Pokémonis one of the greatest media franchises ever, but when it comes to anime,there are a few series that might be a bit better.Pokémon is thehighest-grossing media franchisein the entire world by some margin, with plenty of exceptional games, toys, merchandise, and more.
The anime series, mostly following Ash Ketchum, is renowned for its length, the number of Pokémon featured, and the growth its protagonist goes through. It’s a part of a media franchise that set the stage for tons of different anime that followed.
No matter how many other series come out in the future, there will never be another series quite like Pokémon. It cemented itself as a series that does its own thing in so many ways. While Pokémon will always be one-of-one, there are a few series out there that improve upon a few of its key elements.
Dragon Ball
On the surface, there aren’t too many similarities betweenPokémonandDragon Ball. Pokémonstars a young man traveling across his town, the region, and eventually the world to become a Pokémon master. Goku’s story is surprisingly similar, as he starts in the originalDragon Ballseries as a curious boy learning more about himself, his environment, and the titular Dragon Balls.
Dragon Ball Zsees the scope of Goku’s adventures expand massively. Like Ash, Goku leaves his small world for something much larger.Dragon Ball Zsees Goku operate on an entirely different level, gaining new abilities, new friends, and a new perspective on the world and his role in it.
Both Goku and Ash want to fight the strongest adversaries around.They’re brave, optimistic, adventurous people who are always looking for the next challenge. Both series have a lot more in common than most would think, makingDragon Ball Za great watch for anyone who loved the adventures ofPokémon.
Hunter X Hunter
LikeDragon Ball, Hunter x Hunteris one of the best series for adventure. The series follows Gon Freeccs, one ofthe most unhinged characters in anime, as he leaves his small hometown, becomes a Hunter, and tries to find his dad. There’s even an arc withinHunter x Hunter,The Greed Island Arc, that feels a lot likePokémon. The arc focuses on Gon and others as they work to collect cards within a video game/the real world that give them abilities and a chance to learn where Gon’s father is.
Hunter x Hunter’sGon andPokémon’sAsh have a lot in common. They’re both bright, optimistic, often naive boys who rely on their friends to help them see things from a new perspective. Their unshakable wills are a good thing though, as their determination gets them both through a lot of tough times.
Cardcaptor Sakuraisa certified anime cult-classicthat shares a lot of traits withPokémon.Cardcaptor Sakurastars the titular Sakura Kinomoto as she accidentally releases a series of magical cards from a book in her basement. She’s then tasked with retrieving the cards in a great adventure that has inspired many Cardcaptors for generations.
Cardcaptor SakuraandPokémonboth star young protagonists as they look to live up to the responsibility that they put on themselves. Both Ash and Sakura want to do right in the world,and they’re willing to go for it all if it means accomplishing their goals.
Each card inCardcaptor Sakuracomes with its own magical ability, much like Pokémon themselves. No two cards are identical, and while a lot of Pokémon have a few traits in common, they’re fairly different from one another as well.
Zatch Bell!isan underrated gemthat few modern anime viewers know about. The fact that it’s not as popular as it should be is actually a good thing, as it gives a new generation of anime fans a chance to check out this hidden treasure of a series.
Zatch Bell!is an interesting anime that sits on the opposite side of the same coin asPokémon.InPokémon,a trainer like Ash Ketchum travels the world and collects several different Pokémon as he makes his journey. InZatch Bell!,creatures known as Mamodo come to the Earth and look for a human that can help use their abilities.
It’s a great pick for someone who likes the partner aspect ofPokémon, as only a good trainer can bring the most out of their Pokémon.Zatch Bell!works similarly, as a human’s connection with their Mamodo is important both in and out of battle. Both series feature great adventures across different realms with boy types of entities looking for a way to find peace within their own worlds.
3One Piece
Animated By Toei Animation, Based on the Manga By Eiichiro Oda
One Piecemight be the most adventurous anime series of all time. It’s certainly one ofthe longest-running anime series ever made, with each arc telling a unique story that could be an entire anime series in and of itself.One Pieceis defined by its main character, Monkey D. Luffy, as he looks to become the King of Pirates and discover the titular One Piece.
Like Ash, Luffy is always looking forward.They’re both incredibly forgiving, hopeful, and two characters great at seeing the good in people. They’re kind, fairly naive, and rely on their friends frequently. The fact that they rely on their friends so heavily is a good thing, as it humanizes them and shows the world that nobody can do everything by themselves.
LikePokémon, One Pieceis so big that it oftentimes feels like it’s set in a different world. There are so many regions inPokémonand islands inOne Piecethat it can be hard to comprehend the scope of either story, and that’s just one of the reasons why fans ofPokémonwill loveOne Piece.
Digimon
DigimonandPokémonare absolutely their own things, but if there was one series with the most surface-level similarities toPokémon,it would beDigimon.Their similarities begin with their titles, asPokémonandDigimonare short for “Pocket Monsters” and “Digital Monsters” respectively.
Both series feature a human child partnering with these small monsters and going on great adventures. Like Pokémon, Digimon can evolve, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and operate at their highest levels when working with a human. There are a ton of similarities between the two series, makingDigimonan excellent series for anyone who likesPokémon.
LikePokémon, Digmonis a massive media franchise with a ton of anime series, movies, games, toys, and more.Both series feature a wealth of content perfect for the fan who is always wanting a little bit more. With over 500 episodes ofDigimonanime to watch, there’s no shortage of this greatPokémoncompetitor.
Solo Levelingisn’t just a greatPokémoncompetitor: it’s quickly becoming one ofthe best anime series of all time. There are few series that can truly compare to the speed at whichSolo Levelinghas taken over the anime world, and going forward, it will be hard to beat the numerous records it put forward.
Solo Levelinghas a few shocking similarities toPokémonthat most anime fans wouldn’t be blamed for missing.One of the biggest similarities is Sung Jinwoo’s Shadow Army. Like Ash Ketchum, Jinwoo defeats strong enemies and then tries to capture them, adding them to his ever-growing horde.
Solo LevelingandPokemonboth see their main characters becoming stronger and most important than they ever would have thought. Both main characters start their respective series as relatively weak and naive protagonists before growing into pivotal characters that decide the fate of the world itself through their actions.
