Ranking the Original Digimon's Mega Forms

In the original Digimon anime, only some of the main characters unlocked their partner's strongest mega digivolutions, but thanks to the Digimon Adventure tri movies, we've encountered each final form.

Ranking them isn't easy due to discrepancies between lore and anime, but combining all information together, here are the eight strongest original mega partner Digimon!

Rookie Stage: Gomamon
Partner: Joe Kido

Joe was the underdog of the original team, the reluctant and clumsy kid who nonetheless had a good heart. His companion Gomamon finally unlocks Vikemon's Mega form in tri, where he defeated Imperialdramon (assisted by Rosemon and Leomon).

Vikemon's bulk and hammer provide great attack and defense, but he's the slowest of the original megas and the only one incapable of flight.

Rookie Stage: Palmon
Partner: Mimi Tachikawa

Mimi's companion also didn't unlock her mega mode until tri, transforming just in time to help Vikemon defeat Imperialdramon. Despite her diminutive size, Rosemon is a fast warrior who can shoot energy beams that match Imperialdramon's own in power.

Plus, while not present in tri, Rosemon has an even stronger Burst Mode form seen in several video games and the Data Squad anime.

Rookie Stage: Biyomon
Partner: Sora Takenouchi

Also called Hououmon, Phoenixmon represents the ultimate Bird Digimon; according to the Digimon wiki, "it is understood that the power possessed by Hououmon is unfathomable".

She's another new sight in tri, unleashed to help Seraphimon and HerculesKabuterimon defeat Machinedramon.

Rookie Stage: Tentomon
Partner: Izzy Izumi

HerculesKabuterimon helps Phoenixmon and Seraphimon beat Machindramon, but his most iconic battle takes place against his infected allies (WarGreymon plus the other partners' champion forms).

Even when they team up on him, HerculesKabuterimon manages to not only shake them off but also get them to regain some control over themselves, demonstrating both his physical power and strength of heart.

Rookie Stage: Gabumon
Partner: Matt Ishida

One of the two original partner megas, MetalGaruromon warp-digivolved to help the team defeat VenomMyotismon. Combining frigid attacks with traditional weaponry, MetalGarurumon packs a fierce punch.

Alongside WarGreymon, he can also DNA digivolve into Omnimon, one of the strongest Digimon ever seen. And since he's one of the first megas, he's got extra experience utilizing his final form.

Rookie Stage: Agumon
Partner: Tai Kamiya

The other original mega, WarGreymon repeatedly proves his power throughout Digimon Adventure. He helped beat VenomMyotismon and Apocalymon and was responsible for vanquishing both MetalSeadramon and Machinedramon.

He's able to match the fierce BlackWarGreymon in Digimon 02, and in addition to fusing into Omnimon, he can also become WarGreymon X when exposed to an X-Antibody.

Champion Stage: Gatomon (preferred over her Salamon Rookie form)
Partner: Kari Kamiya

The pinnacle of female angelic Digimon, Ophanimon wields immense power alongside prominent healing abilities. She also plays a key role in the fourth series, Digimon Frontier, and she can fuse with Raguelmon into the insanely-powerful Ordinemon.

Gatomon can also mega digivolve into Magnadramon, the ultimate beast Digimon best known for her appearance in the 02 movie.

Rookie Stage: Patamon
Partner: T.K. Takaishi

Patamon's digivolutions have proved some of the strongest ever seen, often able to take on Digimon ranked higher than them. His final transformation summons Seraphimon, who the wiki states is "the being closest to the Being of Goodness called God".

Where WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon struggled against Piedmon in the anime, Patamon easily beat him in his ultimate (one rank below mega) MagnaAngemon form—imagine how easy it would have been as Seraphimon.

Fierce though they are, even the mega forms of the partner Digimon can't typically solo the main villains, needing to fuse with others to combat them. This can be done via DNA, Biomerge, and Final Fusion digivolution, but no matter the name, our heroes prevail by pooling their powers.

While it never managed to dethrone Pokémon, Digimon remains a popular franchise with more mature yet still kid-friendly monster-collecting action. But for now, as we await more digital adventures, vote for your favorite mega and I'll see you at our next anime countdown!