Most anime fans know that Isao Takahata directed some of the most iconicanime movies with breathtaking visualsand emotional stories. Takahata has been making anime for decades now and his films and series have been nominated for and won many prestigious international movie awards. His often haunting and deeply emotional movies helped millions of movie fans fall in love with anime and understand what’s special about Japanese animation.
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He is one of Japan’s most celebrated directors whose stories aren’t necessarily set in fantasy worlds but are always filled with magic and explore meaningful themes and are rooted in Japanese culture and mythology. Isao Takahata directed some of the mostbeautiful Studio Ghibli moviesthat have been admired by fans for decades now. His touching and visually breathtaking movies have not only inspired fans but anime artist and movie-makers all over the world.
7Gauche The Cellist
Gauche the Cellistis one of the lesser-known movies of Isao Takahata that’s a touching and highly motivational fantasy story. This feel-good anime movie has a charming art style and stunning music that makes it a truly inspiring and relaxing experience.
Gauche the Cellist’s story is about a young cellist named Gauche who is trying to do his best to become a great cellist, but things are just not working out for him. After his conductor puts him down instead of helping him Gauche decides to start practicing more and more in a small cabin alone. Soon animals start to appear and guide Gauche who begins to understand music on a deeper level.
6My Neighbours The Yamadas
My Neighbours the Yamadasis Isao Takahata’s charming slice-of-life anime movie that follows a loving but dysfunctional Japanese family’s life and misadventures in contemporary Japan. It’s a witty story with relatable and hilarious characters.
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My Neighbours the Yamadasis one of thebest Studio Ghibli moviesfor the whole family since there are many touching metaphors in the story that kids and adults will appreciate. While most of the movie’s story deals with mundane daily family issues it also touches on more serious themes like loss, illness, and family dynamics.
5Future Boy Conan
Future Boy Conanis one of the most funforgotten 1970s animewith episodes that were directed by not only Isao Takahata but also Hayao Miyazaki and Keiji Hayakawa. This classic adventure anime series has a captivating and inspiring story about peace and war, and hope that’s accompanied by wondrous music.
Future Boy Conan’s story follows a young boy named Conan who has superhuman strength and is trying to survive and save his friends in a post-apocalyptic world where a devastating war almost destroyed the entire planet. It’s an emotional and adventure-filled series, each episode directed by some of the most talented anime directors of all time.
4Pom Poko
Pom Pokois a wonderful and magical fantasy anime movie directed by Isao Takahata and is one of the most underrated Studio Ghibli movies. It’s also one of the most entertaininganime that shows the beauty of naturethat also uses Japanese folklore creatures called tanuki to create a truly memorable and thought-provoking experience.
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Pom Poko’s story follows these shape-shifting creatures who have to find a way to use their supernatural talents and save their beloved forest home before it’s destroyed by urban development. It’s a fun family-friendly anime that’ll help viewers get to know Japanese culture and mythology a bit better while also learning about why it’s essential to protect the environment.
3Only Yesterday
Only Yesterdayis one of the most celebrated anime movies of all time that has been praised as a masterpiece by fans and critics alike. This groundbreaking anime was the first that targeted an adult demographic and explored more serious and deeply emotional themes about regret, loss of hope, and the struggle of finding a purpose in life.
Only Yesterdayis Isao Takahata’s most beloved movie in Japan that takes its viewers on an emotional, melancholic, and humorous ride. It’s a beautiful story that follows a twenty-seven-year-old woman who travels to the countryside while reminiscing about her life as a kid, her girlhood dreams, and what it was like to grow up in Japan.
2The Tale Of Princess Kaguya
The Tale Of Princess Kaguyais one of the fewanimes that were nominated for an Academy Awardand is Isao Takahata’s most visually unique movie that was inspired by Japanese folklore. It’s a simple yet magical family-friendly anime movie about a mysterious tiny girl found by a bamboo cutter and his wife.
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The Tale Of Princess Kaguyafollows Kaguya’s adventures as the little girl grows into a beautiful young woman. As she gets surrounded by many suitors she asks them to prove their love by completing near-impossible tasks but eventually has to face her fate and return home.
1Grave Of The Fireflies
Grave of the Firefliesis Isao Takahata’s most emotional movie about survival, love, loss, and the brutality of war. It’s known by many anime fans as one of the saddest anime movies of all time that made most if not all viewers cry.
Grave of the Firefliesis also a greatanime to learn about Japanese historyand how the Second World War changed lives in the country. Its startling story follows two siblings' adventures who are trying to survive during the final months of WWII. It’s one of the greatest war films of all time that’s a must-watch not only for anime fans but for all movie lovers.
