‘Hokkyoku Hyakkaten no Concierge-san’ Gets a Quirky Teaser Trailer
Do you guys still remember ‘Odd Taxi’ and ‘Beastars’? They are remarkably human because of the way they depict anthropomorphic animals interacting with one another. When compared to animals, humans are clearly superior in a number of ways.
Humans and nonhumans alike are mixed together in “The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store”, further blurring the barriers between the two. Also, it creates comedic circumstances for a new employee to experience while she learns the ropes of her work in a retail center.
A teaser trailer for “The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store” was released on the film’s official website on Friday. The actors and additional staff members were also introduced. The premiere of the film is scheduled for the upcoming fall.
Akino, the protagonist of the short film, is an employee at the Hokkyoku Mall when she discovers that all of the customers are animals. The mammoth is one of them that has since been extinct. She is so startled by the mammoth that she recoils and accidentally steps on a penguin coworker.
The following is the film’s primary cast, as listed on the film’s official website:
| Character | Voice Artist | Other Works |
| Akino | Natsumi Kawaida | Natsumi Hodaka (Diary of Our Days at the Breakwater) |
| Eruru, the penguin | Takeo Ōtsuka | Aquamarine Hoshino (Oshi no Ko) |
| Tōdō, the floor manager | Nobuo Tobita | Ken Wakashimazu (Captain Tsubasa) |
| Mori, a senior concierge | Megumi Han | Gon Freecss (Hunter × Hunter) |
| Iwase, a senior concierge | Natsumi Fujiwara | Theoto Rikka (86) |
| Maruki, a veteran concierge | Eiji Yoshitomi | Minoro Otake (Detective Conan) |
| Maître d’ of the store’s restaurant | Jun Fukuyama | Finral Roulacase (Black Clover) |
| Tokiwa, a salesman | Yūichi Nakamura | Satoru Gojō (Jujutsu Kaisen) |
The identities of additional key personnel have been revealed. The following members of the team contributed to this:
| Position | Staff | Other Works |
| Director | Yoshimi Itazu | Welcome to the Ballroom |
| Scriptwriter | Satomi Ooshima | Hataraki Man, Raven of the Inner Palace |
| Character Design | Chiyo Morita (also Chief Animation Director) | Run with the Wind (Animation Director) |
| Music | tofubeats | ClassicaLoid |
| Animation Production | Production I.G. | Heavenly Delusion, Psycho-Pass |
It’s funny to witness a person assisting animals with their grocery shopping, even if it does look a little strange at first glance. The textures and carefully selected hues of the background patterns are very pleasing. I find myself puzzling over the mall’s very existence as a result. When the movie finally comes out, I’m sure there will be more explanation.
The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store
Tsuchika Nishimura is the creator of the manga series The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store (Hokkyoku Hyakkaten no Concierge-san). From February 2017 until November 2018, it ran as a serial in Shogakukan’s Big Comic Zōkan. It has been compiled into two books.
In 2022, at the 25th Jaoam Media Arts Festival, the show was honored with the festival’s Excellence Award.
Starting today, Akino will be working as a concierge in a shopping center. She directs her clients and caters to their specific requirements. Why does it seem odd? All the patrons are various types of animals, some of which are endangered or perhaps extinct.
