Takahata Isao (高畑 勲) (born October 29, 1935) is one of the most famous directors of anime, or Japanese animated films.
Born in Ise, Mie prefecture, Japan, he is a long-term colleague of Miyazaki Hayao and co-head at Studio Ghibli. He is also the creator of what many consider the finest anime ever made, Grave of the Fireflies.
Graduating from Tokyo University 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.
Assistant Director
- The Littlest Warrior (Anju to Zushioumaru) -- 1961
- Iron Story (Tetsu Monogatari) -- 1962
- The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon (Wanpaku Ouji no Daija Taiji) -- 1962
- The Biggest Duel in the Underworld (Ankokugai Saidai no Kettou) -- 1963
- Hustle Punch (TV) -- 1965
- Secret Little Akko (TV) (Himitsu no Akko-chan) -- 1969
Director
- Horus: Prince of the Sun[?] (Taiyou no Ouji - Horusu no Daibouken) -- 1968
- A-tarou the Workaholic (TV) (Mouretsu Atarou) -- 1969
- Apache Baseball Team (TV) (Apatchi Yakyuugun) -- 1971
- Lupin III[?] (TV) (Rupan Sansei) -- 1971
- Panda Kopanda[?] -- 1972
- Lowest-of-the-Low Kitarou (TV) (Gegege no Kitarou) -- 1972
- Red-armored Suzunosuke (TV) (Akadou Suzunosuke) -- 1973
- Heidi, Girl of the Alps (TV) (Arupusu no Shoujo Haiji) -- 1974
- 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother (TV) (Haha wo Tazunete Sanzen-ri) -- 1976
- Future Boy Conan (TV) (Mirai Shonen Konan) -- 1978
- Anne of Green Gables (TV) (Akage no An) -- 1979
- Chie the Brat (TV) (Jarinko Chie) -- 1981
- Gauche the Cellist (Serohiki no Goushu) -- 1982
- The Story of Yanagawa's Canals (Yanagawa Horiwari Monogatari) -- 1987
- Grave of the Fireflies (Hotaru no Haka) -- 1988
- Only Yesterday[?] (Omohide Poro Poro) -- 1991
- Pom Poko[?] (Heisei Tanuki Gassen Pon Poko) -- 1994
- My Neighbors the Yamadas[?] (Houhokekyo Tonari no Yamada-kun) -- 1999
Producer
Scriptwriter
Storyboards
- Wasteland Boy Isamu (TV) (Kouya no Shounen Isamu) -- 1973
- A Dog of Flanders (TV) (Furandaasu no Inu) -- 1975
- Seton Animal Chronicles: Jacky the Bear Cub (TV) (Shiiton Doubutsuki Kuma no Ko Jakkii) -- 1977
- Perrine's Story (TV) (Periinu Monogatari) -- 1978