The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon
Encyclopedia
Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, later released in Japan as 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
.
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.
Pokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
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
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, originally released in Japan as , is an anime film directed by Kunihiko Yuyama as the eighth film in the Pokémon franchise. It was released in theaters in Japan on July 16, 2005, followed by the Japanese DVD release on December 22, 2005...
release, and the new dub aired on October 28 in the same year on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network (United States)
Cartoon Network is an American cable television network owned by Turner Broadcasting which primarily airs animated programming. The channel was launched on October 1, 1992 after Turner purchased the animation studio Hanna-Barbera Productions in 1991...
. 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
TAJ Productions
TAJ Productions was an audio post production facility located in New York City. They have provided their services for Japanese Anime, Manga, animation, live action, video games, and audio books. They have also provided their services toward the script writing of Anime...
. Previously, 4Kids Entertainment
4Kids Entertainment
4Kids Entertainment is an American film and television production company in bankruptcy since April 2011. It is known for English-dubbing Japanese anime and specializing in the acquisition, production and licensing of children's entertainment around the United States...
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
4Kids Entertainment
4Kids Entertainment is an American film and television production company in bankruptcy since April 2011. It is known for English-dubbing Japanese anime and specializing in the acquisition, production and licensing of children's entertainment around the United States...
-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
Sarah Natochenny
Sarah Natochenny is an American actress and fashion model. She is known for providing the voice of Ash in the Pokémon anime metaseries. and movies since 2006, taking over for Veronica Taylor. Natochenny also voiced the lead role Alicia on the Xbox 360 video game Bullet Witch...
.
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 AerodactylAerodactyl
Aerodactyl, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Aerodactyl first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
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
Mewtwo
is a fictional creature in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, it first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and their sequels, and later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles, as well as animation adaptations of the franchise...
to destroy it, believing it to be a failed experiment, as the Mirage-Mew
Mew (Pokémon)
is one of the fictional species of Pokémon creatures from Nintendo's and Game Freak's multi-billion-dollar Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri...
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.