Aardman teases a "hand-crafted spin" on Pokemon as its stop-motion series gets first look and main characters perfectregion reveal

The first look at Aardman's upcoming Pokemon animated series is here.

At the Annecy Animation Film Festival over the weekend, Aardman chief creative director Sarah Cox and The Pokemon Company's director of original animation Phil Rynda took the stage and revealed the first real look at Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu. The poster, which has since been posted on Twitter, gives us our first look at Sirfetch’d and Pichu. Check out the image below.

Despite Aardman teasing the show in 2025, this is the first time we have seen the characters in full. As reported by Variety, the duo also gave audience members a sneak peek at the show's first episode and a closer look at how Aardman brought Sirfetch’d and Pichu to life using claymation and cutting-edge special effects. The series, which is still in development, is expected to be released sometime in 2027.

"This project gives us a unique opportunity to tell stories from the point of view of Pokemon, made possible by Aardman’s extraordinary craft," said Rynda. Cox added, "Director Tom Parkinson and his 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."

However, the most interesting detail is that the series will be set in Pokémon’s Galar region, which shares many similarities with the UK, where Aardman is based. The panel also revealed that the Pokémon show will adapt the same British sense of humor as Aardman's other works, such as Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, with Gromit's 'signature move' even incorporated.

From the official synopsis, it sounds as though the series will take a page from The Lord of the Rings, as both Sirfetch’d and Pichu are notably small Pokémon, but they are mighty. The synopsis reads, "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, rivalries, extraordinary Pokémon, and endless laughs await them."

For more, check out our guide on how to watch Pokémon movies and shows in order, and keep up with new anime shows heading your way.