Very saddened to hear about Takahata's passing today. He was one of the true masters of animation and his films will remain as some of the most compassionate, imaginative, and lovingly crafted pieces of cinema ever created. I only included a couple of clips from it in this video essay, but I'd highly encourage anyone interested in his work to check out the documentary ''Isao Takahata and His Tale of Princess Kaguya'' for an incredibly insightful look into the man himself and his process of working. I obviously never had the pleasure of meeting him, but every interview I watched and read, and every bit of research I did for this essay pointed to the fact that Takahata was a man full of passion and energy, but also deep kindness and sincerity -- all of which completely come across in each and every one of his films. He will be greatly missed.
may he rest in peace, he has brought us some of the best anime films out there. while my personal favorite is gauche the cellist, they are all great works of art that will not be forgotten.
I don't know I love films where while nothing seems to be happening externally (plot wise) that there's a wealth of things happening internally with characters and that's what I adore about Only Yesterday. I mean while it is a movie about a young woman just going to the countryside for a short period but it's also about her ENTIRE life up to that point, about reflecting on her childhood, about her family, about the choices we can make on the direction of our lives. I find it to be a beautiful and genuine and insightful character piece. Interesting especially since so many animated films go for the external dilemma rather than an introspective focus.
ikr, that why the fact that it hit me is even more rememberable. i cant explain why, but during the movie i felt the chilling atmosphere that made me think about how im living my life. i have nothing in common to relate to the main character. she's a country girl and i am a city boy, but that movie makes me feel so related somehow.
When you learn editing in film school or by yourself, you often ask yourself "What is the best cut I've seen in a film ?" For me, it's the shot/ reverse shot at the end of Grave of the Fireflies. You've got the brother and the sister sitting in a bench in the forest surrounded by fireflies. The brother tells the little girl that it's time to sleep and she rests her head on his lap. The light of the fireflies slowly fades away as the brother is looking through the "camera". His eyes then shift to something else out of frame and we see the reverse shot of what he's looking at : a modern city. In just one shot reverse shot, we deeply understand that the sacrificed youth is still looking at us and that we must learn from what they endured to not make the same mistakes ever again. Takahata does this in just one freaking cut goddammit !!
There's no need to pit Miyazaki against Takahada or vice versa. They are both masterful storytellers who use different methods to create beautiful films.
I'm not really into anime, but I like the meta discussion and the techniques Takahada uses reminds me a lot of Terry Gilliam, especially the film Brazil where the protagonist constantly drifts in and out of his fantasies. His other works such as Time Bandits and Munchhausen, also has a certain anime'ish quality to them, exaggerated features (notably Munchhausens nose). I wouldn't replace a Takahada Brazil or a Miyazaki Time Bandits with the Gilliam one, but I would definitely watch them! :P - Also I'd love to see Gilliams live action take on Spirited Away.
They are very different though. Miyazaki tells adventerous fairy tale like stories with some of the most inventive visuals and worldbuilding in all of film. Takahada goes into the themes of society and the flaws in cultures, and tells them through slice-of-life stories that don't shy away from being more character driven.
I’ve always found unnecessary to compare Miyazaki-sama and Takahata-sama simply because there’s no other studio in the present or in the past that so beautifully had two completely complementary careers like Studio Ghibli. I know it’s probably open to a extensive discussion, but I’ve always seen much of Miyazaki movies as whimsical, fantastically surreal, of nature-driven ways used to convey a realistic vision based on our lack of extensive power, yet necessary attitude, towards the world and reality. It’s the “you need to be strong while you act, no time to wait” side of things. Takahata portray emotion in a more subtle way. The travels, the places you go are mostly inside of yourself. Miyazaki uses nature and surrealism like no other to connect characters with reality. Takahata, on the other hand, uses reality to make characters discover themselves. In many cases, they talked in the same language, what I said about one also works with another. And that’s why both of them are and were masters in the most beautiful language one can master - the language of the heart.
ShikataGaNai100 I watched that long time ago and it did really hit hard, didn't know who the director was, it's so refreshing tho have found this video.
Thank you for including the cut from Only Yesterday where Taeko fell in love and fly away from the feeling... It portrays innocence perfectly. One of my favorite movie scene of all time.
Thank you so much! Takahata is one the most underrated directors of Ghibli. Takahata's stories have so much more quality than Miyazaki's. People often dislike "My Neighbours Yamada" just because of the different animation, but the fact is that it's probably one of the best stories Ghibli has ever made.
I can't say why, but watching this made me very emotional at the end. I guess there's something about Takahata's animations that brings something from deep within me?
