Panda! Go, Panda! (1973)

One of the earliest examples of the working relationship between Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki. It’s fun to see a number of themes that would later be used to better effect in Miyazaki’s My Neighbour Totoro (1988), but there's little to hold the attention of an older audience otherwise, particularly in the second half. It's full of heart and good intentions but will be of little interest to non-Ghibli fans.

2½ pipe smoking panda bears out of 5