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{{Short description|Japanese media franchise}}
{{Protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| image = Digimon_Logo.svg
| caption = English version logo for ''Digimon''
| title = ''Digimon''
| creator = Akiyoshi Hongo<ref name="dgart"/><ref name="dgpnd"/><br>WiZ<ref name="dgart"/><ref name="dgpnd"/>
| owner = {{Plainlist|
* [[Toei Animation]]
* [[Bandai]]
}}
| origin = [[Digital Monster]] (1997)
| years = 1997–present
| films = [[#Films|See below]]
| tv = [[#Television series|See below]]
| plays = 
| musicals = 
| games = [[#Card game|See below]]
| rpgs = 
| vgs = [[#Video games|See below]]
| books = 
| novels = 
| comics = [[#Manga|See below]]
| magazines = 
| strips = 
| radio = 
| soundtracks = 
| music = 
| toys = D-Arts<br>S.H. Figuarts
}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Digimon'''''|デジモン|Dejimon|branded as '''''Digimon: Digital Monsters'''''|lead=yes}}, short for "Digital Monsters" ({{Nihongo2|デジタルモンスター}} ''Dejitaru Monsutā''), is a Japanese [[media franchise]], which encompasses [[virtual pet]] toys, [[anime]], [[manga]], [[video game]]s, films, and a [[trading card game]]. The franchise focuses on the eponymous creatures who inhabit a digital world, a [[Parallel universes in fiction|parallel universe]] which originated from Earth's various communication networks.

The franchise was created in 1997 as [[Digital Monster]], a series of digital pets, and it was intended as the masculine counterpart to [[Tamagotchi]]. The creatures were designed to look cute and iconic on the devices' small screens. Later developments had them created with a harder-edged style, which was influenced by American [[comics]]. The franchise gained momentum with an early video game, ''[[Digimon World]]'', originally released in Japan in January 1999. Several anime series and films have been released; [[List of Digimon video games|the video game series]] has expanded into various genres, such as [[role-playing video game|role-playing]], [[racing game|racing]], [[fighting game|fighting]], and [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game|MMORPGs]]. The franchise generated over $500 million in sales by 2000.<ref>{{cite web|first= Nicole|last=Swengley|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard/148232386/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528093404/https://www.newspapers.com/article/evening-standard/148232386/|title=Bewore:here comes the new toy craze|newspaper=[[Evening Standard]]|archivedate=May 28, 2024|date=August 21, 2000|accessdate=July 1, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

==Conception and creation==
{{further|Digital Monster}}
[[File:Digimon Mini.jpg|thumb|left|Virtual pet model distributed on the Japanese market by [[Bandai]],<ref name=relic>{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.tamatalk.com/pixelmood/digimon.htm|publisher=Tamatalk|author=Pixelmood|title=Pixelmood - ''Digimon''|access-date=22 March 2014}}</ref>]]

The ''Digimon'' franchise began as a series of virtual pets created by WiZ and Bandai, intended as a masculine counterpart to the more female-oriented [[Tamagotchi]] pets.<ref name="dgart">{{cite book|chapter=渡辺けんじスペシャルインタビュー|trans-chapter=Kenji Watanabe Special Interview|title=デジタルモンスター ART BOOK Ver.1～5&20th|trans-title=Digital Monster ART BOOK Ver.1~5&20th|publisher=Bandai|date=2017-12-09}}</ref><ref name="dgpnd">{{cite book|chapter=デジモンペンデュラム開発者インタビュー|trans-chapter=Digimon Pendulum Developers’ Interview|title=デジタルモンスター ART BOOK Ver.PENDULUM|trans-title=Digital Monster ART BOOK Ver.PENDULUM|publisher=Bandai|date=2018-11-21}}</ref> It was released in June 1997<ref name=relic/> with the name [[Digital Monster]],<ref name=nytimes-richtel>{{cite news|language=en|url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/cyber/week/010198digimon.html|title=From Virtual Pet to Virtual Pit Bull: Fighting Cyber Toys|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|author=Matt Richtel|date=January 1, 1998|access-date=March 22, 2014}}</ref> shortened for ''Digimon''.<ref name=adventure-volume-2>{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.beyondhollywood.com/dvd-review-digimon-adventure-volume-2/|title=DVD Review: ''Digimon Adventure'' – Volume 2|date=March 28, 2013|author=Dedpool|publisher=BeyondHollywood.com|access-date=March 28, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401163818/http://www.beyondhollywood.com/dvd-review-digimon-adventure-volume-2/|archive-date=April 1, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|language=en|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|title=''Pokémon'', G-Boy Lead Parade of Toys at Fair|page=60|volume=112|number=13|date=March 2000|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sg4EAAAAMBAJ&q=digimon&pg=PA60|access-date=April 18, 2014}}</ref> This device shows to players a [[virtual pet]] composed entirely of data and designed to play and fight.<ref name=relic/><ref name=nytimes-richtel/><ref>{{cite web|language=en|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/07/06/digimon-world|website=[[IGN]]|title=''Digimon World''. We promise not to say the word ''Pokemon'' at all in this entire review.|author=David Zdyrko|date=5 July 2000|access-date=March 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liberation.fr/vous/1997/12/10/le-nouveau-tamagotchi-sera-sexueune-gamme-pour-assurer-la-rente-du-fabricant_224494|language=fr|title=Le nouveau Tamagotchi sera sexué. Une gamme pour assurer la rente du fabricant.|date=10 December 1997|author=Tiphaine Clotault|newspaper=[[Libération]]|access-date=April 11, 2014}}</ref> In February 1998, the ''DigiMon'' fighting game was announced. It was developed by Rapture Technologies.<ref>{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bandai+Digital+Entertainment+%27Ready+To+Rumble%27+in+June+with...-a020310291|title=Bandai Digital Entertainment Ready To Rumble in June with ''DigiMon'' CD-ROM|publisher=The Free Library|author=Bandai Digital Entertainment Corp.|date=17 February 1998|access-date=15 April 2014|archive-date=11 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911114853/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Bandai+Digital+Entertainment+%27Ready+To+Rumble%27+in+June+with...-a020310291|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[one-shot (comics)|one-shot]] [[manga]] ''[[C'mon Digimon]]'', designed by Tenya Yabuno, was published in the Japanese magazine [[V-Jump]] by [[Shueisha]] in 1997.<ref name=digitalnimonstra>{{cite web|language=cs|url=http://digitalnimonstra.cz/cmon.php|title=Digimon C'mon|publisher=digitalnimonstra.cz|access-date=22 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413124400/http://digitalnimonstra.cz/cmon.php|archive-date=2014-04-13}}</ref>

