Pikachu and Eevee Friends (2013) belongs to the wave of Pokémon animated shorts that circulated through television specials and home video compilations aimed squarely at younger fans and long time collectors of the franchise. These releases rarely carried theatrical weight on their own, but they mattered as connective tissue, keeping Pikachu's extended cast of Eeveelutions in circulation between major film events. For 35mm collectors, such shorts are valued less for cinematic ambition and more for their scarcity as physical artifacts from a franchise more commonly preserved digitally.
This cell centers on Umbreon, one of the Eeveelutions prized by collectors for a design built around quiet composure rather than flash. Umbreon's appeal has always rested on its reputation as the reserved, watchful member of the Eeveelution family, a presence that suggests restraint and depth within an otherwise energetic ensemble. As a single character cell, this piece likely comes from a moment meant to spotlight Umbreon individually, the kind of isolated frame prized precisely because it isolates one figure from a franchise built on group dynamics.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour release print of Pikachu and Eevee Friends (2013).
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds one frame with partial frames above and below.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced; punched cleanly with no torn or deformed holes visible.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along the bottom edge of the strip, appearing as a dual-band waveform pattern.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to slightly cool; dye image shows strong blue and black saturation consistent with an intact colour print.
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the single main frame appears to be one consecutive shot, and the animated character visible is consistent with the Pokémon animated film on record.
Era check
A variable-area optical soundtrack on 35mm positive colour stock is consistent with a 2013 theatrical release print of this title.
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
