How Was Mewtwo Created in the Pokémon Series?

Originally published on February 27, 2026. This article covers the topic of Mewtwo’s origin in the Pokémon series, including how the character was created in-world, its classification in the Pokédex, how Mew and Mewtwo are connected, and more.

---

Listen to this article:

The Pokémon franchise has grown to encompass over 1,000 pocket monsters of varying origins and backgrounds. From ghost balloons that want to carry children away like Drifloon to the keyring-shaped fairy called Klefki, there are countless creatures in each region for trainers to capture for their team.

When it comes to rare legendary Pokémon, their origins are often more mysterious. Many of these ancient monsters come from cosmic sources, dimensions of time and space, or even from the land and sea themselves. However, fan-favorite Mewtwo has a far more tragic tale that has endeared it to fans of every age since Generation 1. Born in a lab, Mewtwo’s story is one of mad science, vengeance, and grief.

How well do you know your Pokémon history? It doesn’t take a Psychic-type to uncover the whole story. Between comics, games, and movies, let’s take a closer look at:

• What kind of Pokémon is Mewtwo?
• When was Mewtwo first introduced?
• How was Mewtwo created?
• Are Mew and Mewtwo related?

---

What kind of Pokémon is Mewtwo?

• Mewtwo is classified as the Genetic Pokémon, number #0150 in the Pokédex. It is also considered to be an artificial Pokémon.
• Mewtwo is a Psychic-type legendary Pokémon.

The Pokémon series boasts a mixture of advanced technology and magical elements. Many Pokémon are naturally occurring creatures, varied and diverse as they inhabit the many different regions and biomes of the world. Some of these creatures, however, were created by humans via direct or indirect means.

Mewtwo is classed as an artificial Pokémon due to being cloned by scientists using DNA from the ancient Pokémon Mew. The Pokédex specifically lists its species as the Genetic Pokémon.

Within the series mythos and games, there is typically only one Mewtwo in existence. Its psychic powers are a result of the experimentation it endured, giving it abilities like telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation. Mewtwo’s legendary status is derived both from its rarity and its connection to the legendary Mew.

Some other examples of artificially created Pokémon include the Porygon evolutionary line, which were generated using computer data, and the clockwork Magearna, which was designed as a gift for a king’s daughter.

---

When was Mewtwo first introduced?

• Mewtwo was introduced in Generation 1 with Pokémon Red and Green (1996). These games were released as Red and Blue in the United States in 1998.
• Mewtwo’s origin story was the subject of Pokémon: The First Movie in 1998 and its 2019 CGI remake Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back.

Mewtwo debuted in the Generation 1 game titles as the 150th Pokémon that could be encountered and collected. Notably, it can only be found if the player has already defeated the Elite Four and Blue, the final bosses. After finding research notes in the ruined mansion on Cinnabar Island, trainers could discover Mewtwo in Cerulean Cave and try to either defeat or capture it.

Mewtwo appears across other titles as well, and occasionally can only be obtained via special promotion downloads.

Fans were introduced to a fully animated version of Mewtwo’s backstory in Pokémon: The First Movie in 1998, which was later remade entirely in CGI in 2019 under the title Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back.

In the movie, Ash and his friends are invited to New Island to battle the greatest Pokémon master. Once there, they discover that Mewtwo has secretly masterminded the invitations, gathering trainers and stealing their Pokémon to create an army of clones like itself. That Pikachu vs clone Pikachu fight still makes us emotional to this day.

---

How was Mewtwo created?

• In the anime, Mewtwo was created by a scientist named Dr. Fuji, who experimented on Mew’s DNA to create a stronger clone. Fuji was funded by Team Rocket’s leader Giovanni.
• Mewtwo was subject to gene-splicing experiments and became powerful and enraged by its captivity.
• In some Pokémon media, human cells were also added to the Mewtwo experiment. These cells came from Gym Leader and Team Rocket Scientist Blaine.

Notes found in the abandoned mansion on Cinnabar island hint at Mewtwo’s origins in game, connecting the Mew cloning experiments to Mr. Fuji, a kind old man who can be encountered in Lavender Town.

The animated films offer an expanded look on the story. Team Rocket’s leader Giovanni contracted a man named Dr. Fuji (likely based on Mr. Fuji) to create a clone using DNA obtained from the mythic Pokémon Mew. Through this, Giovanni hoped to obtain a massively powerful soldier for his organization’s own nefarious purposes. Mewtwo’s origin is also more emotional in the anime, as the creation had to witness its fellow clones destabilize and die. The loss of its friends causes Mewtwo deep grief.

No matter the adaptation, Mewtwo is always subject to frightening science experiments and gene splicing. These cruel tests eventually imbue the Pokémon with its powerful psychic abilities and its vicious personality.

---

Are Mew and Mewtwo related?

• Mewtwo is a clone of Mew and is closely associated with Mew in most media appearances.
• Mew is an ancient legendary Pokémon whose DNA was taken by scientists in hopes of creating the strongest Pokémon ever.
• Mew is seen as more playful and childlike, while Mewtwo has a cynical personality because of its creation.

Being cloned directly from Mew’s DNA, Mewtwo is often associated with the mythic pink Pokémon. What sets them apart from other Pokémon, however, is that Mewtwo does not evolve from Mew. The games also treat them as individual entities, so their stats and abilities are largely unrelated to one another.

According to the Pokédex, Mew’s DNA contains the genetic code of all Pokémon and is thought by some to be their common ancestor. Despite its status as a clone, Mewtwo is only based on Mew’s DNA, and does not contain the extended genetic code of all other Pokémon.

---

What do you think of Mewtwo’s iconic origins? Join the conversation with other Pokémon fans over at Sideshow Social Network or in side.show/geekgroup, and don’t forget to Let Your Geek Sideshow!