Born June 11, 1952 in Tokyo, Kitajima is best known for his work as animation director on the "Ah! My Goddess" OVA series and film, which became signature projects that defined much of his career at AIC. He's a passionate cyclist—apparently competitive enough to win the "Anime Cup" annually, which fans often note in his self-portrait.

He broke into the industry as an inbetweener on "Inakappe Taisho" in 1970, then made the jump to animation director with "Arabian Night: The Adventure of Sindbad" five years later. His path eventually led to AIC, where he became a pillar of the studio's animation department. He first connected with AIC's CEO Miura while working on "Good Morning! Spank" in 1981, and later bonded with animator Akiyama Katsuhito during "Thunder Cats" in 1985—a friendship that would last through their years together.

Early AIC projects like "Gall Force" showcased his directorial skills, but the "Goddess" franchise solidified his reputation as a veteran who could anchor the studio's most ambitious productions.