Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived at the height of Pokémania, a Warner Bros. theatrical release built on Nintendo's global phenomenon and produced by OLM under Kunihiko Yuyama's direction. Following the surprise success of the first Pokémon film, this sequel, subtitled The Power of One, pushed the franchise's box office momentum further and cemented the movie tie-in as an annual event for young audiences worldwide. It stands as a snapshot of the peak collecting era for Pokémon ephemera, when theatrical film cels became sought after alongside cards and merchandise.
This piece centers on Pikachu, the electric mouse whose likeness anchors the entire Pokémon brand and whose voice, performed by Ikue Ōtani, remains instantly recognizable across every entry in the series. As the character most identified with the franchise's identity, Pikachu material from this release holds particular appeal to collectors seeking imagery tied directly to the film's marketing and screen presence. A cell simply marked with the character's name reflects the straightforward documentation common to film archives, isolating Pikachu without further scene context, making it a clean representation of the character's role in this specific theatrical release.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced; the punched holes appear cleanly cut with no visible tearing or distortion.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along one edge; Dolby Digital data blocks appear in the inter-perforation gaps, and a DTS timecode stripe is also discernible, consistent with a multi-format release print.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to quote any text or key numbers.
Base & colour
Base appears clear with no amber or vinegar-syndrome discolouration; dye image is warm and fully saturated.
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are apparent in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the three frames run consecutively as a single continuous shot, and the animated character and background art are consistent with the Pokémon animated film on record.
Era check
The combination of Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks, a DTS timecode line, and variable-area optical track on 35mm stock is consistent with a theatrical release print from the late 1990s to early 2000s, matching the 2000 release date on record.
Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.
This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.
Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.
CROWN SERIAL 000063336
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
