Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The Movie 2000 arrived from Warner Bros. and Nintendo/4Kids in the wake of the franchise's explosive American debut, riding the momentum of the first film and the Pokémon craze at its peak. Built around the legendary bird trio and the sea guardian Lugia, it expanded the mythology beyond Pikachu and Ash's rivalries into something closer to elemental fantasy. For a generation of young viewers this was appointment viewing, a theatrical event that cemented Pokémon as a global media force rather than a passing fad.
This cell captures the pairing that many fans consider the emotional center of the film: Ash and Pikachu joined with Lugia himself, the film's mythic guardian and one of the most sought-after Pokémon in the entire franchise. Lugia's presence elevates the moment from ordinary adventure into something closer to legend, and having Ash and Pikachu alongside him ties the everyday heroes to that larger myth. Collectors prize this kind of pairing because it marks a turning point in the story, where trust between trainer and creature extends outward to something vastly greater than themselves.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pokémon: The Movie 2000.
Gauge
35mm, four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three 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 below the picture area on the lower edge, alongside what appears to be a Dolby Digital data block pattern in the inter-perforation gaps on the lower edge
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text
Base & colour
Base appears clear with a slight cool-neutral tint; dye image reads as saturated and neutral with no visible fading or red shift
Projection history
No visible scratches, splice marks, or cue marks seen in this capture
Picture
Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot and depict animated content consistent with the Pokémon franchise film on record
Era check
The combination of a variable-area optical track with Dolby Digital inter-perforation data blocks is consistent with a theatrical release print from the late 1990s to early 2000s, matching the 2000 release date 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
