Mew (Pokémon)

Mew is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.{{cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |date=December 25, 2016 |title=Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001192920/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/12/25/pok-233-mon-red-amp-blue-a-look-back-at-the-20-year-journey-to-catch-em-all.aspx |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |access-date=January 22, 2024 |magazine=Game Informer}} In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon.{{cite book |last=Allison |first=Anne |title=Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination |date=May 2006 |publisher=University of California Press |isbn=9780520938991 |pages=192–197}} Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.{{cite book |title=Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook |date=July 28, 2015 |publisher=Scholastic Inc. |isbn=9780545795661 |page=5}} A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.

File:Mew Gen 1 Sprite.png utilized more "fetus-like" aspects.]]

Unlike the other Pokémon from Pokémon Red and Blue, Mew's development was not overseen by Ken Sugimori, but by Game Freak programmer Shigeki Morimoto. Morimoto programmed Mew into the game secretly as a prank amongst the staff just prior to its release in Japan. Its origins, however, lay with Satoshi Tajiri, who conceived the idea of an elusive, phantom-like Pokémon from games like Xevious and Space Invaders, with the basis of these ideas being based around rumors of hidden secrets in those games. He created Mew with the intention of having a "character that exists but doesn't appear" that would be the subject of rumors, which Tajiri considered exciting for players. It was intended to be a Pokémon only Game Freak staff members would know about and be able to obtain.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/gfreak/page06.html|script-title=ja:『ポケットモンスター』スタッフインタビュー|publisher=Nintendo|language=ja|access-date=June 6, 2009|archive-date=October 18, 2000|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001018154023/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0007/gfreak/page06.html|url-status=live}} Mew was added at the very end of the development of Pokémon Red and Blue by Morimoto after the debug features were removed, which freed up just enough space to add the character despite being told not to alter the game any further at this point by Nintendo. When space was made for Mew, Morimoto initially wished for Sugimori to design the creature, but Sugimori was unable to make time due to the game's approaching release date. As a result, Morimoto designed and made Mew himself. Mew's sprite was much smaller and not colored in due to a lack of storage space, which was why it primarily only uses one color in its design.{{Citation |title=【公式】世間を騒がせた幻のポケモン「ミュウ」の誕生秘話！【#ゲームフリーク ひみつきち #10】 | date=18 January 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTjUKpNjW-g |access-date=2024-03-20 |language=en |archive-date=2024-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201050345/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTjUKpNjW-g |url-status=live }} Sugimori later returned to help make the official artwork for the Pokémon species, basing the artwork off of the in-game sprites. He disliked the fetus-like aspects of Mew's original in-game sprite and revised the design into its modern-day appearance.

Though it was not intended by the developers to be obtainable, due to a glitch, players were able to encounter it.{{cite web |title=Iwata Asks – Pokémon HeartGold Version & Pokémon SoulSilver Version |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/iwata/iwata_asks_-_pokmon_heartgold_version__soulsilver_version_16288_16289.html#top |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205023415/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Pokemon-HeartGold-Version-SoulSilver-Version/Iwata-Asks-Pokemon-HeartGold-Version-SoulSilver-Version/1-Just-Making-The-Last-Train/1-Just-Making-The-Last-Train-225842.html#top |archive-date=December 5, 2012 |access-date=March 12, 2010 |publisher=Nintendo}} During initial distributions for Mew, the pool of those who would potentially receive one was relatively small—numbering only twenty in the first and one hundred in the second—due to the fact that each Mew had to be individually generated on Morimoto's PC and then manually traded to winning cartridges. Morimoto would later aid in the development of a later Mew event that appeared in Pokémon Emerald.{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Alistair |date=2019-08-25 |title=Game Freak's Shigeki Morimoto On Mew's Rareness, Simple Design, And More |url=https://www.siliconera.com/game-freaks-shigeki-morimoto-on-mews-rareness-simple-design-and-more/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US |archive-date=2020-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927012949/https://www.siliconera.com/game-freaks-shigeki-morimoto-on-mews-rareness-simple-design-and-more/ |url-status=live }}

