Why Aardman's Pokemon Animation is a Match Made in Heaven…

Pokemon has participated in many collaborations over the years, but when one with animation studio Aardman was announced, many fans were delightfully confused and intrigued. Aardman is one of the most famous stop-animation studios out there, widely recognized for its work on Wallace & Gromit, and it isn't exactly known for collaborating with other properties often. Yet, somehow, it was announced that a Pokemon project was greenlit last year.

Now, a recent Pokemon Presents has announced Pokemon Tales: The Misadventures of Sirfetch’d & Pichu, complete with a small teaser of the titular protagonists and their antics. According to a short video by co-founder Peter Lord, this "animated series" will showcase the world of the series through the eyes of a Pokemon. Lord played coy about a few details, but Pokemon fans can easily connect the lines to see that Misadventures takes place in Galar. This setting in particular shows exactly what makes the studio and franchise shine, all in one complete package.

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By Zackari Greif

The Galar Region Gives Aardman the Chance to Play In Its Comfort Zone With a Pokemon Flair

The Galar Region Fits Aardman Like a Glove

The appearance of Sirfetch'd and Wooloo in a grassy, fenced field make it very clear that the region that's "close" to Aardman's hearts according to Peter Lord is Galar, and there's no better region for their Pokemon project. Galar is based on the United Kingdom, and Aardman is based in England.

British culture in particular is almost synonymous with the studio's craft, permeating many of their important IPs. By choosing what appears to be Galar's countryside for this project, Aardman gets to create set pieces it has mastered over the years, and that specific talent is already on full display in the teaser project with the way the setting is rendered with 53 years of experience behind it. Or, at the very least, the studio's history of creating seven seasons and more of Shaun the Sheep's grassy fields.

Sirfetch'd and Pichu Seem to Be Borrowing the Best of Aardman's Shaun the Sheep

Everything that makes Galar the perfect regional choice is on full display in the teaser with its luscious background, grass, and already comedic characters, even when fans can't see much of them. Through the setting, focus on a sheep character, and the chaos behind the fence, the teaser feels like a Shaun the Sheep episode.

This seems like a purposeful choice to inject Aardman's comedy naturally into the world of Pokemon, down to Sirfetch'd having to keep up with the chaos just like Shaun's dog companion does regularly.

Pichu, however, feels like a rambunctious little kid who gets involved in everything. The two already have a hilarious dynamic from what was shown already. It's unknown if Wooloo will be a full-fledged character just yet, but the inclusion of the round and recognizable Pokemon is likely meant to be a homage to Shaun the Sheep himself to bring the collaboration full-circle.

There's still a lot to learn about Sirfetch'd and Pichu's adventures, and plenty of time to get there as the series won't be out (in whatever capacity it's in) until 2027. Even still, though, the teaser does a great job of blending what fans come to Pokemon for with what Aardman excels at.

Those who fondly look back on their Galarian adventure are in for a treat as Aardman will likely portray the culture of the region with its love for the United Kingdom on its sleeve to help the Generation 8 Pokemon region feel more alive and accurate to its inspiration than ever. It will literally be crafted with care through the studio's trademark claymation, and that alone might help it be worth the long wait.

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