National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Released in 1999, Pokemon: The First Movie arrived at the height of a global phenomenon, when the franchise had leapt from handheld games and television into a cultural force that captivated a generation. Its theatrical trailer served as an early glimpse for audiences eager to see their favorite characters brought to the big screen. For many fans, the film and its promotional materials remain a nostalgic touchstone from an era when anime was breaking into the mainstream of Western pop culture.

This cell captures Gyarados and Porygon, two creatures instantly recognizable to anyone who followed the series. Holding an actual frame of 35mm film from this promotional piece connects you directly to the physical medium of its time, a tangible artifact from a moment many remember fondly.