Hayao Miyazaki & Isao Takahata

Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most respected animation director in japanese animation. He is considered by many to be the greatest animator of our time. Whenever he puts out a movie, the tickets sell out quickly, and many fans wait in line to get into the theatre when it's shown. He also draws manga, although the only published manga is Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds. The animation adaption of this manga brought him to the heights of top animators in history. His first theatrical film was Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro. He have been working with another well known animator, Takahata since the early days of his career. Takahata and Miyazaki now directs and produces masterpieceanimation features, taking each other's turn.

Isao Takahata directed many of the earily anime on which Miyazaki worked on. Takahata is equally talented as Miyazaki. However, the movies Takahata produces are very mature audience oriented, as it involves many themes not easily understood by children. For this reason, Miyazaki is better known. However, the top animators in the field respect them both, and recognizes them as inseparable duo... probably the most talented duo of animators in the history of Japanese aniamtion.

Miyazaki's work includes (in almost all of these, Takahata is a co-worker):

Pandako Panda (movie series. Origianl concept, screenplay. Takahata direction)
Conan the Future Boy (TV series. Director, original concepts, character design.)
Lupin III: Castle of Cagliostro (movie. Directior, co-writer)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (manga artist/creator)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (movie. Director, original concepts, character design.)
Great Detective Holmes (TV series. dirction for first six)
Laputa, the castle in the sky (movie. Director, original concept, writer.)
My Neighbor Totoro (movie. Director, original concept, writer.)
Kiki's Delivery Service (movie. Director, original concept, writer.)
Porco Rosso (movie. Director, original concept, writer.)
Mononoke hime (upcoming movie. Director, original concept, writer.)

Takahata's work include: (in almost all of these, Miyazaki is a co-worker)

Holsu, the Prince of Sun (TV series. Director)
Akage no Anne (TV series. Director. Miyazaki character design.)
Jarinko Chie (TV series & movie. Director co-scripter)
Goshuu the cellist (movie. Director, Script.)
Grave of Fireflies (movie. Director, Script.)
Omoide Poroporo (movie. Director, Script.)
Heisei Tanuki battle ponpoko (movie. Director.)

Many of these shows were produced with such combination of talent, that credits for some of these titles have to be given equally to both animators. Studio Ghibri, is a production company of Miyazaki and Takahata's films. Now, Ghibri is trying to make shows on their own, such as Umi ga kikoeru. the animators in Ghibri are virtually students of these two animation greats. It will be interesting to see them grow, and continue their masters' tradtion of bringing out quality stories.

Back to Manga page..
This page is created and organized by Hiroyuki Hironaga.
susanooh@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu