21 June 2026 – The Pokémon Company International today unveiled new details about ‘Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu’, the upcoming stop-motion animation project from Pokémon and Aardman, as part of Aardman’s “Lights, Camera, Aardman!” panel at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Phil Rynda, Director of Original Animation at The Pokémon Company International, joined Aardman’s Sarah Cox, Chief Creative Director, to share behind-the-scenes insights on the project’s development and creative collaboration. Featuring never-before-seen footage from the pilot and in-development production materials, offering the audiences in attendance an early look at Sirfetch’d and Pichu in action, while teasing further details that fans will no doubt be eager to unpack.
It was also revealed that the brand-new adventure is set in Pokémon’s ‘Galar’ region, which shares many geographical similarities with the real-world United Kingdom – a fitting backdrop for a collaboration with Aardman, one of Britain’s most celebrated animation studios, and the regal personality of Sirfetch’d. The panel also touched the project’s distinctly British sense of humour, which is long associated with many of Aardman’s best-loved productions.
“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,” said Phil Rynda, Director of Original Animation at The Pokémon Company International. “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.”
Sarah Cox, Chief Creative Director at Aardman added “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.”
For future updates “Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu,” please visit www.pokemon.com
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‘Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu’ Official Synopsis
Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu is an epic journey through the wilds of Galar. 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.
About Aardman
Aardman is an employee-owned company, based in Bristol (UK) and co-founded in 1976 by Peter Lord and David Sproxton. An independent, multi-Academy Award® and BAFTA® winning studio, it produces feature films, series, advertising and interactive entertainment.
Its global productions are renowned for their uniquely entertaining and brilliantly crafted characters. The studio’s work – which includes the creation of much-loved characters Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Timmy Time and Morph – is often imitated, and yet the company continues to lead the animation field producing a rare brand of visually stunning, comedic content for cinema, broadcasters, digital platforms and live experiences around the world.
2026 sees Aardman celebrate its 50th anniversary with a roster of events highlighting the craft and legacy of the studio, including the launch of a new movie, Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom in the autumn.
About The Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing, marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, please visit www.pokemon.co.uk.
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