On what date was Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back released in Japan?

Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back was released in Japan on July 18, 1998.

The film was the first theatrical Pokémon movie and follows Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon who questions its identity and purpose. Ash, Misty, and Brock are invited to New Island, where Mewtwo challenges powerful Trainers and creates cloned Pokémon.

Its Japanese release came during the original anime's rapid rise in popularity. The movie became a major commercial success in Japan and was followed by a short film, Pikachu's Vacation, in theatrical screenings. The North American release arrived on November 12, 1999, so that date is sometimes mistaken for the film's global premiere.

The title also has several regional variations. In English, it is commonly styled Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back, while the Japanese title is Mewtwo Strikes Back. The film's themes of identity, creation, and coexistence made Mewtwo one of the franchise's most prominent characters.