Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: Pikachu's Vacation debuted in 1998 as the short accompanying Pokémon: The First Movie, distributed theatrically by Warner Bros. in North America after originating with Toho and Nintendo's media franchise in Japan. Produced by OLM, Inc., it arrived at the height of Pokémania, when the franchise was expanding rapidly from games and television into film. The short offered audiences a lighter, low stakes complement to the feature's drama, reinforcing Pikachu's central role as mascot while introducing a wider cast of Pokémon in a communal, vacation setting that became memorable to fans of the era.
This cell bears the name Marill, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon, a species collectors value for its comparatively rare screen appearances within the broader Pokémon animated catalog. Marill's inclusion in Pikachu's Vacation situates it among the ensemble of creatures gathered for the short's central outing, a moment defined by leisure and companionship rather than conflict. For collectors, a single character cell like this represents a tangible link to a specific frame of animation history, distinct from a trailer card, which promotes the film, or a credits cell, which marks its conclusion.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: Pikachu's Vacation.
Gauge
35mm; the strip shows four perforations per frame on both edges and holds one complete frame with partial frames above and below.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge; spacing appears even; perforation edges look cleanly punched with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible below the picture area, appearing as two bilateral variable-area tracks, consistent with a stereo optical print; a band of what appears to be Dolby Digital data blocks is also visible between the picture and the optical track area.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly cool; dye image shows saturated colour with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history
No splices, cue marks or significant scratches are visible in this capture.
Picture
Positive colour image; the single frame visible is consistent with an animated theatrical release print matching the film on record.
Era check
The combination of a bilateral variable-area optical track, apparent Dolby Digital data blocks, and saturated colour dye image is consistent with a 1998-1999 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
