Pokémon’s original anime comes to Disney+ along with a brand-new series arriving in 2027.
Disney+ and The Pokémon Company International have struck a global distribution deal that includes Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, a new stop-motion series created by acclaimed British studio Aardman. The series will debut on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+ worldwide in 2027.
The agreement also brings Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, featuring Ash Ketchum and Pikachu’s original adventures, to Disney+. The classic series has already begun airing on Disney XD and is available on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets.
For Disney, the deal adds one of the world’s most recognizable children’s entertainment brands to its streaming portfolio while giving Pokémon a new home for both classic and original programming “This new series … brings Aardman’s signature stop-motion artistry with a bold, playful new perspective,” Disney Kids & Family president Ayo Davis said.
Meet Sirfetch’d and Pichu
The new series moves away from the familiar human-led Pokémon formula, putting Pokémon themselves at the center of the story. Set in the Galar region, it follows Sirfetch’d and Pichu as they embark on quests to help and protect other Pokémon.
The unlikely pair are designed as an odd-couple team: Sirfetch’d is an ambitious, somewhat bumbling would-be knight, while Pichu serves as his playful and curious squire. Their adventures don’t always go according to plan, but their experiences are expected to strengthen their friendship.
Aardman director Tom Parkinson describes the project as “a really funny, heartfelt odd-couple story,” promising adventures in which the two heroes stumble, succeed and help Pokémon in need.
The stop-motion approach should make the series look unlike any previous Pokémon television project. Phil Rynda of The Pokémon Company says Aardman’s interpretation makes Galar feel tangible enough that viewers might “want to adventure alongside our series heroes.”
Why Aardman Makes This Deal Special
Aardman brings decades of stop-motion expertise to the Pokémon universe, with the studio best known for beloved properties including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and Chicken Run. Its tactile, handcrafted approach could give Pokémon an entirely new visual personality. The partnership is also arriving at an important moment for Aardman, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.
For Pokémon, Aardman provides an opportunity to experiment without abandoning the characters and world that fans already know. For Disney+, meanwhile, the deal combines a global franchise with one of animation’s most distinctive creative studios.
With the series scheduled for 2027, parents and longtime Pokémon fans have a new reason to keep an eye on Disney+. Aardman and Pokémon may be an unusual combination, but that unpredictability could be exactly what makes Sirfetch’d & Pichu stand out.
