Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, later released in Japan as The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon (戦慄のミラージュポケモン, Senritsu no Mirāju Pokemon^?) is a special hour-long episode of the Pokémon anime series created for the tenth anniversary of the franchise. This special premiered on Kids' WB! on April 29, 2006. It became available on DVD in the United States on September 19 that year as a special feature on the 2-disc Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew release, and the new dub aired on October 28 in the same year on Cartoon Network. In Japan the special was available for download as 戦慄のミラージュポケモン on the official site from October 13-October 31, 2006.

This special marked the first time English-language production was handled by Pokémon USA (now known as The Pokemon Company International) and TAJ Productions. Previously, 4Kids Entertainment were responsible for all Pokémon licensing except video games and the trading card game outside of Asia from 1998 until 2005. As a result of this change, the English-language version of the special featured an all-new voice cast, replacing the 4Kids-based actors, many of whom had worked on the show for eight years. The only two who returned were Rodger Parsons as the narrator and Jimmy Zoppi, who voice many characters like Gary Oak but now provides the voice for James and Meowth.

This change has caused controversy among most fans. It was announced at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con that the version available on DVD would be improved from that aired on TV, with dialogue being re-recorded after the new voice cast became more familiar with their roles, and after Ash was given another new voice actor Sarah Natochenny.

Plot

The storyline centers around Dr. Yung, an enigmatic Pokémon scientist who has developed a new technology called the "Mirage System" to resurrect extinct Pokémon like Kabutops and Armaldo. Ash, Brock, May, Max, Professor Oak, and Misty show up at the Mirage Mansion at Dr. Yung's invitation, and watch a demonstration of the machine's capabilities. In the middle of a battle between Dr. Yung's Mirage Pokémon and Ash, the machine goes haywire and a Mirage Aerodactyl swoops in and kidnaps Dr. Yung. The Mirage Master appears out of nowhere and announces to everyone that the Mirage System can be used to create Pokémon with absolutely no weaknesses. He threatens them, and they make their escape from the mansion. Unfortunately, Dr. Yung does not make it out, and the gang decide to go investigate. Professor Oak becomes kidnapped, and while he is in the presence of the "Mirage Master", he learns that the Master is actually Dr. Yung. Ash infiltrates the mansion, while Misty follows after him, and both reach the two professors. Upon their arrival, Dr. Yung completes his masterpiece, a Mirage-Mewtwo that could absorb and use the abilities of other Mirage Pokémon, even after the Mirage Pokémon has "died". At the sight of a Mirage Mew flying by the window, Dr. Yung orders Mirage-Mewtwo to destroy it, believing it to be a failed experiment, as the Mirage-Mew understood feelings which were not necessary from Dr. Yung's view. The mansion opens up its towers, distributing many hologram machines that allow Mirage Pokémon to travel outside the castle.

The plot for this feature is loosely based upon the musical Pokémon Live - In which a Mewtwo absorbed and learned all attacks used on it requiring only Thunder and Thunderbolt to have learned all moves.

A fight breaks out between Ash and his friends and the Mirage Master, but the "Mewtwo" is too much for them to handle. Before Mewtwo destroys them, the Mirage Mew steps in to save them, but the "Mew" is quickly destroyed. Before the Mirage-Mewtwo could land a finishing blow, the Mirage Mew prevents the Mirage Mewtwo from attacking, having been absorbed by the Mirage Mewtwo. Pikachu destroys the Mirage-Mewtwo and the hologram machines explode, while the mansion is reduced to a burning wreck. Dr. Yung, unfazed by his failure to destroy Ash, hurries back in to the wreck. Officer Jenny is shown later, saying that Professor Yung could not be found.

Sources

• Crystal Acids
• TAJ Productions official site

External links

• The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon at Bulbapedia
• The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon at TV.Com
• Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia