Summary
In a lovely finale, Haru helps a shy Pikachu and in the process learns more about herself and her own journey in the Pokemon Resort.
It’s only right that the ending of Pokémon Concierge is as quaint and low-stakes as the rest of Season 1 has been. The slice-of-life stop-motion series began as a cute break from the usual routine of training and battling Pokémon in everything from anime shows to video games to trading cards, and Episode 4, “Welcome to the Pokémon Resort!”, is simply more of that. And it’s all the better for it.
Pokemon Concierge Season 1 Episode 4 Recap
The finale finds Haru the happiest we’ve seen her yet, in part because she’s really getting used to the Resort, but specifically because a tour group comprising 12 Pikachu is doing the rounds. Like almost everyone of a certain age, Haru is completely enamored with Pikachu. However, it turns out that not all of them are exactly alike, challenging the stereotype of the high-energy thunder mouse – it is a mouse, isn’t it? – in a way that also reflects on Haru’s journey until this point.
Haru tries to bring Pikachu out of its shell
Haru meets Nao, the young trainer of a particularly shy and quiet Pikachu. Like Haru, Nao has bought into the traditional idea of a Pikachu and is dismayed that his own isn’t anything like that. Since they’re at the Resort for therapy, essentially, to help his Pikachu open up, Haru volunteers herself and Psyduck to help bring the critter out of its shell.
All of these efforts go terribly. The first activity is a tire zipline between two giant trees, but nobody stopped to ask the Pikachu if it is afraid of heights (as it turns out, it’s terrified).
Various well-intentioned attempts to help the Pikachu be more vocal also fall flat. Echoes don’t work. Spicy food makes no difference. Even a sudden shock can’t summon more than a whimper from the Pikachu.
A realization
Defeated, Pikachu and Psyduck fall asleep next to each other while Haru and Nao brainstorm some new ideas. She eventually realizes that the best course of action is to simply accept the Pikachu for the way it is instead of trying to change it. They head down to the beach, where Nao’s enthusiasm for the Pikachu during a sand slide helps it to come around. All it wanted was to be accepted, in the end.
Haru relates this to her own experiences at the resort. She arrived wanting to impress everyone as much as she could, but all she had to do was loosen up and have fun.
How does Pokemon Concierge Season 1 end?
When Nao and Pikachu are boarding the boat to leave the resort, he’s full of praise for Haru. Thanks to her, he had a great time at the resort and learned a lot about his Pikachu. Haru gives Pikachu the sketch she drew of it and Psyduck asleep together as a parting gift. When Pikachu looks at the drawing on the bow of the boat, it shouts very loudly back to shore.
At the very end of the episode, Mrs. Watanabe sends Haru to greet their latest guest at the port, which turns out to be a giant Wailmer.
What did you think of Pokemon Concierge Season 1 Episode 4 and the ending? Let us know in the comments.
