works of Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, contain a number of "riffs," or direct shots referenced in other films. Panda Kopanda: The pandas of Panda! Go, Panda! are considered by some to be precursors of the Totoros, sharing many design and animation similarities, especially the Papa Panda character. Mimiko, the little girl, can be seen as a prototype of Totoro's Mei and Satsuki. Mimiko's red ponytails are directly inspired by Pippi Longstocking. Miyazaki would pay tribute again in his films Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Porco Rosso and Yadosagashi (House Hunting). Mimiko's handstands are referenced many times in Heidi, Girl of the Alps; 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother; and Future Boy Conan. Baby Panda's leap onto Papa Panda's chest is directly referenced in My Neighbor Totoro. Papa Panda himself bears a strong resemblance to Totoro. A shot of a policeman riding his bicycle past a truck is directly referenced in the opening scene of My Neighbor Totoro (Satsuki quips, "I thought it was a policeman"). A shot of Mimiko running around her house is referenced in My Neighbor Totoro as Satsuki and Mei run around their house. Papa Panda's enormous water splash into the lake is referenced in Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro. A pan shot of a crowd at the zoo includes cameos of Lupin and Jigen, as well as members of the production staff. Hayao Miyazaki can be seen in glasses carrying one of his sons on his shoulder. The final shot of Mimiko and the pandas walking into the sunset references the final shot in The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun. Rainy Day Circus: Scenes of a flooded town appear again in Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea. A shot of Baby Panda climbing a roof directly references a shot from Toei's 1969 animated movie, Puss in Boots. A shot of outstretched hands chasing Baby Panda is referenced in Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Trains continuing to run through flash floods are referenced in Spirited Away. Home video In North America, Panda Kopanda was available on DVD, under the title, "Panda! Go Panda!", courtesy of Pioneer Entertainment, later Discotek Media. The latter company released both movies on Blu-ray in 2016 and will be re-released in 2022 by its current licensee, GKIDS. In Japan, the movie is available as a standalone DVD and Blu-ray on Studio Ghibli's Ghibli Ga Ippai label,