Streaming service Disney+ has reached an agreement with The Pokémon Company International to globally premiere a new stop-motion animated series in 2027.
Titled Pokémon Tales: Las desventuras de Sirfetch'd y Pichu, the original production will be created by acclaimed British animation studio Aardman Animations.
The project was officially presented on Friday during the PokémonXP event at a panel titled Behind the Cameras with Aardman. Members of the creative team, led by director Tom Parkinson, creative director Natalie McKay, and head of modeling James Young, shared initial details regarding the artistic development of the series and unveiled a promotional teaser.
Galar region storyline
The narrative will take place in the Galar region, a territory inspired by the United Kingdom. The series follows a noble yet chaotic lead pair: Sirfetch'd, a gentlemanly duck-like Pokémon armed with a leek as a lance, and the small Pokémon Pichu.
The duo embarks on a shared mission to protect other Pokémon living across the territory. According to the official premise, their efforts will rarely go as planned, leading to comedic situations, rivalries, dangers, and a close friendship.
Executive comments
Executive leadership at Disney welcomed the announcement of the partnership. Ayo Davis, the president of Disney Kids and Family, highlighted the unique ability of the Pokémon brand to resonate with long-time adult followers and younger audiences alike.
Davis stated that Aardman's handcrafted animation style will bring a fresh, bold, and humorous perspective to a franchise that spans three decades of history.
Studio and franchise background
Aardman Animations is a British studio based in Bristol, renowned globally for its claymation and stop-motion productions, including Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Shaun the Sheep. Stop-motion animation relies on physically manipulating models in small incremental steps between photographed frames to create continuous movement.
The setting of the series, the Galar region, was first introduced in the 2019 Nintendo Switch video games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. The region reflects British geography, architecture, and culture within the fictional Pokémon world.
The Pokémon franchise was launched 30 years ago by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, expanding into video games, television, films, and merchandise. Disney+ serves as Disney's central global streaming platform, launched in 2019.
