Summary
Aardman Animations might be busy focusing on the upcoming release ofWallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowlon Christmas Day, but the studios behind some of the mosticonic stop motion and clay animation filmsof all time are already looking to the future and arguably its biggest project to date.
Founded in 1972, Aardman Animations has built a strong reputation with a back catalog of impressive and entertaining movies. Best known for the iconicWallace & Gromitfranchise, the company has gone on to create other films such asChicken RunandThe Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists, Shaun the Sheep Movie, andArthur Christmas, among others. They’re notorious for coming up with original concepts, characters, and ideas, but now Aardman Animations is set to collaborate with a major franchise.
In a social media post onX, Aardman announced that it is working on aPokémonproject that will be released in 2027. The post read, “Pokémon x Aardman. Coming in 2027! This was accompanied by a very brief clip that saw red and white clay balls rolling toward each other to eventually form a Poké Ball as the Japanese franchise’s classic logo flashed alongside it. This was done to tease them working together in a public announcement without giving too much information, except that it appears to be in Aardman Animations' classic clay animation style, which will create something uniquefor thePokémonfranchise.
Apress releaseabout the partnership revealed more details from both sides. Taito Okiura, VP of Marketing and Media at The Pokémon Company International, said, “This is a dream partnership forPokémon. Aardman are masters of their craft, and we have been blown away by their talent and creativity. What we have been working on together ensures our globalPokémonfans are in for a treat!” Meanwhile, Sean Clarke, Managing Director of Aardman, added, “It’s a huge honor to be working with ThePokémonCompany International; we feel sincerely privileged to be trusted with bringing their characters and world to life in a brand-new way. Bringing togetherPokémon, the world’s biggest entertainment brand, together with our love of craft, character, and comedic storytelling, feels incredibly exciting.”
At the moment, it’s unclear what the partnership will look like. Whether it’s a feature movie, a television series, or multiple short-form projects, there could be all manner of unique ideas created within this connection. But the one thing people can expect is to seeeveryone’s favoritePokémoncharactersbrought to life in a whole new way.
Even though information on what this partnership will lead to remains scarce, there’s no doubt there will be plenty of excitement among fans on both sides of this collaboration.Seeing thePokémonworld adaptedinto clay animation will create something fresh for the franchise, and the vibrant world and characters that people are aware of feel like they’re well suited to working alongside Aardman Animations, which could lead to the creation of something truly special.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
