The Wallace & Gromit Studio Takes On Pokémon
The studio behind this one is the real headline. Aardman (Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep) is handling the series, and Japanese entertainment news outlet Oricon News notes in its report that the British studio has won four Academy Awards along with BAFTA and Annie Award honors. Pokémon has been animated for nearly three decades, but a full stop-motion series built from physical models is new territory for the franchise.
The project itself isn't a total surprise. The official Pokémon Japan account first revealed it during a Pokémon Presents stream in July 2025, saying production was underway for 2027. What's new as of August 28 is that the series now has a confirmed home: Disney+, under a global distribution deal with The Pokémon Company International, the company that runs the franchise's business outside Asia.
A Courage Story Set in Galar
Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu takes place in the Galar region, the Britain-inspired setting of Pokémon Sword and Shield. Fitting, given Aardman's own home turf. The story follows the duo of Sirfetch'd, the leek-wielding duck knight, and the baby Electric-type Pichu as they set out on a grand adventure to protect the Pokémon living across the region.
Along the way, the two run into unexpected trouble and danger in unfamiliar territory, and meet new rivals and companions. The series builds its story of friendship and bonds around those encounters, rendered in what Oricon describes as Aardman's signature warm, humor-filled visual style. The newly revealed key visual shows off the two leads in that handcrafted look.
What Disney and The Pokémon Company Are Saying
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said in the announcement that Pokémon has a rare ability to stay special for longtime fans while remaining fresh for today's kids, adding that the series "brings Aardman's signature stop-motion artistry with a bold, playful new perspective to this beloved world."
Phil Rynda, director of original animation at The Pokémon Company International, praised how Aardman brought Galar to life. In his telling, the studio built a world so tactile that you can almost smell the air, touch the bark on the trees, and want to head out on the adventure alongside the two heroes. He also teased that the series is told from the Pokémon's own point of view, with a cast of distinctive Pokémon for viewers to meet.
Looking Ahead
The series premieres in 2027, streaming exclusively on Disney+ worldwide, with a TV debut on Disney XD according to Disney+'s press announcement. That same announcement confirms the deal also brings Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, the classic early episodes of the original anime, to the platform.
A teaser trailer is already out on the official Pokémon and Aardman YouTube channels. It premiered on August 28 during an Aardman behind-the-scenes panel at Pokémon XP, the fan event held alongside the 2026 Pokémon World Championships. An exact premiere date hasn't been announced yet, so 2027 is as specific as it gets for now.