Mew is a Psychic-type Pokémon with high stats.{{cite web|title=#151 Mew|url=http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/12045/mew.html|website=IGN|access-date=June 16, 2009|archive-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605212022/http://guidesarchive.ign.com/guides/12045/mew.html|url-status=live}} Morimoto designed it as a pale pink feliform creature with somewhat large eyes and a long, thin tail that broadens at the end,{{cite web |title=Mew Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/143/14349900_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324195218/http://stars.ign.com/objects/143/14349900_biography.html |archive-date=March 24, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2009 |website=IGN}} though the shiny version is blue and rarely distributed.{{Cite web |last=Fairfax |first=Zackerie |date=2020-12-08 |title=Pokémon GO Adds Shiny Mew In Kanto Tour, But You Have To Pay For It |url=https://screenrant.com/pokemon-go-shiny-mew-kanto-tour-ticket-price/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414093828/https://screenrant.com/pokemon-go-shiny-mew-kanto-tour-ticket-price/ |url-status=live }} Mew was primarily designed off of its in-universe clone, Mewtwo. It was designed as a simpler version of Mewtwo, being visually much smaller in terms of both size and sprite, with less detail on its body, so it would take up less space in the game's data. Mew was not shown moving until the first movie, and thus it had no behaviors and personality outlined yet. These movements and personality traits were primarily created by the movie's animators, who were working off its in-game sprite. Morimoto was amazed upon seeing the final product in the film. Morimoto has stated that Mew is his favorite design from the series, and has even incorporated the Pokémon as a part of his signature.{{Citation |title=【公式】幻のポケモン「ミュウ」「ミュウツー」誕生秘話！【#ゲームフリーク ひみつきち #39】 | date=23 August 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXDpFd1CQk |access-date=2024-03-20 |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406042553/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXDpFd1CQk |url-status=live }}

Mew's design has been considered similar to hairless cats, as well as embryos.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-26EAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Mew%22+pokemon&pg=PT52 |title=The Secret Mythology of Pokémon: Pokémon Origins and Legends from Generations I through IX |date=2023-04-18 |publisher=Miguel Carvalho Abrantes |isbn=979-12-220-9738-1 |language=en |access-date=2024-03-19 |archive-date=2024-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320012634/https://books.google.com/books?id=E-26EAAAQBAJ&newbks=0&printsec=frontcover&pg=PT52&dq=%22Mew%22+pokemon&hl=en#v=onepage&q=%22Mew%22%20pokemon&f=false |url-status=live }} Scientists within the game view it as being the single ancestor of all other Pokémon.{{Cite web |last=York |first=Marc |date=2022-02-07 |title=Was the Legendary Pokémon God Actually Created by Another Pokémon? |url=https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-gods-arceus-vs-mew/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=2022-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208165325/https://www.cbr.com/pokemon-gods-arceus-vs-mew/ |url-status=live }} It is shy and rarely seen by humans. It is a Mythical Pokémon, Pokémon species which are much more powerful and rare than standard species and are typically only made available by special event.{{Cite web |last=Sweetnam |first=George |date=2023-11-12 |title=Every Pokemon Generation Ranked By Its Mythicals |url=https://gamerant.com/all-pokemon-generation-best-mythicals/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=Game Rant |language=en}} It is the last of the Pokémon from Red and Blue in the order of the in-game Pokédex. In Red, Blue, Yellow, and their remakes, the player can find journal entries in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island stating that Mew was discovered deep in the jungles of Guyana, South America, on July 5 of an unspecified year, named on July 10, and that it "gave birth" to Mewtwo on February 6.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2017-02-06 |title=On Mewtwo's birthday, we revisit the curious case of its conception |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/6/14522336/mewtwo-birthday |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804050631/https://www.polygon.com/2017/2/6/14522336/mewtwo-birthday |url-status=live }} In the video games, it is possible for Mew to learn any move that can be taught to it via several in-game mechanics, such as tutoring and "Technical Machine" items. It can also transform into other Pokémon via the move Transform. Due to its high overall statistics and vast move pool, Mew is regarded as one of the strongest Pokémon in Red, Blue, and Yellow.{{cite book |last=Loe |first=Casey |title=Pokémon Perfect Guide Includes Red-Yellow-Blue |publisher=Versus Books |year=1999 |isbn=1-930206-15-1 |page=124}} In the anime, it is capable of flight, teleportation, shapeshifting (via the move Transform), rendering itself invisible, and summoning bubbles of psychic energy.{{cite video|date=July 18, 1998|title=Pocket Monsters Mewtwo no Gyakushū|medium=VHS|publisher=Toho/Nintendo|location=Japan|language=ja}}