I teared up while watching certain parts of the video. It's just fascinating how even those 10 second long sequences could make me relive the emotions I felt the first time I watched his movies, Paku-san's works are so underrated, it's sad. His mastery of fantastic yet subtle storytelling is truly a blessing to this world. Thank you for this nostalgic and informative ride through Paku-san's brilliant world.
Some fine chanels with movie-related content: Channel Criswell, CinemaWins, Lessons from the Screenplay, Anna Catley, Now You See It, Sideways, Joseph McNairy, Big Joel, BREADSWORD, Reality Punch Studios, The Royal Ocean Film Society (heh), Taylor J. Williams, Borgus Network, Nerdwriter1, Beyond the Frame, What it all Meant, Half Past Awkward, Lindsay Ellis, Karsten Runquist, Jack's Movie Reviews, This Guy Edits. Hope you enjoy them! (:
Heidi is the best known TV work, but Isao Takahata's version of the canadian book "Anne of Green Gables" is, in my opinion, the most stunning and underrated book adaptation of all time. It's like the minds of two authors (Takahata and L.M. Montgomery) separated by a great deal of time and space were suddenly in perfect synch, as if they worked side by side at the same project; and the result is a series that will make you feel like you've truly witnessed someone else's life. If you're at the right age (I'm in my fourties) you'll end up wishing that Anne was your adoptive daughter, and that's probably the warmest, most beautiful thing I've ever felt watching fiction.
R.I.P mr. Isao Takahata you'll always live on in our hearts. Your works truly inspired me and comforted me in days of sadness. You're a legend and no one can replace you.
will you do video on Miyazaki? I saw couple essays about him on youtube, BUT didn't watched them, because i don't wanna see unexpected trashtalk about my favourite director. But you seem very cool!) What ya think? Is it safe to watch those essays or will you do it your own in future?
I don't have anything on Miyazaki planned at the moment, but he is one of my favorites, so I'd love to get around to him one day. If you want to see a good essay on him, check out Channel Criswell's excellent video - ruclips.net/video/52raDbtNpa4/видео.html
Cool~) Well, despite other essays, i will be glad to see your view on Miyazaki someday. Because this "The other master" is beyond awesome. Very inspiring and educational;)
I'm a huge fan of this guy, besides his movies being some of my favs I especially admire the anime series he directed about Anne of Green Gables. Anyways great work~! Btw I had already seen Cello Hiki no Gauche great kinda short movie I loved the landscape and architecture artwork in that and of course the use of music ^^
A few days before Isao Takahata passed away, Hayao Miyazaki came to his hospital room and burst into large tears. At his funeral, Hayao Miyazaki gave a farewell speech. "I met an exceptional person in Isao Takahata, We always fought hard because wanted to go farther each other. Thank you very much." The friendship between the two men will continue for a long time.
What you pointed out at 6:39 is I think the crux of why animation is such a special medium. We understand completely why she just ran into the air and is floating on clouds. It's metaphor, and in an animated world where you can make metaphor come to life (without looking weird), it FITS. It never would in live action. Only Yesterday is easily in my top 3 favorite Ghibli films (and I love almost all of them). I love the vast difference in the two animation styles, and the message and story really speak to me.
Glad to see the lesser-known master getting some love. There's another famous anime director who makes films that could be live action: Satoshi Kon. Can't really say that about Paprika, but Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, and Tokyo Godfathers don't have to be animation. Yet they are better off for it.
Satoshi Kon was a master.. I agree with you, Paprika can't be easily made in live action, but his other movies can.. He used to say that the reason he chose animation over live action is it gives you more ability to control what is shown to the audience.. His example was a shot from one of his movies (Perfect Blue probably) where a character is holding a gun.. the shot lasts only for a couple of frames long, which would have been too fast for a live action audience.. May his soul rest in peace
The every frame a painting video on Kon makes a good point though, much of his editing is impossible/too disorienting to be done in live action. Kon's greatest strength his editing was amplified through the use of animation as a medium. Kon IMO was doing exactly what Takahata is by using animation as a means to enhance peoples sense of reality but maybe a bit more modern and playful in his sensibilities.
+Abdelrahman Magdy Said fucking stop thinking on Live action animated movies adaptacion! Animation is superior to normal acting already! thats why Today People almost everytime use animated efects on Live action movies
Paulin Paozin BTW, this is exactly what um saying, animation is superior to live action, and this is why I don't believe in the idea that some people try to enforce, i.e. you should only use animation for stories that can't be done in live action.. I believe this is wrong, because even the stories that can be done in live action can be better if done properly in animation
TheWWIFlyingAce They did make Paprika into a live-action movie It's called Inception. Which movie captured the idea of dreams better? and blur's the line between reality and non reality? They also made Perfect Blue into a live-action movie, It's called Black Swan. Which movie shows how the media and being involved with the media can psychologically damaged you and almost take away your sense of identity because of the high demand and stressful work conditions in order to become something you're not, almost like a different person entirely?
