Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
xraaki
This review contains *SPOILERS*.
Watched in Sub/Dub: Dub
Story: 6/10
Pom Poko highlights one of Japan’s odder but extremely popular legends. Pom Poko follows a large commune of raccoons that are determined to reclaim their land from the humans that stole it. The raccoons engage in plenty of shenanigans to halt construction and screw with humans. The plot is all over the place and lacks character development and opportunities for emotional moments. Even though Pom Poko is advertised as a comedy, I found the “funny” moments to be forced and cringey.
Art: 6/10
The animation flow when the raccoons are transforming is excellent but the entire film seems stylistically desynched to the other Studio Ghibli films. The scenery specifically is more angular compared to the generally soft look of mos…
Read at the sourceHeather69
Literally just a movie about raccoons (or tanukis if you wanna sound cool) swingin they massive bawlsacks around and transforming them into various things. Cool visuals and really sad ending but overall kinda boring. However, there is a scene where the raccoons inflate their bawls and use them as parachutes and then fight riot police with them so I guess that's kinda the big selling point of the movie. Very heavy-handed environmentalist moral that's sure to jerk your tears and make you wanna throw out all your wood into the dang dumpster. Cute characters and lots of fun for the whole family! Solid 7/10.
Read at the sourceTristynAshley
I have dedicated the past few days to watching EVERY Ghibli film. This was my third-to-last. I simply cannot believe that Studio Ghibli created this. Having now watched all of them, I know the studio had its share of problems and movie flops - not all gold. BUT THIS? THIS can't be Ghibli. I feel like I have been pranked. Have we all been pranked? This must be a joke.
This anime is about raccoon testicles. Two hours of raccoon testicles. And some raccoon breasts for good measure. They talk of them; they sing of them; they use them as parachutes and weapons and as a flying ship to transport the raccoon village to the afterlife. I'm sure there have been many poor ideas for anime, so how could anyone let THIS ONE through? Who? Why?
The overarching story could have been nice: raccoons defend h…
Read at the source11chadwick
Pom Poko is an excellent environmentalist film. It marries environmentalism with Japanese folklore to create a wacky and colourful warning to industrial development. Without knowing Japan's folklore, this movie may not make sense because it relies heavily on the viewer being familiar with lots of different stories and tidbits. For a movie about the tanuki's home being destroyed so that commerical housing can be built, it is hilarious. My favourite joke is when all the tanuki are sitting on a mat which is actually their master's transformed testicles. The nuanced message that we have to adapt to our changing environment is refreshing compared to the usual bleeding-heart tree-hugging or shame tactics that greenies like to use.
Pom Poko is a fun way for children to learn about the effect hum…
Read at the sourceOptigisa
Stories about anthropomorphic animals behaving like human beings have always been a form of storytelling that different types of authors, narrators and storytellers used to employ back in the old days to convey a message to their audience. This was done by using the animals as some sort of metaphor to represent human society and the flaws that show up within it’s systems. Perhaps the most famous example would be George Orwell's magnificent social commentary on Communism that is the timeless Animal Farm. From there, this form of storytelling would go on to get adopted by many other storytellers that came after the man. Fortunately enough, one of the storytellers to pick up on Orwell’s unique form of narration was none other than the late and great Isao Takahata, a man I like to nickname as…
Read at the sourceThedude3445
(Review originally posted to Letterboxd)
Seriously one of Studio Ghibli's true materpieces, and yet one of its least-known titles just because the tanuki have large testicles.
It's seriously a 10/10 from me, something that is incredibly rare by any standard.
Pom Poko is a satirical war epic that is so steeped in Japanese culture and folklore that no other country could produce something similar. It has the same basic plot of Hollywood kids' movie dreck like Over the Hedge or Furry Vengeance--animals trying to subvert humanity's march toward progress as their home is being decimated--but takes a much darker turn. This may be rated PG with the MPAA somehow but it's most certainly not a kids' movie; the tanuki actively try and often succeed to kill humans destroying their forests, and the…
Read at the sourceroundbeats
Many reviewers take what is to me an odd angle on this film. The usual complaint is that the movie is not about anything especially, but some environmental overtones, and that it meanders, but has great visuals, especially during the festival scene. I stand before you right now and tell you not many many movies have made me cry. I am something of a tough guy, I like my heavy metal, I sport a beard at times. This movie had me crying, not once, but again upon rewatch, and I mean my eyes weren't just watering, I mean sobbing. I am going to take a different angle in my approach in my review to this movie. One that is based on industry and the fragmentation of modern society.