Mew is mentioned in a journal entry in Cinnabar Mansion, referencing an encounter with it in Guyana.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/where-mewtwo-pokemon-go-theory-about-location-legendary-creatures-2396947|title=Where Is Mewtwo in Pokémon GO? Theory About Location Of Legendary Creatures|website=International Business Times|date=2 August 2016|access-date=5 October 2016|archive-date=3 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203224550/https://www.ibtimes.com/where-mewtwo-pokemon-go-theory-about-location-legendary-creatures-2396947|url-status=live}} At the time of its introduction, Mew could only be legitimately obtained in the Pokémon video games via Nintendo promotional event distributions. This period of event exclusivity ended with the release of My Pokémon Ranch, where Mew was accessible legitimately without an event distribution. Mew has subsequently been made available in many games in the series. Players can obtain it by buying a Poké Ball Plus,{{Cite web |last=Hirun |first=Cryer |date=2023-05-24 |title=Pokemon Let's Go Mew – How to Get Mew in Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee – How to Get the Mystery Gift |url=https://www.vg247.com/pokemon-lets-go-mew-how-to-get-mew-in-pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-and-eevee-how-to-get-the-mystery-gift |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=VG247 |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324214244/https://www.vg247.com/pokemon-lets-go-mew-how-to-get-mew-in-pokemon-lets-go-pikachu-and-eevee-how-to-get-the-mystery-gift |url-status=live }} which contains a Mew inside of it that can be sent into Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! or Pokémon Sword and Shield.{{Cite news |date=2019-11-15 |title=Pokémon Sword and Shield Mew explained – how to get Mew using the Poké Ball Plus |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-sword-shield-mew-poke-ball-plus-6017 |access-date=2024-03-24 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324214244/https://www.eurogamer.net/pokemon-sword-shield-mew-poke-ball-plus-6017 |url-status=live }} Mew is also obtainable in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl if save data exists on the console for one of the Let's Go games.{{Cite web |last=Pelliccio |first=Meg |date=2021-11-20 |title=Pokemon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl: How To Get Mew And Jirachi |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-bdsp-mew-jirachi-unlock-guide/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807152807/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-brilliant-diamond-shining-pearl-bdsp-mew-jirachi-unlock-guide/ |url-status=live }} In Pokémon Sun and Moon, a special "Z-Crystal" item was created for Mew, which allowed it to use a powerful attack only it could use, known as "Genesis Supernova".{{Cite web |date=2017-01-25 |title=『ポケモン サン・ムーン』が『ポケモンバンク』に対応！「ミュウＺ」がもらえるほか、VC版を含む過去作のポケモンを連れてくることが可能に |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2017/01/25/104904.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=インサイド |language=ja |archive-date=2024-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325000123/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2017/01/25/104904.html |url-status=live }} A special event in which players could obtain Mew and use it to battle a boss Mewtwo took place in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet for a limited time.{{Cite web |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=2023-08-08 |title=Mew and Mewtwo are coming to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/8/23824222/mew-mewtwo-pokemon-scarlet-and-violet |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301224533/https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/8/23824222/mew-mewtwo-pokemon-scarlet-and-violet |url-status=live }} Mew has appeared in multiple spin-offs, such as Pokémon Snap,{{Cite web |title=The 150 Best Pokémon |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/pokemon/the-top-100-pokemon-of-all-time |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731073520/https://www.pastemagazine.com/games/pokemon/the-top-100-pokemon-of-all-time |url-status=live }} Pokémon Go,{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-to-catch-mew-mewtwo-pokemon-go/ |title=How to get Mew and Mewtwo in Pokemon Go {{!}} GamesRadar |date=May 2020 |access-date=2021-07-07 |archive-date=2021-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191015/https://www.gamesradar.com/how-to-catch-mew-mewtwo-pokemon-go/ |url-status=live }} Pokémon UNITE,{{Cite web |last=Pellegrino |first=Christian |date=2022-09-04 |title=Pokemon Unite: Mew's Mural Challenge Guide |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-unite-mew-mural-challenge-guide-unlock-mew-license/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=2022-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923100934/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-unite-mew-mural-challenge-guide-unlock-mew-license/ |url-status=live }} Pokémon Masters EX,{{Cite web |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=2020-02-14 |title=A Pokémon game will finally let Professor Oak go into battle for the first time |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/14/21137674/professor-oak-pokemon-masters-sync-pair-mew-red-blue-cut-battle |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127044226/https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/14/21137674/professor-oak-pokemon-masters-sync-pair-mew-red-blue-cut-battle |url-status=live }} and New Pokémon Snap.{{Cite news |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-pokemon-snap-mew-locations-jungle-day-night-myth-jungle-request-8018 |title=New Pokémon Snap – Mew locations in the Jungle Day and Night courses and Myth of the Jungle request explained • Eurogamer.net |website=Eurogamer |date=20 May 2021 |access-date=2021-07-06 |archive-date=2021-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184435/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/new-pokemon-snap-mew-locations-jungle-day-night-myth-jungle-request-8018 |url-status=live }} It also appears as one of the Pokémon that can be released from the Poké Ball and Master Ball items in the Super Smash Bros. series.{{cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/smash-bros-ultimate-pokemon-fighters-spirits-how-many/ | title=How Many Pokémon Are Actually in Smash Bros. Ultimate | website=Screen Rant | date=19 March 2022 | access-date=24 April 2022 | archive-date=13 April 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413175457/https://screenrant.com/smash-bros-ultimate-pokemon-fighters-spirits-how-many/amp/ | url-status=live }}

