REVIEW: ‘Pokemon Concierge’ Delightfully Expands the Franchise

Have you ever wondered how Pokémon unwind and relax when they aren’t helping their trainers win gym battles or become the best Pokémon master? Pokémon Concierge, Netflix, and The Pokémon Company’s first collaborative series, gives a peek into the more relaxed aspects of Pokémon and their trainers’ lives. Pokemon Concierge is a Japanese adventure slice-of-life stop-motion animation series produced by Dwarf Studios. Directed by Iku Ogawa and written by Harumi Doki, the short four-episode series features a Japanese voice cast of Rena Nōnen, also referred to as Non as Haru, Fairouz Ai as Alisa, Okuno Eita as Tyler and Takemura Yoshiko as Ms. Watanabe. 

Pokémon Concierge follows Haru, a young woman who, after a recent string of bad luck, including a breakup with her long-time boyfriend, undergoes a career change to become a Pokémon Concierge at the Pokémon Resort. Haru wants to change, let go of her anxieties, and not be so hard on herself. Through her new job and with the help of her Pokémon companion, Psyduck, she learns to let go of her worries and embrace her role to help Pokémon live their best lives and be happy.

Unlike its predecessors in anime or video games, Pokémon Concierge shifts its focus away from the competitive battles and daring adventures that define the franchise. Instead, it offers a charming, slice-of-life narrative emphasizing the importance of understanding and prioritizing a Pokémon’s needs, similar to pet owners’ care. As much as this series is about Haru understanding the resort’s Poké-guests and overcoming her worries, it is also about helping the trainers understand their Pokémon. It doesn’t matter if they’re a magikarp, charmander, hoppip, graveler, metagross, snorlax, mudkip, or any other kind. They all matter. 

The series is a delightful and heartwarming addition to the franchise, emphasizing that meaningful stories can exist within the Pokémon universe without solely centering on competition or intense battles. This charming and simple series invites audiences to forget about competitions and titles, encouraging them to immerse themselves in this fun and relaxing iteration of the Pokémon world.

At its core, Pokémon Concierge explores the nuanced relationship between Pokémon and trainers, underscoring the importance of understanding your partners’ needs. For instance, in one episode, Haru assists a young boy in realizing that his shy Pikachu’s personality may differ from his preconceived expectations. This storyline emphasizes the message that Pokémon, like individuals, should be allowed to express themselves authentically without the need for change.

Pokémon Concierge maintains a light tone in its message for the most part, and it proves fitting for audiences of all ages, catering to both long-time Pokémon fans and newcomers alike. The series offers something enjoyable for everyone, whether it’s the nostalgia of witnessing their favorite Pokémon in a new environment and animation style or the relatability of connecting with Haru and her anxious nature or desire to prove herself.

The writing and storytelling in Pokémon Concierge may not be the most complex. Still, they do touch on significant themes of stress and anxiety, particularly about Haru’s past stressors and the self-imposed pressure she experiences. It’s refreshing to witness a series featuring a heroine like Haru, actively working to overcome her anxiety and learning to embrace living in the present rather than constantly feeling the need to perform.

Pokemon Concierge stands out in the current anime season with its exceptional stop-motion animation. The charming animation style and character design evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of Rilakkuma and Kaoru, another Netflix stop-motion animation produced by Dwarf Studios. Witnessing Pokémon come to life in this distinct animated form is delightful. Making it a refreshing departure from what fans have seen before, yet remarkably fitting for the franchise.

The stop-motion animation showcases the vibrant and diverse textures of the Pokémon’s designs and pays close attention to the details of the surrounding environments and human characters. The animators’ ability to skillfully capture a range of emotions through the expressive facial features of both human and Pokémon characters adds depth and authenticity to the storytelling.

My biggest critique of the series is that it is just too short. Pokémon Concierge wraps up so quickly, with only four episodes spanning about 15 to 20 minutes each. The brevity of the series doesn’t diminish its delightful and well-worth-watching nature, and because it’s so good, a short length means you’re left craving more. The storyline crafts a tidy and complete arc for Haru, taking viewers on enjoyable adventures alongside iconic Pokémon like Psyduck, Pikachu, Dragonite, and more. Additional episodes or a new season would allow Haru and her friends’ adventures to continue and further explore how she helps Pokémon and their trainers’ relationships and live their best lives.

Pokémon Concierge demonstrates that the franchise holds boundless storytelling potential. Through its captivating stop-motion animation, the series reimagines the essence of the Pokémon world, bringing its unique characters to life in a charming environment. While the series has a short runtime and a predominantly surface-level narrative, it surprises viewers with profound moments and themes explored in Haru’s arc. Pokémon Concierge is an entertaining and worthwhile watch, especially for fans.

Pokémon Concierge streams exclusively on Netflix.