Most Vietnamese gamers from the 80s and 90s remember the epic showdown between Ash Ketchum and Mewtwo. In the English dub, Mewtwo comes across as a ruthless villain filled with hatred toward humans. But the original Japanese version reveals a much deeper, tragic, and humane side to the character.
The 10-minute Mewtwo origin scene that was cut: The source of his pain
In the original cut, the film opens with a short segment titled “The Uncut Story of Mewtwo’s Origin.” This scene reveals that Mewtwo was not just a soulless experiment. The scientist who created Mewtwo was following orders from the leader Giovanni, who had a personal goal: to bring back his deceased daughter, Amber.
Mewtwo grew up in a glass enclosure alongside a clone of Amber (called Ambertwo) and three other starter Pokémon from the Kanto region. Through psychic connections, they shared warm childhood memories together. However, tragedy struck when the cloning process failed, causing Ambertwo and the other Pokémon to disappear one by one right before Mewtwo’s eyes.
The loss of his first friends left a massive psychological scar, fueling Mewtwo’s pain and rage that led to the bloody rebellion at the film’s start. Cutting this 10-minute scene stripped away Mewtwo’s emotional depth, turning him from a broken soul into a one-dimensional villain.
While the Pokémon anime usually has a bright and cheerful tone, the movies sometimes explore much darker, mature themes. The introduction of Ambertwo was a rare moment that directly addressed the death of a child, a taboo topic for children’s shows in the late 90s.
Removing this scene also erased the true meaning behind Mewtwo cloning Venusaur, Blastoise, and Charizard later in the film. It wasn’t just about building an army, it was Mewtwo’s desperate attempt to bring his childhood friends back to life.
A lasting legacy in fans’ hearts
Although it was cut to suit Western markets, the power of the original story remains undeniable. The Mewtwo origin segment has since been restored in many official releases, allowing audiences to see the full depth of this legendary character.
Nearly 30 years later, the story of Mewtwo and Ambertwo stands as proof that Pokémon is not just for kids. It carries profound reflections on existence and the true value of friendship.