A second generation of virtual pets was marketed six months after the launch of the first, followed by a third in 1998.<ref name=bellaonline>{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45160.asp|title=Digimon|author=Lesley Aeschliman|publisher=Bella Online|access-date=9 May 2014}}</ref> Each player starts with a baby-level digital creature that has a limited number of attacks and transformations<ref name="vp">{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.virtualpet.com/vp/farm/digimon/digimon.htm|title=''DigiMon'' Virtual Pet Page|publisher=virtualpet.com|access-date=24 June 2010}}</ref> and to make the creature stronger by training and nourishing the creature;<ref name=relic/><ref name=nytimes-richtel/> when the player is successful in a workout, the Digimon becomes strong, when the player fails, the Digimon becomes weak.<ref name=relic/><ref name=nytimes-richtel/> Two devices can be connected, allowing two players to battle with their respective creatures, an innovation at the time,<ref name=relic/> however, the battle is only possible from the moment the creature is in the child level or bigger.<ref name=relic/> Playgrounds and subways were where the majority of users of the apparatus were concentrated; the virtual pet was banned in some Asian schools, being considered by parents and teachers as very noisy and violent.<ref name=video-game-explo>{{cite book |last1=Wolf |first1=Mark |title=The Video Game Explosion: A History From PONG to Playstation and Beyond |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA218 |year=2008 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |location=Santa Barbara, California |isbn=978-0-313-33868-7 |page=218}}</ref> The first Digimon were created by Japanese designer Kenji Watanabe, influenced by American [[comics]], which were beginning to gain popularity in Japan, and as such began to make his characters look stronger and "cool." Other types of Digimon, which until the year 2000 totalled 279,<ref name=sarahryle>{{cite news|language=en|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/may/14/sarahryle.theobserver|title=Digital pests invade Britain|author=Sarah Ryle|date=14 May 2000|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|language=en|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DIGIMON%27S+COMING%3b+New+monster+toys+may+KO+Pokemon.-a062079625|title=''Digimon''{{'}}s coming; New monster toys may KO ''Pokemon''|publisher=The Free Library|author=Ruki Sayid|work=The Mirror|date=15 May 2000|access-date=15 April 2014}}</ref> came from extensive discussions and collaborations between the Bandai company members.<ref>{{cite magazine|language=ja|url=http://www.famitsu.com/news/201307/05035910.html|script-title=ja:『デジモンワールド リ：デジタイズ デコード』 イラストレーターインタビュー！|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|date=5 July 2013|access-date=12 February 2014}}</ref>

The original Digital Monster model that was released in 1997 sold {{nowrap|14 million}} units worldwide, including {{formatnum:13}} million units in Japan and {{formatnum:1}} million overseas, up until March 2004.<ref name="new-digimon-for-2005">{{cite news|language=en|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-05-25/new-digimon-for-2005|title=New ''Digimon'' for 2005|date=25 May 2004|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=23 March 2014}}</ref> By 2005, more than {{nowrap|24 million}} Digital Monster units had been sold worldwide.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bandai Unveils New Digimon Virtual Pets |url=http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives-nov30/ |work=Anime News Service |date=November 11, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513065731/http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives-nov30/ |archive-date=2017-05-13 |access-date=2 October 2021 }}</ref>

==Premise==
Several media in the franchise are contained within their own [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]]; however, they all share a similar setting and premise. For instance, most ''Digimon'' stories begin with a human child, who comes into contact with a Digimon. This generally occurs either through an accidental entrance into the so-called Digital World<ref>[[Mamoru Hosoda|Hosoda, Mamoru]] (director) (March 7, 1999 - March 26, 2000). ''Digimon Adventure'' (anime). Japan: [[Toei Animation]].</ref> or an encounter with a Digimon who has come into the human world.<ref>Kaizawa, Yukio (director) (April 1, 2001 - March 31, 2002). ''Digimon Tamers'' (anime). Japan: [[Toei Animation]].</ref> The child or children then often find themselves equipped with a "digivice", which is a device modelled after the series' virtual pets; this device enables them to empower their partner Digimon.

