New Pokémon Movie 'Pokémon: Wild Card' Announced

A major announcement sent fans into a frenzy at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships. The Pokémon Company President and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara officially announced Pokémon: Wild Card, a new feature film that marks the franchise's return to the big screen after a seven-year hiatus. Ishihara stated that the film will focus on a Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) player on their path to becoming a champion, emphasizing the aim to forge a direct connection with tournament participants.

Industry Titans Collaborate on Animation

The 39-second teaser trailer released alongside the announcement offers viewers key insights into the film's atmosphere. The footage highlights a focus on the Pokémon TCG, with particular attention drawn to the character Mimikyu and a Mimikyu card positioned in front of the protagonist. The project features a notable production team; animation studio CloverWorks, known for acclaimed works like Bocchi the Rock! and My Dress-up Darling, has been selected to helm the production, with Katsuhiko Kitada directing. Akemi Hayashi is credited with the character designs.

The film's official release schedule was announced as "beginning in 2027." This phrasing suggests the project may not be limited to a single film. Furthermore, this is not the only update for the Pokémon world. During the PokemonXP panel, new details were shared regarding the animated series Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu, which was announced in 2025 and is slated to air on DisneyXD. It is already clear that the Pokémon universe will continue to expand on both the big screen and television in the near future.