Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
Pikachu's Vacation premiered in 1999 as the short accompanying Pokemon: The First Movie, produced by OLM under the Pokemon franchise's early theatrical push. Warner Bros. handled its American distribution, riding the peak of Pokemon mania in the United States. The short gave Pikachu a rare showcase away from Ash and the main cast, following a day of leisure among assorted Pokemon at a lakeside retreat, and it remains a favorite among franchise completists for being one of the few pieces of theatrical animation built entirely around the creatures at play, without human trainers steering the action.
This cell captures a game of tug of war among Psyduck, Togepi, and Vulpix, a trio pulled from the wider ensemble that populates the vacation setting. Psyduck's perpetual bewilderment and Vulpix's more composed nature make for a natural contrast, while Togepi, still an infant Pokemon in this era of the anime, adds the wildcard energy collectors associate with early appearances of the character. A 35mm cell naming a specific group activity like this offers something particular, a documented moment of interplay rather than a posed publicity still, valuable to collectors chasing scenes where secondary characters take the spotlight.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print of Pikachu's Vacation (1999).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds one full frame with partial frames above and below.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge; spacing appears even; perforation edges appear cleanly punched with no visible tearing.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read any key numbers or manufacturer text.
Base & colour
Base shows a warm amber-yellow tint consistent with the dye image; no obvious red shift or significant fading apparent.
Projection history
Light vertical lines are visible across the frame area, consistent with a print that has passed through a projector gate.
Picture
Positive colour image; frames appear to run consecutively as a single shot; animated characters visible are consistent with the Pikachu's Vacation (1999) production.
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, 35mm four-perforation format, and warm dye-base stock are all consistent with a 1999 theatrical release print.
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