Mew has long been accessible by the use of glitches or cheating devices.{{Cite web |last=Spicer |first=Alexandra |date=2023-07-17 |title=How Mew Was Secretly Programmed Into Pokémon Gen 1 |url=https://www.cbr.com/mew-secretly-programmed-pokemon-red-blue-green/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902170829/https://www.cbr.com/mew-secretly-programmed-pokemon-red-blue-green/ |archive-date=2023-09-02 |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=CBR |language=en}} One of the glitches discovered in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow, dubbed "The Mew Glitch," involves exploiting programmed events in order to trigger a wild battle encounter with Mew, allowing for its capture.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-11 |title=Two Incredible Glitches Make The First Pokémon Games Way Easier |url=https://kotaku.com/two-incredible-glitches-make-the-first-pokemon-games-w-1541387847 |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=2020-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614130551/https://kotaku.com/two-incredible-glitches-make-the-first-pokemon-games-w-1541387847 |url-status=live }} The glitch was included in Virtual Console re-releases of the game for the Nintendo 3DS, though the captured Mew is not allowed to be transferred into Pokémon Bank without the use of further glitches, which changes an in-game "ID Number" to allow for Mew's successful transfer.{{Cite web |last=Frank |first=Allegra |date=2017-01-26 |title=Pokémon Bank's Mew glitch ban cracked by Sun and Moon players |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/26/14400184/pokemon-bank-mew-glitch |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-03-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328175054/https://www.polygon.com/2017/1/26/14400184/pokemon-bank-mew-glitch |url-status=live }}