While some Digimon act like wild beasts, there are many who form small societies and follow governing bodies.<ref>{{Cite web|title=オメガモン {{!}} デジモン図鑑|url=https://digimon.net/reference/detail.php?directory_name=omegamon|access-date=2021-08-20|website=デジモンウェブ {{!}} デジモン公式総合サイト|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=チンロンモン {{!}} デジモン図鑑|url=https://digimon.net/reference/detail.php?directory_name=qinglongmon|access-date=2021-08-20|website=デジモンウェブ {{!}} デジモン公式総合サイト|language=ja}}</ref> Digimon can change through evolution (or "digivolution" in most English-language dubs), where they absorb additional data that allows them to change forms. This process is normally linear, but there are other methods, depending upon the media within the franchise. For example, "Jogress" (a [[portmanteau]] of "joint progress"; "DNA Digivolution" in most English-language dubs)<ref>"United We Stand" ("Jogress Evolve Now, Hearts Together as One"). ''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]''. Episode 26. October 1, 2000.</ref> is when two or more Digimon combine into a single being. Though evolution can occur naturally, Digimon can progress into stronger forms more quickly, when they are partnered with a human.

==Media==
===Anime===
{{See also|List of Digimon episodes and films}}

====Television series====
Multiple ''Digimon'' anime series have been produced by [[Toei Animation]] since 1999. The first of these was ''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]''; it began as a short film, but after its storyboard was finished, a request for the film to become a television series was made. The film debuted in theaters a day before the series debuted on TV.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

There are seven ''Digimon'' series [[Dub localization|adapted]] into English for release in Western markets, with the first four treated as a single show under the collective title ''Digimon: Digital Monsters''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/digimon/episode1.html|title=Digimon: Digital Monsters Episode Guide|work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Family Properties]]|access-date=2018-11-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010615125822/http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/digimon/episode1.html|archive-date=2001-06-15}}</ref> The sixth series, ''Digimon Fusion'', was only partially dubbed; its third season was never dubbed into English.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |No.
! rowspan="2" |'''Title'''
! rowspan="2" |Episodes
! colspan="2" |Originally aired
! rowspan="2" |Network
|-
!First aired
!Last aired
|-
! style="background:#FFA040;" rowspan="2" |
!1
|''[[Digimon Adventure (1999 TV series)|Digimon Adventure]]'' (1999)
|54
|{{Start date|1999|3|7}}
|{{End date|2000|3|26}}
| rowspan="5" |[[Fuji TV]]
|-
!2
|''[[Digimon Adventure 02]]''
|50
|{{Start date|2000|4|2}}
|{{End date|2001|3|25}}
|-
! style="background:#1F99F0;" |
!3
|''[[Digimon Tamers]]''
|51
|{{Start date|2001|4|1}}
|{{End date|2002|3|31}}
|-
! style="background:#45C686;" |
!4
|''[[Digimon Frontier]]''
|50
|{{Start date|2002|4|7}}
|{{End date|2003|3|30}}
|-
! style="background:#F0CF25;" |
!5
|''[[Digimon Data Squad]]''
|48
|{{Start date|2006|4|2}}
|{{End date|2007|3|25}}
|-
! style="background:#FF7777;" |
!6
|''[[Digimon Fusion]]''
|79
|{{Start date|2010|7|6}}
|{{End date|2012|3|25}}
|[[TV Asahi]]
|-
! style="background:#007BA7;" |
!7
|''[[Digimon Universe: App Monsters]]''
|52
|{{Start date|2016|10|1}}
|{{End date|2017|9|30}}
|[[TV Tokyo]]
|-
! style="background:#8A2BE2;" |
!8
|''[[Digimon Adventure (2020 TV series)|Digimon Adventure:]]'' (2020)
|67
|{{Start date|2020|4|5}}
||{{End date|2021|9|26}}
| rowspan="3" |Fuji TV
|-
! style="background:#E35D5D;" |
!9
|''[[Digimon Ghost Game]]''
|67+1 special
||{{Start date|2021|10|3}}
||{{End date|2023|3|26}}
|-
! style="background:#EC22D6;" |
!10
|''[[Digimon Beatbreak]]''
|
|{{Start date|2025|10|5}}
||
|-
! colspan="3" |Total
!519 episodes
!
!
!
|}

