Directing
Isao Takahata
JA, FR, EN cinema · 60 credits
Born
29 October 1935
Died
5 April 2018 (aged 82)
Birthplace
Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan
Also known as Такахата Исао · たかはた いさお · Paku-san · 타카하타 이사오 · ایسائو تاکاهاتا
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
Filmography
The Story of Yanagawa Waterways
as Self, Director, Screenplay
Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature
as Self (archive footage)
火垂るの墓と高畑勲と7冊のノート
2025
Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto
as Self (archive footage)
Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron
as Self (archive fotage)
NHK 映像ファイルあの人に会いたい『高畑勲（アニメーション映画監督）』
2018
NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director
as Self (archive footage)
The Red Turtle
Other, Producer
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Screenplay, Director, Original Story
Toy Story 3
Thanks
Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery
as Self - Interviewee
Winter Days
Director
The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata
as Self
My Neighbors the Yamadas
Director, Screenplay, Songs
Marco: Carry a Dream
Original Series Creator
Pom Poko
Director, Writer, Original Story
Only Yesterday
Director, Screenplay
Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables
Director, Writer
Kiki's Delivery Service
Music Director
Grave of the Fireflies
Screenplay, Director
Au
1988
Au
Producer
Castle in the Sky
Producer
Warriors of the Wind
Producer
Gauche the Cellist
Director, Screenplay
Chie the Brat
Director, Writer
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie
Director, Screenplay, Director of Operations
The Story of Heidi
Director
Taro the Dragon Boy
Concept Artist, Original Concept
Future Boy Conan
Storyboard Artist
Heidi in the City
Director
Panda! Go Panda!
Director
Panda! Go Panda!
Director
Yuki's Sun
Writer
Spooky Kitaro
Co-Director
The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon
Assistant Director, Producer's Assistant
Duel of the Underworld
Assistant Director
Story of Iron
Production Assistant, Assistant Director, Script Supervisor
The Orphan Brother
Assistant Director