As a lifelong anime enthusiast who has seen more episodes of various anime shows than I care to admit, I must say that these anime series are undeniably reminiscent of the iconic Pokémon. It’s like they took the blueprint of Ash Ketchum’s journey and tweaked it just enough to create something new.
For over two and a half decades now, I’ve been living by the motto: Gotta catch ’em all! This catchy phrase has become ingrained in us due to the incredible and enduring media empire known as Pokémon. It first emerged as a simple pair of Game Boy games in 1996, but it quickly expanded into an international sensation encompassing video games, trading cards, anime series, movies, merchandise, and much more. Pokémon, with its tale of Ash, Pikachu, and a myriad of other pocket monsters, is deeply entrenched in popular culture.
It’s no surprise that, given the immense popularity and endurance of Pokémon, numerous shows have tried to imitate it throughout the years. In the late 90s and early 2000s, many anime series borrowed heavily from Pokémon, featuring young protagonists accompanied by a diverse array of collectible creatures. Some of these shows forged their own path, while others were overshadowed by the original. This article explores ten of the most obvious imitations of Pokémon ever produced in the anime world.
10 ‘Yo-Kai Watch’ (2014 – 2018)
Yo-Kai Watch is a 36-episode children’s anime series, modeled after the game of the same name created by Level-5. The story revolves around a boy named Nate Adams who discovers a peculiar watch that grants him the ability to see and communicate with supernatural beings known as Yo-Kai. He befriends Whisper and Jibanyan, two of these tiny creatures, and embarks on an adventure to amass more Yo-Kai while resolving issues caused by naughty Yo-Kai throughout the journey.
Extremely Transparent ‘Pokémon’ Rip-Off
Yo-Kai Watch adopts shamelessly from the “gotta catch ’em all” concept of Pokémon, offering a humorous collection of quirky creatures and whimsical episodic journeys in return. The narrative shares similarities with the catch-and-train idea, while the characters range from peculiar to amusing. However, it’s the unique twist in the plot and the creative mythology that help the anime establish its distinct identity, contributing to its popularity and growth into a multi-faceted media franchise.
9 ‘Dragon Drive’ (2002)
In the story of Dragon Drive, the main character, Reiji Ozora, is a lethargic and indifferent high school student who tends to abandon tasks without much thought. His friend from childhood, Maiko Yukino, notices this and introduces him to an immersive virtual reality game called Dragon Drive, where players cultivate and fight dragons in a magical realm. Initially, Reiji receives a seemingly feeble dragon named Chibi, but he gradually improves his abilities with the creature.
A Forgotten Early 2000s Anime
Initially appearing as a manga in Monthly Shōnen Jump in 2001, Dragon Drive transformed into an anime series the following year. Although it shares the idea of young characters bonding and training extraordinary creatures for combat reminiscent of the popular franchise Pokémon, Dragon Drive distinguishes itself by being set in a future, virtual reality-based world. Despite not achieving the same level of success, the series continues to thrill viewers with its exciting episodes.
8 ‘Medabots’ (1999 – 2004)
Set up primarily for financial gain from Pokémon-style video games, Medabots is set in a world where advanced robots named after the title have become essential to daily living. These robots are owned by kids who engage in battles and compete against each other. The story revolves around Ikki Tenryou, a passionate Medabot fanatic with aspirations of becoming the world champion. However, before he can claim the title, Ikki must overcome powerful opponents and secure rare medals alongside his Medabot companion, Metabee.
Robots in Battles for Supremacy
The Medabots series, along with its second adaptation called Medarot Damashii, resembles the structure and style of Pokémon. However, it distinguishes itself by replacing cute pocket monsters with advanced, customizable robots. This change brings a new perspective to battles, world-building, and the overall feel of the series. It gained a moderate fanbase and spawned various other games, manga, and magazines.
7 ‘Fighting Foodons’ (2002)
In the Unusual Realm of Fighting Foodons, we find an anime series where talented chefs whip up enchanted dishes that metamorphose into formidable beings known as “Foodons.” A budding chef named Chase embarks on a gastronomical adventure, engaging in culinary duels with his Foodons. His goal is to vanquish malicious chefs and thwart the nefarious Glutton Empire, preventing it from plunging the world into chaos.
Combat Between Culinary Creatures
Chase’s Journey: Food Fighters is an exciting series featuring Chase’s adventures, packed with grand battles, gastronomic escapades, and amusing interactions – all centered around the peculiar idea of combat using food-inspired creatures. The show offers a mix of humor and strangeness that appeals to young viewers, as it presents a generous helping of culinary oddities. Impressively, each character and their food warriors are unique in their own way.
6 ‘Magi-Nation’ (2007 – 2010)
In the realm of Magi-Nation, I, Tony Jones, find myself immersed in a world that’s been a part of my dreams for so long. Suddenly, I’m not just daydreaming about this magical land; I’m living it. As I uncover my destiny to become a mighty leader and protect this enchanted realm from the malevolent Magi Shadow, Agram, I embark on an adventure alongside my new allies, Edyn and Strag. Together, we delve into the mysteries that lie within us, preparing for the ultimate confrontation.