====Films====
{{Main|List of Digimon films}}

Several ''Digimon'' films were released in Japan, with some of them seasonal tie-ins for their respective television series. Footage from the first three films was used for the American-produced ''Digimon: The Movie''.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! style="background:#000000;" class="unsortable"|
!'''Title'''
! colspan="2" |Originally released
|-
! style="background:#FFA040;" rowspan="6" |
|''[[Digimon Adventure (film)|Digimon Adventure]]''
|{{Start date|1999|3|6}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure: Our War Game!]]''
|{{Start date|2000|3|4}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure 02#Films|Digimon Adventure 02: Hurricane Touchdown!!]]''
|{{Start date|2000|7|8}}
|-
|''Digimon Adventure 3D: Digimon Grand Prix!''
|{{Start date|2000|7|20}}
|-
|''[[Digimon: The Movie]]''
|{{Start date|2000|10|6}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure 02#Films|Digimon Adventure 02: Revenge of Diaboromon]]''
|{{Start date|2001|3|3}}
|-
! style="background:#1F99F0;" rowspan="2" |
|''[[Digimon Tamers: Battle of Adventurers]]''
|{{Start date|2001|7|14}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Tamers: Runaway Locomon]]''
|{{Start date|2002|3|2}}
|-
! style="background:#45C686;" |
|''[[Digimon Frontier: Island of Lost Digimon]]''
|{{Start date|2002|7|20}}
|-
! style="background:#000000;" |
|''[[Digital Monster X-Evolution]]''
|{{Start date|2005|1|3}}
|-
! style="background:#F0CF25;" rowspan="2" |
|''Digimon Savers 3D: The Digital World in Imminent Danger!''
|{{Start date|2006|7|8}}
|-
|''Digimon Savers: Ultimate Power! Activate Burst Mode!!''
|{{Start date|2006|12|9}}
|-
! style="background:#FFA040;" rowspan="8" |
|''[[Digimon Adventure tri.|Digimon Adventure tri. Chapter 1: Reunion]]''
|{{Start date|2015|11|21}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure tri.|Digimon Adventure tri. Chapter 2: Determination]]''
|{{Start date|2016|3|12}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure tri.|Digimon Adventure tri. Chapter 3: Confession]]''
|{{Start date|2016|9|24}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure tri.|Digimon Adventure tri. Chapter 4: Loss]]''
|{{Start date|2017|2|25}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure tri.|Digimon Adventure tri. Chapter 5: Coexistence]]''
|{{Start date|2017|9|30}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure tri.|Digimon Adventure tri. Chapter 6: Future]]''
|{{Start date|2018|5|5}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna]]''
|{{Start date|2020|2|21}}
|-
|''[[Digimon Adventure 02: The Beginning]]''
|{{Start date|2023|10|5}}
|}

====OVA====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan="2" rowspan="2" |No.
! rowspan="2" |'''Title'''
! rowspan="2" |Episodes
!First aired
!Last aired
|-
! style="background:#FFA040|
!1
|''[[Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna#Digimon Adventure 20th Memorial Story|Digimon Adventure 20th Memorial Story]]''
|5
|{{Start date|2019|11|22}}
|{{End date|2020|12|25}}
|-
! style="background:#FFA040|
!2
|''Digimon Adventure -BEYOND-''
|1
|{{Start date|2025|03|20}}
|{{Start date|2025|03|20}}
|}

====Distribution and localization====
In the United States, the first three series that made up ''Digimon: Digital Monsters'' first aired on [[Fox Kids]] from August 14, 1999 to June 8, 2002. The localized series was produced by [[Saban Entertainment]], which was acquired by [[The Walt Disney Company]] during the show's Fox Kids run. Some scenes from the original shows were modified or omitted in order to comply with Fox's [[standards and practices]]. The show also featured more jokes and added dialogue, along with a completely different musical score. As a cross-promotional stunt, 2001 and 2002 saw ''Digi-Bowl'' specials co-produced with [[Fox Sports (United States)|Fox Sports]]; ''NFL on Fox'' commentator [[Terry Bradshaw]] provided interstitial segments in-between episodes as if the episodes were actually a football game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/digimon/digibowl/|title=Digimon: Digital Monsters: Digibowl 2002|work=[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Family Properties]]|access-date=2018-11-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020123021428/http://www.foxkids.com/tvshows/digimon/digibowl/|archive-date=2002-01-23}}</ref>

Disney's acquisition of Saban resulted in ''Digimon'' airing on Disney's TV networks and programming blocks. Reruns of the show began airing on the [[cable network]] [[Freeform (TV channel)|ABC Family]] on March 4, 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcfamilynet.com/schedules/docs/march_sch.pdf|title=ABC Family March 2002 Schedule|publisher=ABC Family|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050917033116/http://www.abcfamilynet.com/schedules/docs/march_sch.pdf|access-date=2021-11-10|archive-date=2005-09-17}}</ref> while the fourth series, ''[[Digimon Frontier]]'', premiered on [[UPN]]'s [[Disney's One Too]] block.<ref name="erickson">{{cite book|title=Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003, Volume 1|last1=Erickson|first1=Hal|author-link1=Hal Erickson (author)|year=2005|publisher=McFarland & Company|isbn=978-0786420995 |page=249}}</ref> UPN aired the series until late August 2003, when they severed their ties to Disney.<ref name="erickson"/> ''Frontier'' also aired in reruns on ABC Family and on [[Toon Disney]] under the [[Jetix]] branding. An English version of ''[[Digimon Data Squad]]'', produced by Studiopolis, premiered October 1, 2007, on Toon Disney. Around this time, the remaining Digimon Adventure 02 movie, both Tamers movies and the Frontier movie were dubbed and aired on Toon Disney in the US, with most actors from the TV series reprising their roles. The Data Squad/Savers movie however have not had a North American localised English dub produced.

