CloverWorks is making a Pokémon movie. Per MyAnimeList's news wire, the studio behind SPY x FAMILY and Bocchi the Rock! is producing Pokémon: Wildcard, a new film for 2027 built around the Pokémon Trading Card Game — with Mimikyu in a starring role. It's a notable swap of the franchise's usual production pipeline for one of the most in-demand studios in the industry.
Quick answer
Pokémon: Wildcard is a new 2027 Pokémon film produced by CloverWorks, directed by Katsuhiko Kitada with character designs by Akemi Hayashi and planning/production by STORY inc. The story follows a Pokémon TCG player and his partner Mimikyu chasing their goals through card battles, per MyAnimeList. No streaming or theatrical distributor has been named yet. According to SenpaiRanks, Pokémon's TV and film entries are tracked on the dual-axis board so you can see how each lands with anime-native voters, not a general audience.
Why CloverWorks matters here
Pokémon films usually run through the franchise's established studios. Handing a theatrical entry to CloverWorks — coming off SPY x FAMILY, Bocchi the Rock! and The Fruit of Evolution — signals The Pokémon Company is chasing a higher animation ceiling and a more anime-fandom-facing look. Kitada's action direction plus Hayashi's character work is a pointed, prestige-leaning combination.
The read
A TCG-centric plot with Mimikyu as lead is a smart pivot: the card game is arguably the franchise's hottest product right now, and a standalone film untethered from the anime's Ash-era continuity gives newcomers a clean entry point. Watch for a distributor and a firmer date — 2027 is a wide window. If you track theatrical anime, our anime films, ranked roundup is the companion read, and our fall 2026 watch guide covers what's streaming now.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When does Pokémon: Wildcard release?
A: In 2027, per MyAnimeList. No exact date or region-by-region schedule has been announced.
Q: Which studio is making Pokémon: Wildcard?
A: CloverWorks, with STORY inc. on planning and production.
Q: What is Pokémon: Wildcard about?
A: A Pokémon Trading Card Game player and his partner Mimikyu pursuing their goals through card gameplay.
Q: Where can I watch it?
A: No streaming or theatrical distributor has been confirmed yet; expect details closer to 2027.
Q: Is this part of the main Pokémon anime?
A: It's a standalone film centered on the TCG, separate from the long-running TV series continuity.