Isao Takahata
- Known For
- Directing
- Born
- October 29, 1935 in Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan
- Died
- April 5, 2018
- Active Years
- 1961–2025 (65 Years)
- Total Credits
- 101 credits in database
Biography
Isao Takahata was a Japanese animated film director, producer, and writer, as well as a co-founder of Studio Ghibli. He was born on October 29, 1935, in Ujiyamada, which is now Ise, in Mie, Japan, and he passed away on April 5, 2018, at the age of 82. Unlike most anime directors, he did not draw and never worked as an animator prior to becoming a director. During the first two decades of his career, spanning from the 1960s to the 1980s, he worked primarily as a director for anime television. In 1985, he formed Studio Ghibli alongside long-time collaborative partner Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, after which his career transitioned into producing, directing, and writing films for the studio.
Career overview
Isao Takahata was born on October 29, 1935, in Ujiyamada, which is now known as Ise, Mie, Japan. He was a co-founder of Studio Ghibli and 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, spanning from the 1960s to the 1980s, Takahata worked primarily as a director for anime television. In 1985, along with his long-time collaborative partner Hayao Miyazaki, as well as Toshio Suzuki and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, he formed Studio Ghibli. From that point onward, his career transitioned into producing, directing, and writing films for Studio Ghibli. Throughout his career, he accumulated seventy-three known credits focusing on directing.
Isao Takahata passed away on April 5, 2018, at the age of eighty-two.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
101 titles- Miyazaki, Spirit of Nature (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Hotaru no Haka to Takahata Isao to 7-satsu no Nōto (2025) as Self (archive footage)
- Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron (2024) as Self (archive fotage)
- 2399 Days with Hayao Miyazaki & Studio Ghibli (2023) as Self
- 10 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)
- The Red Turtle (2016) Other
- The Red Turtle (2016) Producer
- Hyohyo: Dear Mr. Yasuo Otsuka (2015) as Self
- Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2014) as Self
- Ghibli Landscapes - Visit 'Japan' as Depicted by Isao Takahata (2014) as Self
- Anne of Green Gables Digest Version (2014) Storyboard Artist
- Anne of Green Gables Digest Version (2014) Director
- Anne of Green Gables Digest Version (2014) Writer
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) Screenplay
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) Director
- The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013) Original Story
- The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) as Self
- Ghibli Landscapes - A Journey to Encounter Directors Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki's Starting Point (2011) as Self
- Japanese Cinema: New Territories (2011) as Self
- Toy Story 3 (2010) Thanks
- Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables (2010) Director
- Anne of Green Gables: Road to Green Gables (2010) Writer
- Ghibli's Bookshelf (2010) as Self
- A Ghibli Artisan - Kazuo Oga Exhibition - The One Who Drew Totoro's Forest (2007) as Self
- Hayao Miyazaki and the Ghibli Museum (2005) as Self
- Ghibli and The Miyazaki Mystery (2005) as Self - Interviewee
- Kulturplatz (2004) as Self
- Yasuo Ōtsuka's Joy in Motion (2004) as Self
- Winter Days (2003) Director
- The Birth of Studio Ghibli (2003)
- Paul Grimault, image par image (2003) as Self
- The Cat Returns - Making of (2002) as Self
- Super TV: Frontline Information 15 Months of Exclusive Coverage! The Secret Behind "My Neighbors the Yamadas" (2000)
- My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) Director
- My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) Screenplay
- My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) Songs
- Marco: Carry a Dream (1999) Original Series Creator
- The World, The Journey Of My Heart - Traveler: Animation Film Director Isao Takahata (1999) as Himself
- How Ghibli Was Born (1998) as Himself
- Pom Poko (1994) Director
- Pom Poko (1994) Writer
- Pom Poko (1994) Original Story
- Heidi: Girl of the Alps: Mt. Alm (1993) Director
- Heidi: Girl of the Alps: Heidi and Clara (1993) Director
- Only Yesterday (1991) Director
- Only Yesterday (1991) Screenplay
- The Making of Only Yesterday (1991) as Self
- Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) Music Director
- Au (1988) Producer
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Screenplay
- Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Director
- The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (1987) as Himself
- The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (1987) Writer
- The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (1987) Director
- The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (1987) Screenplay
- Castle in the Sky (1986) Producer
- NHK Educational TV Special (1985) as Himself
- Warriors of the Wind (1984) Producer
- Gauche the Cellist (1982) Director
- Gauche the Cellist (1982) Screenplay
- Chie the Brat (1981) Series Director
- Chie the Brat (1981) Director
- Chie the Brat (1981) Writer
- Gegege no Kitaro: The All Seeing Eye (1980) Co-Director
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie (1980) Director
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie (1980) Screenplay
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother: The Movie (1980) Director of Operations
- Anne of Green Gables (1979) Series Composition
- Anne of Green Gables (1979) Writer
- Anne of Green Gables (1979) Director
- Anne of Green Gables (1979) Storyboard Artist
- Taro the Dragon Boy (1979) Concept Artist
- Taro the Dragon Boy (1979) Original Concept
- The Story of Heidi (1979) Director
- Future Boy Conan (1979) Storyboard Artist
- Future Boy Conan (1978) Director
- Future Boy Conan (1978) Storyboard Artist
- Heidi in the City (1977) Director
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (1976) Director
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (1976) Series Director
- Marco (1976) Creator
- Laura, the Prairie Girl (1975) Creator
- Heidi: Girl of the Alps (1974) Director
- Heidi in the Mountains (1974) Director
- Panda! Go Panda!: Rainy Day Circus (1973) Director
- Fantasia (1973) Director
- Yuki's Sun (1972) Writer
- Panda! Go Panda! (1972) Director
- Panda! Go Panda! (1972) Director
- Lupin the 3rd (1971) Director
- Horus: Prince of the Sun (1968) Director
- Spooky Kitaro (1968) Co-Director
- Wolf Boy Ken: Scared by a Ghost: The Greatest Operation in the Jungle (1964) Director
- Duel of the Underworld (1963) Assistant Director
- The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon (1963) Assistant Director
- The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon (1963) Producer's Assistant
- Story of Iron (1962) Production Assistant
- Story of Iron (1962) Assistant Director
- Story of Iron (1962) Script Supervisor
- The Orphan Brother (1961) Assistant Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Isao Takahata best known for?
Isao Takahata is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The 2 Sides of the Bed (2005), The Red Turtle (2016), The Red Turtle (2016), The Tale of The Princess Kaguya (2013).
When and where was Isao Takahata born?
Isao Takahata was born on October 29, 1935 in Ujiyamada [now Ise], Mie, Japan. They passed away on April 5, 2018.
How many credits does Isao Takahata have?
Isao Takahata has accumulated over 101 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2025.
What is Isao Takahata's background in cinema and television?
Isao Takahata was a Japanese animated film director, producer, and writer, as well as a co-founder of Studio Ghibli. He was born on October 29, 1935, in Ujiyamada, which is now Ise, in Mie, Japan, and he passed away on April 5, 2018, at the age of 82. Unlike most anime directors, he did not draw and never worked as an ...
Isao Takahata by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013) as Self — aged about 77
- Kulturplatz (2004) as Self — aged about 68
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