Pokemon: The First Movie (1998) 4K UHD (Viz Media, Coming 2026)

[SonOfKingTurd]

Got news from my inside man at Viz that Mewtwo Strikes Back will FINALLY be released on 4K UHD in North America in 2026!
It will include both the uncut theatrical version from 1998 (completely hand-drawn, no CGI) AND the remastered 1999 TV Tokyo "Kanzenban" edition (added CGI, fixed animation cels, and alternate opening scene not shown in theaters). The remastered version minus the opening is the print Warner Bros. used for the international release. Remastered cut will feature Dolby Vision HDR. (I'm on the team who worked restoration and clean-up for the new DV print. NO AI WAS USED, so don't count on James Cameron to ruin your experience! JK of course, but seriously, no AI was used. I also worked the new Nightmare on Elm Street 4K prints )

Both cuts will also include the original Japanese dub with Shinji Miyazaki's original score and brand-new English translation subtitles (4Kids/WB changed the script drastically for the English dub), as well as the uncut "4Kids" English dub from 1999 (with Vitamin C, M2M, and Emma Bunton hogging up the soundtrack), both in Dolby Atmos!

The short film "Pikachu's Vacation" will also be included in Dolby Vision HDR with both Japanese and English audio/sub options.

This will also mark a series of firsts... the first time both cuts and both dubs are made available outside of Japan (theatrical cut was only released on the ultra-rare LaserDisc and VHS)... and Viz Media's first-ever 4K home release!

[Sillydillo]

Big if true, but I'm a bit skeptical. Sounds like that'd be a much larger amount of effort than Viz has traditionally put into their Pokémon releases.

Do you have an uncle who works at Nintendo or something?

[Nailwraps]

I'm not a Pokemon fan, but WOW! Way to go for Viz for upping the ante.

Will the Kids WB logo also be restored by any chance (awkwardly Warner handles distribution for Viz)?

[SCS_Shoug]

Originally Posted by SonOfKingTurd

Got news from my inside man at Viz that Mewtwo Strikes Back will FINALLY be released on 4K UHD in North America in 2026!
It will include both the uncut theatrical version from 1998 (completely hand-drawn, no CGI) AND the remastered 1999 TV Tokyo "Kanzenban" edition (added CGI, fixed animation cels, and alternate opening scene not shown in theaters). The remastered version minus the opening is the print Warner Bros. used for the international release. Remastered cut will feature Dolby Vision HDR. (I'm on the team who worked restoration and clean-up for the new DV print. NO AI WAS USED, so don't count on James Cameron to ruin your experience! JK of course, but seriously, no AI was used. I also worked the new Nightmare on Elm Street 4K prints )

Both cuts will also include the original Japanese dub with Shinji Miyazaki's original score and brand-new English translation subtitles (4Kids/WB changed the script drastically for the English dub), as well as the uncut "4Kids" English dub from 1999 (with Vitamin C, M2M, and Emma Bunton hogging up the soundtrack), both in Dolby Atmos!

The short film "Pikachu's Vacation" will also be included in Dolby Vision HDR with both Japanese and English audio/sub options.

This will also mark a series of firsts... the first time both cuts and both dubs are made available outside of Japan (theatrical cut was only released on the ultra-rare LaserDisc and VHS)... and Viz Media's first-ever 4K home release!

Would love for this to be true but I agree with Sillydillo that this is way beyond what Viz normally does, especially all the stuff regarding the theatrical cut. Not only that, but the Atmos remixes of both the Japanese AND English tracks, the presence of Japanese in general. I'd love to see some more specifics on *who* you talked to if you're able to give that out.

[SpacemanDoug]

It'd be amazing if the Japanese theatrical cut actually did get a release.

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by Nailwraps

I'm not a Pokemon fan, but WOW! Way to go for Viz for upping the ante.

Will the Kids WB logo also be restored by any chance (awkwardly Warner handles distribution for Viz)?

Both cuts include the original Japanese studio logos and credits. Kids WB had no involvement in the production of the extended cut as it was a Japan-exclusive release.

