National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Released in 1999, Pokemon: The First Movie arrived at the height of the franchise's global explosion, when the animated series and trading cards had captivated a generation. For many young fans, it was their first time seeing these characters on the big screen, and it remains a nostalgic touchstone for anyone who grew up during that late-nineties phenomenon. Its blend of action and surprisingly heartfelt themes helped cement anime's growing presence in Western theaters.

This cell captures Mewtwo and Mew, the two legendary Pokemon at the emotional core of the film. Owning a physical frame from their confrontation means holding an actual piece of the celluloid that once ran through a projector, a tangible connection to a defining moment of the era.