Anime Quick Information

Title: Pom Poko
UK publisher: Optimum Asia
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Studio: Studio Ghibli
Type: Movie
Director: Isao Takahata
Year: 1994
Running Time: 1hr 54mins
Rate this anime:
Average Rating: 9.00

Red XIII's review

The raccoons of Tama Forest are in trouble- human development is slowly but steadily eating away at their territory. Determined to fight back, the raccoons begin rediscovering the ancient art of shape-shifting, honing their abilities until the most proficient students are ready to put them to good use playing tricks on the unsuspecting humans. Unfortunately, even the raccoons’ most inventive strategies may not be enough to drive off the developers and stem the encroaching tide of civilisation.

Ghibli have never been afraid of including environmental issues in their movies, and this time around the message couldn’t be plainer as we see the Tama Forest raccoons take some decidedly original measures to protect their diminishing habitat. Unfortunately, what may sound like a charming family tale in principle turns out to be sorely lacking when brought to the screen.

Given the relatively simple premise behind the film, it may come as an unwelcome surprise to learn that it clocks in at around two hours, a runtime that feels about twice as long as it needs to be. Despite the gravity of their ‘war’, the raccoons are in general a light-hearted and easily distracted bunch, and all too often the plot is stalled as they stop to enjoy a party or celebration. Admittedly this does produce a few comical moments, such as the point where the raccoons realise they will no longer be able to enjoy fast food if they go so far as to destroy all the humans, but for the most part this light-hearted approach provokes apathy rather than sympathy for their plight. As if to compensate for this, the film does take a turn for the serious in the closing segments, but only succeeds in coming across as heavy-handed; lead character Shokichi even rams the environmental message home by directly addressing the viewer and reminding them to spare a thought for all animals, not just raccoons.

Metamorphosis is the key theme of Pom Poko, and as you might imagine, you’ll be getting to see a lot of it through the course of the film- although unfortunately, the novelty of watching the raccoons practise and employ their shape-shifting abilities wears off after the first half-hour or so. In an attempt to keep things fresh, we are treated to increasingly outlandish and unbelievable shape-changing tricks, up to and including several sequences in which the male raccoons inflate and transform their testicles! And if that last sentence left you rubbing your eyes in disbelief, let me assure you that yes, I was being serious- in fact, it’s one of the more bizarre facets to ever grace a Ghibli film.

Similarly, Pom Poko fails to deliver on the character front, with each member of the sizeable cast coming across as rather simplistic and two-dimensional. Characters such as Gonta, the one who wants to fight and kill the humans, Shokichi, a more level-headed raccoon who believes impersonating supernatural phenomena is the way to go, and Kiyo, the obligatory love interest, all seem to only have a single facet to their personalities, and none of them come across as particularly well developed or likeable.

Visually, Pom Poko fares a little better- the stunning backdrops and ‘natural’ appearance of the raccoons are certainly as well animated as you’d expect from a Ghibli film. Unfortunately, in the privacy of their own forest, the raccoons take on more anthropomorphised forms that are all too reminiscent of pre-school cartoons such as Care Bears. It also doesn’t help that most of the characters look confusingly similar- to be fair, the animators have done their best to give each raccoon some distinguishing characteristics, but it can be hard to keep track of who’s who at times. Rounding off the presentation, the soundtrack has a traditional Japanese feel, which fits in well with the feel of the movie, but isn’t particularly outstanding.

In Summary

Pom Poko is a film that far outstays its welcome; with a shorter runtime and a more likeable cast, this could have been quite entertaining, but as it stands, it comes off as more than a little tedious. Perhaps it’s just that the appeal of the film doesn’t translate well for a Western audience, but I can find little to recommend Pom Poko- unless you’re dead set on amassing every Ghibli film ever created, you’d be a lot better off staying well away.

Screenshots (click to pop out)

Review Information

Score: 4 out of 10
Review By: Red XIII
Date Published: Sat, 28 Jan 2006
2 responses to our review of "Pom Poko"

1. Comment by kupoartist

While i'm all for Harsher reviews on this website, the idea that this film is better than only a single other film (Gundam F91) in the database is pretty harsh. It's also rated alongside "Ichi the Killer" and "Zeoraima - Project Hades" which is ludricrous to say the least. It's an enjoyable enough film that loses a lot in translation (it's basically a 2 hour long family film about a Japanese cultural myth that makes no sense to the English viewer, though it is explained in a way), but can you honestly claim that there is nothing to elevate it above the bottom feeding trash that it not only shares ratings with, but is even exceeded by? (Love Hina specials. Ugh). Most of the criticisms you make could easily be leveled at most of the anime in the database. A lot of this review comes across as simply impatient, and some of it comes down to little more than personal taste (for instance, what is actually wrong with the anthropomorphised forms aside from the fact that you don't like them?).

Ultimately, I'd agree that there is something missing in Pom Poko though. I've not been quite as unfufilled by any other Ghibli release so far... yet the joint second worst anime in animeuknews history?

Posted on Sat, 28 Jan 2006. kupoartist rated "Pom Poko": 7 out of 10.

2. Comment by Paul

While our review scores are there to help people compare different anime with each other, you shouldn't take them so literally. The database is largely dominated by four reviewers and each of us have our own pet hates. I can understand your point of view kupoartist but I stand by the validity of Jo's review, it isn't a viotriolic rant- she has explained her views well. Of course, we try to be consistently fair with our opinions but in the end, we can be just as unpredictable as anyone else!

Posted on Sun, 29 Jan 2006. Paul rated "Pom Poko": 1 out of 10.

Post your response to our review of "Pom Poko"

Editorial Spotlight

In recent years, we have seen an expansion of MCM Expo’s in the UK. Last year we had the newly opened Manchester Comic Con and this year, we have the first Birmingham.. Read more (0 comments)
"Using words to describe magic is like using a screwdriver to cut roast beef." - Tom Robbins. This second DVD set covers episodes 13-24 of what has so far proved to be a.. Read more (0 comments)
I think it would be safe to say that, if a series deserved a re-release in the UK - especially on Blu-ray - it would have to be Ghost in the Shell. I finally got a chance to.. Read more (0 comments)

Got news?

Got some news? E-mail it to news@AUKN

Recent Comments

ALPHA on Elemental Gelade #2

no think about it if the worlds been made the they wound have made eve to like after it at first that wound have made it a type of caretaker but as... (Read more)

speedy z5 on Elemental Gelade #2

oh wasnt that eve (Read more)

ALPHA on Elemental Gelade #2

no i mean is there a very old raise (Read more)

speedy z5 on Elemental Gelade #2

you mean is there a god one who created eldel reaids. (Read more)

ALPHA on Elemental Gelade #2

now i did not say bigger i committed that the world feels artificial (that means the world has been made)so if thats so then who will have made it... (Read more)

About Anime UK News

Anime UK News has been going since 2004, want to contact us or learn a little more about the site? Head to the about us page.