You have really encapsulated my feelings on the subject with this video. I was intrigued by many of these films (most notably _Only Yesterday)_ because of the way they animate real life without feeling rushed in any way. Animated real life is even more enjoyable than live-action real life because you _feel_ how every single thing you see required attention and work.
It definitely is, in my opinion. I watched and loved it, even a little more than Heidi, which was also directed by Isao Takahata. What is your favorite Isao Takahata movie, if I may ask?
Awesome video. Everyone forgets about Takahata when talking about Studio Ghibli, now I have a video to show my friends. Also good use of " Time Away From Home" as the closing song. Summer Salt also needs more attention.
I'm really glad to see more discussion of Takahata's work! I fell entirely in love with Only Yesterday, and fall harder every time I watch it again. Same goes for Princess Kaguya and My Neighbours the Yamadas.
The use of animation rather than live action for Grave of the Fireflies is brilliant for many reasons. Firstly, animation tends to be geared to entertainment for children and that's what it is -- a story about a child and her older brother. The expectation with most animation is that somehow, something special or magical will happen to remove them from the peril they face, but withholding that kind of resolution of the story makes it hit as all the more tragic. Practically, animation is the perfect choice because emaciated children in live action would either not be done convincingly and thus lack authenticity, or would, for obvious reasons be completely inhumane to child actors. The occasional fantastical imaginings of Seita also adequately convey how, despite trying to prove he is mature, he is still tempted to fall back into more immature, childlike imaginings. Finally, the montage scene near the end where Setsuko is depicted doing various domestic activities near the air raid shelter, where her ghostly image disappears from one scene to the next is a perfect way of showing the memory of her spirit in that environment. Films exist to entertain and make us laugh, but sometimes films are made that convey a story that needs to be told. Although it's sad, Fireflies is a brilliant film.
Thank you so much for doing this. I had a panel at an anime con that I did a few years back where I referred to the metaphorical side of Takahata's work as being "hyper realism" a sense of realism as viewed through the characters eyes and reflected through the art of animation. In different words you describe the same thing which is exactly why I feel Takahata is a criminally underrated master of cinema. Thank you for shedding a light on this for a broader audience!
Watched Grave of the Fireflies. Bawled my eyes out. Proof of how powerful animation can be. As beautiful and moving as it was I refuse to watch it ever again.
I love your videos on animation. I think what you're talking about is one of the reasons I love the medium so much. It's funny how it's often the unreal that expresses what is actually most real to us.
HOLY MOLY!!!! Not only did I love this video! But then you throw Summer Salt's "Time Away from Home" in for the outro song!! You are a legend!!! Insta-sub, my man!!
IM SOOOOO HAPPY! RUclips recommended me to one of your videos. I have been binge watching them and its....god man, they're so good!!! haha not to mention your soothing voice helps a lot! But your tone as well, it brings such sincerity, a subtle and humble passion towards what you love. It really is refreshing, I love it! Keep it up!
Wonderful. The same argument can be used for the video games I play. Im not trying to play the game with the most realistic and true to life graphics, but rather something unique and creative and beautiful
Takahata is extremely underrated in the animation world. His creations are some of the most profound to have come out of Studio Ghibli, and the industry owes him a great debt for challenging the strictures of the genre and overturning people's expectations. An absolute genius 👏and what your video discusses is one of the reasons The Tale of Princess Kaguya is one of my all-time favourite films 🌸
The abstraction of feelings is what I love the most about animation. There is no better medium to convey emotions in my opinion. And Takahata was such a master at this.
Wow. That scene of him in the car explaining how he didn't want to "fail" again, because one of his films had a scene where a character cutting a watermelon looked too much like tofu and not like it actually would... I wish I cared that much about ANYTHING in my life. That's the sort of thing only a perfectionist master would notice or put that much care into. It made me pause the video to think for a minute when he explained that.
That was an excellent essay and I can't believe I've disregarded Isao Takahata's work as much as I have, despite being a big fan of Ghibli! Very inspiring :)
Immediately subscribed for the Wittertainment clip in the beginning. Taking one of my favourite podcasts as a jumping off point for a great video essay - what could be better?
