Pokémon Returns to Theaters After Seven Years: Anime Film Pokémon: Wild Card Announced, Centered on the Card Game and Mimikyu

The Pokémon Company has officially unveiled a feature-length animated film, Pokémon: Wild Card. It will be the franchise’s first new theatrical release in seven years and the first project ever to center entirely on the competitive card game Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). The movie is slated for a worldwide theatrical release in 2027.

Card Duelist Mikiya and His Partner Mimikyu

The story follows a young player, Mikiya, who aims to reach the top of the professional card duel league. His loyal living partner is the popular Pokémon Mimikyu (Ghost/Fairy type), which hides its true form under a homemade Pikachu costume.

In the debut teaser, the creators highlight the duo’s bond: the hero wears a yellow hood with ears, and Mimikyu accompanies him through the city’s night streets and sits beside him at the game table. The Pokémon acts as a full-fledged character in the story, not just a picture on a collectible card.

30th Anniversary of the Card Universe and Announcement at Worlds 2026

The full-fledged adaptation of card tournaments is timed to an anniversary: in fall 2026, the Japanese Pokémon Card Game turns 30 years old.

As reported by Japanese outlet MANTANWEB, the scale of the discipline has long outgrown mere merchandise: the total print run of cards has exceeded 85 billion copies across 90 countries. The film’s premiere was announced at the closing ceremony of the Pokémon World Championships 2026, positioning the movie as a transfer of the competitive drive of tabletop duels to the cinematic format.

Star-Studded Creative Team: CloverWorks and the Makers of Suzume

The animation is produced by the renowned studio CloverWorks (creators of The Promised Neverland, Bocchi the Rock!, and co-creators of Spy × Family).

According to the official Pokémon: Wild Card website, key roles on the project are held by recognized industry masters:

• Director: Katsuhiko Kitada, who worked on the box-office hit The First Slam Dunk;
• Character Design: Akemi Hayashi (Banana Fish);
• Production and Planning: STORY inc., involved in creating Makoto Shinkai’s anime blockbuster Suzume.

Get ready for Pokémon: Wild Card, an all-new animated film featuring a Pokémon TCG player and Mimikyu! Stay tuned! 🎬 pic.twitter.com/tFf2C4rg4S

— Pokémon @ #PokemonXP🚀 (@Pokemon) August 31, 2026

First Feature Film Since 2020

Pokémon: Wild Card breaks the franchise’s longest theatrical hiatus: the last numbered feature film — Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle (Coco) — debuted back in December 2020.

In The Pokémon Company’s press release, it is confirmed that the film will receive a wide global release. Meanwhile, in 2027, the puppet series Pokémon Tales from British studio Aardman will premiere on Disney+, but it is Wild Card that will be the franchise’s flagship anime release on the big screen.