Crown Grading

FILM NOTES

Warner Bros. distributed Pokemon: The First Movie in North America in November 1999, bringing the global phenomenon of the Nintendo and Game Freak franchise to the big screen. Produced by OLM, Inc. for Nintendo and Creatures, the film arrived at the peak of Pokemon's cultural dominance and remains one of the highest-grossing traditionally animated features of its era, drawing audiences well beyond the established fan base.

This cell captures Team Rocket amid the turbulent storm sequence as the group crosses toward New Island, the figures suspended in a darkened, churning environment that underscores the film's shift into more serious dramatic territory. It is a quiet but atmospheric moment, preserving the hand-drawn animation of a production that marked a genuine milestone in franchise filmmaking.