Who directed the first Pokémon anime film?

Kunihiko Yuyama directed the first Pokémon anime film, Pokémon: The First Movie—Mewtwo Strikes Back. The Japanese animated feature was released in 1998 and became the first theatrical film in the Pokémon movie series.

Yuyama was closely associated with Pokémon animation from its earliest years. He served as chief director of the television anime for many years and directed numerous Pokémon films. His work helped carry the characters, visual style, and adventure structure from the games and television series into cinema.

The film's screenplay was written by Takeshi Shudō, who was also a major writer for the early television anime. That division of responsibilities can cause confusion when identifying the director. Satoshi Tajiri created the franchise, but he did not direct the film.

The movie focuses on Mewtwo's origin and conflict with humans and Pokémon. Its Japanese title translates as Pocket Monsters the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back, while international releases used the title Pokémon: The First Movie.