Mew's first major appearance in the Pokémon anime was in Pokémon: The First Movie, where it served as one of the main characters. It was believed to be long-extinct, as well as the most powerful Pokémon in existence.{{cite web|title=Hokeymon|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1999-12-02/film/hokeymon/print|website=Phoenix New Times|last=Klein|first=Andy|date=December 2, 1999|access-date=June 8, 2009|archive-date=January 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114072916/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1999-12-02/film/hokeymon/print|url-status=live}} After years of research, scientists used Mew's DNA to create Mewtwo, a genetically enhanced clone of Mew who becomes the film's main antagonist. Mew later battles it in the film, where it appears to stop Mewtwo, though in the Japanese version of the film, Mew was depicted as a cruel being who wished to destroy Mewtwo and its clones.{{Cite web |title=How The Original Pokemon Movie Was Changed (And Made Worse) Outside Japan |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-the-original-pokemon-movie-was-changed-and-mad/1100-6466755/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=2019-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019040908/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/how-the-original-pokemon-movie-was-changed-and-mad/1100-6466755/ |url-status=live }} Mew later appears in Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, where Mew kidnaps Pikachu so it can play with him, kickstarting the plot of the film.{{Cite web |last=Edmundson |first=Carlyle |date=2023-10-11 |title=Every Pokémon Movie In Order (And The Best Way To Watch Them) |url=https://screenrant.com/every-pokemon-movie-in-order-best-way-watch-how/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=2023-10-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015064205/https://screenrant.com/every-pokemon-movie-in-order-best-way-watch-how/ |url-status=live }} In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, Mew appeared in a flashback showing the childhood of Goh, one of series protagonist Ash Ketchum's traveling companions. In his childhood, Goh encountered Mew, and ever since, Goh's goal was to capture Mew. He ends up joining a group named "Project Mew" which seeks to find and capture the Pokémon.{{Cite web |last=Kuiper |first=El |date=2022-05-21 |title=Pokémon Master Journeys: What Is Project Mew? |url=https://screenrant.com/pokemon-mew-project-go-what/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=2023-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924132858/https://screenrant.com/pokemon-mew-project-go-what/ |url-status=live }}

Mew appears in the Pokémon Adventures series of Pokémon manga. Mew, also known as the "Phantom Pokémon" in the manga, appears in the first chapter when the criminal organization Team Rocket tries to capture it. Red, the protagonist, also tries to capture it, but he is easily defeated by Mew.{{cite book |last= Kusaka |first= Hidenori|author2=Mato| title=Pokémon Adventures 1|year=2000 |publisher= Viz Media |isbn=978-1-56931-507-1 |chapter= Chapter 1}} In following chapters, it is revealed that Team Rocket wants to have Mew's DNA to finish the creation of Mewtwo, and Red and the character Green—at this point an antagonistic figure to Red—join forces to save it from being captured.{{cite book |last= Kusaka |first= Hidenori|author2=Mato| title=Pokémon Adventures 2|year=2000 |publisher= Viz Media |isbn=978-1-56931-508-8 |chapter= Chapter 16}}{{cite book |last= Kusaka |first= Hidenori|author2=Mato| title=Pokémon Adventures 2|year=2000 |publisher= Viz Media |isbn=978-1-56931-508-8 |chapter= Chapter 17}}

File:Legendary Offer.png, showing the "Legendary Offer" to obtain Mew. Contests and distributions such as these helped greatly contribute both to Mew and the Pokémon franchise's popularity.]]

The initial sales of the Pokémon games were sluggish due to their release window, which was considered a rough patch for new game releases. However, Mew was accidentally discovered by players via glitches, and the existence of Mew led to rampant rumors on how to obtain it, the most notable of which involved looking under a truck sprite in one of the game's major cities. Some players called Nintendo to ask about it, with the company not even being aware of Mew's existence. To stymie possible repercussions for inserting Mew into the game, plans for releasing the Pokémon were quickly unveiled. In the spring of 1996, Game Freak's president Satoshi Tajiri used the Japanese manga journal CoroCoro Comic as an experimental exhibition of Mew and distributed the first Pokémon Trading Card Game cards of it as free giveaways,{{Cite book |author1=(:Unav) |url=http://academiccommons.columbia.edu/item/ac:109287 |title=Pokemania: Secrets behind the international phenomenon |publisher=Columbia University |year=2000 |location=Columbia University |language=en |doi=10.7916/D8V12CPD |access-date=May 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304075227/http://academiccommons.columbia.edu/item/ac:109287 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead}} which surprised many at Game Freak, including Morimoto. Due to the success of the experiment, Game Freak announced further contests that would allow for Mew to be obtained.{{cite web |script-title=ja:ポケモン年 |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0006/02/y1996.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811003226/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0006/02/y1996.html |archive-date=August 11, 2019 |access-date=June 6, 2009 |publisher=Nintendo |language=ja}} Tajiri described using Mew to create hype around an "invisible character" within the game and to keep interest alive in the title and create rumors and myths about the game passed around by word of mouth,{{cite magazine |date=November 22, 1999 |title=The Ultimate Game Freak |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/pokemon6.fullinterview2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090514144559/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/pokemon6.fullinterview2.html |archive-date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=June 7, 2009 |magazine=Time Asia}} which resulted in increased sales for the game.{{cite magazine |author1=Chua-Eoan, Howard |author2=Larimer, Tim |date=November 22, 1999 |title=TIMEasia.com – Cover: Digi Mania – Page 2 – 11/22/99 |url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090519002004/http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html |archive-date=May 19, 2009 |access-date=May 21, 2009 |magazine=Time Asia}}

