SCENEAsh, Pikachu, Squirtle and Bulbasaur - Transition Cell
FILM FORMAT35mm
YEAR1999
CERTIFICATE IDNFV-000002766
FILM NOTES
Pokémon: The First Movie arrived in American theaters in November 1999 through Warner Bros., riding the crest of Pokémania as the franchise expanded from television and trading cards into a full theatrical event. Its trailer campaign was essential marketing, circulated to theaters on 35mm to build anticipation for the Mewtwo storyline and to reassure audiences that the games and cartoon's beloved cast would carry over to the big screen. For collectors, trailer material from this release marks a genuine turning point, when Pokémon proved itself a box office property rather than a passing fad.
This transition cell gathers Ash Ketchum alongside Pikachu, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charizard, the core roster that defined the series' early identity and remains the most sought after grouping among collectors. A transition moment in a trailer typically bridges separate scenes or beats, carrying the promotional reel from one idea to the next, and its presence here suggests this grouping served as connective tissue in the advertising footage. Having Ash's signature companions share a single cell, including the prized Charizard, makes this a strong representative piece of the film's earliest promotional life.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm optical-sound release print strip from the Pokémon: The First Movie trailer.
Gauge
35mm layout, with four perforations per frame along both edges; the strip holds three full frames side by side in a row.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced, rounded-rectangle holes that look cleanly punched with no visible tears or damage.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track of two bands runs along the lower edge beside the picture, with a dashed line above it; no Dolby Digital blocks are visible between the perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Light blue-tinted base along the edges, with a neutral black frame border and saturated dye colours in the image; no fading or red shift seen.
Projection history
None seen at this size; no scratches, cue marks or splices are visible across the three frames.
Picture
Positive colour image; the three frames look like consecutive stages of one shot, and the animated style fits the film on record.
Era check
Consistent with a late-1990s release print: a two-band optical track with a clean perforated 35mm layout matches theatrical trailer prints of that period.
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 in partnership with National Film Vault, 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.
CROWN SERIAL 000069767
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
