrozma, Dawn Wings Necrozma, and Dusk Mane Necrozma.
All of these are subversive designs for a Pokémon, but Dusk Mane Necrozma feels the closest to the intricate and hybrid nature of upper level Digimon. Necrozma’s Light Trio counterparts, Solgaleo and Lunala, would also make for fitting Digimon dangers.
2 Braviary Is A Behemoth Bird Pokémon That Would Take To The Skies Of The Digital World
Sometimes Pokémon turns to familiar designs and inspirations for the new creatures that fill up its Pokédex and it’s a safe bet that any new region is going to contain a lot of Bird Pokémon. Plenty of beginner Bird Pokémon don’t seem that different from real-life birds, but there are still some gigantic entities that feel more representative of the Phoenix-life digital monsters of Digimon.
Braviary is a Flying-Type from the Unova region that some Digimon fans might even confuse with Birdramon after a quick glance. Braviary blends in with its Pokémon peers, but it’d stand out in Digimon.
1 Lucario Is A Natural Fighter Who Exudes Personality And Power
Lucario is a Pokémon who first made waves during his debut in Generation IV’s Sinnoh region, but he’s found tremendous popularity as a major part of Ash’s party in the anime series. However, Lucario has made such an impression as a standout Pokémon fighter that he’s made appearances in Pokkén Tournament as well as Super Smash Bros.
The Fighting and Steel-Type Pokémon is definitely animal-like in nature, but its bipedal design pushes it into the humanoid territory that’s popular within Digimon. Lucario would be a fitting Champion-level Digimon for any series’ DigiDestined.