Gotta catch ‘em all! That’s the mantra drilled into our heads for over 25 years because of the unstoppable and enormously profitable media franchise that’s Pokémon. It began as a pair of modest Recreation Boy video games again in 1996 however grew into a world phenomenon spanning video video games, buying and selling playing cards, anime sequence, films, merchandise, and a lot extra. Pokémon, which tells the story of Ash, Pikachu, and numerous different pocket monsters, is part of popular culture.
And with the sheer success and longevity of Pokémon, it’s simple to grasp that the franchise has attracted a whole lot of imitators through the years. Notably within the late 1900s and early 2000s, there have been a whole lot of sequence within the anime world that shamelessly ripped off Pokémon by that includes younger protagonists surrounded by a wide range of collectible creatures. Some made their very own historical past and others remained Pokémon’s shadow. This listing takes a take a look at 10 of essentially the most blatant Pokémon rip-offs the anime world has ever seen.
10 ‘Yo-Kai Watch’ (2014 – 2018)
Primarily based on the online game of the identical title developed by Stage-5, Yo-Kai Watch is a youngsters’s anime sequence spanning 36 episodes. It follows a younger boy named Nate Adams, who stumbles upon a mysterious watch that permits him to see and work together with creatures referred to as the Yo-Kai. He makes mates with two of those little creatures, Whisper and Jibanyan, and units out on a journey to gather as many extra as he can whereas fixing issues attributable to mischievous Yo-Kai.
Extraordinarily Clear ‘Pokémon’ Rip-Off
Yo-Kai Watch shamelessly borrows from Pokémon’s “gotta catch ‘em all” formulation and options equally humorous collectible creatures and kooky episodic adventures. The storyline mirrors the catch-and-train idea and the characters are all manners of unusual and amusing. The slight twist within the narrative and the creative mythology are what assist the anime carve out its personal id although, which is how the sequence additionally finds recognition and expands right into a multimedia franchise.
9 ‘Dragon Drive’ (2002)
The protagonist of Dragon Drive, Reiji Ozora, is a lazy, apathetic highschool scholar and a quitter. He usually begins one thing new and provides up with out second thought, and seeing this, Reiji’s childhood good friend, Maiko Yukino, introduces him to a digital actuality recreation referred to as Dragon Drive, the place gamers prepare and battle with dragons in a fantastical world. Though he will get a seemingly weak dragon, Chibi, at first, Reiji powers up and will get higher.
A Forgotten Early 2000s Anime
Beginning as a manga, serialized in Month-to-month Shōnen Leap again in 2001, Dragon Drive was became an anime sequence a yr later. Whereas the core idea of younger protagonists bonding with and coaching fantastical creatures for aggressive battles is straight out of the Pokémon playbook, Dragon Drive stands out by setting itself in a futuristic, VR-driven world. In fact, it didn’t attain the identical heights of success. However the sequence nonetheless manages to entertain everybody with its action-packed episodes.
8 ‘Medabots’ (1999 – 2004)
Launched merely to revenue off Pokémon video video games, Medabots takes place in a world the place superior titular robots have grow to be an integral a part of on a regular basis life. They’re owned by youngsters who set up battles and compete with each other. The sequence follows a younger Medabot fanatic named Ikki Tenryou who goals of changing into the world champion, however first, he should defeat different distinctive opponents and win uncommon medals together with his Medabot associate, Metabee.
Robots in Battles for Supremacy
Each Medabots, and the second adaptation of the role-playing online game franchise, Medarot Damashii, mirror Pokémon’s construction and format. Besides the previous manages to carve itself out of the mould by swapping cuddly pocket monsters with superior, customizable robots and affords a recent spin to the battles and world-building and the general vibe of the sequence. It generated an honest following and led to a number of different video games, manga sequence and magazines.
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7 ‘Preventing Foodons’ (2002)
Preventing Foodons is the quirkiest of the lot. It’s an anime sequence the place cooks create magical dishes and people dishes remodel into highly effective creatures referred to as “Foodons.” A younger aspiring chef named Chase competes in culinary battles together with his Foodons and tries to defeat evil cooks and in the end save the world falling into the entice of the Glutton Empire.
Fight Between Culinary Creatures
Preventing Foodons is about Chase’s journey, however it’s stuffed with epic battles, culinary adventures, and humorous encounters, all revolving across the distinctive idea of preventing with food-based creatures. The present’s premise is amusing and weird and whereas it delivers a heavy-dose of culinary-themed weirdness that’s enjoyable for a youthful viewers to observe. The creativity is exceptional, too, as a result of every character and their meals warriors are distinct.
6 ‘Magi-Nation’ (2007 – 2010)
In Magi-Nation, we observe younger Tony Jones, who has all the time been a little bit of a daydreamer, together with his head perpetually within the clouds. When he will get transported to the magical world of Magi-Nation,, Tony discovers that he’s destined to grow to be a robust chief and save this magical land from the evil Magi Shadow, Agram. Alongside together with his new companions, Edyn and Strag, Tony units off on a quest to unlock his powers and struggle the final word battle.