In September 2012, [[Saban Brands]], a successor to Saban Entertainment, announced it had acquired the ''Digimon'' anime franchise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Crowe|first=Deborah|title=Saban Brands Acquires Digimon Anime Brand|url=http://www.labusinessjournal.com/news/2012/sep/25/saban-brands-acquires-digimon-anime-brand/|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Business Journal|date=September 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Saban Brands Acquires Digimon Anime Franchise|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-09-25/saban-brands-acquires-digimon-anime-franchise|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=AnimeNewsNetwork|date=September 25, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Sarah|title=Saban Brands Acquires Digimon Brand|url=http://www.bsckids.com/2012/09/saban-brands-acquires-digimon-brand/|access-date=September 26, 2012|newspaper=BSCKids|date=September 25, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928234026/http://www.bsckids.com/2012/09/saban-brands-acquires-digimon-brand/|archive-date=September 28, 2012}}</ref> Saban announced an English dub for ''Digimon Xros Wars'', retitled ''[[Digimon Fusion]]'', for broadcast on [[Nickelodeon]] in the United States starting September 7, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.c21media.net/archives/100265 |title=Nickelodeon dives into Digimon &#124; News |publisher=C21Media |access-date=2013-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416084142/http://www.c21media.net/archives/100265 |archive-date=2013-04-16 }}</ref> [[Saban Capital Group]] sold most of Saban Brands' entertainment properties to [[Hasbro]] in 2018 and shutter the division in July of that year.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 1, 2018|title=Hasbro buying Power Rangers, other brands in $522M deal|language=en|work=ABC News|agency=AP|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/hasbro-buying-power-rangers-brands-522m-deal-54850725|access-date=May 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=May 2, 2018|title=Saban Brands Sells Power Rangers to Hasbro for $522M|work=Los Angeles Business Journal|url=http://labusinessjournal.com/news/2018/may/02/saban-brands-sell-power-rangers-hasbro/|access-date=March 3, 2019}}</ref>

The ''Digimon Adventure tri.'' series were distributed in North America by [[Eleven Arts]]. The English dub utilized localized names from Saban's original dub, reunite several voice actors from the original cast, and feature a remixed version of the English opening theme,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicsverse.com/digimon-tri-american-release/|title=Eleven Arts CEO Ko Mori Speaks on DIGIMON TRI. English Release|publisher=ComicsVerse|date=July 8, 2016|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809014918/http://comicsverse.com/digimon-tri-american-release/|url-status=live}}</ref> while retaining the original Japanese score.<ref name="dubpremiere">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2016-09-16/inside-the-english-dub-premiere-of-digimon-adventure-tri/.106537|title=Inside the English Dub Premiere of Digimon Adventure Tri|publisher=Anime News Network|date=September 16, 2016|access-date=September 17, 2016|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916151745/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2016-09-16/inside-the-english-dub-premiere-of-digimon-adventure-tri/.106537|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Shout! Factory]] acquired the broadcast and home media distribution rights for the films.<ref name="Shout! Factory">{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-01-17/shout-factory-licenses-1st-3-digimon-adventure-tri-anime-films/.111152|title=Shout! Factory Licenses 1st 3 Digimon Adventure tri. Anime Films|date=January 17, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118013554/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-01-17/shout-factory-licenses-1st-3-digimon-adventure-tri-anime-films/.111152|url-status=live}},</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2017-10-26/digimon-adventure-tri-confession-collectible-dvd-and-bd-combo-pack-debut-in-stores-december-5-2017/.123210|title=Digimon Adventure tri. -- Confession Collectible DVD and BD Combo Pack Debut in Stores December 5, 2017|publisher=Anime News Network|date=October 26, 2017|access-date=November 5, 2017|archive-date=November 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104153912/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2017-10-26/digimon-adventure-tri-confession-collectible-dvd-and-bd-combo-pack-debut-in-stores-december-5-2017/.123210|url-status=live}}</ref>

====International====
In Canada, the English versions of ''Digimon'' were broadcast on [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]], with the exception of ''Data Squad'', which aired in [[Family Channel (Canadian TV network)|Family Channel]]'s Jetix block. YTV acquired ''Digimon Fusion'', but only the first 26 episodes were shown.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}

