Pokémon and the studio behind Wallace & Gromit will create magic in a new series

 

At the latest Pokémon Presents livestream, which was filled with all kind of announcements, The Pokémon Company revealed its next animated venture: Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu, a stop motion series crafted in collaboration with Aardman Studios. Viewers were treated to a brief teaser showcasing a mischievous Pichu and a determined Sirfetch’d romping through a pastoral landscape as a Wooloo grazes serenely in the foreground. The series is slated to debut in 2027, marking another bold step in Pokémon’s expanding media portfolio.

Aardman Studios, the stop motion powerhouse behind Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run, brings over five decades of clay animation expertise to the Pokémon universe. Founded in Bristol in 1972 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton, Aardman has earned multiple Academy Awards for its whimsical character work and meticulous frame-by-frame craftsmanship, making it a perfect partner for Pokémon’s first foray into this cherished animation technique.

In the new trailer, Aardman’s signature humor and tactile charm shine through: Sirfetch’d and Pichu’s playful antics unfold on miniature sets brimming with handcrafted details, while a Wooloo remains blissfully indifferent to the surrounding chaos. Creative director Peter Lord teased that the story will take place in the beloved Galar region, offering a “unique look at the Pokémon world, told from the perspective of Pokémon” with Aardman’s trademark wit and warmth.

Pokémon’s embrace of stop-motion follows its successful ventures into diverse formats, from the global phenomenon of Pokémon GO on mobile devices to the cozy Netflix series Pokémon Concierge, demonstrating how the franchise continues to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike. By blending heartfelt slice-of-life storytelling with artisanal visuals, Pokémon appeals to audiences of all ages, reaffirming its status as a versatile entertainment powerhouse.

Children remain at the heart of Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu. The series’s bright colors, simple story beats and playful Pokémon antics are designed to capture the imaginations of viewers aged roughly six to twelve, inviting them into a world where quirky creatures learn and grow in equal measure. The accessible humor, Pichu’s mischievous sparks and Sirfetch’d’s earnest gallantry, ensures that even the youngest fans can follow along and delight in each new caper.

Yet Aardman’s involvement broadens the show’s appeal well beyond its core child audience. Fans of Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, who range from teenagers to grandparents, will tune in for the studio’s signature blend of handcrafted charm and finely tuned comic timing. The tactile warmth of claymation and the small, beautifully detailed sets beckon animation aficionados who relish every stop-motion nuance, whether it’s a subtle eyebrow raise or the soft scuff of a Wooloo’s hoof.