Mewtwo

Mewtwo (Japanese: ミュウツー Mewtwo) is a Psychic-type Legendary Pokemon introduced in Generation I. It was created through genetic manipulation of Mew's DNA, making it one of the first artificially created Pokemon. Mewtwo is renowned for its immense psychic powers and is considered one of the most powerful Pokemon in existence.

Basic Information

Attribute	Value
National Pokedex #	150
Type	Psychic
Species	Genetic Pokemon
Height	2.0 m (6'07")
Weight	122.0 kg (269.0 lbs)
Abilities	Pressure, Unnerve (Hidden)
Egg Groups	Undiscovered
Gender	Genderless
Catch Rate	3 (1.6% with Poke Ball)
Base Friendship	0
Base Experience	340

Origin and Creation

Scientific Background

Mewtwo was created through genetic engineering:

Aspect	Details
Base Genetic Material	Mew's DNA
Creation Location	Pokemon Mansion, Cinnabar Island
Lead Scientist	Dr. Fuji (Mr. Fuji's past identity)
Purpose	Create the world's strongest Pokemon
Result	Success, but uncontrollable

Timeline of Creation

Event	Details
Discovery	Mew discovered in Guyana jungle
DNA Extraction	Mew's genetic material collected
Experimentation	Genetic modification and cloning
Birth	Mewtwo created in Pokemon Mansion
Escape	Mewtwo destroys laboratory
Settlement	Takes residence in Cerulean Cave

Journal Entries (Pokemon Mansion)

The in-game journal entries reveal Mewtwo's origins:

"July 5: We discovered a new Pokemon deep in the jungle of Guyana, South America. We named it Mew."

"July 10: We christened the newly discovered Pokemon, Mew."

"February 6: Mew gave birth. We named the newborn Mewtwo."

"September 1: Mewtwo is far too powerful. We have failed to curb its vicious tendencies..."

Taxonomy

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia (fictional)
Phylum: Pokemonata
Class: Psychica
Order: Artificialis
Family: Mewidae
Genus: Mewtwo
Species: M. geneticus

Name Origin

Language	Name	Origin
Japanese	ミュウツー (Mewtwo)	Mew + two (second Mew)
English	Mewtwo	Mew + two
German	Mewtu	From Japanese/English
French	Mewtwo	From English
Korean	뮤츠 (Myucheu)	Transliteration
Chinese	超夢 (Chāomèng)	Super dream

Biology

Physical Description

Mewtwo is a bipedal, humanoid Pokemon with feline features. It is primarily grayish-purple with a purple underside and a long, purple tail. Its head features two short, ear-like projections on top, and it has purple eyes. Mewtwo has a defined chest and shoulders, with three bulbous digits on each hand and foot. A tube-like growth extends from the base of its skull to its spine.

Physical Features

Feature	Description
Color	Grayish-purple
Tail	Long, thick, purple
Eyes	Purple, intelligent
Neck Tube	Connection to spine; possibly for psychic power
Build	Muscular but streamlined
Posture	Often depicted floating

Psychic Abilities

Mewtwo possesses unparalleled psychic powers:

Ability	Description
Telepathy	Can communicate mentally across vast distances
Telekinesis	Can move objects with its mind
Mind Control	Can dominate weaker minds
Memory Manipulation	Can erase or alter memories
Psychic Barriers	Creates protective shields
Energy Projection	Fires concentrated psychic blasts
Flight	Levitates using psychic power

Behavior and Psychology

Trait	Description
Intelligence	Genius-level intellect
Personality	Cold, analytical, but capable of empathy
Goals	Originally sought revenge; later seeks purpose
Social	Prefers solitude; distrustful of humans
Combat	Strategically brilliant; prefers overwhelming force

Pokedex Entries

Game	Entry
Red/Blue	"It was created by a scientist after years of horrific gene splicing and DNA engineering experiments."
Yellow	"Its DNA is almost the same as Mew's. However, its size and disposition are vastly different."
Gold	"It was created by a scientist after years of horrific gene splicing and DNA engineering experiments."
Scarlet	"A Pokemon created by recombining Mew's genes. It's said to have the most savage heart among Pokemon."

