: The film premiered in Japan on July 17, 1999, and later in North America on July 21, 2000.
: In theaters, the movie was preceded by a Pikachu short titled Pikachu's Rescue Adventure .
: A rogue Pokémon collector named Lawrence III attempts to capture the three legendary birds— Moltres (Lavados), Zapdos (Sandpan), and Articuno (Freezer)—to draw out the guardian of the sea, Lugia . GekijГґ-ban poketto monsutГў: Maboroshi no pokemo...
The Japanese title Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā Maboroshi no Pokemon Rugia Bakutan (劇場版ポケットモンスター 幻のポケモン ルギア爆誕) refers to the 1999 animated feature known in English as . Directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Michael Haigney, it is the second theatrical film in the Pokémon franchise. Plot and Setting
The story follows Ash Ketchum, Misty, and Brock as they travel to Shamouti Island in the Orange Archipelago. : The film premiered in Japan on July
: Ash is chosen as the "Chosen One" during a local festival and must retrieve three elemental glass orbs from Fire, Ice, and Lightning islands.
: A local girl who guides Ash and plays a central role in the festival's musical ritual. The Japanese title Gekijōban Poketto Monsutā Maboroshi no
: The legendary "Phantom Pokémon" (Maboroshi no Pokemon) central to the film's Japanese title.