耳をすませば
was a Japanese animator who worked for Studio Ghibli in his last years. He was born in Gosen, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. He worked as an animation director on "Anne of Green Gables", "Sherlock Hound", "Kiki's Delivery Service", "Only Yesterday" and "Princess Mononoke". Kondō directed the animated film "Whisper of the Heart", and was expected to become one of the top directors at Studio Ghibli, alongside Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and to become their eventual successor.