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Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

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The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon 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 was the first time an episode of Pokémon premiered in the United States. It will be available on DVD in the United States on September 19, 2006 as a special feature on the 2-disc Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew release.

This special marked the first time English-language production was handled by Pokémon USA and TAJ Productions rather than 4Kids Entertainment, who were responsible for all Pokémon licensing except video games 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. This change has caused some controversy among 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 were more used to their roles and after Ash was given another new voice actor.

Synopsis

Template:Spoilers 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, Professor Oak does not make it out, and it's up to Ash and Misty to save the day.

Recap

Ash and friends are now walking along the forest, Ash reading from a piece of paper. The paper turns out to be a letter inviting Ash and his battle skills to come and see a new battle system at Dr. Yung's Laboratory. He praises himself on his skills as May comments that they were the same the last time he read the letter. Max wants to see the battle system, with Brock adding that he'd like to see it before Ash reads the letter again.

They emerge from the forest and find themselves at a large castle next to a river. As they enter the castle, Max notices little round things on the floor. He wonders what they are so Brock suggests that they are outdoor lighting. Inside the courtyard, Ash and friends find a surprise waiting for them: Professor Oak and Misty! Misty asks what Ash is doing there so he tells her about his battle skills and that he got an invitation. She pulls one out too as Brock asks Professor Oak if he got one too. He says that he did as a man emerges from a corridor.

The man introduces himself as Dr. Yung. Everyone introduces themselves as Max wonders where the battle system is. Dr. Yung responds that they are standing in it. The "outdoor lighting" circles on the floor suddenly light up and form a hexagonal line pattern on the floor. Dr. Yung pushes a button on a small controller and beams of light then extend from the floor. Three Pokémon appear: Kabutops, Omastar, and Armaldo. Professor Oak comments that Dr. Yung's Mirage System must be done. Dr. Yung says that he can make any Pokémon at all with his newly completed Mirage System. Max reaches out and rubs Omastar and says that they look real because they are real.

Dr. Yung makes Kabutops, Omastar, and Armaldo disappear into the System as a Mirage Aggron forms. Dr. Yung invites Ash to battle Aggron as a test of the System. Ash agrees but Misty stops him and says that ladies go first. Meanwhile, Jessie, James, and Meowth watch from around the corner. Jessie says that having the Mirage System would be like printing their own money.

At the battlefield, Dr. Yung allows Misty to make the first move after she releases her Staryu. She accepts the move and orders Staryu to use Bubblebeam. Aggron takes a direct hit but turns out to be just fine. Dr. Yung orders Aggron to use a Sandstorm attack. A Sand Tornado forms and smashes into Staryu, even as it attempts to dodge. From over the castle wall, a Mew watches silently. Pikachu notices the Pokémon as the battle rages on. Misty orders Staryu to use Water Gun. Aggron blocks it with a Thunder Wave, which surges through the Water Gun and hits Staryu. Dr. Yung finishes the battle with a Bullet Seed. Professor Oak declares Staryu unable to battle, and Misty recalls it. Max comments to Dr. Yung that an Aggron shouldn't normally be able to use Thunder Wave and Bullet Seed.

Dr. Yung tells Max that by changing the data, he can change the Mirage Pokémon's Attacks and Type. He then turns to Ash and asks him if he's ready for battle. Ash and Pikachu eagerly respond that they are and they move to the battlefield. Pikachu charges at Aggron as Aggron charges at Pikachu. Suddenly, Aggron freezes and starts to disappear just like the others did. Dr. Yung's controller explodes and he falls to the ground. A bunch of Mirage Pokémon then appears before the gang: two Mirage Aerodactyl, Kabutops, Omastar, and Armaldo. On a ledge above, a mysterious masked man appears and says that the Mirage System is now under new ownership. He then tells them that his name is Mirage Master. The gang starts to run away as the Aerodactyl swoop in. Pikachu uses a Thunderbolt on them but they keep coming. One of the Aerodactyl grabs a hold of Dr. Yung and carries him off.

