How the 90s anime set up Ash and Pikachu’s debut film.

by Scott Rayner

It may be commonplace today, but in 1999, the idea of an interconnected universe shown over different media formats was either rare or thought to be impossible. There were a few exceptions. DC and Marvel Comics, the odd Star Trek cameo from TNG to DS9, etc. The most prevalent example (on my 90s radar) was various Marvel characters appearing across each other’s animated series (X-Men in Spider-Man being a highlight).

These moments happened so rarely they felt truly special. But unlike what we’ve now come to expect (if not demand, thanks to the long-term work by the Marvel Cinematic Universe), back in the 90s, the idea of something in a TV show paying off in an upcoming film was incredible. The film then referencing back to those TV events? This stuff just didn’t happen.

Except it did, in the Pokémon anime series.

It was subtle, elegant, intriguing, and perfectly executed. With what we’d now consider an “Easter Egg” scene, the Pokémon anime began a side story over several episodes. It culminated with a brief scene - or money shot - which directly set up the Pokémon theatrical film about to be released.

What’s best is that it revolved around the origin of one of Pokémon’s all-time fan-favourite characters: Mewtwo.

Welcome to the world of Pokémon

By 1999, the Pokémon brand was a global phenomenon. The original Red and Blue (and Green!) Game Boy and trading card games were mega hits. Following closely behind, the accompanying anime series cemented Pokémon’s place in pop culture. The inevitable success of the show (and brand in general) allowed the anime series to take a rare big step: continuing its story directly into a theatrical film. It probably didn’t matter what Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back was going to be about the strength of the Pokémon brand all but guaranteed people would show up. But we did know it involved Mewtwo. This dark, mysterious, and rare pocket monster in a world of colourful characters wasn’t just engaging, Mewtwo was cool. The one you had to catch. An essential card to collect.

Leading Pokémon into cinemas with Mewtwo front and centre may have been a clear choice. Building its narrative through the anime series just before release though? That was genius to me in 1998. And having gone back to re-watch it all play out, I’m happy to confirm it’s still so, so good.

*Gary’s Pokédex is unable to recognise the mysterious Pokémon. (The Pokémon Company)*

Blink and you’ll miss it

Mewtwo’s introduction to the anime series is filled with anticipation and suspense rarely (if ever) matched in the show. During Episode 61, “The Battle of the Badge”, Ash, Pikachu, Brock, and Misty finally arrive at Viridian City – the infamous location of Team Rocket’s HQ and more importantly, its Gym; the leader of which being none other than Team Rocket boss, Giovanni. It’s not the epic showdown between these two trainers that takes place, however. Gary, Ash’s rival gets to Viridian City before Ash and co, and it’s him we see challenging Giovanni. After Gary makes casual work of Giovanni’s Pokémon, the boss sends out a creature who isn’t recognisable – at least not by Gary’s Pokédex. Not only is it Mewtwo, but it’s Mewtwo encased in some kind of grey armour, obscuring its face so Gary (and the audience) never actually see the Pokémon clearly. Mewtwo effortlessly stops Gary’s challenge before we see Giovanni providing Mewtwo with “an assignment”. Again, seen in its laboratory-based confinement, ominous cables detach from the armour, as the silent Pokémon is let loose.

This tease of Mewtwo is all that’s provided before another glimpse follows in Episode 62 “It’s Mr Mime Time!”. Here, a brief scene shows Jessie, James and Meowth being summoned to Team Rocket’s HQ, for an audience with Giovanni via a video call. Mewtwo is briefly seen in the background, but once Giovanni abruptly ends the call, in which Jessie and co promise to find him some rare Pokémon, he turns to give his sinister reflections on Mewtwo. Stating: “they can search the entire universe, but they’ll never find a Pokémon as rare as you! (evil laugh)”.

It’s not clear whether Mewtwo is awake or unconscious here, his armour once again concealing any details, and no information is given to the audience about who or what this being is. If you’d played the games, you’d know that Mewtwo is a science experiment created using DNA found from the mythical Pokémon known as “Mew”. If you haven’t come into this show with that knowledge, however, you’re led to speculate on something along those lines. Whereas during the battle with Gary’s Pokémon, Mewtwo was moving freely, his armour is now connected via giant cables to high-tech lab equipment. There are sci-fi aesthetics at work here which tap into a much darker and sinister tone. One the usually cheery show hasn't ventured into by this point.

