Maya Kitajima

Maya Kitajima is the main character of the Japanese anime comic book series (later TV series) called Mask of Glass (aka Glass Mask, Glass no Kamen or ガラスの仮面). The Japanese popular Shojo Manga anime Mask of Glass (aka Glass Mask, Glass no Kamen or ガラスの仮面) also features another talented actress who was Maya Kitajima 's greatest rival called Himekawa Ayumi.

Picture of Maya Kitajima in Glass no Kamen (Glass Mask)

Maya Kitajima was an ordinary girl who could not do anything right. But, she was innocent and naive. Maya Kitajima has long brown hair with big brown eyes, as do most Japanese anime girls.

Maya Kitajima lived with her mother. Her father died when she was young. Her mother works at a noodles place and Kitajima Maya had to work delivering noodles every evening and night to help out. She didn't have money or the support of her mother who was very disappointed in her for not being able to do anything right. Maya Kitajima kept breaking plates and sneaking out to see plays and movies. She could not sew or cook. However, Maya Kitajima has dreams - dreams of becoming the greatest actress in the world. When she acts or watches a play, Maya Kitajima feels like she was the character in the play and not herself. Her teacher says she is the girl with a thousand masks.

One day while she was telling a story to little boys and girls, a famous sensei (teacher) saw her. This old lady was Chigusa Tsukikage who was the most revered actress for her role as the Crimson Goddess. However a tragic accident on stage left her face scarred for life and she could no longer act. She disappeared for years and now reappear to look for the next actress would could play the Crimson Goddess.

She taught Maya Kitajima to act and sponsored her into her acting school. Maya Kitajima's mother objected and thought it was absurd that a failure like Maya wanted to act. Maya Kitajima then ran away from home to attend the acting school. Maya Kitajima was a gifted girl who once on stage can put on a thousand masks and leave her real self behind.