Pokémon Gets New Mid-Autumn Animation

The Pokémon franchise continues to delight fans with a new animated short celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. Released on the official Pokémon YouTube channel on Tuesday, the video, titled Pokémon-tachi to Aki no Tsuki (Pokémon and the Autumn Moon), was animated by Shanghai Animation Film Studio, a prominent China-based studio.

This charming short features Pikachu and its friends enjoying the festivities of mid-autumn, a traditional holiday celebrated across East Asia, known for moon-gazing, lantern displays, and sharing mooncakes.

In other exciting Pokémon news, Pokémon Horizons: The Series is preparing to kick off its fourth arc on October 11. The anime, which premiered in Japan in April 2023 with a one-hour special, has captivated fans with its new storylines and characters. The second arc, "Terapagos no Kagayaki" (The Brilliance of Terapagos), aired its 29th episode in October 2023.

Most recently, the "Terastal Debut" arc premiered on April 12, showcasing the unique Terastal phenomenon introduced in the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games. Fans can look forward to more exciting adventures as the series continues to unfold.

On the distribution side, WildBrain, a global media company, announced in August that it has signed an exclusive agreement with The Pokémon Company to manage the new Pokémon FAST (free ad-supported television) channel.

New Mid-Autumn Animation Overview

This single-IP channel will be available in key regions, including the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It will stream 22 seasons of the beloved original Pokémon anime, following Ash Ketchum's journey from the beginning all the way through the Sun and Moon saga.

The extensive library will include classic seasons like Gold and Silver, Ruby and Sapphire, Diamond and Pearl, Black and White, and XY, ensuring that fans of all ages can relive their favorite moments or experience them for the first time.

This continuous expansion of Pokémon’s presence in various formats, from new shorts to a dedicated streaming channel, proves that the franchise remains as influential as ever.