Netflix is making history with its upcoming “Pokémon” spin-off stop-motion series titled “Pokémon Concierge,” which the renowned streaming platform unveiled during the 2023 Pokémon Presents, also a day of celebration for Pokémon’s 27th anniversary. Now, the first-look trailer for “Pokémon Concierge” has been released.
“Pokémon Concierge” is also Netflix’s first collaborative production with The Pokémon Company and an ambitious stop-motion project produced by critically acclaimed Dwarf Studios. Dwarf Studios specializes in stop animation, such as “Pokémon Concierge.” It is also the same studio that recently worked with the streaming platform on “Rilakkuma and Kaoru,” which received rave reviews and high ratings on IMDb and Google Reviews.
What it is all about
Expanding the world of Pokémon, the story of “Pokémon Concierge” follows Haru, not Ash this time, a concierge at Pokémon Resort, and her interactions with Pokémons and their owners who visit the resort as guests.
The first-look trailer is simple. It runs for only 25 seconds and shows Psyduck waddling on the beach sands, with the camera right on top of him.
This teaser’s calm nature makes it seem like Haru’s concerns with Pokémon will not be of the fighting type that viewers usually see with the creatures. This hearkens back to something we have never seen yet from Pokémon before, which is a refreshing take and a breath of fresh air.
Ground-breaking
Minyoung Kim, Netflix’s Vice President of Asia Content, said in the official news release, “Netflix is looking forward to delighting fans in Japan and around the world with ‘Pokémon Concierge,’ an entirely new visual and storytelling experience featuring ground-breaking stop-motion animation set in the Pokémon world in close collaboration with The Pokémon Company.”
The upcoming series will help anime fans move on from Ash Ketchum, whose story arc was completed following his triumph at the Pokémon World Championships.
“We’re also excited to reveal this new series on Pokémon Day and provide fans with even more things to look forward to on this special holiday celebrating the popular franchise,” she added.
Goodbye Ash
Meanwhile, Sarah Natochenny, Ash’s voice actor, admitted she turned emotional at this news.
“They said the thing [that Ash would depart], and my hand physically just gave out. And I started bawling at this meeting,” she said. “The producers were trying to hold it together for me as well, they kept speaking in a very even tone. You could see a few other actors on the call and the director starting to get emotional as well, just seeing me because we’re very close, and this is so sad.”
No official details about the release date of “Pokémon Concierge” has been published, except that it is scheduled to launch sometime this year.