Those secuences in wich the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, the surreal, but in a purely metaforic way, remember me a lot to La La Land. That is probably why it was so fantastic and amazing. It felt so cinematic, as something that only can exists as a movie. And that is sign of great cinema.
just discovered your channel and I'm loving everything ! :D I'm a film nerd from Portugal, trying to start doing my first short with some cousins and you're videos are really inspiring and educational. Keep up the good work. PS: Because of this video I saw Only Yesterday for the first time and I adored it. So thanks for that. 👍👍👍😄
Is it wrong that this episode and its themes made me so happy that my eyes got misty? I'll answer for you: no. It is in fact one of the key reasons I love animation so much.
Pom Poko - Not bad but definitely way too long for what it is My Neighbors The Yamadas - Great for old people. Quirky! Only Yesterday - A truly astonishing film with masterful direction and storytelling. Grave Of The Fireflies - Ripped my heart out of my chest. The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya - 4th favorite movie ever made, and Studio Ghibli's best work.
I really like your work man, I also dabble in film essays it's pretty much most of my whole channel, thanks for giving me another great animator besides miyazaki to check out.
Master Takahata truly was my favorite of the two founding members. Pom Poko truly is my favorite Ghibli film and I was very saddened to hear of his passing.
Very saddened to hear about Takahata's passing today. He was one of the true masters of animation and his films will remain as some of the most compassionate, imaginative, and lovingly crafted pieces of cinema ever created. I only included a couple of clips from it in this video essay, but I'd highly encourage anyone interested in his work to check out the documentary ''Isao Takahata and His Tale of Princess Kaguya'' for an incredibly insightful look into the man himself and his process of working. I obviously never had the pleasure of meeting him, but every interview I watched and read, and every bit of research I did for this essay pointed to the fact that Takahata was a man full of passion and energy, but also deep kindness and sincerity -- all of which completely come across in each and every one of his films. He will be greatly missed.
this video, which is one of my favorite essays, is why i watched that documentary. thank you for that, and may Takahata RIP.
may he rest in peace, he has brought us some of the best anime films out there. while my personal favorite is gauche the cellist, they are all great works of art that will not be forgotten.
Yes. Only Yesterday, the least known of his Ghibli film, means a lot to me. It taught me about the process of understanding as well as growing up.
Goodbye, sir, and thank you for all the memories.
Gutted to hear that Isao has passed away. We lose great figures every year. May he Rest in Peace.
"Miyazaki likes to fly, Takahata likes to make you cry..."
Takahata is too overlooked. Tale of Princess Kaguya and Only Yesterday are some of Ghibli's best films
Truth
Only Yesterday: that movie hit me so hard.
I don't know I love films where while nothing seems to be happening externally (plot wise) that there's a wealth of things happening internally with characters and that's what I adore about Only Yesterday. I mean while it is a movie about a young woman just going to the countryside for a short period but it's also about her ENTIRE life up to that point, about reflecting on her childhood, about her family, about the choices we can make on the direction of our lives. I find it to be a beautiful and genuine and insightful character piece. Interesting especially since so many animated films go for the external dilemma rather than an introspective focus.
ikr, that why the fact that it hit me is even more rememberable. i cant explain why, but during the movie i felt the chilling atmosphere that made me think about how im living my life. i have nothing in common to relate to the main character. she's a country girl and i am a city boy, but that movie makes me feel so related somehow.
Only Yesterday is their best film.
When you learn editing in film school or by yourself, you often ask yourself "What is the best cut I've seen in a film ?" For me, it's the shot/ reverse shot at the end of Grave of the Fireflies. You've got the brother and the sister sitting in a bench in the forest surrounded by fireflies. The brother tells the little girl that it's time to sleep and she rests her head on his lap. The light of the fireflies slowly fades away as the brother is looking through the "camera". His eyes then shift to something else out of frame and we see the reverse shot of what he's looking at : a modern city. In just one shot reverse shot, we deeply understand that the sacrificed youth is still looking at us and that we must learn from what they endured to not make the same mistakes ever again. Takahata does this in just one freaking cut goddammit !!
There's no need to pit Miyazaki against Takahada or vice versa. They are both masterful storytellers who use different methods to create beautiful films.
They themselves like to compete tho haha
Grave of the fire flies 😭
I'm not really into anime, but I like the meta discussion and the techniques Takahada uses reminds me a lot of Terry Gilliam, especially the film Brazil where the protagonist constantly drifts in and out of his fantasies. His other works such as Time Bandits and Munchhausen, also has a certain anime'ish quality to them, exaggerated features (notably Munchhausens nose). I wouldn't replace a Takahada Brazil or a Miyazaki Time Bandits with the Gilliam one, but I would definitely watch them! :P - Also I'd love to see Gilliams live action take on Spirited Away.
