The earlier machinations of Studio Ghibli would lay the groundwork for the animation house's defining elements: Unveiling a hidden world, man's relationship with nature, and a confidence in the resilience and imagination of children.
The earlier machinations of Studio Ghibli would lay the groundwork for the animation house's defining elements: Unveiling a hidden world, man's relationship with nature, and a confidence in the resilience and imagination of children. Pom Poko is one of those early attempts. In the Tama Hills beyond the borders of Tokyo are the tanuki, Japanese raccoon dogs. At first glance, they seem like normal wild animals. Eventually, though, they change. At times, viewers see them as more cartoonish anthropomorphic raccoons strutting around in clothing. In other moments, they tap into their shape-shifting abilities to take human forms (because, as they say, anyone can learn shape-shifting.) That's how the film lures in its audience: the jovial concept gives way to the more serious topic of man's colonization of nature. A suburban development lays waste to the tanuki's forest, pitting these creatures against humans in a war to save their home. — Nick Romano