The rest of the Mirage Pokémon then chase the gang towards the doors. Everyone runs down some stairs and can see the gate as Professor Oak says that the Mirage Pokémon can only stay active inside the Mirage System. Armaldo uses a Shadow Ball and knocks Max off his feet. Professor Oak helps him up and tells him to go. Kabutops, Omastar, and Armaldo pass Professor Oak and try to get the kids who make it safely to the gate. The Mirage Pokémon try to get them but disappear upon exiting the Mirage System boundaries. Professor Oak gets up and tries to make a run for it, but the other Aerodactyl gets him and carries him back inside. Mirage Master leaves the ledge, his job apparently finished. Ash declares that he will help the Professor escape.

Inside a tower of Dr. Yung's castle Lab, six Mirage Pokémon guard Professor Oak: Houndoom, Ursaring, Machoke, Machamp, Absol, and Mightyena. Professor Oak asks Mirage Master where he's got Dr. Yung held captive. Mirage Master answers that Oak is in no position to ask questions, but he on the other hand, is. He tells Professor Oak that he wants the access password for the Oak Laboratory Databases. Professor Oak refuses and the Mirage Pokémon growl at him. From behind Ursaring, the Mew pops its head in and watches the angry scene.

Outside, the Mirage Kabutops, Omastar, and Armaldo guard the door; Ash and friends have retreated to a nearby location next to the water with a clear view of the castle. Brock says that at a time like this, they should turn to Officer Jenny. Misty comments that he only wants to go there to get a little face time with Jenny. Brock eagerly says that he wants to help the situation, not ask Jenny for a romantic dinner, and runs off along the river's coast. With Brock gone, Ash tells May and Max that they should stay there while he and Misty head into the Lab to find Professor Oak. May and Max object to the idea but Misty explains that too many people would stand out. May agrees to stay with Max but at the first sign of danger, she'll come running.

Inside, Professor Oak asks Mirage Master why he wants to get into the Oak Laboratory Databases. Mirage Master says that certain Pokémon have weaknesses to other Pokémon like an Onix being weak to Water Attacks and a Seaking being weak to Electric Attacks. He continues that he is seeking to create the ultimate Pokémon: one with no weaknesses at all. Professor Oak tells Mirage Master that while certain Types of Pokémon have weaknesses to certain Type Attacks, Pokémon of the same species vary in personality and that is what makes them unique. He continues that to destroy that balance would be utter disaster. As Professor Oak lectures Mirage Master on the balances of Pokémon, Mew watches from outside. Mirage Master then begins to show Professor Oak his plan by activating a machine that glows bright purple.

Outside, Ash and Misty swim silently through the water on the backs of Corphish and Staryu. As the two reach an underground room, Misty notes that there are no guards. Ash and Misty recall their Pokémon and start walking towards the only door. Ash notices one of the Mirage System's circular disks. Misty says that the Mirage System must be there too. On the other side of the door, Jessie, James, and Meowth walk along a hallway. They don't notice they're being watched by a video camera. They head for the door but end up getting their noses squashed as Ash and Misty burst in. The camera spots them and the feed goes back to Mirage Master and Professor Oak. Mirage Master pushes some buttons on the controller and all of the Mirage Pokémon disappear from the room.

Mew floats in and Professor Oak is overjoyed to see it. He introduces himself to the Pokémon, but it gets blasted by an Electric Attack. A Mirage Magnemite floats next to Mirage Master as he tells Mew that it is nothing but a flawed specimen and to get out. Professor Oak watches the scene angrily as Mew flies away. Downstairs, Team Rocket confronts Ash and Misty; they say their motto before the Mirage System starts up and the Mirage Pokémon that were guarding Professor Oak appear.

The Mirage Pokémon all growl at Team Rocket, Ash, and Misty. Jessie says that judging by their menacing growls, their on the same side. James and Meowth tell the Pokémon their plans and Houndoom blasts them through the brick wall with a Flamethrower. As they blast off, Ash and Misty are forced to fight. Pikachu jumps from Ash's shoulder, ready to fight. Mew arrives as the Mirage Pokémon attack Ash and Misty. Pikachu tries to use an Electric Attack but gets blasted back by Absol. Misty reaches for Staryu's Pokeball but Machoke grabs her before she can release it.

