Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
"Pikachu's Vacation" screened in 1999 as a short accompanying "Pokémon: The First Movie" in its theatrical run, marking Warner Bros.' distribution of the franchise at the height of American Pokémania. Produced by OLM and Nintendo under the Pokémon Company banner, the short gave Pikachu a rare showcase apart from Ash and the human cast, following a group of Pokémon left to their own devices during a break from training. For a generation of young audiences, this was their introduction to Pokémon existing independently of trainers, reinforcing the character-driven appeal that made the franchise a global phenomenon.
This cell preserves a moment shared by Pikachu and Squirtle, two of the era's most recognizable Pokémon designs. Pikachu, the franchise mascot, remains the most sought-after subject in any Pokémon film reel, while Squirtle's inclusion adds variety and appeal for collectors drawn to the original starter lineup. A 35mm cell pairing these two speaks to the short's ensemble format, where familiar characters interact away from battle or story stakes, a quieter register that made "Pikachu's Vacation" distinct within the broader movie release.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release print of Pokémon: Pikachu's Vacation (1999).
Gauge
35mm: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on each edge, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with rounded-rectangle holes; no torn or distorted perforations seen.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs beside the picture as two parallel white waveform lines, with a dashed line above; Dolby Digital blocks visible between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Clear to slightly light-blue base with a neutral-to-warm dye image; no red shift or fading seen.
Projection history
None seen at this size; no scratches, splices or cue marks visible on these three frames.
Picture
Positive image; the three frames run consecutively as one near-identical shot, and the animated look is consistent with the film on record.
Era check
Optical track plus Dolby Digital data between perforations on a positive 35mm print is consistent with a late-1990s theatrical release print 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 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 000071049
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
