MovieChat Forums > Heisei tanuki gassen ponpoko (1995) Discussion > Pagan ballsack action at it's finest!

Pagan ballsack action at it's finest!

posted 18 years ago by patchesdf
32 replies | jump to latest

Good lord. I don't even know where to begin to describe how utterly screwed up this film is. Once again, this is one of the "The Japanese are *beep* mad!" kinda projects.

Raccoons are intelligent and some have the ability to transform, fine. But they also have ballsacks, and you can see them quite clearly throughout the entire film, and for a good reason pertaining to the premise. Their scrotums have magical powers. They grab their ballsacks and stretch them out to amazing sizes and their ballsacks transform into whatever they like.

And this is a kid's film? Just imagine Bambi and all his cuddly little friends, performing pagan magic with their genitals and being killed off in masses. They get trampled by bulldozers and beaten to death by riot police, but most of them just get run over by automobiles. Just imagine Thumper going out into the highway *WHAM* and his body sails into oncoming traffic *WHAM* and this twisted animated sequence of Thumper being bashed around like a volleyball carries on while all the children in the audience cry "STOP IT! STOP IT! HE'S ALREADY DEAD! WAAAAAH!"

Anyway, it just ends so badly for most of the raccoons. There's an interesting story of the cruelty of suburban sprawl and how animals are forced to adapt. Other than that I'd say it's amazingly inappropriate for children younger than fifteen, which is what it looks like it was marketed for when you look at the cover. Some people may think this is a giant joke on behalf of the Japanese to warp children but they really are serious about this sort of thing.

[–] marsodyssey2010 18 years ago

Pagan, don't you mean SHINTO. There's a very big difference.

"Some people may think this is a giant joke on behalf of the Japanese to warp children but they really are serious about this sort of thing. "

Actually, this animation is pretty normal, its Disney and all of that junk that you get in America which turns all other characters into genderless mono cultural prettyboys that is warping kids.

Come on, how many Japanese families have to drug their kid with Ritilin, or pump them full of lithui because their suisidally depressed like you do in America?

English Language Anime: Dub it, don't pervert it.

[–] kleei2 17 years ago

But yea those huge swinging ball-bags were kinda distracting at first lol (joking hold the flames please)...

If you can believe it, I don't think I noticed their balls at all the first time I saw this movie or I atleast don't remember.

---
prepare to be boarded

[–] impressionist123 17 years ago

(((Come on, how many Japanese families have to drug their kid with Ritilin, or pump them full of lithui because their suisidally depressed like you do in America?)))

Actually, Japan has one of the highest suicide rates for younger children--not necessarily because of this type of animation, but still...Saying that American cartoons that are gender-neutral are the reason for prescription medicating and suicide...that's flat out wrong and has no basis in science. If you can cite sources to back up that point, I'd be happy to change my opinion.

Of course media has an influence, but a kid isn't going to get all depressed because he/she can't SEE Bambi's balls...

When I saw it, it was paired up on a disc with "My Neighbor Totoro"--which in my mind is for a different age group. I found this movie very odd and somewhat disturbing (at first)--definitely for a different group than Totoro is aimed at. I was fascinated by it and wish I had been able to see the whole thing. (I was at work at a children's museum and since we occasionally get very uptight conservative parents we had to switch what we were showing as a precaution...)

[–] marsodyssey2010 17 years ago

You're reasoning is a little inaccurate. Japan's overall suicide rate is higher than America's period due to suicide being more socially acceptable. Thus youth suicide will be higher, too.

"Saying that American cartoons that are gender-neutral are the reason for prescription medicating and suicide"

That's a huge over simplification. I'm saying that American youths are not prepared for life because the media and their parents shield them from it, and that when they are exposed to stressful situations that can't cope as well. I also referred to people becoming suicidally depressed and being medicated, not to people actually committing suicide, there is a big difference.

If you would like some statistics on suicide in the US, check out http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/81868.php

"Of course media has an influence, but a kid isn't going to get all depressed because he/she can't SEE Bambi's balls... "

No, but if they grow up in a world where the media tells the all problems have an easy solution, and where they have no opportunity to excecise their full emotional range in a safe and controlled environment, then they will be unprepared when they encounter real life events.

