A Fan Theory Explored

Picture this: Deep in the laboratories of Team Rocket, scientists work tirelessly to create the ultimate Pokémon, one with the power of the legendary Mew. They succeed in creating Mewtwo, the ultimate clone, but what if not every experiment went so smoothly? What if some of those failed attempts didn’t just disappear but were left behind as seemingly innocent creatures?

Enter Ditto, the cute, blobby Pokémon with the ability to transform into anything it sees. But what if Ditto isn’t just an ordinary Pokémon? What if Ditto is a failed clone of Mew?

It may sound wild, but once you connect the dots, this theory starts to make a lot of sense. Let’s dive into the fascinating theory that Ditto is a failed attempt to clone Mew and explore the evidence that has Pokémon fans talking.

The Fan Theory: Ditto, the Failed Mew Clone

Imagine trying to create the world’s most powerful Pokémon. You gather Mew’s DNA, run endless experiments, and produce a clone—except it’s not quite right. Instead of Mewtwo, a powerful psychic Pokémon, you end up with Ditto, a floppy blob that can mimic other Pokémon but doesn’t possess the full strength or identity of the original.

According to this theory, Ditto was the result of a failed cloning experiment, an early attempt by scientists to replicate Mew’s powers. Rather than scrapping the failed experiments, these Ditto were allowed to roam the Pokémon world, blending in with other Pokémon but always retaining their ability to transform—one of Mew’s signature traits.

Let’s take a closer look at the evidence that supports this intriguing theory.

Evidence: How Ditto and Mew Are Connected

1. Ditto and Mew Share Similar DNA

Let’s start with one of the most compelling pieces of evidence: Ditto and Mew both have the ability to use the move Transform. This move allows them to copy the appearance, abilities, and even stats of any Pokémon they encounter. Outside of Mew, Ditto is the only other Pokémon that can naturally use this move.

This shared ability suggests a connection. After all, if Ditto was created in an attempt to clone Mew, it makes sense that it would retain some of Mew’s abilities, even if the cloning process wasn’t perfect.

Image Suggestion: A comparison of Ditto and Mew using the move Transform, highlighting their shared ability.

2. Ditto’s Color and Mewtwo’s Origin

In the Pokémon games, Ditto’s shiny form is a light blue color—interestingly, the same color as Mewtwo’s clone tank seen in Pokémon: The First Movie. Both Ditto and Mewtwo were created in labs, and the color similarity might be more than a coincidence. Could Ditto’s color be a hint that it was created in the same environment as Mewtwo, but simply didn’t turn out as intended?

Moreover, both Ditto and Mew are depicted as genderless Pokémon. They have no fixed identity or gender, which could further suggest that Ditto was an attempt to create Mew that simply didn’t develop properly.

Image Suggestion: A scene from Pokémon: The First Movie showing Mewtwo being created in the tank, with its blue liquid, next to a shiny Ditto for comparison.

3. Ditto’s Behavior and Location

Another clue lies in Ditto’s behavior and where you can find it in the games. In some versions of the Pokémon games, Ditto can be found in the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island, where experiments on cloning and genetic manipulation were performed. This mansion is also where Mewtwo was said to be created, according to in-game lore.

Ditto’s presence in these scientific labs strengthens the idea that it was a product of genetic experiments. If Ditto was a failed clone of Mew, it would make sense for it to be found in the same places where Mew’s cloning was attempted.

Image Suggestion: A screenshot from the Pokémon Mansion on Cinnabar Island, showing Ditto’s location near old scientific journals detailing cloning experiments.

Counter-Arguments: Could Ditto Just Be a Regular Pokémon?

While the idea of Ditto being a failed Mew clone is fascinating, not everyone is convinced. Let’s explore some of the counter-arguments.

1. Ditto’s Independent Existence

Some fans argue that Ditto is simply its own species and doesn’t need to be connected to Mew at all. In the Pokémon world, there are many strange and mysterious creatures, and Ditto might just be one of them—a Pokémon with the unique ability to mimic others without being tied to Mew.

2. Other Pokémon Can Use Transform

While Ditto and Mew both have the ability to use Transform, other Pokémon can learn the move as well, though usually through special circumstances. This could mean that Transform isn’t exclusive to Mew or its supposed clones. In this case, Ditto’s ability to use Transform may not be a sign of failed cloning, but just a coincidence.

3. Ditto in Other Regions

Ditto appears in multiple regions and doesn’t seem to be exclusive to the areas where Mew and Mewtwo were created. If Ditto were truly a failed clone of Mew, you might expect it to be more closely tied to those regions rather than being found across the Pokémon world. This leads some fans to believe that Ditto is simply a natural species.

Fan Reactions: What Do Trainers Think?

As with all great Pokémon theories, this one has sparked a lively debate among fans. Some trainers believe the evidence is clear—Ditto’s ability to Transform, its appearance in scientific locations, and its color similarities to Mewtwo’s clone tanks all point to it being a failed attempt to clone Mew.

On the other hand, there are plenty of fans who think Ditto is just a quirky, unique Pokémon, unrelated to Mew or its cloning experiments. These fans argue that not every Pokémon needs a deep connection to Mew, and that Ditto’s transforming ability could simply be a part of its biology.

Regardless of where you stand, the theory has certainly left fans with plenty to think about.

Final Thoughts: Is Ditto a Failed Mew Clone?

So, is Ditto really a failed Mew clone? While the evidence is certainly intriguing—shared abilities, color similarities, and Ditto’s presence in cloning labs—there’s no definitive proof that connects Ditto directly to Mew’s cloning experiments. However, the theory adds another layer of mystery to the Pokémon universe and keeps fans curious about Ditto’s true origins.

Whether you believe Ditto was created in the lab alongside Mewtwo or is simply a natural-born Pokémon with a strange ability, one thing’s for sure: Ditto will continue to fascinate and baffle trainers everywhere.

Next time you catch a Ditto, take a moment to wonder—what if this little blob was supposed to be something much greater? What if it’s more than just a mimic, but a reminder of a failed experiment long forgotten?