Editor's note: this interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, which was called on July 13.
After more than two decades, the tale of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu is nearly over, and a brand-new era for Pokémon is beginning. The long-lasting Pokémon franchise is evolving, with not only a new anime starring new dual protagonists, but even a new stop-motion animated show for Netflix.
Pokémon Concierge, from Dwarf Studios, follows Haru, an overworked young woman who decides she needs a change of pace and takes a new job as the titular concierge at a hotel exclusively for Pokémon. This is an idea they’ve already begun exploring, all the way back from the time of the Pokémon: Pikachu's Vacation. The stop-motion element is what makes this unique, with Dwarf Studios' work on shows like the many iterations of Domo proving them to be capable of balancing being both cute and grounded.
'A place you wish existed'
At an Anime Expo press junket, IGN caught up with actress and singer Rena Nōnen, also known as Non, who will be voicing Haru. Non praised the animation for making this feel unlike any other iteration of the franchise.
"You look at the location of the show and you realize it's a place you wish existed," Non said. "The puppets move frame by frame and you get warm feelings to it because you know an actual puppet is acting. You find a cuteness to the puppet."
Likewise, Pokémon Concierge stands out from other stop-motion projects in that Non was filmed during her voice recording sessions, with her expressions and mannerisms used to animate Haru and to give weight to her struggles and frustrations as a worker of a rather unique resort.
"They told me to express that in the recording using my own movements," Non said. "It was a fun thing to be a part of. Once I saw the finished scenes, they were very different from 2D or 3D animation. Stop-motion and the movements are totally different and you see these shadows.”
The show will see Haru learning that it’s okay to make mistakes, and learning to be easier on herself. When we first meet Haru she is a bundle of nerves and pressure, always trying extra hard to be perfect. When that becomes too much, she takes a new job at Pokémon resort as a concierge, where she develops a special relationship with a Psyduck, which leads to Non finding a new favorite Pokémon.
“When I was playing Pokémon games, Mewtwo was my favorite character. But when I started working on Pokémon Concierge, Psyduck in stop-motion animation… he’s just so adorable,” Non said. "Because he’s so cute he’s currently my favorite [Pokémon]."
As far as what audiences can expect from Pokémon Concierge, Non could not give too many details but did speak on how she hopes fans react.
"I’m sure you all know we are bombarded and under pressure,” she said. “However, we get up and keep doing what we’ve been doing. We want to give up, but when you see Pokémon Concierge, it’s really therapeutic, gives you energy, and makes you want to try again. And be the best you can be. So I wish fans see Pokémon Concierge and be energetic. That it will make them keep going and do the best that they can be."
Rafael Motamayor is a freelance writer at IGN.
