Isao Takahata
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).
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (46)
Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto
as Self (archive footage)
2025
Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature
as Self (archive footage)
2025
Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron
as Self
2024
2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli
as Self
2023
NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director
as Self (archive footage)
2018
The Red Turtle
Other (Production)
2016
Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka
as Self
2015
Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya
as Self
2014
Anne of Green Gables Digest Version
Storyboard Artist (Art)
2014
Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata
as Self
2014
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Director (Directing)
2013
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
as Self
2013
Ghibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point
as Self
2011
Japanese Cinema: New Territories
as Self
2011
Ghibli's Bookshelf
as Self
2010
Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables
Director (Directing)
2010
Toy Story 3
Thanks (Crew)
2010
A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest
as Self
2007
Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum
as Self
2005
Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery
as Self - Interviewee
2005
Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion
as Self
2004
Winter Days
Director (Directing)
2003
Paul Grimault, image par image
as Self
2003
The Birth of Studio Ghibli
2003
The Cat Returns - Making of
as Self
2002
Super TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas"
2000
The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata
as Himself
1999
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Director (Directing)
1999
How Ghibli Was Born
as Himself
1998
Pom Poko
Director (Directing)
1994
Alps no Shōjo Heidi: Heidi to Clara Hen
Director (Directing)
1993
The Mountain Alps
Director (Directing)
1993
The Making of Only Yesterday
as Self
1991
Only Yesterday
Director (Directing)
1991
Grave of the Fireflies
Director (Directing)
1988
Au
Producer (Production)
1988
The Story of Yanagawa's Canals
as Himself
1987
Castle in the Sky
Producer (Production)
1986
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Producer (Production)
1984
Gauche the Cellist
Director (Directing)
1982
Chie the Brat
Director (Directing)
1981
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie
Director (Directing)
1980
Spooky Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye
Co-Director (Directing)
1980
Future Boy Conan
Storyboard Artist (Art)
1979
Heidi, Girl of the Alps
Director (Directing)
1979
Taro the Dragon Boy
Concept Artist (Art)
1979
