Legendary anime director and Studio Ghibli co-founder Isao Takahata’s passing has rocked the anime industry in Japan. However, it seems that his passing affected his close friends the most, particularly Hayao Miyazaki. It’s no secret that the Academy Award-winner is close to the late Grave of Fireflies director. And because of that, it seems the death has affected him very much.

Japanese newspaper, Spoinich Annex, has reported that Hayao Miyazaki is still in “overwhelming shock” after his friend’s passing. They also reported that he said “I still am not used to this feeling,” while also showing immense pain in the legendary director.

Miyazaki has arguably worked with Takahata the longest, starting off in Toei with him before founding Ghibli together. His grief is quite understandable as they have been quite close since the 60’s.

According to several reports, unnamed sources have told them that the director’s health was already failing since last summer. It turns out that he passed away because of lung cancer in a hospital last 5 April 2018. May he rest in peace.

source: Spoinich Annex,