Pokémon the First Movie (graphic novel)

This article is about the Ani-Manga. For the manga by Toshihiro Ono, see Mewtwo Strikes Back! (manga).

Pokémon the First Movie is a graphic novel published by VIZ Media in North America and Shogakukan in Japan. It is a manga-style book (called "Animation Comics" by VIZ at the time of publication, now branded as "Ani-Manga") which retells the plot of Mewtwo Strikes Back and Pikachu's Vacation using screenshots from the film. Satoshi Tajiri and Tsunekazu Ishihara are credited as the authors.

In Japan, the comic was simply published as one bound volume. For the North American release, it was split up into five monthly issues, which were later rereleased in a bound volume. The first four issues tell the story of Mewtwo Strikes Back, while the fifth tells the story of Pikachu's Vacation.

The Pikachu's Vacation comic would later be republished in the All That Pikachu! Ani-Manga.

Publications

Edition Country Company Date ISBN
  First
Edition
Japan Shogakukan October 1998 ISBN 4091494218
  First
Edition
US/Canada VIZ Media July 21, 2000 ISBN 1569315051
  First
Edition
Mainland China Jilin Publishing Group January 1, 2008 ISBN 9787538625301
  First
Edition
Hong Kong Ching Win Publishing Group March 1, 2000 ISBN 9628712284
  First
Edition
South Korea Daewon C.I. January 20, 2001 ISBN 9788952816146
  First
Edition
Taiwan Ching Win Publishing Group March 2000 ISBN 9789575954666

Synopsis

This book follows the plot of the film of the same name and the Pikachu short Pikachu's Vacation.

Chapters

  • Prologue (Japanese: プロローグ Prologue)
  • Chapter 1: To The Island of Storms (Japanese: 第1章: 嵐の島へ Chapter 1: To the Stormy Island)
  • Chapter 2: The Ultimate Trainer (Japanese: 第2章: 最強のトレーナー Chapter 2: The Strongest Trainer)
  • Chapter 3: The Ultimate Poké Ball (Japanese: 第3章: 黒いモンスターボール Chapter 3: The Black Poké Balls)
  • Chapter 4: Mew vs. Mewtwo (Japanese: 第4章: ミュウVSミュウツー Chapter 4: Mew vs. Mewtwo)
  • Pikachu's Vacation (Japanese: ピカチュウのなつやすみ Pikachu's Summer Vacation)

Gallery

Trivia

  • Raymond is simply named "Pirate Trainer" in this book.

Errors

  • On one page in the fourth chapter, Brock and Misty's lines are switched, and thus inconsistent with the movie's dialogue.


Pokémon Ani-Manga books
Pokémon TV Animation Comic - I Choose You!Pokémon the First MoviePokémon the Movie 2000
Giratina and the Sky WarriorAll That Pikachu!Pikachu's Short Stories
Japan only: Pocket Monsters Film ComicEmperor of the Crystal TowerCelebi: a Timeless Encounter
Guardian Gods of the City of Water: Latias and LatiosArceus and the Jewel of Life


  This book article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.