When I started playing Tanuki: Pon’s Summer, I had a somewhat humorous revelation. During my childhood, for a very long time I genuinely didn’t know what a Tanuki was outside of it being something from Super Mario. Back then, that pixelated plumber in his plush pullover looked more ursine than the raccoon-dog of folklore, so we would refer to the power-up as both the Tanooki Suit or Bear Suit.
However, times have changed, and tanukis are a bit more well known thanks to their prevalence in popular culture—likely still because of Super Mario. Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is a delightful little game that combines the mythology of the titular animal with a fun, wholesome “days of summer” atmosphere that makes it incredibly engaging without being particularly demanding.
The game begins when a lay-about Tanuki named Pon is summoned by the Great Tanuki God Danzapon to its Shrine, as a once-in-50-years festival will soon be upon them. Unfortunately, the Shrine has fallen into disrepair, and with only a month until the festival, the time has come for Pon to accept the responsibility of his ancestors and help restore the Shrine to its former glory. But rebuilding the Shrine is going to take some serious dosh, so Pon gets a job at the local post office. where he’ll run deliveries, meet the locals, and hopefully be ready for the end of Summer.
“Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is a delightful little game that combines the mythology of the titular animal with a fun, wholesome “days of summer” atmosphere that makes it incredibly engaging without being particularly demanding.”
It’s a sweet, slice-of-life style narrative where every new day brings about a new friend, or a new story for those players have already met. Each character has their own struggles and personal problems, but it never strays too far from its wholesome vibes—always giving everyone the chance to grow and find happiness. Even Pon himself begins to grow and become a much more reliable tanuki than the one we meet at the start of the game, and it’s genuinely nice.
But it was the gameplay in Tanuki: Pon’s Summer that really hooked me. The more I played, the more I realized this was exactly what I wished Mika and the Witch’s Mountain would have been—a game based around parcel delivery that was built on a fun movement mechanic and filled with little activities. Pon’s greatest strength is his impeccable BMX skills, and as such he’s never too far away from his trusty bicycle. Not only does this allow Pon to traverse the world much faster than he would on foot, but he can do a ton of fun tricks, as well as grind rails.
Tankui: Pon’s Summer uses this mechanic to great effect—borrowing to a degree from the Tony Hawk series—giving the player multiple opportunities to engage in score challenges, collecting the letters in TANUKI, passing through Tori gates within a certain time limit, and more! Participating in these challenges, alongside delivering the day’s packages, earns Pon money that he can use to not only rebuild the Shrine’s most important features but purchase the necessary amenities to prepare it for a truly grand festival.
But what I really love about Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is just how filled it is will little minigames and side activities that really bring not just the town but the whole experience to life. One moment you’re engaging in a Punch-Out!!–style Sumo match, the next you’re pouring drinks to the exact liquid and foam requirements, then you’re cutting down trees, and then you’re playing baseball. While it’s fun enough to just zoom around and do tricks on your bike, you never feel at a loss of things to do, making each day feel new and exciting.
Visually, Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is bright, colourful and utilizes a simple aesthetic to great effect. It does a good job contrasting more grounded environments with semi-exaggerated anime-esque characters that make it feel both real and fantastical. If I have one complaint with the visuals, its with Pon himself. His in-game model is a little closer to a real tanuki than something more in line with the rest of the characters. I just kind of wish he ended up looking more like a plushie than something believable.
“Tanuki: Pon’s Summer really feels like the perfect kind of summer game—the one you can spend a whole day playing when it’s too hot to go outside.”
The visuals are backed by an incredible soundtrack that is constantly upbeat, peppy, and perfectly captures the feeling of summer in a small Japanese village. Where it really comes to life, though, is whenever Pon is on his bike—altering the current sound to a hard rockin’ version, blending the traditional Japanese instruments with with electric guitar and intense drums. It adds a genuine sense of adolescent fun to the whole thing and gives Pon an extra layer of personality.
Tanuki: Pon’s Summer really feels like the perfect kind of summer game—the one you can spend a whole day playing when it’s too hot to go outside. It’s fun, varied, and laid-back in a way that every time you pick it up, it feels like a brand-new day. If you’re looking for a new cozy game to unwind to, this one is definitely worth checking out!
