Netflix and The Pokémon Company have teamed up for a new stop-motion animated series set at the Pokémon Resort.
The series will be titled Pokémon Concierge and follow the Pokémon Resort's concierge Haru as she interacts with the Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests. The upcoming project will expand the Pokémon world, offering fans a series protagonist that is neither a Pokémon trainer nor interested in becoming World Champion. Pokémon Concierge marks the first time Netflix and The Pokémon Company have collaborated, although the streamer's content library does include several acquired Pokémon movies and shows. Pokémon Concierge is being developed by Dwarf Studios and was unveiled on Pokémon Day, which is an annual celebration marking the release of the first Pokémon game.
"Netflix is looking forward to delighting fans in Japan and around the world with Pokémon Concierge, an entirely new visual and storytelling experience featuring ground-breaking stop-motion animation set in the Pokémon world in close collaboration with The Pokémon Company," said Minyoung Kim, Vice President of Netflix Content in Asia, in a statement. "We’re also excited to reveal this new series on Pokémon Day and provide fans with even more things to look forward to on this special holiday celebrating the popular franchise." No release date for Pokémon Concierge has been announced at this time.
A New Pokémon Anime Series Is Also Coming Soon
However, Pokémon Concierge is not the only new series that is currently in development. After Ash Ketchum emerged victorious at the Masters Eight Tournament, The Pokémon Company revealed that the character would no longer be the franchise protagonist. Instead of Ash, the next iteration of the beloved anime series will focus on two protagonists -- named Riko and Roy in the Japanese version -- as they embark on incredible journeys and "unravel the mysteries of the Pokémon world, experiencing everything from exciting Trainer battles to fun Pokémon encounters." The upcoming series -- set to premiere in April 2023 in Japan -- will serve as a follow-up to the currently airing Ultimate Journeys and will be set in Scarlet and Violet's Paldea region.
The Pokémon Company is also hoping to revisit Ryme City in a sequel to Legendary Entertainment's live-action/CGI hybrid film, Detective Pikachu (2019). A follow-up is reportedly still in "active development" despite the project not having any talent attached at this time. However, Justice Smith, who starred in the original film as Pokémon trainer Tim Goodman, has expressed interest in returning for Detective Pikachu 2. The first film, loosely based on the 2016 video game of the same name, follows Tim and the titular Pokémon as they attempt to solve the mysterious disappearance of Tim's father, Harry.
Source: Netflix