History Main / RascallyRaccoon

A subtrope of AnimalStereotypes. Compare CunningLikeAFox.

This trope also often applies to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon_dog raccoon dog]]s or (in Japanese) ''tanuki''. Though raccoon dogs are canids and not true raccoons, they enjoy the same reputation in {{Japan}}ese {{Folklore}} that true raccoons share in the Western Hemisphere -- both this and their superficial resemblance to raccoons are the reasons this animal is called "raccoon dog" in English. (Compare Giant and Red [[PandaingToTheAudience Pandas]], which are similarly not closely related species but have mutually similar folk associations.)

* Hachi(emon) from ''{{InuYasha}}'' has probably had more Western exposure than any other RascallyRaccoonDog.
* The Tanuki [[spoiler:who chose to live among humans]] from {{Studio Ghibli}}'s ''{{Pom Poko}}''.

* Raccoon Mario from ''SuperMarioBros3''. There's also a Tanuki Mario, which can temporarily turn itself into a statue to fool enemies.

* The [[{{Ptitlei015gc004kw4}} Pokémon]] Zigzagoon is clearly based on the raccoon. Its special ability in the game is Pick Up, which randomly finds items buried in the grass.

'''''Note:''' While a lot of raccoons are named "[[StockAnimalName Rascal]]", but not all of them are actual rascals. Only put examples of truly rascally raccoons here.''

* Raccoons are occasionally seen in the show ''TotalDramaIsland''.

* Raccoon Mario from ''SuperMarioBros3''.

* ''Rascal'' is a 1963 book by SterlingNorth about a boy who raises a pet raccoon, but eventually has to release him after the raccoon starts raiding fields and henhouses, and getting into trouble with other raccoons.
** "[[PrecisionFStrike Damn you]], SterlingNorth! [[SandraAndWoo Damn you]] [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2008/11/03/nomenclature/ for all eternity!]]"

** "[[PrecisionFStrike Damn you]], SterlingNorth! [[SandraAndWoo Damn you]] [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2008/11/10/diet/ for all eternity!]]"

* Raccoons also appear in ''Disney/SnowWhiteandtheSevenDwarfs'', ''{{Bambi}}'', and ''Disney/RobinHood''.

* Hachi (short for Hachiemon) from ''{{InuYasha}}'' has probably had more Western exposure than any other RascallyRaccoonDog.

This trope also often applies to [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raccoon_dog raccoon dog]]s or (in Japanese) ''tanuki''. Though raccoon dogs are canids and not true raccoons, they enjoy the same reputation in {{Japan}}ese {{Folklore}} that true raccoons share in the Western Hemisphere -- both this and their superficial resemblance to raccoons are the reasons this animal is called "raccoon dog" in English.

[[AC:{{Folklore}}]]
* Although they're not actually raccoons but rather a type of canid, the ''tanuki'' (raccoon dog) is portrayed similarly in Japanese folklore.

* The ''Adam Raccoon'' series of Christian children's books, written and illustrated by none other than Glen Keane. '''Please add a brief description why this example fits the trope'''

* Rummage on ''TheFundayPawpetShow''. '''Please add a brief description why this example fits the trope'''

* ''Linus the Lionhearted'' featured Rory Raccoon (voiced by Bob [=McFadden=]), who doubled as the mascot for Post Cereals' "Post Toasties." '''Please add a brief description why this example fits the trope'''
* In [[AnimatedAdaptation ''The Dukes'']], While [[strike: Coy, Vance,]] Bo, Luke, Daisy, Rosco, Flash, and Boss Hogg are off racing around the world, Uncle Jessie stayed in Hazzard on the farm and started a relationship with Smokey the Raccoon. Seriously. '''Please add a brief description why this example fits the trope'''

Note: While a lot of raccoons are named "[[StockAnimalName Rascal]]", but not all of them are actual rascals. Only put examples of truly rascally raccoons here.

A subtrope of AnimalStereotypes.

* R.J. the raccoon in ''Film/OverTheHedge''.

* ''Rascal'' is a 1963 book by SterlingNorth about a boy who raises a pet raccoon, but eventually has to release him after the raccoon keeps getting in trouble.
* The ''Adam Raccoon'' series of Christian children's books, written and illustrated by none other than Glen Keane.

* As mentioned above, R.J. the Raccoon from ''OverTheHedge''.

* Rummage on ''TheFundayPawpetShow''.

* Rigby from ''RegularShow''.

* ''Linus the Lionhearted'' featured Rory Raccoon (voiced by Bob [=McFadden=]), who doubled as the mascot for Post Cereals' "Post Toasties."
* In [[AnimatedAdaptation ''The Dukes'']], While [[strike: Coy, Vance,]] Bo, Luke, Daisy, Rosco, Flash, and Boss Hogg are off racing around the world, Uncle Jessie stayed in Hazzard on the farm and started a relationship with Smokey the Raccoon. Seriously.

* In 1977, SterlingNorth's book ''Rascal'' (see [[AC:{{Literature}}) got an anime adaptation called ''AraigumaRasukaru''.
** In 2005, the anime got a {{Chibi}} spin-off called ''PokaPokaMoriNoRascal''.

* ''Rascal'' is a 1963 book about a boy who raises a pet raccoon, but eventually has to release him after the raccoon keeps getting in trouble.

* ''TalesOfTheQuestor'' and its RecycledInSpace SpinOff, ''QuentynQuinnSpaceRanger'', have the Rac Cona Daimh (human/ancient name) / Racconans (their own name), a race of short raccoon-like bipeds. Their appearance is sometimes to their advantage because it encourages other races to underestimate them. (At other times, it just sucks being smaller than everyone else.)

Raccoons have a long history in fiction. Those cute masked faces have led to countless depictions as sly, thieving [[TheTrickster tricksters]]. Cute, cuddly and playful tricksters. Expect a lot of fictional raccoons to be described with "Rascal" in some fashion. Portrayal as a literal thief isn't rare, either.

Raccoons have a long history in fiction. Those cute masked faces have led to countless depictions as sly, thieving [[TheTrickster tricksters]]. Cute, cuddly and playful tricksters. Expect a lot of fictional raccoons to be described with "Rascal" in some fashion (quite often, it's their StockAnimalName). Portrayal as a literal thief isn't rare, either.

Raccoons have a long history in fiction. Those cute masked faces have led to countless depictions as sly, thieving [[TheTrickster tricksters]]. Cute, cuddly and playful tricksters. Expect a lot of fictional raccoons to be described with "Rascal" in some fashion. Portrayal as a literal thief isn't rare, either.

[[AC:ComicBooks]]
* Rocket Raccoon, of [[{{Annihilation}} Annihilation Conquest]] and GuardiansOfTheGalaxy. He's rather handy with abnormally large guns, and his best friend is an [[WhenTreesAttack alien tree]].

[[AC:Folklore]]
* This trope is OlderThanPrint: Dakota Sioux indians and Aztecs both believed the raccoon to have spiritual powers.

* Averted in this {{Sinfest}} [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3719 strip]]; the raccoon doesn't act rascally. He's only there because according to [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3718 the previous strip]], Tatsuya Ishida wrote it while stinking drunk and thought it would be a good idea for a raccoon to show up.

* ''TheRaccoons'' is an aversion. Although the title characters are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin raccoons]], none of them plays the "rascally" trope to an extent. The closest is Bert, who is shown to be playful.

* Meeko, from ''Disney/{{Pocahontas}}''.