Rare Pikachu Statue From Pokémon: The First Movie Premiere Rescued From the Trash

A Rare Piece of Pokémon History Resurfaces: Pikachu Statue From 1999 Premiere Found In an extraordinary twist for Pokémon collectors and enthusiasts alike, a rare Pikachu promotional statue created for the Hollywood premiere of "Pokémon: The First Movie" in 1999 has surfaced after being rescued from disposal.

This unique piece, originally crafted as part of the film’s marketing campaign, spotlights the far-reaching impact of Pokémon’s global launch era and underscores the ongoing fascination with Nintendo’s enduring franchise. The rediscovery occurred when a Reddit user known as ElbowDeepInElmo shared images of the Pikachu statue on the popular gaming discussion forum.

According to the post, the statue was salvaged from the trash by personnel at a printing company that had previously been contracted to manage some of the earliest print runs of official Pokémon trading cards.

As outlined by Automaton Media, the statue represents a tangible link to the media frenzy and marketing ingenuity surrounding the debut of Pokémon’s first major theatrical feature at the iconic Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The Pikachu statue, now missing its characteristic tail—a part believed to have been discarded with the main sculpture—remains an instantly recognizable artifact.

The current owner has expressed their intention to restore the statue using modern technology, stating plans to commission a 3D-printed replacement tail to complete the item once again.

However, it has been emphasized that the statue is not available for sale or trade, preserving its status as a truly rare collectible for now. Archival footage from the 1999 Hollywood premiere shows the original Pikachu statue on display, further establishing its provenance and cementing its importance in the timeline of Pokémon promotional efforts.

The community’s response has highlighted the nostalgia tied to such artifacts, serving as a reminder of the early days of Pokémon’s rise to global stardom and the memorabilia that has become synonymous with Nintendo’s cultural influence. While the Pokémon franchise has celebrated massive milestones—including over 440 million video game units sold and more than 52 billion Pokémon cards shipped globally, according to Nintendo—the recovery of unique promotional items like this Pikachu statue offers a special glimpse into the brand’s storied history.

It is a testament to both the passion of collectors and the enduring charm of Pokémon, as first brought to international audiences through the collaborative efforts of The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. As items like this continue to resurface, they serve as enduring symbols of Nintendo’s influence in gaming and pop culture.

Fans and collectors are left reflecting on their own rare finds, while the industry as a whole looks forward to the next wave of Nintendo, Pokémon, and trading card milestones.

Pokémon Rare Pikachu Pokémon: The First Movie The Pokémon Company Nintendo Pokémon The First Movie Reddit Automaton