Pokémon: Wild Card to bring TCG to cinemas in 2027

Pokémon: Wild Card, a theatrical anime built around the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), was announced at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in 2027 and is the first new theatrical Pokémon movie since 2020.

The first teaser follows a determined TCG player and their partner Mimikyu as they pursue success in competitive card play. The footage highlights tournament-style battles and the relationship between the player and the Pokémon. Mimikyu is a Ghost/Fairy-type first introduced in Generation VII in Pokémon Sun and Moon and has appeared in games and merchandise since its debut.

Katsuhiko Kitada is directing the film, with Akemi Hayashi credited as character designer. Studio CloverWorks is producing the animation and STORY Inc. is handling production. Kitada has prior animation credits that include work on Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, I Want to Eat Your Pancreas, and Flip Flappers. CloverWorks has produced series such as My Dress-Up Darling and Bocchi the Rock!

The announcement at the World Championships connects the film topic to the organized competitive circuit for the TCG. Organizers and the production companies have not provided an exact release date for 2027. Additional plot details, voice cast information and promotional plans are expected to be released at a later date.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game operates an international competitive circuit with major events that draw players and spectators worldwide. The film’s focus on card play and tournament competition indicates it will depict elements of that competitive environment within an animated feature format.