4 Pokemon Spinoffs That Deserve Their Own Anime

With a plethora of engaging spinoffs, Pokémon should give these titles the chance at a full fledged anime series.

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Category : Pokemon

With an anime nearly as popular and widespread as the video games it’s inspired by, Pokémon has done what few of its contemporaries have ever been able to accomplish. Beyond its mainline series, Pokémon has amassed an impressive number of quality spinoff properties that are just as deserving of an anime adaptation as the original games they stem from.

These are the Pokémon spinoffs most deserving of anime adaptations, in no particular order.

Pokémon Conquest

A crossover between the franchise and the Nobunaga’s Ambition series with a feudal Japan inspired setting, Pokémon Conquest is a title with a premise, character designs and art direction that easily set it apart from other Pokémon spinoffs. Set in the Ransei region, composed of 17 nations each housing warlords and their armies of Pokémon, the game follows the newest warlord of the Aurora nation and their Eevee partner on a quest to unite the nations. Along the way, the main character can recruit and ally with warlords they’ve defeated.

Besides the interesting concept, the story had quite a colorful cast and even included bonus missions after completion that explored their pasts. Even the main antagonist, Nobunaga, becomes a playable character in a storyline that explores how he rose to power as the fearsome ruler in the main campaign. Pokémon Conquest has its own eight-chapter manga adaptation which — while it doesn’t boast an impressive length — develops its world and personalities even further.

The main series could focus on the primary story of the game, while the side stories offer plenty of opportunities for OVAs, spinoff series or entire films. With plenty of memorable characters and appearances from many of the franchise’s legendary Pokémon, Conquest is an adventure that would make for a very fresh and unique addition to Pokémon’s anime portfolio.

Pokémon Ranger

The Pokémon Ranger series has some of the most one-of-a-kind gameplay of any franchise entry. The game introduced a completely new and distinct aspect to the world: Rather than catching Pokémon and battling with them, rangers defend the world’s biomes and their resident Pokémon.

Instead of carrying Pokéballs, they use special devices called Capture Stylers that allow them to temporarily tame wild Pokémon in order to solve problems. In later entries, they can even summon Pokémon they’ve befriended in the past to assist them.

While rangers have appeared in multiple episodes of the anime, the film Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea and even a 10-minute short, Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs, they have never had a chance to shine in their own full-fledged, solo anime. Containing three full games with stories that explore a multitude of different environments and locations, there is more than enough material to adapt into a full-fledged plot from Pokémon Ranger. The series could start with the original game’s story and stick with one central protagonist as they journey through the events of all three titles.

Pokémon Colosseum/Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

This pair of GameCube titles offers enough interesting ideas that separate it from the mainline series. For one, the protagonist is a former member of Team Snagem, one of the evil organizations that serve as antagonists, who has now reformed and seeks to stop the team’s sinister plots.

Pokémon Colosseum/Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness also introduces the concept of using a device called a Snag Machine to steal other trainers’ Pokémon, something that is impossible in every mainline entry.

There’s also the series-exclusive Shadow Pokémon — including Shadow Lugia, who’s found on the Gale of Darkness cover — who are rather integral to the plot and the antagonist’s master plan. With darker story beats than the usual Pokémon plot, an adaptation of this series could serve as a step away from the campiness that’s usually found in the anime. Plenty of episodes have dabbled with more serious motifs before, so it wouldn’t be entirely without basis.

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon

The crown jewel of Pokémon storytelling, this beloved series is the most deserving of a full-fledged anime adaptation. Mystery Dungeon chronicles the experiences of a human who’s transformed into a Pokémon and mysteriously transported to their world, as they attempt to find a way home.

At the start of their journey, they encounter a friendly Pokémon who will soon become their partner. The pair go on a number of adventures, helping and befriending tons of Pokémon along the way.

An anime adaptation that begins with the first game would be ideal, but Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness/Time is easily the series’ peak and offers a much richer experience fit for a full animated series. With standout Pokémon like Grovyle and Dusknoir, who saw some incredibly deep characterization, the game’s plot offers more charm and emotional resonance than any of the franchise’s mainline entries. The title has received small animated features in the past, but condensed episodes don’t do the incredible story and characters nearly enough justice.

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