Pokémon Concierge, announced during February’s Pokémon Day 2023 showcase, received its first trailer this week, and it looks absolutely sublime.
The Netflix-produced series marks Pokémon’s first foray into slice-of-life television. Instead of gym battles and Team Rocket scuffles, we see a different side of the classic Nintendo brand—one focused on warm weather, warmer customer service, and chill vibes.
Pokémon Concierge stars Haru, a hospitality worker who has just started a new job at the Pokémon Resort. Her job is to help the resort’s Pokémon clientele relax on their vacation and enjoy their time in the sun. Of course, with hundreds of different Pokémon, each with its own traits and quirks, Haru will have to stay nimble and adapt to each creature’s needs.
It’s a refreshing and wholesome premise for what I imagine will be an utterly refreshing and wholesome show. It’s rare to see a big-name property like Pokémon take a chance on a “low-stakes” spin-off like this, much less in partnership with a company like Netflix. In a year dominated by violent, visceral shows like Castlevania: Nocturne, One Piece, and Blue Eye Samurai, Pokémon Concierge stands out.
Pokémon Concierge Official Trailer: Thoughts and Takeaways
If the above trailer doesn’t capture the imagination, I don’t know what will. The stop-motion animation certainly impresses, as does the chipper voice acting and lovely theme song. I can only hope the show lives up to its aesthetic with equally striking stories and character moments.
More importantly, though, I hope Pokémon Concierge becomes a beacon for other hopeful video game and anime adaptations. I haven’t seen more than two minutes of this show—and hadn’t even heard of it until today, frankly—but I’m already invested. This is how you drum up interest in your property: not by trying to one-up or out-do the past, but by exploring something new, exciting, and wonderful.
Miyamoto and The Legend of Zelda live-action film crew, take note. The Pokémon Company’s on to something with this one. Don’t mess things up, now!
Excited for Pokémon Concierge? You won’t have to wait long. The Netflix show arrives on the streaming platform on December 28, 2023.
If you’re in the northern hemisphere and sick of snow by then, you know where to go.
1 Comment
also hadn’t heard of this until you wrote about it but yes, art and vibes are refreshing. agree — would be nice to see pokemon continue to embrace different kinds of approaches w/ their franchise!