Takahashi worked as storyboard artist for the animated television series Heathcliff & the Catillac Cats (1984) and as assistant animator on the animated movie American Pop (1981). He joined ILM and worked as animator on the family adventure The Goonies (1985), the science fiction film Back to the Future (1985), the horror sequel A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985), the action drama Top Gun (1986), and the science fiction film *batteries not included (1987).