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Takashi Kitajima

きたじま たかし

Kitajima Takashi

Aliases: 喜多嶋 隆夫
Pen Names: Takashi Kitajima（Pen name / author name used in publications）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1949-05-10 （Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Copywriter, Commercial director
Active Years
1981-

Education

Tokyo Metropolitan Kitazono High School
Country: Japan
Meiji University
Faculty of Political Science and Economics
Country: Japan
Graduated from the Faculty of Political Science and Economics

Awards

Shōsetsu Gendai Newcomer Award
1981
Work: Too Early to Drink a Margarita
Organization: Shōsetsu Gendai (Kodansha)
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Too Early to Drink a Margarita

1981 Youth novel

A short/novella exploring the confusions and romances of young men and women. Kitajima's debut work, which won the Shōsetsu Gendai Newcomer Award.

youthromancecoming-of-age

Ponytail Doesn't Look Back

1984 Youth novel

A coming-of-age story centered on high school girls. One of the representative works of his series, depicting school life and romance with a light touch.

youthschool liferomance
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Ponytail Doesn't Look Back (1985)

Angel's Uppercut

1985 General fiction / Youth

A novel mixing pop elements with human drama. It was adapted into a TV drama and a manga.

urban lifeyouth culturefriendship and love
Adaptations
  • [TV drama] Angel's Uppercut (1986)
  • [Manga] Angel's Uppercut / 目白花子 (1986)

Roppongi Banana Boys

1988 Urban novel / Youth

A youth ensemble set in Roppongi. Adapted into a film in 1989, reflecting the youth culture of the time.

city lifeyouthfriendship
Adaptations
  • [Film] Roppongi Banana Boys (1989)

Bibliography

  • Pirate Radio Station Hawaii 99: Murder Hit Parade
  • Bikini Detective in a Tight Spot (reissued: Bikini Girl Is Targeted)
  • Goodbye, Campari Soda
  • CF Gang
  • CF Girl
  • Lonely Runner
  • The Mermaid Doesn't Sing
  • It's Not Too Late to Come Back
  • A Long Goodbye to You
  • Little Fighter
  • Ponytail Doesn't Look Back
  • Tennessee Waltz Only Once
  • Angel's Uppercut
  • Last Dance Barefoot
  • Pineapple Giants
  • Waiting at the Pool Bar
  • Roppongi Banana Boys
  • Summer Story
  • Shonan Red Shoes
  • Water Love (Suiren)
  • To You, the Cat Sitter
  • Honolulu, Where I Was With You
  • Girl Laika
  • Sing: The Ballad the Sea Gave
  • Your Love Poured Over Me (formerly: Shower)
  • I'm Not Young Anymore, But...
  • You Are Jasmine
  • Goodbye, Shonan Girl
  • Farewell, Sea
  • Hawaii Love Story
  • Only Summer Knows

Adaptations

  • CF Gurentai (TV drama, 1985)
  • Ponytail Doesn't Look Back (TV drama, 1985-1986)
  • Angel's Uppercut (TV drama & manga, 1986)
  • Roppongi Banana Boys (film, 1989)
  • CF Girl (film, 1989)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
light, accessible youth-oriented prosedialogue-driven with pop sensibilitycommercial and approachable style
Recurring Motifs
youthsea and summerHawaii and resort settingsurban nightscapeslove and friendship

Legacy

Takashi Kitajima is a novelist who, since the 1980s, has produced numerous youth and popular fiction titles. He has a long bibliography with many series entries and several adaptations for TV and film. He is known in popular literature for his portrayals of youth ensembles and resort/sea settings.

In Popular Culture

  • Many works have been adapted into TV dramas, films, and manga
  • Regarded as a familiar name in 1980s–90s youth fiction

Trivia

  • Real name is Kitajima Takao (喜多嶋 隆夫).
  • Graduated from Meiji University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics.
  • Won the Shōsetsu Gendai Newcomer Award in 1981 for 'Too Early to Drink a Margarita'.
  • Many of his representative works have been adapted for TV and film.
  • Born in Bunkyo, Tokyo.