Digimon has been a beloved anime property for over two decades, but the original characters remain the best - with some more successfully than others.

With over 1,000 lovable Digital Monsters in the Digi-sphere of content, Digimon has a wide variety of lovable monsters for audiences to enjoy. Though viewers have their own deep-rooted respect for an assortment of the generations currently depicted - there's always going to be something wholesome and nostalgic about the original group of Digimon that started it all.

In the first series, there were seven Digimon and their DigiDestined companions, with an eighth eventually added to complete the perfectly crafted core group. Out of all eight classic Digimon in their primary rookie levels (with the exception of Gatomon who is included and technically a Champion level due to her past), there can only be one that is the ultimately powerful, intelligent, and well-written Digimon companion.

8 Tentomon

Tentomon is everyone's favorite cyber-bug creature who is definitely a bit awkward and uncertain, but his cautiousness is still rather important to the team.

With Izzy being the brains of the DigiDestined in the original and in the reboot series, Tentomon often takes a backseat, looking to his partner and others for guidance. Though when Tentomon does take center stage, he proves himself to be a capable leader. In addition to his suppressed strengths, Tentomon is typically one of the first available, reliable Digimon to show up for battle. This dependability means everyone can always count on him (with a relatable non-aggression that the world could greatly benefit from.)

7 Biyomon

Biyomon was introduced to Digimon viewers with a frustrated attitude and disinterest in her human partner, Sora. Over time, she is revealed to have one of the purest hearts in the anime.

Biyomon feels almost too aggressively disinterested in her partner before becoming too attached. There's just never a right balance struck by Digimon and DigiDestined. By the end of the original anime (with the last film Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna), their partnership is shown to have deteriorated even greater. Unfortunately, Biyomon is unfortunately partnered with a rather lackluster DigiDestined friend.

6 Gomamon

Gomamon has mastered the art of long-standing trouble in the best way possible, proving to be a light-hearted and joyful counterpart to his anxious DigiDestined partner.

Gomamon keeps the diligent Joe from getting too comfortable with stagnance, often getting into mischief both physically and verbally. Gomamon's directness is often a great asset to the series in terms of humor. When things get serious, Gomamon is fueled to protect the ones he loves. Gomamon will give you a hard time, but he'll also have your back when needed.

5 Palmon

Palmon is probably one of the most peaceful, go-with-the-flow types of Digimon that there is in the first generation. Don't mistake her passive ways as weakness or complacency!

As Mimi's Digimon partner, Palmon has arguably one of the most entertaining (and chaotic) lives of the group, which makes her humor and stability even more impressive. Being one of the only characters able to essentially ground their companion, Palmon also gets to plenty of screentime in the beloved films and series where her abilities/resilience makes her one of the most relentless fighters of the original Digimon series.

4 Agumon

Considering the fact that both Tai and Agumon are viewed as the face of the series, it's easy to recognize his top-tier potential as a Digimon. Among a list of many reasons, Agumon has regularly taken the top spot as the most consistent fighter amongst his friends and has repeatedly been the first to get the ball rolling with the evolution of the series' action.

Agumon has an authentic courageousness and loyalty that is also balanced with a kind heart, and Agumon is probably one of (if not the most) devoted to their DigiDestined. Even up to the end of the lengthiest original Digmon narrative, Agumon's devotion to Tai is a light at the end of the tunnel that can't help but bring viewers some hope for the future.

3 Patamon

Patamon became an immediate fan favorite of the Digimon world - and for good reason! Patamon's unforeseen adorableness in combination with his connection to an ancient power makes him appease two different audiences and pushes Patamon into being one of the Digimon greats.

In the series first major climactic battle, Patamon is the only Digimon to actually give their life in an effort to save the others, showing how dark Digimon was willing to get. Patamon also feels the most similar to their Digimon partner from a personality standpoint, giving their bond a promising amount of storylines to accommodate that significance. Without Patamon, there are a lot of things that would have played out differently in the series.

2 Gabumon

Gabumon's partnership with Yamato "Matt" is easily one of the most complex due to Matt's own internal struggles - playing out as one of the most mature, heartbreaking dynamics of Digimon.

While the road for all Digimon and DigiDestined relationships included their individual struggles, Gabumon had a different experience considering Matt is much more reserved (and sometimes defensive). When he begins to understand Matt's unique values and looks out for T.K. in the same way, which helps the two grow closer. Matt and Gabumon can spend time slipping into a comfortable silence together. They can also shift into one of the toughest Digimon characters around establishes Gabumon as a pillar of stability that's easy to gravitate towards.

1 Gatomon

There isn't a weak link in the classic Digimon lineup, but the fact that one character entered late and became the best is a testament to her utter brilliance - Kari's companion (the eighth DigiDestined) known as Gatomon.

Initially introduced as a potential villain for the series, Gatomon's near instinct to kill makes her evolution to pure-hearted hero the series biggest triumph and growth of the original generation. Gatomon introduces various consequences of trauma in an anime that speaks to audiences of all ages. Watching her blossoming love for Kari elevates her status to an unmatched celestial power. Gatomon is able to radiate dominance, soulfulness, compassion, and humor, rounding out the epitome of an incomparable Digimon legend.

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