100 Years of Iwao Takamoto

 It was on this day 100 years ago that one of Hanna-Barbera's most prolific animators was born. That man was none other than Iwao Takamoto.

Truthfully speaking, what can you say about Iwao that hasn't already been said? The man was nothing short of brilliant, as seen by his impressive credits for Disney and Hanna-Barbera. He overcame great struggles, the most notable being his time at a Japanese internment camp during World War II. His creations continue to entertain and inspire generation after generation. Even during those many dark years at Hanna-Barbera, Takamoto continued to work hard and teach new, younger artists. 

Though Hanna-Barbera would cease to exist after Turner's merger with Time Warner, Takamoto continued to be active in the animation world. He was a creative consultant on numerous projects, primarily those centered on his most famous character, Scooby-Doo. Iwao Takamoto passed away on January 8th, 2007, from a heart attack. Dozens of tributes and eulogies from those in the industry followed. Below is a piece done by artist Scott Jeralds in memory of Iwao that appeared in several trade magazines following his passing. 

As an employee of Disney during its Silver Age and as someone who worked for most of Hanna-Barbera's history, it's no surprise that Iwao Takamoto was interviewed rather frequently. Here is a link to an interview he did for Animation Blast in 1999. It's a great read that I definitely recommend checking out. He also did a multi-part interview for the Japanese American National Museum in 1998. Below is the first clip, but if you'd like to see more, click the link right here. 

Of course, I also cannot recommend the books Iwao Takamoto: My Life with a Thousand Characters and Living With a Legend enough. These titles are quite different in style and objective, but they are both worthwhile reads for those interested in Iwao Takamoto. 

While Iwao may no longer be with us, his work and impact on animation is still felt, and that will continue for years to come. As his grave said, he was a man of gentle and humble spirit. His creative genius will live forever.