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 theatrical entry in the franchise, produced by OLM under Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's supervision before its Japanese release and later international distribution. It marked a technical step forward for the series, pairing traditional cel animation with early digital compositing to render Lucario's aura abilities, and it deepened the mythology around Mew as the genetic ancestor of all Pokémon. Films of this era were pivotal in sustaining the franchise's momentum through the mid-2000s, reaching audiences who had grown up with the original games and anime while introducing new visual ambitions to the theatrical lineup.
This cell centers on Pikachu, the franchise's enduring mascot and the character most sought after by collectors regardless of the film or scene. A moment described simply as battling situates Pikachu in the kind of physical action sequence that defines much of the character's screen presence, the electric-type staple whose combat appearances anchor countless narrative turns across the series. As a 35mm cel, this piece is a physical artifact from actual theatrical production, a tangible link to frame-by-frame filmmaking that predates full digital animation, prized by collectors precisely for that direct connection to the print struck for cinemas.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour positive release print of Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds two frames side by side in a dual-frame layout across the strip width
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with rounded rectangular shape, no torn or deformed holes visible
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along the lower portion of the strip beside the picture area on at least one edge; Dolby Digital data blocks are not clearly distinguishable at this size
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base appears clear with a slight warm-neutral tint; dye image shows strong yellow-gold and deep blue tones consistent with a colour positive print
Projection history
Light horizontal banding visible in the lower portion of the strip, consistent with evidence of projection use
Picture
Positive colour image; both frames appear to be the same or near-identical consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with an animated feature matching the film on record
Era check
The variable-area optical track, colour positive print stock, and clear base are all consistent with a mid-2000s theatrical release print 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
