Nintendo’s beloved franchise is receiving an innovative take with the first teaser trailer for Pokémon Concierge. The teaser clip showcases the stop-motion animation that will feature in the new series, with an endearing Psyduck wandering along a picturesque shoreline. The narration unveils that Pokémon Concierge will center on the titular employee at a Pokémon resort.
A Stop-Motion Pokémon Series
Netflix has become the exclusive streaming platform for the English dubbed editions of the Pokemon animated series beginning with season 23, also referred to as Pokemon Journeys. In addition, the platform will also feature the films Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution and Secrets of the Jungle. The announcement that Ash Ketchum and Pikachu would no longer be the central characters of the series has generated considerable buzz, although executive director Kunihiko Yuyuama recently hinted that they would make a return in the future.
Pokémon Concierge represents a significant advancement for the longstanding Pokémon franchise because it is the first collaboration between Netflix and The Pokémon Company, whereas, Netflix had only aired previously released content from Japan. The series is being produced by Dwarf Studios, which is known for its critically acclaimed stop-motion animated series Rilakkuma and Kaoru and is exploring a relatively underutilized genre format.
Netflix Enjoys Success In Stop-Motion
In recent years, Netflix has had notable achievements in the stop-motion animation genre. For instance, last year, the streaming giant released Wendell & Wild, which was directed by Henry Selick. In addition, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, another stop-motion animated film produced by Netflix, has already received the Best Animated Feature award at the Academy Awards, following its recent win in the same category at the Golden Globes.
Apart from its new stylistic direction, Pokémon Concierge also offers an exciting new perspective on the franchise’s exploration of its titular creatures. Unlike previous installments that mainly focused on individual Pokémon, this series introduces a resort where Pokémon can take a break from the intense battles with their trainers and go on vacation, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into the various species and their unique characteristics. Although the show is expected to revolve around the human protagonist, it will be fascinating to see how Pokémon Concierge explores different aspects of the Pokémon universe.