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StatusFinished AiringSeasonFall 1972StudioTokyo Movie ShinshaSourceOriginal
Story
Synopsis
Mimiko is a spirited, cheerful young orphan girl residing peacefully in a picturesque Japanese countryside cottage. When her grandmother departs on a train journey for a family memorial service, Mimiko stays home alone without fear. While playing in her bamboo garden, she discovers a baby panda named Picho, followed shortly by his colossal, kindly father, Papanda, who have escaped from a nearby zoo. Delighted by the gentle animals, Mimiko adopts Papanda as her new father while becoming a loving mother to little Picho. Together, the unconventional family enjoys heartwarming culinary misadventures and rescues drowning zoo animals.
⚠ Background — may contain spoilers
Tokyo Movie Shinsha produced this beloved classic thirty-six-minute family featurette, released in Japanese theaters in December 1972. Conceived, written, and laid out by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Isao Takahata, the production served as an essential historical forerunner to Studio Ghibli's later masterpiece *My Neighbor Totoro*. Conceived during Japan's widespread panda craze following the arrival of pandas at Ueno Zoo, the film charmed audiences with its playful physical comedy, bright pastel watercolor art, and irresistible theme song sung by Kumiko Osugi. Its immense popularity immediately led to the 1973 theatrical sequel feature *Rainy Day Circus*.
Wonderfully heartwarming films that are simple yet a joy to watch. Well worth getting your hands on, particularly if you enjoy the works of Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki.
If you don't take well to animation mainly intended for young 'uns, remove one star. If you ARE five years or less, however, add one instead. Those demanding action or deep plots can also remove a star or two.
