‘Pokémon: Wild Card’ Movie Sets 2027 Worldwide Release

The Pokémon Company officially unveiled its next feature-length animated film, 'Pokémon: Wild Card,' during the closing ceremonies of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Slated for a worldwide theatrical rollout starting in 2027, the movie breaks thirty years of franchise tradition by focusing on a competitive Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) player and their partner Pokémon, Mimikyu.

A Landmark Return to Theaters After Seven Years

As confirmed during the live presentation in San Francisco, 'Pokémon: Wild Card' marks the franchise's first theatrical animated feature since 2020's 'Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle.' Studio CloverWorks—celebrated for hits like 'Bocchi the Rock!' and 'My Dress-Up Darling'—is handling the animation under the direction of Katsuhiko Kitada. Character design duties are led by Akemi Hayashi ('BANANA FISH'), with production oversaw by Story inc.

A 39-second teaser trailer debuted at the Chase Center, revealing high-stakes TCG play, dynamic animation sequences, and a key moment where the unnamed protagonist interacts with a physical Mimikyu card. Industry analysts note that pivoting away from traditional protagonists like Ash Ketchum, Liko, or Roy allows the studio to capture the genuine subculture of real-world tabletop competitions.

“For the first time in seven years, a new Pokémon movie is on its way. Our protagonist is a Pokémon TCG player, battling and striving to be a champion.”

— Tsunekazu Ishihara, President and CEO of The Pokémon Company

Expanding the Pokémon Cinematic Universe for the 30th Anniversary

The choice of Mimikyu—the Disguise Pokémon introduced in Generation VII—serves as a symbolic anchor for the project. By focusing on card mechanics, deckbuilding strategies, and tournament rivalries, the narrative directly addresses the global community of competitive tabletop players who fill arenas worldwide.

According to corporate announcements, 'Pokémon: Wild Card' is part of a broader content push celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary. Alongside the feature film, The Pokémon Company also confirmed 'Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd and Pichu,' an animated series set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2027.

With a release schedule spanning '2027 and beyond,' 'Pokémon: Wild Card' represents a tactical evolution in how video game franchises adapt esports and tabletop culture for mainstream cinematic audiences.