PIAPRO CHARACTERS - Kaito "Shanti style" - Figure Espresto 16cm

This Banpresto figurine depicts KAITO in a design directly inspired by ‘SHANTI’, an original song by wotaku performed using his synthesised voice. Part of the ESPRESTO collection, it measures approximately 16 cm and departs from the virtual singer’s usual appearance in favour of a darker, more theatrical outfit, in keeping with the song’s distinctive atmosphere. 

KAITO is depicted sitting on a chair, one leg crossed over the other, in a relaxed yet confident pose. His dark blue hair falls partially over his eyes whilst he flashes a broad smile. One of his hands is held out in front of him, whilst the other holds a long black and gold pipe, an accessory that greatly contributes to the enigmatic atmosphere of this version. 

His outfit combines a long white jacket with a wide, fluffy collar, a navy blue, oriental-inspired garment edged with gold motifs, black trousers and thick-soled sandals. Several necklaces and ornaments are arranged around his neck. Her famous long blue scarf remains, but here it is embellished with patterns and gold fringes to bring it into line with the SHANTI aesthetic. The sculpture particularly highlights the different layers of clothing, the folds of the coat and the length of the scarf floating behind the chair. 

Technical specifications

• Manufacturer: Banpresto / Bandai Spirits
• Range / Collection: ESPRESTO
• Licence: Piapro Characters / Hatsune Miku
• Character: KAITO
• Version: SHANTI Style
• Inspired by: the song ‘SHANTI’ by wotaku feat. KAITO
• Type: pre-painted collectable figurine
• Height: approx. 16 cm
• Material: PVC
• Pose: seated on a chair, legs crossed
• Accessory shown: long black and gold pipe
• EAN: 4573102716736

Character background and lore

KAITO is one of Crypton Future Media’s six Piapro Characters, alongside Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka and MEIKO. He is traditionally recognised by his slightly tousled dark blue hair and his long blue scarf. His first software package was released on 17 February 2006, featuring a voice based on that of the singer Naoto Fuga. Crypton presents him as the first male virtual singer software compatible with the Japanese language. 

The version depicted by this figurine is from ‘SHANTI’, a track written, composed and arranged by wotaku, with KAITO on vocals. The song was released on 17 September 2021, with an illustration by 亞門弐形. Its visual and narrative world offers a much darker and more unsettling interpretation of KAITO than his usual official appearance, with a nocturnal, urban atmosphere linked to the criminal underworld. 

The ESPRESTO figurine captures precisely this alternative side: oriental-inspired clothing, an imposing coat, jewellery, a pipe, a nonchalant pose and a confident expression replace his traditional blue and white suit. It is therefore less a standard representation of KAITO than a three-dimensional adaptation of the visual identity developed around one of his most memorable original songs.