Gauntlet Gallery — Takashi Murakami Print Index
Kaikei & Kiki (Blue Eye Edition)
Summary
Released in 2019 through INSTINCTOY, this Blue Eye Edition reimagines Takashi Murakami's signature guardian mascots, Kaikai and Kiki, as a paired vinyl figure set standing roughly 38.5 cm across the group. The refreshed blue-eye colorway distinguishes it from prior versions, with each figure articulated at five points, the neck, both shoulders, and both ankles, and finished with an INSTINCTOY logo printed on the foot.
Why It Matters
Kaikai and Kiki are foundational to Murakami's universe, lending their name to his Kaikai Kiki studio and appearing across his Superflat output. This INSTINCTOY collaboration translates flat character iconography into three-dimensional collectible form, and the blue-eye variant, described by the maker as feeling like a secret blind-box edition, gives established collectors a distinct colorway to chase within an already beloved character set.
Collector Perspective
Collectors value this piece for the pairing of Murakami's most recognizable mascots with INSTINCTOY's respected vinyl craftsmanship. Points of interest include the five articulated joints, the maker's logo on the foot marking authenticity, and packaging touches noted in the source, including character stickers and a hologram sticker on the box. The blue-eye colorway differentiates it from earlier releases, appealing to variant-focused buyers.
Historical Context
Kaikai and Kiki debuted in the early 2000s as Murakami's Superflat familiars, blending kawaii cuteness with unsettling detail. By 2019, his practice had long extended into designer toys and brand collaborations, and partnering with Japanese vinyl studio INSTINCTOY placed the characters within the collectible-figure ecosystem. This colorway continues Murakami's practice of reissuing beloved motifs in fresh variations for dedicated audiences.
FAQ
Who produced this Kaikai & Kiki figure?
It was produced by INSTINCTOY, a Japanese vinyl toy studio, as an official INSTINCTOY edition of Takashi Murakami's Kaikai and Kiki characters. The INSTINCTOY logo is printed on the foot to mark it as their edition.
What makes the Blue Eye Edition different?
This is a colorway variant defined by a change in the characters' eye color to blue. The maker described the refreshed version as feeling like a secret edition of a blind-box collection, distinguishing it from earlier releases of the same figures.
Are the figures poseable?
Yes. Each Kaikai and Kiki figure has five movable joints, located at the neck, both shoulders, and both ankles, allowing for limited posing.
What are the dimensions?
The set measures approximately 38.5 x 29 x 14.5 cm. It is a vinyl toy released in 2019.
About the Artist
Takashi Murakami (b. 1962, Tokyo) is one of the most influential artists of the postwar era, credited with dissolving the boundary between fine art and popular culture. Trained in Nihonga, the tradition of Japanese painting, he earned a PhD from the Tokyo University of the Arts before formulating Superflat — a theory connecting the flattened perspective of Edo-period painting to the visual language of anime, manga, and consumer culture. Through his studio and company Kaikai Kiki, Murakami has produced paintings, sculpture, film, and a vast catalogue of prints populated by recurring characters such as Mr. DOB, his smiling flowers, and the mascots Kaikai and Kiki. His high-profile collaborations — with Louis Vuitton, Kanye West, and others — helped define the modern intersection of art, fashion, and streetwear.
Collecting Takashi Murakami at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic Takashi Murakami prints?
Gauntlet Gallery sources Murakami prints and editions through established secondary-market channels and vets each piece for authenticity and condition before listing.
How are Murakami prints authenticated?
Most Kaikai Kiki editions are numbered and accompanied by documentation. We verify edition details, publisher, and condition, and note any certificates or stamps present on the individual piece.
What drives value in a Murakami print?
Edition size, character (flowers, Mr. DOB, and Kaikai/Kiki motifs are especially sought), production quality (silkscreen and cold-stamp finishes over plain offset), condition, and any collaboration or exhibition tie-in all influence collector demand.