Anime legend & Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata has passed away at 82

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The anime film community has lost one of its most prominent members with the passing of Isao Takahata, the Oscar-nominated anime pioneer who co-founded Studio Ghibli with Hayao Miyazaki in June of 1985. As a writer, director, and producer of several timeless animated films, Takahata is known mostly for his work on such films as GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, POM POKO, ONLY YESTERDAY, and THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAYUGA. According to several reports, Takahata died in a hospital in Tokyo, Japan after his battle with a long-time illness came to an end.

Takahata’s storied career began in 1959 when he joined Toei Animation as an assistant. While there, he met a friendly, young talent by the name of Hayao Miyazaki. After some time, the duo, along with Toshio Suzuki, founded Ghibli Studios. During his time at Ghibli, Takahata directed several features, and produced such films as NAUSICAA OF THE VALLEY OF THE WIND (1984) and CASTLE IN THE SKY (1986). Between the years 1991 to 2013, as Takahata's talent as a commanding presence in the anime community continued to flourish, he applied his seasoned skills to directing the features ONLY YESTERDAY, POM POKO, MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMADAS, and THE TALE OF PRINCESS KAYUGA – which was later nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Takahata, whose health reportedly had taken a turn for the worse last year due to a heart condition, leaves behind a legacy that will undoubtedly be cherish around the world for many generations to come. We here at JoBlo wish Mr. Isao Takahata safe passage in the afterlife, and would like to express our condolences to his surviving family and friends. Rest well, sir, and may your influence on the animation community be felt for all time.