Isao Takahata | Animating Reality

• Music Master or Music ...
What do we animate? Often, we use animation to reflect the world we observe, and study to recreate that. We use the different principles of animation to impart an authenticity into movements, characters and the world they live in. But animation doesn't have to only function on this level. Its power to transcend this is unlimited.
That's where I think Isao Takahata always pushes the medium forward.
Interviews:
The Making of Only Yesterday (DVD)
Isao Takahata and His Tale of the Princess Kaguya (DVD)
Songs:
Flying - Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Original Soundtrack) 2013
Melody of the Beautiful Koto - Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Original Soundtrack) 2013
The Procession of Celestial Beings I - Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Original Soundtrack) 2013
The Procession of Celestial Beings II - Joe Hisaishi - The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (Original Soundtrack) 2013
Theme for "My Neighbors the Yamadas" (Orchestral Version) - Akiko Yano - My Neighbors the Yamadas (Original Soundtrack) 1999
#isaotakahata #studioghibli

[@dedworth9489]

Rest in peace Isao Takahata (1935 - 2018). He was one of the greatest animators and one of the best storytellers ever to live. The Tale of Princess Kaguya is my personal favorite of his works. I cried at the end, and it’s a sign of a great movie.

[@justjulia1720]

Wait! HE DIED IN 2018 AND I DIDN'T KNOW?!?!? R.I.P. He was a legend.

[@krisskross6074]

R.I.P. Isao Takahata

[@martinmoore2468]

He was the greatest.

[@saint_yves]

Takahata Isao, you will forever be loved.

[@blasterjd6626]

HE DIED?!

[@kidzvidz3262]

@@blasterjd6626 yes, sadly he did. He died 5th April 2018

[@EggBastion]

That bit between 9:25 - 10:05, incredible. I was 'aware' that chills could be caused by things other than music, now I _know._

[@Any-mation]

It’s incredible, right?

[@nomenomenomen301]

@@Any-mation I wish I knew the title of the animation this scene comes from

[@Any-mation]

It’s from The Tale of the Princess Kaguya 👍🏻

[@nomenomenomen301]

@@Any-mation Thank you very much

[@OrtoInScatola]

Same here... chills... amazing expression in this animation!

[@Ree1981]

Video: 1 second of Grave of the Fireflies Me: NOPE!!

[@HelderP1337]

I haven't even seen it yet, and the premise is already making me tear eyed.

[@Qowowoeeoeo]

@@HelderP1337 Its a very beautiful but heart wrenching piece of work ;-;

[@seherling207]

@@HelderP1337 it's good but so damn sad too

[@Myfavquote]

Also in my Recommandation, there was a "A Close look at The Grave of the Fireflies" and i immediately went "No, thank You."

[@watchableraven3517]

Cried so hard.

[@theautisticfancriticshow2000]

This is why I love animated films more than live action

[@mov-e6612]

Forever and ever

[@XanAxDdu]

also ejzenstein loved animation

[@spongebob03]

I wish 2D movies would make a comeback. I was watching Soul and was so bored by the look. No matter how crisp and realistic CGI gets, it’ll never top 2D. There’s so much life in 2D animation that isn’t present in CGI. I think some of the Illumination and Hotel Transylvania films are the closest I’ve seen.

[@Thollis1987]

Me too as well!

[@signodeinterrogacion8361]

@@spongebob03 I dunno, I loved the art direction in Soul. By the way, what do you think about Luca and Turning Red?

[@mechajay3358]

_Animation takes us to reality we never thought possible. Thank you Mr. Takahata._

[@stevenbrown1225]

God! Grave of the Fireflies! Still wrecks me even if i only see a 10 sec. clip.

[@Any-mation]

Right there with you

[@BGcam]

I'm impressed with the way you're able to breakdown complex concepts into thoughtful and well articulated studies of artistry. Really, what you do is an art in and of itself, and I'm grateful for your work. I appreciate the clearly significant care you've taken researching, scripting, and editing for these videos. I will definitely share your channel with others who will appreciate it as well.

[@Any-mation]

I’m very grateful for your words, thank you very much! This was definitely the toughest to mash down into digestible concepts, thanks for thinking I was successful!

[@ahmadmanga]

@Azariah Liv I too never thought about it until I saw this video, and I watched this movie two times!

