Pom Poko (1994) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
The Raccoons of the Tama Hills are being forced from their homes by the rapid development of houses and shopping malls. As it becomes harder to find food and shelter, they decide to band together and fight back. The Raccoons practice and perfect the ancient art of transformation until they are even able to appear as humans in hilarious circumstances.
Rated G • 1994 • 1h 59m
While rated G in its native Japan, 'Pom Poko' received a PG rating in the U.S. for mature thematic elements, violence, and some unusual nudity, making it better suited for older children and tweens. The story follows a community of magical tanuki (raccoon dogs) in the Tama Hills whose home is threatened by human suburban development. Parents should be aware of surprisingly serious themes, including environmental destruction… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Pom Poko appropriate for kids?
While rated G in its native Japan, 'Pom Poko' received a PG rating in the U.S. for mature thematic elements, violence, and some unusual nudity, making it better suited for older children and tweens. The story follows a community of magical tanuki (raccoon dogs) in the Tama Hills… Read more — free account
Content severity in Pom Poko
What happens in Pom Poko, moment by moment
- 0:08 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:15 ♥ Sex & Nudity 4/10
- 0:25 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in Pom Poko
This category is moderate and specific to Japanese folklore. The male tanuki are frequently depicted with large, prominent testicles (kintama), which they use in a non-sexual, magical way to transform, fly, and fight. They are stretched into blankets, used as bludgeons, and are a constant visual presence. In one brief moment (around 74 minutes), a character flips through a magazine that shows a drawing of a woman's bare breasts. There is no other sexual content.
Violence and gore in Pom Poko
Moderate for an animated film. The tanuki fight amongst themselves in brawls and engage in 'eco-terrorism' to stop the human developers; this includes causing trucks to crash, resulting in the off-screen deaths of workers. In a later sequence, a group of tanuki engage in a pitched battle with police and are killed. One tanuki is hit by a car and shown in a small pool of blood. Another scene involves a tanuki menacing a human by cutting the head off a mannequin with a chainsaw.
Language in Pom Poko
None. The English-language dub of the film does not contain any profanity or coarse language.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Pom Poko
Substance use is mild and incidental. Characters, both human and tanuki in human form, are occasionally seen consuming alcoholic beverages like beer and sake in social settings such as meetings or bars. There is no depiction of drunkenness or substance abuse.
Mature themes in Pom Poko
The film's themes are strong and complex, centered on the devastating environmental and cultural impact of human expansion. It deals directly with the loss of home, death, and grief; multiple sympathetic tanuki characters die through violence, accident, and despair. The story explores the fracturing of a community under pressure, with some characters choosing assimilation, some choosing futile eco-terrorism, and others simply giving up. The ending is bittersweet and melancholic, reflecting on what has been…
Read more — free accountScary moments in Pom Poko
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Pom Poko yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pom Poko appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Pom Poko is best for ages 10+. It's rated G. While rated G in its native Japan, 'Pom Poko' received a PG rating in the U.S. for mature thematic elements, violence, and some unusual nudity, making it better suited for older children and tweens. The story follows a…
What age rating does Pom Poko have?
Pom Poko is officially rated G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is Pom Poko about?
While rated G in its native Japan, 'Pom Poko' received a PG rating in the U.S. for mature thematic elements, violence, and some unusual nudity, making it better suited for older children and tweens. The story follows a community of magical tanuki (raccoon dogs) in the Tama Hills whose home is threatened by human…
Is there sex or nudity in Pom Poko?
This category is moderate and specific to Japanese folklore. The male tanuki are frequently depicted with large, prominent testicles (kintama), which they use in a non-sexual, magical way to transform, fly, and fight. They are stretched into blankets, used as…
How violent is Pom Poko?
Moderate for an animated film. The tanuki fight amongst themselves in brawls and engage in 'eco-terrorism' to stop the human developers; this includes causing trucks to crash, resulting in the off-screen deaths of workers. In a later sequence, a group of…
Is the language in Pom Poko appropriate for kids?
None. The English-language dub of the film does not contain any profanity or coarse language.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Pom Poko?
Substance use is mild and incidental. Characters, both human and tanuki in human form, are occasionally seen consuming alcoholic beverages like beer and sake in social settings such as meetings or bars. There is no depiction of drunkenness or substance abuse.
What mature themes appear in Pom Poko?
The film's themes are strong and complex, centered on the devastating environmental and cultural impact of human expansion. It deals directly with the loss of home, death, and grief; multiple sympathetic tanuki characters die through violence, accident, and…
How long is Pom Poko?
Pom Poko runs 119 minutes, directed by Isao Takahata, released in 1994.
Where can I read the full Pom Poko parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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