
Shibuya’s Mewtwo escapes and has been “spotted” on the other side of the Pacific.
There are Pokémon Center superstores in various parts of Japan, but each one has its own special representative Pokémon, prominently displayed at the entrance. So since the opening of the Shibuya Pokémon Center in downtown Tokyo in 2019, the first Pocket Monster that visitors see is Mewtwo.
With Mewtwo having a Pokédex-listed height of 2 meters (6 feet, 7 inches), the one at the Shibuya Pokémon Center is essentially life-size, and it radiates an intimidating aura, boosted by the subtle movements it makes that imply that it’s breathing. Of course, the infamously malevolent Pokémon isn’t too scary. After all, it’s contained inside that secured tube…right?
Not anymore! Recent visitors to the Shibuya Pokémon Center have quickly noticed that Mewtwo is gone, and even the official Japanese Pokémon promotional account has put out a statement of sorts.
▼ “Whoa, the Mewtwo that was at Pokémon Center Shibuya has disappeared…why?”
え、ポケセンシブヤ行ったらミュウツーいなくなってたんだけど なんで? pic.twitter.com/Id7l87SU0h
— 【公式】ポケモン情報局 (@poke_times) July 9, 2026
For those without a background in Pokémon biology, it should be pointed out that Mewtwo’s powers do not include invisibility, which rules out the possibility that it’s still in the tube, but hiding. What is in Mewtwo’s list of abilities, though, is teleportation, which would explain how it got out of the tube without shattering the glass or anyone otherwise opening the containment unit.
The official Japanese Pokémon GO Twitter account has also posted that Mewtwo has disappeared from the in-game image for the Pokémon Center Shibuya’s PokéStop.
▼ “Well look at that…Mewtwo has disappeared from the PokéStop too…”
あれ、ミュウツーがポケストップからもいなくなっている…👀 #ポケモンGO https://t.co/W7wPB1Bx2s pic.twitter.com/qUgsOhJBWL
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) July 9, 2026
Thankfully, the earnest tone from official channels suggests that Mewtwo’s disappearance isn’t the result of theft, vandalism, or damage, and is, in an ironically reassuring way, simply part of some nefarious ambition that Mewtwo has set out to fulfill…a theory that’s lent further credibility by the Pokémon GO account’s follow-up that “There has been a series of eye-witness reports spotting Mewtwo in New York! Just what is going on?”
「ミュウツー」の目撃情報がニューヨークで相次いでいます!👀
— Pokémon GO Japan (@PokemonGOAppJP) July 10, 2026
一体これは!?
📍ニューヨーク、アメリカ#ポケモンGO #PokemonGO10 pic.twitter.com/UolEyXjSRN
A seemingly significant aspect of all this is that the disappearance of the Pokémon Center Shibuya Mewtwo isn’t part of any larger “Where did Mewtwo go?” kind of promotion in Japan. It’s only the Pokémon Center’s Mewtwo that’s missing, and so the follow-up post doesn’t just suggest a connection between Mewtwo and New York, but also between New York and the Pokémon Center.
Though the Pokémon franchise is immensely popular in the United States, there’s currently no physical Pokémon Center store in the country. At the same time, the Shibuya Pokémon Center is massively popular with foreign tourists in Tokyo, so much so that they often outnumber Japanese shoppers within the store. The Pokémon Company has no doubt taken notice of this, and so could Mewtwo have temporarily disappeared from Shibuya in preparation for the impending announcement of the opening of America’s first Pokémon Center in New York? We’ll have to wait and see, but with Studio Ghibli specialty store Donguri Kyowakoku finally advancing into the American market, plus the Pokémon franchise currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the timing feels right.
Source: Twitter/@poke_times via Oricon News
Top image: SoraNews24
Insert images: Soranews24, Twitter/@poke_times
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!



Life-size Mewtwo, graffiti Pikachu welcome us to the newest Pokémon Center megastore in Shibuya
Graffiti artist Pikachu plushies coming to brand-new Shibuya Pokémon Center megastore【Photos】
Japanese fans react to the idea that Pokémon Mewtwo is a Christian role model
Mewtwo makes long-awaited Pokémon GO debut in Yokohama fan event
We preview Japan’s first-ever Nintendo Tokyo, Capcom Store and Shibuya Pokémon Centre megastore
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Japanese workers reveal their top five mysterious rules they wish would disappear【Survey】
Japan’s Rabbit Island in danger of becoming Boar Island, tourists asked to follow feeding rules
Japanese convenience store sunglasses just became our newest Convenience Wear obsession
Dog-friendly Wanwan Liner bus to begin operations between Tokyo and Osaka this fall
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Stay at a hotel with a bed for your plushie in Japan
Tokyo giving out free furoshiki from Pikachu’s designer to help tourists carry their garbage home
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
12-year-old foreign tourist missing in Japan, police asking for help finding her [Video]
Japanese gacha machine in Shibuya now sells tiny capsule terrariums
The Japanese city where ordering grilled chicken doesn’t guarantee you’ll actually get chicken
Japanese airlines set to cut fuel surcharges for international flights in September and October
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Cat Pokémon appear in the Tokyo skyline with new 3-D billboard animated sequence【Video】
Pokémon Mewtwo teaches Japanese schoolboy valuable life lessons in kindness, compromising
Pokémon movie reboots look to continue with announcement of Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution
Pokémon’s impossible-to-buy-bike now exists in real life, still can’t be bought, must be won【Pics】
Pokémon Scarlet and Violet starter Pokémon appear on Tokyo’s giant 3-D billboard【Video】
Mobile release of Pokémon Quest celebrated with “Real Pokémon Quest” events and Twitter campaign
Huge life-size Eevee Eeveelution Pokémon plushies will steal hearts, conquer living rooms【Photos】
More huge life-size Eevee Pokémon evolution plushies are coming to take over your home【Photos】
Life-size Legendary Pokémon Mega Rayquaza digitally greeting travelers at Tokyo train station [Vid]
Real-world Pokémon Koraidon motorcycle makes its first run in Japan【Video】
Pokémon Center megastores across Japan shutting down indefinitely because of coronavirus
Life-size Pokémon plushie is here for big Gardevoir fans who want a big Gardevoir in their life
Mega huge Mega Charizard Pokémon kites fly in the skies of Japan【Video】
Jaw-dropping Pokémon figure recreates the climactic Mew vs. Mewtwo fight from 20 years ago【Pics】
Detective Pikachu debuts in Pokémon GO in event saluting franchise’s first live-action film