"Panda kopanda" is a Japanese 35-minute film from almost 45 years ago. It is a collaboration by director Isao Takahata and writer Hayao Miyazaki, two of Japan's finest animation filmmakers of the last 50 years. Obviously, they were still fairly young when this came out. The story is about a little girl who is alone after her grandma leaves and first she meets a panda cub and then the cub's father and the two become a harmonic family. Some comedic drama ensues when the girl has to go back to school and the little panda causes all kinds of mayhem on the school area, especially the cafeteria. And in the end, the big panda daddy is told that he has to return to the zoo, but they cannot make a movie where the little girl is alone in the end again, can they? Watch for yourself. I recommend this movie. It was a funny watch most of the time, even if the big talking panda was pretty awkward occasionally. The girl was animated nicely and a delight to watch with all her energy. If you enjoyed this one, check out the sequel as well. It's also under 40 minutes long. Both films are probably only for very young audiences, or for those young at heart. Thumbs up.
Review of Panda! Go Panda!