The reveal and distribution of Mew through organized events has been noted as a major reason for the series' success in Japan, with a promotion in the April 1996 issue of CoroCoro Comics called the "Legendary Pokémon Offer" offering twenty winners the opportunity to send their cartridges in for Nintendo to add Mew to their games. The offer received over seventy eight thousand entries, exceeding Nintendo's initial expectation of three thousand.{{cite news |author=Land, Calum |date=2000-04-16 |title=35 Things your children Pika-choose not to tell you about Pokemon |newspaper=The People}} Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata called it "really when things turned round for Pokémon", noting that it caused weekly sales of Red and Green to match their previous monthly sales, subsequently becoming three to four times larger. Players who missed the in-person events had to unlock Mew with cheat devices such as the Pro Action Replay. Fans often bought them solely for that purpose.{{cite magazine |author=NGamer Staff |date=July 25, 2007 |title=Nintendo Feature: Best and Worst of Pokémon |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=168880 |magazine=Computer and Video Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080429205947/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=168880 |archive-date=April 29, 2008 |access-date=June 9, 2009}} Many rumors about Mew circulated due to its popularity, ranging from methods on how to obtain it to theories on its association with a similar Pokémon, Ditto, the latter of which Junichi Masuda discredited by saying "each Pokémon we create [has] its own unique element."{{Cite magazine |last=Hilliard |first=Kyle |title=Pokémon's Burning Questions |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/07/13/pok-233-mon-39-s-burning-questions.aspx |access-date=2024-03-19 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208153532/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/07/13/pok-233-mon-39-s-burning-questions.aspx |url-status=live }} Many distribution events for other Mythical Pokémon followed in subsequent games, which were based on the success of Mew.{{Cite web |date=2016-03-04 |title=【特集】1996年2月27日、全てはここから始まった…ポケモンゲーム史「ゲームボーイ」編 |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2016/02/23/96216.html |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=インサイド |language=ja |archive-date=2024-03-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319225509/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2016/02/23/96216.html |url-status=live }}

Studies on the impact of fictional characters on children, such as those in the book Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon, have noted Mew as popular with younger female children who tend to be drawn to "cute" characters; Mewtwo in comparison was described as a polar opposite, popular with older male children who tend to be drawn to "tough or scary" characters.{{cite book |last=Tobin |first=Joseph Jay |title=Pikachu's Global Adventure: The Rise and Fall of Pokémon |publisher=Duke University Press |year=2004 |isbn=0-8223-3287-6 |pages=180, 283}} The book Media and the Make-believe Worlds of Children noted a similar comparison, describing Mew as "child-like and gentle, combining characteristics of power and cute" and emphasizing the importance of the contrast for children between it and Mewtwo.{{cite book |last=Götz |first=Maya |title=Media and the Make-believe Worlds of Children: When Harry Potter Meets Pokémon in Disneyland |author2=Lemish, Dafna |author3=International Communication Association Conference |author4=Aidman, Amy |author5=Moon, Hyesung |publisher=Routledge |year=2005 |isbn=0-8058-5191-7 |page=105}} Mew has been highlighted as a success in part due to its mysterious nature,{{Cite web |date=2010-12-10 |title=The 25 Awesomest Hidden Characters - UGO.com |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/the-25-awesomest-hidden-characters?page=4 |access-date=2024-03-25 |archive-date=2010-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210114032/http://www.ugo.com/games/the-25-awesomest-hidden-characters?page=4 |url-status=dead }} with TheGamer writer Ben Sledge praising the mythology of Mew, both for its in-game lore and the rumors it generated. He highlighted the big impact it had on his youth, and how it made him disappointed with its easier obtainment in Pokémon GO.{{Cite web |last=Sledge |first=Ben |date=2021-11-15 |title=Why I'm Waiting To Catch Mew In Pokemon Go |url=https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-go-waiting-to-catch-mew/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=2022-08-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804070954/https://www.thegamer.com/pokemon-go-waiting-to-catch-mew/ |url-status=live }}