“What is my purpose?”

Then comes the big moment. The one that captivated me when this episode first aired and added a layer of depth to the backstory of the film about to follow.

Episode 65: “Showdown at the Po-ké Corral” is where the Mewtwo escaping easter egg takes place. Team Rocket is walking through the woods approaching their evil HQ when an explosion devastates the building. Through fire and smoke, we see something flying out of the wreckage at great speed. After a reaction shot from Jesse, James and Meowth, the audience is given one brief but tantalising shot: a close-up of what we now recognise as Mewtwo. It’s shedding the grey armour, and Giovanni-controlled equipment as it flies away. The shot lasts for mere seconds, and there is no full reveal of Mewtwo without the armour, and no suggestion is made as to where it is going. It simply flies away in epic, dramatic fashion, indicating to viewers that something significant has just gone down, and the mysterious Pokémon is now free. Team Rocket’s shocked reaction is the only acknowledgement we’re presented with.

And that's it. That's the entire moment, in all its painfully brief yet deeply engaging glory to any budding trainer watching the show. A fascinating mystery for those who may not have known about the upcoming film. An exciting teaser to build anticipation and hype for those waiting with bated breath to see Pokémon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Into the silver screen

Fortunately - to those as mesmerised by the show’s Mewtwo escape as me - the film’s opening truly delivers. It tremendously rewards viewers with the whole Mewtwo backstory, filling in all information missing (or hidden) from the show.

With an all-revealing summary of Mewtwo’s origins, the Easter egg is cleverly swapped around. We’re shown familiar glimpses of the anime’s episodes (Gary’s ill-fated challenge against Mewtwo in the Viridian city gym, etc), yet now from the intriguing perspective of Mewtwo.

Tentatively aligning with Giovani, we see Mewtwo don the recognisable armour that first gave us our look at the popular Pokémon in the show. More significantly, it alerts the audience that we’re about to witness not just “the moment” in question - where Team Rocket sees him blasting away with armour breaking off - but that we’re finally going to understand what led to it and why.

What’s as impressive today as back in 1999 is that at this point in the movie - a mere seven minutes in - we’ve already had some considerable introspection and contemplation regarding the meaning of life from Mewtwo. Or at least, a significant amount, considering this is the Pokémon anime. Hardly something usually associated as an outlet for deep philosophical issues. It sets a very different, mature tone from the usual happy-go-lucky affair from the weekly anime episodes. It proves that this story was too big for the weekly anime and required the grander scale of cinema for its storytelling. Also, to establish Mewtwo as a threatening, powerful entity, the likes of which the series had never suggested possible. Mewtwo was as unique as he was captivating to any Pokémon trainer in the 90’s. Or today, as the magnificent statue of him (inside his incubator from this very movie), on display at the Pokémon centre in Shibuya, Tokyo proves.

*“So I am simply the end result of your experiment. What becomes of me now that your experiment is over?”* - Mewtwo *(The Pokémon Company)*

The film’s core narrative begins to take shape with the shift in perspective to Mewtwo. Giovanni (taking one evil, egomaniacal step too far) triggers Mewtwo’s disgust by labelling the Pokémon as his slave. This becomes the catalyst which the genetically engineered Pokémon – already dealing with an existential crisis – requires to break free of his would-be slaver, and the idea of humanity in general. The telepathic being breaks away from Team Rocket HQ and directly into the epic shot from Episode 65. And to round out the perfection of this Easter egg, this shot isn’t different, reworked, or redrawn - it’s the exact same shot from the show (just slightly longer, as Mewtwo speeds further into the distance). It brings this easter egg and all its interconnected media design full circle in a very satisfying way. What happens next? Well, the story continues, and to make the journey of this whole Easter egg mystery worth it, the movie is amazing.

“I see now that the circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are.”

— Mewtwo

*Dates and episode numbering given for this article are for the US, not Japanese airings*