Director, Studio Ghibli Co-Founder Isao Takahata Passes Away

[Koby]

Anime director and Studio-Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata passed away in a Tokyo hospital on Thursday. He was 82.

The Japanese websites Sanspo and NTV News 24 reported the news, and both cited unnamed related parties who said that Takahata had been in declining health since last summer.

Studio Ghibli President Kiyofumi Nakajima and Studio Ghibli producer and co-founder Toshio Suzuki both issued statements on Friday regarding director Isao Takahata's passing.

Nakajima offered more details on Takahata's passing, noting that Takahata died due to lung cancer at 1:19 a.m. on Thursday at the Teikyo University Hospital. Nakajima added that the wake and funeral service for Takahata will only be for close relatives. The family is politely refusing all offers of messages or gifts of condolence. However, Ghibli will hold a more public farewell gathering for Takahata on May 15, with exact details to be decided and announced later.

Suzuki's statement noted that Takahata had many things he had planned to do, so his death is undeniably regrettable. Suzuki added that he consulted with Hayao Miyazaki, and decided that the studio would hold a grand farewell gathering in remembrance of Takahata.

[noman.ahmad49]

Very unfortunate moment in the world of Anime.

[arroz]

rip

[AkThem06]

Loved his work.

[sfaxt]

just saw that. rip.