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Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in North American theaters in November 1999, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures as an extension of the global phenomenon that had swept television, trading cards, and playgrounds. Produced by OLM, Inc. for Nintendo and Game Freak, the film marked the franchise's theatrical debut and became one of the highest-grossing anime films released in the West at that time, cementing Pokémon's cultural footprint beyond the small screen.
This cell, titled Mew, captures the legendary Pokémon suspended in a low-angle hover, its long tail curling gracefully around its small form against a deep monochromatic purple background. The palette is characteristic of Mew's ethereal, almost otherworldly presence throughout the film.