Katoki Hajime
Popular mecha designers in Japan.
Hajime Katoki (カトキ ハジメ) is a Japanese mecha designer and illustrator best known for his work on the Gundam franchise and video game series like Virtual On and Super Robot Wars. He is renowned for his highly detailed, militaristic mechanical designs that incorporate realistic weapons and aircraft elements.
Biography
Born on 3 December 1963 in Saitama Prefecture, Katoki studied mechanical engineering at university. During his studies, he began working as a manga assistant and creating illustrations for magazines. His engineering background would later influence his detailed, technically-oriented design approach.
His breakthrough came in 1987 when his mechanical designs for the unofficial series Gundam Sentinel in Model Graphix magazine gained widespread attention.
After joining Sunrise studio, Katoki became heavily involved in the Gundam franchise, starting with Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory (1991). He went on to serve as the main mechanical designer for several Gundam series including Mobile Suit Victory Gundam (1993) and contributed designs to many others including Mobile Fighter G Gundam (1994) and New Mobile Report Gundam Wing (1995).
Beyond Gundam, Katoki has worked as a mechanical designer on numerous other anime series and video games. He made his directorial debut with the short film “A Farewell to Weapons” in the anthology film Short Peace (2013).
Style and influences
Katoki is known for his highly detailed mechanical designs that incorporate elements from real-world military hardware, aircraft, and spacecraft. His industrial-focused style deliberately uses recognisable elements from real-world engineering to reduce the fictional aspects of his designs.
His relationship with Yoshiyuki Tomino has been mixed. While Tomino praised Katoki’s work on Victory Gundam, noting “his artwork’s bright appearance helped save the series” and “the Angel Halo design would have been better if left to him”, he has also criticised Katoki as being “contaminated by traditional Gundam elements” and producing “only over-decorated designs”. When Katoki expressed interest in working on Mobile Suit ∀ Gundam, Tomino declined his offer.
While Katoki’s designs were selected for ∀ Gundam, Kunio Okawara’s designs were chosen for G Gundam and the protagonist mobile suits in Gundam Wing. However, Katoki still made significant contributions to Gundam Wing by designing many of the enemy mobile suits, including the influential Tallgeese design. This illustrates how major Gundam productions often involved multiple mechanical designers working in collaboration.
During his work on Gundam 0083, Katoki refined Okawara’s design for the RX-78GP01 Gundam based on his own interpretations, commenting that he “didn’t particularly like the design” and believed that “mecha designs that deviate too far from existing works within the Gundam series are merely self-indulgent for the designer and won’t please fans”. This philosophy is reflected in his efforts to incorporate mechanical designs from Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket into both Gundam Sentinel and Mobile Suit Gundam 0083.
Ver.Ka development
His redesigns of existing mobile suits, known as “Ver. Ka” (Version Katoki), have become highly popular among fans and frequently appear in model kits and merchandise.
The term “Ver.Ka” (Version Katoki) originated with B-CLUB garage kits. It was initially intended to be called “Gundam Sentinel 0079 version”, but due to copyright disputes between Bandai and Model Graphix over Sentinel rights, they needed an alternative name. “Ver.Ka” was chosen and later became widely used for Bandai’s Master Grade model kit series and GUNDAM FIX FIGURATION line.
Beyond mecha
While primarily known for realistic mecha and human designs, Katoki has occasionally demonstrated broader artistic range. His earlier doujinshi work included swimsuit illustrations of the Macross bridge operators, and he has created humanised versions of mechanical characters like Virtual On’s Fei Yen and contributed illustrations to The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya anthology publications.
Katoki’s creative output extends beyond mecha design. He has worked on photography projects, character designs, package art, and CD jacket designs. His early doujinshi work showed greater stylistic variety than his later professional work, which became more focused on realistic mechanical designs.
