Pokémon’s Mr. Fuji & Dr. Fuji Are One Person: All Proof Explained

Since Generation 1, the Pokémon games have introduced countless mysteries about the smaller details of their world. Bits of lore have allowed the fandom to run wild with theories about how Pokémon’s puzzle pieces fit together. While some of these mysteries have been solved in the anime, the Pokémon Origins miniseries, and the various Pokémon movies, the games are often more vague. Two major sources of confusion are the origin of Kanto’s in-game Mewtwo and the fate of its creator, Dr. Fuji.

Unlike in the Pokémon anime and movie continuity, the creation of Mewtwo in the Pokémon games is riddled with uncertainty. The exact timeline of events leading up to Mewtwo’s existence is muddled, as are its relationships with the humans around it. There is evidence that the Mewtwo in Cerulean Cave was created at the Cinnabar Pokémon Lab by a man named Dr. Fuji. Despite the destruction of the Pokémon Lab and the escape of Mewtwo, there are hints Dr. Fuji survived. Moreover, Pokémon Red and Blue players likely actually meet Dr. Fuji himself, as he’s strongly implied to be the same man as Mr. Fuji, a Pokémon rehab specialist in Lavender Town.

The most obvious connection between the two characters is their names. While Dr. Fuji and Mr. Fuji could be related or share a last name without any familial relation, the coincidence raises some eyebrows. Their shared identity is even confirmed in Pokémon Origins, which retells the story of the Red and Blue games, but the games themselves are more subtle.

Pokémon: Mr. & Dr. Fuji’s Identities Lie In NPC Dialogue

Those brave enough to explore the unsettling Lavender Town in Pokémon Red and Blue encounter NPCs with some informative dialogue. Players discover Mr. Fuji is not a Lavender Town native. His selflessness and caring nature are praised, though a girl helping Fuji take care of orphaned Pokémon mentions he hasn’t talked much about his past. In the FireRed and LeafGreen remakes, a portrait in Cinnabar Island’s Pokémon Lab (accessible later in the game) brings up the following dialogue message: “A photo of the LAB’s founder… DR. FUJI?!” Though the player can’t actually see what the person in the photo looks like, the way the dialogue is written suggests the protagonist is surprised, likely because they are familiar with Dr. Fuji’s appearance after meeting Mr. Fuji in Lavender Town.

Next door, in the burnt-out Pokémon Mansion, documents reference the dark implications of Mewtwo’s “birth.” The Lab’s proximity to the Mansion implies the scientists there – under the leadership of Dr. Fuji – were responsible for Mewtwo’s creation. If Dr. Fuji regretted his role in the creature’s origins, it would make sense he’d seek redemption through Pokémon rehabilitation as Mr. Fuji, also refraining from discussing his past.

Although all of this evidence is pretty definitive, the video games didn’t outright confirm things until years later. In the 2018 Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Eevee! remakes, Cinnabar Gym Leader Blaine says the Pokémon Mansion notes were written by an unnamed friend of his. In 2019’s Pokémon Masters EX, Blaine then also says he used to work with a “Professor Fuji.” While these games don’t necessarily take place in the same universe as the originals, they still seem to confirm what was already clear – especially when combined with a photo of Blaine and Mr. Fuji “standing shoulder to shoulder with big grins” viewable in Blaine’s Gym in FireRed and LeafGreen: The Mr. Fuji and Dr. Fuji mentioned on Cinnabar are one in the same. Many Pokémonmysteries will likely never be answered, but it seems Mr. Fuji’s true identity has.

About The Author

Natalie Lindner
(499 Articles Published)

Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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