Isao Takahata
Isao Takahata

Isao Takahata

Born: October 29, 1935 - Died: April 5, 2018 (82 years)
Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan

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).

TV Shows Directed (5)
Movies as Actor (24)
Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto

Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto

as Self (archive footage)

Aug 2, 2025

Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature

Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature

as Self (archive footage)

May 9, 2025

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron

as Self (archive fotage)

Oct 10, 2024

2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli

2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli

as Self

Dec 16, 2023

NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director

NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director

as Self (archive footage)

Apr 6, 2018

Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka

Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka

as Self

Mar 19, 2015

Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya

Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya

as Self

Nov 27, 2014

Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata

Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata

as Self

Jan 1, 2014

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness

as Self

Nov 16, 2013

Ghibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point

Ghibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point

as Self

Dec 31, 2011

Japanese Cinema: New Territories

Japanese Cinema: New Territories

as Self

Mar 25, 2011

Ghibli's Bookshelf

Ghibli's Bookshelf

as Self

Aug 7, 2010

A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest

A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest

as Self

Dec 19, 2007

Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum

Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum

as Self

Mar 18, 2005

Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery

Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery

as Self - Interviewee

Jan 7, 2005

Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion

Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion

as Self

Jul 23, 2004

Paul Grimault, image par image

Paul Grimault, image par image

as Self

Nov 25, 2003

The Birth of Studio Ghibli

The Birth of Studio Ghibli

Nov 19, 2003

The Cat Returns - Making of

The Cat Returns - Making of

as Self

Jul 11, 2002

Super TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas"

Super TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas"

Nov 17, 2000

The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata

The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata

as Himself

Dec 2, 1999

How Ghibli Was Born

How Ghibli Was Born

as Himself

Jan 1, 1998

The Making of Only Yesterday

The Making of Only Yesterday

as Self

Jul 22, 1991

The Story of Yanagawa's Canals

The Story of Yanagawa's Canals

as Himself

Aug 15, 1987