by Japan’s leading animation director, one person in there, was because of Isao Takahata. Speaking of Mr., Hayao Miyazaki one of the driving forces behind that was founded and developed the Studio Ghibli with’s. Director Miyazaki has worked on many masterpieces such as “Heidi, Girl of the Alps” and “Marcus in Search of Mother” before the establishment of Studio Ghibli. The realistic and convincing view of the world, such as its delicate emotional expression and polite daily depiction, has been highly evaluated overseas.
This time, we will introduce three works from among the many masterpieces that Director Takahata has worked on. What is your favorite director Takahata’s work?
● Tomb of fire
The Ghibli movie “Grave of the Firefly” was released in 1988, directed and written by Isao Takahata based on Akiyuki Nosaka ‘s short novel. It is probably the darkest of the many Ghibli anime, and it depicts the cruelty and brutality of war realistically and uncompromisingly. Mr. Takahata himself said that he wanted to tell a tragic story followed by an “ordinary child” who lives in turmoil before and after the end of the war, rather than just an anti-war theme or a work of tears. Everyone can’t help but shake their hearts at the brilliance of the little lives of their two brothers and sisters, who disappear like fireflies.
● The story of Princess Kaguya
The Ghibli movie “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” was released in 2013, based on the “Taketori Monogatari” that every Japanese knows. Mr. Takahata died on April 5, 2018, four and a half years after its release, so this work is a relic. The feature is that the whole story is drawn with a soft touch like ink painting or watercolor painting, and the image as if one picture is moving is evaluated from an artistic point of view. In addition, the theme song “Memory of Life” and the music of the celestial man composed by Joe Hisaishi at the end also play an essential role in the creation of the work.
● The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun
The animated movie “The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun,” which was released at the “Toei Manga Parade” in 1968, is Takahata’s first directorial work (in the name of “Director”). It was a movie that provided a foothold for Mr. Takahata to move forward as an animation director. The first anime work that Mr. Hayao Miyazaki, who was in charge of scene design and original drawing, was earnest. While it is said that it did not lead to box office success, it is also evaluated as a quality that even adults can enjoy. It is said to be a hidden masterpiece that has appointed much elite staff and famous actors of the past as voice actors. The original plays with the motif of Ainu tradition and is an adventure animation with beautiful fantastic video expression and a consistent theme. So far, I have introduced three anime works directed by Takahata. All of them are masterpieces that remain in the history of Japanese animation. What is your favorite director Takahata’s work?
