Source here, among a great many.
I have watched three of Takahata’s films, including two of his three most critically acclaimed, “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” and “Only Yesterday”. I must say I am not really a fan; I find him rather dull, and the message of “Kaguya” was crude and mean.
But “My Neighbors the Yamadas”, while not a great film by any means, was at least amusing, and visually Takahata’s films are marvelous; you can make an argument that even “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya” is worth watching for the art style alone.
And he mentored Miyazaki and co-founded Studio Ghibli; for those reasons alone he is undoubtedly one of the most influential animators of all time, worthy of the high reputation associated with his name.
RIP