Notable Gundam works
Some of Katoki’s most significant contributions to the Gundam franchise include:
- The RX-78GP03 Dendrobium from Mobile Suit Gundam 0083
- The LM312V04 Victory Gundam and its variants
- The OZ-00MS Tallgeese from Gundam Wing
- Redesigned versions of the five Gundams for Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
- Mechanical designs for Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn
- Mechanical designs for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway
Complete works
Anime
| Year | Series | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991-1992 | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory | Mechanical designer, setting assistant, key animation |
| 1992 | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory | Mechanical designer, key animation, setting assistant |
| 1993-1994 | Mobile Suit Victory Gundam | Mechanical designer |
| 1993 | Patlabor 2: The Movie | Mechanical designer |
| 1994 | The Cockpit | Mechanical designer (“Sonic Thunder Attack”) |
| 1994-1995 | Mobile Fighter G Gundam | Mechanical designer |
| 1994 | We’re the Space Mining Ship! | Key animation |
| 1995-1996 | New Mobile Report Gundam Wing | Mechanical designer |
| 1995-1997 | Galaxy Fräulein Yuna | Mechanical designer |
| 1996-1999 | Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team | Mechanical designer |
| 1996 | After War Gundam X | Setting assistant |
| 1997 | New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz | Mechanical designer |
| 1998 | New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz | Mechanical designer |
| 1998 | Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team | Mechanical designer |
| 2002 | WXIII: Patlabor the Movie 3 | Mechanical designer, storyboard assistant |
| 2004 | SD Gundam Force | SD Designer |
| 2004-2005 | Sergeant Keroro | Opening animation (1st Season) |
| 2004, 2006 | Mobile Suit Gundam MS IGLOO | Design works |
| 2005 | Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam III: Love is the Pulse of the Stars | Setting assistant |
| 2005 | Super Robot Wars Original Generation: The Animation | Mechanical design original |
| 2006 | Sergeant Keroro the Super Movie | Mechanical designer |
| 2006-2007 | Super Robot Wars Original Generation: Divine Wars | Mechanical designer |
| 2006 | Welcome to the N.H.K! | Design works (Episode 24) |
| 2009 | Keroro the Movie 0 | Mechanical designer |
| 2010-2014 | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn | Mechanical designer |
| 2010-2011 | Super Robot Wars OG: The Inspector | Mechanical designer, key animation |
| 2013 | Short Peace | Director, Scriptwriter, Mechanical designer, Storyboard (“A Farewell to Weapons”) |
| 2013-2016 | Code Geass: Akito the Exiled | Mechanical designer (from Chapter 2) |
| 2014 | Girls und Panzer: This is the Real Anzio Battle! | Storyboard, Animation Assistant |
| 2015 | Aikatsu! | Storyboard (Episode 122) |
| 2015-2018 | Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin | Mechanical designer, key animation, Storyboard, Director |
| 2015 | Girls und Panzer der Film | Material Provider |
| 2015-2017 | Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt | Animation mechanical designer, Storyboard |
| 2016 | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn RE:0096 | Mechanical designer |
| 2016 | Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: December Sky | Animation mechanical designer |
| 2017 | Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt: Bandit Flower | Animation mechanical designer |
| 2018 | Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative | Mechanical designer |
| 2019 | Mobile Suit Gundam: The Origin - Advent of the Red Comet | Mechanical designer, Ending Staff, Storyboard, Director, key animation |
| 2020 | Pochitto Invention: Pikachin-Kit | Robot Designer, Storyboard, key animation (Episode 114) |
| 2021 | Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway | Mechanical designer |