You've heard of the TV-Violence debate, where people claim that kids will become desensitized to violence in the real world if they see it on TV, well, this is the other end of it. If a child is able to see a role model figure meeting adversity, and is able to experience that figure copping with it, then the child will be better equipped to cope themselves.

As for balls. Don't your kids take gym class? Any boy who takes a shower after gym class will see their share of balls. Yet conservative parents rarely try to ban showers in schools. It's silly and it's prudish and it teaches our children quite the wrong messages.

English Language Anime: Dub it, don't pervert it.

[–] suz-mal 13 years ago

--Saying that American cartoons that are gender-neutral are the reason for prescription medicating and suicide...that's flat out wrong and has no basis in science. If you can cite sources to back up that point, I'd be happy to change my opinion. --

It isn't the media that's the problem, and I can't believe you can miss the mark so hard and assume that was the point the poster was making. It's the American mentality. The fact that someone would say this film is inappropriate to children under fifteen for such moronic reasons. America is so incredibly sheltered and living out of reality. The depression and suicide stems from American inability to function as the rest of the world does. Parents telling their children that stuff like Pom Poko is inappropriate and offensive, that is the sort of attitude that has molded your society, and made it so close-minded. That fact that this would offend anyone or cause alarm for 'the children's sake' proves my point. A large amount of Americans are totally close-minded, and unbelievably ignorant. There's nothing odd about the Japanese or this film; it's the American's who are odd. They live in a retained society that they're unable to see past.

[–] effix 18 years ago

lol
It's just different. And I think it is unnatural for young children to have no idea of what is in the other gender's underwear, might as well confront them with the ballsacks and get it over with. ;-)

[–] petrobark 18 years ago

Since when does exposing kids to ball sacks have anything to do with Shinto? The Japanese culture is fast coming to an end. There are so few children being born in Japan that corporations are actually paying mothers to have more children, but it is too little too late. So why are you lecturing us on Japanese families?

Quote from effix: "I think it is unnatural for young children to have no idea of what is in the other gender's underwear, might as well confront them with the ballsacks and get it over with."

Spoken like a true pedophile.

[–] effix 18 years ago

petrobark: Man, I don't think you got my point, don't take it too seriously and insult me like that.

I agree that parents should be aware of the content of this movie and then decide for themselves. I edited my earlier post a bit to lighten it up. Come on, we're talking about pagan ballsacks here...

- That rug really tied the room together -

[–] Chapaev36 18 years ago

Spoken like an insecure ignoramus.

[–] effix 18 years ago

Well, I might be a bit insecure about expressing myself because I'm not a native english speaker... but I'm not sexually insecure if you were referring to me (I'm 26, that's a long time ago). I only added 'lol' and ';-)' to the post to prevent people from taking it too serious.

It doesn't help if you use exotic words (for non english people) like spoonfed and ignoramus, had to look that up. Please use basic english so the rest of the world can enjoy the discussions on IMDB, or do you all think we should stay away from IMDB?

My point still is: I have no problem with nudity and think that children shouldn't either, there's nothing sexual about that, and I don't understand what the problem is.
I had a good laugh from this movie because the balls were such a nice example of the cultural differences between Japan and 'western' countries and I had never seen it like that.

Now, some more short insults if you like about how wrong I am, I can take it...

- That rug really tied the room together -

[–] x-ray-5 18 years ago

Chapaev36 wasn't insulting you, he was insulting petrobark's inane comment.

And for what it's worth, petrobark is either a troll or another blinkered imperialist who thinks the rest of the world should be an extension of America.

[–] dilbertsuperman 18 years ago

USA bombing the living crap out of nagasaki and hiroshima probably have more to do with a declining fertility in Japan than scrotal racoons you gibbering baboon. Please reply and say it was justified by pearl harbor and ill have to snicker at your joyous ignorance of history.

[–] RC_Collins 15 years ago

ill have to snicker at your joyous ignorance of history.

*ahem*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre

Jam it in and break it off. Up your giggy with a wah-wah brush.-Harvey Wireman

[–] sirmildredpierce 12 years ago

> USA bombing the living crap out of nagasaki and hiroshima probably have more to do with a declining fertility

Ignoring the fact that Tokyo, was bombed far worse and suffered more casualties than either Nagasaki and Hiroshima (joyous ignorance of history, indeed); Japan actually experienced a baby boom, like many countries, after the war.

