Panda petit panda

This short film from Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, who would go on to create Studio Ghibli, is centred on seven year old Mimiko. When the grandmother she lives with goes away she must live alone for a while. She isn't frightened though. When she returns home to her house in a bamboo grove she is surprised to find a panda cub, which she names Pan-chan (Panny in the subtitles), outside. She quickly befriends him. Shortly afterwards the cub's father, dubbed Papa, turns up and they form a somewhat unlikely family. We then get fun antics as Panny follows Mimiko to school and the authorities turn up looking for Papa and Panny.

I suspected this would be even more aimed at children than 'My Neighbour Totoro' and 'Ponyo'; perhaps it is but it is so charming that is can be enjoyed by all ages, much like those two films I mentioned. The film might not have the detail of Ghibli's films but it is clear that the style is developing already; most obviously how Totoro looks quite similar to Papa Panda. There are only three main characters, of which only Mimiko and Papa speak, they are a lot of fun to watch as they interact with each other and get up to mild antics... I was particularly amused by Panny's troubles at school. Overall I thought this was utterly charming; a great way to introduce very young children to the delights of anime as well as being a lot of fun for any fan of Miyazaki and Takahata.

These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

The long opening credits may throw some younger viewers off track at first. On the other hand, there is a catchy tune that invites even those unfamiliar with Japanese to sing along. Familiar Heidi vibes in terms of illustration, with no common thread in terms of content, but rather a colourful one. I would almost say that what is shown is pretty weird, but all this craziness is wonderfully entertaining and endearing. A format for young and old, it feels like a precursor to later Ghibli works such as Totoro. The full-throttle mode that's used here is cancelled out by the pleasant running time. A little secret treasure that should definitely be discovered!

This is an anime of 2 TV movies about a girl and 2 pandas made back in the early 70s. Done by 2 Master filmmakers: Isao Takahata(Grave of the Firflies, Only Yesterday, Pom Poko, and My Neighbors the Yamadas) directed it. And Hayao Miyazaki(Nausicaa, My Neighbor Totoro, Porco Rosso, Mononoke, Spirited Away, etc.) wrote it/animation key/screen played it.

It's known to be Miyazaki's promo to My neighbor Totoro, instead of a big furry forest spirit, it's a big panda bear. This all has to do with a little girl now living by herself till she encounters a small Panada and a big Panda which she decides to keep them as her own family.

The animation is well done for an anime from the 70s. Once you watch it you'll be surprised this anime was actually written by the Famed Hayao Miyazaki. The story of this anime didn't even looked like it was done by Miyazaki. It doesn't have much of his usual trademarks he'd often put in his films.

I wouldn't blame him for not putting too much effort in writing an anime about Pandas, since this is back when he did TV anime and before he moved to doing Anime movies. Just this one isn't as memorable as his other works.

Overrole it's decent for one of Miyazaki's earlier works before he did Castle of Cagliostro. Recommended for all ages, the Big Panda smokes a pipe, but there's nothing too offending, perfectly safe for little kids to watch.

Only flaw is it might give kids a wrong idea about burglars are fun to have and it's OK to stay home alone. So you parents out there make sure they don't get any ideas that burglars and staying home alone is fun.

This endearing tale is a fine example of Hayao Miyazaki's lighter writing. Papa (papanda) really elevates the amusement....and the theme song is perfectly suited.

This is a very cute little film. The animation is limited but elegant, the characters are very appealing (The Papa in particular is an interesting Proto-Totoro figure) and the story is very easy for young ones to follow. Adults will not really find much of interest unless the are real Miyazaki complete-ists like myself. And the song will stick in your brain.