The tanuki use ancient shape-shifting abilities to sabotage construction, appearing as humans, spirits, or even inanimate objects to scare off workers.
Set in the 1960s-90s, the film depicts the "New Tama" housing project encroaching on the habitat of the tanuki in Tokyo.
The film draws heavily from Japanese folklore, including the tanuki’s legendary ability to transform their scrotums (humorously referred to as "raccoon pouches" in the English dub) into tools, parachutes, and more. Essential Characters Metacritic reviews - Pom Poko (1994) - IMDb
Unlike typical "hero wins" stories, it provides a bittersweet look at the inevitable march of urbanization and the loss of nature and folklore.
(1994), directed by Isao Takahata and produced by Studio Ghibli , is a surreal environmental allegory following a community of magical, shape-shifting tanuki (Japanese raccoon dogs) fighting to save their forest home from suburban development. Story & Key Themes