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Pom Poko
平成狸合戦ぽんぽこ
1994 119 min Japan G 12+
★7.6
Adventure, Animation, Fantasy
Director: Isao Takahata
Trailers
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Description
The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.
US Gross:
$372,405
Starring
Shinchô Kokontei
Actor
Makoto Nonomura
Actor
Yuriko Ishida
Actor
Awards
3 wins & 1 nomination total
Key opinion
Pom Poko is a distinctive, visually beautiful Ghibli film that uses folklore-inspired tanuki to explore environmental themes and the loss of tradition. While many praise its unique charm and ecological message, its tonal shifts between whimsy and darker, more complex subject matter create a divisive experience for viewers.
| Production | The film features meticulously detailed, high-quality animation that functions as beautiful, standalone art. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively advocates for environmental consciousness through an anti-capitalist lens, contrasting human expansion with the survival of nature. | |
| Culture | The use of specific, deeply traditional Japanese folklore regarding tanuki creates a disconnect for viewers unfamiliar with these cultural symbols. | |
| Emotion | The film’s tone is jarring for some, as the whimsical, child-friendly presentation frequently clashes with scenes of graphic violence and tragic themes. | |
| Pacing | The two-hour runtime and deliberate, contemplative pacing leave some viewers feeling the film is overlong and prone to narrative stagnation in its second half. |