Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
Pokémon Heroes arrived in 2002 as the fifth theatrical feature in the franchise, produced by OLM and distributed through Toho in Japan before its Western release under Miramax and 4Kids Entertainment. Set in Alto Mare, a Venice-inspired city, the film centers on the mythical Eon duo, Latios and Latias, and marked a shift toward more atmospheric, mythologically grounded storytelling within the series. It arrived during a period when Pokémon films still commanded strong theatrical attention, and it remains notable among fans for its restrained pacing and its focus on the bond between guardian Pokémon and the city they protect, rather than on Ash's usual traveling companions.
This cell preserves a frame of Latios, one half of the Eon Pokémon pairing whose mythic status and protective role over Alto Mare make it a favorite among collectors of Generation III material. As a Legendary species introduced in this very film, Latios carries particular weight for those tracing the character's theatrical debut. Whether drawn from a trailer, title card, or narrative sequence, a cell bearing this name captures a piece of the guardian's presence within Pokémon Heroes, a tangible link to the character's earliest animated appearance on the big screen.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm colour positive release print of Pokémon Heroes (2002)
Gauge
35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame visible on both edges; the strip holds one frame fully visible with partial frames above and below
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges; spacing appears even and the punched holes appear cleanly cut with no visible tearing or distortion
Soundtrack
Not visible in this capture; the left and right margins outside the picture area are obscured by the black letterbox bars and the strip's edges are not fully resolved
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Base appears neutral to very slightly warm; the dye image shows strong saturated blues and greens with no visible fading or red shift
Projection history
No scratches, splice marks, or cue marks are visible in this capture
Picture
Positive colour image; the single visible frame appears to be one moment from a continuous shot, and the animated character and colour palette are consistent with the film on record
Era check
A saturated positive colour print on what appears to be a neutral safety base is consistent with a 35mm theatrical release print from the early 2000s production period 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
