Murakami’s Superflat World

Takashi Murakami (taa-kah-shee mu-rah-kaa-mee) calls himself an “anime otaku”—an “anime geek”—interested in animated films that originated in Japan. The artist, born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1962, eventually created a new artistic style inspired by this early interest. He soon became an international star with a distinct brand—and he discovered he could use his fame to support emerging artists.

Takashi Murakami (taa-kah-shee mu-rah-kaa-mee) was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1962. He calls himself an “anime geek.” As a kid, the artist fell in love with anime, a type of Japanese animation. Murakami’s interest in anime later inspired him to create a new type of art. He quickly became known around the world, and now he uses his fame to help other emerging—new—artists.

After failing his entrance exams twice, Murakami was finally accepted into art school in 1980. “While I loved to draw, I wasn’t talented,” he recalls.

In art school, Murakami studied nihonga (nee-hon-gha). Artists who work in this traditional Japanese style of painting emphasize the outlines of shapes and paint with invisible brushstrokes. They flatten space so the entire scene appears on one plane, like in Murakami’s 2019-23 painting above. Although Murakami soon abandoned nihonga, his early training informed what would become his signature artistic style.

Murakami’s career had a rocky start. He loved to draw, but he did not consider himself a talented artist.

After failing his entrance exams twice, Murakami was finally accepted into art school in 1980. The artist studied nihonga (nee-hon-gha). In this type of traditional Japanese painting, artists create a smooth surface without visible brushstrokes. They use outlines to show the edges of objects, and they flatten the space. Murakami’s 2019-23 painting above is an example of nihonga. Murakami’s early training helped him develop his own style.

Murakami concluded that skill alone would not lead to success. His art would need to be immediately recognizable as his—just like works by brand-savvy American artist Andy Warhol.

Murakami realized that phenomena like anime and manga (Japanese comics) could be just what he needed. He developed a series of anime- and manga-inspired characters for his work. The result is rooted in fine art but with pop culture appeal.

The artist’s 2009 Me and Mr. DOB, above, includes his own likeness and a character called Mr. DOB in a traditional flat composition. The scene is literally a flat plane, but Murakami also flattens the conceptual distance between fine art and mass-market culture. He calls this artistic style Superflat.

Murakami also allows his characters to evolve, which helped propel him to fame. In his 2014 Tan Tan Bo—In Communication, below, Murakami reinvents the character Mr. DOB as a monster named Tan Tan Bo. Do you see characteristics of manga and anime? Nihonga? Superflat?

Murakami wanted his artwork to be famous. He realized he could use popular Japanese anime and manga (comics) to help people connect with his work. He created a series of fun characters. The artist’s 2009 Me and Mr. DOB, above, shows himself and a character called Mr. DOB. The scene is a flat plane. By including bright colors and an anime-like style, Murakami brings together fine art and popular culture. He named this new style Superflat.

Characters, like Mr. DOB, continue to change. In his 2014 Tan Tan Bo—In Communication, below, Murakami turns Mr. DOB into a monster named Tan Tan Bo. Do you see evidence of anime and manga? Nihonga? Superflat?

Inspired by Japanese painting studios of the Edo period (1602–1868), Murakami opened his own studio in 1996. His company, which includes the studio, is named Kaikai Kiki after the two characters shown below, Kaikai and Kiki.

Kaikai Kiki employs a large staff to produce Murakami’s work (both fine art and mass-market merchandise such as T-shirts and key chains). Surprisingly to some, his success with these inexpensive goods has increased—not decreased—his prestige and the value of his fine art.

At Kaikai Kiki, Murakami mentors emerging artists and hosts shows of their works, supporting the next generation of Japanese artists.

In 1996, Murakami opened a painting studio, similar to those of Japan’s Edo period (1602-1868). His company, Kaikai Kiki, is named after the characters shown below. Kaikai Kiki produces Murakami’s fine art and products such as T-shirts and key chains. His fame has grown and so has the value of his art. Through Kaikai Kiki, Murakami also mentors emerging artists and exhibits their work. Murakami is committed to supporting the next generation of Japanese artists.