Digimon has always been a franchise that has stood out among its peers for its unique approach to the monster-taming genre. The series, despite being marketed to a younger audience, is no stranger to scary monsters and dark topics that can leave a mark on its viewers. Over the years, fans have praised the series for its respectful approach to themes that children’s shows tend to avoid.

While Digimon can often be considered quite messed up for certain viewers, the idea of creating terrifying creatures has always been a core trait of the franchise. This is better seen in the original designs for the V-Pets, the toy that brought the series to life. The concept of a Digimon was meant to evoke feelings of unease and fear in kids from the beginning, and that is what made them so fascinating.

Digimon’s Original Designs Are Quite Odd

The Toy Was Meant To Represent a Wild Animal

As most Digimon fans must be aware, despite the franchise being mostly known for its amazing anime series, its beginnings were not related to animation. The idea of a digital monster was born from the interest shown by Bandai executives, the ones in charge of the distribution of the series around the world, in expanding the concept of Tamagotchi. While all kids could play with this virtual pet, marketing was mostly directed at girls, making it hard for boys to feel interested in the idea.

As such, the concept of a pet who could fight and evolve came to life, creating the first-ever Digimon product in history. A large majority of the fandom will be familiar with the original V-Pets, which resembled a brick prison that kept the virtual monsters trapped. This original concept was already quite odd, as only dangerous animals are kept away from humans. Yet, this idea was supposed to be several times more unsettling, as the original designs for the toy were not meant to be a prison, but a cage.

The concept art for the toy depicts a small screen that displays the Digimon surrounded by metal bars. The imagery greatly resembles the typical cages used in fantasy media to keep violent and powerful creatures away from the heroes. This concept, while simple, perfectly encapsulates how dangerous the most powerful Digimon could be. They were supposed to be pets for children, but even their bond with the player could not always protect them from their animal instincts. The final product made Digimon seem several times tamer, but the idea of dangerous creatures was used later in the anime series.

Digimon’s Scary Factor Is Present in the Anime

The Show Was Not Scared of Making Its Monsters Terrifying

Even though the V-Pets might have abandoned the idea of mighty and dangerous monsters roaming around the Digital World, the anime adaptation surely did not. Ever since the release of the beloved Digimon Adventure, which has come to an end after 25 years of bringing joy to the world, the titular monsters are aggressive and bloodthirsty. Kuwagamon, the first wild creature the DigiDestined encountered on their journey, had no reason to attack them at first sight, but its instincts pushed it to try and kill the children.

This could be attributed to his animalistic nature, as the creature did not seem to possess the same level of sapience as other Digimon showed. Nonetheless, smarter monsters were also depicted as dangerous and violent, ready to kill anything in their path to survive. Digimon Tamers, one of the best and darkest entries in the franchise, took this idea even further by making the entities that ruled over the Digital World just as dangerous to humanity as its inhabitants. The D-Reaper, the most disturbing villain of the series, would have erased humanity without remorse.

The Monsters’ Wild Nature Makes Them Fascinating

​​​​​​​Similar Shows Lack This Unique Trait

One core idea shared by almost all monster-taming series is the fact that the creatures that inhabit their world are not a direct threat to the characters. Pokémon, Digimon’s main competitor and the show it often gets accused of ripping off, is a perfect example of this trend. Despite coexisting with fire-breathing canines and creatures who could kill them with one attack, trainers are rarely ever in danger when encountering a wild monster. The Digital World does not have such peace, as most of its inhabitants are trapped in an endless cycle of violence.

Wild Digimon need to demonstrate their power and might to survive, an idea that is fundamental to their existence. The concept of Digievolution embodies this trait, as the creatures evolve according to their needs and the data of their fallen adversaries. The dark atmosphere of the Digimon franchise is not only a clever concept to distinguish itself from its peers, but is also a vital part of its essence that has maintained the series relevant for decades.