description Yoshifumi Kondō Overview
Yoshifumi Kondō (1950–1998) was a Japanese animator and director at Studio Ghibli. He directed "Whisper of the Heart" (1995), the studio's first theatrical feature not directed by Miyazaki or Takahata. Kondō animated key scenes in "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), "Princess Mononoke" (1997), and "Kiki's Delivery Service" (1989). Miyazaki regarded him as a potential successor before his death at age 47.
help Yoshifumi Kondō FAQ
Was Whisper of the Heart Yoshifumi Kondō's only feature as director?
Yes, Whisper of the Heart was Kondō's feature-directing debut in 1995 and remained his only completed feature as director. He died in 1998 at the age of 47.
What did Yoshifumi Kondō animate before Whisper of the Heart?
Kondō served as animation director or supervisor on films including Grave of the Fireflies, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Only Yesterday. He later worked as supervising animator on Princess Mononoke, released in 1997.
Did Hayao Miyazaki direct Whisper of the Heart?
No, Kondō directed it, while Hayao Miyazaki wrote the screenplay and handled storyboards. The story was adapted from Aoi Hiiragi's manga about Shizuku Tsukishima and Seiji Amasawa.
How is The Cat Returns connected to Whisper of the Heart?
Both films draw on characters created by Aoi Hiiragi, particularly the elegant cat figurine known as the Baron. The Cat Returns was directed by Hiroyuki Morita and released by Studio Ghibli in 2002.
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