A Magical Twist on Creature-Assortment
A grand, high-stakes anime sequence that shamelessly rips off Pokémon but in addition stays distinct and imaginative, Magi-Nation is considerably a must-watch. It casts Tony in a task just like Ash Ketchum and options him capturing, coaching, and battling Dream Creatures. Regardless of its enchanting premise, wealthy world-building, and memorable characters, Magi-Nation was canceled throughout its second season because of low scores.
5 ‘Dinosaur King’ (2007 – 2009)
It appears as if Pokémon rip-offs have explored each theme, from mechas to digital actuality. So it’s solely becoming that it will now heart across the prehistoric creatures as nicely. Dinosaur King facilities on Max Taylor, Rex Owen, and Zoe Drake, younger archeology fans and members of the D-Staff, who uncover dinosaur playing cards and a stone that permits them to revive and management dinosaurs. What they do subsequent is accumulate distinctive monsters and use their power in a sequence of dino-centric battles in opposition to the villainous Alpha Gang.
Dinosaur King Is Mainly Prehistoric ‘Pokémon’
Very similar to Magi-Nation, Dinosaur just isn’t a well known Pokémon clone, however it delivers a pleasant, humorous, and distinctive spin on the tried and examined format of amassing and battling creatures. It swaps out cute monsters with ferocious, awe-inspiring dinosaurs and options participating adventures which can be additionally progressive and thrilling. In a method, Dinosaur King is a hidden gem worthy of recognition.
4 ‘Monster Rancher’ (1999 – 2001)
Tailored from Tecmo’s Monster Rancher online game franchise, Monster Rancher follows the adventures of Genki Sakura, a younger boy who loves taking part in video video games. When he’s thrust into the world of 1, although, he realizes that he should discover a technique to join as many historic discs as he can, unlock new monsters, revive the legendary Phoenix, defeat the evil Moo, and restore peace on the earth.
Nicely-Executed and Entertaining Rip-Off
Though it’s an epic anime stuffed with motion, humor, friendship, and themes of self-discovery, one can’t deny the truth that Monster Rancher borrows its core narrative from Pokémon. It then integrates a digital world setting, the place the protagonist not solely collects and trains monsters but in addition makes human mates alongside the best way. The episodic nature and the emphasis on teamwork paired with the beautiful monster designs helps elevate its standing.
3 ‘Monsuno’ (2012)
Monsuno is about in a world the place highly effective, historic creatures often called “monsuno” landed on Earth, remained dormant, and had been then by accident activated by a scientist named Jeredy Suno. This created a wave of hazard and left Chase, Jeredy’s son, and his mates Jinja and Bren, to embark on a quest to uncover the secrets and techniques of Monsuno and use them in battles in opposition to numerous foes, together with the terrifying and ill-meaning group referred to as S.T.O.R.M.
Historical Creatures and Trendy Battles
Leveling up on creativity, drama, and intrigue, Monsuno encompasses a younger protagonist and his mates commanding a various array of highly effective creatures. It positively traverses the Pokémon territory, however it additionally has originality and depth. There’s an thrilling narrative, use of cutting-edge science, a shadowy group, and a number of other conspiracies. That stated, Monsuno stands as a daring and up to date rip-off of the fan-favorite Pokémon.
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2 ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ (2000 – 2006)
A preferred sci-fi/fantasy anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! follows Yugi Mutou, a shy highschool scholar who solves an historic Egyptian puzzle referred to as the Millennium Puzzle and awakens the spirit of a Pharaoh inside him. This spirit transforms Yugi right into a assured and fearless fame participant. Now that he’s decided to win, Yugi groups up together with his mates and faces off in opposition to a sinister group of recreation masters, who use mystical playing cards and their powers to struggle again.
‘Pokémon’ Will get a Card Recreation Makeover
What begins as a typical schoolyard recreation of “Duel Monsters” shortly escalates right into a full-blown battle for the destiny of the world in Yu-Gi-Oh! Its highly effective, collectible creatures could really feel acquainted however the sequence channels them via collectible playing cards, which is paying homage to Pokémon’s buying and selling card recreation affect. Additionally, by centering the motion across the strategic video games somewhat than conventional creature battles, the sequence turns into extra participating than the remainder of the Pokémon rip-offs.
1 ‘Legendz: Story of the Dragon Kings’ (2004 – 2005)
Legendz: Story of the Dragon Kings is an anime sequence that’s part of a multimedia franchise created by Bandai and WiZ in 2003. It facilities on a younger boy named Shu, who lives in a world the place legendary creatures will be summoned from soul dolls via the facility of windstones and befriended later. Shu, alongside together with his mates, seems for extra Legendz and tries to uncover the secrets and techniques about their origin.
The place Monsters Are Revived From Stones
Mixing parts of journey and thriller by sending Shu on a journey of discovering which darkish drive needs to misuse the Legendz, this anime creates an fascinating lore. It could begin off with a foolish premise, however the motion, the traditional historical past, and the gathering of legendary beasts makes it unconventional. In fact, Legendz too clings a bit too near the well-trodden path laid by its predecessor, Pokémon, however it’s nonetheless sequence.