Many of you probably still remember the very first Pokémon movie, released in theaters in 1996. However, in the Japanese original of the anime, there is another scene that was cut from the version shown in Germany and English-speaking countries.
What kind of scene is it? The story “The Birth of Mewtwo” was not included in the German film. In it, researchers search for Mew, wanting to obtain its DNA for eternal life. In fact, they manage to obtain a sample of the DNA and create a copy of Mew, which they name Mewtwo.
You can watch a short version of the scene without synchronization on YouTube:
Through telepathy, Mewtwo, who is still in his tank, encounters a human girl named Aitwo. She is the copy of the deceased daughter of one of the lab’s doctors, just like the clones of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. Mewtwo grows up over time and learns concepts such as the world, language, and the firmament from Aitwo.
However, Aitwo’s body suddenly begins to decay before Mewtwo’s eyes, just like the bodies of the other Pokémon moments before. As a result, his brain waves become chaotic, and the doctors must sedate him into a deep sleep with a tranquilizer. This causes Mewtwo to lose his memories of Aitwo. From here, the German version resumes, showing the events and awakening surrounding Mewtwo.
Mewtwo is a completely different villain
What are the implications? Since this scene is not present in the German version, Mewtwo appears to have an groundless hatred for humanity. He is depicted as a one-dimensional villain without a clear motive to annihilate humankind.
However, in the original Japanese version, Mewtwo suffers from the emotional loss of Aitwo. This gives his character a deeper and tragic motivation. The Pokémon cannot precisely remember that Aitwo has died. Yet, it feels that something important is missing, desperately searching for a sense of its existence.
Why was it cut? The American company 4Kids Entertainment, from which the German version was derived, was responsible for the localization of Pokémon. The company removes many contents that are related to violence, sexuality, or racism. Unfortunately, there is no official statement as to why exactly this scene was cut from the film.
Presumably, Mewtwo’s past was too heavy and traumatic for the western audience. Moreover, existential questions surrounding cloning might have been too complex for children, according to 4Kids Entertainment.
In Germany, the scene was released as bonus material on the DVD of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back. However, the scene was not synchronized, but only available in English with German subtitles.
Where can you watch the movie? If you want to watch the Pokémon movie in German, you can do so for free on TOGGO. Unfortunately, this scene is also missing here. Otherwise, your only option is to purchase the DVD.
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