Ash reaches for Corphish but Machamp grabs him. Ursaring grabs Pikachu and the Pokémon march off with them, Mew floating behind him. As they travel through the subterranean levels of the Lab, Ash tells Pikachu to get a signal to May. Pikachu uses an Electric Attack, but it comes out weak. The Pokémon then uses full power to blast a hole in the wall. Max wonders if the Attack was Pikachu's as May pulls out Squirtle's Pokeball. She and Squirtle then dive into the water to go rescue Ash and Misty.

Back in the Lab, Pikachu's Attacks break it free from Ursaring's grip. Pikachu starts attacking the Mirage Pokémon; Machoke drops Misty over the edge of the beam they were walking on and down towards the bottom of the endless pit. Pikachu gets blasted through some wood as Machamp throws Ash against the wall. Machamp then takes Pikachu and leaves with the Mirage Pokémon.

Ash faints, but Mew wakes him up; he asks Mew if it's a Mirage Pokémon. Mew nods its head as a beam falls from the ceiling. Ash grabs Mew and pushes it out of the way. Mew floats over one of the Mirage System's circular disks, and suddenly, a blinding pink beam of light surrounds it. Ash stumbles in surprise and then touches it. It stings him and he realizes that Mew is in pain. Bracing himself, he plunges his hands in and grasps Mew. Using all of his strength, Ash pulls Mew from the beam of light and to safety. Ash looks over the beam where Misty fell and notices that she's gone. Mew motions for Ash to follow it and so he does.

Down in the lower levels, Misty hangs on to a walkway, hoping not to fall off. She says to herself that she's the Cerulean Gym Leader and that she'll show them that as soon as she gets out of the predicament. The ledge Misty's hanging on breaks off and she begins to fall but two white-and-black gloved hands grab her. Misty looks up to see May and Squirtle. Back upstairs, Mirage Master straps Pikachu to a machine and turns it on. He sees on a monitor several of the Legendary Pokémon Pikachu has ever seen: Lugia, Entei, Celebi, Latias, and Latios. Professor Oak tells Mirage Master to stop; Mirage Master asks if Professor Oak is willing to hand over the password, and he gets a yes out of the Professor.

Pikachu is released from the machine and Professor Oak picks it up. Mirage Master holds out a keypad for Professor Oak to type in the password. He types it in, muttering to himself: "R-E-D-G-R-E-E-N." Mirage Master accesses the Oak Laboratory Databases and then starts to download information from other places. Tracey, Professor Birch, Professor Elm, and Nurse Joy all watch in horror as their systems go crazy. Inside the machine that Mirage Master showed Professor Oak before, a purple ball of energy starts to form. Mirage Master announces that he'll make the ultimate Pokémon.

Over at the Police Station, Brock starts to say that he'd like to go out for dinner with her, but stops and starts explaining the situation. Nurse Joy appears on Officer Jenny's computer and Brock starts to flirt. Officer Jenny places her hand in Brock's face as Nurse Joy tells her that massive amounts of data are being downloaded from Pokémon Centers everywhere. Brock realizes that it must be Mirage Master and Officer Jenny agrees to go and investigate.

Back at the Lab, Ash arrives with Mew in the room with Mirage Master and Professor Oak. The Professor hands Ash his Pikachu back as the energy ball in the machine continues to grow. Mirage Master tells them that it shall be the strongest Pokémon the world has ever seen. The energy ball gets bigger and bigger; the windows explode and Max wonders what's happening. Misty and May run in, and Ash asks what they're doing there. May exclaims that "we're saving you!" A flash of light blinds everyone and a Pokémon takes shape inside the machine. As the light fades, Ash realizes that it's Mewtwo. Mirage Master tells them that with the Mirage System Mewtwo can use any Attacks. The Mirage Pokémon releases a Shadow Ball at the other Mirage Pokémon and they all disappear into the System. Mew watches in horror as they do and Professor Oak releases a Dragonite.

