Gauntlet Gallery — Takashi Murakami Print Index
The Future Will Definitely Smile! Surely!
Summary
"The Future Will Definitely Smile! Surely!" is a 2020 archival pigment print by Takashi Murakami, issued in a first edition of 100 and released through his own Tonari No Zingaro imprint. Printed on Canson Velin with deckled edges, the 75 x 75 cm sheet carries a 65 x 65 cm image. The optimistic title channels Murakami's signature blend of buoyant character work and philosophical undertone.
Why It Matters
The print exemplifies Murakami's Superflat program: dense, saturated character imagery delivered with commercial-grade finish yet rooted in fine-art intent. Its emphatically hopeful title, arriving in 2020, reads as a deliberate gesture toward reassurance during an uncertain moment. As a self-published Tonari No Zingaro release in a tight edition of 100, it sits squarely within the artist-controlled ecosystem collectors prize.
Collector Perspective
For collectors, the appeal is threefold: a manageable 100-piece edition, the premium archival substrate (Canson Velin with deckled edges), and direct issuance through Murakami's own Tonari No Zingaro. The square 75 x 75 cm format frames well and suits contemporary interiors. As always with Murakami prints, verify the pencil signature, numbering, and any accompanying documentation before acquiring; condition of the deckled edges matters.
Historical Context
Takashi Murakami rose to global prominence via his Superflat theory, which collapses fine art, anime, and consumer culture into a single flattened visual plane. Tonari No Zingaro, his Nakano Broadway gallery and print imprint, has long been the primary channel for his editioned works. Released in 2020, this print continues a decades-long practice of translating painted motifs into accessible, high-quality giclee editions.
FAQ
How large is the edition?
This is a first edition limited to 100 prints, as noted in the release information (ED: 100).
What is the medium and paper?
It is an archival pigment print (giclee) on Canson Velin with deckled edges. The sheet measures 750 x 750 mm and the image area is 650 x 650 mm.
Who published this print?
It was released through Tonari No Zingaro, Takashi Murakami's own gallery and print imprint based in Nakano Broadway, Tokyo.
When was it produced?
The print dates to 2020 and is titled 'The Future Will Definitely Smile! Surely!'
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.