[@lilypond5158]

That voice actress is drop dead gorgeous had to point that out.

[@vladimirgentil]

Lily Pond what’s her name?

[@lilypond5158]

@@vladimirgentil dunno

[@B4StudioJP]

If you mean the long-haired appearing from around 5:02, she is Miki Imai (今井美樹), singer and actress in her late twenties on this footage and now been based in London for 8 years with her guitarist hubby and daughter. When debuted in mid-80's, she was LITERALLY the darling of the times in Japan, no doubt especially for young guys. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haHIcmmvdseigtE This is one of her songs -- titled "雨にキッスの花束を" lit. meaning "a bouquet of kisses to the rain" depicting a girl who received an unexpected proposal from her steady in the midst of downpoured pedestrian scramble -- which imparts the vibes of hers at the times and happened to come out a year before the voice-acting. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6fXoZ-mgLyspK8 If the song above happens to be your cup of tea, I suggest her 3rd album "Bewith" coming out 2 more years back than the song, permeated with her luminary in its prime that took Japan by storm. IYAM, the 3rd song "冷蔵庫のあかりで" lit. meaning "by the light from a fridge" is the best sample of it starting from 12:39.

[@lilypond5158]

@@B4StudioJP Yes she's so cute, also has a contagious smile 5:40

[@B4StudioJP]

@@lilypond5158 Yep. That unaffected grin was her signature -- which can also be seen in her TVCM collection below through her early to late twenties -- and catapulted her into "it girl" particularly among the celebrities in Japan. Such a natural mindset of hers sometimes became the target of jealousy. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p17Yd4KQqrJomcU FYI, the BGM of miso commercials in the first half was done by Ryuichi Sakamoto, who later involved in the production of her album in mid 90's.

[@teedeww5049]

its crazy that the scene where princess Kaguya was running away, i could feel her rage and disapointment. RIP Isao Takahata

[@marisacantarino2786]

Only Yesterday is my favorite movie of all times - animated or live action -, I'm so moved by this video. The contrast with what Isao Takahata deliberately does in Grave of Fireflies by NOT showing Setsuko's imagination is heartbreaking, and since it was his first movie I've saw, it never occurred to me until you pointed that out ;-;

[@saint_yves]

I believe Takahata Isao's animations really do reflect reality and add a interestingly unique perspective that can be universally understood. While Miyazaki Hayao's films are much more complicated and complex, Takahata's are beautifully simplistic and resonate with many audiences in Japan and worldwide. I will always love you, Takahata Isao.

[@citlidiaz]

"Takahata understands that reality is a shared and individual experience all at once, so he doesn't need to explain when he wants to highlight an emotion, rather he let's us experience it with the protagonist. And I think this is one of true powers of animation. So when I say that an animation challenges live action, what I mean is it's not locked down by the rules we're grounded with in the real world, so can actually take it further and explore things to a greater depth. It doesn't need to explain it's fluctuations between what we observe and what we feel. It can stratled both lines at once."

[@Gestures-sw9ey]

The humanity Takahata brought is always the reason why I've always preferred his work. It's nice to wrap yourself in your duvet with a hot drink watching his works late at night. Thanks for the video!

[@willow5398]

Video: 1 second of Grave of the Fireflies Me: NOPE!!

[@martinmoore2468]

Isao Takahata was one of the greatest inspirational directors who have directed many Studio Ghibli movies, including Grave of the Fireflies and Only Yesterday. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya was he final anime masterpiece movie.

[@vaibhavjain3234]

People say Takahata's movie need not be animated but paradoxically the Man himself reveals the true power of animation. And this video is GREAT, very well done Man!!

[@Any-mation]

Thank you so much :) I agree, Takahata's attitude toward animation is so refreshing and deep, it's so wonderful to look into

[@SpaghettiToaster]

12:00 Takahata is so badass, he even gets Hisaishi to animate for him.

[@Any-mation]

This is my favourite comment, thank you

[@martinmoore2468]

I agree.

[@jomon324]

I have to start animating. This has proven to me that I have the heart of an animator. I don’t care how much work it takes. I need to do this. The warmth in my heart is flowing, and it does this only for animation, music, and storytelling. Video games are a part of this as well. The chains are broken. I am on my way.

[@kittenmimi5326]

I wish you the best of luck on your journey

[@alfredb2036]

How’s it going?