Base Stats

Stat	Base Value	Min (Lv. 100)	Max (Lv. 100)
HP	106	322	416
Attack	110	202	350
Defense	90	166	306
Sp. Attack	154	281	447
Sp. Defense	90	166	306
Speed	130	238	394
Total	680	-	-

Stat Comparison with Mew

Stat	Mewtwo	Mew
HP	106	100
Attack	110	100
Defense	90	100
Sp. Attack	154	100
Sp. Defense	90	100
Speed	130	100
Total	680	600

Mega Evolutions

Mewtwo is one of only two Pokemon with two Mega Evolutions:

Mega Mewtwo X

Attribute	Value
Type	Psychic/Fighting
Ability	Steadfast
Height	2.3 m (7'07")
Weight	127.0 kg (280.0 lbs)

Mega X Stats

Stat	Base	Mega X
HP	106	106
Attack	110	190
Defense	90	100
Sp. Attack	154	154
Sp. Defense	90	100
Speed	130	130
Total	680	780

Mega Mewtwo Y

Attribute	Value
Type	Psychic
Ability	Insomnia
Height	1.5 m (4'11")
Weight	33.0 kg (72.8 lbs)

Mega Y Stats

Stat	Base	Mega Y
HP	106	106
Attack	110	150
Defense	90	70
Sp. Attack	154	194
Sp. Defense	90	120
Speed	130	140
Total	680	780

Mega Evolution Comparison

Feature	Mega X	Mega Y
Type	Psychic/Fighting	Psychic
Focus	Physical Attack	Special Attack
Highest Stat	Attack (190)	Sp. Attack (194)
Design	Bulkier, more muscular	Sleeker, smaller
Ability	Steadfast	Insomnia

Abilities

Standard Ability

Pressure

Aspect	Details
Effect	Opponent's moves use 2 PP instead of 1
Strategic Use	PP stalling, attrition battles
Overworld	Increases wild Pokemon levels

Hidden Ability

Unnerve

Aspect	Details
Effect	Opponents cannot eat berries
Strategic Use	Prevents Sitrus Berry, Lum Berry recovery
Competitive	Useful in specific matchups

Moves

Level-Up Moves (Generation IX)

Level	Move	Type	Category	Power	Accuracy
1	Confusion	Psychic	Special	50	100%
1	Disable	Normal	Status	—	100%
1	Life Dew	Water	Status	—	—
1	Laser Focus	Normal	Status	—	—
8	Swift	Normal	Special	60	—
16	Ancient Power	Rock	Special	60	100%
24	Psycho Cut	Psychic	Physical	70	100%
32	Safeguard	Normal	Status	—	—
40	Amnesia	Psychic	Status	—	—
48	Aura Sphere	Fighting	Special	80	—
56	Psychic	Psychic	Special	90	100%
64	Power Swap	Psychic	Status	—	—
64	Guard Swap	Psychic	Status	—	—
72	Mist	Ice	Status	—	—
80	Psystrike	Psychic	Special	100	100%
88	Recover	Normal	Status	—	—
96	Future Sight	Psychic	Special	120	100%

Signature Move

Psystrike

Aspect	Details
Type	Psychic
Category	Special
Power	100
Accuracy	100%
Effect	Calculates damage using opponent's Defense instead of Sp. Defense
Strategic Value	Bypasses specially defensive Pokemon

Key TM/TR Moves

Move	Type	Power	Strategic Use
Psychic	Psychic	90	Reliable STAB
Shadow Ball	Ghost	80	Coverage vs Psychic/Ghost
Ice Beam	Ice	90	Dragon/Ground coverage
Thunderbolt	Electric	90	Water/Flying coverage
Aura Sphere	Fighting	80	Never misses; Dark coverage
Calm Mind	Psychic	—	Stat boosting
Nasty Plot	Dark	—	+2 Sp. Attack
Taunt	Dark	—	Disruption
Recover	Normal	—	Sustain

Competitive Battling

Historical Dominance

Mewtwo has been a dominant force throughout Pokemon history:

Generation	Tier	Notes
I	Ubers	Defined the tier; nearly unbeatable
II-V	Ubers	Continued dominance
VI	Ubers	Both Mega forms banned
VII-IX	Ubers	Still top-tier threat

Role in Ubers

Role	Set
Offensive Pivot	Psystrike, Ice Beam, Fire Blast, Recover
Calm Mind Sweeper	Psystrike, Calm Mind, Focus Blast, Recover
Nasty Plot	Nasty Plot, Psystrike, Shadow Ball, Focus Blast
Support	Thunder Wave, Taunt, Psychic, Recover

