Skip to main content

Pokémon Concierge Delivers a Chill, Feel-Good Hour of Cuteness

Image: Netflix

Pokémon fans of all ages will delight in the island vacation vibes of Pokémon Concierge and wish it was a real place after binge-watching the series on Netflix. The stop-motion animated show is a gem that makes the world of Pokémon feel even more magical with funny and heartfelt mini-stories. The colors and textures in the character design make the artistry a sight to behold—and also explain why there are only four episodes clocking in at 19 minutes each, since stop-motion takes pretty long to shoot.

The collaboration between the Pokémon Company and Dwarf Animation Studios is endearing, hilarious, and an inspired concept. It’s well-executed, taking the beloved game and anime property and putting it into a clever and soothing medium. If you’re a fan of Nintendo’s Animal Crossing and comedy vibes in a resort setting like White Lotus (but minus the murder), Pokémon Concierge is for you. The show follows Haru (Karen Fukuhara of Suicide Squad and The Boys), a new arrival at the Pokémon Resort who needs a fresh start after a quarter-life crisis. She signs up to be a human concierge to Pokémon to help them enjoy a restful break from battles or enjoy vacations with their owners.

Each episode is an affirmation that you can start over at any age and find the courage to discover more about yourself through Haru’s journey and the Pokémon she helps. She starts off as an overthinking, socially awkward, millennial-coded main character whose asides revealing her inner thoughts made me feel so seen. The core of the show, which makes it work so well, is Haru meeting Psyduck and finding common ground with the anxiety and headache-prone Pokémon. And seeing Psyduck finally get more moments to shine as the show’s main pocket monster protagonist with burgeoning powers (as well as being the funniest ever) was a joy. It’s so cute and feel-good!

Through simple stories like episode three’s “I Hope I Can Evolve Too…”, which centers on a Magikarp who is super attached to their pool float ring due to a fear of sinking in the water, the show explores little life-lesson nuggets; in this case, it’s that sometimes we need to let ourselves into the deep to evolve. Pikachu also appears, of course—which is not to spoil anything, since the icon’s appearance is the crown jewel of the series. Pokémon Concierge is bite-sized brilliance we need more episodes of, nestled in a cute Pokémon hug—even if the humans are there to meet the needs of the pocket monsters. Not going to lie; at one point, I did glance over at my Ewok-looking dog and asked if he was satisfied with my service as his human concierge. He just gave me big anime eyes and tilted his head.

Watch Pokémon Concierge on Netflix now.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Only Version of Return of the King Worth Watching Missing From Max After Streaming Bug

Screenshot: Warner Bros. Bad news for Max subscribers who’ve made re-watching The Lord of the Rings extended editions an annual New Year tradition: the third film in the trilogy, The Return of the King — which just celebrated its 20th anniversary! —is only available to stream in its theatrical version. No ancient evil is to blame, thankfully; it’s an unspecified “tech issue,” according to a Max spokesperson who responded to a comment request from Vulture after the issue was noted by dismayed fans on Reddit . The fact that The Return of the King extended edition is merely temporarily unavailable is actually good news given Max’s track record for removing content in the past, and the explanation makes sense considering The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers remain available in both their theatrical and extended editions. The Max spokesperson assured Vulture that The Return of the King extended edition will be, ah, returning soon to the service, though as of this writing i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unicorn Jerky Is Not Only the Perfect Name for a CBD Candy Edible, It's Also 20% Off, and Proceeds Go to The Trevor Project [Exclusive]

Unicorn Jerky CBD Candy | $24 | Sunday Scaries | Promo Code UJSUPPORT20 Unicorn Jerky (Subscribe & Save) | $19 | Sunday Scaries | Promo Code UJSUPPORT20 Read more...
Post a Comment
Read more

You Can Visit Freddy Fazbear's Pizza in Hollywood

Image: Universal Pictures Just in time for Halloween and for the release of Blumhouse and Universal Pictures’ Five Nights at Freddy ’s fans can visit a pop-up location of the fictional franchise from the game and film. That’s right, a Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza has mysteriously appeared in Hollywood. Like in the game and upcoming film, it’s a run-down spot that’s been closed down due to some mysterious activity within. Unfortunately, you can’t actually go in unless you’re hired as a security guard (kidding)—it’s just a facade for photo-ops you can visit. Check out the video captured by deadboifilms on TikTok below at the location on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood (near the Chateau Marmont Hotel). If you want to encounter the animatronic band of fuzzy and totally friendly creatures from the game, you’ll have to visit Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights, there’s a walk-through in the DreamWorks theater lobby that’s been taken over by Blumhouse which features the real Jim ...
Post a Comment
Read more