[SCS_Shoug]

Originally Posted by SonOfKingTurd

Both cuts include the original Japanese studio logos and credits. Kids WB had no involvement in the production of the extended cut as it was a Japan-exclusive release.

I'm guessing that means Mewtwo's origin story will be part of the movie proper then?

[kevin87]

This probably belongs in the 4K section, doesn't it?

I was big on Pokemon in the late 90s/early 00s as most people around my age were back then... I fell off with the TV show sometime in B&W but still watched the movies for about 2 movies after that, but I consider 1-3 to be the main ones.

So if this actually happens, and has the short, then I'll definitely have to get it for nostalgia alone... and then will hope 2 and 3 gets a release as well.

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by Sillydillo

Big if true, but I'm a bit skeptical. Sounds like that'd be a much larger amount of effort than Viz has traditionally put into their Pokémon releases.

Do you have an uncle who works at Nintendo or something?

Shogakukan Productions (the producers and owners of the anime franchise in Japan) is the parent company of Viz Media, who currently own the North America home video rights to the anime and theatrical films.

[SCS_Shoug]

Originally Posted by SonOfKingTurd

Shogakukan Productions (the producers and owners of the anime franchise in Japan) is the parent company of Viz Media, who currently own the North America home video rights to the anime and theatrical films.

Is the restoration being done in the US or Japan? I'm guessing the US if the Elm Street comment and presence of Dolby Vision and Atmos are anything to go by. I'm guessing this'll be visually closer to the US theatrical cut (in terms of credits, logos, etc) than Viz's re-edited effort?

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by SCS_Shoug

I'm guessing that means Mewtwo's origin story will be part of the movie proper then?

The remastered cut will have the full uncut version of Mewtwo's Origin. The theatrical cut didn't include that scene as it hadn't been written yet (it was originally made for the radio drama that came out after the film was released, but TV Tokyo adapted it for the remastered cut.)

[Mosley likes BFDI]

Viz Media's first 4K disc? Oh nice, since their titles are still distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.

[billlythekid]

2026? But I want it now!

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by SCS_Shoug

Is the restoration being done in the US or Japan? I'm guessing the US if the Elm Street comment and presence of Dolby Vision and Atmos are anything to go by. I'm guessing this'll be visually closer to the US theatrical cut (in terms of credits, logos, etc) than Viz's re-edited effort?

The restoration was done in Japan by TV Tokyo and OLM. Theatrical cut from Yuyama's original Japanese 35mm negative, remastered version from the 1999 TV Tokyo digital master. Original Japanese logos and credits.

[PonyoBellanote]

Yeah, I'm calling total bull on this one. My uncle works at Nintendo type sh*t.

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by PonyoBellanote

Yeah, I'm calling total bull on this one. My uncle works at Nintendo type sh*t.

Cool story dude. Go troll somewhere else.
Also for your information, I work at Viz Media and Warner Bros., not Nintendo. Learn how to read.

[dallywhitty]

I'd be more trusting if you hadn't lied to us re: Austin Powers that time...

[themp3000]

Originally Posted by SonOfKingTurd

Cool story dude. Go troll somewhere else.
Also for your information, I work at Viz Media and Warner Bros., not Nintendo. Learn how to read.

This is where I’d call bull on this whole thing myself.

TPCi and Viz don’t really care this much so it’s all highly suspect.

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by SCS_Shoug

Would love for this to be true but I agree with Sillydillo that this is way beyond what Viz normally does, especially all the stuff regarding the theatrical cut. Not only that, but the Atmos remixes of both the Japanese AND English tracks, the presence of Japanese in general. I'd love to see some more specifics on *who* you talked to if you're able to give that out.

I work at Viz Media as an editor and audio technician and can confirm it's official. Viz wanted to release it in 2018 for the film's 20th anniversary, but then Netflix acquired the rights to the 3D remake in the US, so we had to wait 5 years after that film's release to do the original as we had already committed to releasing the remake on Blu-ray in North America per our agreement with Netflix.

[SonOfKingTurd]

Originally Posted by dallywhitty

I'd be more trusting if you hadn't lied to us re: Austin Powers that time...

You got a complaint about that film, maybe you should post it in that respective film's forum and not this one.