Pokémon 3: The Movie arrived in 2001 as part of Warner Bros.' theatrical distribution of the Pokémon franchise in the West, following the success of the first two films and the ongoing anime boom of the late nineties and early two thousands. Produced in Japan by OLM and adapted for American audiences, these releases marked a high point for the franchise's crossover appeal, bringing Pikachu and the wider cast to mainstream movie screens rather than television. The trailer material from this era is a snapshot of that marketing push, built to draw young audiences and their families into theaters.
This cell comes from the trailer itself, a title card marking the film's name as it would have appeared to audiences before the feature. A title card cell holds a particular place for collectors since it represents the film's identity in its purest form, the moment a viewer first registers what they are about to watch. For Pokémon memorabilia collectors, trailer ephemera carries its own appeal, distinct from scene stills, as a piece of the promotional campaign rather than the narrative. It stands as a marker of the franchise's theatrical ambitions at the turn of the century.
Authentication Findings8 checks
Consistent with a 35mm release trailer print of Pokémon 3: The Movie (2001).
Gauge
35mm layout with four perforations per frame along both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations
Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced and cleanly punched with rounded-rectangle holes and no visible tears or damage.
Soundtrack
A variable-area optical track runs beside the picture, two tracks, with Dolby Digital data blocks in the gaps between the lower-edge perforations.
Edge print
A short code reading "00-0D" sits beside a small round mark near the lower edge; no manufacturer text or "SAFETY FILM" is legible.
Base & colour
Clear base with a pale cyan-blue tint along the edges; the dye image looks neutral with no visible fading or colour shift.
Projection history
No scratches, cue marks or splices seen at this size; the strip is curved on the panel but otherwise clean.
Picture
Positive image; three consecutive frames of the same title card, and the Pokémon 3 The Movie logo matches the film on record.
Era check
Consistent with an early-2000s release print, since the optical track plus Dolby Digital data blocks fit a 2001 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 000071104
Original Film CaptureAs received
Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size
Tap to enlarge
