“Pokémon 3: The Movie – Spell of the Unown” (結晶塔の帝王 エンテイ), Original Japanese First-Release Promotional Poster 2000, B1 Landscape Size (c. 103 × 73 cm)
This is an original Japanese B1 promotional poster from the 2000 first-release campaign for Pokémon 3: The Movie, released in Japan as 結晶塔の帝王 エンテイ (Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei). This distinctive Pokémon character-chart design promotes the third Pokémon feature film rather than a video-game release or a stand-alone character collection.
Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama, the film opened in Japan on 8 July 2000, distributed by Toho. The poster also advertises the accompanying short, ピチューとピカチュウ — Pikachu & Pichu, identifying it with the original Japanese theatrical programme.
Measuring approximately 103 × 72.8 cm in landscape orientation, this large-format sheet combines an expansive numbered character display with a central illustration of Ash and Pikachu, creating a particularly engaging alternative to conventional film-poster artwork.
Design
Against a pale background, Ash Ketchum—known as Satoshi in Japan—extends a Poké Ball towards the viewer, with Pikachu perched above his shoulder. Their energetic central pose interrupts the otherwise orderly arrangement of smaller illustrations, giving the composition both movement and a clear focal point.
Surrounding them is a remarkably detailed Pokédex-style catalogue of Pokémon numbered 001–250, beginning with Bulbasaur and extending through Ho-Oh. Familiar figures including Charizard, Blastoise, Gengar, Eevee, Dragonite, Mewtwo and Mew appear alongside Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Umbreon, Espeon, Lugia and the legendary trio Raikou, Entei and Suicune.
An important detail is the large question mark following No. 250, Ho-Oh. The poster therefore does not illustrate all 251 Pokémon: it presents the numbered sequence through 250, followed by an unidentified space. The alphabet-like forms of Unown are also grouped together within the chart, adding another distinctive graphic element.
The small captions reward close inspection. The earlier entries include Japanese and English names, while many of the later entries have question marks in the corresponding English-name position. These printed placeholders are an especially interesting feature of this period design.
Across the central illustration, bright red lettering announces:
「劇場で待ってるよ！」
“We’ll be waiting for you at the cinema!”
Along the bottom, the metallic-style 結晶塔の帝王 title is paired with the ピチューとピカチュウ logo. The accompanying Japanese copy announces a July summer theatrical release through the nationwide Toho cinema circuit, together with the promise that Japan would see the film ahead of the rest of the world.
These release announcements make the poster’s purpose explicit: a character-chart promotional design supporting the film’s original Japanese cinema campaign, rather than simply a decorative Pokémon reference poster.
The B1 landscape format is particularly effective here. At approximately twice the surface area of a standard B2 sheet, it gives the individual illustrations room to be appreciated while preserving the impact of the central characters. From a distance, Ash and Pikachu dominate; closer viewing reveals the numbered entries, individual expressions and small typographic details.
The result is a lively combination of cinema advertising, character illustration and collectable chart design, with considerable appeal for a display devoted to early Pokémon.
Condition
Very Good+ / Excellent.
Please review all photographs carefully; they show the exact poster for sale, front and reverse.
This is an original Japanese B1 promotional poster from the film’s first Japanese theatrical campaign in 2000, featuring the numbered 250-Pokémon character-chart design.
It is not a reproduction or modern reprint.
It is approximately 26 years old.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