@@jj-nm5vo yes,but that really brought out really good films
They are very different though. Miyazaki tells adventerous fairy tale like stories with some of the most inventive visuals and worldbuilding in all of film. Takahada goes into the themes of society and the flaws in cultures, and tells them through slice-of-life stories that don't shy away from being more character driven.
I’ve always found unnecessary to compare Miyazaki-sama and Takahata-sama simply because there’s no other studio in the present or in the past that so beautifully had two completely complementary careers like Studio Ghibli. I know it’s probably open to a extensive discussion, but I’ve always seen much of Miyazaki movies as whimsical, fantastically surreal, of nature-driven ways used to convey a realistic vision based on our lack of extensive power, yet necessary attitude, towards the world and reality. It’s the “you need to be strong while you act, no time to wait” side of things. Takahata portray emotion in a more subtle way. The travels, the places you go are mostly inside of yourself. Miyazaki uses nature and surrealism like no other to connect characters with reality. Takahata, on the other hand, uses reality to make characters discover themselves. In many cases, they talked in the same language, what I said about one also works with another. And that’s why both of them are and were masters in the most beautiful language one can master - the language of the heart.
Beautifully said
Perfect
Grave of the Fireflies automatically includes him in the animation Hall of Fame...or the film Hall of Fame...or the anything Hall of Fame.
Even watching those brief snippets, I started choking up a little bit, what a masterpiece!
ShikataGaNai100 I watched that long time ago and it did really hit hard, didn't know who the director was, it's so refreshing tho have found this video.
ShikataGaNai100 Isao Takahata for the WWE hall of fame confirmed.
ShikataGaNai100 Tale of Princess Kaguya is better in my opinion. It’s truly underrated, I can’t stress how underrated it is. It’s a masterpiece
@@maxyb891 Me too!
Rest in Peace Mr. Takahata. The simplicity and pureness in your projects are unmatched.
Thank you for including the cut from Only Yesterday where Taeko fell in love and fly away from the feeling... It portrays innocence perfectly. One of my favorite movie scene of all time.
His work is beautiful. Tahakata always inspired me to see the best in humanity and to find beauty in the simple things. Rest in Peace.
Only Yesterday is a beautiful movie. I love this movie.
Princess Kaguya is overlooked in my opinion. It's honestly the best Ghibli film
Same
I think it’s because the plot in general
@@watchforever1724it was based on a very old japanese folk tale which makes sense. its still a complete masterpiece
@@wetasspaddington yeah I know
Thank you so much! Takahata is one the most underrated directors of Ghibli. Takahata's stories have so much more quality than Miyazaki's. People often dislike "My Neighbours Yamada" just because of the different animation, but the fact is that it's probably one of the best stories Ghibli has ever made.
I can't say why, but watching this made me very emotional at the end. I guess there's something about Takahata's animations that brings something from deep within me?
I teared up while watching certain parts of the video. It's just fascinating how even those 10 second long sequences could make me relive the emotions I felt the first time I watched his movies, Paku-san's works are so underrated, it's sad. His mastery of fantastic yet subtle storytelling is truly a blessing to this world. Thank you for this nostalgic and informative ride through Paku-san's brilliant world.
Rest in peace Mr. Takahata you will be missed dearly. Fly high above us now as your characters do always. Thank you.
jesus christ, so many good videe essayist poppin' up lately
care to recommend some others?
Some fine chanels with movie-related content: Channel Criswell, CinemaWins, Lessons from the Screenplay, Anna Catley, Now You See It, Sideways, Joseph McNairy, Big Joel, BREADSWORD, Reality Punch Studios, The Royal Ocean Film Society (heh), Taylor J. Williams, Borgus Network, Nerdwriter1, Beyond the Frame, What it all Meant, Half Past Awkward, Lindsay Ellis, Karsten Runquist, Jack's Movie Reviews, This Guy Edits.
Hope you enjoy them! (:
@@narutoandanimefa Also the, sadly, inactive Every frame a painting.
@@narutoandanimefa most of these RUclipsrs are far from perfect
Heidi is the best known TV work, but Isao Takahata's version of the canadian book "Anne of Green Gables" is, in my opinion, the most stunning and underrated book adaptation of all time. It's like the minds of two authors (Takahata and L.M. Montgomery) separated by a great deal of time and space were suddenly in perfect synch, as if they worked side by side at the same project; and the result is a series that will make you feel like you've truly witnessed someone else's life. If you're at the right age (I'm in my fourties) you'll end up wishing that Anne was your adoptive daughter, and that's probably the warmest, most beautiful thing I've ever felt watching fiction.
watching only yesterday, i felt like i was watching my own life, even though i had little in common with the protag. takahata has a way of doing that.
