Disney Partners with The Pokémon Company for Stop-Motion Series

The Pokémon Company International has partnered with Disney for a global distribution deal, marking a significant shift in the entertainment industry. At the center of this agreement is a brand-new stop-motion series produced by Aardman, the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run. This move is seen as a direct response to Netflix's stop-motion hit Pokémon Concierge, which spent two years making Pokémon feel handmade.

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, describes Pokémon as a property that continues to be relevant to young audiences while maintaining its significance to longtime fans. The choice of Aardman is notable, as it brings an Oscar-winning claymation house to the project and signals that production values are now a key factor in the streaming war.

The deal will see Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu air on Disney XD and stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2027. This move is also significant as it marks a shift from streaming-only drops to traditional linear cable channels, with Disney XD receiving a boost through the partnership.

The series will marry the franchise's fan depth with Aardman's tactile craft, making it an exciting development for both fans and the entertainment industry.