The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Template:Infobox Special Film Pokémon: The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon, later released in Japan as '''The Terrifying Mirage Pokémon''' (Japanese: 戦慄のミラージュポケモン, Hepburn: Senritsu no Mirāju Pokemon) is a special hour-long episode of the Pokémon anime series created for the tenth anniversary of the franchise. This special premiered on Kids' WB! on April 29, 2006. It became available on DVD in the United States on September 19 that year as a special feature on the 2-disc Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew release, and the new dub aired on October 28 in the same year on Cartoon Network. In Japan the special was available for download as 戦慄のミラージュポケモン on the official site from October 13-October 31, 2006.

This special marked the first time English-language production was handled exclusively by Pokémon USA (now known as The Pokémon Company International) and TAJ Productions. Previously, 4Kids Entertainment was mostly responsible for the Pokémon anime English dub. As a result of this change, costs were cut, and the English-language version of the special featured an all-new voice cast, replacing the original voice actors for many major characters, many of whom had worked on the show for eight years. The only three who returned were Rodger Parsons as the narrator, Jimmy Zoppi, who voice many characters like Gary Oak but now provides the voice for James and Meowth, and Kayzie Rogers, who voices over 50 Pokémon, now provides the voice of Max (and also voiced Ash for the original version of the special).

This change caused controversy among many fans. It was announced at the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con that the version available on DVD would be improved from that aired on TV, with dialogue being re-recorded after the new voice cast became more familiar with their roles, and after Ash was given another new voice actor, Sarah Natochenny.

Plot

Ash is personally invited to the lab of Dr. Yung to test out his new battle system. When arriving there, he meets up with Misty and Professor Oak who were also invited. Dr. Yung appears and challenges both Ash and Misty to a battle. He easily defeats Misty, but his match with Ash is interrupted by a cloaked figure named Mirage Master. Mirage Master turns Dr. Yung's experiments against him and captures him and Professor Oak! As Brock goes for help (and to get a date), Ash and Misty sneak into the castle to rescue Professor Oak while May and Max wait outside. However, Mirage Master seems strikingly familiar. Is he possibly hiding something?

Characters

Humans

• Ash Ketchum

• Misty

• May

• Brock

• Max

• Jessie

• James

• Professor Oak

• Dr. Yung

• Nurse Joy

• Officer Jenny

• Tracey Sketchit (cameo)

• Professor Elm (cameo)

• Professor Birch (cameo)

• Police

• Firefighters

Pokemon

• Pikachu (Ash's)

• Meowth (Team Rocket)

• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)

• Corphish (Ash's)

• Staryu (Misty's)

• Gyarados (Misty's)

• Combusken (May's)

• Squirtle (May's)

• Dragonite (Professor Oak's)

• Lugia (stock footage)

• Entei (stock footage)

• Celebi (stock footage)

• Latias (stock footage)

• Latios (stock footage)

Mirage Pokemon

• Machoke

• Machamp

• Magnemite

• Omastar

• Kabutops

• Articuno

• Zapdos

• Mewtwo

• Mew

• Ursaring

• Houndoom

• Entei

• Mightyena

• Aggron

• Armaldo

• Absol

• Aerodactyl (x2)

• Lileep (flashback)

• Cradily (flashback)

• Anorith (flashback)

• Unown (G; flashback)

• Kabuto (flashback)

• Omanyte (flashback)

• Arcanine (Mewtwo's hand)

• Rayquaza (Mewtwo's hand)

• Tropius (Mewtwo's hand, x2)

• Arbok (Mewtwo's body)

• Walrein (Mewtwo's body)

• Tyranitar (Mewtwo's body)

Trivia

• This is the only time so far Michele Knotz voiced Misty.
• This is the last apperance of Misty