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 companion short to Pokemon: The First Movie, produced by OLM under the Pokemon anime banner and distributed stateside by Warner Bros. It gave Pikachu and a supporting cast of pocket monsters a rare turn without trainers on screen, a pure animal comedy built around a day of play at a resort. For many young collectors of the era it was their first exposure to Pokemon outside a game cartridge, and it remains a touchstone of the franchise's crossover into American theaters at the height of Pokemania.
This cell captures the tug of war among Psyduck, Togepi, and Vulpix, three fan favorites whose pairing here speaks to the short's ensemble spirit rather than any single star turn. Psyduck's perpetual confusion, Togepi's fragile charm, and Vulpix's quiet composure made each a natural draw for collectors long before this scene entered circulation. A moment like this, drawn from actual production stock, offers a physical link to the animation process behind a film built entirely on lighthearted competition and camaraderie among creatures left to their own devices.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print of Pikachu's Vacation (1999).
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds two frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges visible; spacing appears even and the punched holes appear cleanly cut with no torn edges seen.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a two-track variable-area pattern.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture.
Base & colour
Base shows a warm amber-golden tint; the dye image reads as a positive with saturated warm tones, no obvious fading.
Projection history
Light horizontal scratching is visible across the picture area, consistent with a print that has passed through a projector gate.
Picture
Positive image; the two frames appear to be consecutive frames from a single shot, and the animated characters are consistent with the Pokémon franchise title on record.
Era check
The variable-area optical soundtrack, warm polyester-base stock, and saturated dye image 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
