Sources: Wikidata · OpenAlex. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie brought Nintendo's phenomenon to American theaters in November 1999, distributed by Warner Bros. following Toho's earlier Japanese release. Built around Mewtwo's origin story, the film capitalized on the franchise's explosive popularity among children and collectors alike, becoming one of the highest grossing anime films released in the West at that time. It cemented Pikachu as a cultural icon well beyond the games and television series, pulling an entire generation into theaters and setting a template for how Pokémon would be marketed on the big screen.
This cell centers on Pikachu, voiced throughout the franchise by Ikue Ōtani, whose vocal performance defined the character for millions without a single word of human language spoken. The cell's identification as Pikachu Crying points to a moment of sorrow within the story, a beat that stands apart from the character's usual cheerful presence and gives the scene emotional weight. For collectors, this is a piece prized precisely because it captures Pikachu outside of its default temperament, a quieter, heavier moment preserved on film.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The First Movie (1999).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds two frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no visible torn or missing perforations.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible along one edge, appearing as a dual bilateral variable-area pattern; a separate digital timecode or data line appears adjacent to it, consistent with a DTS timecode stripe.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
The base appears with a slight cool-neutral tint; the dye image reads as warm yellow-dominant with no obvious red shift or fading.
Projection history
Light vertical lines are visible across the frame area, consistent with projection wear; no splices or cue marks are visible.
Picture
Positive image; both frames appear to be consecutive frames from the same shot, and the character depicted is consistent with the Pokémon franchise as recorded.
Era check
The dual bilateral variable-area optical track combined with what appears to be a DTS timecode stripe is consistent with a 1999 theatrical release print, as DTS was in wide use for major studio releases by that year.
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, 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.
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
