Kimitoshi Yamane (山根 公利, Yamane Kimitoshi, born 1966) is a Japanese mecha designer.[1] He was born in Kawamoto, Shimane Prefecture, and lives in Hamada, Shimane Prefecture.[2][3] His representative works include Cowboy Bebop, Infinite Ryvius, The Vision of Escaflowne and the Gundam series.[3][1]
Yamane's designs are characterised by a sense of industrial product, designed with motifs from real vehicles and weapons, or from war and science fiction films.[2][4] While Yamane has a deep knowledge of tanks and ships, he has little interest in robot in human form.[1][5] In the Gundam series, he sometimes designs the main robot Gundam, but his work is basically focused on naval vessels, aircraft and vehicles.[4][5]
His hobbies include fishing, working on cars, and riding motorcycles.[1][6] He owns several old cars and would like to try his hand at designing real cars if he gets the chance.[7]