A new Pokémon anime is soaring onto screens, trading epic battles for everyday deliveries. “Dragonite and the Mailman” is set to premiere on Pokémon Day, February 27th, on the official Pokémon YouTube channel. This heartwarming series stars the beloved Dragon-type Pokémon, Dragonite, in the role of a diligent postal worker.
A Departure from Battles: Focusing on Daily Life
Unlike previous installments that heavily feature Pokémon battles, “Dragonite and the Mailman” takes a different approach. The series will delve into the daily life of Hana, a young girl who admires Dragonite and dreams of becoming a mail carrier just like them.
The Story Unfolds
The story begins when Hana discovers a letter without an address. Determined to deliver it, she embarks on a journey with her partner Pokémon, Fuecoco, to find the sender. Their search leads them to a boy named Rio, who reveals the letter is meant for his father, who is working in the Kanto region and whose birthday is fast approaching. Hana, Dragonite, and Fuecoco team up to deliver the letter in time for Rio’s father’s special day.
Riko Fukumoto to Voice Lead Role
Riko Fukumoto will lend her voice to the protagonist, Hana. Fukumoto stated that she emphasized Hana’s childlike innocence and enthusiasm in her performance. She also expressed her excitement about seeing the unique ways different Pokémon assist in the post office, utilizing their special abilities.
A Soaring Adventure
Fukumoto also highlighted a scene where Hana flies on Dragonite, soaring across various regions and showcasing Pokémon from different locations.
Behind the Scenes: A Stellar Production Team
“Dragonite and the Mailman” boasts a talented production team:
- Director/Storyboard: Taku Kimura (Studio Lemon), known for work on Star Wars: Visions.
- Script/Composition: Kentaro Nana.
- Original Character Designer: Asuka Dokai.
- Character Designer/Chief Animation Director: Maho Aoki.
- Art Director: Tasuku Watanabe.
- Music: Evan Call (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, Violet Evergarden).
- Animation Production: CoMix Wave Films, the studio behind acclaimed films like Your Name and Suzume.
Music to Our Ears
The anime’s theme song, “Kami Hikouki,” is produced by suis, the vocalist from Yorushika, alongside Evan Call.
A Dragonite’s Duty: More Than Just a Powerful Pokémon
While Dragonite is known as one of the most powerful Pokémon, this series highlights a different side to the Dragon-type. In “Dragonite and the Mailman,” the focus is on Dragonite’s gentle nature and dedication to helping others through their postal service duties.
Dragonite’s Capabilities
Dragonite possesses several abilities that make them well-suited for mail delivery:
- Flight: Dragonite can fly around the globe in approximately 16 hours.
- Strength: Despite its bulky physique, Dragonite is a capable flyer.
- Inner Focus: This ability prevents Dragonite from flinching or being intimidated, ensuring reliable deliveries.
- Multiscale: While typically used in battle to halve damage when at full health, this could represent Dragonite’s resilience and reliability in its postal duties, ensuring packages arrive safely even in harsh conditions.
- Extreme Speed: This move, typically used for quickly attacking in battles, could be used to quickly deliver packages across long distances.
Why This Anime Matters
“Dragonite and the Mailman” offers a refreshing perspective on the Pokémon world, emphasizing community, helping others, and the importance of everyday connections. It also shows a different side to the Dragonite, showing that Dragonite are not always battling but that they can also have a gentle side. With its stunning visuals, heartwarming story, and talented cast and crew, this new anime promises to be a delightful addition to the Pokémon franchise.
