Gauntlet Gallery — Takashi Murakami Print Index
Kaikei & Kiki (Blue Eye Edition)
Work Summary & Collector Notes
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.
Collector notes: Legacy catalog label: Blue Eye Edition; total quantity was not documented in the saved record. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
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.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Album / packaging artwork
- Release date
- 2019
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- Vinyl Toy; catalog dimensions 38.5 x 29 x 14.5 cm; This time we will be releasing a new colorway Kaikai &Kiki (BLUE eyes ver.) as an INSTINCTOY edition; The charm of Kaikai & Kiki is refreshed with a change in the eye color.
- Edition details
- Legacy catalog label: Blue Eye Edition; total quantity was not documented in the saved record.
- Signature and marks
- Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Takashi Murakami's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: No per-work artist statement is recorded for this edition. Any thematic reading should be treated as interpretation of the imagery, not a documented statement of the artist's intent. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2019 and attributes the edition to INSTINCTOY.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- The saved release description references: Takashi Murakami for the very first time, I was so excited that I really thought "They are so adorable!" It looks like a secret edition of the blind box collection. Confirm any original sleeve, tube, box, or backing board copy by copy.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to INSTINCTOY. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Kaikai Kiki — official studio site — Kaikai Kiki Co., Ltd. · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official studio/company site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Takashi Murakami — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Takashi Murakami (Q352437) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
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.
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