Pokémon has been branching out in recent years, venturing into live-action with Detective Pikachu, retiring Ash and Pikachu from the anime, and continuing to explore new regions in its video games. Now, the monster-catching franchise is partnering with Aardman Animations, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, for a mysterious project set to release in 2027. With a rich history spanning decades, the Pokémon franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
This collaboration marks the first time Pokémon has teamed up with Aardman, but not its first foray into stop-motion. Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge, a four-episode series released in December 2023, showcased a different side of the Pokémon world, focusing on Haru, a hotel concierge catering to various Pokémon, rather than battles. This new Aardman project has high expectations to meet, given the franchise’s recent creative endeavors.
Aardman and Pokémon: A 2027 Release
While the project has been confirmed, fans of both Pokémon and Aardman will have to wait until 2027 for its release. Speculation abounds as to whether the collaboration will result in a movie, a television series, or an entirely new type of project for both the Pokémon franchise and the claymation studio.
Excitement from Both Companies
The partnership has generated considerable excitement. Taito Okiura, Vice President of Marketing and Media at The Pokémon Company International, expressed enthusiasm, stating, “This is a dream partnership for Pokémon. Aardman are masters of their craft, and we have been blown away by their talent and creativity. What we have been working on together ensures our global Pokémon fans are in for a treat!”
Aardman’s Managing Director, Sean Clarke, echoed the sentiment, adding, “It’s a huge honor to be working with The Pokémon Company International — we feel sincerely privileged to be trusted with bringing their characters and world to life in a brand-new way. Bringing together Pokémon, the world’s biggest entertainment brand, together with our love of craft, character and comedic storytelling feels incredibly exciting. Aardman and TPCi share an emphasis on heritage and attention to detail as well as putting our fans and audiences at the heart of what we do, which we know will steer us right as we together create charming, original and new stories for audiences around the world.”
What’s Next?
While details remain scarce, the collaboration between Pokémon and Aardman Animations promises to be an exciting development for fans of both. The fusion of Pokémon’s vibrant world and Aardman’s distinctive stop-motion animation style has the potential to create something truly unique.
