Mew Project

From Kokorodatabase

The Mew Project was launched in 2002 (2000 in the manga, I supposed) by Akasaka Keiichiro and Shirogane Ryou as a joint project based off the notes and research started by Shirogane Jishou dealing with the ancient alien civilization and a number of fossils that he was studying.

[edit] Pre-Accident Research

INCOMPLETE

Ryou himself managed to culture UMA cells artificially.

It was eventually apparent that using Red Data Animals directly against the aliens was not going to work in the long run. Not only would it be difficult for smaller species to fight, but lifespan and power was also an issue. Needless to say, it wouldn't be viewed well in the public eye and citizens would likely have little faith in a handful of rare animals. It was decided that introducing the genes into humans could be a possibility.

[edit] Post-Accident Research

Ryou and Keiichiro decided that their best bet was to search young females to see if any of them had compatable DNA. Young girls tended to be pure of heart. The public of all ages would not be afraid of a female superhero team. Because girls are particular about what animals are "cute", many reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects were ruled out because the transformations could put too much stress on those chosen. Likewise animals that were too far removed from humans were not used, as well as plants, whose different breathing habits and lack of mobility proved a problem.

Eventually the search for compatable girls in the area was narrowed down to the original five Mew Mews.

Even though the process was finished a couple of years after arriving in Japan, a human subject had yet to be tested. Thus, Ryou injected himself to be sure that there would be no major negative consequences following injection. Though he was able to change back, Ryou suffered from a time limit, and the incompatable DNA not only caused his cat form to have a deformed (kinked) tail, but it also lead to a series of migraine-like symptoms which lessened over time.