Pokémon Concierge is a stop motion anime series jointly created by The Pokémon Company and Netflix. It was born from a desire to entertain not just Pokémon fans but anyone anywhere who enjoys watching movies or dramas on Netflix. In stop motion animation, dolls are manipulated in small increments and photographed frame by frame. When played back, the images appear to be “animated” as moving beings. In developing Pokémon Concierge, we were lucky to have dwarf studios, a leader in the production of stop motion anime (Domo, etc.), join the team.
Pokémon Concierge takes place at the Pokémon Resort, a pleasure retreat on a tropical island where Pokémon come to relax. Here they are welcomed by Haru, a new concierge whose job is to make their stay as relaxing and enjoyable as possible. As the episodes unfold, Haru gradually grows, gains confidence, and settles into her position through her interactions with her Pokémon guests. By placing Haru, a working character, in the leading role, we hope adult viewers will feel an affinity with events in their own work lives.
This desire to have the series appeal to adults was a core factor in developing the story for Pokémon Concierge. To achieve this, events and situations were incorporated into the story that are based on real work experiences. At the same time, though, because Pokémon Concierge was developed as a Pokémon anime, the team at The Pokémon Company, working with the creative members, also sought to portray unpredictable things that might occur precisely because it’s Pokémon who are the “stars” of the show.
Take Psyduck, for example. Psyduck is constantly wracked by a headache, and whenever it becomes severe, Psyduck uncontrollably takes to using its psychic powers. Haru, as concierge, tries everything she can to relieve Psyduck’s headache pain. This is but one example of how we aimed to develop stories adapted to the unique nature of various Pokémon characters.
Psyduck, possessor of psychic powers
Essential to Pokémon Concierge were dwarf studios’ creative talents in working up the dolls, sets, props and other accessories for the series. In every instance, they selected materials best suited to the Pokémon at hand, whether by nature it is soft or firm, smooth or fluffy. dwarf studios always strived for the ideal texture of fabric, foam rubber, resin and so on, never resting until they felt they had expressed each Pokémon to maximum effect.
The Pokémon in the anime are made from a wide variety of carefully chosen materials.
Especially close attention was paid to the eyes, which are key to making the Pokémon and their feelings come alive. The perfect expression was developed by eliminating surface depressions and adding highlights.
Furret’s eyes were made to suggest blinking.
A great deal of attention and detail also went into creating the sets where Haru and the Pokémon cast were filmed and the props being used. The concierge counter where Haru greets guests, for example, features a pillar of eye-catching design, wrapped in beautifully embroidered cloth. The lamps, made in Pokémon shapes, were created to look just like glass. All backdrops and every featured item make the world of Pokémon Concierge colorfully appealing to the eye.
Everything on the set – the pillar behind Haru, clothing, furniture, everything! – is completely crafted by hand.
Pokémon Concierge’s theme song also plays an important role in expressing the anime’s worldview. The creative team discussed a number of potential songwriters, and ultimately decided that Mariya Takeuchi, a singer songwriter with a huge fan base around the world, would be the perfect fit. After reading the anime script, she graciously accepted our offer and wrote a brand-new song, “Have a Good Time Here.” The theme song adds tremendously to the enjoyment of the anime, and after the name “Mariya Takeuchi” appeared in the official trailer, reaction came swiftly, her name quickly trending on X in North America.
Pokémon Concierge is available with subtitles and dubbing in 33 languages. The project members were insistent that the anime should be ready for simultaneous distribution worldwide. They also gave the anime characters names that, rather than differing in each language version, are recognizable just about everywhere – names like Haru, Alisa and Tyler. Use of native speakers in all dubbing also helped to make the cast of Pokémon Concierge characters come alive, giving a familiar touch appreciated by viewers around the globe.
It was this meticulous attention to detail that led to Pokémon Concierge being nominated for Best Director in the Television/Media category at the 51st Annie Awards.
We think everyone, especially those caught up in the busyness of everyday life, will enjoy watching how Haru warmly interacts with the Pokémon in Pokémon Concierge.
▼The Pokémon Concierge series can be viewed exclusively on Netflix.
https://www.netflix.com/jp-en/title/81186864
