CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Wow! Look at this fabulous Pom Poko review written by LadyKokoro!

In all honesty, I think recommending an age of 10 is a bit too nice for this film. Western children should not see this movie whatsoever, mostly because of the raccoons' genitals showing. Also neglected is the human breast nudity seen in a magazine; it's brief but it's there. Also, the raccoons drink and party nonstop and it's never discouraged.

I'm glad that Disney is not marketing their release of this film whatsoever, since it's not for children in this part of the world. As such, I think the recommended age should be bumped up to at least 15 or 16, and that is what the review will now reflect.

[quote="Rogie-san"]In all honesty, I think recommending an age of 10 is a bit too nice for this film. Western children should not see this movie whatsoever, mostly because of the raccoons' genitals showing. Also neglected is the human breast nudity seen in a magazine]


Eeek! I apologize! I looked a lot of cross references (including a duplicate review submitted by another member which suggested the movie for children 5+.) and I didn't read anything to that effect. I'll fix it right away!

Edit: Fixed. Once again-- Gomen!

No problem. Just wanted to add my two cents since I just saw the movie last night!

I thought that I remembered hearing that Disney changed the testicles to something else in the localized release to avoid offending Western sensiblities.

An age rating of 16+ seems a tad high to me if Princess Mononoke, which features graphic violence, is only 14+. But I haven't actually seen this movie yet, so...

OH, my mate got this on dvd just recently for his sister, I'd love to see it.
Apparently the movie really hits home re; environmental negligence of humanity

MasterDias wrote:I thought that I remembered hearing that Disney changed the testicles to something else in the localized release to avoid offending Western sensiblities.

By change in plot or change in animation?

shooraijin wrote:By change in plot or change in animation?

From what I understand, Disney tries to disallusion the audience about exactly what it is that the Tanuki are using to do their magic by avoiding mention of the testicle and referring to it in another way (not exactly sure how, though). That's what I've read, atleast.

Mangafanatic wrote:From what I understand, Disney tries to disallusion the audience about exactly what it is that the Tanuki are using to do their magic by avoiding mention of the testicle and referring to it in another way (not exactly sure how, though). That's what I've read, atleast.

Disney decided to call them "pouches." But any kid is going to wonder if it's really a pouch, I think. I mean, my five-year-old nephew would get it right off the bat and innocently wonder why the raccoons are naked.

Especially since his favorite stuffed animal is "Raccoony." But I'm not going to let him see it to test my theory, either.

Yes, that's right. Disney called tanuki testicles "racoon pouches". Of course, tanuki aren't racoons, either. I wish Disney had just called them Tanuki and left it at that. They could have put in an explanatory note. XD

I was kind of surprised that LadyK liked the movie so well. I've seen all of Studio Ghibli except Whispers of the Heart. Pom Poko is my least favorite. It just seemed too talky or preachy to me. Most Ghibli movies have a strong message but they show it too you by great animation and a great story. There isn't all the voiceover explanatory dialogue.

Plus, the whole racoon pouch thing. And the not mating thing. Ah, well!

I liked this one, but I thought it was a little too preachy. I despise environmentally minded stuff ever since I saw Captain Planet.

u got a good point about the reference to the racoon's ... but thats just part of the Japanese culture. it doesn't bother them particularly. i liked the movie, but i do agree with u. I don't think some kids should see it, becuz of the reference to some things. they could of cut thoses scenes out or sumthin

I just watched it. Oh my goodness, what a trippy movie! This has to be the first Studio Ghibli movie I've seen that I don't like. It's too preachy, the tanuki (not racoons) are too obnoxious and selfish (except the lead one and his girlfriend), all the male 'anatomy' is distracting and over the top and just downright disturbing. It was a bit funny, often serious, but most of the time just blah. I know the whole 'transforming' thing is from Japanese legend and I know it wasn't sexual, but I still felt discomfort I guess (the movie is PG here). 3/10

Oh! I saw some of that movie!!
Hey, Rogie! Don't be racial!! I know you Asians think you're better than us but nock it off! lol (j/k)
There were alot of animal nude in that movie though and that never sever settled well with me.
It did keep me busy though because I tried to keep my little sister out of the kitchen and living room since my big bro was watching it in the living room.
I was like, "GO TO BED!!" lol
But I realy hated the movie for alot of reasons, such as the fact they kepted saying humans were destroying the Earth and taking it over and killing animals and stuff... I've always hated that stuff... lol

But humans haven't taken good care of the world. It's just that this is lot less subtle in it's environmental message then say, Princess Mononoke and Nausicaa.

Pan Chan wrote:Hey, Rogie! Don't be racial!! I know you Asians think you're better than us but nock it off! lol (j/k)

Just for the record, um, Rog isn't Asian.