Isao Takahata Dies: Studio Ghibli Co-Founder And Anime Visionary Was 82

Isao Takahata, the Oscar-nominated anime visionary who co-founded Studio Ghibli with Hayao Miyazaki and wrote, director and/or produced many acclaimed films, died today in Japan. He was 82. Local media reports cite sources saying he died in a Tokyo hospital after a long illness. Takahata began his animation career in 1959 at the Toei Animation Company, where he met eventual Oscar winner Miyazaki. Described by many as both friends and rivals, they founded production…