Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.
FILM NOTES
FILM NOTES
"Pikachu's Vacation" screened theatrically in 1999 as the short accompanying "Pokémon: The First Movie," produced by OLM and distributed in the United States by Warner Bros. as part of the franchise's early theatrical push during peak Pokémania. The short set aside the main cast's battles for a gathering of Pokémon at a resort, letting Pikachu and friends simply exist together away from trainers and plot stakes. For many young viewers at the time, this was their first extended look at Pokémon behaving as companions rather than combatants, a gentler companion piece that helped cement the franchise's crossover appeal beyond the core game and series audience.
This cell preserves a moment shared between Pikachu and Squirtle, two of the era's most recognizable faces from the original 151. Pikachu's franchise-defining status makes any 35mm piece featuring the character desirable, while Squirtle's presence adds a second beloved original starter to the holding, broadening its appeal to collectors drawn to either figure. Paired together, they represent the vacation short's central premise of camaraderie among Pokémon. A 35mm film cell such as this one is a physical fragment of the actual release print, a tangible artifact from the theatrical run rather than a reproduction, which is part of what draws collectors to this format specifically.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm Dolby Digital release print of Pokémon: Pikachu's Vacation (1999).
Gauge
35mm layout: four perforations per frame along both edges, and the strip holds three complete frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both the top and bottom edges, evenly spaced, rounded-rectangle shaped and cleanly punched, with no torn or missing holes.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs between the picture and the lower perforations, and the gaps between the lower perforations hold grey speckled Dolby Digital data blocks.
Edge print
Not visible in this capture
Base & colour
Pale blue-tinted base at both edges with a neutral, saturated dye image, and no red shift or fading seen.
Projection history
No scratches, splices or cue marks seen at this size; the picture area looks clean across all three frames.
Picture
Positive image, the three frames run consecutively as one near-static shot, and the animated style is consistent with the film on record.
Era check
Optical track plus Dolby Digital data blocks on a color positive base is consistent with a late-1990s 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 000071051
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
