Takashi Murakami’s DOBs are some of his most iconic and enduring creations—an ever-evolving series centered around Mr. DOB, a cartoonish, wide-eyed character who exists somewhere between Mickey Mouse, anime mascots, and the artist’s own commentary on consumer culture. Introduced in 1993, Mr. DOB started as a simple, playful figure but has since mutated across Murakami’s work, sometimes appearing cute and colorful, other times grotesque and chaotic, reflecting the intersection of high art, commercial branding, and otaku subcultures. The DOBs encapsulate Murakami’s signature Superflat aesthetic, blurring the lines between fine art and mass production while critiquing the commodification of imagery in modern society.
