Question 1

Why did the raccoons in Pom Poko decide to fight back against humans?

Accepted Answer

The raccoons were being forced from their homes by rapid development of houses and shopping malls, making it harder to find food and shelter, so they banded together to fight back.

Question 2

Which real-life Studio Ghibli figures inspired characters in Pom Poko?

Accepted Answer

Isao Takahata based Gonta on Hayao Miyazaki and his directing style, while producer Toshio Suzuki compared Shoukichi to Takahata.

Question 3

What special ability do the raccoons develop to resist human development?

Accepted Answer

The raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they can even appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.

Question 4

What was Pom Poko's connection to the Academy Awards?

Accepted Answer

It was the official submission of Japan for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category of the 67th Academy Awards in 1995.

Question 5

What festival screened Pom Poko in 2009?

Accepted Answer

Pom Poko was screened at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2009.

Question 6

Which real-life Studio Ghibli figures inspired characters in Pom Poko?

Accepted Answer

Director Isao Takahata based Gonta on Hayao Miyazaki's directing style, while producer Toshio Suzuki compared Shoukichi to Takahata. Miyazaki reportedly cried throughout the first screening.

Question 7

What Academy Awards recognition did Pom Poko receive?

Accepted Answer

It was Japan's official submission for the 'Best Foreign Language Film' category at the 67th Academy Awards in 1995.

Question 8

What do the tanuki names reveal about their personalities in Pom Poko?

Accepted Answer

Many tanuki have meaningful names: Oroku means 'fireball', Shoukichi means 'positive fortune', Gonta means 'steadfast authority', Seizaemon means 'Blue left gate', Otama means 'ladle', Koharu means 'small spring', and Sasuke means 'helper'.

Question 9

What artistic style influenced the simplified tanuki designs?

Accepted Answer

The ultra-simplified tanuki forms were called 'Sugiura tanukis' during production, drawn in a style alluding to artist Shigeru Sugiura.

Question 10

What festival screened Pom Poko over a decade after its release?

Accepted Answer

The film was featured at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2009.

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Pom Poko

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