"The Isao Takahata Exhibition" is being held at Azabudai Hills Gallery! Trace the legacy of this great animation director
Currently on view at the “Azabudai Hills Gallery”—Minato Ward’s new cultural hub—is “The Isao Takahata Exhibition: The Man Who Shaped Japanese Animation.” is a large-scale retrospective of director Isao Takahata (1935–2018), who left an indelible mark on the Japanese animation industry. Covering the half-century-long creative journey of Director Takahata—known for works such as *Grave of the Fireflies*, *Heisei Tanuki War: Ponpoko*, and *The Tale of the Princess Kaguya*—this exhibition offers something for everyone, from those who experienced his films firsthand to younger anime fans and families with children. In this report, we cover the exhibition, which is being held from Friday, June 27, 2025, through Monday, September 15, 2025 (a national holiday). We traced the career of this master filmmaker, who had a profound influence on the Japanese animation industry.
My Start as an Animation Director
The venue, the “Azabudai Hills Gallery,” is located in Building A of the Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza and is directly connected to Kamiyacho Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Large posters for the “Isao Takahata Exhibition” were displayed along the passageway connecting the station and the gallery.
The year 2025 marks two major milestones: the 90th anniversary of Director Takahata’s birth and the 80th anniversary of the end of the Pacific War, an event that had a profound influence on his creative work. Held during this commemorative year, this exhibition begins with photographs of Director Takahata and scenes from his animation production process.
Director Takahata constantly explored the possibilities of animation and, throughout his life, continued to grapple with the question of what animation should express. His journey began at Toei Doga (now Toei Animation), which he joined in 1959. For Director Takahata, *The Prince of the Sun: The Great Adventure of Horus* (1968)—his first feature-length theatrical film as director—took three and a half years to complete. The film featured numerous staff members who would later work on Takahata’s projects, including animation director Yasuo Otsuka, key animator Yoichi Odabe, and Hayao Miyazaki, who was responsible not only for key animation but also for scene design.
In addition to Takahata’s original artwork and animation cels, this exhibition features a wealth of valuable production materials—including Director Takahata’s project proposals and screenplay preparation notes—offering a glimpse into the deep thought and process of trial and error behind his creative work.
In 1971, Director Takahata, along with Hayao Miyazaki and Yoichi Odabe, moved from Toei Animation to A Production.
Initially, they were scheduled to assist with the animation adaptation of *Pippi Longstocking*, based on the book by Astrid Lindgren, but the project was shelved after they were unable to obtain the author’s permission.Amid this, a new animation project featuring a panda—which was very popular at the time—was launched, and Director Takahata, along with Miyazaki, Odabe, and the rest of the staff, produced *Panda! Panda!* (1972) and its sequel, *Panda! Panda! The Rainy Circus* (1973).
After that, Director Takahata went on to work on such classic television series as *Heidi, Girl of the Alps* (1974), *Three Thousand Miles in Search of Mother* (1976), and *Anne of Green Gables* (1979).This may be a rare opportunity to learn about the process behind the creation of those masterpieces.
Initially, they were scheduled to assist with the animation adaptation of *Pippi Longstocking*, based on the book by Astrid Lindgren, but the project was shelved after they were unable to obtain the author’s permission.Amid this, a new animation project featuring a panda—which was very popular at the time—was launched, and Director Takahata, along with Miyazaki, Odabe, and the rest of the staff, produced *Panda! Panda!* (1972) and its sequel, *Panda! Panda! The Rainy Circus* (1973).
After that, Director Takahata went on to work on such classic television series as *Heidi, Girl of the Alps* (1974), *Three Thousand Miles in Search of Mother* (1976), and *Anne of Green Gables* (1979).This may be a rare opportunity to learn about the process behind the creation of those masterpieces.
Focusing on well-known classic TV series
*Heidi, Girl of the Alps* is a story that depicts the interactions between the main character, Heidi, her grandfather, and other characters such as Clara and Peter. I’m sure many people have been inspired by the sight of Heidi running through the vast natural landscapes of the Alps.
When it comes to *Heidi, Girl of the Alps*, the depiction of nature is one of its greatest charms. Art director Masahiro Ioka drew on reference materials such as photos taken during location scouting to vividly portray the majestic scenery of the Alps.
"Three Thousand Miles in Search of My Mother" is the story of Marco, a boy who sets out from Genoa, Italy, to find his mother, who went to Argentina to work and has since gone missing. Following *Heidi, Girl of the Alps*, this series—comprising 52 episodes—was also produced by the creative duo of director Isao Takahata and layout artist Hayao Miyazaki.
