The songs of Pom Poko. Theme song and insert song.
Pom Poko, released in 1994 and directed by Isao Takahata—who is often mentioned alongside Hayao Miyazaki—is the film in question.
Set in a city undergoing rapid urban development, the story follows tanuki who are gradually pushed to the fringes as nature disappears, and who rise up to reclaim their forest.
It’s a work rich in social satire, and even after many years since its release, it still resonates deeply with us.
Here, we’ve compiled the main theme and insert songs from Pom Poko.
Of course, the music is wonderful, but if you haven’t seen the film itself, please do.
It will surely stay with you.
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The songs of Pom Poko (Heisei Tanuki War). Theme and insert songs (21–30)
Samba of the Beckoning Cat
This is another track that adopts a powerful Latin music rhythm.
Layered onto that Latin flavor is an arrangement evocative of a South American jungle, resulting in one of the most mysterious atmospheres in all of Pom Poko (Heisei Era Tanuki War).
On top of that, the title is “Maneki Neko Samba,” and cat meows—“nyaa”—are scattered throughout, letting you enjoy a delightfully chaotic piece.
Joy of Spring
With birdsong drifting in from afar, this delightfully refreshing, up-tempo piece feels wonderfully pleasant.
It carries a touch of country flavor, with an arrangement that makes your heart skip with excitement.
In the natural world, the joy of spring arriving after a long winter must be especially profound; true to its title, “Joy of Spring,” a deep, visceral happiness is expressed to the fullest.
Homesickness: Awa–Tokyo–Sado
It’s a solo piece for the shinobue in which even the flute’s breathy rasp and the sounds of breathing are captured precisely, making it feel as if you’re listening right there in person.
For the younger generation, without the animated film Pom Poko, they might never have focused so intently on the melodies of traditional Japanese instruments.
Like nature, it’s a precious culture that must not be allowed to die out, and it feels as though the beauty of wagaku—Japanese traditional music—has been packaged into this film as well.
Profound and unfathomable music
This unsettling track titled “Genmyō Fukashigi Ongaku” (Mysterious, Unfathomable Music) unfolds with high-pitched percussion and the heavy thud of drums, creating a suspenseful mood that feels like something is about to happen.
It carries the atmosphere of music made by tanuki, whose ecosystems, values, and abilities differ from those of humans.
As a female voice joins in, the mood swells even further.
Swift Wind Shamisen (Heisei Tanuki War Ponpoko)
This track features an ensemble with fast drum beats and the shamisen—a Japanese string instrument known for its flair and ability to convey speed.
While Pom Poko (Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pompoko) generally brings to mind calmer, slower pieces, this song, true to its title “Swift Shamisen,” has an exhilarating sense of drive—it’s a thrilling and stylish piece.