Pokémon: Wild Card Replaces Ash as Lead, Leaving Fans Disappointed

Pokémon: Wild Card, a new animated Pokémon movie, has officially been announced for theatrical release in 2027. It will be the first new animated Pokémon feature film in seven years, following Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, which was released in 2020. The new movie will be based on the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Ash Ketchum will also not return as the protagonist. Instead, the story will follow a Pokémon Trading Card Game player who repeatedly takes on challenges in pursuit of becoming a champion. The newly released visual features the protagonist together with Mimikyu.

Pokémon: Wild Card Announced at the 2026 Pokémon World Championships

The announcement was made at the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, currently being held in San Francisco, United States.

When footage from the film was unveiled, the venue erupted in excitement. Tsunekazu Ishihara, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company, smiled as he announced that a new Pokémon movie would be arriving for the first time in seven years.

He went on to explain that the protagonist, like many of the people gathered at the event, is a Pokémon Trading Card Game player who continues to challenge themselves with the goal of becoming a champion.

He also said that the story will portray the passion shared by players around the world, adding that production is currently underway and that the film is scheduled to begin screening in 2027.

The staff for the new movie includes Katsuhiko Kitada as director and Akemi Hayashi as character designer, with CloverWorks handling animation production.

Pokémon Movies Move on From Ash Ketchum

A total of 23 feature length Pokémon animated films were produced between Pokémon: The First Movie, released in 1998, and Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, released in 2020. Like the television anime, those films featured Ash Ketchum as their protagonist.

However, no new Pokémon movie has been released since Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, partly due to the effects of the pandemic. The television anime also changed protagonists in 2023, moving on from Ash to Liko and Roy.

Some fans had hoped that even if Ash no longer starred in the television series, he might return as the protagonist of a new theatrical film. Pokémon: Wild Card, however, confirms that the movies will also move forward with a different protagonist.

Fans Lament Ash Ketchum’s Absence

The announcement prompted a wave of disappointed reactions online.

Some fans argued that Ash could at least return for a Pokémon movie as part of a special story, saying they still miss him and continue to associate the Pokémon anime with Ash.

Others said they would personally like to see an all star movie for the anime’s 30th anniversary featuring Ash alongside Liko and Roy.

Another reaction expressed disappointment that the Pokémon movies were returning with a story centered on the Pokémon Trading Card Game, saying that what many fans really wanted was Ash.