Isao Takahata
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
Personal Info
Known For
Directing
Known Credits
93
Gender
Male
Birthday
1935-10-29 (90 years old)
Place of Birth
Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan
Acting

2025

Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature as Self (archive footage)

2010

Ghibli's Bookshelf as Self

2005

Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery as Self - Interviewee

2004

Kulturplatz as Self

2003

The Birth of Studio Ghibli as Not available

1998

How Ghibli Was Born as Himself
Crew

2016

The Red Turtle Other

2016

The Red Turtle Producer

2010

Toy Story 3 Thanks

2003

Winter Days Director

1999

My Neighbors the Yamadas Screenplay

1994

Pom Poko Director

1994

Pom Poko Writer

1994

Pom Poko Original Story

1993

The Mountain Alps Director

1991

Only Yesterday Director

1991

Only Yesterday Screenplay

1988

Grave of the Fireflies Screenplay

1988

Au Producer

1986

Castle in the Sky Producer

1982

Gauche the Cellist Director

1982

Gauche the Cellist Screenplay

1981

Chie the Brat Director

1981

Chie the Brat Writer

1981

Chie the Brat Series Director

1979

Taro the Dragon Boy Concept Artist

1979

Taro the Dragon Boy Original Concept

1979

Future Boy Conan Storyboard Artist

1979

Anne of Green Gables Series Composition

1979

Anne of Green Gables Director

1979

Anne of Green Gables Storyboard Artist

1978

Future Boy Conan Director

1978

Future Boy Conan Storyboard Artist

1977

Heidi in the City Director

1973

Fantasia Director

1972

Panda! Go Panda! Director

1972

Panda! Go Panda! Director

1972

Yuki's Sun Writer

1971

Lupin the 3rd Director

1968

Spooky Kitaro Co-Director

1962

Story of Iron Production Assistant

1962

Story of Iron Assistant Director

1961

The Orphan Brother Assistant Director