Pokémon the First Movie (graphic novel): Difference between revisions

This article is about the the Ani-Manga. For the manga by Toshihiro Ono, see Mewtwo Strikes Back! (manga).

This article is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this article to add missing information and complete it.

Pokémon the First Movie is a comic book published by VIZ Media in North America and Shōgakukan in Japan. It is a manga-style book (called "Animation Comics" by VIZ at the time of publication, although they are now branded as "Ani-Manga") which retells the plot of Mewtwo Strikes Back and Pikachu's Vacation using screenshots from the film. Takeshi Shudō and Hideki Sonoda are credited as the authors.

The story was split up into five monthly issues for the North American release, which were later published as a compiled volume. The first four issues tell the story of Mewtwo Strikes Back, while the fifth tells the story of Pikachu's Vacation.

In the monthly issues, each issue has sections on The Story So Far..., which is a recapitulation of the events previously occurring in the movie, The Stars of the Movie, which is a page detailing the characters involved, and the inside title page listing the chapter number and title.

Synopsis

Template:Incomplete synopsis book

Issue #4

Volume 4 is 40 pages in length.

The fourth volume starts with Ash recovering from the ledge Mewtwo telekinetically thrown him towards, and standing to investigate the progression of the battle between the original Pokémon and clones made from them. As the Pokémon attack each other, Ash's Pikachu notices its clone, which attempts to fight with it. Pikachu refrains from fighting back, and is knocked forcefully into the air by its clone. As the battle continues, both the original and clone Pokémon start to collapse and weaken from the constant fighting, with Nurse Joy concernedly remarking that Pokémon are not meant to fight like this, and what could come out of it. Neesha replies that nothing could come out of it but pain. Misty questions why Mewtwo cannot understand that it is not right to force Pokémon to battle in this way, Brock adding that they are all living creatures. Misty says that all the battle proves is that fighting is wrong. Jessie and James also conclude this, and promise that they will never fight again if the other will. Meowth notices his clone, and, startled, brings out his claws. Meowth looks at his claws and remarks that they look like they could hurt, his clone doing the same. Meowth's clone speaks to Meowth, and Meowth repeats the his clone means that they do not have to fight each other. Meowth's clone makes another comment, and Meowth observes that they have a lot in common, and wonders if they would maybe start looking at what's the same instead of what's different.

Ash jumps off his ledge, traveling down a portion of stone. Pikachu's clone belligerently attempts to tell Pikachu to fight back, but Pikachu shakes his head no, and his clone knocks him aside. With the intention of stopping them, Ash attempts to traverse down, but falls onto a set of stairs. Pikachu's clone repeatedly slaps Pikachu, and Ash concernedly exclaims for clone Pikachu to please stop. Ash attempts to further traverse down, but falls, with Brock and Misty attempting to help him up. Nurse Joy comments that Mewtwo hates them all because of the way humans mistreated it. Nurse Joy says that she would rather risk her life out in Mewtwo’s storm than watch the Pokémon destroy each other. Brock comments that the Pokémon look like they are ready to fight to the death, and Ash says that somebody has to take a stand, that someone has to say no and refuse to fight just like Pikachu.

More tired now, Pikachu’s clone wearily attempts to continue slapping Pikachu, but, exhausted, falls in Pikachu’s arms. Mew and Mewtwo’s energy spheres clash in the air, and the two fall down to the arena, causing an explosion that sends out a wave of dust. Energy crackles around Mew and Mewtwo, and both Pikachu and Pikachu’s clone have collapsed on the ground, Ash observing and saying Pikachu’s name. Ash runs forward, exclaiming that they are both the same as Mew and Mewtwo send a tremendous bolt of energy at each other. Still running forward, Ash exclaims ‘stop!’, and is hit by the two blasts of energy, causing him to glow and fall onto the ground. Mew examines the scene curiously, and Mewtwo retorts “the fool…trying to stop our battle…”. Pikachu is at Ash’s side, although he now appears to be turned to stone. Pikachu shocks Ash, and some of the Pokémon that were fighting start to call out as Pikachu continues. Again, Pikachu attempts to shock Ash, but, with no success, starts to cry. The other Pokémon, both originals and clone, also cry, and glittery trails of sparkles float in the air towards Ash. Trails of sparkles float from throughout the arena towards Ash as it is observed by the humans present, and, as the sparkles are apparently absorbed into Ash’s petrified body, he begins to glow blue. The center of the arena starts to glow brightly, and with another trail of sparkles from Pikachu’s tears floating towards Ash, a beam of bright light is form, emanating upwards from the arena.

Ash no longer appears petrified, and, looking at Pikachu, says its name, observed by Mewtwo (apparently in surprise, due to exclamation points on it). Pikachu jumps to Ash, and Ash proceeds to hug Pikachu. Misty, Brock, and Nurse Joy are obviously relieved, and the Pokémon that were fighting call out happily, with Togepi emerging from Misty’s bag. Mewtwo remarks that the human sacrificed himself to save the Pokémon. Mewtwo recalls his actions, now thinking differently, and the clone Pokémon proceed to glow and be lifted into the air. Ash looks up, and asks where Mewtwo is going. Mewtwo answers where its heart can learn what Ash’s knows so well, adding that what transpired there it will always remember, but perhaps for Ash the day is best forgotten. A bright light expands from the arena, and Ash and Pikachu start to float, surprised.

The scene goes back to when the Trainers were about to depart to New Island. Officer Jenny tells all the Trainers that they must find shelter, when Nurse Joy appears and tells everyone not to worry, and that the Pokémon treatment center will be open as shelter and that anyone who needs a place to stay should come along with her. Brock observes Nurse Joy romantically, and Ash questions exactly how did they wind up in the place anyway. Misty answers that she guesses they are just there because they are there. The storm disappears, and Miranda states it is good to have things clear again. Ash sees something flying through the air up in the clouds, and asks what it is. Misty says to Ash that she does not see anything. Ash says that the day he left home to start his Pokémon journey he saw a really rare Pokémon, and just then he thought he saw one again. Misty remarks that Ash is maybe just seeing things, to which Ash replies that maybe they will see.

With Team Rocket on an island, Jessie states that she does have a clue how they got there, but who cares, to which all the members of Team Rocket exclaim that this is paradise, for once a happy ending and that Team Rocket’s signing off again.

What seems to be the narrator then speaks of the many strange legends surrounding the mysteries of Pokémon, and for Ash and his friends, the journey is just beginning.

Errors

• On one page on the fourth volume, Brock and Misty's lines are switched, and thus inconsistent with the movie's dialogue.

This book article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.