In celebration of Pokémon Day, Netflix today announced Pokémon Concierge, its first collaborative production with The Pokémon Company and an ambitious stop-motion project produced by critically acclaimed dwarf studios (Domo-kun, Mogu & Perol, Rilakkuma and Kaoru).
Expanding the Pokémon world, the story follows Haru, a concierge at the “Pokémon Resort,” and her interactions with Pokémon and their owners who visit as guests.
“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. “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.”
The new series announcement follows The Pokémon Company’s Friday unveiling of new characters Friede and Captain Pikachu for the upcoming Part 2 of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series 2D anime.
In the new show, Friede, a Pokémon Professor, and Captain Pikachu will assist and battle alongside the new series’ dual protagonists — Liko from the Paldea region and Roy from the Kanto region in the U.S. version of the show — on thrilling adventures across the Pokémon world while unraveling the mysteries of Liko’s pendant and Roy’s Poké Ball.
“As the Pokémon world expands and evolves, fans will be able to embark on a new journey of action, adventure and friendship through the eyes of unique characters like Friede and Captain Pikachu when the next animated series begins premiering later this year,” said Taito Okiura, vice president of marketing for The Pokémon Company International. “For 27 years, Pikachu has been synonymous with the Pokémon franchise, and we look forward to seeing this beloved Pokémon continue to have a significant presence in the animated series and remain an icon for the brand.”
Check out the latest English-dub trailer for Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series Part 2 below.
In addition to the animated series updates, Pokémon Day announcements included new game experiences and products set to launch in 2023, celebrating the theme “Pokémon Together.”
The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero for Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet (Downloadable Content)
Global sales of the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games for the Nintendo Switch family of systems surpassed 10 million combined units in the first three days following their worldwide launch on November 18, 2022 — the highest global sales for any software on any Nintendo platform in that same timeframe. The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero will take fans deeper into the world of Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet with two different adventures — Part 1: Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Teal Mask, launching in fall 2023, and Part 2: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero: The Indigo Disk, releasing at a later date. Fans can purchase The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero now on Nintendo eShop.
Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic
Created as a collaboration among The Pokémon Company, Creatures Inc., and design firm nendo, Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic is a premium Pokémon TCG set that is designed to last a lifetime. Pokémon Trading Card Game Classic contains everything fans need to play the Pokémon TCG, including preconstructed decks and gameplay accessories — all of which have been uniquely designed to be both beautiful and functional to deliver a polished battling experience
Pokémon Sleep
First announced in May 2019, Pokémon Sleep aims to offer a fun and enriching experience to Trainers by having a player’s time spent sleeping — and the time they wake up — affect the gameplay. Today it was announced that Pokémon Sleep is slated to launch in summer 2023 for iOS and Android devices. Fans will join Professor Neroli — who studies Pokémon sleep styles — and Snorlax, to carry out research into how Pokémon sleep.
Pokémon GO Plus +
The Pokémon GO Plus + accessory uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to link with smartphone apps for use in Pokémon GO and Pokémon Sleep gameplay. For Pokémon GO, the Pokémon GO Plus + enables players to throw Poké Balls automatically. Pokémon Sleep players can use the device to track their sleep in conjunction with their smartphones. The Pokémon GO Plus + will be available on July 14, 2023.
EVENTS
- LIVE COMPETITIVE
- The 2023 Pokémon World Championships will be hosted in Japan for the first time ever, taking place at the PACIFICO Yokohama from August 11–13. Participants will battle in the Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, Pokémon GO and Pokémon UNITE.
- IN-GAME
- Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet – Tera Raid Battle: From Monday, February 27, to Sunday, March 12, Trainers will encounter two newly discovered Paradox Pokémon: Walking Wake in Pokémon Scarlet and Iron Leaves in Pokémon Violet.
- Starting at 7a.m. PST on Monday, February 27, Trainers will be able to connect Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet to Pokémon GO. New gameplay experiences will be available in each game after they’ve been connected, including new ways to interact with Vivillon and Roaming Form Gimmighoul.
- The Legendary Pokémon Zacian will join the fray in Pokémon UNITE. From Sunday, February 26, at 8 p.m. PST to Sunday, March 26, at 4:59 p.m. PDT, players can roll dice they receive by logging in (and through other means) to advance squares on a board. They can earn adventure coins by completing missions on each square and then exchange them for Zacian’s Unite license. To commemorate Pokémon Day, players can use a gift code (POKEMONDAY) to get a gold Zacian Pokémon boost emblem, which has useful effects in battle.
- Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly have just arrived from the Paldea region to join Pokémon Café ReMix. Players can choose one of the three to join their staff if they play the event that’s now under way. A new dish, Paldea plate, inspired by Paldea Pokémon, will also appear. The Welcome from Paldea event will take place from Monday, February 27, to Friday, March 17.
- Trainers can celebrate Pokémon Day and Pokémon Masters EX’s 3.5 Year Anniversary with special log-in bonuses and new master sync pairs. Those who log in today will receive 3,000 gems as a celebratory gift. Trainers can also log in throughout the coming weeks to claim additional bonuses, such as a 5★ Champion Select Scout Ticket and 10-Pair Scout Tickets.
