Pom Poko – A Forrest Review

Pom Poko is an animated Ghibli film directed by Isao Takahata, released in 1994. An environmental allegory, it follows a group of tanuki (raccoon dogs), animals that, in Japanese folklore, are believed to have the ability to transform, or shapeshift, into people or objects. But because they are more mischievous and playful, they aren’t taken as a threat, like their shapeshifting counterpart, the kitsune (foxes). We are shown just how very playful these creatures are, leading to a generally humor...