Mr. Fuji
| Fuji | |
|---|---|
| Species | Human |
| Hair color | Gray (Bald) |
| Debut | Pokémon: Red Version/Pokémon: Green Version |
Mr. Fuji is an elderly man who appears as a supporting character in the first two generations of the Pokémon series.
Background[edit]
He was originally known as Dr. Fuji and founded Cinnabar Island's Pokémon Laboratory. His exact accomplishments during this time period were not specified, but it was possible that he was involved in the projects that created Porygon and Mewtwo, and he seemed to have formed a friendship with Blaine. As he was known for being shy and kindly, Fuji eventually left that life behind him and started a more humble living at Lavender Town. There, he was simply known as Mr. Fuji and founded the Lavender Volunteer Pokémon House in order to take care of Pokémon that had been abused, abandoned or orphaned. It seemed that most were not aware of his scientific background, and Fuji turned down all requests for interviews.
Within the first generation games, his latest charge was a Cubone whose mother had been killed by Team Rocket. Fuji went to Team Rocket's hideout at the top of the Pokémon Tower to complain about their misdeeds and to try to calm the spirit of the Marowak mother. Red later arrived and defeated the Rocket Grunts. Once they met, Mr. Fuji thanked him for coming to save him, but he assured Red that he came there out of his own free will. Once they returned to his home, Fuji told Red that he needed to love his Pokémon in order to succeed in his Pokédex quest and gave the trainer a Poké Flute. In FireRed and LeafGreen, his last message sent over the Fame Checker suggested that instead of hoping for the happiness of just his Pokémon, Red should wish for the happiness of all Pokémon.
Mr. Fuji also appeared in the second generation games, where he spent most of his time at the House of Memories. When he met Ethan/Lyra, he noticed that the trainer seemed to be raising their Pokémon in a loving manner and encouraged others to pay their condolences for the souls of the departed Pokémon. It was said that there were many chambers within the House of Memories which only Fuji could enter. There was also a possible reference to him in Emerald, where there was an old, faded message on a sign on Faraway Island from a previous visitor with advice on how to encounter Mew. The author's name could not be made out, but in the Japanese version, a "-ji" is visible as the name's ending. Combined with Fuji's possible role in Mewtwo's creation, this implies that it was Fuji who found Faraway Island.
Other Appearances[edit]
Other Media[edit]
- In the Pokémon anime, Mr. Fuji does not make an actual appearance. However, the first movie does have a very different and younger character named Dr. Fuji who was the head scientist in charge of Mewtwo's creation. It is uncertain if there is supposed to be an implied relation, or if this character was based on the mention of a Dr. Fuji on Cinnabar Island with the writers failing to realize that he was supposed to be the same person as the kindly old Mr. Fuji.
- Within the Pokémon Adventures manga, Fuji initially appeared within several chapters of the Red/Green/Blue arc. In this version, everyone avoided going to Pokémon Tower after more ghosts appeared there, which forced Mr. Fuji to bury his recently-deceased Doduo outside. He befriended both Red and Blue, and after they were able to save the tower, Fuji thanked them and was able to give his Doduo a proper burial within the tower. He also made a cameo near the end of the Gold/Silver/Crystal arc (among the trainers sending Pokémon to help the others) and Emerald arc (among the various past characters aboard the Seagallop). Additionally, the FireRed/LeafGreen arc seems to build off of the clue from the Emerald Version by implying that "Professor Fuji" helped Blaine to search for Mew at Faraway Island.
- Mr. Fuji was featured in the Pokémon Origins anime, which was based on his role in the games but with an expanded role. As in the games, Red stopped Team Rocket at Lavender Tower, and Fuji gave him a Poké Flute as thanks. In this version, he also gave him a pair of stones that would turn out to be a Key Stone and a Mega Stone, Charizardite X, near the end of the anime. In this series, Mr. Fuji was also shown to be the same scientist who helped to create Mewtwo, with Red being puzzled by the connection when he found about it.
Trivia[edit]
- His name is Japanese for "wistera", which is a genus of plants with purple flowers, which matches the name for Lavender Town.
- He seems to have a liking for entering contests held by Pokémon Fan Magazine.
- In FireRed/LeafGreen, he is one of the few non-Pokémon League affiliated characters who has a Fame Checker entry.