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Netflix Adds Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution Film on February 27

The Pokémon Company International and Netflix announced on Tuesday that Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution, the 22nd film in the Pokémon franchise, will premiere on Netflix worldwide outside of Japan and Korea on February 27. The Pokémon Company International began streaming an English trailer.

The film's Netflix release date coincides with Pokémon Day, the day commemorating the original launch of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green in Japan on February 27, 1996.

The film is a 3D CG remake of Pocket Monsters: Mewtwo no Gyakushū, the 1998 film adapted into English as Pokémon: The First Movie.

The new film opened in Japan and screened at Anime Expo in July.

The film's title is a reference to Pokémon: The First Movie. Kunihiko Yuyama returned from other franchise installments to direct the film alongside Motonori Sakakibara (Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Rudolf the Black Cat). Takeshi Shudō (Pokémon: The First Movie) was credited as the scriptwriter, although he passed away in 2010.

The main cast of the anime series, along with the Team Rocket cast, returned for the film. Masachika Ichimura also reprised his role as Mewtwo from the original Pokémon: The First Movie. The late voice actor Unshō Ishizuka provided narration for the new film.

Entertainer (and well-known Pokémon fan) Shōko Nakagawa joined enka singer Sachiko Kobayashi in singing the "Kaze to Issho ni" (With the Wind) ending theme song for the film. The duet is a cover of Kobayashi's theme song for the original 1998 film.

Sources: Email correspondence, press release, The Pokémon Company International's YouTube channel