This New Pokemon Show Takes Two Years To Create One Episode
The Pokemon Company has partnered with Aardman Animations, the renowned stop-motion studio behind Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, to produce an original animated series. “Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d and Pichu” was unveiled at Pokemon XP in San Francisco, with director Tom Parkinson and creative leads Natalie McKay and James Young sharing production insights.
The stop-motion series follows Sirfetch’d, a gallant knight wielding a leek and leafy shield, and Pichu, his loyal squire, as they explore the Galar region from Pokemon Sword and Shield. The duo encounters various Pokemon throughout their adventures across the region.
Production of the series is notably time-intensive, with each episode requiring approximately two years to complete. This extended timeline reflects the meticulous craftsmanship inherent to stop-motion animation and Aardman’s dedication to maintaining its signature detailed animation style while adapting Pokemon content into this distinctive visual medium.
The collaboration marks a significant expansion of Pokemon’s multimedia portfolio, extending beyond traditional video games and anime. By combining The Pokemon Company’s intellectual property with Aardman’s acclaimed animation expertise, the partnership aims to deliver a unique creative interpretation of the franchise.