The story follows Ash Ketchum, Misty, and Brock as they travel to Shamouti Island in the Orange Archipelago.

: 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 .

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 protagonist tasked with fulfilling the island prophecy.

: In theaters, the movie was preceded by a Pikachu short titled Pikachu's Rescue Adventure .