The modern decline in birth rates is far more tied to the rapid expansion and prosperity that Japan experienced in modern times and the same thing can be seen in almost every country in the world that experienced a prolong period of prosperity in the 20th century.

[–] sirmildredpierce 12 years ago

>Since when does exposing kids to ball sacks have anything to do with Shinto?

Since about the fourth century, since you asked. Though many of the modern charactersistics that we associate with the Tanuki, such as the straw-hat, big belly, and large scrotum can be traced back to the late Edo period (17th century or so).

> The Japanese culture is fast coming to an end.

Now you know why filmmakers such as those at Studio Ghibli make movies like Pom Poko, to preserve the culture you are claiming is "fast coming to an end" (what a bizarre thing to say, btw, Japanese culture is one of the few that has managed to make inroads in to other cultures in the same was American culture has.)

I think you could easily say Japanese culture is quickly changing, but it is absurd to say it is coming to an end. Japanese culture will be going just as strong, even stronger, for years to come, long after you and I are gone Japanese culture will still be there.

> There are so few children being born in Japan that corporations are actually paying mothers to have more children, but it is too little too late.

And yet Japanese culture marches on just fine. Or has Japan turned in to one massive ghost town in the six years since you posted this? Culture is maintained and spread by means other than having children.

[–] Chapaev36 18 years ago

I think that the PG rating is okay for Pom Poko (dead racoons), even though I think that normal children should stop being spoonfed Bambi all the time.

However I had no problem with the testicles. Anyone who does a) has no sense of humour; b) is extremely sexually insecure and confused - especially considering that there is nothing sexual inferred whatsoever.

[–] Chapaev36 18 years ago

Actually one more thing to add:

I laugh at how certain American viewers (not the mature ones) are amazed by the presence of testicles and yet they have no problem by the routine sex-less Disney representations of animals.

If anything, it is highly unnatural to depict animated animals like they are dolls with no genitalia existent and without the slightest hints of procreation. I consider the attitude that stems from this to be unhealthy and unrealistic.

[–] FurBallsUnite 18 years ago

This movie makes no sense to a lot of Westerners because much of it is rooted in classical Japanese folklore and culture.

[–] x-ray-5 18 years ago

Which is extremely sad that these people are so far up they're own backsides that they refuse to accept there's a world out there with different cultures and alternative ways of viewing the world

I quite happily let my kids (aged 3 and 6) watch this film. The English dub quite cutely gets around the testicle issue by referring to them as 'raccoon pouches'. Neither of them have ever queried this and as long as they don't ask, I'm saying nothing!

Yes some of the tanuki die, that's life, animals die. It doesn't present this fact gratuitously or dwell on it, it treats it very matter-of-factly and combined with the themes of urbanisaton vs conservation, actually gives children something to think about and discuss. It's not all serious either, some of the scenes are hugely funny and joyous. But that's the way life is, sometimes sad, sometimes happy.

Interestingly the other poster tries to make his point about how this film is unsuitable for kids by mentioning Bambi. Seems to have forgotten the scene where Bambi watches his mother die. Ooh, that was a cheerful moment.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Zatoichi99 18 years ago

IN one word, WOW!

First off Disney is made of poo-heads who can't translate. These are not raccoons but tanuki. Tanuki are a type of dog who look like raccoons. Google it! In Japanese folklore and such they are known for having large balls and performing magic. They are a type of... patron god of boozing and restaurants!!

Yes, there is a huge cultural difference but come one! As many have said before me Yes the tanuki had large balls but were they having sex?? NO!

I do not want to be mean but ignorance really annoys me and this is a prime example. I am proud to be an American! YAY let's rape other cultures! Woo hoo!

(I would like to apologize for my rant. I do feel better now if that means anything) （ー＿ー’）

[–] jackdock2002 18 years ago

What a load of bollocks.