[@jomon324]

@@alfredb2036 Life threw some punches, so right now I'm not pursuing animation. Right now I'm just working on surviving what life threw at me and my family. A bit of a sad story, but I am still drawing, and I'm learning / re-learning fundamentals so that when I can animate, I'll be able to do so smoothly.

[@afafreen]

RIP legend. Ghibli will always remain the best animation studio. The variety of movies they have is unmatched.

[@MOLLYLUNCHCO]

Those few short Grave of the Fireflies clips got me sobbing. So good, so heartbreaking...

[@Any-mation]

Everything right :(

[@ItsTheAstroBeast]

I thought I was the only one, the scenes are just so beautiful that it brought me to tears

[@relexson7336]

The best director n indeed my favorite. He depicts realistic, meaningful impact in our life. Something important to think abt. Disneys too fantasy.

[@pyewhackett1598]

Reality is a shared and an individual experience all at once, and Isao Takahata expresses this. TY Any-Mation

[@Any-mation]

Thank you for picking up on that 🙏🏻

[@DeadEndFrog]

rip. imo the greatest director of all time

[@hungrydummy1138]

That motorcycle gang scene in tonari no yamada-san scared the shit out of me. Maybe it's because of those newspaper cutouts showing people killed by gangs that flashed for a second before the father went out-not to mention the sudden change in animation style. Takahata really is the master of realism in animation!

[@DTM-Books]

This is masterfully made, an outstanding job. Now we must write the legend and tell the tale of Paku-san. He belongs to the ages and deserves to be remembered as a giant of cinema.

[@urusei1941]

Everyone who loves Isao takahata's movies,if possible,please watch the Anne of GreenGables（Akage no Anne） of the TV series. You can see a wonderful side different from his movie

[@ObsidiaOpal]

Requesting Satoshi Kon

[@LaurianeG.]

2:47 that line from the making-off documentary always breaks my heart now :\ Anyway, Isao Takahata is with Miyazaki my favourite director ever. It's a shame his work is not as reckognized. Honestly, I will always consider Kaguya as the best film of the decade (without much care for how "objective" that is). There is just some unxplainable poetry to his work, a beauty he was able to capture perfectly. Even in Yamadas, which appears on the outside as a simple family comedy, he was able to make a very moving, deep and touching film with one of the most beautifull endings I ever saw.

[@methylatedlysine]

*soundtrack of Princess Kaguya plays* NOPENOPENOPENOPE

[@LinRuiEn]

Isao Takahata is my favorite Ghibli director. My Neighbors the Yamadas is a movie I can watch over and over again and never get tired of.

[@Any-mation]

That’s so interesting, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone call it their favourite film

[@user-ws2zq8rq2o]

watching this again knowing that he is not among us anymore to make another feature breaks my heart

[@reagle9315]

You and Kaptainkristian are my favorite video essayists

[@imroztowhid1284]

i saw "only yesterday" in the thumbnail, i clicked!

[@Any-mation]

I hope you watched too hahaha

[@imroztowhid1284]

@@Any-mation sure did

[@meowal1192]

Same

[@angelserenade]

I really lost it when the Celestial Parade music was played at the ending...

[@DTM-Books]

Also, you need to watch Heidi, Marco and Anne. You need to see Paku-san when he was young and really changing the rules of animation.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you so much! I'd seen Heidi and Anne but I'd never even heard of Marco, thank you so much for that! I'm very much looking forward to seeing it :)

[@K3ilee_Kha0s]

Omg those were my "big three" growing up 😁😁

[@maytalacedo20]

I just recently watch only yesterday, and it was an amazing experience that hits close to home to me while still beautiful well-made film.

[@Annayasha]

This was beautiful and filled my heart in so many ways. Thank you

[@tayobeats6873]

I needed this video so much. Thank u!

[@jamestheartist7389]

beautiful video, cant wait for the next one !keep up the good work

[@connorvanvuuren6455]

This was brilliant, thank you :)

[@trousersoup]

where has this wonderful video been all my life? thank you for your hard work and research.

[@mov-e6612]

Wow. Thank you so much for this. This makes me appreciate it even more and add more understanding about the fantastic art of animation.

[@XanAxDdu]

your docu is brilliant i wanna thank you for real quality you grab and put in it

[@DiogoMaia2]

Beautiful essay, my friend. Thank you for this.

