With the recent release of the third and final episode of Pokémon: Hisuian Snow, fans of the Pokémon animated series may want to dive back into similar animated stories featuring lovable protagonists and their creature companions. All variations of the Pokémon anime are fun, light-hearted, and easy to watch. They feature Pokémon trainer protagonists as they navigate their way through each region, catch and train Pokémon, and strive to obtain all eight gym badges.
There are many animated series that follows a similar storyline and format to Pokémon, with unique monsters and creatures, a journey of the protagonist through the world they live in, a clash of rivals, and head-to-head battles against many opponents. These animated series can be considered interesting enough to capture the attention of Pokémon fans, and they can be watched on numerous streaming services.
Zoids Wild
Watch on Netflix
Zoids Wild is the fifth animated series based on Takara Tomy‘s toy model kits. It was part of a cross-media franchise reboot that included new toy models, a video game, and a manga series that occurred in 2018.
Zoids Wild follows the story of Arashi, a boy who longs to become a Zoid Hunter. After teaming up with the Wild Liger and discovering the legend of the Great Ancient Treasure Z, Arashi sets out on an adventure and forms Team Freedom. Zoids Wild brings an interesting spin on the monster companion aspects that Pokémon is known for in its giant Mecha creature companions. It also gives a storyline regarding a small group of protagonists on a journey to achieve a goal, much like Ash and his friends’ goal of becoming Pokémon masters.
Monster Rancher
Watch on Amazon & Hulu
Similar to Pokemon, many video game franchises have been adapted into animated series, such as Monster Rancher, which follows the story of Genki, a boy who loves to play video games. One day, Genki is zapped inside of his Monster Rancher video game, where he befriends a girl named Holly and her monster companion Suezo.
The newly formed group then embarks on an adventure to discover a Legendary Phoenix and free the land from the tyranny of a villainous ruler named Moo, while meeting and befriending several other animal companions on the way. Monster Rancher does a great job at recreating a similar feel to Pokémon, with a journey between a protagonist and their companions within a world full of interesting and wacky creatures.
Dinosaur King
Watch on Netflix
Dinosaur King is an animated series based on a Sega card game and follows the story of protagonists Max, Rex, and Zoe. The trio encounters mysterious stones and cards that give them the strange ability to summon dinosaurs from the past.
After being made aware of a villain called Dr. Z, and the antagonistic Alpha Gang who want to use dinosaurs to make over the world, Max, Rex and Zoe must team up to battle it out against Dr. Z and the Alpha Gang using their new dinosaur companions, and fight for the rights of newly discovered cards. Dinosaur King features a combat-heavy creature-based story, with engaging fight scenes and head-to-head battles similar to the Pokémon series.
Mix Master: King of Cards
Watch on Amazon Prime
Mix Master: King of Cards is an animated series that takes place in the town of Gamebridge. After a portal from the video game Mix Master’s fictional world of Atreia opens, creatures of the game known as Hench invade Gamebridge, and the unlikely hero Ditt is tasked with becoming the Mix Master to save their town.
Mix Master: King of Cards brings over two hundred unique Henches to the series, incorporating many animal and fantasy creature-inspired designs similar to Pokémon. Mix Master: King of Cards takes this concept further and allows Ditt to mix Hench together to form a new, more powerful species. With an interesting storyline, fun creature designs, and many Hench battles, Mix Master: King of Cards is a great option for Pokémon fans to consider.
Magi-Nation
Watch on Amazon Prime
There is a huge selection of fan-favorite fantasy anime series that exists, and Magi-Nation brings the best of these elements combined with the creature companion mechanics seen in Pokémon. Magi-Nation follows protagonist Tony Jones, a young boy from Earth who finds himself summoned into the realm known as the Moonlands, believed to be the prophesied hero known as the Final Dreamer.
Similar to Pokémon, Magi-Nation carries the same format of capturing and battling Dream Creatures, building teams to take on stronger opponents and interesting creature abilities, making it a great option for fans of Pokémon to enjoy.
Beyblade
Watch on Crunchyroll
Beyblade is an animated series based on Takao Aoki’s manga series and was aired alongside its manga source material to promote sales for the Beyblade toy line produced by Takara Tomy. Beyblade follows the journey of Tyson and his friends Kai, Max, Ray, and Kenny, who strive to be the best Beyblade users in the world.
Beyblade, like Pokémon, heavily focuses on combat encounters and contains magical creatures called Bit-Beasts. However, these Bit-Beasts are summoned from physical spin-tops to bestow power boosts and abilities during battles in an arena. Beyblade uses the elements of combat, growth, and friendship that fans love, and showcases them in a unique format, making it a great contender for Pokémon fans to enjoy.
Yu-Gi-Oh!
Watch on Netflix
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a well-known animated series that is also known for several spin-off series, a popular trading card game, manga, and many video games. Yu-Gi-Oh! features the story of protagonist Yugi Muto, a young boy who loves to play the Duel Monsters card game.
Alongside his friends Tea and Joey, Yugi embarks on an adventure where he battles it out against other duelists of the game. Similar to Pokemon’s gym badges, Yugi must collect star chips by defeating his opponents to reach the finals. Fans who love Pokemon‘s Pikachu will love Yu-Gi-Oh!, as it also features one of the cutest anime franchise mascots in the form of Kuriboh.
Yo-Kai Watch
Watch on Netflix
Yo-Kai Watch is an animated series based on the hit video game franchise of the same name. It follows protagonist Nate, a young boy who stumbles across a creature known as Spirit. Spirit provides Nate with a Yo-Kai watch, which allows him to see and interact with otherwise invisible monster-like entities known as Yo-Kai, who cause trouble around the city.
Similar to Pokemon, Yo-Kai Watch features an upbeat tale filled with many unique creature designs that fans are sure to love. In addition to themes it has in common with Pokemon, such as friendship and battle, Yo-Kai Watch also focuses on important life lessons in an upbeat tale.
Bakugan Battle Brawlers
Watch on Amazon Prime
Bakugan Battle Brawlers is a popular animated series that has successfully made a name for having one of the best fantasy games in anime. It tells the story of Dan and his friends, who designed a game to play from mysterious cards and sphere-like creatures named Bakugan that one day fell from the sky.
However, Dan and his friends must team up with their new Bakugan companions to face threats from Vestroia and battle it out against the evil Masquerade. Bakugan showcases many similar themes to Pokemon, such as friendship, monster battles, and strong rivalries, within a new card-battle format.
Digimon Adventure
Watch on Hulu
Digimon: Adventure is an animated series focused on a group of children transported to the Digital World by strange Digivices that appeared in front of them at Summer Camp. Within this new world, the group befriends a series of monsters known as Digimon and embarks on an adventure to fight evil and combat threats to the world.
Digimon: Adventure is one of the most successful animated series of its time, and has been considered the largest competitor to the Pokemon franchise. With captivating monster designs, engaging battles, and an evolution mechanic like Pokemon, Digimon makes the perfect animated show for viewers to enjoy as an alternative.
