Pokémon, fetThe Adventures of Sirfetchd and Pichu are coming to Disney+: 13 seconds of animation takes a week of work

During the first day of Pokémon XP, held this weekend in San Francisco, fans got their first glimpse into new details and behind-the-scenes insights about “Racconti Pokémon: Le Disavventure di Sirfetch’d e Pichu,” a newly announced stop-motion animated series set to debut later this year. Developed by The Pokémon Company in collaboration with Aardman Animations, the show will take place in the Galar region, home to Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and follow the adventures of two unusual heroes: Sir Fetch’d, a paper-like Pokémon aspiring to become the best knight in the region, and his loyal companion Pichu, who serves as both his aide and the voice of reason. The story will emphasize friendship and humor, shaped by the contrasting personalities of the two protagonists, one noble yet clumsy, the other curious and playful. The series will be told entirely from the perspective of the Pokémon, without human involvement, meaning there will be no spoken dialogue, only vocalizations from the Pokémon themselves. This approach has not deterred Aardman, as explained during a panel at the convention. The team drew upon their experience from previous projects such as Shaun the Sheep, where storytelling was solely conveyed through animation. During the session, Phil Rynda, Director of Original Animation at The Pokémon Company, was joined by Tom Parkinson, Nat McKay, and James Young of Aardman, representing respectively the director, creative director, and model maker. They shared a new trailer and detailed information about the production process. The project has been in development for approximately four years, with meticulous attention given to translating the narrative into stop-motion animation. Stop motion involves capturing images of physical objects being manipulated frame by frame, creating the illusion of movement. Each animator is required to dedicate roughly one week of work to produce just 13 seconds of action. Before the animators begin, Aardman’s model makers must create both the sets and the characters. As described by James Young, the studio combines traditional techniques, including clay modeling, with modern methods such as 3D printing and silicone molding using molds. These models incorporate articulated structures that allow for easy adjustments, such as opening a bird's beak or replacing limbs or eyes when needed. Phil Rynda noted during the presentation that Aardman has brought such vivid life to Galar that audiences can almost smell the air and feel the texture of tree bark under their fingers, making them eager to embark on the adventure alongside the series' heroes. Tom Parkinson, the director, emphasized that the two leads are truly close friends and believed that viewers would grow fond of them as they stumble, triumph, and help other Pokémon throughout their journey. The new series is scheduled to launch in 2027 and will be exclusively streamed on Disney+. The platform is preparing to welcome more Pokémon-related content in the coming months, including original adventures featuring Ash and Pikachu, whose early journeys over 27 years ago played a crucial role in introducing the "Pocket Monsters" to a global audience.