21 May 2020

Pom Poko (Japan, 1994)

As the human city development encroaches on the raccoon dog population's forest and meadow habitat, the raccoon dogs find themselves faced with the very real possibility of extinction. In response, they engage in a desperate struggle to stop the construction and preserve their home.

I've mentioned it before, but Pom Poko is my favorite film from animation giant Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away), as unconventional as that may be. The amount of heart and soul in this story is staggering and by the end you desperately want to see all the tanuki's live happily in peace. Director Isao Takahata shows the real life expansion of  Tama New Town in the 1960's, only it's through the eyes of those we rarely think about when a new development project takes place. Takahata's love for Japanese history and folklore shines through in every nook and cranny, and the huge number of references to iconic Japanese spirits makes it seem like a real-life fairytale. 


Genre: Animation/Comedy/Drama

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