Netflix just launched one of the best animated shows of 2023
With just three days of 2023 left, Netflix has launched a late contender for the Best of 2023 lists: Pokémon Concierge, which launched yesterday, December 28, is receiving rave reviews. The only negative: with only four episodes of less than twenty minutes, there isn't enough of it.
The series is a decidedly laid-back take on the global phenomenon: according to the blurb, “when Pokémon need a break, they head to a peaceful resort to relax, cared for by a team of Pokémon concierges.” One of those caretakers is newcomer Haru, who must learn how to care for Pikachu, Eve, Magikarp and Dragonite.
According to the Edge, it's “a beautiful testament to the power of relaxation” that is “utterly delightful.” And it seems other critics are just as enamored – especially critics who are also gamers.
What the critics are saying about Pokémon Concierge
NME say it's a “fun, fluffy version of the Pokémon world,” while Paste magazine loved all but the short running time: “If there is any real weakness Pokémon Janitor, it's that there isn't enough of it. This first season only contains four episodes, each of which is about 15 minutes long, so you can binge the whole thing in an hour…give me more fun adventures in this world and I will always happily return to it.”
Polygon say the show is chicken soup for their souls: instead of focusing on fighting and catching like pretty much every other Pokémon game, show or movie, this is much calmer and has a great underlying message. “The best thing about this particular series – and why I feel like this show is Chicken Soup for Pokémon fans – is how it shows how living a gentle life not only helps the Pokémon, but also Haru.”
IGN say it's “a dream come true for fun gamers… a refreshing, conflict-free series about daily life at the idyllic and serene Pokémon Resort.” While the core message is hardly new – “The promise of uprooting your life and finding something better in your new location is an eternally appealing trope – hello every Christmas movie” – it's done very well here and there's a strong influence from that other major gaming phenomenon Animal Crossing.
As IGN puts it, “vibes are far more important here than any heavy story – much like the delightful life sim games that inspired it – and the best part is that you can watch it without worrying about heavy subject matter or even the mild stress of the Pokémon battles that are usually part of movies, shows and games.” It is “the perfect place to relax as the year comes to an end”.
Pokémon Concierge is now available to stream on Netflix.