In the United Kingdom, ''Digimon'' first aired on [[Disney XD (UK and Ireland)|Fox Kids]]. [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s children's slot [[CITV]] broadcast ''Adventure'', ''Adventure 02'' and several episodes of ''Tamers'' during after school hours from 2001–2002. The rest of ''Tamers'' aired on [[Disney XD (UK and Ireland)|Fox Kids]] from 2002–03.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} ''[[Digimon Frontier]]'' was originally announced to be broadcast on Jetix, but the series was later dropped.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}} The series eventually saw a release on October 29, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://us12.campaign-archive.com/?u=3d7f23dcc3fa67ae73ba0c804&id=38734eff97|title=AW Slate|website=us12.campaign-archive.com}}</ref> In 2011, ''Digimon Data Squad'' aired on [[Kix!]]. 
According to Fox Kids' (2000–03) and Kix's (2010–) [[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board|BARB]] Television ratings, ''Adventure'', ''Adventure 02'' and ''Tamers'' have been the most popular series'/seasons in the United Kingdom and was consistently in the weekly top 10 broadcasts for both channels for new episodes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Viewing Data Top 10s|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?|publisher=BARB (Broadcasters' Audience Research Board)|access-date=16 January 2013}}</ref> Broadcast rights and merchandising sub-licensing rights for ''Digimon Fusion'' in the UK have been acquired by [[ITV Studios#ITV Studios Global Entertainment|ITV Studios Global Entertainment]]. ''Digimon Fusion'' had aired since Spring 2014 on digital terrestrial channel, CITV.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clancy|first=Michelle|title=ITV to broadcast Digimon Fusion anime in 2014|url=http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2013101730346/itv-to-broadcast-digimon-fusion-anime-in-2014.html|publisher=Rapid TV News|access-date=22 October 2013|archive-date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131025100724/http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2013101730346/itv-to-broadcast-digimon-fusion-anime-in-2014.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dickson|first=Jeremy|title=ITV licenses Digimon Fusion|url=http://kidscreen.com/2013/10/18/itv-licenses-digimon-fusion/|publisher=Kidsscreen|access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref>

In the Philippines, ''Digimon'' was first aired on [[ABS-CBN]] in Filipino English language from June 2, 2000 to October 21, 2001. And later, it was shift to Filipino on April 6, 2002.

===Manga===
''Digimon'' first appeared in narrative form in the [[One shot (comic)|one-shot]] manga ''C'mon Digimon'', released in the summer of 1997. ''C'mon Digimon'' spawned the popular ''Digimon Adventure V-Tamer 01'' manga, written by Hiroshi Izawa, which began serialization on November 21, 1998.

====''Digimon Next''====
Written by Tatsuya Hamazaki and illustrated by Takeshi Okano, {{Nihongo|''Digimon Next''|デジモンネクスト|Dejimon Nekusuto}} was serialized in [[Shueisha]]'s magazine ''[[V Jump]]'' from 2005 to 2008.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:Vジャンプ 2006年2月号|url=http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/v_jump.html?key=detail&zashimei=v_jump&janru=boyc|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=June 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305132348/http://www.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/magazine/rack.cgi/magazine/v_jump.html?key=detail&zashimei=v_jump&janru=boyc|archive-date=March 5, 2009|language=ja|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shueisha collected its chapters in four ''[[tankōbon]]'' volumes, released from July 4, 2006, to February 4, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874137-4&mode=1|script-title=ja:デジモンネクスト 1|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=April 11, 2020|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201101003/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-874137-4&mode=1|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874313-4&mode=1|script-title=ja:デジモンネクスト 2|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=April 11, 2020|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201101505/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874313-4&mode=1|archive-date=December 1, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874394-3&mode=1|script-title=ja:デジモンネクスト 3|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=April 11, 2020|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228092105/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874394-3&mode=1|archive-date=December 28, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874484-1&mode=1|script-title=ja:デジモンネクスト 4|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|access-date=April 11, 2020|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228092115/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874484-1&mode=1|archive-date=December 28, 2008}}</ref> The story follow Tsurugi Tatsuno and his digimon partner, [[Greymon]] (later Agumon). Tsurugi makes contact with the Digital World through his virtual pet device called Digimon Mini and a "Battle Terminal", a virtual reality interface. Digimon can use the technology to materialize in the human world as well.

====''Digimon Dreamers''====
{{expand section|date=June 2023}}
In 2021, a manga called ''Digimon Dreamers'' was announced.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-03|title=New Digimon Manga from Tenya Yabuno in Saikyo Jump Beginning Next Month|url=https://withthewill.net/threads/new-digimon-manga-from-tenya-yabuno-in-saikyo-jump-beginning-next-month.26206/|url-status=live|website=With The Will|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903085804/https://withthewill.net/threads/new-digimon-manga-from-tenya-yabuno-in-saikyo-jump-beginning-next-month.26206/|archive-date=2021-09-03 }}</ref>

====Yuen Wong Yu manhua====
A Chinese [[manhua]] was written and drawn by {{ill|Yuen Wong Yu|zh|余遠鍠}} (余 遠鍠 ''Yu Yuen-wong''), who based its storyline on the television series. This adaptation covers ''Digimon Adventure'' in five volumes, ''Digimon Adventure 02'' in two, ''Digimon Tamers'' in four, and ''Digimon Frontier'' in three. The original stories are heavily abridged, though on rare occasions events play out differently from the anime. The Chinese-language version was published by [[Rightman Publishing|Rightman Publishing Ltd.]] in Hong Kong. Yu also wrote ''[[D-Cyber]]''.

