Isao Takahata delivered numerous animated masterpieces to the world over the course of a career that spanned more than 50 years. And the influence he made on Japanese animation is immeasurable. This is the man that first noticed Hayao Miyazaki’s talent, and it can be said that Studio Ghibli would not have existed without this man.

“The tale of the Princess Kaguya” which has now become a posthumous work is a work uses animation to present Takahata’s interpretation of the oldest tale in Japan. With his style that did not allow any compromise, it took eight years to complete this work.

This work, created through the tremendously difficult task of animating pictures that include delicate watercolor scenes done by hand, overflows with an abundance of vitality while using honed expressions. It can be said that the theme of this work approaches the essence of what is meant for people to live. This work is unquestionably one of the arrival points for the art called anime.

Hayao Miyazaki is a great entertainer, and Isao Takahata is a great artist.

We sincerely honor his achievements, and pray for his happiness in the other world.

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