Pokémon Stop-Motion Series Lands Exclusively on Disney+ and DisneyXD
The upcoming stop-motion series from The Pokémon Company and Aardman Animations will stream on Disney+ and DisneyXD, as announced at PokémonXP. The show, set in the Galar region, follows Sirfetch’d and Pichu on comedic adventures. Production details reveal a large crew and lengthy episode creation times, with a 2027 release planned.
The production scale behind this series is considerable, with 262 crew members working at any given time. Each animator produces roughly 13.5 seconds of footage weekly, and a single episode requires about 110 weeks to complete, though three episodes are typically in production simultaneously to maintain output. The announcement also confirmed that Escavalier will serve as the primary antagonist, positioned as a rival knight to Sirfetch’d.
This marks the second stop-motion Pokémon project, following Pokémon Concierge, which streams on Netflix and received a second season confirmation in 2025. The Disney+ and DisneyXD exclusivity represents a notable platform shift for the franchise, moving away from the Netflix partnership that housed its previous stop-motion effort.
This exclusive Disney+ deal could significantly expand the Pokémon brand's reach among younger viewers who primarily access streaming through Disney's platforms, potentially introducing the franchise to new audiences. The stop-motion format may also appeal to families seeking alternative animation styles, though the 2027 release means audiences will wait considerably for the payoff. The multi-year production timeline highlights how labor-intensive this art form remains, which could influence how other studios approach similar projects.