The Concierge

I need something quick and easy for family viewing. 

Well, then sir, may I recommend The Concierge? 

What's that?

This anime film, based on Tsuchika Nishimura's manga The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store, premiered last year, was screened theatrically for just one night in September and recently premiered on Crunchyroll. Its content is more than suited for family viewing. It also has a convenient runtime at just 70 minutes.

And it was in movie theaters? Well, I'll be. Tell me more.

Akino (Natsumi Kawaida) is the newest concierge at the gigantic Hokkyoku Department Store. The staff are humans, but the clientele are animals, even extinct animals like Japanese Wolves and Barbary Lions. Dubbed V.I.A., the extinct clients are given special treatment by the upper management. Over a few months, Akino learns how to meet the needs of her unique customers. That's the basic premise.

Is that really it? What else is there?

Eruru the Great Auk (Takeo Ohtsuka), the president of Hokkyoku, exposits that the store was founded to let animals partake in consumerism. That just highlights a few questions the film isn't interested in answering. One of the more obvious, for example, is "why are there extinct animals around?" If I had my own answer, it would be "that's just how the world works, so roll with it." Said world, visualized by director Yoshimi Itazu, writer Satomi Ooshima, and the staff at Production IG, is a delightfully quirky one. The animation & character designs are bright & appealing, while Hokkyoku looks like a great place to get lost in (just wait until the ending shows you its full size!).

It's pretty episodic as we follow Akino and her senior concierges, Mori & Iwase (Megumi Han & Natsumi Fujiwara), manage the daily operations at Hokkyoku. Early on, Akino sprints ragged as she helps a superstar sea mink (Minako Kotobuki) and her dad (Hiroshi Yanaka) - neither know that the other is there - shop for each other. Later on, she lets an overdemanding Carribean monk seal (Kyoko Hikami) walk over her. I'm sure anyone who's been in the customer service business will relate to Akino's daily hilarity. Its gentle sense of humor appeals to everybody, young and old. 

A few animals provide some plot threads. Akino and company try to manage the world's most affectionate Peafowls (Hiroki Nanami & Marika Kono). A Barbary Lion cub (Ayumu Murase) hunts for a specific perfume that might no longer exists. A Japanese wolf (Miyu Irino) wants to propose to his girlfriend (Kana Hanazawa) at the fancy restaurant. Mr. Woolly (Kenjiro Tsuda), a famous ice-sculptor, prepares his latest exhibit. You'll feel warm and fuzzy as most of these plot threads play out. You'll feel especially happy as Akino and a few recurring customers team up to fulfill a Christmas wish for a sick parrot.

It's hard to dislike anybody in the cast. Mr. Tokiwa (Yuichi Nakamura), the vice-president (?), threatens Akino's job over the seal incident, but he stands down after a meaningful talk with Eruru. Akino's clumsiness is as endearing as her diligence, while Mori & Iwase make for a fun pair of co-workers. Todo (Nobuo Tobita), their floor manager, is perhaps the funniest character in the whole movie for his ability to appear anywhere (even in a pot of stew!). Eruru's sly personality is quite enjoyable, especially when we first meet him. Really, the only truly dislikable character is the seal, though she apparently redeems herself off-screen.

Wow, Mister, you've said a lot about a short movie.

I know. There's actually quite a bit I haven't spoiled here, and I'll leave it to you to check them out as you watch The Concierge. I guarantee that you'll feel warm and fuzzy just thinking about it afterwards. It's just that great a movie. 

In that case, I'll give it a go. I'm sold.