[–] krumeichshane-1 18 years ago

i live in japan, am married to a japanese, and this movie is just as friggin weird over here. japanese people might not worry about whether or not their kids see big ballsacks being used to perform magic, but jaws drop just the same. people know that the mythology consists of large testicles used for drums and good old swinging around, but that doesn't mentally prepare you for a cartoon portraying tanukis using their sacks to fly around town, and swing them at riot police.

so yes, it's very weird, and funny - you should see how funny your 5 year old thinks it is when you explain to him/her what the sack is. that's several weeks entertainment for an entire kindergarten class right there.

people talk about ghibli movies all the time over here, but this is one that really never comes up in conversation.

[–] Wakanohana 10 years ago

Thank you for the information about the tanuki aka "raccoon dogs". I'd been under the impression that the story was about real but very strange raccoons.

[–] arti-7 17 years ago

I am from the Southern US, and I am female. I have a farm, and grew up on a farm. Any kid on a farm see testicles everyday. In someways it saves kids lifes to notice the testicles. I was taught before I was five what the difference between a cow, a steer, and a bull was. If you don't know this, this will get you killed on the farm. (Ok cows urinate out the back, sometimes they have an udder that has to be emptied or it will cause the poor cow extreme pain.Cows are usually very friendly, and pose no threat, just don't scare one. The Steers look like a cow, with no udder and urinate out the middle. They do not have a sack swinging in the back. They are usually as friendly as the cows, and pose no threat like a cow. Now the bulls, urinate out the middle, they have a hanging sack, and you can never trust one.)

I was shocked to see testicle sacks being so well used in this movie, but I realised that this came from Japanese folk history. I found it educational, and no less harming then any other unrealistic animated movie. I always watch Ghibli films keeping an eye on what is different and if that is because of cultural differences or just a quirk of the movie makers. I watch the food, the dress, the manners, everything plus the story. This is one of the reasons I really enjoy their films. It educates me. Granted I might never have thought I would be educated by racoons transforming their testicles into various objects, but I was educated. I found out more about Japanese mythos. I went and looked it on the internet. Just like when I saw Howl's Moving Castle, my friends and I set around discussing the bacon and egg scene, and how thick that bacon was, plus how little they cooked it. We got into a debate, then a search on how bacon is made in Japan(very different then in the South), how often they eat eggs and bacon, etc etc etc. I would not have any problem with any child over 10 seeing this movie. If they asked about the testicles, then explain as best you can. I would imagine the kids would probably say what my 69 year old Mother said. "Well I did not know they could do that, with those."
She loved the film, by the way.

[–] marsodyssey2010 17 years ago

All of this fuss over animated Raccoon balls kinda makes me wonder how todays uptight parents would cope if they had to take their kids to the countryside.

You can't go for more than five minutes without seeing a bull or a horse with its balls swinging in the wind, and if you hear something going through your garbage at night, and you shine a light out of your window, you might see a real raccoon with real balls. Though the odds of it using them to transform are rather low.

English Language Anime: Dub it, don't pervert it.

[–] dont_b_so_BBC 16 years ago

What about pet dogs? Do they pretend or teach kids that dogs are genderless or that canine genitalia are restricted to canines only? Oh, that's why people like to dress up their pet dogs up at humans...

[–] marsodyssey2010 16 years ago

"canine genitalia are restricted to canines only"

I was under the impression that this was a scientifically verifiable fact. Do you have mutts nuts?

English Language Anime: Dub it, don't pervert it.

[–] sirmildredpierce 12 years ago

> And this is a kid's film?

No. Why did you assume that? Try watching it again without that assumption.

Although I'm not sure why being honest with children about death and conflict would make them any more screwed up than pretending such things don't exist.

Studio Ghibli movies have never shied away from such topics and any kid that hasn't been completely sheltered to the world around them can handle most any of them just fine.

I find it funny you would mention "Bambi" as the anti-thesis of this concept, saying how terrible the movie would be with with a horrific death sequence in it, but have not seen Bambi in some time? It's kind of famous for it's horrific death sequence.

[–] SforSmile 9 years ago

The balls were called "pouches", no children will make the connection to real testicles, so calm down!
This movie is perfectly suitable for children!

"Some people are immune to good advice."
-Saul Goodman

[–] mevmijaumau 8 years ago

The huge shapeshifting ballsacks were the best thing about this movie. It would probably be fun to have one. 