Since its release, the inaugural Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back, has been celebrated for its profound themes and a narrative that resonates with audiences across generations. At the heart of this iconic film lies an enigmatic climax that has left fans puzzled for years.
Within the story, Ash Ketchum intervenes in a fierce conflict between the legendary Pokémon Mew and Mewtwo. In a tragic turn of events, he is struck by both of their powerful abilities, resulting in his transformation into stone and an apparent death. In a heart-wrenching scene, Pikachu attempts to revive Ash through desperate cries, which then provoke a chain reaction among the other Pokémon present, leading them all to weep for their fallen friend. This collective sorrow culminates in a miraculous event: the tears combine, resulting in Ash’s revival. This moment not only restores Ash but also reminds Mewtwo of the inherent value of all life forms, be they clones or naturally born. While this conclusion is emotionally satisfying, the mechanics of Ash’s resurrection remain baffling.
Do Pokémon Tears Hold Magical Powers?
The Film’s Explanation of Ash’s Revival Lacks Clarity
Early in the film, viewers are introduced to a dockmaster who recounts an intriguing tale claiming that Pokémon tears possess the power to resurrect the victims of past calamities. While this narrative cleverly sets the stage for Ash’s return, it raises several questions. Notably, throughout subsequent installments of the franchise, there is no indication that Pokémon tears carry any supernatural qualities. Moreover, this storyline is exclusively a creation of the English adaptation and is absent from the original Japanese script, which weakens its validity.
The film also features a dialogue where Mewtwo, after witnessing his own cloning, converses with a replicated human named Amber. She states, “Pokémon tears are full of life.”Although this line appears only in the English version, it at least attempts to provide a rationale for Ash’s miraculous recovery. However, this reasoning is tenuous at best, as it is unsubstantiated in the Japanese version, leading to the unfortunate conclusion that Ash’s revival lacks a clear explanation within the film itself.
How Could Ash Have Been Brought Back?
Potential Theories Behind Ash’s Revival
Given the lack of a definitive answer in the film, fans have speculated various theories regarding the mystery of Ash’s resurrection. One popular suggestion is that this marked the beginning of Ash’s Aura abilities, a concept in the Pokémon universe associated with the life force present in all living things. The idea posits that the Pokémon tears may have infused Ash with Aura energy, enabling his revival.
Another theory posits that Mew played a more significant role in Ash’s revival than originally depicted. As a mythical Pokémon, Mew is often believed to possess extraordinary powers, which could lend credence to the idea that it assisted in bringing Ash back to life. Despite these intriguing theories, the true nature of Ash’s revival in the world of Pokémon may remain unsolved, lingering as an eternal enigma for fans.