Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
Japanese Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Kunihiko Yuyama
Produced by	Choji Yoshikawa Yukako Matsusako Junya Okamoto Takemoto Mori
Screenplay by	Hideki Sonoda
Narrated by	Unshō Ishizuka
Starring	see below
Music by	Shinji Miyazaki
Cinematography	Takaya Mizutani
Editing by	Toshio Henmi
Studio	OLM, Inc.
Distributed by	Toho
Release date(s)	July 16, 2005 (2005-07-16) (Japan)
Running time	101 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese
Money made	¥4.3 billion

Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew is an exciting Japanese animated fantasy film from 2005. It was directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and made by OLM, Inc.. This movie is the eighth film in the popular Pokémon series.

The film first came out in Japan on July 16, 2005. Later, it was released on DVD in Japan on December 22, 2005. The English version was created by 4Kids Entertainment. It was first released on DVD in Australia on August 16, 2006. The US release followed on September 19, 2006.

The English movie first showed in the US at the 2006 Comic-Con in San Diego, California. In the United Kingdom, it aired in July 2007 on Cartoon Network. It still airs on CITV. This movie was the last Pokémon film that 4Kids Entertainment dubbed into English. They had been dubbing Pokémon since the TV series started in 1998. After this film, The Pokémon Company International started dubbing all future Pokémon episodes and movies. The story of this film happens during the eighth season of Pokémon: Advanced Battle.

Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew was nominated for "Best Anime Feature" at the American Anime Awards. However, it did not win, losing to Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children.

The Story of Lucario and Mew

This movie tells a thrilling story about friendship, trust, and courage. It features Ash Ketchum and his Pokémon friends on a big adventure.

The Aura Guardian Festival

The story begins at Cameron Palace, where a special festival is held. This festival celebrates Sir Aaron, an ancient hero. He stopped a big war from happening near the Tree of Beginning a long time ago. Ash, wearing a similar outfit to Sir Aaron, competes in a tournament at the festival. He wins and becomes the "Aura Guardian" for that year.

As part of the celebration, Ash receives Sir Aaron's staff. Inside the staff is Sir Aaron's Pokémon companion, Lucario. Sir Aaron had sealed Lucario away before he stopped the war.

Pikachu's Disappearance

During the festival, Mew, a legendary Pokémon, appears. An adventurer named Kidd Summers tries to put a tracker on Mew. She uses her two Weavile to help her. Pikachu tries to protect Mew but faints. Mew then teleports Pikachu away to a mysterious place.

Ash is very worried about Pikachu. With Lucario's help, he decides to follow Mew to the Tree of Beginning. Lucario was released from the staff when Ash made a pose like Sir Aaron.

Lucario's Journey and Trust

When Lucario is first released, he doesn't trust humans at all. This causes some arguments with Ash at the beginning of their journey. While traveling, Max gives Lucario a chocolate bar. Lucario really likes it, and this small act helps him start to trust humans. Eventually, Ash earns Lucario's full trust. Together, they enter the Tree of Beginning.

Inside the tree, they are attacked by its guardians: Regirock, Regice, and Registeel. These Pokémon see Ash and his friends as a threat.

Inside the Tree of Beginning

As they go deeper into the tree, they face more challenges. The tree's defense system attacks them. These defenses are like special mechanisms triggered by Kidd's survey robots. They can turn into jelly-like Pokémon and absorb anything they see as a threat. Ash and his friends are absorbed into the tree.

Luckily, Mew saves them by communicating with the tree's defense system. However, the energy flow in the tree is disrupted. This causes the tree to become very sick. Since Mew and the tree depend on each other, Mew also becomes very ill.

A Heroic Sacrifice

To save Mew and the Tree of Beginning, Lucario and Ash must combine their special Aura powers. They work together to reverse the tree's self-destruction. Lucario pushes Ash away to make sure Ash doesn't sacrifice himself. Giving up all of one's Aura means they can no longer live.

A "time flower" then shows a memory of Sir Aaron. It reveals that he sacrificed himself to stop the war. Before he passed away, Sir Aaron said Lucario was his closest friend and that he would miss him. It becomes clear that Sir Aaron sealed Lucario away to protect him. He didn't want Lucario to die with him. Lucario, seeing this memory, understands and gives his own life to honor his friend. Lucario moves on, knowing he will be reunited with Sir Aaron.

The movie ends with everyone learning important lessons about trust, sacrifice, and love.

After the Adventure

In the credits, a painting of Sir Aaron is shown, and Lucario is added to it. This shows that the castle owners respect Lucario as a hero too. Later in the credits, Kidd Summers is seen helping Butler from a previous Pokémon movie, Pokémon: Jirachi Wish-Maker. At the very end of the credits, Lucario and Sir Aaron appear together, sharing a chocolate bar. This is a sweet nod to Max's earlier act of kindness.

Voice Cast