Pom Poko is a movie about the trials of a group of people (they are tanuki, mythical shapeshifting racoon people) as th…
Read at the sourceSidewinder51
Rate a 7
English Dubbed
Story
Some of you are aware an old saying about Americans being fat. Others may have hear about Japan's one child policy. Around the world there are such relevant remarks. While they entirety they construct is somewhat true depending which you are referring to all have the same backstory. Us humans over the years are starting to reap the devastation of over population brought on by greed. This anime through the views of another nature's animals species shows us the errors of us humans ways. In the past we have shoed them from our garbage cans. Or even murdered them with our cars. We did all we could to sweep the problem they brought us under a metaphorical rug. Life with end. How soon it will end lies on us who are breathing. The more actions we take on the defense…
Read at the sourceliteraturenerd
Overview:
Studio Ghibli is generally synonymous with quality. Led by Hayao Miyazaki and his lifelong friend Isao Takahata, Ghibli has come closer to batting 1000 then any movie studio I can think of. However, if you delve into the more obscure Ghibli films you can find some that while still good...are a little less than perfection. This is definitely one of those.
SPOILERS!
Plot:
The plot of this 1994, Takahata penned Ghibli film is that a community of magical tanuki (raccoon dogs) are being threatened by deforestation and must fight back against the loggers. Basically take the plot of 1992's Ferngully and add massive hairy balls. The tanuki around Tokyo are being driven from their homes, having to fight for food, and being killed by hunters and cars. Soon the various clans unite and…
Read at the sourceVegetaOver9000
Ponpoko in a word: Crap
Now don't get all upset. I love Studio Ghibli. I can't count how many times I have watched Howl's Moving Castle or My Neighbor Totoro and I have seen just about every other Ghibli movie at least once if not more.
However, this did not feel like a Ghibli film in any way, shape, or form.
1. Story: The story sucked. Seriously, 2 hours worth of shape-shifting raccoons trying to blend in with human society because humans built over their homes?? Really? Girl, please. The whole thing could have been condensed into a 30 second commercial. In fact, it might have been better as a commercial cuz then there could be an epic plot twist where Jake from State Farm is really a raccoon. Now, would be something worth re-watching.
2. Art: The animation didn't seem as good. The c…
Read at the sourceBowlingJD
It is yet another early 90’s Ghibli movie, this time with Isao Takahata (Gauche the Cellist) behind the helm. Coming in around two hours, for the kind of movie it is, it will seem on the long side of it. The first half simulates a documentary narration and the second half having a bit more “action.”
This film can come off as either having a major environmental message, the message saying to adapt to your surroundings, or even both. Reasons such as this are why Pom Poko could be regarded as one big political statement with talking raccoons sending the message.
It is a story about a mountain forest land in Japan succumbing to deforestation and the raccoons are trying to fight back best to their ability. The raccoons, when humans are not watching, essentially become intelligent creatures an…
Read at the sourceFirechick12012
I had absolutely zero interest in watching Pom Poko. I never intended on watching it, I never intended on caring about it, I honestly didn't think I'd like it, and I had other anime to watch. Plus, an anime entirely about tanuki just didn't appeal to me, and probably never will. I was so sure I would go through my life never watching this movie...unfortunately, I took a class on Japanese supernatural creatures in college, and on the last day of classes, my teacher made us watch this...and my fears were correct: not only was this movie disappointing, but watching it just made me feel drained and uneasy. The only time I was happy was when this movie finally ended or was close to ending. Honestly, I can't stand this movie and I hope to never have to see it ever again.
The story is about a bu…
Read at the sourceHabitPlays
This movie follows many Raccoons as they struggle to keep there forest around with the humans huge increase of towns and housing for the multiplying humans. With no care for nature they cut down trees and level land at the loss of the Raccoons home. You watch as Raccoons try to drive the humans away with little success, and watch as the Raccoons have to adapt to a new way of life. With many losses and no home the Raccoons must learn to live along side humans with there ability to transform. Throughout this movie you learn that animals can still live and be happy a long side humans and no matter if they lose there home Raccoons are still happy and playful creatures and go on living happy live. This series I thought was very great close to a lot of the Studio Ghibli films I give it a 8 out o…
Read at the sourceKusanagi
It's not easy, staning in the shadows of a mastermind. Well, the same goes for Isao Takahata. He is not only one of the Co-Founder of the Studio Ghibli, he also is the man for the "Different Works". He proofed this with one of the greatest animated classics ever, Grave of the Firflies. It was the first time Studio Ghibli made a movie with such a thematic, and it was their last. That haven't changed, not even in 2014.