R.I.P mr. Isao Takahata you'll always live on in our hearts. Your works truly inspired me and comforted me in days of sadness. You're a legend and no one can replace you.
I cannot believe he is gone. Rewatching this video just a few days after his passing really made me feel a palpable sense of loss.
Dude, this video essay is so awesome! Smiled dozens of times through the video, im in awe. Its a hecking masterpiece dude, good job!)))
will you do video on Miyazaki? I saw couple essays about him on youtube, BUT didn't watched them, because i don't wanna see unexpected trashtalk about my favourite director. But you seem very cool!) What ya think? Is it safe to watch those essays or will you do it your own in future?
I don't have anything on Miyazaki planned at the moment, but he is one of my favorites, so I'd love to get around to him one day.
If you want to see a good essay on him, check out Channel Criswell's excellent video - ruclips.net/video/52raDbtNpa4/видео.html
Cool~) Well, despite other essays, i will be glad to see your view on Miyazaki someday. Because this "The other master" is beyond awesome. Very inspiring and educational;)
I'm a huge fan of this guy, besides his movies being some of my favs I especially admire the anime series he directed about Anne of Green Gables. Anyways great work~! Btw I had already seen Cello Hiki no Gauche great kinda short movie I loved the landscape and architecture artwork in that and of course the use of music ^^
A few days before Isao Takahata passed away, Hayao Miyazaki came to his hospital room and burst into large tears. At his funeral, Hayao Miyazaki gave a farewell speech.
"I met an exceptional person in Isao Takahata, We always fought hard because wanted to go farther each other. Thank you very much."
The friendship between the two men will continue for a long time.
What you pointed out at 6:39 is I think the crux of why animation is such a special medium. We understand completely why she just ran into the air and is floating on clouds. It's metaphor, and in an animated world where you can make metaphor come to life (without looking weird), it FITS. It never would in live action.
Only Yesterday is easily in my top 3 favorite Ghibli films (and I love almost all of them). I love the vast difference in the two animation styles, and the message and story really speak to me.
Glad to see the lesser-known master getting some love. There's another famous anime director who makes films that could be live action: Satoshi Kon. Can't really say that about Paprika, but Perfect Blue, Millennium Actress, and Tokyo Godfathers don't have to be animation. Yet they are better off for it.
Satoshi Kon was a master.. I agree with you, Paprika can't be easily made in live action, but his other movies can.. He used to say that the reason he chose animation over live action is it gives you more ability to control what is shown to the audience.. His example was a shot from one of his movies (Perfect Blue probably) where a character is holding a gun.. the shot lasts only for a couple of frames long, which would have been too fast for a live action audience.. May his soul rest in peace
The every frame a painting video on Kon makes a good point though, much of his editing is impossible/too disorienting to be done in live action. Kon's greatest strength his editing was amplified through the use of animation as a medium. Kon IMO was doing exactly what Takahata is by using animation as a means to enhance peoples sense of reality but maybe a bit more modern and playful in his sensibilities.
+Abdelrahman Magdy Said fucking stop thinking on Live action animated movies adaptacion! Animation is superior to normal acting already! thats why Today People almost everytime use animated efects on Live action movies
Paulin Paozin BTW, this is exactly what um saying, animation is superior to live action, and this is why I don't believe in the idea that some people try to enforce, i.e. you should only use animation for stories that can't be done in live action.. I believe this is wrong, because even the stories that can be done in live action can be better if done properly in animation
TheWWIFlyingAce They did make Paprika into a live-action movie It's called Inception. Which movie captured the idea of dreams better? and blur's the line between reality and non reality?
They also made Perfect Blue into a live-action movie, It's called Black Swan. Which movie shows how the media and being involved with the media can psychologically damaged you and almost take away your sense of identity because of the high demand and stressful work conditions in order to become something you're not, almost like a different person entirely?
Glad to see a video appreciating Isao Takahata's works. Only Yesterday is my favorite of all Ghibli films(I love all of them btw) .. :)
It is the best. For me, anyway. But then, what is "best?" The box office has a vote; I only have my heart.
You have really encapsulated my feelings on the subject with this video. I was intrigued by many of these films (most notably _Only Yesterday)_ because of the way they animate real life without feeling rushed in any way. Animated real life is even more enjoyable than live-action real life because you _feel_ how every single thing you see required attention and work.