A Magical Twist on Creature-Collection
A captivating anime series, “Magi-Nation,” draws heavily from the style of “Pokémon” yet manages to be unique and creative, making it a show worth watching. The character Tony assumes a role similar to Ash Ketchum’s, as he catches, trains, and engages in battles with Dream Creatures. With its intriguing concept, detailed world-building, and unforgettable characters, Magi-Nation unfortunately met an untimely end during its second season due to disappointing viewership numbers.
5 ‘Dinosaur King’ (2007 – 2009)
It appears that imitations of Pokémon have delved into various topics, including mechas and virtual reality. Given this trend, it’s no surprise that the focus has now shifted to prehistoric creatures as well. In the show called Dinosaur King, we follow the adventures of Max Taylor, Rex Owen, and Zoe Drake – a group of young archaeology fans and members of the D-Team. They stumble upon dinosaur cards and a stone that can reanimate and control dinosaurs. Their subsequent activities involve gathering rare monsters and employing their power in a series of dino-themed battles against the antagonistic Alpha Gang.
Dinosaur King Is Basically Prehistoric ‘Pokémon’
Just as Magi-Nation, Dinosaur King isn’t just another imitation of Pokémon, but instead offers a refreshing, humorous, and original twist on the classic concept of gathering and dueling creatures. It replaces adorable monsters with fearsome, awe-inspiring dinosaurs and includes captivating stories that are also groundbreaking and exciting. Essentially, Dinosaur King is an unsung hero, deserving of recognition.
4 ‘Monster Rancher’ (1999 – 2001)
In the spirit of Tecmo’s Monster Rancher video game series, the story Monster Rancher revolves around Genki Sakura, a youthful gaming enthusiast. As fate would have it, he gets drawn into the realm of these games and discovers that his mission is to link as many old discs as possible. By doing so, he can release new creatures, revive the mythical Phoenix, conquer the wicked Moo, and ultimately bring tranquility back to the world.
Well-Executed and Entertaining Rip-Off
As a fan, it’s undeniable that there are similarities between the captivating world of Monster Rancher and the beloved series, Pokémon. In this adventure, I find myself not just gathering and nurturing strange creatures, but also forging bonds with humans. The narrative structure, centered around teamwork and the episodic nature of the storyline, is reminiscent of my childhood favorite. Yet, it’s the mesmerizing designs of these monsters and the immersive virtual world setting that truly set Monster Rancher apart and make it stand tall among other anime series.
3 ‘Monsuno’ (2012)
The story unfolds in a realm where colossal, long-dormant beings called Monsunos arrived on Earth, only to be awakened by an inventor named Jeredy Suno. This unwitting activation set off a chain of perilous events, leaving Chase, Jeredy’s son, along with his companions Jinja and Bren, to venture forth in search of the hidden truth about Monsunos. Armed with this knowledge, they aim to employ them in battles against various adversaries, including the ominous and malevolent S.T.O.R.M. organization.
Ancient Creatures and Modern Battles
Enhancing creativity, suspense, and mystery, the animated series Monsuno follows a main character and his companions managing an assortment of potent creatures. While it certainly draws from the realm of Pokémon, it offers its own unique twists and depth. The storyline is engaging, incorporating advanced technology, a secretive group, and various secrets. In essence, Monsuno can be seen as an innovative and modern spin-off of the beloved franchise Pokémon.
2 ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ (2000 – 2006)
A well-known anime blend of sci-fi and fantasy, Yu-Gi-Oh!, revolves around the character Yugi Mutou, a reserved high school student. Upon solving an ancient Egyptian enigma known as the Millennium Puzzle, he unleashes the spirit of a Pharaoh within himself. This spirit metamorphoses Yugi into a self-assured and valiant duelist. With newfound determination to triumph, Yugi joins forces with his companions and takes on an ominous organization of game masters. They wield mystical cards and their abilities in combat against him.
‘Pokémon’ Gets a Card Game Makeover
In Yu-Gi-Oh!, a seemingly ordinary “Duel Monsters” game at school soon transforms into an intense struggle for the world’s destiny. Although the powerful, collectible creatures may seem familiar, the series distinguishes itself by using card games instead of traditional creature battles, echoing the influence of Pokemon’s trading card game. Moreover, focusing on strategic games rather than conventional battles makes Yu-Gi-Oh! more captivating compared to other Pokemon imitators.
1 ‘Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings’ (2004 – 2005)
The “Legendz: Tale of the Dragon Kings” is a captivating anime series that emerged from a multimedia franchise co-created by Bandai and WiZ back in 2003. This story revolves around a boy named Shu, who inhabits a world where legendary creatures can be conjured forth from soul dolls using windstones, and then formed friendships with them. Accompanied by his companions, Shu embarks on an adventure to discover more of these Legendz and unravel the mysteries surrounding their origins.
Where Monsters Are Revived From Stones
In this anime, Shu embarks on an exciting quest to uncover which sinister power seeks to exploit the Legendz. Along the way, he encounters captivating lore filled with action, ancient history, and the gathering of legendary creatures. Although it shares some similarities with its predecessor, Pokémon, it offers a unique spin, making it an enjoyable series.
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2024-11-29 04:32