Takahata Isao (1935-2018), often referred to as the "Second Pillar" of the renowned Studio Ghibli, is one of the most esteemed animation directors in the history of the form. He is also the first, and thus far the only, anime director to have a solo exhibition at the prestigious National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo and was widely recognized for his advocacy of environmental and pacifist causes. Takahata's distinctive vision and range and diverse contributions in both television and film have left an enduring mark on the genre, earning him a place of high regard among anime enthusiasts and scholars alike.

The Many Worlds of Takahata Isao is the first English-language book dedicated to exploring lesser-known works and aspects of Takahata's career and providing in-depth analyses of the films that garnered him international acclaim. Bringing together some of the foremost authorities on anime, it examines his pioneering television work on World Masterpiece Theater and its precursors (1974-1979) and Chie the Brat (1981-1983), as well as his directorial feature film debut Horus, Prince of the Sun (1968) and the documentary The Story of Yanagawa's Waterways (1987), which combines live-action and animation. The book delves into Takahata's best-known films, including Grave of the Fireflies (1988), the intensely moving story of children caught in the fire-bombing of Japan during World War II; the endearing, "Ozu-esque" Only Yesterday (1991); Pom Poko (1994), known not only for its humor and striking visual effects, but also for its sharp critique of ecological and cultural loss; the stylistically innovative My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999); and Takahata's final feature, The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013), celebrated by many as a masterpiece of animation and storytelling.