| 2022 | Delicious Party♡Pretty Cure | Storyboard (Episode 5) |
| 2022 | Mobile Suit Gundam: Cucuruz Doan’s Island | Mechanical designer |
| 2022 | Delicious Party♡Pretty Cure the Movie | Sub-Character Designer |
| 2022 | Yama no Susume: Next Summit | Script & Storyboard (Episode 3) |
Books
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987-1990 | Gundam Sentinel | Designer, Illustrator, Manga Artist |
| 1990 | Gundam Sentinel 0079 | Designer, Illustrator |
| 1992 | Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 | Cover Illustrator |
| 1994-1997 | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam | Design Collaborator |
| 1988 | Dragon of the Blazing Heat | Illustrator |
| 1992 | 6 Billion KM Phosphorescence | Illustrator, Designer |
| 1994 | Mobile Suit V Gundam 5: Angel Halo | Illustrator |
| 1995-1998 | GUNDAM FIX | Designer |
| 2001 | KATOKI HAJIME DESIGNS & PRODUCTS | Designer |
| 2002-2004 | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam Side Story | Design Collaborator |
| 2003 | Katoki Hajime Design and Products Approved Gundam | Designer |
| 2006-2007 | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam: The Steel Seven | Design Collaborator |
| 2007-2009 | Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn | Mechanical designer |
| 2007 | Tony Takezaki’s Gundam Manga | Designer (Char’s Ball) |
| 2010-2016 | New Mobile Report Gundam Wing: Frozen Teardrop | Mechanical designer |
| 2010 | Mobile Suit Gundam UC Katoki Hajime Mechanical Archives | Designer |
| 2010- | Mobile Suit Gundam UC Bande Dessinee | Mechanical designer |
| 2011-2013 | Aim for the Top! | RX-7 Refinement Designer |
| 2012-2016 | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam Ghost | Design Collaborator |
| 2013-2014 | Mobile Suit Gundam U.C.0094: Across the Sky | Mechanical designer |
| 2016 | A Certain Magical Virtual-On | Illustrator |
| 2016-2019 | Mobile Suit Gundam THE ORIGIN MSD: Cucuruz Doan’s Island | Mechanical designer |
| 2018- | Mobile Suit Gundam NT | Mechanical designer |
| 2021- | Mobile Suit Crossbone Gundam X-11 | Design Collaborator |
Games
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Gradius II | Illustrator (X68000 version manual) |
| 1992 | Xardion | Mechanical designer |
| 1994 | Policenauts | Mechanical designer |
| 1995 | 4th Super Robot Wars | Mechanical designer |
| 1995 | Mobile Suit Gundam | Gundam & Zaku Cockpit Designer |
| 1995- | Virtual-On | Main Mechanical designer |
| 1996 | Super Robot Wars Gaiden: Masō Kishin | Mechanical designer |
| 1996 | Shin Super Robot Wars | Original Mecha Designer |
| 1997 | Super Robot Wars F | Original Mecha Designer |
| 1998 | Real Robots Final Attack | Mechanical designer |
| 1998 | Super Robot Wars F Final | Mechanical designer |
| 1998 | Super Robot Spirit | Mechanical designer |
| 1999 | Super Hero Operations | Mechanical designer |
| 1999 | Super Robot Wars Complete Box | Original Mecha Designer |
| 2000 | Super Robot Wars α | Mechanical designer |
| 2001 | Super Robot Wars α Gaiden | Mechanical designer |
| 2002 | Super Robot Wars Original Generation | Mechanical designer |
| 2003 | 2nd Super Robot Wars α | Mechanical designer |
| 2003 | Mobile Suit Gundam: Encounters in Space | Mechanical designer |
| 2005 | Super Robot Wars Original Generation 2 | Mechanical designer |
| 2005 | 3rd Super Robot Wars α | Mechanical designer |
| 2006- | Mobile Suit Gundam: Bonds of the Battlefield | Designer |
| 2007 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam | Original Mobile Suit Designer |
| 2007 | Super Robot Wars OG Original Generations | Mechanical designer |
| 2007 | Super Robot Wars OG Gaiden | Mechanical designer |
| 2008 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam | Original Mobile Suit Designer |
| 2008 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2 | Original Mobile Suit Designer |
| 2009 | Mobile Suit Gundam Battlefield Record | Designer |