Two English versions were also released. The first one was published by [[Chuang Yi]] in Singapore. The second one, which was adapted by [[Lianne Sentar]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liannesentar.com/works/|title=Lianne Sentar's Other Published Works/Works List|publisher=Liannesentar.com|date=2011-10-23|access-date=2012-08-19|archive-date=2009-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815031442/http://www.liannesentar.com/works/|url-status=dead}}</ref> was released by [[Tokyopop]] in North America.<br>The three volumes for ''Digimon Frontier'' have been released by Chuang Yi in English. These have not been released by TOKYOPOP in North America or Europe. However, the Chuang Yi releases of ''Digimon Frontier'' were distributed by [[Madman Entertainment]] in Australia.

====Dark Horse====
[[Dark Horse Comics]] published American-style Digimon [[comic book]]s, adapting the first thirteen episodes of the English [[dubbing (filmmaking)|dub]] of ''Digimon Adventure'' in 2001. The story was written by Daniel Horn and Ryan Hill, and illustrated by Daniel Horn and Cara L. Niece.<ref>{{cite book| last = Horn| first = Daniel|author2=Ryan Hill| others = illustrated by Daniel Horn, Cara L. Niece| title = Digimon: Digital Monsters| year = 2001| publisher = Dark Horse Comics| isbn = 1-56971-516-5 }}</ref>

====Panini====
The Italian publishing company [[Panini Comics|Panini]] published ''Digimon'' titles in several ways in different countries. Germany had their own adaptations of episodes, the UK reprinted the Dark Horse titles and translated some of the German adaptations of ''Adventure 02'' episodes. Eventually the UK comics had their own original stories, which appeared in both the UK's ''Digimon Magazine'' and the UK Fox Kids companion magazine ''Wickid''. These original stories roughly followed the [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]] of ''Adventure 02''. When the comic switched to the ''Tamers'' series the storylines adhered to continuity more strictly; sometimes it expanded on subject matter not covered by the original Japanese anime (such as [[Mitsuo Yamaki]]'s past) or the English adaptations of the television shows and movies (such as Ryo's story or the movies that remained undubbed until 2005). In a money saving venture, the original stories were later removed from ''Digimon Magazine'', which returned to printing translated German adaptations of ''Tamers'' episodes. Eventually, both magazines were cancelled.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

===Video games===
{{main|List of Digimon video games}}

The ''Digimon'' series has inspired various video games, including the ''[[Digimon World]]'' and ''[[Digimon Story]]'' sub-series of [[role-playing video games]]. Other genres have included [[life simulation game|life simulation]], [[adventure game|adventure]], video [[card game]], [[strategy video game|strategy]], and [[racing video game|racing]] games.

By March 2001, Bandai had sold approximately {{Nowrap|1 million}} video games worldwide, including 400,000 in Japan.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Uo-RAAAAIAAJ|title=Annual Report|publisher=[[Bandai]]|year=2001|pages=7|quote=During the year ended March 31, 2001, domestic unit sales of ''Digitmon'' video-game software amounted to some 400,000, while global unit sales totaled approximately 1 million.}}</ref> In February 2010, a website for the [[MMORPG]] ''[[Digimon Battle Online]]'' was launched.<ref name="wemade1">{{cite web|url=http://digimonbattle.wemade.net/main/main.asp |title=Digimon Battle- The Journey Begins. To the Digital World |publisher=Digimonbattle.wemade.net |access-date=2012-08-15}}</ref> On September 22, 2011, online game publisher [[Joymax]] announced the release of an MMORPG game called ''[[Digimon Masters]]'', which was developed by the Korean publisher [[Digitalic|DIGITALIC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://my.mmosite.com/db0f8c32475df80ffc5efceb8939447c/blog/ritem/48fec1a38a4f6162b0b3379b3775c8f1.html |title=Digimon Masters OBT Sept 27th - iMMOsite get your gaming life recorded |publisher=my.mmosite.com |date=2011-09-22 |access-date=2012-08-15 |archive-date=2011-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924005650/http://my.mmosite.com/db0f8c32475df80ffc5efceb8939447c/blog/ritem/48fec1a38a4f6162b0b3379b3775c8f1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In June 2021 it was announced that they were developing a new MMORPG titled ''Digimon Super Rumble''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-09|title=Digimon Super Rumble - Unreal Engine 4 MMORPG announced for PC|url=https://mmoculture.com/2021/06/digimon-super-rumble-unreal-engine-4-mmorpg-announced-for-pc/|access-date=2021-08-20|website=MMO Culture|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2011, a new entry in the ''Digimon World'' series was announced after a seven-year hiatus, titled ''[[Digimon World Re:Digitize]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Romano|first1=Sal|title=Digimon World Re: Digitize a "return to origins"|url=http://gematsu.com/2011/07/digimon-world-re-digitize-a-return-to-origins|access-date=7 August 2014|agency=Gematsu}}</ref> The game was released in Japan on July 19, 2012, followed by an enhanced version for [[Nintendo 3DS]] released in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Romano|first1=Sal|title=Digimon World Re: Digitize Decode announced for 3DS|url=http://gematsu.com/2013/02/digimon-world-re-digitize-decode-announced-for-3ds|access-date=7 August 2014|agency=Gematsu}}</ref>

