Pokémon Wildcard Movie Announced for 2027
A new Pokémon animated film, 'Wildcard', will launch worldwide in 2027. It stars a TCG player and Mimikyu, replacing Ash and Pikachu.
The Pokémon anime movie franchise will return in 2027 with a new feature film titled Wildcard. This marks the first new film in six years, following 2020's Secrets of the Jungle, and represents a major departure by focusing on the Pokémon Trading Card Game instead of the video games.
The announcement was made simultaneously at the Pokémon World Championships and via the official Japanese X account. The film will be a full-length animated feature produced by CloverWorks, directed by Katsuhiko Kitada, and feature character designs from Akemi Hayashi. A teaser trailer has been released on YouTube, showing glimpses of the card game and the new protagonists.
A New Direction for Pokémon Films
Wildcard is only the second animated project to be based entirely on the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The first was the 2024 miniseries Path to the Peak. This shift in focus promises a fresh perspective on the Pokémon world for long-time fans. The Pokémon Company and studio OLM had previously planned a film without Ash, but those plans for a 24th movie were scrapped, making Wildcard a highly anticipated new beginning.
The film's core details, as outlined in the official announcement, are as follows:
Introducing the New Protagonists
Replacing the iconic duo of Ash and Pikachu, Wildcard will feature an unnamed teenage protagonist and his Mimikyu. The revealed poster suggests this new hero is a deliberate contrast to Ash. He appears older, possibly in his mid to late teens, and his hoodie and sullen expression hint at a more withdrawn personality who may face social challenges.
This is not the franchise's first attempt to move beyond Ash. The current Pokémon: Horizons anime series features replacements Liko and Roy, who still share Ash's enthusiasm. The Wildcard protagonist, by contrast, appears fundamentally different in temperament. How the franchise handles this more sullen hero will be a key point of interest.
The return of a Pokémon film after a six-year gap, coupled with this bold new setting and characters, has generated significant excitement. Fans can track the film's development and other franchise news on our fixtures page. The wait for its 2027 release begins now.
