Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew arrived in 2006 as the eighth entry in the theatrical Pokémon franchise, produced by OLM and distributed through Warner Bros. in the West following Toho's original Japanese release. It marked a technical leap for the series, blending traditional cel animation with early CGI to render Lucario's aura powers and the Tree of Beginning, and it introduced Lucario itself as a fan favorite destined for lasting popularity in later games and spinoffs. The film sits at a transitional point for Pokémon on screen, still rooted in hand-drawn tradition while reaching toward more ambitious visual storytelling.
This cell preserves a single frame of Pikachu, the character whose image has anchored the franchise since its earliest days and remains its most recognized ambassador worldwide. As a 35mm film cell rather than a digital still, it represents a physical artifact from actual theatrical print production, a tangible link to how audiences first encountered this film in cinemas. Collectors prize Pikachu material especially, since it embodies the franchise's identity beyond any single story. Owning this piece connects directly to that release history and to the animation era it represents.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour theatrical release print of Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched edges appear clean with no torn or missing perforations visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along the bottom edge of the strip, appearing as a dual-band waveform pattern consistent with a stereo optical track.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer codes.
Base & colour
The clear base shows a slight warm-yellow tint consistent with a colour dye-coupler print; the dye image appears saturated with no visible fading.
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are apparent in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single continuous shot, and the animated character and background palette are consistent with the Pokémon animated film on record.
Era check
The dual variable-area optical soundtrack, colour positive print stock, and four-perforation 35mm format are all consistent with a theatrical release print from the mid-2000s era of the film 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, 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
