Get ready for a heartwarming Pokémon adventure! The Pokémon Company has announced a brand-new anime short, “Dragonite and the Mail Courier,” set to premiere on Pokémon Day, February 27th, 2025. This special animation is produced in collaboration with CoMix Wave Films, the acclaimed studio behind beloved films like Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume. The short will be available for viewing on the official Pokémon YouTube channel.
A Heartwarming Tale of Delivery and Dreams
“Dragonite and the Mail Courier,” also known as “Kairyū to Yūbinya-san” in Japanese, tells the story of Hana, a young girl from the Paldea region with a big dream: to become an Ace Courier, just like the Dragonite postal carriers she admires.
One day, Hana discovers a letter without an address. Driven by her aspiration and a desire to help, she embarks on a journey with her partner Pokémon, Fuecoco, to find the letter’s intended recipient.
Her search leads her to Rio, a boy who wrote the letter to his father, who works far away in the Kanto region. The letter is a birthday message, but Rio’s father’s birthday is already today! Hana, Rio, and Dragonite face a race against time to deliver the letter before the day ends.
The anime promises to showcase the beauty of the Pokémon world, with stunning visuals of Pokémon interacting with humans and soaring across breathtaking landscapes.
The Creative Team Behind the Animation
The new anime short boasts a talented team of creators:
- Director/Storyboard: Taku Kimura (Studio Lemon), known for his work on Star Wars: Visions’ “Tattooine Rhapsody”
- Script/Composition: Kentarō Nana
- Original Character Designer: Asuka Dokai (Snorunt’s Summer Vacation)
- Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Maho Aoki (Astro Note)
- Art Director: Tasuku Watanabe
- Music: Evan Call (Violet Evergarden, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, My Happy Marriage)
Music to Soar By
Adding to the anime’s charm is its theme song, “Kami Hikouki” (Paper Airplane), composed by Evan Call with vocals by suis from Yorushika. Call is also composing the full soundtrack for the anime short.
Both Call and Suis have expressed their enthusiasm for the project. Call, a lifelong Pokémon fan, shared his deep connection to the themes of friendship and helping each other, which he feels are beautifully captured in “Dragonite and the Mail Courier”. Suis, after watching Pokémon: The First Movie and Episode 10 of the 2019 anime to understand Dragonite’s special appeal, simply thought, “Dragonite is adorable!”.
The soundtrack for “Dragonite and the Postal Worker” will be released digitally on February 27, 2025, and will feature eight tracks:
- Welcome to Paldea Post Office
- Hana’s First Step
- Rio’s Letter
- The Winged Ace Takes Flight
- To Kanto We Fly!
- Kami Hikouki (Instrumental ver.)
- Happy Birthdays and Happy Memories
- Special Delivery
Dragonite: The Perfect Pokémon Postman
The idea of Dragonite as a postal worker isn’t entirely new. A Dragonite sporting a messenger bag made an appearance in Mewtwo Strikes Back, delivering an invitation to Ash. The concept has since appeared in TCG cards and other promotional materials.
Dragonite’s ability to fly around the world in mere hours makes it an ideal candidate for mail delivery. Although its rarity might pose a challenge for large-scale postal operations.
A Departure From the Main Series?
The Pokémon anime has seen many variations over the years. While core elements like Pokémon battles and regional challenges remain consistent, there are often differences between the games and the anime.
- Pokémon Appearances: The anime sometimes features Pokémon with different colors than their usual or Shiny forms.
- Pokémon Cries: The cries of Pokémon in the games often differ from those in the animated series.
- Legendary and Mythical Pokémon: The anime often depicts multiple Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, whereas the games typically feature only one per game.
- Pokédex: In the anime, the Pokédex can display information about Pokémon without requiring them to be caught first.
The way battles are conducted also differs. While the games use a turn-based system, the anime allows for more fluid action, with trainers issuing multiple commands and incorporating dodges.
“Dragonite and the Mail Courier” seems to be a standalone short, separate from the main series and the new Pokémon Horizons.
Where to Watch
“Dragonite and the Mail Courier” will premiere on the official Pokémon YouTube channel on February 27th, 2025.
Other Pokémon Anime
For those looking to dive deeper into the world of Pokémon animation, there are numerous options:
- Pokémon the Series: This long-running anime follows the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his partner Pikachu as they travel through various regions, battle Gym Leaders, and compete in Pokémon Leagues.
- Pokémon Horizons: A new series featuring protagonists Liko and Roy, exploring new regions and encountering unique Pokémon.
- Pokémon Movies: A collection of feature-length films that delve into deeper storylines and introduce legendary Pokémon.
- Pokémon Origins, Pokémon Generations, Pokémon: Twilight Wings, Pokémon Evolutions: A collection of Online Animation.
Episodes and movies are available on streaming services and for digital rental or purchase.
A Special Pokémon Day Treat
“Dragonite and the Mail Courier” promises to be a delightful addition to the Pokémon universe. With its heartwarming story, stunning animation, and enchanting music, this special anime short is sure to capture the hearts of Pokémon fans of all ages. Don’t miss its premiere on Pokémon Day, February 27th, on the official Pokémon YouTube channel!
