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Since its debut in the ’90s, the Pokémon franchise, as well as its super-popular anime adaptation, has continued to take the world by storm. Fans then and now still adore the engaging mechanics each game has to offer, as well as a wide roster of unique monsters to meet. During the Pokémon franchise’s rise to popularity and beyond, several other similar franchises also debuted.
Some franchises, such as Digimon, were similar to Pokémon yet utilized the monster-catching theme in another way, a choice that would allow it to still be popular today. Other pieces of media, such as Spider Riders, began as a unique story, yet sadly started to follow the mechanics of other popular monster-catching series rather than creating a totally new narrative. However, there are other «Pokémon clones» that sadly did not remain popular for too long, though some still have many followers today.
10 Magi-Nation Was Based off of a Trading Card Game
Tony Jones Navigates the Vast Moonlands
Magi-Nation, an anime-inspired series co-produced by Cookie Jar Entertainment and The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, is based on the collectible card game Magi-Nation Duel. The series takes place in a realm known as the Moonlands, where magical monsters known as «Dream Creatures» exist. Various Magi live in the Moonlands and are able to work alongside these creatures, though the Moonlands is also home to a villainous Shadow Magi named Agram. One day, Agram was sealed beneath the planet’s core, yet is working on controlling the Moonlands from within his prison using his magic.
In order to save the Moonlands, only an especially powerful Magi known as the «Final Dreamer» can stop Agram. However, to everyone’s surprise, the supposed Final Dreamer appears to be Tony Jones, a boy from Earth. Tony is not alone on his quest, however, as his friends Edyn and Strag are there to help him collect the Dreamstones before Agram breaks free from his prison. Magi-Nation received two seasons, the final one premiering in 2010, but the series was ultimately canceled due to low ratings.
9 Duel Masters Has Ties to Magic: The Gathering
Shobu Seeks the True Purpose of Battling
Magic: The Gathering is one of the most popular collectible trading card games around, and it even inspired a manga. This series, known as Duel Masters, debuted in 2002, and was originally meant to be an adaptation of the beloved card game. As time went on, however, Duel Masters soon became its own story. The manga was later adapted into an anime in 2002, though it did not receive very high ratings.
Duel Masters revolves around a boy named Shobu Kirifuda, who adores the game. In the anime’s world, Duel Masters works with the elements of five different civilizations, including Nature and Darkness. As his father was a renowned duelist, Shobu wishes to be just like him. As the young hero battles against the champion Hakuoh and his underlings alongside the monsters he summons from his cards, Shobu also tries to understand the true purpose of dueling.
8 The Medabots Franchise Is Still Around Today
A Medabots Game Pack Was Recently Released for the Nintendo Switch
Medabots, also known as Medarot in Japan, began as a series of video games. In the world of Medabots, the player must collect and battle alongside different kinds of robots for tournaments. The Medabots anime also works with this mechanic, though instead of the main characters collecting robots, they usually team up with just one. Medabots, though it did not remain popular for long, still shines as a very well-made show with fantastic animation and character designs. Many fans still praise the series, and a game pack including previous titles recently debuted for the Nintendo Switch.
In Medabots, the viewer is introduced to the main protagonist, Ikki Tenryou, who wishes to have a Medabot, a unique sort of robot meant to help people as well as participate in battles. Ikki is soon introduced to Metabee, his very own Medabot, who has a rather impulsive but loyal personality. Metabee is also able to access the Medaforce, granting him immense power. The two must learn to work together in order to battle villains as well as win the World Robattle Tournament.
7 Bakugan Battle Brawlers Was Based on the Popular Toy Franchise
Dan and His Friends Fight To Save the Bakugans’ Home
In the early 2000s, Bakugan was once one of the most popular toys around. A Bakugan was a type of monster that usually appeared in a spherical shape, yet would pop out of this shape after being tossed. Interestingly enough, the anime that related to this line of toys, while it did reference the original shape of the merchandise, summoned the Bakugan via trading cards. The original anime, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, debuted in 2007, though a reboot was announced in 2023, along with a few episodes airing on Netflix and Disney XD. As of now, however, there has not been any news on the future of the Bakugan franchise.
Bakugan Battle Brawlers focused on the adventure that the protagonist Dan Kuso and his friends were suddenly forced to embark on. After mysterious trading cards fall out of the sky, Dan and his friends decide to create a game called «Bakugan», soon forming a group called the «Bakugan Battle Brawlers». However, the friends are soon destined to save the world of Vestroia, the home of the Bakugans. They are soon met by Naga, a villainous Bakugan who wishes to control both Vestroia and the Earth, forcing Dan and his friends to partake in a long battle.
6 Monsuno Was Broadcast on Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons Channel
A Teenager and His Friends Search for the Creator of the Monsuno
Monsuno, also translated as «Spin Beast Battle Monsuno», aired on TV Tokyo in Japan and Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons channel in the United States. The world of Monsuno revolves around a type of mysterious DNA that fell to the Earth via asteroids, containing unique and potentially dangerous power levels. Scientist Jeredy Suno, who once worked for the Strategic Tactical Operatives for Recovery of Monsuno, or simply S.T.O.R.M., was responsible for creating the hybrid monsters known as Monsuno. Following his sudden disappearance, his son, Chase, vows to find him alongside his friends Jinja (also known as Vicky) and Bren.
