“Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias”, Original Japanese First Release Movie Poster 2002, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) S106

This is an original Japanese B2 theatrical poster printed in 2002 for the first release of Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias (劇場版ポケットモンスター 水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス), the fifth major Pokémon theatrical feature.

Released in Japan in July 2002, the film is set in the beautiful canal city of Alto Mare and centres on the Legendary Pokémon Latias and Latios, together with the mysterious Soul Dew. This original first-release B2 survives in exceptional Near Mint condition, retaining the brilliant colour and extraordinary visual density of the original campaign.

Film background

Ash, Pikachu, Misty and Brock arrive in Alto Mare, an elegant island city of canals, bridges and narrow streets inspired heavily by Venice.

The city is protected by Latias and Latios, two closely bonded Legendary Pokémon whose history is intertwined with the powerful mystical object known as the Soul Dew.

When thieves Annie and Oakley attempt to steal the Soul Dew and gain control of Alto Mare’s ancient defence mechanism, Ash and his friends become drawn into a conflict that threatens both the city and its guardian Pokémon.

The film combines the adventure and humour of the early Pokémon movies with an unusually romantic and atmospheric setting. Its waterways, European architecture and quieter emotional passages give Pokémon Heroes a distinctive identity within the franchise.

The close relationship between Latias and Latios also gives the story a notably poignant quality, particularly in its final act.

Poster design

This Japanese B2 is an extraordinarily colourful and dynamic composition dominated by Latios and Latias soaring above Alto Mare.

Latios sweeps dramatically across the upper-right foreground, its enormous blue body creating a powerful diagonal movement across the sheet. At left, Latias flies above the city, its red-and-white colouring standing out sharply against the deep blue evening sky.

Below them stretches Alto Mare itself, rendered as a maze of canals, bridges, tiled roofs and waterfront architecture.

The city provides one of the most distinctive environments ever created for an early Pokémon theatrical feature and gives the poster an immediately recognisable Mediterranean atmosphere.

At the exact centre floats the glowing Soul Dew, surrounded by a brilliant sphere of blue energy. Its placement visually connects the Legendary Pokémon above with the human characters and unfolding conflict below.

Characters and action

On the left, Ash and Pikachu race through the canals, accompanied by Misty and Brock, while Pokémon including Croconaw contribute to the film’s energetic water-based action.

At right appear the stylish thieves Annie and Oakley, whose attempt to seize the Soul Dew drives much of the story.

The poster surrounds these characters with additional Pokémon and imagery from the film, giving the composition the richly packed, celebratory quality associated with Japan’s major summer Pokémon campaigns.

Across the centre appears the Japanese title:

「水の都の護神 ラティアスとラティオス」

Approximately:

“The Guardian Gods of the Water Capital: Latias and Latios.”

The international title became:

“Pokémon Heroes: Latios & Latias.”

Running vertically along the left side is the campaign copy:

「心のしずくが伝説のポケモンを呼びさます。」

Approximately:

“The Soul Dew awakens the legendary Pokémon.”

Camp Pikachu double feature

The lower portion of the poster also promotes the accompanying short film:

「ピカピカ星空キャンプ」
“Camp Pikachu”

A softer cloud-like visual treatment separates this section from the main feature above.

Pikachu appears prominently alongside other Pokémon, including several characters that were particularly exciting to Japanese audiences at the time because they previewed the coming third generation / Hoenn era.

Among them are Wynaut, Duskull and Volbeat, making the poster an interesting document of Pokémon at a moment of major generational transition.

A transitional moment in Pokémon history

The film was released during an important period in the franchise.

It was the fifth consecutive Pokémon summer movie, commemorated by the special “Pikachu the Movie 5th” branding visible at lower right.

It also arrived only months before the Japanese release of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, which would introduce the Hoenn region and begin a new phase of the games and television anime.

As a result, the poster combines the familiar original-era cast of Ash, Misty and Brock with early promotional appearances by Pokémon associated with the coming generation.

That makes it particularly appealing to collectors of early Pokémon cinema, the Johto era, Latias and Latios, and the transition into Advanced Generation.

Cultural significance

Latias and Latios subsequently became two of the franchise’s most popular Legendary Pokémon.

Their first major theatrical appearance in Pokémon Heroes remains one of the most fondly remembered early Pokémon films, particularly because of its Venetian setting, distinctive soundtrack, emotional finale and beautifully realised atmosphere.

Original Japanese theatrical material from the 2002 campaign therefore has considerable nostalgic value for collectors who grew up during the original and Johto generations.

The combination of Latios, Latias, Ash, Pikachu, Alto Mare, the Soul Dew and the Camp Pikachu double feature makes this B2 an exceptionally rich piece of early-2000s Pokémon advertising.

Condition

Near Mint.

An exceptionally well-preserved original Japanese theatrical poster.

The poster retains brilliant colour, exceptionally clean image areas, crisp linework and outstanding overall display impact. The saturated blues of the sky and water, bright reds and whites of Latias, and deep blue colouring of Latios remain vivid and unfaded.

Please review the photograph carefully—it shows the exact poster for sale.

This poster is an original Japanese theatrical B2 from the 2002 first-release campaign.
It is not a reproduction or a modern reprint.

It is approximately 24 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.