On what date was Pokémon: The First Movie initially released theatrically in Japan?
Answer
July 18, 1998
Pokémon: The First Movie was initially released theatrically in Japan on July 18, 1998.
The film's full Japanese title is Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back. It follows Mewtwo, a genetically engineered Pokémon who challenges the beliefs of Trainers and Pokémon after being created from research involving Mew.
Toho distributed the Japanese theatrical release. The movie was accompanied by the short film Pikachu's Vacation, which helped make the theatrical event especially appealing to younger audiences and families.
International release dates came later, so the Japanese date is often mixed up with the North American launch. Warner Bros. released the film in the United States in November 1999. The movie became a major commercial success and established Pokémon as a significant animated-film brand as well as a video-game and television phenomenon.