Gauntlet Gallery — Takashi Murakami Print Index
Mr. Dob (B)
Summary
Released in 2017 through the streetwear-and-collectibles retailer BAIT, this vinyl figure renders Mr. DOB, Takashi Murakami's foundational alter-ego character, in three dimensions. The "(B)" designation marks a specific colorway or variant within a paired release. As a licensed vinyl toy rather than a print, it translates Murakami's Superflat vocabulary into a tactile, sculptural object built for display.
Why It Matters
Mr. DOB is Murakami's earliest signature character and a keystone of his Superflat theory, born in the early 1990s as a critique of consumer culture and Japanese cartoon iconography. Any object carrying DOB connects directly to the artist's conceptual origins. A BAIT-published vinyl edition extends that lineage into the accessible collectible-toy market, where Murakami has long blurred the line between fine art and product.
Collector Perspective
Vinyl figures like this appeal to collectors who want a Murakami object at an approachable entry point relative to paintings or large sculptures. Condition and completeness drive desirability: original box, undamaged surfaces, and factory freshness matter for a display piece. As part of a lettered pair, the "(B)" variant is best understood alongside its companion, and collectors often seek matched sets.
Historical Context
By 2017, Murakami had spent over two decades embedding Mr. DOB across paintings, prints, plush, and figures, using the character as a mutable mascot of his practice. BAIT, known for artist and franchise collaborations in the collectibles space, was among the retailers licensed to bring his characters into vinyl form, situating this release within Murakami's ongoing dialogue between gallery art and mass-market pop objects.
FAQ
Who is Mr. DOB?
Mr. DOB is Takashi Murakami's signature original character, first developed in the early 1990s. A rounded, mouse-like figure whose name derives from Japanese slang, DOB functions as the artist's self-referential alter-ego and a central emblem of his Superflat philosophy.
What does the "(B)" in the title mean?
The "(B)" indicates a specific variant or colorway within a lettered release, typically paired with an "(A)" counterpart. Collectors often view the two as companion pieces and may seek to acquire the matched set.
Who published this figure?
This vinyl toy was released in 2017 by BAIT, a retailer known for collaborations with artists and entertainment franchises in the collectibles and streetwear space, working under license with Murakami's characters.
Is this a print or a sculpture?
Neither in the traditional fine-art sense. It is a licensed vinyl toy, a three-dimensional collectible object that translates Murakami's flat character design into a sculptural, display-oriented form.
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.