Pokémon Wild Card will bring the popular Pokémon franchise back to cinemas with a new feature-length anime film in 2027.
The announcement came during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. Organisers also unveiled a first-look teaser and visual for the film.
The story will focus on a Pokémon Trading Card Game player and his partner, Mimikyu.
Mimikyu Takes Centre Stage
The first teaser introduces the main character wearing a yellow hoodie inspired by Mimikyu’s distinctive appearance.
Mimikyu is a Ghost/Fairy-type Pokémon first introduced in Pokémon Sun and Moon. The character disguises itself as Pikachu under a yellow rag while hiding its true appearance.
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The teaser suggests that Mimikyu will play a central role in the new film.
CloverWorks Leads Production
Japanese animation studio CloverWorks will produce Pokémon: Wild Card.
Katsuhiko Kitada will direct the film, while Akemi Hayashi will serve as character designer.
Kitada has worked on major anime projects, including The First Slam Dunk, Attack on Titan and Naruto: Shippuden.
Hayashi’s previous credits include Banana Fish and Lazarus.
First Pokémon Film in Years
Pokémon: Wild Card will mark the franchise’s first feature film since Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle in 2020.
The film received a theatrical release in Japan before Netflix released it internationally in 2021.
The most recent Pokémon movie to receive a worldwide theatrical release was Pokémon the Movie: The Power of Us in 2018. The film had a limited international cinema run through Fathom Events.
30th Anniversary Celebration
The announcement arrives during Pokémon’s 30th anniversary year.
The franchise will also expand in 2027 with Winds and Waves, which has been described as the 10th generation of Pokémon titles.
Pokémon has not yet announced the exact worldwide release date for Wild Card.
The studio also has yet to reveal further details about the film’s story, characters and international theatrical rollout.
