Pokémon is returning to theaters with Pokémon: Wild Card, a new feature-length animated film scheduled to begin releasing worldwide in 2027. Announced during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships, the movie takes an unusual direction for the franchise by centering its story on the Pokémon Trading Card Game rather than the traditional journey of Pokémon Trainers.


The story follows an aspiring Pokémon TCG player and his partner Mimikyu as he works toward becoming a champion. CloverWorks will handle animation production, with STORY inc. planning and producing the film. Katsuhiko Kitada is directing, while Akemi Hayashi is serving as character designer. A teaser and visual released with the announcement offer the first look at the card-playing protagonist and Mimikyu.


Wild Card will be the first new feature-length Pokémon animated movie in roughly seven years, following Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle, which premiered in Japan in December 2020. Exact release dates and regional theatrical schedules have not yet been announced.


Watch the teaser here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3I6ECqP4Tc