>>714064690 (OP)
Simple.
Branding. Excellent launch. Socializing aspect.
>Branding
It's for kids. But adults can enjoy it too.
>Excellent launch
Pokemania. If you were there you were there. Anime, games, cards(both tgc and collectable cards)
>Socializing aspect
You had to trade with someone to get all mons on your Pokemon Red/Blue. It makes people talk to each other about Pokemon. And now Pokemon is a mutual interest for these two people.
Let's see your examples
>Megami Tensei
Too "mature", mythological creatures and religious imagery turns fuckton of people away. Also is very "Japanese".
>Digimon
Naming wasn't the best and people accused it being a "clone" of Pokemon. Didn't help that designs went all the way to rocket-filled super monster beasts, alienating lots of grills. These days Digimon is very "anime" with their designs as well.
>Yo-Kai Watch
Too Japanese. And as you said. Has no appeal outside of Nippon because Yokai is too alien of a concept for most of the west and translating it is pointless, especially when it is full of Japanese folklore focused stuff.
>Palworld
Copies Pokemon shamelessly with fucked up art direction(pulling different artstyles from Gen 1 - Gen 9) and that's that. Live service slop and will probably never be completed. Used drama to be popular. Think of a modern day Sonic. It may stick around and was bit more popular than Pokemon for a while. Generative AI usage doesn't help either and kinda stained their reputation among some groups.
>Temtem
Tried to be Pokemon too much.
I think this is the same problem that people have when trying to make their "own Smash Bros. Melee". Yeah, few Melee players try it out but they go back to Melee because they like Melee. If all you offer is Melee but not the same, then people rather play Melee.
If you offer Pokemon but not the same, then people go back to Pokemon. Pokemon just did everything right with Gen 1 and can ride that with it's cultural relevancy and good marketing, constant anime + merchandising
