Pom Poko
By Renee Longstreet,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Animated tale has environmental message; peril, sadness.

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Pom Poko
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Based on 5 parent reviews
Watch it over 2 or 3 viewings
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Great message, but a bit long
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What's the Story?
In late 1960s Japan, a housing shortage in Tokyo sends construction crews to the Tama Hills on the outskirts of the big city in POM POKO. Developers will put up thousands of new houses, hoping to accommodate the expanding population. But the Tama Hills have been the lifelong habitat of an extraordinary breed of tanuki, Japanese raccoon dogs. Legend has it that the tanuki are capable of magically shape-shifting, transforming themselves into any creature on the planet, even mythical ones. The tanuki know that for their species to survive in its natural home, the construction must be stopped. Led by an array of colorful, food-obsessed, fierce, and heroic leaders, the creatures embark on a multifaceted campaign to cut the development down in its tracks. The resident tanuki of Pom Poko unleash every kind of prank, battle, and scare tactic they can muster to stop their enemies. When at last it appears the tanuki may be able to delay the project but that human progress cannot be contained, they up the ante even further, willing to risk everything, even their lives.
Is It Any Good?
At nearly two hours long, with its sophisticated themes and the deaths of many tanuki (plus three human victims), this movie is best suited for older kids, tweens, and teens. The messages in Pom Poko are solid, as are the voice performances in the English dub, which features Clancy Brown, J.K. Simmons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Tres MacNeille. Especially entertaining is the narration by Maurice Lamarche. The animation is original and delightful, a Studio Ghibli trademark.
Still, the tanuki's antics are repetitive. They play tricks, they celebrate, they mourn, they give up, they try again. It's understandable that the filmmakers wanted to fully develop the environmental issues, provide in-depth characters, and offer an informative look at both the real animals and the Japanese legends that are attached to them. Although each element is successful, the sum of the captivating parts isn't entirely so. And, though true to nature, the extensive animal deaths may be upsetting, particularly for younger kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of environmental stories. Do you think such stories make a real contribution to our attitude about nature and our planet? Did Pom Poko change any of your ideas or enrich your knowledge of wildlife habitats? What other environmental movies have inspired you?
Describe the differences between mainstream Western animation (from Disney, Pixar, and so on) and Japanese anime. Are there cultural aspects in Pom Poko that were unfamiliar to you?
Explore the Japanese legend of the tanuki, shape-shifting raccoon dogs. Create your own legendary animal character. What powers could that animal have? How might it protect itself from predators and trespassers?
How do the tanuki in Pom Poko demonstrate courage, empathy, humility, and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 16, 1994
- On DVD or streaming: August 16, 2005
- Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Clancy Brown, Tress MacNeille
- Director: Isao Takahata
- Studio: Studio Ghibli
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Science and Nature, Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Courage, Empathy, Humility, Integrity
- Run time: 112 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: violence, scary images, and thematic elements
- Last updated: March 6, 2023
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