The best adaptation of "Anne of Green Gables" is said to be the 1979 anime, which was directed by Takahata.
No way haha that's cool
Akage no Anne is his Magum Opus
agreed
Akage no anne is the best work of animation ever created
It definitely is, in my opinion. I watched and loved it, even a little more than Heidi, which was also directed by Isao Takahata.
What is your favorite Isao Takahata movie, if I may ask?
Awesome video. Everyone forgets about Takahata when talking about Studio Ghibli, now I have a video to show my friends. Also good use of " Time Away From Home" as the closing song. Summer Salt also needs more attention.
R.I.P Isao Takahata-san :'(
I'm really glad to see more discussion of Takahata's work! I fell entirely in love with Only Yesterday, and fall harder every time I watch it again. Same goes for Princess Kaguya and My Neighbours the Yamadas.
Amazing video man! Love that folks are giving Takahata more love! You deserve more subs dude!
This video brought a tear to my eye. Telling the untold story is one thing but the beauty of how well you edited this video got me.
also- what is the name of the animation with the Raccoon People?
Green Lantern pompoko
Goodbye, sir, and thank you for all the memories.
Abhisek Dash lkk
Very inspiring essay, my friend. Takahata is such a a overlooked artist, because his works are fantastic, like the movies of his partner, Miyazaki.
The use of animation rather than live action for Grave of the Fireflies is brilliant for many reasons.
Firstly, animation tends to be geared to entertainment for children and that's what it is -- a story about a child and her older brother. The expectation with most animation is that somehow, something special or magical will happen to remove them from the peril they face, but withholding that kind of resolution of the story makes it hit as all the more tragic.
Practically, animation is the perfect choice because emaciated children in live action would either not be done convincingly and thus lack authenticity, or would, for obvious reasons be completely inhumane to child actors.
The occasional fantastical imaginings of Seita also adequately convey how, despite trying to prove he is mature, he is still tempted to fall back into more immature, childlike imaginings.
Finally, the montage scene near the end where Setsuko is depicted doing various domestic activities near the air raid shelter, where her ghostly image disappears from one scene to the next is a perfect way of showing the memory of her spirit in that environment.
Films exist to entertain and make us laugh, but sometimes films are made that convey a story that needs to be told. Although it's sad, Fireflies is a brilliant film.
You do a wonderful job with these. Well researched and well put together. It must take forever... Thanks for doing this.
I started crying in the middle of the video and I don't know why.
I love Takahata but I realise there's a lot of his movies that I haven't seen.
Dude, this was so inspiring and beautiful, I almost cried Hahaha. That's why I love animation, to me it's paintings in movement.
Sleep well maestro and thank you for all the stories. We will miss you.
Isao Takahata is the master and the mentor of Hayao Miyazaki. I don't think Hayao could pull stuff like Gauche and Kaguya off.
Thank you so much for doing this. I had a panel at an anime con that I did a few years back where I referred to the metaphorical side of Takahata's work as being "hyper realism" a sense of realism as viewed through the characters eyes and reflected through the art of animation. In different words you describe the same thing which is exactly why I feel Takahata is a criminally underrated master of cinema. Thank you for shedding a light on this for a broader audience!
He died today. Rest in peace, Isao Takahata. I and many others will remember your work fondly.
Isao Takahata
1935 to 2018
Watched Grave of the Fireflies. Bawled my eyes out. Proof of how powerful animation can be. As beautiful and moving as it was I refuse to watch it ever again.
Great job doing these video essays dude! Keep the good work flowing! I gave it a share, awesome!
Finally someone brought up Isao Takahata, Only Yesterday and Grave of the Fireflies are both in my top 10 list of Ghibli films.
Rest in peace isao takahata
I love your videos on animation. I think what you're talking about is one of the reasons I love the medium so much. It's funny how it's often the unreal that expresses what is actually most real to us.
HOLY MOLY!!!! Not only did I love this video! But then you throw Summer Salt's "Time Away from Home" in for the outro song!! You are a legend!!! Insta-sub, my man!!
IM SOOOOO HAPPY! RUclips recommended me to one of your videos. I have been binge watching them and its....god man, they're so good!!! haha not to mention your soothing voice helps a lot! But your tone as well, it brings such sincerity, a subtle and humble passion towards what you love. It really is refreshing, I love it! Keep it up!
i've been binging all your videos and this truly brought me to tears, thank you for putting this together!
both of them are incredibly amazing as directors and artist.
Rip😢. Pompoko as the rest of your movies were awesome 🙏.
Extremely cool and insightful. And I had thought of Takahata's movies as random and all over the place.
