A wonderful, heartfelt miniseries overflowing with attraction and significant classes about friendship, function, and life.
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*Spoiler alert: this text will talk about key moments within the present, together with the ultimate moments of the ultimate episode*
At its core, Pokémon is a collection about friendships, concerning the bonds between Pokémon and other people and the way in which they assist one another develop. And never simply progress within the evolution sense, however private improvement and maturation, as nicely. Individuals assist Pokémon develop their talents and work alongside them, and Pokémon assist folks be higher variations of themselves, educating them precious classes about what actually issues in life.
These are themes that come up repeatedly within the video games, anime, films, and manga, and are central to the story of Pokémon Concierge, the brand new present that just lately debuted on Netflix. Whereas it’s solely 4 episodes totaling a 60-minute run time, the present is likely one of the most visually stunning and emotionally compelling issues I’ve watched shortly. The stop-motion animation, dealt with by Dwarf Animation Studios, is gorgeous and spectacular. The lighting is phenomenal, the textures so lifelike, and the expressions on each Pokémon and human alike make it laborious to consider there isn’t some quantity of life in these little dolls.
I extremely suggest trying out this video of the making of Pokémon Concierge. Listening to the creators’ and artists’ philosophies behind the environments, designs, and resolution to go along with as a lot realism as doable within the illustration of the Pokémon themselves is actually fascinating.
The present facilities round Haru, a younger lady battling lots of the stressors of on a regular basis life in trendy Japan. Her boyfriend of a few years has all of the sudden damaged up together with her through textual content, she’s having work issues, and on the whole is overwhelmed by the collection of unlucky occasions and tasks she’s shouldering. Deciding to start out contemporary, she accepts a brand new function as a concierge at an island resort for Pokémon and their trainers/homeowners.
Upon arriving to the island, Haru experiences some tradition shock and problem adjusting to life past the hustle and bustle she’s used to. Nonetheless very a lot entrenched in a company mindset, Haru thinks her job is to impress her new boss, Ms. Watanabe, with a collection of spreadsheets and displays about how she intends to excel in her new function. She rapidly learns that her job is easy: discover ways to calm down so she will help the Pokémon calm down and have enjoyable, too. Put away the laptop computer, put away the telephone (particularly since there’s no wi-fi on the island anyway).
Haru is quickly launched to her colleagues, Alisa and Tyler, who present her the ropes on the resort but additionally impart some much-needed knowledge about methods to not solely cease and odor the roses, however methods to join with the Pokémon on the island. Each Alisa and Tyler have associate Pokémon — Mudkip and Pansear, Pansage, and Panpour, respectively — who assist them with their work on the resort. Ms. Watanabe informs Haru that as a part of her transition to island life (Haru may name it “onboarding” in company communicate), she should bond with a associate Pokémon, too.
It’s not lengthy earlier than we’re launched to Psyduck, who peeks at Haru shyly from afar however all the time flees when she tries to method it. Probably the greatest components about this present is the connection constructing between Haru and Psyduck. It’s paced nicely (as is everything of the present), extremely candy, and demonstrates true character constructing and progress for them as people and as a pair. They be taught from each other. Haru step by step understands what her true function is for the Pokémon on the island, and in flip makes use of that understanding to assist Psyduck management its talents and discover aid from its fixed complications. Psyduck turns into extra assured and fewer terrified, and develops higher command over its psychic powers to assist Haru, the resort, and its fellow Pokémon.
Every episode builds on the following, finally culminating in Haru lastly studying what her strengths are and the way she will be able to apply them in the direction of serving to Pokémon not simply have a good time on the island, however evolve (actually and figuratively) and develop. The strongest instance of that is within the last episode, during which a younger coach named Nao involves the island along with his Pikachu to assist Pikachu develop into much less timid, much less quiet, and extra like everybody else’s Pikachu: chipper, cheery, and assured. It was particularly fascinating seeing a characterization of Pikachu a lot totally different than we’re used to seeing in most Pokémon media, particularly the anime, during which he’s normally expressive and social.
Against this, Nao’s Pikachu could be very quiet, uncomfortable with talking above mumbles or whispers, and under no circumstances outgoing. Shy and reserved, he struggles by way of a collection of actions that Haru devises to attempt to get him to boost his voice. In the long run, Haru realizes that her method is probably not the proper one, and tells Nao that Pikachu doesn’t must be just like the others — he’s high quality simply the way in which he’s. As Nao will get able to depart the island with Pikachu, Haru items Pikachu a drawing she did of him and Psyduck whereas they had been sleeping one night. Pikachu doesn’t have a look at it till he’s standing on the deck of the ship because it’s leaving port; lastly, Pikachu finds his voice and calls out, loudly, to Haru and Psyduck as they stand on the dock waving goodbye.
Pokémon holds a particular place in my coronary heart. It was a really formative collection on me as a baby, rising up within the 90s, and Pikachu specifically is close to and pricey to me. By the top of the ultimate episode of Pokémon Concierge, I used to be a blubbering, sobbing mess. It does such a tremendous job of making an unbelievable, lifelike world the place you are feeling like you might virtually attain out and contact the Pokémon. The tiny particulars in each scene and setting are astounding and a real testomony to the abilities of each individual concerned within the manufacturing. Painstaking care was put into guaranteeing each Pokémon was animated precisely, that their actions and expressions mirrored how they might really look and behave in the event that they had been actual. The present is a shifting piece of artwork. And greater than something, it has a lot coronary heart and tells a beautiful story about discovering your self, constructing lifelong friendships, and the way everybody has one thing to supply and may make a optimistic distinction in another person’s life.
Director Ogawa Iku mentioned his final objective was “for the viewers to think about residing in a world with Pokémon and the way enjoyable that will be,” and that he hoped viewers would stroll away from the present wishing Pokémon had been actual. “If I might fire up these emotions in folks, I’ve accomplished my job proper.”
Mr. Ogawa, you may have definitely accomplished your job proper.
To our readers: do your self a favor and watch Pokémon Concierge. And if you have already got, go watch it once more. It’s a treasure, and actually one thing particular.