Sony and Bandai Namco have officially announced the long-rumored new Digimon game, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, during Sony PlayStation’s February 2025 State of Play event. This announcement ends years of speculation about a new Digimon game separate from Digimon Survive, which was released in 2022. For a while, reports hinted that this new game would be part of the beloved Digimon Story sub-franchise—a series known for its deep storylines and iconic characters that stand apart from the anime shows.
With no current Digimon anime on the air, Digimon Story could be the perfect foundation for a new series. The anime hasn’t recaptured the same appeal since its early seasons, and given the success of Digimon Story games like Cyber Sleuth and Hacker’s Memory, it might be time to explore how an anime adaptation could thrive.
Why Digimon Story Deserves an Anime
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and its sequel, Hacker’s Memory, have become some of the most successful Digimon releases in recent years. Fans praised the games’ anime-like visuals and engaging narratives. The games introduced a fresh aesthetic for the franchise, one that has resonated with audiences since the early 2000s. The games’ design, often compared to Persona for its gameplay and style, has become a defining feature of the franchise, and fans are eager to see more of this world. Many prefer the plots and visuals of Cyber Sleuth and Hacker’s Memory to those of recent anime series.
While video game adaptations to anime can sometimes struggle with being too closely tied to their source material, Digimon Story has always placed its narrative first, with gameplay taking a back seat. This makes the series a natural fit for an anime. An adaptation could remove the grinding found in the games and deliver a more streamlined, focused storyline. With Toei Animation’s talent, a Digimon Story anime could build on the games’ success by enhancing the story and offering a fresh perspective.
The Need for a New Digimon Anime
A Digimon Story anime could also fill the gap left by the lack of a current Digimon series. Traditionally, the Digimon anime has been closely tied to promoting the franchise’s digital pets and toys. While the anime gained massive popularity in the late ’90s and early 2000s, recent seasons have struggled to recapture that same level of success. Despite attempts to continue the Digimon Adventure story and reboot it in 2020, the series has faced mixed reviews, particularly due to a lack of character development and the overemphasis on the lead character, Tai.
The Digimon Adventure reboot was followed by Digimon Ghost Game, which wrapped up in March 2023. Unlike Pokemon, where a new anime is always airing, Digimon tends to take breaks between seasons. With just two years since the last major Digimon anime, Bandai is likely waiting before releasing another series. Additionally, the company seems to be focusing on expanding the Digimon card games and developing new novels and comics.
With its strong foundation in storytelling and characters, Digimon Story could be the key to revitalizing the Digimon anime franchise. Fans are eager for a new adaptation that captures the essence of the games while offering a fresh narrative experience.
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