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).

Personal Details

• Born: 1935-10-29 in Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan
• Known For: Directing

Isao Takahata Movies List

Looking for Isao Takahata movies? Here are some of their most popular films and where they rank in their career:

• The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)
• Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron (2024)
• The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (1987)
• Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2014)
• Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery (2005)
• Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum (2005)
• A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest (2007)
• The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata (1999)
• The Making of Only Yesterday (1991)
• The Cat Returns - Making of (2002)

Explore the complete Isao Takahata movies list and find where to stream them on Watchlist Wizard.