Based on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s *Anne of Green Gables*, this is the third installment in the television series directed by Takahata. The characters—including the protagonist, Anne Shirley—are brought to life with great vitality. Yoshifumi Kondo, best known as the director of *Whisper of the Heart*, served as character designer and animation director.
Following the films *Jarinko Chie* (1981) and *Goshu the Cellist* (1982), Director Takahata went on to create works set in Japan. Then, in 1985, he helped establish Studio Ghibli.
Following the films *Jarinko Chie* (1981) and *Goshu the Cellist* (1982), Director Takahata went on to create works set in Japan. Then, in 1985, he helped establish Studio Ghibli.
From the Founding of Studio Ghibli to Its Final Film
Director Takahata went on to create numerous masterpieces during his time at Studio Ghibli. In 1988, one of his most iconic works, *Grave of the Fireflies*, was released. Set in Japan toward the end of World War II, this film depicts the tragedy of a brother and sister and remains etched in the hearts of many as a timeless classic.
"Grave of the Fireflies" is characterized by a color palette with lower saturation than typical animated films. It is said that the entire color scheme was fundamentally reevaluated in order to realistically depict the lives of Japanese people during wartime.
Following *Only Yesterday* (1991), *Heisei Tanuki Wars: Ponpoko*, which he directed, is a story about tanuki set in the Tama Hills, where residential development is on the rise. The film humorously depicts the struggle between the tanuki, who are losing their homes, and humans.
Art director Kazuo Oga explored different approaches to omission in this film. By creating a clear contrast between the details he chose to depict and the elements he left out, he reportedly left room for the audience’s imagination.
*The Tale of the Princess Kaguya* (2013), the first new film in 14 years since *Hoho-kekyo: My Neighbor Yamada* (1999), took eight years to complete, from conception to completion. This film, which became Director Takahata’s final directorial work, adapted a classic Japanese tale into a feature-length animated film.
We expanded the world of the film using concept art by Oga and animator Yoshiyuki Momose.
*The Tale of the Princess Kaguya* brought together some of Japan’s leading animation production staff to create an evolved form of visual expression. It is a work that showcases the diverse expressive techniques of Japanese animation.
*The Tale of the Princess Kaguya* brought together some of Japan’s leading animation production staff to create an evolved form of visual expression. It is a work that showcases the diverse expressive techniques of Japanese animation.
Merchandise and café menu items related to Takahata's works
This exhibition is more than just a display of artwork and other materials. During the exhibition period, the B1 level will feature a “Isao Takahata Exhibition Special Merchandise Shop” and a collaboration café called “Café Isao Takahata Exhibition.”
The “Isao Takahata Exhibition Special Merchandise Shop” offers a wide selection of merchandise related to Takahata’s works, including the exhibition catalog, plush toys, mugs, tenugui towels, and postcards. You’ll find yourself drawn to so many items that it’s hard to choose.
In addition, there is a photo spot where you can take a picture with Papanda from *Panda Kopanda*. You can hug the panda lying on the floor while a camera mounted on the ceiling takes your picture. You can take the digital image home with you.
The collaboration café, “Ikuo Takahata Exhibition Café,” features a menu inspired by Takahata’s works. It might be fun to share your thoughts on the exhibition over a cup of tea.
Takahata’s works—with their meticulous realism, keen social insight, and his lifelong pursuit of new forms of expression—have had a profound influence on Japanese animation. This exhibition offered visitors a chance to experience Director Takahata’s creativity and passion firsthand. During the exhibition, visitors can listen to an audio guide narrated by TV personality Hikaru Ijūin—who voiced Minister Abe in *The Tale of the Princess Kaguya*—and voice actress Sakiko Tamagawa as they tour the exhibits.This audio guide also reportedly features an official playlist (five songs total) curated by film director Shunji Iwai, who has close ties to Director Takahata and Studio Ghibli. Please check the official website below for detailed information on tickets and other details. The exhibition runs through Monday, September 15 (a national holiday).Why not take this opportunity to experience the roots of Director Takahata’s creativity?
[Isao Takahata Exhibition – The Man Who Shaped Japanese Animation]
https://www.azabudai-hills.com/azabudaihillsgallery/sp/isaotakahata-ex/
[Isao Takahata Exhibition – The Man Who Shaped Japanese Animation]
https://www.azabudai-hills.com/azabudaihillsgallery/sp/isaotakahata-ex/