‘Pokémon Concierge’ is the Last Must-Watch Netflix Show of 2023

It seems that Netflix defiantly saved its sweetest show of 2023 for last. Pokémon Concierge, a new stop motion animation series from The Pokémon Company and dwarf studios, charmingly introduces viewers to a felt-soft world perfect for anyone who’s ever felt stressed, strange, or burned out. Sure, it’s a kid-friendly cartoon full of cute little guys called Pokémon who go by names like Eevee, Magikarp, and, of course, Pikachu, but its main character is the literal embodiment of burnout. Through Pokémon Concierge Season 1’s four short and sweet episodes, our heroine learns that life’s not about perfection, but fun. It’s a message that I daresay many of us need to hear as this holiday season winds down to a close…

Pokémon Concierge opens with a young woman on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Breakups, ruined shoes, and botched work assignments have Haru (voiced in the Japanese dub by Non, aka Rena Nōnen, and in English by Karen Fukuhara) leaving her city life behind for a gig at an exclusive Pokémon resort. When she arrives at the island she is quickly told that not only is her job going to be as the titular Pokémon concierge, but her one task for the first day is to enjoy herself. Poor Haru is so conditioned to pursue perfection that it takes her almost the full day to realize why having fun is so crucial to her new job. Only by understanding how to find contentment for herself can Haru know how to provide it for the Pokémon visiting the resort.

Haru quickly makes friends with her far more laid-back coworkers, but her most profound bond is with Psyduck. Pokémon fans will know that the adorable duck creature is known for its psychic powers, which unfortunately also come with awful headaches. The fretful Pokémon is a perfect companion for the equally anxious Haru. Together they wind up tackling their first case — a very un-Pikachu Pikachu — before the effervescently short first season of Pokémon Concierge comes to a close.

If I have one criticism to lob at Netflix’s Pokémon Concierge, it’s that the first season is too damn short. Just as Haru acclimates to her new role, the first season is over! There’s literally only four episodes of Pokémon Concierge and they all clock in at about 15 minutes in length. On the one hand, that makes the series a powerfully potent cocktail of sweetness. On the other, it leaves you desperate for more.

Besides it’s ability to thread the needle of “kids’ fare” and “profound storytelling for adults,” Pokemon Concierge sparkles because of its jaw-dropping animation. ghost studio’s use of textures helps give main Pokémon a fuzzy, friendly look you want to hug. A character’s espadrilles seem to be made with real miniature bits of rope. The result is a candy-colored, three dimensional world you want to escape to.

And in the end, that’s what Pokémon Concierge is all about: the perfect escape for us and the Pokémon.

Pokémon Concierge is now streaming on Netflix.