Mewtwo is one of the Pokémon , and has been since the days of Red and Blue. Thus, the origins of Mewtwo as one of the few artificial beings make him extremely unique, and the anime was not shortlighted to explore Pokémon's struggles to accept his own nature.
At first, the film presents Mewtwo mysteriously, covering it with a strange armor that suppresses its skills and allows them to control it more easily. Giovanni uses Mewtwo to perform a series of evil acts until he finally escapes, starting the plot of the first Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back.
In addition, the film reveals a lot about Mewtwo's origins, his feelings about his status as an artificial being and his hatred for humanity in general, caused by the way his creators treated him. Among Mewtwo's feelings about Giovanni and Mew, it is safe to say that he has some problems with his father to solve.
Creation and Use of Mewtwo by Giovanni
About 20 years before the original anime Pokémon, an expedition found a Cilia de Mew, which led a team of scientists, led by Dr. Fuji and funded by the Rocket team, to use this DNA to create a cloned being with enhanced powers: Mewtwo. Dr. Fuji had second intentions, however; He was seeking to improve the cloning mechanism to bring his dead daughter, Amber, back to life.
Mewtwo met the Amber clone, who introduced him to the wonders of the world shortly before her (and all the other clones other than Mewtwo) died. This left Pokémon with a broken and confused heart, wondering what purpose he should serve. Scientists were very happy with their power, but this joy quickly turned into terror when he began a wave of destruction by the laboratory, killing his own creators when he realized that they did not value him as a being, but as an experiment that worked.
Mewtwo was then approached by Giovanni, not knowing his role in his creation. Giovanni tried to convince Pokémon to work with him, but soon it was clear to Mewtwo that he was just being used. However, he hated Giovanni, and soon began to hate all humanity, feeling that all humans were the same selfish beings. Mewtwo began to see other Pokémon as being used as well, and despised them for their weakness to be used. That's when he elaborated his plan to dominate and destroy the world.
The problems that made him an attractive character
Mewtwo is far from being the only artificial Pokémon. Even in the first generation, there is also Porygon, an artificial Pokémon designed to interact with computer systems. However, Mewtwo is portrayed as the only one to distress with his existence, seeking meaning in his life.
Mewtwo's hatred for humanity is understandable, given his life experiences. Of course, Pokémon creators never expected him to be so intelligent and were not prepared to deal with the kind of questions he had. Mewtwo's problems with their creators are largely feelings that everyone will experience at some point in their lives, making their existential questioning very relateable.
Mewtwo and Mew in Pokémon
Mewtwo's feelings about Mew are more complicated. Mewtwo has great confidence in his power, but is secretly very insecure about his status as a clone. To prove himself that he is more than just a Mew imitation, Mewtwo is dedicated to trying to defeat Mew, who really has little idea of what is happening.
In a sense, it is a very traditional situation of father against son, with mewtwo desperate to match his parent. Throughout the movie, and Mewtwo's later apparitions in the anime, he learns that not all humans are like Giovanni, and Ash's sacrifice helps him to realize this: “That's what you do with the gift of life that determines who determines who you are." With this speech, Mewtwo finally accepted his status as a clone, and no longer feels the need to prove that he is more powerful than Mew.
Experiences with Creator Ash and their changes
He has some appearances outside the original movie, something very rare for movies of the work. Mewtwo appears in a special during the Gold and Silver era, Mewtwo Returns , who sees Ash and friends to discover Mewtwo's cloned Pokémon Settlement on Mount Qena. Well in time for the Rocket team to attack and try to recover Mewtwo. Ash, Misty and Brock help Mewtwo defend their home and fight the Rocket team, despite the fact that they have no memory of the events of the first movie.
Mewtwo also appears in an episode of Pokémon Journeys . Here, Goh and Ash find Mewtwo again, this time protecting a small island from Pokémon abused by humans. He does not reveal whether he recognizes Ash, but Ash recognizes him. Mewtwo questions them about their goals and eventually agrees with a battle, although Mewtwo easily dominates his Pokémon. Mewtwo seems impressed by his determination and zeal for life, perhaps with a touch of envy because he has not yet found a motivating purpose as they had.
Finally, there is really no other Pokémon that can compare Mewtwo when it comes to depth of character. In making Mewtwo an individual, Pokémon creates a tragic and emotionally forged figure that would instantly become an icon of the series. Mewtwo may be an artificial being, but his existential questions are a central experience for everyone, making him the most identifiable figure of Pokémon from afar.
Anyway guys, what is your favorite Pokémon? Leave a comment and see you next time!
