Isao Takahata: the exhibition honoring the animation pioneer extended at the Japan Culture House

The Maison de la culture du Japon in Paris is hosting a compelling retrospective dedicated to Isao Takahata (1935–2018). Co-founder of Studio Ghibli in 1985 alongside Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki, Takahata remains one of the most influential figures in Japanese animation. The exhibition has proven popular not only with Parisians but also with international visitors, prompting the organizers to extend it through February 7, 2026.

In 1968,Isao Takahata directed his first feature film,"La grande aventure de Hols, prince du Soleil" (distributed in France under the title "Horus, prince du Soleil"). This was followed by"Kié la petite peste" in 1981,"Goshu le violoncelliste" a year later,"L'Histoire des canaux de Yanagawa" (1987) and, of course,"Le Tombeau des lucioles" (1988), the film that made his international name. Isao Takahata 's innovative, poetic work has truly transformed the world of animation.

Until February 7, 2026, the Maison de la Culture du Japon is hosting a comprehensive retrospective titled "Isao Takahata - Pioneer of Contemporary Animation, from Post-War Japan to Studio Ghibli." Having already been showcased in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand—where it drew large crowds each time—the exhibition has finally made its way to Paris.

As its title suggests, the exhibition celebrates the work ofIsao Takahata, from his beginnings in the 60s to his most recent successes, including"The Tale of Princess Kaguya" (2013). While the exhibition revisits some of his masterpieces with Studio Ghibli, the event is above all a tribute to Isao Takahata, his creativity, his talent, his humanist outlook and his sense of storytelling.

To this end, " Isao Takahata - Pioneer of contemporary animation, from the post-war period to Studio Ghibli " unveils an impressive selection of notebooks, storyboards, layouts, sketches, key poses, original drawings, celluloid, film extracts and videos. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your visit. To better understand the creative process of Japanese animation through the eyes ofIsao Takahata, it's important to read all the labels and watch each video. The only drawback: several showcases reveal notebooks written in Japanese. We would have appreciated translations of excerpts from some of them. On the other hand, we strongly advise you to linger in the last room of the cultural center to admire the transition from drawing to animation.

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The chronological tour begins with a presentation ofIsao Takahata 's early work for Toei Doga (now Toei Animation). The exhibition revisits the director's first feature film for cinema:"The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun" (1968). It then turns to his work for television in the 70s, with series such as"Heidi" (1974),"Marco" (1976) and"Anne of Green Gables" (1979).

In the third part, we (re)discover some of his works set in Japan, revealing his reflections on contemporary history. The exhibition focuses on"Le Tombeau des Lucioles" (1988), certainly the director's best-known masterpiece, but also on"Souvenirs goutte à goutte" (1991) and"Pompoko" (1994) produced by Studio Ghibli.

Finally, the last section looks back at the new cartoon forms ofIsao Takahata, who drew inspiration from traditional painted scrolls to create"My Neighbors the Yamada" (1999) and"The Tale of Princess Kaguya" (2013).

If you're eager to dive back into the inspiring and impactful work of Isao Takahata, head over to the Japan Cultural Center through February 7, 2026. Just a quick note: unlike the free exhibitions on the ground floor of the cultural center, those on the second floor require an entry fee. But don’t worry—the ticket prices are quite reasonable. Expect to pay €7 for a full ticket and €5 with a discount.