Dunny
Overview
Dunny is one of the most iconic and enduring platforms in designer toy history, widely regarded as a cornerstone of the Western urban vinyl movement. Created as a minimalist rabbit figure with distinctive long tubular ears, it serves as a versatile blank canvas for artists, illustrators, graffiti writers, and brands to apply their unique styles. The name "Dunny" cleverly combines "devil" and "bunny," stemming from its original "Devil Bunny" prototype sketched by Tristan Eaton on a cocktail napkin in 2002. Debuting in 2004 at Hong Kong ToyCon, Dunny pioneered the artist-customized vinyl toy format in the West, introducing blind box series that brought the thrill of rarity and discovery to collectors.
Creator & Brand
Creator: Tristan Eaton
Renowned American street artist, illustrator, and designer known for blending graffiti, pop art, and commercial illustration. Created the original "Devil Bunny" prototype.
- •Street art & graffiti roots
- •Blends bold illustration with playful forms
- •Original "Devil Bunny" creator on cocktail napkin sketch
Brand: Kidrobot
Founded in 2002 by Paul Budnitz, Kidrobot pioneered Western designer toys. Known for limited drops, blind boxes, and artist-driven creativity.
- •Pioneered Western designer toy boom
- •Extensive global retail & online presence
- •Iconic collaborations with artists, museums, and pop culture brands
Series & Editions
Blind Box Series
Format
- Typically 3-inch vinyl figures
- 12–24 designs per series (including commons, rares, chases, and secrets)
- Blind-packed for surprise element
Themes
Large Scale & Art
Dunny scales up for display impact, often in limited resin or fiberglass.
Market Impact
Dunny has endless artist variety keeps the platform fresh and endlessly collectible. Early blind box adoption created scarcity, hype, and trading culture.
Global Reach
Why It's Successful
- ✓Endless artist variety keeps the platform fresh
- ✓Early blind box adoption created scarcity, hype, and trading culture
- ✓Cultural crossover: From street/graffiti to museum-level art
- ✓Nostalgia factor for 2000s collectors + appeal to new generations
- ✓Longevity (20+ years) as the ultimate artist canvas in Western designer toys
Collecting Guide
Retail Pricing
Single Blind Box
$9–$15 USD (historical releases higher now)
Full Set (12)
$100–$400+ USD (depending on era, completeness, rarity)
Secondary Market
Vintage early series (2004–2010) and rare chases/secrets resell for 5–50× original or more. Recent limited collabs hold strong value.
Collecting Strategy
Where to Buy
Official Channels
- Kidrobot official website & store (kidrobot.com)
- Kidrobot pop-up events, conventions
Secondary Platforms
- eBay
- StockX
- Mercari
- Grailed
- Collector communities
Share the Joy and Fun!
Spread the word to your friends and community.