His brightly colored, cheerful work draws inspiration from the Japanese subculture of otaku, a term used to describe people devoted to all things pop culture. Through his art, Murakami explores Japan’s contemporary culture as well as the West’s ever-growing influence on it.

“Japanese people accept that art and commerce will be blended; and in fact, they are surprised by the rigid and pretentious Western hierarchy of ‘high art,’” Murakami remarks.

He has also collaborated with well-known brands and with famous musicians.

But many do not see what is so special in his art and even claim: His art is garbage, and the fact that you guys pay him so much for it is insane.