First New Pokémon Movie in Seven Years Set to Debut

Pokémon is gearing up to explore the intriguing question of whether its wildly popular trading card game would thrive in a world where Pokémon are real. This will unfold in the franchise’s first theatrical film in seven years, titled Pokémon: Wild Card, which was announced during Pokémon XP and is set to hit theaters “in 2027 and beyond.”

The trailer unveiled at the event features a boy identified as a “Pokémon TCG player” alongside a Mimikyu, along with a glimpse of a game setup for Pokémon. The animation will be handled by CloverWorks, known for titles like Spy x Family and The Elusive Samurai, with direction from Katsuhiko Kitada, who worked on Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, and character design by Akemi Hayashi of Banana Fish fame.

Pokémon: Wild Card will mark the 25th film in the franchise, including the live-action Detective Pikachu from 2019, and it follows 2020’s Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle. Notably, this will be the first animated film that does not feature the long-standing anime protagonist Ash/Satoshi and will center around the Pokémon TCG. Historically, Pokémon films have been treated as extensions of the anime, but with the original series concluding in 2023, the franchise appears to be charting a new course.

Interestingly, the Pokémon TCG has never been explicitly acknowledged within the anime’s universe, aside from a few nods and Easter eggs. For instance, in episode 73 of Pokémon The Series, “Bad to the Bone,” some Pokémon TCG cards briefly appear among Team Rocket member Jessie’s belongings, though they were edited out in the English version. Additionally, the antagonist of Pokémon The Movie 2000 possesses an Ancient Mew card, which was distributed in theaters during the film’s release.

Despite this, fans have yet to see any character engaging in a game of Pokémon TCG within the universe, suggesting that Pokémon: Wild Card might take place in a different continuity from the anime—or perhaps not, as the franchise has never been overly concerned with continuity. It will be fascinating to see Mimikyu’s role in the film; is it merely the main character’s companion, or does it have the ability to play the game? The trailer hints at the unnamed protagonist using a Psychic deck featuring a Mimikyu card, indicating a deeper connection to the game. And will scalpers emerge as the true villains? They certainly make Team Rocket look like amateurs, so it’s a possibility worth considering.

There are 14 different products available for purchase, each featuring its own promo card and other TCG-related goodies.

With the financial success of anime films like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, many popular franchises are increasingly eyeing the anime movie market. Pokémon was a trailblazer in this arena, but its films have largely relied on the waning popularity of the anime. In contrast, the Pokémon TCG continues to grow, making it a logical choice to craft a wholly original story tied to one of the franchise’s most lucrative elements.

Pokémon: Wild Card is slated for release in 2027 and beyond, suggesting that production delays or the timeline for international distribution could push the release to 2028.