Are Winnie The Pooh and the Moomin anime connected?

This week AkiDearest has a conspiracy theory (that no one's allowed to steal)...She watched Moomin for the first time and says it reminds her of Winnie The Pooh. She's decided she has her own conspiracy theory that the two are connected... She liked the anime, and wishes she'd grown up with it as a kid. Joey The Anime Man really likes it too. The original series aired in 1969 - almost 50 years ago. Joey explains why he thinks it's still so popular today for kids and adults alike.