A Mailman Dragonite and an Unforgettable Journey: What Awaits Us in Kairyu to Yubinya-san

Imagine a world where Pokémon are not just battle companions, but also allies in everyday life, like a Dragonite soaring through the skies with a bag of letters on its shoulder. That is the premise behind Kairyu to Yubinya-san (Dragonite and the Mailman), the new anime from the Pokémon franchise that is about to land on our screens.

With its premiere scheduled for February 27, 2025, right in the heart of Pokémon Day, this special project promises to be much more than a simple short film: it is a love letter to the saga, wrapped in the visual magic of CoMix Wave Films, the studio that gave us gems like Your Name and Weathering With You. And if the newly released trailer is any indication, we are looking at something that combines nostalgia, emotion, and a touch of adventure that will thrill both lifelong fans and newcomers alike.

The preview immerses us in a vibrant atmosphere, with colors that seem pulled from a dream and animation that captures the essence of Pokémon with a cinematic twist. But it is not just the aesthetics that draw attention: the song Kami Hikoki (Paper Airplane), performed by Suis of the Japanese duo Yorushika and composed by Evan Call —a name that resonates for his work on Violet Evergarden and Frieren: Beyond Journey's End—, adds a layer of melancholy and hope that elevates the experience. Hearing those notes while Dragonite flies among the clouds is already enough to feel that this anime has something special to tell.

The story follows Hana, a young girl voiced by Riko Fukumoto, whose admiration for the town's mailman Dragonite leads her on an unexpected mission. It all begins with a letter with no address, a mystery that sparks her curiosity and pushes her to embark on a journey alongside her inseparable Fuecoco, the starter from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that keeps winning hearts. We soon discover that the lost envelope holds the wishes of Rio, a boy who longs to send a message to his father, who works far away in the Kanto region.

With the father's birthday fast approaching, the clock is working against them, and what seemed like a simple task turns into a race against time full of new landscapes, surprising encounters, and yes, even a Kyogre rising majestically on the horizon.

When Pokémon Are More Than Pocket Monsters

Behind this story is Taku Kimura, a director many will remember for his episode Tattooine Rhapsody in Star Wars: Visions. For him, this project is personal:

"I turn 30 just as Pokémon celebrates its 29th anniversary; I feel like we grew up together," he confessed in a recent interview.

What began as a modest idea grew into a key piece of Pokémon Day, an event fans mark in red every February 27 since that distant 1996, when Pokémon Red and Green first saw the light in Japan. Kimura spared no ambition and decided to explore two sides of this universe: the Pokémon that live alongside humans, like that Dragonite delivering mail, and the wild ones that reign in nature, like the imposing Kyogre that stars in a scene he himself describes as "unavoidable."

"When they told me I could include legendaries, I didn't hesitate; I made a storyboard and Kentaro Nana brought it to the script masterfully," he added.

Speaking of Nana, the screenwriter brings his own dose of passion to the mix. Raised with Pokémon as a faithful companion, his goal was clear:

"I wanted this anime to shout how incredible a world with Pokémon is."

And he is not alone in that vision. Evan Call's soundtrack, with his ability to weave emotions into every note, and the ethereal voice of Suis in Kami Hikoki promise to turn every scene into a memorable moment. Imagine Hana and Dragonite soaring through stormy skies, with Fuecoco in tow and a Kyogre emerging from the ocean: it is the kind of spectacle that only a team like this could achieve.

The premiere will not only arrive free on the official Pokémon YouTube channel, but will coincide with a Pokémon Presents live stream, which has the community speculating about possible announcements —perhaps more on Pokémon Legends Z-A or some unexpected surprise—.

For now, Kairyu to Yubinya-san is shaping up to be a gift for the soul, a story that goes beyond battles and gyms to remind us why, almost three decades later, we still dream of catching them all.

If the trailer is just the beginning, this mailman Dragonite could deliver much more than a simple letter.