Since another edition of Pokémon Presents has appeared, I thought I'd go for writing up a few discussions related to matters that are raised in the presentation. One of them is the state of Pokémon animation, which includes but is not limited to the anime proper; this matter is certainly taken from the feature of the two stop-motion series in the presentation, one coming (again) soon and the other in development. For that, I thought about discussing how that has been in the past, is manifested in the present, and might be manifested in the future.
Being Japanese in origin, the one certain form that Pokémon animation can take is the anime, and in the (distant) past - aside from certain cutscenes in certain games - that may be considered all that there is and was for Pokémon animation for pure enjoyment purposes. Back then, of course, Pokémon was still "sectoral", a Japanese thing but with good numbers of fans in other parts of the world. As such, it would be understandable that besides the above, there wouldn't be much in the way of animation to go around, let alone outside of Japan.
Meanwhile, in the more recent past and going into the present, Pokémon is loved more globally and by more groups of people, which allows for the entry of their own ways and styles of appreciation. That then translates into more and different kinds of animation, which has in fact happened. There was the PokéToon project from a while back, and then the puppet play for the monpoké line (if the latter can be considered "animation" in a broad sense). Obviously now there is Concierge and how that may have "opened the door" for Aardman.
For the future, then, the reasoning may be that Pokémon would be willing to open up its doors to accept even more works from all kinds of animators from around the world, bringing their styles and putting them into official projects. That has already happened on social media with non-animated fan art, featuring them officially; in fact, I became a witness to this happening with one of the Pokémon artists whom I follow. How more broadly this can be applied is anyone's guess, but it's still likely to happen today.
Looking at the past and considering the present, Pokémon animation has come quite a way. The anime is still the primary vehicle for animating Pokémon, and that in itself has had its improvements. Becoming open to other styles besides the traditional anime as well as to other creators from around the world who share the same appreciation for Pokémon as those where it came from is a big thing for all parties concerned. In the end, the future of Pokémon animation seems to be, well... "animated", as in "lively" with those who will keep it going.
One year ago: Pokémon with Backgrounds in Pokémon Go
Two years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic... Repeat, 7/23/2023
Three years ago: Cosplay: SUCOFEST 2022 - Multiverse
Four years ago: More Pokémon Fun with Soccer Players
Five years ago: Preparing for (Everyone's) Go Fest
Six years ago: Making Things Simple
Seven years ago: The Greatest, Everyday
Eight years ago: Pokémon School