
Isao Takahata
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).
20
Films
3
TV Shows
31
Crew Credits
Known For
23 Credits
Kulturplatz
as Self
2004

10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
as Self
2019

Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron
as Self (archive fotage)
2024

The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
as Self
2013

NHK Educational TV Special
as Himself
1985

Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya
as Self
2014

Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum
as Self
2005

Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature
as Self (archive footage)
2025

Ghibli's Bookshelf
as Self
2010

A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest
as Self
2007

Paul Grimault, image par image
as Self
2003

The Story of Yanagawa's Canals
as Himself
1987
Behind the Camera
31 Credits
Lupin the 3rd
Director
1971

Anne of Green Gables
Writer, Director
1979

Heidi: Girl of the Alps
Director
1974

3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
Director
1976

Future Boy Conan
Director
1978

Castle in the Sky
Producer
1986

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Producer
1984

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Director
2013

My Neighbors the Yamadas
Director
1999

Only Yesterday
Director
1991

Pom Poko
Director, Writer
1994

The Red Turtle
Producer
2016