Aardman, Pokémon Unveil First ‘Sirfetch’d & Pichu’ Art at Annecy

The Pokémon Company and Aardman Animations revealed the first official artwork and new story details for their upcoming stop-motion series Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 21, 2026.

The project, which marks the British animation studio’s first-ever collaboration with the Pokémon franchise, is slated for a 2027 release.

A Hand-Crafted Spin on Pokémon

During an Aardman panel at the festival in Annecy, France, director Tom Parkinson and members of both teams screened footage from the pilot and shared a synopsis.

The series is set in the Galar region—the UK-inspired world of Pokémon Sword and Shield—where Sirfetch’d first appeared.

That setting makes for a natural fit: Aardman is based in Bristol, England, and the studio’s signature stop-frame aesthetic brings a distinctly British physicality to the Pokémon universe.

Phil Rynda, Director of Original Animation at The Pokémon Company International, spoke at the panel about the partnership.

New artwork depicting the two main characters was also released.

Official Synopsis and Tone

Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu follows the unlikely duo as they sets on a gallant quest to help and protect Pokémon across Galar.

The official synopsis notes that “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.”

Aardman chief creative director Sarah Cox elaborated on the studio’s approach in a statement shared at the panel:

“Aardman are delighted to bring the vivid physicality of stop frame animation into the Pokémon world. Director Tom Parkinson and team have created a hand-crafted spin on the wonderful Pokémon we all know and love with comedic storytelling that celebrates the quirks, eccentricities and charms of our heroes as they explore Galar on a delightfully offbeat quest.

Aardman and Pokémon share a strong commitment to creativity and talent on this shared quest of our own to bring joy to audiences across the world.”

Cox’s remarks underscore the tonal balance the series aims for: comedic misadventure grounded in the tactile, handmade aesthetic that has defined Aardman classics such as Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep.

Collaboration and Anticipation

The partnership between Aardman and The Pokémon Company was first announced in 2024, with a teaser following in 2025.

The Annecy presentation marks the most substantial update yet, giving fans a clearer picture of what to expect when the series debuts in 2027.

The stop-motion format represents a departure from the traditional 2D and CGI animations that have dominated Pokémon’s screen history, adding a new layer of craft to the franchise’s expanding media empire.

With production still underway, the hand-crafted series promises to deliver the charm and humor that both studios are known for, while introducing a fresh visual identity for Pokémon.

As Cox put it, the shared quest is to bring joy to audiences worldwide—one carefully animated frame at a time.