While Ash Ketchum has always been an important figure in the Pokémon franchise, viewers have also been yearning for an anime series consisting of new protagonists and other cast members. Luckily, with the currently untitled upcoming anime following Liko and Roy’s adventures set to arrive in April 2023, this wish is not far off. However, to fans’ further delight, another new Pokémon series is also in the works.
On February 27th, more commonly known as Pokémon Day among fans, it was announced during the annual Pokémon Direct that Netflix has greenlit an all-new series titled Pokémon Concierge. Set on a beach-like resort, the stop-motion series focuses on a young woman named Haru and her partner Psyduck as they go through their days working at a hotel and conversing with trainers and their Pokémon. While some fans were understandably taken aback by this sudden change of formula, many believe it can turn over a whole new leaf for the franchise.
Pokémon Concierge’s Short Teaser Trailer Reveals Key Details
The trailer begins with a small portion of the resort complemented with the shadows of palm trees, hinting as to what the rest of Pokémon Concierge may be like. The narrator, seemingly Haru, discusses the resort’s purpose while her Psyduck is seen walking through the sand. She explains that the Pokémon there are meant to be guests, and the trailer ends when she reveals her plan to tell viewers about how the hotel came into existence.
Due to the fact that only a teaser has been released, little else can be said about the resort or what Haru’s job at the hotel is even like. While a definitive release date has not yet been confirmed, it is said to be coming soon, giving it a potential window of a summer or perhaps even a spring premiere. It may well be possible that Pokémon Concierge will release around the same time as the beginning of Liko’s and Roy’s adventures.
A Pokémon Series Will Be Using Stop-Motion for the First Time
For over 25 years now, the Pokémon anime has been known to use traditional 2D animation, with the occasional usage of CGI being added to the mix. Even 3D animation has been used in select moments, such as Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back — Evolution. However, Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge is taking its own route with the medium by using stop-motion animation, causing mixed reactions among fans.
While some may be curious as to how the franchise will apply stop-motion, others have raised concerns about how certain aspects will play out. With the Pokémon anime’s usage of 2D animation, characters’ mouths have moved rapidly whenever they speak, and the amount of frames drawn to make up a second have always given off a natural feel.
Although Haru has not yet been shown speaking, this form of stop-motion animation may make some viewers feel uneasy, as some have seen the medium as unsettling. However, there does lay the possibility that Netflix may just surprise everyone with an outstanding practice of this animation style.
Pokémon Concierge Will Break Away From the Anime’s Traditional Format
Ash has taken part in many titanic battles throughout his journey to become a Pokémon master. He even participated in numerous gym challenges, determined to collect all eight badges for each region, which serves as one of the core elements for his long-running goal. Thus, he has traveled to a wide variety of places throughout the anime’s world, gaining plenty of new experiences along the way.
While his mainline successors Liko and Roy will be treading a similar path, Haru will seemingly not strive for any gym badges, much less leave the resort she has committed to working at. Although this peaceful, slice-of-life direction is a massive contrast from the action-packed and comedic tone the Pokémon anime has maintained over the years, Pokémon Concierge is the perfect opportunity to showcase the tranquility this world has to offer. By reminding fans that not everyone wants to go on an adventure or participate in battling, it may even provide a whole new perspective on the franchise.