Another great video, thanks for making these!
Wonderful. The same argument can be used for the video games I play. Im not trying to play the game with the most realistic and true to life graphics, but rather something unique and creative and beautiful
*not the same argument but a similar one. I'm sorry
Thank you for introduce me this genius and his art works
Rest in Peace. You, through your movies will be remembered forever.
Takahata is extremely underrated in the animation world. His creations are some of the most profound to have come out of Studio Ghibli, and the industry owes him a great debt for challenging the strictures of the genre and overturning people's expectations. An absolute genius 👏and what your video discusses is one of the reasons The Tale of Princess Kaguya is one of my all-time favourite films 🌸
The abstraction of feelings is what I love the most about animation. There is no better medium to convey emotions in my opinion. And Takahata was such a master at this.
I just smiled and kept smiling like an idiot the whole time watching takahata's animations...
The Tale of Princess Kaguya is the only film I have ever unashamedly sobbed through in a movie theater
Wow. That scene of him in the car explaining how he didn't want to "fail" again, because one of his films had a scene where a character cutting a watermelon looked too much like tofu and not like it actually would... I wish I cared that much about ANYTHING in my life. That's the sort of thing only a perfectionist master would notice or put that much care into. It made me pause the video to think for a minute when he explained that.
what an episode. so many chills.
That was an excellent essay and I can't believe I've disregarded Isao Takahata's work as much as I have, despite being a big fan of Ghibli! Very inspiring :)
My neighbors the Yamadas and pom poko were the most influential movies of my childhood, bless
Immediately subscribed for the Wittertainment clip in the beginning. Taking one of my favourite podcasts as a jumping off point for a great video essay - what could be better?
this is by far the best meditation I have ever heard of around realism and its limits.
i couldn't thank more for such a wonderful video
thank you
RIP Isao Takahata
For the fact that he was never an animator, he sure knew how to direct animated films.
can't believe how good this video is, thank you!
YES! i prefer takahata's storytelling than miyazaki, thank you for this!
sissyboytaaka
Same ^
Idk why but I love takahata's life style more than Hayao-san, really want to know much more about him.
Same!
Some aspects
Those secuences in wich the ordinary becomes the extraordinary, the surreal, but in a purely metaforic way, remember me a lot to La La Land. That is probably why it was so fantastic and amazing. It felt so cinematic, as something that only can exists as a movie. And that is sign of great cinema.
brilliant video on a sadly overlooked director
RIP Isao Takahata.
Thank you so much for making this vid, awesome work!
Thank for making this video 🌈 BEAUTIFUL
Unbelievable! what a great essay about Takahata! would love to hear more about other animation director from you!
I just want to thank you because I would have missed out on a masterpiece like Kaguya Hime no Monogatari without that clip in your video.
rest in peace
at 0:30- what Ghibli movie has the film, "Son of Godzilla" was playing?
I'm going to cry
May you forever rest in peace, you brilliant and genius man...
We’ll miss you so much, Isao!!
just discovered your channel and I'm loving everything ! :D I'm a film nerd from Portugal, trying to start doing my first short with some cousins and you're videos are really inspiring and educational. Keep up the good work. PS: Because of this video I saw Only Yesterday for the first time and I adored it. So thanks for that. 👍👍👍😄
I highly recommend his Anne of Green Gables anime! It's soo good
Keep up the great work man. we owe you
Rest in peace 😞
Takahada needs more attantion. He directed my favorite animation, Grave of the Fireflies.
Is it wrong that this episode and its themes made me so happy that my eyes got misty? I'll answer for you: no. It is in fact one of the key reasons I love animation so much.
Sir, you have made something wonderful and I appreciate it immensely. I thankyou
Pom Poko - Not bad but definitely way too long for what it is
My Neighbors The Yamadas - Great for old people. Quirky!
Only Yesterday - A truly astonishing film with masterful direction and storytelling.
Grave Of The Fireflies - Ripped my heart out of my chest.
The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya - 4th favorite movie ever made, and Studio Ghibli's best work.
I really like your work man, I also dabble in film essays it's pretty much most of my whole channel, thanks for giving me another great animator besides miyazaki to check out.
Master Takahata truly was my favorite of the two founding members. Pom Poko truly is my favorite Ghibli film and I was very saddened to hear of his passing.
Really like your videos.
Ooooh man, you got me good at 2:00 had me bursting out loud in laughter 😂 *_subbed_*
This is such an insightful interpretation of his work
Absolutely stellar stuff, bravo.
RIP Master ♥️🙏🏼
I always thought of Takahata's approach more arthouse than Miyazaki's.