Professor Oak orders a Twister as Mewtwo releases another Shadow Ball. The attacks collide and create an explosion. Professor Oak tells everyone to run as Ash asks about Dr. Yung. The Professor says that there's nothing they can do and follows the kids out, Mew in tow. Everyone makes it safely to the gates as Mew remains inside, helpless to the Mirage System boundaries. Max also arrives, May yelling at him that he was supposed to stay put. Just when they think they're safe, Professor Oak and the kids watch in horror as missile-like objects deploy from the castles towers. Professor Oak knows what's happening as the missiles spread out in the surrounding forest. The Mirage System appears to be extending; Mirage Master confirms that by walking out of the gates with Mewtwo. Mew also leaves and joins Ash's side of the ongoing battle.

Suddenly, three more Mirage Pokémon appear: Entei, Articuno, and Zapdos. In the bushes, Team Rocket watches in amazement. Professor Oak tells Mirage Master to stop, and then reveals Mirage Master's true identity: Dr. Yung. Max wonders how Dr. Yung was carried off while Mirage Master was up above, and Professor Oak explains. The first appearance of Mirage Master was just another mirage while Dr. Yung was apparently carried off. Mirage Master/Dr. Yung asks Professor Oak how he figured it out as he takes off the hat and mask. Professor Oak explains that it was when Mew first appeared and Mirage Master said that it was a flawed specimen, and telling it to get out.

Professor Oak concludes that a true scientist would never have said that. Dr. Yung goes into an outrage about all his long years of work at the Pokémon Institute and how no one accepted his work, which eventually got him expelled. Professor Oak yells that the reason he got expelled was because his work showed absolutely no respect for Pokémon. Dr. Yung pulls out his controller and commands an attack from his Mirage Pokémon.

Pikachu jumps to the ground, ready for the fight. May sends out Combusken, and Misty sends in Gyarados. Entei uses a Fire Spin Attack as Pikachu uses Iron Tail. Pikachu takes the hit; May orders a Fire Spin and Misty commands a Hydro Pump. The attacks hit Combusken and Gyarados as Professor Oak orders a Hyper Beam. Mewtwo stands right in front of the attack? and it blocks it with just one hand. The Mirage Pokémon then charges straight up at Dragonite and knocks it out of the air.

Team Rocket watches as an Arcanine head appears in Mewtwo's hand. A Flamethrower Attack emerges from the head and soars towards Professor Oak and Dragonite. Pikachu jumps in the way and fires an Electric Attack at it. The Flamethrower overpowers Pikachu's Attack and sends it flying. Dr. Yung orders Mewtwo to use Hyper Beam. The Arcanine face turns into a Rayquaza and releases the beam. Pikachu appears to be hit and smoke billows around the scene. As it clears, Ash fears for his Pokémon. When the smoke finally is gone, everyone looks to see that Mew protected Pikachu.

Dr. Yung tells Mewtwo to teach them a lesson, and so it hits Mew twice and then fires two beams of light at it, one from each hand. Mew, unable to take any more, begins to fade into data as the Mirage System sucks it up. Dr. Yung merely says,"Good riddance flawed specimen." Ash tells Dr. Yung that he's got a lot of nerve talking about Mew that way and that no one talks that way. Dr. Yung tells Mewtwo to teach them again. He pushes a few buttons and the Mirage Entei, Articuno, and Zapdos begin to disappear. The data gets written in to Mewtwo, along with all of the other Mirage System data. Tons of Pokémon heads appear all over Mewtwo's body and then all fire attacks. Ash orders a Thunderbolt from Pikachu, May orders a Fire Spin, Misty commands a Hydro Pump, and Professor Oak calls for a Dragon Rage. The attacks collide and create an explosion, knocking all of Ash and friends Pokémon backwards. Misty's Gyarados falls over into the bushes and blasts Team Rocket off again.

Misty, May, Ash, Max, and Professor Oak look over the fallen Pokémon; Dr. Yung asks why they insist on fighting. Ash tells him that they're doing it because it's the right thing to do for Mew and then orders a Quick Attack from Pikachu. Mewtwo also uses a Quick Attack and Pikachu takes another hit. Dr. Yung then orders a Mega Punch. Mewtwo powers up and starts to attack but is stopped by a mysterious force. The Mirage Pokémon glows red and the shape of Mew emerges from the back of its head. Bonded in the red glow, both Pokémon struggle for control. Misty notices that Mew is holding Mewtwo back. May comments that she thought Mew was gone forever. Professor Oak tells May that it wasn't gone forever, just tucked inside the Mirage System, and that its presence can only mean one thing.

