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

• 

  VIZ Media issue #1 cover artwork

• 

  VIZ Media issue #5 cover artwork

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.

Related articles

Pokémon Ani-Manga books Pokémon TV Animation Comic - I Choose You! • Pokémon the First Movie • Pokémon the Movie 2000 Giratina and the Sky Warrior • All That Pikachu! • Pikachu's Short Stories Japan only: Pocket Monsters Film Comic • Emperor of the Crystal Tower • Celebi: a Timeless Encounter Guardian Gods of the City of Water: Latias and Latios • Arceus 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.