How Pokemon: The First Movie Damaged the Reputation of the Franchise for Years
Almost everyone these days has an idea of what the concept behind Pokemon is. Before the franchise could settle into something that was beloved though it had to hit a brick wall and slow down. Ironically, the wall was hit with a Pokemon product that was the most anticipated product to come from the franchise.
Even though the anime and video games were huge hits, this would be the product that would be the true coming-out party to the world, and the franchise’s best foot would have to be put forward to solidify the franchise as something that could be enjoyed by people of all ages. That product wasPokemon: The First, the first theatrical motion of the franchise.
1999 Time Magazine Letters About the 'Pokemon Craze' Are a Blast from the Past
Released as Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo Strikes Back in Japan, the story revolved around a biologically created Pokemon named Mewtwo, who was cloned and created in a lab. Mewtwo is confused about his very existence and is angry at a world that seems interested in playing God. Mewtwo sets off on a journey to prove his worth and purpose in life. This of course results in a Pokemon battle where Mewtwo realizes that life is precious and worth living regardless of the circumstances of his existence.
Viewers in Japan reacted positively to the film. That a film based on a cartoon whose primary purpose was to sell toys would go through the trouble of introducing complex themes was considered bold and creative by critics and audiences alike. Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo Strikes Back proved to the general public that Pokemon was a franchise to take seriously.
Pokemon was not a franchise that adults got to spend much time with. It was one thing for the series to be on TV: Parents were going to have to pay to
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