Still worth a very big smile: Pokémon Concierge

On the subject of positivity:  Pokémon Concierge is still amazing.  This past Wednesday, Laura and I both wanted to watch something that would give us a quick boost of serotonin, dopamine, or some other happy little neurotransmitter...BUT we don't always agree on what sort of show fits that mold.  (I tend to go for cheap/cheesy/nostalgic SF or fantasy, while Laura gravitates toward...I guess it'd be fair to say semi-classic but fairly standard American television, often involving adults playing teenagers and that, in her words, "turns her brain off."  Think One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek...)

But then she hit on the answer...and, as stated above, Pokémon Concierge is still amazing.  Hitting Netflix last December, this show is pretty much the streaming embodiment of the word delightful.  The stop-motion animation is just beautiful, and the story is so sweet it'll almost make you forget that it's a franchise based upon combat between intelligent creatures who live in servitude.  In fact, if there's anything negative someone could find with Pokémon Concierge, it's probably that: I'm sure it's just too damn adorable for some tastes.

Here's the trailer, in case you haven't been introduced to this masterpiece...

Yep.  Delightful.

(It's also really short.  I would love for 2025 to bring us a second season.)

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Now...for the violent part!  Here's a Psyduck (as one is a hero of the series) to be thrown into the Underground Elemental Beastfighting pits...

Psyduck

Image from here

2' 7", 43 lbs (Scale: --)

Handling Difficulty (wild): 8

10 HP, 11 Defense (small size)

Types: Mind, Water

Weakness: Electric, Mind

Strength 1

Dexterity 2

Knowledge 1

Presence 3

Skills: Psychic Powers +2, Toughness +1 (it has to endure that headache all the time...)

Attack: Headache (mental attack, 1D6-1 Mind damage; when hit, the target must make a Presence save or lose their next action)