Pikachu's Vacation accompanied Pokémon: The First Movie during its 1999 theatrical run, giving American audiences a gentler companion piece to the Mewtwo saga. Produced by OLM and distributed by Warner Bros. in the US, the short found Pikachu and a gathering of other Pokémon left briefly without their trainers, free to interact on their own terms. For a franchise built on battling and collecting, this interlude mattered: it was Pokémon at rest, emphasizing companionship over competition, and it introduced many young viewers to character dynamics outside the usual trainer-driven plot.
This cell preserves a moment featuring Cubone, Raichu, Snubbull and Marill, four Pokémon whose pairing reflects the short's ensemble, low-stakes structure. Raichu holds particular interest for collectors as Pikachu's evolved form, rarely given screen time of its own in the main series. Cubone, Snubbull, and Marill round out a cross-section of first and second generation Pokémon, each with its own following among franchise completists. A 35mm cell grouping these four together captures a specific, identifiable grouping from the film's cast, the kind of multi-character arrangement that print collectors especially seek out for display.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release trailer print of Pikachu's Vacation (1999).
Gauge
35mm: four perforations span each frame along both edges, and the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, rounded-rectangle holes that look evenly spaced and cleanly punched, with no torn or damaged perforations seen.
Soundtrack
Three white variable-area optical tracks run beside the picture, and a Dolby Digital-style data pattern sits in the gaps between the perforations on the lower edge.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear base with a light blue border tint and bright, saturated dye colours; no fading or red shift seen.
Projection history
None seen at this size; no scratches, cue marks or splices are visible on the three frames.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames repeat one near-identical shot consecutively, and the cartoon style is consistent with the Pokémon film on record.
Era check
Optical tracks plus Dolby Digital data between the perforations fit a late-1990s 35mm release print, matching a 1999 theatrical trailer.
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 000071042
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
