Isao Takahata (高畑 勲, Takahata Isao;, October 29, 1935 – April 5, 2018) was a Japanese movie director, animator, screenwriter and producer.
Takahata was the co-founder of Studio Ghibli along with long-time collaborative partner Hayao Miyazaki. He has directed movies such as Grave of the Fireflies, Only Yesterday, Pom Poko, and the comedy My Neighbors the Yamadas. Takahata's most recent movie is The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.
On April 5, 2018, Takahata died at a hospital in Tokyo of lung cancer at the age of 82.