This is an original, rare, Japanese B1 advance / roadshow poster printed in 2002 to promote the Japanese theatrical release of Gekijōban Pocket Monsters: Mizu no Miyako no Mamorigami Latias to Latios (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), internationally known as Pokémon Heroes, released in Japanese cinemas on 13 July 2002, with Camp Pikachu (ピカピカ星空キャンプ) shown alongside it. The fifth Pokémon feature film, this release continued the early tradition of pairing a full-length adventure with a playful, Pokémon-led short. This poster is the Pikachu and Pichu Brothers character key visual from the original 2002 Japanese theatrical campaign, presented in the impressive B1 format.
Film background
Pokémon Heroes follows Ash and Pikachu to Alto Mare, a city of canals and historic buildings inspired by Venice, where they encounter the Legendary Pokémon Latias and Latios. The siblings protect the city’s mysterious treasure, the Soul Dew, which becomes the target of two thieves, placing the entire city in danger. Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and written by Hideki Sonoda, the film brings a distinctive architectural setting and a story of friendship, protection and sacrifice to the early Pokémon movie series.
The accompanying short, Camp Pikachu, reunites Pikachu with the Pichu Brothers, who find themselves stranded in a forest after falling from a train. Their efforts to return home become a cheerful adventure involving other Pokémon, a rainstorm and an eventful night in a water mill. Also directed by Yuyama, with a screenplay by Yukiyoshi Ohashi, the short provides the character connection behind this poster’s exuberant three-Pokémon composition.
Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, is credited on the poster for the original concept. Pikachu’s original design was created by Atsuko Nishida, with Ken Sugimori and Koji Nishino also involved in the character’s development. The Pichu Brothers, previously featured in the 2000 theatrical short Pikachu & Pichu, bring a particularly distinctive early-2000s identity to this design. Together, the three characters connect the franchise’s instantly recognisable mascot with the playful world of its original theatrical shorts.
Poster design
Printed in the rare, large Japanese B1 cinema-poster format, approximately 72.8 × 103 cm, this design is wonderfully direct: a colossal, smiling Pikachu rises behind the two Pichu Brothers, with all three characters filling almost the entire sheet. Pikachu’s raised paw, the brothers’ outstretched arms and their open, delighted expressions turn the composition into an invitation rather than a conventional action montage.
The design’s impact comes from its brilliant yellow colour fields, crisp black outlines, red and pink cheeks, and uncluttered pale background. The characters’ ears extend towards—and beyond—the edges of the composition, giving the image an expansive quality that is especially effective at B1 scale. The slightly different head shapes, including one brother’s distinctive tuft, give the two Pichu individual personalities without interrupting the design’s graphic simplicity.
Above Pikachu, the red Japanese tagline 「劇場で待ってるよ！」 translates naturally as “We’ll be waiting for you at the cinema!” Below the characters, the metallic-green 「劇場版ポケットモンスター」 title and stylised 2002 logo establish the annual movie campaign. A small inset at lower left reproduces the feature’s ornate, medallion-style teaser artwork, while the bold red opening announcement reads 「2002年7月13日（土）全国東宝系ロードショー」—announcing the 13 July 2002 nationwide release through Toho cinemas.
Importantly, the sheet uses the “Pocket Monsters 2002” advance branding, rather than displaying the feature’s full final title across the main image. Its emphasis is firmly on Pikachu, the Pichu Brothers and immediate character recognition: a joyful counterpart to the more mysterious imagery associated with the Latias and Latios adventure.
At over a metre tall, the B1 format gives this deceptively simple composition tremendous presence. The combination of large-scale character artwork, original Japanese typography and vivid colour makes it an especially appealing display piece for collectors of Pikachu, Pichu and early Pokémon cinema.
This poster is in Excellent+ condition, with strong, vibrant yellows, rich black outlines and beautifully preserved red and pink accents. There are tiny pinholes near the corners, visible on close inspection in the detailed photographs. Please refer to the photographs of the front and back, as this is the exact poster for sale. Once framed, it will display fantastically.
It is over 24 years old.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.