[@ryanterwilliger4755]

You deserve so many more subscribers my friend. I’ve been binging all your videos this morning as an aspiring animator, and you should be proud of the work you’ve done spreading knowledge about many of these under appreciated animators 🙏🏻

[@Any-mation]

Wow, thank you very much. I'm really glad you liked them, I do these for you guys

[@Dragonwing16]

did you study animation for years? your videos are very polished and have been helping me to understand some fundamentals as i'm beginning to do some of my own animations. I'm surprised your channel isnt bigger, but i'm sure it will grow

[@Any-mation]

You could say I've been looking at animation for a few years, yes haha I'm glad they can help. My aim with this was to hopefully share thoughts and highlight the inspirational work that is crammed into the animators' work! Thank you for your kind words

[@trousersoup]

I am so grateful for Studio Ghibli and for the work of Isao Takahata. I don't think I'd be the person I am today without having had these movies to rely on.

[@wallyanimations]

Thank you for this.

[@Peter104B]

Phenomenal video, I hopefully look forward to more like this. RIP Takahata-sensei

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much :)

[@mauryarty]

This is so beautifully narrated. I am going to watch one of his films right now !

[@gmg9010]

I’m in love with this channel

[@tannerprince9730]

This is beautiful, thank you so much

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much :)

[@Student-qs7ey]

Interesting video/study ... But i kept tearing up when ever i saw "grave of the firflies" scenes

[@robdaviesillustration]

Watched a few of your videos today and they are great. I love your focus on the intent and meaning of animation, rather than just the output of how something looks. All animation has the potential to create brilliant abstract worlds

[@kikihariyanto]

RIP ISAO TAKAHATA

[@Myfavquote]

I've only watched Princess Kaguya and Grave of the Fireflies. Both were beautiful. I'm thinking of watching My Neighbours Hamada (i think was the name).

[@Childrenworldproduction24]

So have you watched my neighbors the yamadas? Tell me do you like that film?

[@imabug1343]

Beautiful video! Thank you!

[@alpha8here]

I hope you continue this series :DDD

[@Any-mation]

That's the plan :)

[@flikkie72]

You're great at directing the viewers attention to the details that are noteworthy. The kid not dancing and picking his nose is the best example. I wouldn't have noticed it in the chaos of movement there, but it's incredibly well made and placed, and possibly one of my favourite pieces of animation now.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much, you know I remember seeing in for the first time and being blown away by that attention to detail

[@Kuzhy811]

I really appreciate this video💖💖 Thank you!

[@Any-mation]

Thank you!

[@mjmal3741]

Very nice video! I have seen several of these films but hadn't been aware of this man's work really.

[@Any-mation]

You have so much to look forward too :)

[@myqrizzo]

I appreciate the analysis. It is great to learn more about what goes on in the development of these movies.

[@ngchloe4877]

What a brilliant director

[@jeremyarodriguez]

You’re an artist, wow. Great video 🙏🏽

[@rodmitchell831]

Thanks so much

[@guy_incognito]

Thank you! Thoughtful, intelligent, concise.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much :)

[@chesedchesed]

beautiful! thanks!

[@sarahmostafa5497]

Wow .... i love your choosing of "procession of celestial bodies " it's one of my top favourites Amazing video ❤

[@dandeliondew]

Incredible video and analysis.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much

[@user-ko5nt4ym2l]

I thank you for an excellent analysis!

[@fantomas3826]

awesome video. thank you for this amazing video and all the information about mr. takahata. i surely want to see his films. great work

[@Any-mation]

They are so worth the watch!

[@lofianimation]

This is my favorite youtube channel by far

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much :)

[@painterlypotts]

really good and interesting video, i'll definitely be looking up more of isao takahata's work. so far I've only see princess kaguya, this makes me want to see many more.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much, I would definitely recommend checking out his catalogue

[@risasb]

Do not miss these other films. Only Yesterday is my favorite movie of all time.

[@acadia5898]

10:47 i know that feeling of being in a bad living condition and also i've seen many kids the same way were seeing a kid playing, meanwhile the condition the kid lived in was horrible. unable to see they are when they play around, except seeing the darker truth around them.

[@Any-mation]

Its an unfortunate, sad reality for so many out there

[@GuruGeorge1111]

This was excellent!

