Isao Takahata
Born: 1935-10-29 in Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan
Died: 2018-04-05
Known For: Directing
Biography
Isao Takahata (October 29, 1935 – April 5, 2018), co-founder of Studio Ghibli, was one of the most famous directors of Japanese animated films. Unlike most anime directors, he did not draw and never worked as an animator before becoming a director. For the first two decades of his career from the 1960s to the 1980s, Takahata worked primarily as director for anime television. In 1985 he and his long-time collaborative partner Hayao Miyazaki formed Studio Ghibli with Toshio Suzuki and Yasuyoshi Tokuma. From that point, his career transitioned into producing, directing, and writing films for Studio Ghibli. He is known for his five feature length anime films released under Ghibli, Grave of the Fireflies (1988), Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994), My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) and The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013).
Filmography
2025
- Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature as Self (archive footage)
- Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto as Self (archive footage)
2024
- Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron as Self
2023
2019
- 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki as Self
2018
- NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director as Self (archive footage)
2016
- The Red Turtle ... (Other)
2015
- Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka as Self
2014
- Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya as Self
- Anne of Green Gables Digest Version ... (Storyboard Artist)
- Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata as Self
2013
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya ... (Director)
- The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness as Self
2011
2010
- Toy Story 3 ... (Thanks)
- Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables ... (Director)
- Ghibli's Bookshelf as Self
2005
- Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum as Self
- Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery as Self - Interviewee
2004
- Kulturplatz as Self
- Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion as Self
2003
- Winter Days ... (Director)
- Paul Grimault, image par image as Self
- The Birth of Studio Ghibli
2002
- The Cat Returns - Making of as Self
1999
- My Neighbors the Yamadas ... (Director)
- The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata as Himself
1998
- How Ghibli Was Born as Himself
1994
- Pom Poko ... (Director)
1993
- The Mountain Alps ... (Director)
- Alps no Shōjo Heidi: Heidi to Clara Hen ... (Director)
1991
- Only Yesterday ... (Director)
- The Making of Only Yesterday as Self
1988
- Au ... (Producer)
- Grave of the Fireflies ... (Director)
1987
- The Story of Yanagawa's Canals as Himself
1986
- Castle in the Sky ... (Producer)
1985
- NHK Educational TV Special as Himself
1984
- Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind ... (Producer)
1982
- Gauche the Cellist ... (Director)
1981
- Chie the Brat ... (Director)
- Chie the Brat ... (Series Director)
1980
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie ... (Director)
- Spooky Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye ... (Co-Director)
1979
- Anne of Green Gables ... (Series Composition)
- Taro the Dragon Boy ... (Concept Artist)
- Future Boy Conan ... (Storyboard Artist)
- Heidi, Girl of the Alps ... (Director)
1978
- Future Boy Conan ... (Director)
1977
- Heidi in the City ... (Director)
1976
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother ... (Director)
1975
- Laura, the Prairie Girl ... (Creator)
1974
- Heidi, Girl of the Alps ... (Director)
- Heidi in the Mountains ... (Director)
1973
- Fantasia ... (Director)
- Panda! Go Panda!: Rainy Day Circus ... (Director)
1972
- Panda! Go Panda! ... (Director)
- Panda! Go Panda! ... (Director)
- Yuki's Sun ... (Writer)
1971
- Lupin the 3rd ... (Director)
1968
- Horus: Prince of the Sun ... (Director)
- Spooky Kitaro ... (Co-Director)
1964
- Ôkami shônen Ken: Obake-girai: Jungle saidai no sakusen ... (Director)
1963
- The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon ... (Assistant Director)
1962
- Story of Iron ... (Production Assistant)
1961
- The Orphan Brother ... (Assistant Director)