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Isao Takahata

Isao Takahata

Isao Takahata (born October 29, 1935) is one of the most famous directors of anime, or Japanese animated films.

Born in Ujiyamada (now Ise), Mie prefecture, Japan, he is a long-term colleague of Miyazaki Hayao and co-head at Studio Ghibli. His four animated films at Studio Ghibli have spanned a remarkable range of genres: war-film (Grave of the Fireflies), romantic drama (Only Yesterday), comedy (My Neighbors the Yamadas) and ecological adventure (Pom-Poko). Of these Grave of the Fireflies, in particular, is widely considered among the greatest animated films ever made.

Graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1959, Takahata joined the newly-created Toei Douga animation company where a short time later he met Miyazaki, and also directed his first feature film Horus: Prince of the Sun. Ostracized within the company after the financial failure of the film (despite its artistic success), he and Miyazaki left in order to work together, and collaborated on many other films.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2004.

Isao Takahata Facts

OccupationDirector, Screenwriter, Producer
BirthdayOctober 29, 1935 (88)
SignScorpio
BirthplaceMie, Japan

Selected Filmography

Only Yesterday
Grave of the Fireflies
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
Pom Poko
My Neighbors The Yamadas
Panda Go Panda & Rainy Day Circus
Paq. Studio Ghibli Vol. 3
Little Norse Prince Valiant
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