About
Isao Takahata (高畑勲) was a Japanese animation film director, born on 29 October 1935 in Ise, Mie Prefecture. After graduating in French literature from the University of Tokyo in 1959, he joined Toei Doga, made his directing debut on the TV series Ken, the Wild Boy (狼少年ケン) and directed his first feature, Horus: Prince of the Sun (太陽の王子ホルスの大冒険, 1968). After leaving Toei he directed TV series including Heidi, a Girl of the Alps (1974) and Anne of Green Gables (1979). In 1985 he took part in founding Studio Ghibli, and he went on to release Grave of the Fireflies (1988), Only Yesterday (1991), Pom Poko (1994) and My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999). He produced Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013) was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. He died of lung cancer on 5 April 2018, aged 82.
Works in the Archive
Works currently linked in Orbital Memory, from earliest to latest.
Sources and Notes
References support the information above. Expand a source to read its scope, supported fields and access dates.
Studio Ghibli — 高畑勲監督 訃報 (official notice with profile, 2018-04-06)
Source Notes
Creator Classification, Japanese Name, Biography in English, Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
GKIDS (North American distributor of Studio Ghibli) — Isao Takahata, creator page
Source Notes
Display Name, Romanized Name, Biography in English, Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Discotek Media (US distributor) — Horus: Prince of the Sun (Little Norse Prince) Blu-ray, release date March 28, 2017
Source Notes
Biography in English, Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Selecta Visión (Spanish distributor) — Heidi, Edición Deluxe (1974 series, 52 episodes)
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Selecta Visión (Spanish distributor) — Ana de las Tejas Verdes, serie completa
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Selecta Visión (Spanish distributor) — La tumba de las luciérnagas (Isao Takahata, 1988)
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Vértigo Films (Spanish theatrical distributor of Studio Ghibli films) — Recuerdos del Ayer, film page
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Vértigo Films (Spanish theatrical distributor of Studio Ghibli films) — Pompoko, film page
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Vértigo Films (Spanish theatrical distributor of Studio Ghibli films) — El Cuento de la Princesa Kaguya, film page
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
Vértigo Films (Spanish theatrical distributor of Studio Ghibli films) — Nausicaä del Valle del Viento, film page
Source Notes
Biography in Spanish
Accessed: 2026-11-01
TMS Entertainment — Lupin the Third PART1, original author and staff
Source Notes
Lupin the 3rd Part I (1971) · Episodes 16–23; credited as part of the A Production direction group
People and Roles
Accessed: 2026-10-16
スタジオジブリ — 風の谷のナウシカ (1984-03-11; 上映時間 約116分 (approximately 116 minutes); 配給 東映; 制作はトップクラフト)
Source Notes
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) · 1984 theatrical film; credited as プロデューサー
People and Roles
Accessed: 2026-11-02