Mega Mewtwo X Strategy

Aspect	Details
Role	Physical sweeper
Key Moves	Low Kick, Zen Headbutt, Stone Edge, Taunt
Advantages	Fighting STAB beats Dark-types
Weaknesses	Slower setup, Fairy weakness

Mega Mewtwo Y Strategy

Aspect	Details
Role	Special sweeper
Key Moves	Psystrike, Fire Blast, Ice Beam, Calm Mind
Advantages	Highest Sp. Attack in game (194)
Weaknesses	Physically frail

In Popular Culture

First Pokemon Movie

"Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back" (1998):

Aspect	Details
Role	Main antagonist/protagonist
Goal	Prove clone superiority
Character Arc	From hatred to acceptance
Famous Quote	"I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are."
Box Office	$172 million worldwide

Other Film Appearances

Film	Year	Role
Mewtwo Strikes Back	1998	Protagonist/Antagonist
Mewtwo Returns	2000	Protagonist
Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution	2019	CGI remake protagonist
Detective Pikachu	2019	Plot-relevant

Video Game Appearances

Game	Role
Pokemon Red/Blue	Post-game legendary
Pokemon Gold/Silver	Trade from Gen I
Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen	Cerulean Cave
Pokemon X/Y	Post-game legendary
Pokemon Let's Go	Post-game legendary
Super Smash Bros. series	Playable fighter
Pokken Tournament	Playable Pokemon
Pokemon GO	Raid boss

Cultural Impact

Aspect	Details
Philosophy	Explores themes of identity, purpose, creation
Icon Status	One of most recognizable Pokemon
Merchandise	Extensive product lines
Gaming Legacy	Defined "legendary Pokemon" concept

Relationship with Mew

Genetic Connection

Aspect	Mewtwo	Mew
Origin	Clone/Mutation	Original
Power Level	Higher raw power	Balanced, versatile
Personality	Conflicted, aggressive	Playful, curious
Philosophy	Questions existence	Accepts all life
Status	Created	Natural/Mythical

DNA Comparison

Despite being created from Mew, Mewtwo differs significantly:

Trait	Difference
Size	Much larger
Appearance	Distinctly different
Abilities	More focused, powerful
Personality	Darker, more complex
Typing	Same (Psychic only)

Location in Games

Game	Location	Requirements
Red/Blue/Yellow	Cerulean Cave	Beat Elite Four
FireRed/LeafGreen	Cerulean Cave	Beat Elite Four, get National Dex
HeartGold/SoulSilver	Cerulean Cave	Obtain Kanto Badges
X/Y	Unknown Dungeon	Post-game
Let's Go	Cerulean Cave	Beat Elite Four
Sword/Shield	Max Lair	Crown Tundra DLC

Trivia

Mewtwo was designed by Ken Sugimori
Mewtwo has the highest base Sp. Attack of any non-Mega Pokemon (tied with others at 154)
Mega Mewtwo Y has the highest base Sp. Attack of any Pokemon (194)
Mewtwo is one of only two Pokemon with two Mega Evolutions (Charizard is the other)
In the anime, Mewtwo is voiced by Masachika Ichimura (Japanese) and various actors in English
Mewtwo was the final Pokemon in the original Pokedex before Mew was added
The Pokemon Mansion journals are among the darkest lore in Pokemon

Armored Mewtwo

A special form appearing in the anime and Pokemon GO:

Aspect	Details
Appearance	Wears suppression armor
Purpose	Limits Mewtwo's power
Origin	Created by Team Rocket
Game Appearance	Pokemon GO raids (limited)

Type Effectiveness

Defensive

Type	Effectiveness
Fighting	0.5x
Psychic	0.5x
Bug	2x
Ghost	2x
Dark	2x

Offensive (STAB)

Move Type	Super Effective Against
Psychic	Fighting, Poison

Related Pokemon

Pokemon	Relationship
Mew	Genetic source
Deoxys	Fellow Psychic legendary
Arceus	Creator deity comparison
Ditto	Both can transform (different mechanism)

References

^Pokemon Red and Green — Game Freak / Nintendo (1996)
^Official Mewtwo Page — The Pokemon Company (2024)
^Mewtwo (Pokemon) — Bulbapedia (2024)
^Mewtwo Pokedex Entry — Serebii.net (2024)
^Pokemon: The First Movie — Warner Bros. / Takeshi Shudo (1998)
^Mewtwo Competitive Analysis — Smogon University (2024)