Pokémon and Aardman Unveil Details on 2027 Galar-Based Stop-Motion Series Starring Sirfetch’d and Pichu

The Pokémon Company and Aardman are collaborating on a new stop-motion series, “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu”, set in the Galar region and scheduled for release in 2027, with first footage and art revealed at Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2026.

The highly anticipated partnership between The Pokémon Company—creators of the globally renowned Pokémon franchise—and the acclaimed British animation studio Aardman has been confirmed to produce “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu,” a stop-motion animation series. The first official footage and in-development production materials were previewed during the “Lights, Camera, Aardman!” panel at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 22, 2026. During the panel, key art featuring series leads Pichu, Sirfetch’d, and Fletchling was publicly shown. The exact release date remains undisclosed, but the scheduled launch is set for 2027. It is not yet confirmed whether the Annecy-exclusive preview footage will be made available to the broader public.

Setting: Galar Region, A Collaboration Rooted in Storytelling

The series will take place in the Galar region, recognised by fans as the primary setting of 2019’s Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield for Nintendo Switch. Galar itself is inspired by the United Kingdom and The Pokémon Company has described it as a “fitting setting” for the company’s first collaboration with UK-based Aardman. Sirfetch’d, a prominent character in the series, originally debuted as the evolved form of Farfetch’d in the Galar-focused Pokémon video games.

A key statement from Phil Rynda, director of original animation at The Pokémon Company International, underscored the partnership’s ethos: “It’s an honour to take part in Aardman’s panel at Annecy and talk about the shared commitment to quality, strong storytelling, memorable characters, and a genuine respect for audiences and fans.” Rynda further detailed the creative synergy between the two companies: “This project gives us a unique opportunity to tell stories from the point of view of Pokémon, made possible by Aardman’s extraordinary craft, remarkable artistry. Their warmth, and affection for this much-loved Pokémon cast are evident in every brilliantly crafted frame.”

Aardman’s Stop-Motion Expertise Meets Pokémon’s Iconic World

Aardman is recognised for its stop-motion classics including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time, and Morph. This project marks a rare collaboration with an international IP of Pokémon’s scale. The official description calls “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu” “an epic journey through the wilds of Galar.” Detailing the plot, the companies revealed: “Our heroes embark on a gallant quest to help and protect Pokémon across the region. Their missions rarely go as planned, but their noble deeds forge their friendship as they step bravely into the unknown. Peril, alliances and rivalries, extraordinary Pokémon, and endless laughs await them.”

Key information provided at the Annecy panel and from official releases is summarised below for reference:

• Title: Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu
• Animation Studio: Aardman (creators of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep)
• Collaboration Partner: The Pokémon Company
• Setting: Galar Region (from Pokémon Sword and Shield, based on the UK)
• Lead Characters: Sirfetch’d, Pichu, Fletchling
• Format: Stop-motion animation
• First Footage Debuted: Annecy International Animation Film Festival, June 22, 2026
• Official Key Art: Revealed at Annecy 2026
• Public Footage Release: Status unknown as of June 2026
• Release Date: Scheduled for 2027

The collaboration is expected to appeal both to long-term fans of the Pokémon series and to admirers of Aardman’s signature animation work. While past Pokémon animations have mainly centred on human protagonists, this series places Pokémon themselves at the narrative forefront, reflecting a deliberate shift in storytelling perspective made possible by Aardman’s expertise in non-human character animation. Additional production and broadcast details, including global release platforms and episode count, are expected to follow as the 2027 release window approaches.