
Isao Takahata
Personal Info
Known for
Directing
Gender
Male
Birthday
1935-10-29
Day of Death
2018-04-05 (82 years old)
Place of Birth
Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan
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).
Known For
Acting
(2025)
Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature
as Self (Archive footage)
(2024)
Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron
as Self
(2023)
(2018)
NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director
as Self (archive footage)
(2015)
Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka
as Himself
(2014)
(2014)
(2013)
(2011)
(2011)
(2010)
Ghibli's Bookshelf
as Self
(2007)
(2005)
(2005)
Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery
as Self - Interviewee
(2004)
Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion
as Self
(2003)
Paul Grimault, image par image
as Himself
(2003)
(2002)
The Cat Returns - Making of
as Self
(1999)
(1998)
How Ghibli Was Born
as Himself
(1991)
The Making of Only Yesterday
as Self
(1987)
The Story of Yanagawa's Canals
as Himself
Crew
(2016)
The Red Turtle
Other, Producer
(2014)
Anne of Green Gables Digest Version
Storyboard Artist, Director
(2013)
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Director, Screenplay
(2010)
Toy Story 3
Thanks
(2010)
Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables
Director, Writer
(2003)
Winter Days
Director
(1999)
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Director, Screenplay
(1994)
Pom Poko
Director, Writer, Original Story
(1993)
(1993)
The Mountain Alps
Director
(1991)
Only Yesterday
Director, Screenplay
(1988)
Grave of the Fireflies
Director, Screenplay
(1988)
Au
Producer
(1987)
The Story of Yanagawa's Canals
Director, Writer, Screenplay
(1986)
Castle in the Sky
Producer
(1984)
(1982)
Gauche the Cellist
Director, Screenplay
(1981)
Chie the Brat
Director, Writer
(1980)
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie
Director, Screenplay, Director of Operations
(1980)
Spooky Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye
Co-Director
(1979)
Heidi, Girl of the Alps
Director
(1979)
Taro the Dragon Boy
Concept Artist, Original Concept
(1977)
Heidi in the City
Director
(1974)
Heidi in the Mountains
Director
(1973)
(1972)
Panda! Go Panda!
Director
(1972)
Panda! Go Panda!
Director
(1972)
Yuki's Sun
Writer
(1968)
Horus: Prince of the Sun
Director
(1968)
Spooky Kitaro
Co-Director
(1963)
The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon
Assistant Director, Producer's Assistant
(1962)
Story of Iron
Production Assistant, Assistant Director
(1961)
The Orphan Brother
Assistant Director