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).
Directed 33
2020s
- 2026
The Story of Yanagawa Waterways
Director
2010s
- 2013
2000s
- 2003
Winter Days
Director
1990s
- 1999
- 1994
- 1993
Heidi: Girl of the Alps: Heidi and Clara
Director
Heidi: Girl of the Alps: Mt. Alm
Director
- 1991
- 1990
Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables
Director
1980s
- 1988
- 1982
- 1981
Chie the Brat
Director
- 1980
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie
Director
Gegege no Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye
Co-Director
1970s
- 1979
The Story of Heidi
Director
- 1978
- 1977
Heidi in the City
Director
- 1976
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother
Director, Series Director
- 1974
Heidi in the Mountains
Director
- 1973
- 1972
- 1971
1960s
- 1968
Spooky Kitaro
Co-Director
- 1964
Wolf Boy Ken: Scared by a Ghost: The Greatest Operation in the Jungle
Director
- 1963
The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon
Assistant Director
- 1962
Story of Iron
Assistant Director, Script Supervisor
- 1961
The Orphan Brother
Assistant Director
Wrote 14
2020s
- 2026
The Story of Yanagawa Waterways
Screenplay
1990s
- 1999
- 1994
- 1991
- 1990
Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables
Writer
1980s
- 1988
- 1982
- 1981
Chie the Brat
Writer
- 1980
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie
Screenplay
1970s
- 1979
Taro the Dragon Boy
Original Concept
- 1972
Yuki's Sun
Writer
Produced 6
2010s
- 2016
1980s
- 1986
- 1984
- 1980
3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie
Director of Operations
1960s
- 1963
The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon
Producer's Assistant
- 1962
Story of Iron
Production Assistant
Art department 5
1970s
- 1979
Future Boy Conan
Storyboard Artist
Taro the Dragon Boy
Concept Artist
- 1978
- 1974
Acted in 2
2000s
- 2003
The Birth of Studio Ghibli
Movie
- 2000
Super TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas"
Movie
Sound 2
1990s
- 1999
1980s
- 1989
Created 2
1970s
- 1976
- 1975
Appearances22
2020s
- 2026
The Story of Yanagawa Waterways
Self
- 2025
Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature
Self (archive footage)
- 2024
- 2023
2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli
Self
2010s
- 2019
10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
Self · 4 episodes
- 2014
Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya
Self
Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata
Self
- 2013
- 2011
Ghibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point
Self
Japanese Cinema: New Territories
Self
- 2010
Ghibli's Bookshelf
Self
2000s
- 2007
A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest
Self
- 2005
Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum
Self
Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery
Self - Interviewee
- 2004
Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion
Self
- 2003
Paul Grimault, image par image
Self
- 2002
The Cat Returns - Making of
Self
1990s
- 1999
The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata
Self
- 1998
How Ghibli Was Born
Self
- 1991
The Making of Only Yesterday
Self
1980s
- 1985
NHK Educational TV Special
Self · 1 episode
Thanked in the credits1
2010s
- 2010