The three teenagers soon find out that Jeredy was experimenting with a unique power source known as the Monsuno Essence, all while Chase discovers that his father has left behind a core containing a polar bear-like Monsuno of his own, which he names Lock. Later on, Jinja and Bren also meet their own Monsuno battling partners, Charger and Quickforce. However, while they begin to learn the dark secrets behind S.T.O.R.M., the heroes must also battle against the wicked Dr. Klipse. As of now, Monsuno has not remained well-known, though it was once somewhat popular.
5 The Toys Beyblade Was Based off of Were Once Extremely Sought After
Several Seasons of Beyblade Were Made in the Past
Like Bakugan, Beyblade began as a toy line, though its mechanics were more action-packed in comparison. In order to power up a Beyblade, the owner releases it from its launcher into a bowl-like stadium. Two or more Beyblades are needed for a battle, and whoever has the last Beyblade still spinning in the stadium wins the match. Over the years, several other lines of Beyblades were introduced, including the Beyblade Burst line.
In 1999, the very first Beyblade anime debuted, based on the previous manga adaptation of the franchise. Tyson Granger, the series’ protagonist, adores Beyblade and soon learns that his Beyblade harbors a Bit-Beast. Along with his new friends, Tyson forms a group called the Bladebreakers, and they begin to compete in tournaments around the world. The Beyblade franchise has also produced several other anime series, including Beyblade Burst and Beyblade X.
4 Fighting Foodons Was a Strange Pokémon Clone
Food Can Be Turned Into Fighting Monsters in This Franchise
All sorts of Pokémon-like series have debuted, yet the 1998 manga series, Fighting Foodons, is easily one of the oddest. Also known as Bistro Recipe, Fighting Foodons takes place in a world where food can be turned into monsters, often for battle tournaments. Everything began when a mysterious chef presented the king with items called Meal Tickets, which turn dishes into monsters called Fighting Foodons. Since then, many chefs have trained in order to create not only the best meals, but the most powerful Foodons via the art of culinary combat.
Unfortunately, the troublesome King Gorgeous Gorge wishes to create several evil Foodons in order to take over the world. During this time, the chef-in-training, Chase, hopes to one day become an Elite Master Chef just like his father, Chef Jack. He believes that he, his loved ones, and the Foodons he creates are the key to defeating King Gorge and his followers. Although the series was certainly unique compared to other anime focusing on monster battles, it too would later become nearly forgotten.
3 Dinosaur King Was Based on an Arcade Game
Three Young Heroes Learn To Control Mysterious Dinosaur Trading Cards
Dinosaurs have always been popular among audiences, especially younger viewers interested in paleontology. In 2005, Sega created an arcade game called Dinosaur King, which revolved around the use of in-game cards with powerful dinosaurs. Later on, a trading card game and even a video game for the Nintendo DS debuted. A couple of years after the original arcade game was released, an anime adaptation produced by Sunrise premiered.
The Dinosaur King anime revolves around the journey of Max Taylor and his friends, Zoe Drake and Rex Owen, after a strange meteor suddenly falls from the sky. Max and his friends are shocked to find that mysterious stones, alongside trading cards, have the power to summon dinosaurs. The protagonists thus form a group called the D-Team, with the focus of learning how to hone in the cards’ powers all while battling against mysterious foes. Since the series’ debut in 2007, it has received overall mixed reviews.
2 The Monster Rancher Anime Is Also an Isekai Anime
A Boy Who Loves the Games Is Transported Into the Monster Rancher World
Monster Rancher, also known as Monster Farm, originally began as a video game series. Like Pokémon, Monster Rancher allows the player to raise and train all sorts of monsters, even to use them for battle tournaments. However, Monster Rancher has more of a focus on animal breeding, as the player is meant to become a monster breeder and raise all sorts of creatures. The player must also consistently look after their monsters so that they are happy, healthy and loyal in battle.
The Monster Rancher anime initially appears to take place in the real world, introducing the audience to the protagonist, Genki Sakura. After winning a tournament held by the creators of Monster Rancher, Genki receives a CD that transports him to the video game’s world. Genki later meets a girl named Holly and her monster friends, and together they decide to search for the legendary Phoenix. Along the way, the group meets other monsters that join their team and battle alongside them.
1 Yo-Kai Watch Was Sadly Not Very Popular in the United States
The Series Was Very Popular in Japan During Its Release
Created by Level-5, Yo-Kai Watch takes place in a world where humans live alongside creatures known as Yo-Kai, which are somewhat based off of different yōkai from Japanese folklore. Like Pokémon, the player can befriend different Yo-Kai to participate in battles against other types of Yo-Kai. However, the player is also able to solve problems around town with the help of their Yo-Kai friends, mysteries that often lead to new types of Yo-Kai.
The Yo-Kai Watch franchise has several video game titles, featuring all sorts of unique Yo-Kai for the player to get to know. An anime series produced by OLM, Inc. later premiered in Japan and was very well-received. However, while the franchise was very popular in Japan, it was sadly not well-received in the United States. Despite this, there are still many fans of the franchise who would absolutely love to see more of their favorite Yo-Kai in new titles.
