Pokémon and Disney Team Up for New Aardman Stop-Motion Series and Anime Streaming Deal

The Pokémon Company and Disney have inked a distribution deal to bring a new animated project and classic anime seasons to Disney streaming platforms, the companies announced Friday. The cornerstone of the deal is Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, a stop-motion series from Aardman Animations scheduled to premier on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2027.

Produced by the animation studio behind Wallace & Gromit, the series follows Sirfetch'd and Pichu on a journey through the Galar region introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield. "Aardman has brought Galar to life in a way that makes you feel like you can smell the air," Phil Rynda, Pokémon director of original animation, said.

In addition to the new show, original anime entries are joining the lineup. Pokémon the Series: The Beginning (Season 1) is now streaming on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets, while later entries—including Seasons 20 through 22 (Sun & Moon)—are available via Hulu.

The details

• Premiere window: 2027 on Disney XD and Disney+
• Production studio: Aardman Animations
• Setting: The Galar region (Pokémon Sword and Shield)
• Library additions: Season 1 on Disney+; Seasons 20–22 (Sun & Moon) on Hulu

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

Securing exclusive streaming rights for a new Aardman production alongside classic broadcast seasons gives Disney a reliable pipeline from one of gaming's biggest properties, while Pokémon gets another steady screen to occupy.