Both Pokémon and Digimon have been competing in the same markets since their launches in 1998. While certain aspects have been borrowed here and there, they operate as two different franchises well. Pokémon is all about catching and training them all to be the very best. Digimon is about saving the world with your best friend who happens to be a digital monster.
While their origins were based on different influences, with Pokémon’s being bug catching and Digimon’s being Tamagotchi, they both have a heavy focus on battles. The Pokémon and Digimon in this list have been chosen based on popularity, power, and just how cool the battles could be, so imagine along with us as we look at 10 battles we’d like to see.
10 10. Cubone vs Terriermon
Cubone, the saddest Pokémon, and Terriermon, the spinning rabbit Digimon, have quite a few things in common. They are both relatively basic in their designs, but both of them have devoted followings and major story bits.
Terriermon makes two major appearances across Digimon canon, once as Willis’ partner for Digimon: The Movie and as Henry’s partner for Digimon Tamers. Cubone has the whole Lavender Town story with his dead mother that has made at least half of us cry.
This fight would likely end the same way as the Pikachu vs Pikatwo fight in the first Pokémon movie, with them crying and weakly slapping each other, though Cubone would use a bone and Terriermon would use its ears.
9 9. Lucario vs Leomon
Leomon is a true warrior and needed an opponent that could keep fighting until their last breaths. Lucario and Leomon are notable because they have both died in their respective series. Aaron’s Lucario passes on at the end of Pokemon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Leomon dies at least once every few years, enough that his deaths are a meme.
Leomon has a bit of an advantage in height, but Lucario makes up for that with his high speeds, especially when Mega-Evolved. The two could probably fight for days and keep going due to their need to win. However, they are also both wise enough to know when they would need to quit.
8 8. Gardevoir vs Renamon
This was hard to pick because there are many Pokémon and Digimon that could have taken the spots of these two, but Gardevoir and Renamon are both fan favorites and well-known. They are also notably womanly, but surely someone would have complained if there wasn’t one of these match-ups. This fight between two humanoid female-styled creatures has been drawn countless times, though we don’t recommend that Google search.
Whatever can be said about their looks can also be said about their battle prowess. Mega-Gardevoir against Sakuyamon (meaning final, fully powered evolutions) would be a high-powered psychic against magic extravaganza, but like most battles, they’d go head to head in their lower forms until just the right moment.
7 7. Chimchar vs Coronamon
Imagine a tiny bipedal fire monkey versus a tiny bipedal fire lion, and that is what this fight would be. Equal parts cute and terrifying. Chimchar has had a lot of focus on it thanks to its involvement in the main story as Ash’s Pokémon. Coronamon, on the other hand, has not, aside from a small appearance in Digimon Fusion, even though it has the most potential to be a goggle head’s partner.
Since both are natural fighters with a lot of spirit, it would be entertaining to see the two face off. Inevitably, these two would join forces at the end of the battle to save the world like their Shonen contemporaries, ending the big battle with a dual flame punch.
6 6. Meowth vs Gatomon
This is the first battle that would lend itself to a classic double battle. Meowth and Gatomon are some of the most recognizable cats in the anime realm. Most importantly for this list, they both have multiple forms. The battle could be Kantonian and Galarian Meowth versus Gatomon and BlackGatomon, though Alolan Meowth and Mikemon would be watching the fight.
It makes sense that these would have a bunch of different forms since popularity is a big determining factor. Since they are essentially just cats, the actual fight might be a bit more grim, but it would be fun to walk past and say “Look a catfight!” then have to run away from a half-dozen angry bipedal cats.
5 5. Charizard vs Greymon
This entry was originally the icons of Charizard versus WarGreymon, but in that battle, Charizard is underpowered, even factoring in Gigantamaxing and Megas. Instead, the two great lizards are facing off. Charizard holds its claim as one of the coolest Pokémon and has since the original 151. Greymon was the first partner Digimon above the rookie-level to be introduced in the series.
Each of them are powerhouses and are classified as lizards in their various namings and descriptions. Charizard has a slight advantage in this fight thanks to his flight, but Greymon can hold his own thanks to his weight and immense strength. They would be the two fighters in an Ash versus Tai fight.
4 4. Eevee vs Patamon
Both able to be described as basic in the best way, Eevee and Patamon are constantly underestimated, with the biggest focus being on their evolutions. Eevee is an okay fighter in the games and in its appearances in the anime. Patamon in the anime is constantly underappreciated because of its pairing with a younger partner.
Since the evolutions are such a big deal, the only thing to do is cut them out of this battle. It is only Eevee and Patamon. They both would battle hard and it would surprise those watching to realize how quickly the two could adapt to being solo on the battlefield.
3 3. Impidimp vs Impmon
This is almost exclusively based on the fact that they share a similar name and trickster attitude. The biggest reason the battle between these two would be interesting is that it would be pure chaos. Impidimp is new Pokémon to the world, but as soon as it had a soft-reveal, the community fell in love. Impmon had his place cemented as a fan favorite in Digimon Tamers.
This is a battle that evolutions don’t need to be left out of. Grimmsnarl could absolutely handle its own against Beelzemon. The two are synonymous with chaos and watching the battle would be interesting until they started using you like weapons and shields.
2 2. Mewtwo vs Omnimon
Mewtwo is still thought of as one of the strongest Pokémon, thanks to its many appearances in games and movies. Omnimon is seen as the strongest Digimon because it was the first Digimon to be made of the two previously strongest Digimon. They are also both legendary in status.
No other Pokémon or Digimon has as much power just behind their names as these two are believed to. Omnimon would have to deal with Mewtwo shifting forms from its normal mode to its Megas, but Omnimon could handle the battle with finesse. Omnimon versus Mewtwo is the battle we’ve all been waiting for since the early 2000s and it is shocking it hasn’t happened yet.
1 1. Pikachu vs Agumon
Just look at the promotional material for both entities' 20-year anniversary. Pokémon’s is literally Pikachu’s body and Digimon’s is just Agumon’s eye. There is no other battle more hoped for by fans than the faces of the franchise going head to head. They are both often goofy, love food, and most importantly, have stuck by their partner’s sides through thick and thin.
This is the type of battle that happens several times over the course of a movie, but there is no clear winner because something happens or the movie fades to black at the end. It is thrilling and excitable, but never malicious. And everyone knows they were both holding back.