How to Watch Digimon anime? Easy Watch Order Guide

Digimon, an anime that is wrongly accused of being a Pokémon rip-off, had struggled to get a large fan-following.  Digimon though, is a fantastic anime.

Being a children’s show, it does have its share of clichés, but the way they are treated is what makes the series unique.

“Being a Digidestined means that sometimes you have to save the world, even if you’re the one who caused the problem.” 

Kari

Along with the child-like peppiness, Digimon does not shy away from exploring some serious themes such as death, divorce, adoption, and fear of losing a loved one.

The protagonists overcome these hurdles by being there for each other, thus, growing as characters. Their Digimon also play important roles in their development, acting as catalysts by believing in them.

Digimon is ongoing and has 9 seasons as of June 2020. Unlike the 1000+ episodes of Pokémon, Digimon has only a little over 400 episodes (!!). With great pacing and an engaging plot, Digimon with surely keep you entertained!

1. Release Order  

• Season 1: Digimon Adventure (1999–2000)
  • Episodes: 54
  • Canon: 1-8, 12-16, 18-24, 26-32, 34-54
  • Mixed Canon/Filler: 17
  • Filler: 9-11, 25, 33
• Season 2: Digimon Adventure 02 (2000–01)
  • Episodes: 50
• Season 3: Digimon Tamers (2001–02)
  • Episodes: 51
• Season 4: Digimon Frontier (2002–03)
  • Episodes: 50
• Season 5: Digimon Data Squad (Digimon Savers) (2006–07)
  • Episodes: 48
• Season 6: Digimon Fusion (Digimon Xros Wars) (2010–12)
  • Episodes: 79
• Season 7: Digimon Adventure tri. (2015-18)
  • Episodes: 26
• Season 8: Digimon Universe: App Monsters (2016-17)
  • Episodes: 52
• Season 9: Digimon Adventure (2020) (ongoing)

2. Movies 

Digimon Adventure Movies

• Digimon Adventure (1999)
• Our War Game! (2000)
• Digimon Hurricane Touchdown / Transcendent Evolution! The Golden Digimentals (2000)
• Digimon: The Movie (2000)
• Revenge of Diaboromon (2001)
• Digimon Adventure 3D: Digimon Grand Prix! (2009)

Digimon Adventure tri. Series Movies 

• Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna (2020)

Digimon Tamers Movies

• Battle of Adventurers (2001)
• Runaway Locomon (2002)
• Digimon Frontier (2002)
• Digimon Frontier: Island of Lost Digimon (2002)

Digimon Data Squad Movies

• Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!! (2006)
• The Digital World in Imminent Danger! (2009)

3. Other

• Digital Monster X-Evolution (2005)

4. Conclusion 

Digimon does not have a complex timeline and is pretty straightforward. The recommended watch order is the release order itself.

There are little to no fillers in the whole series, but if you still wish to skip certain episodes, you can skip the filler episodes from Season 1. There are no fillers in the latter instalments.

The movies are side-stories and do not contribute to the main plot and hence, can be viewed at the end.

DIGIMON ADVENTURE: Official Trailer [English]

5. About Digimon

Digimon, short for “Digital Monsters,” is a Japanese media franchise offering toy pets, manga, anime, games, films, and even a trading card game. The franchise was created back in 1997 as a series of virtual pets, influenced by Tamagotchi/nano Giga Pet toys.

The franchise gained momentum with its first anime, Digimon Adventure, and an early video game, Digimon World, both of which were released in 1999.

Digimon, the series focuses on monsters like creatures, who inhabit a “Digital World,” a parallel universe that originated from Earth’s various communication networks. Digimon hatch from eggs called Digi-Eggs, and they go through Digivolution, which changes their appearance and increases their powers over time.

The effect of Digivolution, however, is not permanent. Digimon who have digivolved will find most of the time revert back to their previous form after a battle or if they are too weak to continue. Most of them can even speak.