Iwao Takamoto is a cartoonist and illustrator who began to prepare as a future professional when he met his family in a concentration camp in Manzanar, precisely during World War II.
Some of his works include collaborations on the feature films Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Disney’s 101 Dalmatians; so you can better understand the quality behind Takamoto and how it had to be forged in an environment that was not at all ideal.
He was born in 1925 and being a descendant of settled Japanese immigrants In the United States, he forged himself as a cartoonist during those years in which he was in the concentration camp in Manzanar. There he learned to draw and animation techniques along with many other cartoonists who later worked in the United States for different animation studios.
After the war, Takamoto began working at Disney Studios where he began as an “uncredited” animation assistant. for Milt Kahl, a member of those known as the Nine Old Men or the Nine Elders and who are part of Disney’s history by being the pioneers in the company’s productions; in fact, thanks to them Walt Disney was able to broaden horizons by delegating productions to them in the 1950s; do not miss how to draw Mickey Mouse.
There he collaborated in the feature films Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians. It was in 1961 when he left the studio and became a member of the Hannah-Barberah lists, and this is where his works and character designs are best known for the famous Scooby Doo series.
A great cartoonist and animator who went through the most recognized studios, forged in very hard moments like in that concentration camp and that later designed some of the coolest characters in that great animated TV series.