KAWS Chum Figure: The Secondary Character and Its Collector Market
Chum is KAWS's shark-like secondary character — distinct from the Companion in form but sharing the same visual vocabulary of crossed-out eyes and the artist's signature aesthetic. Where the Companion dominates the KAWS figure market, Chum occupies a specific niche within the collector base: sought by completionists building full KAWS character collections and by collectors drawn specifically to the shark form factor.
Chum vs. Companion in the Market
The Companion's broader cultural recognition means it trades at higher absolute prices and with more liquidity on platforms like StockX. Chum figures occupy a secondary market position — more accessible for entry-level buyers, but with a more specialized buyer pool at the premium tier. Limited-edition Chum colorways and collaboration-specific Chum pieces command significant premiums within the Chum-specific market.
Chum in Collaboration Releases
Chum has appeared in collaboration contexts alongside the Companion — certain releases included both characters in matched colorways, which are sought by collectors building matched-set displays. These paired releases can command premiums above what either figure would achieve sold separately.