[@othrsdmusic]

We miss you, Isao Takahata

[@mrtimo3822]

I'm definitely subbing after this video.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much!

[@hah6360]

Grave of the fireflies is my personal film, I've been in relationships but never watched this movie together. I don't want to share it with someone that doesn't value it as much as me, one day I'll watch it with someone and hopefully she doesn't find it boring or something

[@maggyfrog]

rip mr takahata

[@jacobring7274]

I very much enjoyed this video. It has helped me by putting into words a part of that... essence, that feeling, which has brought me much joy in the films of Takahata and Miyazaki. So subtle, yet so impactful. Danger and tenderness I recall from my happiest memories is inspired by their works of art. So real I begin to see my life more richly and more real as well. Like a sweet reminder of how different my life can feel. Refreshing! Thank you Any-Mation. And thank you Isao Takahata!

[@Any-mation]

Thank you so very much! It's true that we all experience life differently, but all share it too. His interrogation of the medium is amazing

[@orlandoalvarez5867]

Watching your videos about all these incredible artists, about their amazing works, really have made me perceived them seem as something ethereal, unreachable, as something that I could never reach no matter how hard I try, no matter the big my effort could be, even if I push myself to the limit, it makes me feel not even my entire life could be enough to get even closer to that level. All that hard work that they did put into their art is immeasurable, I mean, I even ran out of words to describe this feeling. In many times I lack of motivation because of this, I mean why bother?, I get too stressed and fearful by this all the time.

[@JaviPhilippiLyoko]

Great video essay. My cup of tea

[@llililillilliilli905]

what a great video about a great mind

[@joseSanchez-ej2oh]

I saw Kaguya in late 2019, thinking it was a new release (I saw it in theaters almost by accident) & I was for the first time ever left speechless but I did not understand why

[@Krystalmyth]

Your voice is like foreplay to my ears from start to finish~

[@crunchybones3165]

People say that art is an opening into another world. I understood the idea, but never really believed it because i couldn’t ever find the door. This video has gently and directly guided me to it, and I feel relieved of a great pain in my life. This director’s ability express the world through a human’s eyes is a true gift.

[@yezekyelcompere446]

I just stumbled across your channel, and I really now I am hooked on your videos. You videos are very though out and concise, the subtly of your voice draws in the viewer into both what you're saying and the visuals on screen; which is the main focal point of your videos. I'm not too sure on what I want to pursue in life but I've always been drawn to deep analytic videos such as yours (especially those relating to animation,art,and music). You have my support and subscription. Looking forward to more videos. Thank you!

[@Any-mation]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate the support! I hope you figure out your path whenever you’re ready

[@imranmeco3393]

As someone who doesn't watch as much cinema as he would want to, I greatly appreciate you for helping me discover such a director. Honestly, your skill and style of presentation would make me want to see it, even if the screen was just black for the whole duration. Your videos are a relaxing joy to watch and your activity, humility and all around sweetness in the comment section is admirable. I cannot thank you enough for your work. Keep it up!

[@Any-mation]

Thank you so much! I'm not sure what to say but thank you again. I make these for you guys

[@joshsingleton576]

Princess Kaguyas escape run reminds me alot of Hakus running away scene in Spirited Away

[@Any-mation]

I can see the connection

[@OisByrne]

The buachaills got skills. Another great job

[@Any-mation]

#buachaillskills

[@TheRealNormanBates]

13:25 _GET IN THE GOSH DARN ROBOT, SHINJI!_

[@Any-mation]

Nice watered down version 😂

[@TheRealNormanBates]

@@Any-mation Heh heh.. I'm _trying_ to be fucking family friendly. oops.

[@jeremybrake6718]

amazing video

[@Any-mation]

Thank you :)

[@Waterbug1591]

Animation challenges Live action simply put - Things look so much better in animation than in real-life.

[@indorianshell]

Isao Takahata is such an inspiration for me ! I really want to be an art director and create my own films but there are so many reasons why it feels almost impossible.

[@francescomanzo3939]

R.I.P.

[@imagenesypalabras1]

I love it

[@GONGGGGGGGG]

高畑先生、ありがとうございました。

[@user-ws2zq8rq2o]

RIP Paku-san

[@NINJAstopmotion]

beautiful video.

[@Any-mation]

Thank you!

[@Any-mation]

Thank you!