Parents' Guide to

Pom Poko

By Renee Longstreet, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Animated tale has environmental message; peril, sadness.

Movie PG 1994 112 minutes
Pom Poko Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 9+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Think of the children
Think of the children Adult
September 4, 2021
age 9+

Watch it over 2 or 3 viewings

I think if you watch this movie over 2 or 3 nights it is a 5 star movie, but as is it is long and dense and goes on many tangents. The tanuki (raccoon dogs) is based on Japanese folklore and that does include their magical testicles (you read that right). The environmental message is strong and it is quite sad, so I would recommend for older kids, although my 8 year old liked it. The ending made my 11 year old cry, and I’ve never seen him cry at a movie before.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
bendman
bendman Adult
July 14, 2021
age 10+

Great message, but a bit long

We watched this with a 4 year old and a 10 year old, and we had to stretch it over 2 nights because it runs long. The 4 year old was a bit scared by some of the pranks of the raccoons, especially a particular scene when they turn into humans without faces. The messages throughout were interesting though, and the artwork was beautiful.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (5):
Kids say (3):

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

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