''[[Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth]]'' was first released in Japan in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=December 19, 2013 |title=First look at Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth |url=http://gematsu.com/2013/12/first-look-digimon-story-cyber-sleuth |access-date=7 August 2014 |work=Gematsu}}</ref> It is the first game in the ''Digimon Story'' series to be released in North America under its original title; ''[[Digimon World DS]]'' and ''[[Digimon World Dawn and Dusk]]'' were originally marketed as entries in the ''Digimon World'' series, with the latter game being the last to be released in the West for nine years until ''Cyber Sleuth'''s release on February 2, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.madeforgaming.com/digimon-story-cyber-sleuth-inflitrates-west/|title= Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Inflitrates [sic] the West|date= July 5, 2015|work= Made For Gaming|access-date= July 5, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150910053621/http://www.madeforgaming.com/digimon-story-cyber-sleuth-inflitrates-west/|archive-date= September 10, 2015|url-status= dead}}</ref>

There have been several mobile games. ''Digimon Links'' was active from March 2016 to July 2019, and was similar to the ''Story'' games in that the player raised digimon in a farm and fought enemies using a team of three of their Digimon. It was succeeded by ''Digimon ReArise'', which launched June 2018 in Japan and October 2019 in America.<ref>{{Cite web|title=デジモンリアライズ {{!}} バンダイナムコエンターテインメント公式サイト|url=https://digi-rearise.bn-ent.net/|access-date=2021-08-20|website=デジモンリアライズ {{!}} バンダイナムコエンターテインメント公式サイト|language=ja}}</ref>

===Web novel===
In February 2023, Bandai announced a [[web novel]] titled {{Nihongo|''[[Digimon Seekers]]''|デジモンシーカーズ|Dejimon Shīkāzu}} to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise. The novel will serialize on the Digimon Web website for about a year, starting on April 3, simultaneously in English, Chinese, and Japanese.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn  |date=2023-02-11 |title=Digimon Seekers Project Revealed With Novel, Trailers, Merchandise |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-02-11/digimon-seekers-project-revealed-with-novel-trailers-merchandise/.194798 |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=Anime News Network}}</ref>

===Webcomic===
In December 2023, Bandai announced a webcomic titled ''Digimon Liberator'' for Spring 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tai |first=Anita |date=2023-12-25 |title=Digimon Trading Card Game Gets Digimon Liberator Webcomic Adaptation in Spring 2024 |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/daily-briefs/2023-12-25/digimon-trading-card-game-gets-digimon-liberator-webcomic-adaptation-in-spring-2024/.205902 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |access-date=2024-06-03}}</ref>

===Card game===
The Digimon Collectible Card Game is a card game based on Digimon, first introduced in Japan in 1997 and published by Bandai. The third season (''[[Digimon Tamers]]'') utilized this aspect of the franchise by making the card game an integral part of the season. Versions of the card game are also included in some of the Digimon video games including ''Digital Card Battle'' and ''[[Digimon World 3]]''.

During the fourth anime (''[[Digimon Frontier]]''), Bandai created the ''D-Tector Card Game'' to tie in to their own D-Tector virtual pet toys. This was a West-only card game. From February 25, 2011 to September 28, 2012, ''Digimon Jintrix'' was an online card game supported by physical card releases. It was followed up by the mobile game ''Digimon Crusader'', which lasted from December 2012 to December 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-02-08|title=デジモンクルセイダー(デジクル) {{!}} バンダイナムコゲームス公式サイト|url=http://digicru.bngames.net/|access-date=2021-08-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208041624/http://digicru.bngames.net/|archive-date=2015-02-08}}</ref> In 2020 a new card game was launched to coincide with ''[[Digimon Adventure (2020 TV series)|Digimon Adventure:]]'' using a new system, this was released in the West in January 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=デジモンカードゲーム|url=https://digimoncard.com/|access-date=2021-08-20|website=デジモンカードゲーム|language=ja}}</ref>

{{Multiple image
| align = center
| image1 = Digimon Evolution CCG cardback.png
| width1 = 96
| alt1 = Cardback of the first version Digimon CCG from 1999.
| image2 = Digimon Trading Card Game cardback.png
| width2 = 100
| alt2 = Cardback of the Digimon CCG from 1999, one of several iterations of the CCG.
| image3 = Digimon Trading Card Game cardback (later version).png
| alt3 = Cardback of the Digimon CCG from 2000, one of several iterations of the CCG.
| width3 = 100
| image4 = Digimon CCG cardback current version.png
| alt4 = Cardback of the Digimon CCG from 2003, the latest iteration of the CCG.
| width4 = 100
| footer = Some examples of the different versions of the Digimon CCG.
}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{official website}}

{{Digimon}}
{{Fox Kids}}
{{Non-sports trading cards}}

[[Category:Digimon| ]]
[[Category:Bandai brands]]
[[Category:Bandai Namco Entertainment franchises]]
[[Category:Boys' toys and games]]
[[Category:1990s toys]]
[[Category:Fiction about virtual reality]]
[[Category:Fictional shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Mass media franchises]]
[[Category:Portal fantasy]]
[[Category:Television series about parallel universes]]
[[Category:Products introduced in 1997]]