Bristol film studio Aardman has announced an brand new collaboration which is sure to have fans of 90s television, Nintendo video game players and anime-viewers everywhere going wild. The animation company is pairing up with Pokémon in a “special” project coming to audiences everywhere in 2027.
The as-yet unknown collab was revealed with a brief claymation clip showing a red and white ball joining together to form the iconic Poké ball, used by gamers everywhere to catch ’em all. On the backs of last year’s Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget film, and a brand new Wallace and Gromit, due to air on Christmas Day, Aardman is now taking on one of the most beloved IPs of the 90s and 2000s.
Sean Clarke, managing director of Aardman, said: “It’s a huge honour to be working with The Pokémon Company International — we feel sincerely privileged to be trusted with bringing their characters and world to life in a brand-new way. Bringing together Pokémon, the world’s biggest entertainment brand, together with our love of craft, character and comedic storytelling feels incredibly exciting.
“Aardman and TPCi share an emphasis on heritage and attention to detail as well as putting our fans and audiences at the heart of what we do, which we know will steer us right as we together create charming, original and new stories for audiences around the world”
No other details of the secretive project has been announced and it is currently unknown if it will be a film or a TV show, or which favourite Pokémon will be featured. There are more than 20 animated Pokémon films, with two live-action movies and a third on its way next year; this may be the first stop-motion film in the franchise.
Taito Okiura, VP of Marketing and Media at The Pokémon Company International, said: “This is a dream partnership for Pokémon. Aardman are masters of their craft, and we have been blown away by their talent and creativity. What we have been working on together ensures our global Pokémon fans are in for a treat!”
Thrilled Pokémon fans shared their excitement at the announcement on social media, with one posting: “Best collaboration news ever. Cant wait! If it’s a whole movie I’m losing my mind.”
Another added: “I don’t even like pokemon but the fact that it’s Aardman animating this automatically piques my interest.” A third fan said: “OMG Pokémon style Aardman”
It comes ahead of Aardman’s new Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which sees the return of the villainous penguin Feathers McGraw, put safely behind bars in the 1993 film The Wrong Trousers. Catch the new special on Christmas Day at 6.10pm on BBC One.