Kawamori attended Keio University in the same years as Macross screenwriter Ōnogi Hiroshi and character designer Mikimoto Haruhiko (where they had a Mobile Suit Gundam fanclub called "Gunsight-1"). He occasionally used the alias 黒河影次 Kurokawa Eiji early in his career when he started as a member of Studio Nue.
Each and every variable fighter from the Macross series (except those from Macross 2) was created by him.
These and other designs have established Kawamori as a (perhaps the) master of transforming mecha. He’s also known for designing the Gundam GP-01 Zephyranthes and the Gundam GP-02 Physalis from Gundam 0083. Kawamori has also created designs for videogames like Choukou Senki Kikaiou (Rafaga) and the Armored Core series. He still works with Studio Nue on certain projects. The majority of his designs are sleek and aerodynamic although he’s quite versatile – many people have trouble identifying Kawamori designs. He is sought after as a mecha designer and has worked on a large variety of projects and continues to produce and direct anime TV series and OVA’s.
Kawamori is currently executive director at the animation studio Satelight. His projects are usually noted to contain strong themes of love, war, spirituality or mysticism, ecological concern... and lots of music idols.