Takashi Murakami (b. 1962) is a cultural shapeshifter—equally at home in museums, fashion houses, and the streets of Tokyo. With his signature blend of high-gloss color, anime aesthetics, and traditional Japanese motifs, Murakami created the Superflat movement: a visual universe where pop meets philosophy, and everything feels both playful and unnerving. His wide-eyed flowers and smiling skulls are instantly iconic, but beneath the surface is a sharp critique of consumer culture, history, and identity. At Mania, we see Murakami as more than a market force—he’s a mirror to modern life, reflecting its sweetness, saturation, and strange contradictions.