Pom Poko: Characters

Shoukichi
Shoukichi is a well-respected young tanuki (Japanese raccoon-dog). He is particularly well-known for being good at the ancient art of transformation at such a young age and before training. He tries harder than the other tanuki to co-exist with the humans rather than exterminating them, although he “pretty much hate(s) their guts”. He is friendly to other tanukis and thinks before he does anything rash. He accepts the elder tanuki’s council on serious matters, but also makes his opinion known.
Bunta
Bunta is a serious and robust tanuki. He is chosen through a rock-paper-scissors contest to search on Sado Island for the transformation master there. He loves the Tama Hills, where most of the tanuki live.
Gonta
The leader of the red tanuki army fighting against Seizaemon’s blue army before the tanukis banded together against the humans. Gonta is hot-headed and always ready for action. He can not stand to see others being lazy while there is work to be done. His rashness and thoughtlessness often leads to quick action, but of questionable effectiveness. He is an important member of the decision-making committee.
Fireball Oroku
The elderly head female of the Tama Hills tanukis. She knows the art of transformation and teaches the other tanukis who have not learned how to do it. She, along with Osho, leads the tanukis of Tama Hills. She is rational and wise. She stops the battle between the red and blue armies and says that the tanukis should have no more cubs until the situation with the humans is resolved.
Tamasaburo
Tamasaburo was chosen to go to Shikoku Island to search for transformation masters in the same contest as Bunta. He is young, loyal, and thinks clearly. He takes his mission seriously. While on Shikoku Island, he meets Koharu and marries her.
Okiyo
One of the female tanukis. She is kind and listens to the elder’s advice. Shoukichi has a special fondness for her. She likes to sing and play games. She is skilled at transforming and likes to scare human construction workers.
Inugami Gyobu
One of the three transformation masters from Shikoku Island. Inugami Gyobu is the most intimidating of the three masters. A long time ago, he joined with a group of villains, but now he wants to pay for his past misdeeds.
Kincho Daimyojin VI
One of the three Shikoku Island transformation masters. He is the father of Koharu. Kincho is more emotional than the other masters and is very humble, calling himself “only the sixth in a long line”. He likes to stick to tradition, but will ungrudgingly promote change if it is necessary.
Yashimano Hage
One of the three masters from Shikoku Island. Yashimano is 999 years old, and witnessed several ancient famous battles with his own eyes. His common sense is starting to fail from age, but he can transform more convincingly than most tanukis.
Abbot Tsurugame (Osho)
The elderly head male of the Tama Hills tanukis. Osho is 105 years old. He is a popular leader, knows about old tales, and can transform as well as Oroku.
Koharu
The daughter of Kincho XI and the wife of Tamasaburo. She thinks of her children before anything.
Seizaemon
The leader of the blue army fighting against Gonta before Oroku stopped the battle. Seizaemon is more sensible than Gonta, but just as quick to action if he thinks it is necessary. After the tanukis band together, he is a member of the decision-making committee.
Ponkichi
Shoukichi’s best friend since childhood. Ponkichi is less focused than Shoukichi and not nearly as good at transforming.
Hanako
One of the female tanuki. She listens to Oroku’s warning to not have any more cubs.
Kumataro
One of the male tanuki. He tries to terrify humans instead of killing them.
Hayashi
A transforming tanuki from Fujino Woods. The art of transformation is not as well-known in the Fujino Woods as it is in the Tama Hills, but Hayashi can transform for a short while with the help of a leaf. He comes to the Tama Hills to see where the dirt being dumped on the Fujino Woods is coming from.
Ryutarou
Ryutarou is a transforming fox. Transformation comes naturally to most foxes, although some cannot do it. Ryutarou has permanently moved into Tokyo, using his abilities to disguise himself and earn money. He is cordial and respectful to tanukis.
Wonderland Themepark President
President of the Wonderland Theme Park, or course. He is obsessed with bringing in more visitors to his park.
Sasuke
One of Shoukichi’s friends. He thinks quickly and prefers peace.
Professor Mizuki
A human professor of religion and folklore. He thinks that if the removal of sacred shrines is responsible for the havoc around the Tama Hills construction projects, the builder’s problems are only beginning.