Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us arrived in 2018 as part of OLM's long running film series, released theatrically in Japan by Toho before its wider international rollout. Set in the coastal town of Fuwante and centered on an eclipse gathering seven trainers, the film marked a stylistic refresh for the franchise, with updated animation direction and a more grounded, ensemble driven story than earlier entries. It stands as a transitional entry bridging the classic film era with a more contemporary visual approach, making it notable among collectors tracking the evolution of the movie line's look and production values.
This cell carries the name Lugia, the guardian legendary long associated with the series' second film and prized by collectors for its rarity across the franchise's history. Its reappearance here ties this movie to that older mythology, giving the reel added weight for anyone building a Lugia specific run. As a 35mm cell, it comes from the physical animation stock used in theatrical presentation, a tangible artifact of the film's production rather than a promotional print. For collectors, that lineage, legendary character, theatrical stock, franchise continuity, is the core of its appeal.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour theatrical release print of Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us (2018)
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds four frames
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, cleanly punched with no visible torn or deformed holes
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base appears warm to neutral; dye image shows strong amber, violet and blue tones consistent with a colour release print
Projection history
Light vertical lines are visible across the frame area, consistent with a projected print
Picture
Positive colour image; the four frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single animated shot, consistent with an animated feature release print
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, colour positive image on what appears to be a safety base, and perforation layout are all consistent with a theatrical 35mm release print from the late 2010s
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
