Who directed Pokémon: The First Movie, released in Japan in 1998?

Kunihiko Yuyama directed Pokémon: The First Movie, released in Japan in 1998.

The film’s Japanese title is Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. It was the first theatrical film in the Pokémon anime film series and centers on Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon seeking answers about its identity and purpose.

The movie premiered theatrically in Japan on July 18, 1998, distributed by Toho. Its themes include cloning, genetic modification, identity, and the consequences of treating living beings as tools. The international English-language adaptation appeared later, including a North American release in November 1999.

Yuyama was a major figure in Pokémon animation and directed many entries in the franchise’s theatrical series. Takeshi Shudo, another name associated with the film, wrote the screenplay rather than directing it. Shinji Miyazaki composed the music, so the three credits should not be confused.