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Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back
Movie

Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back

1998 • Animation, Action, Adventure

Woke Score
1
out of 10

Plot

When a group of scientists are offered funding into genetic research if they agree to try and clone the greatest ever Pokémon, Mew, the end result is success and Mewtwo is born. However Mewtwo is bitter about his purpose in life and kills his masters. In order to become the greatest he throws open a challenge to the world to battle him and his Pokémon. Ash and his friends are one of the few groups of trainers who pass the first test and prepare for battle. However they soon find out about further cloning and Mewtwo's ultimate plan for the earth.

Overall Series Review

The movie focuses on an existential conflict between the genetically engineered super-Pokémon, Mewtwo, and the human world. Mewtwo's anger stems from being created as an experiment and a tool, leading him to plan the destruction of humanity and the “original” Pokémon in favor of a new world order based on a clone hierarchy. The central thesis of the film is a strong affirmation of universal values. The hero, Ash, resolves the conflict by demonstrating a profound, self-sacrificial action, proving that character and selfless love, not power or origin, are what truly matter. The narrative explicitly rejects the villain's identity-based hierarchy and nihilistic moral code, concluding that objective moral truths like compassion and non-violence are the path to peace. Antagonists are criticized for their scientific hubris and cruel exploitation, not for their culture or heritage. The human protagonists are depicted in complementary roles, with no forced gender dynamics or anti-family messaging. The film contains no themes of centering sexual ideology.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics1/10

The central conflict is driven by Mewtwo’s creation of an identity-based hierarchy—clones vs. originals—but the narrative’s conclusion firmly rejects this premise. The hero’s decisive act is based entirely on the content of his soul and his self-sacrificial will to stop the fighting. Character is judged by merit (action/love), not immutable characteristics.

Oikophobia2/10

The primary antagonist, Mewtwo, embodies civilizational self-hatred, viewing the human-Pokémon relationship as a form of slavery and planning to destroy the entire world order. However, the film's heroic protagonists successfully affirm the existing human-Pokémon bond as one of love and friendship, directly refuting the villain’s oikophobic nihilism. The critique is of human hubris and exploitation, not the fundamental culture.

Feminism1/10

Male and female characters operate in distinct but complementary roles. Ash, the male protagonist, is the one who performs the climactic, protective act of self-sacrifice to save both species. The female lead, Misty, is a competent trainer. Neither male character is depicted as a bumbling idiot, nor is there any anti-natal or anti-family messaging presented.

LGBTQ+1/10

The movie’s focus is on the metaphysical relationship between Pokémon and humans and the existential crisis of a clone. The plot contains no discussion, centering, or lecturing on alternative sexualities, gender ideology, or the deconstruction of the nuclear family structure. Sexuality remains private and a non-factor in the narrative.

Anti-Theism1/10

The conflict is resolved by a transcendent moral action—selfless love and sacrifice—which is a victory for Objective Truth. The villain’s philosophy of 'might makes right' is framed as flawed and destructive. Human scientists are criticized for the classic moral transgression of hubris and playing God, which is a critique rooted in higher moral law, not anti-theism.