| 2010 | Super Robot Wars OG Saga: Masō Kishin | Mechanical designer |
| 2010 | Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3 | Original Mobile Suit Designer |
| 2012 | 2nd Super Robot Wars OG | Mechanical designer |
| 2013 | Super Robot Wars OG Dark Prison | Mechanical designer |
| 2018 | A Certain Magical Virtual-On | Mecha Designer |
| 2020 | Super Robot Wars DD | Color Designer (Wing Gundam Zero Rebellion) |
| 2021 | Super Robot Wars 30 | Original Mecha Designer |
Other works
| Year | Work | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Various | Gunpla (Selected Product Lines) | Concept Designer, Supervisor |
| Various | Master Grade Series | Designer |
| Various | Master Grade Ver.Ka Series | Designer |
| Various | High Grade Universal Century Series | Designer |
| Various | Real Grade Series | Designer |
| Various | GUNDAM FIX FIGURATION | Concept Designer, Supervisor |
| Various | ZEONOGRAPHY | Concept Designer, Supervisor |
| Various | KERORO FIX FIGURATION | Concept Designer, Supervisor |
| Various | KATOKI DESIGN momokomono | Original Doll Designer |
| Various | M-MAPP1KH Series Image Sensor Mouse | Designer |
| Various | Fukui Harutoshi 6-Stein Pin Set | Designer |
| Various | Mobile Suit Gundam Laserdisc Jacket Art | Illustrator |
| Various | Family Soft Mobile Suit Gundam Jacket Art | Illustrator |
| Various | Angel Jigsaw Puzzle Mobile Suit Gundam 0083 | Designer |
| Various | Angel Jigsaw Puzzle Mobile Suit V Gundam | Designer |
| Various | Bandai Carddass Fusion Chronicle Gundam Battle Rave | Designer |
| 2007 | SUPER GT BANDAI DUNLOP SC430 | Color Designer |
Gunpla
Master Grade gunpla
- RX-78-2 Gundam Ver.Ka
- XXXG-01W Wing Gundam Ver.Ka
- RB-79 Ball Ver.Ka
- XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-1 Ver.Ka
- XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-2 Ver.Ka
- XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-3 Ver.Ka
- RX-0 Unicorn Gundam Ver.Ka
- RX-0 Full Armor Unicorn Gundam Ver.Ka
- MSN-06S Sinanju Ver. Ka
- MSN-06S Sinanju Stein Ver. Ka
- LM312V04 Victory Gundam Ver. Ka
- LM312V04(B-part) + SD-VB03A Core Booster Ver.Ka
- LM312V04 V-Dash Gundam Ver. Ka
- RX-93 Nu Gundam Ver. Ka
- MSN-04 Sazabi
- RX-93-v2 Hi-Nu Gundam Ver. Ka
Ka Signature collection in Robot Damashii (Spirits) action figure line
- RX-160S Byarlant Custom
- MS-05 Zaku I Sniper Yonem Kirks Custom
- MSA-005K Guncannon DT (Detector)
- AMX-014 Doven Wolf and Doven Wolf Silver Bullet
Composite Ver. Ka collection in Tamashii Nations action figure line
- Z-01Z Lancelot Albion Ver.Ka
- Gurren Lagann Ver.Ka
- Temjin Ver.Ka
- PTX-EX Exbein
Working method
Katoki approaches mechanical design with careful consideration of real-world engineering principles. He has stated that he tries to imagine how mobile suits would actually function and appear if they existed in reality, rather than being constrained by their animated appearances.
For the Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz designs, Katoki took the unusual step of conducting surveys among female fans to inform his design direction, demonstrating his attention to audience preferences.
Impact and legacy
Katoki’s detailed, militaristic style has heavily influenced mecha design in anime and games. His “Ver. Ka” redesigns have become a significant part of Gundam’s merchandising, particularly in Bandai’s Master Grade model kit line.
Several notable creators have publicly declared themselves fans of his work, including manga artist Yoshiyuki Yoshizaki, author Harutoshi Fukui, and illustrator Yoji Shinkawa. His style has influenced many subsequent designers, including Takayuki Yanase, Takehiko Fujii, and Kyoshi Takigawa.
His designs extend beyond anime and games—in 2006-2007, he designed the colour scheme for Toyota Team Kraft’s SC430 racing car in the Super GT series.
External links
- 機動戦士ガンダム Official Gundam website (Japanese)
- Katoki Hajime on Wikipedia
- Katoki Hajime on Anime News Network