Part of Sunrise. Rose to prominence directing Shin Seiki GPX Cyber Formula, which won the Animage Anime Grand Prix award. He's best known for helming two massive hits in the Gundam franchise—Gundam SEED and Gundam SEED Destiny, both of which also took home Grand Prix awards.

Gundam SEED was particularly significant: it single-handedly revived the Gundam brand after a rough stretch with Gundam X and Turn A Gundam, which had struggled commercially. The series' success is most clearly reflected in how well Bandai's related model kits and merchandise sold—a reliable indicator of the franchise's health.

Credited as Fukuda Mitsuo (福田 満夫) before 1990.