Mew has been widely used to promote the Pokémon franchise due to its iconicity. Mew was one of the Pokémon featured in the 1998 painting on the All Nippon Airways Boeing 747-400.{{cite web |title=ANA's Pokémon Jet Home Page – Design |url=https://www.ana.co.jp/eng/flights/pokemonjet/design.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207185035/http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/flights/pokemonjet/design.html |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |access-date=May 21, 2009 |publisher=ANA}} In September 2006, in celebration of the release of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, players with a copy of Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, FireRed, or LeafGreen could go to a Toys "R" Us store to download the creature for free.{{cite magazine|date=October 2006|title=Mew Distribution Sept. 30|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=208|page=97}} Included in the DVD of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew was a promotional Mew trading card.{{cite web|title=VIZ Media Announces New Pokemon Products for 2006 Holiday Season|url=http://presszoom.com/story_119009.html|date=October 12, 2006|publisher=PressZoom|access-date=June 13, 2009|archive-date=September 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910222016/http://presszoom.com/story_119009.html|url-status=dead}} A special DS, featuring a color scheme similar to Mew, was also released to promote the film.{{Cite web |title=New DS looks like Mew |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-ds-looks-like-mew/1100-6126709/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US |archive-date=2021-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926103545/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-ds-looks-like-mew/1100-6126709/ |url-status=live }} A special Pokémon Card, nicknamed the "Ancient Mew" card, was used to promote the second Pokémon movie and featured in the film as the inspiration for antagonist Lawrence III's goals of capturing Legendary Pokémon. The card was reprinted for Japanese showings of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back — Evolution.{{Cite web |last=Caddick |first=Joseph |date=2022-11-08 |title=What Makes Mew Pokémon TCG's Most Iconic Promo Card |url=https://screenrant.com/pokemon-tcg-ancient-mew-promo-card-value-rarity/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=2023-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126135958/https://screenrant.com/pokemon-tcg-ancient-mew-promo-card-value-rarity/ |url-status=live }} In 2021, Oreos depicting Pokémon characters were released, with those depicting Mew being particularly rare and sought after by fans of the series, leading to bids on sales of the cookie jumping up to prices as high as several thousand dollars.{{Cite web |date=2021-09-27 |title=Rare Mew Pokémon Oreos Are Selling For Thousands |url=https://kotaku.com/rare-mew-pokemon-oreos-are-selling-for-thousands-1847752974 |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240315211842/https://kotaku.com/rare-mew-pokemon-oreos-are-selling-for-thousands-1847752974 |url-status=live }} In 2024, the Oreo Pokémon cookies were rolled out in Southeast Asia; its accompanying promo encouraged participants to send a photo of them holding a Mew cookie.{{cite news | last=Chong | first=Rei | title=OREO's Pokémon collaboration made this S'porean Pokemon lover feel like she's gotta collect 'em all | date=March 28, 2024 | url=https://mothership.sg/2024/03/oreo-pokemon-collaboration | work=mothership.sg }}

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{{Portal|Video games}}

• {{Bulbapedia}}
• [https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokedex/mew Mew on Pokemon.com]

{{Pokémon Generation 1|state=expanded}}

{{Pokémon}}

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Category:Anthropomorphic cats

Category:Fictional characters who can levitate

Category:Pokémon introduced in generation I

Category:Shapeshifter characters in video games

Category:Video game characters introduced in 1996

Category:Video game characters who are psychics

Category:Video game characters who can turn invisible