Pom Poko by Isao Takahata (1994, 118 min.). As the magical tanuki—mischievous raccoon-like shapeshifters from Japanese folklore—spend their days playing idly in the hillsides, construction of a new Tokyo suburb clears the nearby forest and threatens their way of life. In an effort to defend their home, the tanuki learn to transform into humans and trick the workers into believing the construction site is haunted.

©1994 Hatake Jimusho-GNH