But Takahata is not only known for "Grave of the Firieflies". He made other fine movies like "Only Yesterday" or the most unique Ghibli Work "My Neighbors the Yamadas". To sad, all these movies are underrated. It's such a pain to see Takahatas work for Ghibli is not so much appreciated compared to Hayao Miyazakis work.
For me, Pom Poko is equal to the great works of Miyazaki…
Read at the sourceWaldy565
First, a brief message:- What I like about anime is the fact I get, well, normally get, movie-quality art, sound and character in bite-sized chunks, over the amount of time of a TV series. Basically, I'm not a massive movie-fan. I like movies, but, like anime, the huge volume means half the stuff is average, and the big time-scale to try and portray an epic tale just bores me sometimes. However...
STUDIO GHIBLI.
I came to find Studio Ghibili when my mums boss lent me Howl's Moving Castle, on DVD, and then Spirited Away. Fast forward a few years and I'm a big anime fan, and Studio Ghibli productions never cease to amaze me. And so I come to Pom Poko. Let's jam...:-
STORY:- The story, in brief, is about a bunch of TANUKI. Many, including the narrator in the film, refer to them as raccoons,…
Read at the sourceOrigami_Cyclone
Pom Poko is one of my favorite anime movies, although that's not to say it's a perfect movie. The documentary-style opening , complete with uninspired narration, will lull most people into a false sense of security before the second half. If you can stay awake for the second half, prepare to be blown away.
The Tanuki's transformation prowess here makes for some of the of the most imaginative and unrestrained animation I've ever seen. A careful eye will notice Kiki, Totoro, Porco Rosso, and Galaxy Express 999 during the parade sequence. The tanuki themselves fluidly turn without restraint into hyperrealistic, humanistic, and charicature forms. (the third being a homage to a classic manga-ka)
The characters for the most part aren't very notable, more important is the interactions in the co…
Read at the sourceSaraSlurpsCoffee
Pom poko was.... Slightly strange.
If the characters were humans I'd think the film was sick and twisted and should be rated much higher than what it is, but they're talking, animated raccoons...? Childish characters and a magical theme, yet a mature storyline?
I didn't really know what to make of it. X'D
None the less, good old Hayao Miyazaki once again hasn't failed to make this film utterly unique and get his morals across to viewers; I personally went away wanting to save all the woodland creatures' habitats. :) The characters were origional and the film was very cleverly put together in the way that it's viewers could be of any age and still be entertained and learn something from it.
It isn't Miyazaki's best, I can say that much, however it's still well worth watching and I reccom…
Read at the sourceTwitchy-Tail
Pom Poko is defiantly a great movie and is from Studio Ghibli. It had a rather unique and different view on the animals and had a vary good story. Its a wonderful movie about the raccoons trying to save there home from humans who are trying to destroy the forest, while the protect the forest they use shape shifting and other things to try and scare away construction workers and even the people in the city.
Read at the sourceJTurner
Fans who remember Isao Takahata best for his relentless tearjerker, "Grave of the Fireflies", could very well react with surprise and shock upon viewing "Pom Poko". This lavishly animated tale about raccoons battling for their homeland (which was the biggest hit of 1994 in Japan) isn't so much a heartwrenching tragedy as it is an interesting amalgam of humor, drama, and action--all delivered in a way that is daringly original for animation. At times, the viewer gets treated to scenes which recall the one-two-three emotional punch of "Grave of the Fireflies", but even though the tone of the movie is somber, a handful of lighthearted moments elevate the overall production out of depression.
As this is a Studio Ghibli film, production values are spectacular. Backgrounds are painted with a t…
Read at the sourceMorticon
Another Studio Ghibli masterpiece, and produced by anime genius Hayao Miyazaki, Pom Poko brings something new to the table: Animals who, instead of fleeing from the deforestation that threatens them, choose to resort to a different method by turning the tables on the humans that shamelessly and thoughtlessly tear away at their homes. Based on the Japanese Tanuki folklore, many of the raccoons featured in Pom Poko have magical shape shifting powers, some a little more rusty than others. These creatures begin to notice their food and shelter becoming scarce after the invasion of their land by the crew of new housing construction, and must call on their elders, the masters of transformation, to teach them how to change their shapes. They hope to use these abilities in many different ways, but…
Read at the source