Pokémon: Wild Card Anime Film Announced for 2027
This is the first Pokémon theatrical feature in seven years, and the first to center on the trading card game rather than the traditional trainer storyline, marking a notable shift in the franchise's film approach.
Key Facts
- Pokémon: Wild Card is the 24th anime film in the Pokémon franchise and the first since Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, which opened in Japan in December 2020.
- The film is directed by Katsuhiko Kitada at CloverWorks, with character designs by Akemi Hayashi and production by Story Inc.
- The Pokémon Company announced Pokémon: Wild Card on August 31 during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco.
- The film is scheduled for release in 2027, with the story following a Pokémon Trading Card Game player and partner Mimikyu.
- The Pokémon Company president and CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara said the film aims to capture the competitive spirit shared by Pokémon Trainers around the world.
Reporting from 6 sources: Anime News Network, Cartoon Brew, Automaton, Inside, and 2 more.
The Pokémon Company announced on August 31 a new anime film titled Pokémon: Wild Card, scheduled to open in 2027. The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. CloverWorks is handling animation production, with Katsuhiko Kitada directing. Akemi Hayashi is designing the characters, and Story Inc. is producing the film. The story follows a Pokémon Trading Card Game player and his partner Mimikyu, as the player strives to become a champion. The film is the 24th anime film in the franchise and the first since Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, which opened in Japan in December 2020. The teaser trailer shows the protagonist wearing a yellow hoodie reminiscent of Mimikyu, with the Pokémon appearing alongside. The Pokémon Company describes the film as capturing the competitive spirit of Pokémon Trainers worldwide. The release is described as beginning in 2027, with no specific date or distribution details announced yet.
The announcement of Pokémon: Wild Card was accompanied by a teaser trailer and a "Super Teaser Visual" featuring the protagonist, Mikiya, and Mimikyu. Director Katsuhiko Kitada previously served as a unit director on The First Slam Dunk and animation director on Attack on Titan. Character designer Akemi Hayashi has credits including Banana Fish and Lazarus. CloverWorks is known for Bocchi the Rock! and the Spy x Family franchise. The film joins a broader Pokémon animation slate, which includes the Netflix stop-motion series Pokémon Concierge, the ongoing Pokémon Horizons series, and the upcoming Aardman-produced Pokémon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch'd & Pichu, set for Disney XD and Disney+ in 2027. The Pokémon Company has not yet detailed distribution plans for individual territories or announced the complete cast and story details. The previous film, Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, was released on Netflix in October 2021 after its December 2020 Japanese theatrical run.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 6 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- Anime News Network News Pokémon: Wild Card Anime Film Announced for 2027
- Cartoon Brew ‘Pokémon: Wild Card,’ The Franchise’s First Animated Feature In Seven Years, Unveiled For 2027
- Automaton ポケモン7年ぶりの新作映画は、なんと『ポケモンカードゲーム』が題材。「ポケモン：ワイルドカード」発表、制作はCloverWorks
- Inside 『ポケカ』新シリーズ「ex★」発表！予告映像にはスイクン・エンテイ・ライコウたち、「メガルカリオZex」などの新カードも
- Anime Corner New Pokémon: Wild Card Anime Movie by Studio CloverWorks Announced for 2027
- OtakuKart Anime New Pokémon Movie Wild Card Announced for 2027, Will Focus on the Trading Card Game