Disney+ Strikes Landmark Global Pokémon Deal, Lands Aardman’s New Pichu Series

Disney+ has announced a global distribution agreement with The Pokémon Company International that includes Aardman’s upcoming stop-motion series Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, debuting on Disney XD and streaming exclusively on Disney+ in 2027.

The agreement also covers the franchise’s original animated series, now available on the platform as Pokémon the Series: The Beginning.

Set in the Galar region introduced in the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, the new stop-motion series follows the gallant but accident-prone Sirfetch’d and his playful companion Pichu. The pair travel across the region, helping Pokémon in need, though their missions rarely go according to plan.

The series is told from the Pokémon’s perspective and features no human characters.

Director Tom Parkinson said in a release:

From the moment we had selected our titular heroes, we knew it had the makings of a really funny, heartfelt odd-couple story. Sirfetch’d has this wonderfully noble, slightly bumbling energy – determined to be the best knight in the whole of Galar. While Pichu is the playful, curious squire, and often, actual voice of reason. They really are best friends, and we think audiences are going to fall in love watching them stumble, succeed and help Pokémon in need along the way.

Phil Rynda, director of animation for The Pókemon International Company, added:

These stories, full of adventure and heroism, all told from the perspective of Pokémon is made even more exciting through the lens of the incredible filmmakers at Aardman. Audiences will be delighted getting to know the Sirfetch’d & Pichu, and wonderful cast of Pokémon, featured in this series. Aardman has brought Galar to life in a way that makes you feel like you can smell the air, touch the tree bark, and want to adventure alongside our series heroes.

Aardman’s core creative team includes Parkinson, creative director of IP development Nat McKay, and model-making creative lead James Young. The Bristol studio is producing the animation for The Pokémon Company International.

The first title released under the new Disney-Pokémon agreement is Pokémon the Series: The Beginning, which collects Ash Ketchum and Pikachu’s original 1997-98 adventures. It began airing on Disney XD earlier this month and is now available on Disney+ in the U.S. and select international markets.

Disney and The Pokémon Company did not disclose the financial terms or duration of their agreement. The announcement identifies only The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu and The Beginning as part of the deal and does not indicate that Disney+ will become the exclusive home of the wider Pokémon animation catalog.

Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu will premiere sometime in 2027.