Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns
Written by	Hideki Sonoda
Screenplay by	Takeshi Shudo
Directed by	Kunihiko Yuyama (chief) Masamitsu Hidaka
Voices of	see below
Narrated by	Unshō Ishizuka
Composer(s)	Shinji Miyazaki
Country of origin	Japan
Original language(s)	Japanese
Production
Producer(s)	Makiko Iwata Takayuki Yanagisawa Takemoto Mori
Editor(s)	Toshio Henmi
Running time	74 minutes
Production company(s)	OLM, Inc. Shogakukan Production
Release
Original network	TV Tokyo
Original release	December 30, 2000 (2000-12-30) (Japan)

Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns is a special movie-length episode of the Pokémon TV show. In Japan, it was called Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo! Ware wa Koko ni Ari: MEWTWO SAGA (ポケットモンスター ミュウツー! 我ハココニ在リ MEWTWO SAGA, "Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo! I Am Here 'MEWTWO SAGA'"). This special is a direct follow-up to the first Pokémon movie, Pokémon: The First Movie.

It first aired in Japan on December 30, 2000. Later, it was released on video and DVD in Japan on March 21, 2001. It came out on DVD in Australia on August 17, 2001. It was released in the United States and Canada on December 4, 2001, and in the UK on February 11, 2002. The story takes place during the fourth season of the TV show, called Pokémon: Johto League Champions.

The American DVD version includes a short extra feature. This extra is called The Uncut Story of Mewtwo’s Origin. It is about 10 minutes long. This part was originally in the Japanese version of Mewtwo Strikes Back. However, it was removed from the U.S. release. This was because some parts were thought to be too serious for a "G" rated movie.

Story of Mewtwo's Journey

Mewtwo is a powerful Pokémon. After meeting Ash Ketchum, Mewtwo's heart became softer. Mewtwo decided to travel to the Johto region. He was looking for a safe place for his cloned Pokémon friends. He wanted a place far from humans.

Mewtwo found the perfect hiding spot. It was a huge mountain called Mt. Quena. The mountain had very steep cliffs. This made it almost impossible to climb. At the top, there was a forest and a freshwater lake. It was a perfect home for many Bug Pokémon.

Mewtwo's cloned Pokémon settled there. They started a new, safe life. Mewtwo watched over them like a guardian. He felt they did not truly belong in the human world. He seemed especially close to the cloned Pikachu and Meowth.

Giovanni's Plan to Find Mewtwo

At the end of the first movie, Mewtwo made everyone forget what happened. But Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, was not on New Island. So, he remembered Mewtwo. Giovanni had been planning to capture Mewtwo again.

He finally found Mewtwo's new home on Mt. Quena. Giovanni started his plan to attack and capture Mewtwo. He wanted to make Mewtwo obey him. The Team Rocket combat unit headed towards Mt. Quena.

Ash and Friends Arrive

Ash and his friends, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu, were on their Pokémon journey. They were passing near Mt. Quena. Bad weather forced them to stay at a cabin at the foot of the mountain. There, they met Luna Carson and Cullen Calix, who study Pokémon. They also met a girl named Domino, who worked for a Pokémon institute.

Suddenly, Jessie, James, and Meowth from Team Rocket tried to steal Pikachu. This led to a big chase. Everyone ended up in a hot air balloon. The balloon flew into the air above Mt. Quena.

Domino's Secret Revealed

Up in the balloon, Domino showed her true identity. She was a secret agent for Team Rocket. Her code name was Agent 009, or "The Black Tulip." She told Jessie, James, and Meowth that they were losers. Then, she popped their balloon. Everyone fell onto the mountain. Domino went back to Giovanni to tell him about Mewtwo.

Giovanni's plan to capture Mewtwo began. Ash and his friends, along with Team Rocket's Jessie, James, and Meowth, were caught in the middle. Giovanni managed to capture Mewtwo. He threatened to capture and experiment on the other cloned Pokémon if Mewtwo did not cooperate.

With Mewtwo and the cloned Pokémon captured, Giovanni's plan was working. He immediately ordered a new Team Rocket base to be built on the mountain.

Escape and Battle

The captured characters and cloned Pokémon were locked in a prison cell. Two mother Pokémon were also there, trying to protect their babies. Meowth translated what the other Pokémon were saying. They were angry because someone was polluting the lake. They wanted to stop it. Domino later released Jessie and James. She made them do cleaning work at the new base.

Giovanni's desire for new bases caused problems. A swarm of angry Bug Pokémon attacked the Team Rocket base. The base was polluting the freshwater lake. This caused a lot of chaos. Ash and his friends were able to escape.

Ash rushed to Mewtwo. He believed it was his first time seeing Mewtwo. Ash and Brock tried to free Mewtwo from the machines. These machines were stopping Mewtwo's mind and body. Mewtwo was weak from using his power to break the machines. His life was in danger. Ash carried Mewtwo away from Giovanni's battle. Brock, Misty, the other clones, and the Bug Pokémon kept Team Rocket busy.

Mewtwo's Healing and New Beginning

Mewtwo asked Ash why he was helping him. Ash replied that you don't need a reason to help someone in trouble. Mewtwo thought Ash might be special. But Ash said everyone is special. They reached the heart of the mountain. Ash threw Mewtwo into a healing spring. The spring restored Mewtwo's power.

Mewtwo finally accepted that he was a real Pokémon. The water affected him just like it affected others. Mewtwo rose and used his psychic powers. He moved the lake and the spring underground. Then, he used his mind-erasing powers. He made Giovanni forget about Mewtwo, the clones, and Mt. Quena.

Team Rocket was sent away from the mountain. Jessie, James, and Meowth hid in a cave during the battle. So, they were not sent away.

Ash, Meowth, and other Pokémon convinced Mewtwo not to erase their minds. Mewtwo wanted to keep the mountain's secret safe from humans. But Ash promised to keep the mountain's secret forever. Mewtwo agreed. He thanked Ash for his help and understanding. Mewtwo then left on his own. All the cloned Pokémon left to live freely in the wild.

Mewtwo sent Ash and his friends away in a Pikachu balloon. Jessie, James, and Meowth left in their Meowth balloon. Later, as Ash, Misty, and Brock walked through a city, Ash heard Mewtwo's voice. Mewtwo said, "I will remember you always." In the Japanese version, he said, "I am here." The story ends with rumors of a Pokémon who traveled through the city at night.

Voice Cast

Music in the Special

For the international release of Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns, music from the first movie was used again. This music was originally composed by Ralph Schuckett, John Loeffler, Shinji Miyazaki, Kenneth Lampl, and Wayne Sharpe for Mewtwo Strikes Back. For example, the music played when Domino fights the Bug Pokémon was first used in a scene in Mewtwo Strikes Back. However, it was later replaced with a song called "Brother My Brother" by Blessid Union of Souls in that movie.