Dr. Yung rejects Professor Oak's statement and says again that Mew is nothing but a flawed specimen. He pushes some more buttons, but the Mirage System and the controller begin to surge with electricity. Professor Oak claims that since Mewtwo was made from the Mirage System, it contains every bit of data that the Mirage System has. He then says that it's also ultimately able to defeat Mewtwo. Max asks what'll happen to Mew, and Professor Oak says that Mew will also disappear and that their only chance for success is while Mew has a hold on Mewtwo. Mew struggles to hold Mewtwo and then nods its head.

Ash, too, struggles, but to decide what to do. Mewtwo starts to gain back some control of Mew, and so Ash commands a full power Volt Tackle from Pikachu. Pikachu races towards Mewtwo, and slams into it hard. An explosion occurs and Mewtwo starts disappearing into the Mirage System. Mew also starts to disappear. Ash watches, stunned by sadness. Pikachu watches with tears in its eyes as Mew disappears even more. Everyone on the ground, except Dr. Yung, watches in melancholy as Mew goes. Just as it is almost done disappearing, Mew waves its little hand at its new-found friends.

With Mew in it, the Mirage System begins to explode. Every little bit of it seems to self-destruct. Professor Oak tells Dr. Yung that his nightmare of domination is at its end. Oak tells Yung to come with them and face up to his deeds. Dr. Yung declines the offer and heads back into his flaming castle. Professor Oak tries to follow but bits of debris come flying down and he is forced to stop.

Later that evening, fire trucks surround Dr. Yung's lab and just a couple of smolders are left. Professor Oak asks Officer Jenny if they've had any luck in finding Dr. Yung. She says that they haven't and that they'll keep investigating. Max says that he's still wondering how Mew was able to come back like that. Misty concurs, thinking that, after all, it was just data. Professor Oak tells them that it was not just data and he's convinced that the little Mirage Mew possessed a true soul and you can't turn a soul into data. Brock explains that that must be why the Mirage System exploded when it sucked Mew in. Ash says that if any Pokémon is flawed, it's not Mew. And so another exciting adventure closes, but Ash and friends shouldn't be worried because they're sure to meet Mew again some day.

Production

Companies

English Staff

  • Director:
    • Armen Mazlumian
    • Larry Juris
  • Producer:
    • Armen Mazlumian
    • Larry Juris
  • Character Design:
    • Ken Sugimori
    • Tokuhiro Matsubara
    • Toshiya Yamada
  • Music Composition: Ryan Dantello
  • Creative Director: Chris Brixey
  • Video Editor: B. Scott Dempsey
  • Engineers:
    • Armen Mazlumian
    • Jeff Pustynsky
  • Assistant Producers:
    • Kaori Brand
    • Maya Nakamura
  • Executive Producer: Akira Chiba
  • Closed Captions: Peter Vaughan
  • Script Adaptation:
  • Script Consultant: C.J. Cathcart
  • Dubbing Supervisor: Eric Grossfield
  • Editing:
    • Armen Mazlumian
    • Jeff Pustynsky
  • Co-Producer: Randy Woodcock
  • Support Staff:
    • John Hershberger
    • Katherine Fang
    • Kristina Naudus
    • Phaedra Kaufman
  • Voice Direction:
    • Eric Grossfield
    • Armen Mazlumian
    • Larry Juris

Cast

Mirage Pokémon Seen

Trivia

  • The password that Professor Oak spells for the Mirage Master is "REDGREEN". The original Pokémon games that were released in Japan were the "Red Version" and "Green Version", hence the reference.
  • During the scene when the Mirage Master scans Pikachu's mind for information, clips from the second, third, fourth, and fifth Pokémon movies are shown on the TV screen on the monitor.
  • Though it premiered in the United States first, this special is out of order with the US episode run. Toward the end, Pikachu uses the move "Volt Tackle", which it does not learn until later in the next season (episode already shown in Japan).
  • It is reavealed that Professor Oak has a Dragonite.
  • The special introduces a new opening.

Sources

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