Disney+ Lands Aardman’s Stop

The knightly Sirfetch’d and squire Pichu quest across Galar in the new series, ‘Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu,’ debuting in 2027, from the studio behind ‘Wallace & Gromit.

Gotta stream ’em all! Disney+ and The Pokémon Company International have struck a global distribution deal, headlined by Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, a new stop-motion Pokémon series from Wallace & Gromit studio Aardman set to debut on Disney XD in 2027 and stream exclusively on Disney+.

The agreement also covers the beloved classic Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, which follows Ash and Pikachu’s original adventures; it hit Disney XD earlier this month and is streaming now on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets.

The new series’ title and teaser trailer got their reveal this past Friday at Pokémon XP in San Francisco, the fan event held alongside the 2026 Pokémon World Championships that saw 50,000 fans take over the city. At a “Behind the Scenes with Aardman” panel, Phil Rynda, director of original animation at Pokémon, joined the series’ Aardman team – director Tom Parkinson; Nat McKay, creative director for IP development; and James Young, model making creative lead – for puppet demonstrations, behind-the-scenes imagery, and a look at Pokémon and locations appearing in the show, including Obstagoon and the Crown Tundra, both drawn from the video games Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield.

In the series, Sirfetch’d and Pichu roam the wilds of Galar on a quest to help and protect Pokémon in need. Little goes as planned; their misadventures forge a friendship as the pair heads bravely into peril, alliances, rivalries, and endless laughs.

“From the moment we had selected our titular heroes, we knew it had the makings of a really funny, heartfelt odd-couple story,” Parkinson said. “Sirfetch’d has this wonderfully noble, slightly bumbling energy – determined to be the best knight in the whole of Galar. While Pichu is the playful, curious squire, and often, actual voice of reason.”

“Pokémon has that rare ability to mean something to longtime fans while continuing to feel completely relevant to young audiences today,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family.

The series is the mystery project The Pokémon Company International and Aardman first teased back in December 2024, promising “brand-new adventures” in the Pokémon universe with the 2027 window attached from the start.

The Pokémon Company International produces. Aardman – the employee-owned Bristol studio also behind Shaun the Sheep and Morph – celebrates its 50th anniversary this year; its new movie, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom, launches this fall.

Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

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