Fans of Animal Crossing will recognize elements of a carefree tanuki, mounting debts, and a town brimming with opportunities in the upcoming game Tanuki: Pon’s Summer. Developed by the Kyoto-based studio Denkiworks, this title addresses the themes of financial irresponsibility through the lens of an endearing character who must confront the consequences of his actions. Liam Edwards, a game designer at Denkiworks, humorously notes the fascination surrounding tanukis, stating, “They have such a mythological background; they’re almost like dragons in terms of their mythology.”
In this game, players assume the role of Pon, a lovable yet careless creature who has drained the resources of the local shrine—his home—by splurging on video games and snacks rather than preparing for the shrine’s 50th anniversary festival. The shrine now stands in disrepair, with significant structures and cultural artifacts, including the ema stand and chōzuya, damaged and unfit for such a momentous celebration.
Encouraged by a push from his ancestor, Pon takes a job at the local post office, riding a small bike to deliver packages and earn money to fund repairs and purchase festival attire. Edwards emphasizes the importance of cultural authenticity in the game’s development, saying, “A key aspect of this project is that we check everything.” He explains that the team conducted thorough research and compiled an internal encyclopedia of shrines and related cultural elements to ensure accuracy in their representation.
As a tanuki, Pon’s mode of communication is limited to emojis, which Edwards likens to his own childhood experiences in rural Japan, where he struggled with language barriers. He reflects, “You can understand what people are saying to you, but the ability and depth of response is stunted.” However, he also points out that the willingness of others to assist transcends communication difficulties, a sentiment he believes is true for many in Japan.
While navigating sunflower fields and suburban routes to complete delivery tasks, players will encounter townsfolk who encourage engagement in various mini-activities. Edwards compares this aspect to a mini Yakuza game, where players become involved in different pursuits, from sumo wrestling to serving drinks in a local izakaya reminiscent of the team’s favorite watering hole in Kyoto, as well as baseball and fishing. “It became a funny joke that every time you deliver a package, there’s going to be an activity there,” Edwards remarks, acknowledging the challenge of developing numerous mini-games within the larger game framework.
The game’s centerpiece is BMX biking, with Edwards drawing inspiration from titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and SSX. Players will execute a variety of tricks, including backflips and bunny hops, using a combination of button presses and joystick movements. “Pon is the vessel through which everything can exist,” Edwards explains, noting the humorous contrast of the small and quirky character performing BMX tricks.
To achieve this ambitious gameplay style, Edwards collaborated with Jacob Mills, a developer known for Rollerdrome, to ensure that the environment is conducive to trick riding with responsive physics and various themed obstacles, such as bamboo half-pipes. While the game does not require players to have advanced BMX skills to progress, Edwards aims to make the journey enjoyable for everyone. “Even if 90% of people don’t know anything about BMXing, you don’t want to let down the 10% who do,” he adds.
Tanuki: Pon’s Summer is set to launch soon on PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
