The Pokémon Company International and Disney have announced a new global distribution deal that will bring Aardman’s upcoming stop-motion series Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu to Disney+ in 2027.
The series will debut on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+ as part of the agreement, which also includes classic Pokémon animation.
The deal was announced during Pokémon XP on August 28 alongside a new look at the Aardman-produced series.
Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu follows the two Pokémon on a journey across the Galar region, which originally served as the setting for Pokémon Sword and Shield.
The story centers on Sirfetch’d and Pichu attempting to help and protect Pokémon they encounter throughout Galar. Their plans do not always work as intended, with the series combining adventure, comedy and Aardman’s distinctive stop-motion style.
The Pokémon Company describes the project as being told from the perspective of Pokémon rather than human Trainers.
Aardman is best known for stop-motion productions including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run.
The creative team on the Pokémon project includes director Tom Parkinson, Creative Director of IP Development Nat McKay and Model Making Creative Lead James Young.
Phil Rynda, The Pokémon Company International’s director of original animation, has previously said the collaboration allows Aardman to bring Galar to life through its approach to physical sets, characters and handcrafted animation.
The project itself was first announced before the Disney agreement, with Pokémon and Aardman previously confirming a 2027 release window and revealing artwork and teaser footage.
The new announcement answers one of the major remaining questions by confirming where audiences will actually be able to watch it.
Disney’s agreement with The Pokémon Company extends beyond the new stop-motion show.
Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, which follows the earliest adventures of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu, is also included under the new global distribution arrangement.
The classic series has already started airing on Disney XD and is currently available through Disney+ in the United States and select international markets.
That makes it the first Pokémon title released as part of the wider agreement.
Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis said the company sees Pokémon as a property capable of appealing both to longtime viewers and younger audiences, while describing the Aardman project as a different way of presenting familiar characters.
The arrangement is notable because Pokémon animation has historically been distributed across numerous broadcasters and streaming services depending on the series, era and territory.
Netflix has also played a significant role in Pokémon streaming in recent years, including distribution of newer animation projects and portions of the main animated franchise.
The newly announced Disney deal does not mean every Pokémon series is moving exclusively to Disney+, but it does establish Disney as the global home for the Aardman production and gives it distribution rights to at least part of the franchise’s classic catalogue.
No exact premiere date for The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu has been announced beyond 2027.
The series is being produced by The Pokémon Company International and created in collaboration with Aardman.
With Disney XD carrying the television release and Disney+ securing exclusive streaming distribution, Pokémon’s latest animated spin-off now has a confirmed global home ahead of its debut next year.
