Isao Takahata
- Known for
- Directing
- Born
- October 29, 1935
- Died
- April 5, 2018
- Birthplace
- 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).
Filmography
- Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto
Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto 2025
as Self (archive footage)
Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature 2025
as Self (archive footage)
Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron 2024
as Self (archive fotage)
2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli 2023
as Self
- 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 2018
as Self (archive footage)
The Red Turtle 2016
Other, Producer
- Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka
Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka 2015
as Self
Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya 2014
as Self
Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata 2014
as Self
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya 2013
Director, Screenplay, Original Story
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness 2013
as Self
Ghibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point 2011
as Self
Japanese Cinema: New Territories 2011
as Self
Ghibli's Bookshelf 2010
as Self
Toy Story 3 2010
Thanks
A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest 2007
as Self
Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum 2005
as Self
Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery 2005
as Self - Interviewee
Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion 2004
as Self
Winter Days 2003
Director
Paul Grimault, image par image 2003
as Self
The Birth of Studio Ghibli 2003
Actor
The Cat Returns - Making of 2002
as Self
Super TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas" 2000
Actor
The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata 1999
as Self
My Neighbors the Yamadas 1999
Director, Screenplay, Songs
Marco: Carry a Dream 1999
Original Series Creator
How Ghibli Was Born 1998
as Self
Pom Poko 1994
Director, Writer, Original Story
Heidi: Girl of the Alps: Mt. Alm 1993
Director
Heidi: Girl of the Alps: Heidi and Clara 1993
Director
The Making of Only Yesterday 1991
as Self
Only Yesterday 1991
Director, Screenplay
Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables 1990
Director, Writer
Kiki's Delivery Service 1989
Music Director
Grave of the Fireflies 1988
Director, Screenplay
- Au
Au 1988
Producer
The Story of Yanagawa Waterways 1987
as Self, Director, Screenplay
Castle in the Sky 1986
Producer
Warriors of the Wind 1984
Producer
Gauche the Cellist 1982
Director, Screenplay
Chie the Brat 1981
Director, Writer
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie 1980
Director, Director of Operations, Screenplay
Gegege no Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye 1980
Co-Director
Future Boy Conan 1979
Storyboard Artist
Taro the Dragon Boy 1979
Concept Artist, Original Concept
The Story of Heidi 1979
Director
Heidi in the City 1977
Director
Heidi in the Mountains 1974
Director
Panda! Go Panda!: Rainy Day Circus 1973
Director
Yuki's Sun 1972
Writer
Panda! Go Panda! 1972
Director
Panda! Go Panda! 1972
Director
Horus: Prince of the Sun 1968
Director
Spooky Kitaro 1968
Co-Director
Wolf Boy Ken: Scared by a Ghost: The Greatest Operation in the Jungle 1964
Director
Duel of the Underworld 1963
Assistant Director
The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon 1963
Assistant Director, Producer's Assistant
Story of Iron 1962
Production Assistant, Assistant Director, Script Supervisor
The Orphan Brother 1961
Assistant Director
Credits from TMDB.