Difference between Pokemon and Digimon

Key Difference: Digimon and Pokemon are Japanese franchises that both began around the same time. They both are fictional cartoon characters; where Pokemon stand for Pocket Monsters and Digimon stand for Digital Monsters.

Pokemon and Digimon are two different fictional characters, but they are very similar to each other. Both Pokemon and Digimon are wild creatures and display a degree of instinctual behavior. They are often confused as similar by those unfamiliar with both series. Let’s first understand both the terms in the following context.

Pokemon Pokemon is short for ‘Pocket Monsters’. Pokemon are fictional cartoon characters which were designed and published by Japanese video game company known as Nintendo. Pokemon was created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996; and was the second-most popular video game–based media franchise in the world. Pokemon are essentially fighting pets, and their trainers will collect a number of them to use in appropriate circumstances. Pokemon was released on two game cartridges for the GameBoy. Later on, both series were turned into television series, comics, and video games for various systems.

Digimon Digimon is short for ‘Digital Monsters’. Digimon are also fictional cartoon characters, which are Japanese media franchise. It was released on June 26, 1997. There are various series, which was introduced by Japanese media franchise. In simple terms, Digimon is a children's animated series produced in Japan. They are digital monsters made of computer data rather than flesh and blood. As they mature, they digivolve into more powerful forms and take new names. Although they are treated like pets, they are capable of intelligent speech. Each of the children bonds with a particular digimon partner, taking care of it, and the digimon partner uses some of its child’s energy to fight its battles. In return, the digimon partners fight to protect their children from evil digimon.

Both Digimon and Pokemon differ in the popular animes associated with the two. While the Pokemon anime seems to use a more episodic style, Digimon has a plot line more akin to traditional animes. The shows of both are system-oriented phenomena. Digimon seems to be aimed at an audience two or three years older than the Pokemon audience, addressing more serious themes and using a more complex narrative structure.

Comparison between Pokemon and Digimon:

	Pokemon	Digimon
Short for	Pocket Monsters	Digital Monsters
Occurs	Evolution	Digivolution
Created	Pokemon appear to be biologically correct creatures made of flesh and blood with the exception of Porygon and its evolutions.	Digimon are created from data.
Exist	Pokemon exist as a substitute for animals in an as of yet unnamed world which shares some locations with our Earth.	Digimon exist as virtual life forms in the Digital World parallel to our Earth.
Surrounding	Pokemon do create and inhabit villages, these are more primitive than those the Digimon build.	Digimon are seen building complex villages and cities.
Process	There is a permanent process.	The change is not permanent.
Levels	A Pokemon can only have three levels.	Digimon can have at least six levels
Anime	Pokemon anime seems to use a more specific style.	Digimon has a plot line more akin to traditional animes.
Episodes	Each episode of Pokemon follows the travels of different Pokemon trainers.	Each episode of Digimon contributed to a greater plot.
Games	Pokemon games are primarilly made up of RPG's and spin-offs.	Digimon games are normally classified as fighting games or RPG's