Ever since Pokémon Go has been released, all the Pokémon fans – myself included – have been reliving our childhoods. We are remembering all the times that we played Pokémon on our gameboys and watched the anime series. Because of that, in a weak moment of nostalgia, I decided to re-watch the Pokémon series on Netflix. During the first two or three episodes, I was feeling a nostalgic bliss – I began to realize how bland the show is. The supporting characters (Brock and Misty) do not have a storyline that does not involve Ash, there’s no development and to be honest, the story is the same in almost every episode.

After this realization, I began to question why was Pokémon more popular than Digimon. I even remember liking Digimon more than Pokémon as a child and being made fun of because of it. Unlike Digimon, Pokémon had a popular game associated with the tv series – which made the anime series far more popular, because children could catch ’em all just like Ash Ketchum. Pokémon also had a blockbuster movie – which to be honest was amazing. However, Digimon had a better storyline with relatable characters that experience growth and hardship.

Despite how subjective this may be, here’s 8 reasons why Digimon will always be better than Pokémon:

1. Real Stakes

Pokémon: The main goal was to *wait for it* catch them all and become the best Pokémon master.

Digimon: The main goal here was to save the world – the digital world and the human world.

2. The Villains Were Believable

Pokémon: Let’s face it, Team Rocket was a joke. Even the team (Ash, Misty and Brock) did not consider them a threat and would burst off their existence. No one truly believed that they would capture Pikachu – and if they did, then what would happen? Brief side note, I do not understand Team Rocket obsession with capturing the Pikachu – in the second episode, they said Pikachu is not worth capturing and they only want rare and valuable Pokémon.

Digimon: The villains actually caused damaged. Myotismon killed Wizardmon (also spelt as Wizarmon) while trying to kill Kari. Myotismon also took over an entire city. Puppetmon psychologically tortured the DigiDestined for multiple episodes. Evil Digimon wanted power and went to the extreme to obtain it.

3. Character Development

Pokémon: Ash, Misty, Brock, Pikachu and Team Rocket hardly changed. There was no character progression.

Digimon: Salamon (Gatomon’s rookie state) was alone and abused by Myotismon – which led to her evolution (to Gatomon). Myotismon continued to abuse Gatomon yet she stayed as a servant and tried to kill the chosen children because it was what her master wanted. Later on in the series, Gatomon realize the value of friendship leading her to befriend and to become the Digimon partner of the new eighth chosen child. Also, Joe went from a child scared of his own shadow to a brave child willing to stand up for what’s right.

4. Digimon Goes Deep

Pokémon: The anime series often portrayed the children having little conflict or personal troubles. When the show does have real-life issue, it’s often has a quick unbelievable solution. Brock’s father abandoned him and his younger siblings – yet once Ash defeated him in a Pokémon battle and Brock wanted to follow his own dream like Ash, Brock’s father then appears and in that moment, decides to step up as a father. Brock is just willing to leave his younger siblings with a man that they do not know.

Digimon: Matt & T.K. are brothers but their parents got divorced and each live with a different parent (Matt with their father and T.K. with their mother). Joe faces the struggle of living up to his parent’s high expectation of him – despite it not being his true passion. Izzy is adopted.

5. Pokémon Are Pets (or Slaves – whichever term you prefer)

Pokémon: Pokémon were basically slaves; they were captured and force to fight one another. Most Pokémon could not even speak (unless it was Meowth) – in only one episode that I have seen thus far, the show provided subtitles to what the Pokémon were saying. (I am on episode 23 btw) Some Pokémon were even abused by their masters, Misty constantly smacking Psyduck & even, James kicking Magikarp.

Digimon: Digimon were not forced to live in a ball. Digimon were treated more like equals, where their feeling and emotions were taken into consideration. The DigiDestined often refer to their Digimon as partners.

6. The Crests > Gym Badges

Pokémon: You got a badge by just defeating a gym master – Ash’s first two gym badges were basically given to him and not earned.

Digimon: Each child had a unique crest based on their personalities. The crest helped the Digimon evolve and it also helps the children discover something about themselves. Sora had the crest of love and she did not understand why that was her crest but she soon discovered that she is a loving person. Mimi, a character that is often portrayed as vain, received the crest of sincerity; this help Mimi realize that there’s more to her and her personality than just vanity. Also, the crest power came from within the DigiDestined – so after they realized this, they no longer needed the crest.

7. Evolution Aren’t Permanent

Pokémon: Once your Pokémon evolves – that’s it, there’s no going back. Some Pokémon personalities even change. When Charmander evolved to it’s final form, Charizard – he became an ASSHOLE to Ash.

Digimon: Digimon can always return to their In-Training state. Also, their personalities remain the same.

8. DigiDestined Age

Pokémon: Ash is forever 10 years old.

Digimon: The DigiDestined grow up, have teenage and adult problems. They also pass the torch to future DigiDestined and help when needed.