Director Isao Takahata Dies

by tsubasalover
Apr 5, 2018 8:49 PM | 70 Comments

The official website of Studio Ghibli announced on Friday that director Isao Takahata died on Thursday, April 5 at 1:19 a.m. in a Tokyo hospital due to lung cancer. He was 82 years old.

The funeral will be held among family and friends. Toshio Suzuki, after discussing with Hayao Miyazaki, decided to hold a grand memorial meeting for him on May 15, to honor him as an influential member of Studio Ghibli.

Takahata entered Toei Douga, later known as Toei Animation since 1998, in 1959 after graduating from The University of Tokyo in French literature. His directorial debut was Taiyou no Ouji: Horus no Daibouken, which premiered in 1968. Before leaving Toei Douga, he also directed Alps no Shoujo Heidi, Akage no Anne TV anime and movie, Haha wo Tazunete Sanzenri, and more. He co-founded Studio Ghibli with Miyazaki in 1985 and produced many anime movies such as Hotaru no Haka, Omoide Poroporo, and Kaguya-hime no Monogatari. He was awarded Medal with Yellow Ribbon in 1998, Honorary Lifetime Achievement Award at Annecy International Animated Film Festival in 2014, and Order of Arts and Letters in 2015 in France.

Source: Comic Natalie

Life Event Staff

20 of 70 Comments Recent Comments

Memorial issue of Takahata for Kinema Junpou released on May 19, 2018.
https://natalie.mu/comic/news/282979

May 20, 2018 6:57 AM by tsubasalover

NTV's Friday Roadshow will broadcast Kaguya-hime no Monogatari on May 13
https://www.cinra.net/news/20180428-kaguyahime

Apr 29, 2018 12:57 AM by tsubasalover

Thank you Isao Takahata for Studio Ghibli and everything you did for anime. You live on forever in your films and series, in the millions of hearts of your fans across the world.

Apr 8, 2018 8:23 AM by Aegidrom

I'm sad when I saw this news. I watched Kaguya-Hime several months ago and I liked it. May he rest in peace and his work never be forgotten by all of anime fans in the world

Apr 7, 2018 10:49 PM by Umishiomi

Rest In Peace Mr. Takahata, thank you for the memories!

Apr 7, 2018 11:38 AM by pokachi

I saw it 2days ago I felt bad, nice movies were made bye bye

Apr 7, 2018 11:09 AM by -Haki

It's now a bittersweet fact that this man is dead now, as he was very influential to the anime industry. May he rest in peace.

Apr 7, 2018 11:07 AM by StrawberryForest

Its always sad when someone from the anime industry dies and this time another legend leaves us its just depressing. May you Rest in Peace.

Apr 7, 2018 6:54 AM by Darkvoid

Only yesterday was my favorite of his movies, really resonated with me. We must protect Miyazaki at all costs!!

Apr 6, 2018 9:29 PM by Shuhan

Logged in into this site this morning after several days break only to find this devastating news. Some of his works are amongst my favorite not only anime but also films too. Especially the inspiring Only Yesterday. Perhaps it is the only anime that I can resolutely declare as my absolute favorite of all time without the faintest shadow of a doubt.

I am not good enough with words to compose elegy and eulogy so Rest In Peace is all I can only say. You and your legacy will be remembered.

Apr 6, 2018 8:25 PM by UpperCat

NOOOOOOOO!!!! Fking cancer strikes again. I cannot thank this man enough for making my favourite Ghibli film Only Yesterday. This is such a tragedy. I hope his legacy and influence only increases from now. RIP you legend.

Apr 6, 2018 6:06 PM by IndianAnimeReker

Grave of the Fireflies was one of the best Ghibli films, and one of the best animated films altogether. This man was a legend.

Apr 6, 2018 5:47 PM by removed-user

Thanks for all the books I could open and adventures I could join. Always have had a good time with your works, Isao Takahata-sensei <3

Apr 6, 2018 5:19 PM by Xiaraith

One can only imagine what Miyazaki & Suzuki-san are going through... My condolences

Rest in peace

Apr 6, 2018 4:02 PM by 2-2Distracted

This is like losing Satoshi Kon--only worse.

Takahata's strength was his ability to easily and wonderfully adapt to any source material: the celebration of the mundane (Only Yesterday, My Neighbors the Yamadas), the horror and tragedy of war (Grave of the Fireflies), the blending of the ancient and avant-garde (Tale of the Princess Kaguya)...and still give us family fare remembered for decades (Hols: Prince of the Sun, Anne of Green Gables).

He will be missed beyond belief.

Apr 6, 2018 2:39 PM by Zarmyn

Despite not being a big ass fan of his works, I do admit that he placed a lot of thought into it and I acknowledge that fact. My condolences to his family.

Rest in Peace.

Apr 6, 2018 2:33 PM by removed-user

One of the greatest directors of our time. His films touched me on a deep, personal level and I'll never forget that. He leaves behind a great legacy. Rest in peace, Mr. Takahata. You will never be forgotten.

Apr 6, 2018 2:15 PM by LegoC97

Rest In Peace, this man really was an inspiration to many. I am incredibly thankful for his wonderful works, as well as bringing together Studio Ghibli.

Apr 6, 2018 1:21 PM by Haru313

A legend that will be missed.

RIP.

Apr 6, 2018 12:02 PM by Stark700

Elyshion said:
So far, I have not seen any of his films but I think I will watch one of his masterpieces.
You advise me which films ?
And RIP.

I recommend 'Grave of the fireflies' it's arguably one of the most influential and emotional animated film ever made.

Apr 6, 2018 10:57 AM by madarchod

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