First Pokémon anime movie since 2020 announced, brings new characters and staff to the series [Video]

After a two-decade hiatus, Pokémon is returning to theaters with Pokémon: Wildcard, an all-new anime movie. Scheduled for release in 2027, it marks the first Pokémon movie in over half a decade. Unlike previous films, Wildcard will not feature protagonist Satoshi/Ash or any human characters from recent TV anime arcs. Mimikyu is a central focus, with a promotional tweet using the phrase “Mimic You.”

The teaser video features a heroically brooding color scheme and uses the Pokémon main theme music. Notably, the movie features Pokémon within the setting rather than as mere fan creations. The film’s logo features a unique design, with the second O incorporating a squiggly line reminiscent of Mimikyu’s smile. Production staff for Wildcard include director Katsuhiko Kitada, known for projects like Attack on Titan, and character designer Akemi Hayashi, who worked on Banana Fish and 2001 Fruits Basket.

Studio CloverWorks, making its first Pokémon project, will handle animation. The movie’s English-language teaser is largely identical to the Japanese version, with the English version adding “Coming 2027 and beyond.” While the official Japanese website confirms the theatrical release for 2027, an international release might not occur until 2028.