![]() ![]() His interest in the person who would eventually become his best friend, rival of sorts, and the most popular anime creator of all time was beyond professional he pushed him towards the union to exploit his charisma, and saw in him the perfect compliment he needed. Much like Otsuka quickly scouted him, Takahata immediately picked up on the extraordinary talent of a young animator who joined 4 years after he did: none other than Hayao Miyazaki. Takahata would eventually gain the firmest grasp on animation this industry has seen from someone without a background in the subject, and he wasted no opportunity to thank Otsuka for his continued mentorship during his first years in the anime world. Once at the studio, he was quickly taken under the wing of legendary animator Yasuo Otsuka despite not having drawing skills himself. ![]() But it was Paul Grimault and Jacques Prévert’s The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep – an unfinished version of The King and the Mockingbird – that made him curious enough about animation to give it a try. European and particularly francophone culture always fascinated him, something that had a clear effect on his work as he introduced aspects of French New Wave to it, as well as taking not just aesthetic but moral inspiration from his idol Frédéric Back. Isao Takahata ventured into the world of anime in 1959, joining Toei Douga in the midst of labor disputes after studying French literature at the University of Tokyo. This is how Takahata changed anime and his own self. Today we’re here to honor not just his most famous film, but a whole career filled with revolutionary, sometimes underappreciated work. Most unfortunately, its visionary director Isao Takahata passed away at the age of 82 just a couple of weeks ago. Grave of the Fireflies was released 30 years ago on April 16, 1988, alongside its equally renowned sibling movie My Neighbor Totoro.
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