Directing · Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan · Born October 29, 1935
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).
Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto
2025
as Self (archive footage)
MovieMiyazaki, Spirit of Nature
2025
as Self (archive footage)
MovieHayao Miyazaki and the Heron
2024
as Self (archive fotage)
Movie2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli
2023
as Self
TV10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
2019
as Self
NHK Image File: I Want To Meet This Person - Isao Takahata, Animation Film Director
2018
as Self (archive footage)
Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka
2015
as Self
MovieIsao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya
2014
as Self
MovieGhibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata
2014
as Self
MovieThe Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
2013
as Self
MovieGhibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point
2011
as Self
MovieJapanese Cinema: New Territories
2011
as Self
MovieGhibli's Bookshelf
2010
as Self
MovieA Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest
2007
as Self
MovieHayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum
2005
as Self
MovieGhibli and The Miyazaki Mystery
2005
as Self - Interviewee
TVKulturplatz
2004
as Self
MovieYasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion
2004
as Self
MoviePaul Grimault, image par image
2003
as Self
MovieThe Birth of Studio Ghibli
2003
MovieThe Cat Returns - Making of
2002
as Self
MovieSuper TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas"
2000
MovieThe World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata
1999
as Himself
MovieHow Ghibli Was Born
1998
as Himself
MovieThe Making of Only Yesterday
1991
as Self
MovieThe Story of Yanagawa's Canals
1987
as Himself
TVNHK Educational TV Special
1985
as Himself
