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.
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.
Papa Panda's enormous water splash into the lake is quoted in Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro.
Mimiko's red ponytails are directly inspired by Pippi Longstocking.
Mimiko's handstands are quoted many times in Heidi, Girl of the Alps.