What was the title of the first Pokémon feature film, released in Japan in 1998?

The first Pokémon feature film, released in Japan in 1998, was titled “Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back”.

The film centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon created from research involving Mew. Feeling exploited and questioning its identity, Mewtwo invites Trainers to a remote island, where a confrontation develops between cloned Pokémon and their natural counterparts.

In Japan, the film premiered on July 18, 1998. Its international English title emphasized both its status as the first theatrical Pokémon movie and its main character. The English release also included the short film Pikachu's Vacation, which preceded the feature in theaters.

The movie is often remembered for its themes of identity, creation, and friendship, but it also marked a major expansion of Pokémon beyond television, games, and trading cards. Later Pokémon films followed with new legendary Pokémon and different storylines, while Mewtwo remained one of the franchise's most recognizable characters.