Anime: Buy Anime History When Bonhams Hosts Auction of Original Production Cells
Here’s your chance to get your hands on some one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn pieces of anime and animation history at Bonhams anime auction.
Bonhams, the privately-owned international auction house, announced that they will be hosting an online-only auction of anime production cels and drawings. The collection called “The World of Anime” will be up for auction from January 24th to February 2nd, 2022.
The auction is set to include more than a hundred and fifty rare pieces of art from the pre-digital animation era. Production cells featured are one of a kind hand painted sheets of celluloid. Each represent a piece of anime and art history.
Anime Auction’s Featured Cels
Kicking off the sale is a cel from Studio Ghibli’s 1989 classic, Kiki’s Delivery Service depicting Kiki and her cat Jiji. The value of this cel alone is estimated at $15,000 to $25,000. But if Kiki isn’t your favorite or that price tag is out of your budget, there are plenty of other pieces.
Some of the other highlighted cels include:
- A lush green scene from My Neighbor Totoro featuring the characters Satsuki Kusakabe, Mei Kusakabe and Granny. With art by Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli, 1988). It notably includes a hand-painted background by Nizo Yamamoto, one of Japan’s leading art directors and scenic artists. It is estimated at $10,000 – 15,000.
- Son Goku as Super Saiyan 3 from Dragon Ball Z with art by Naoko Takeuchi (Toei Animation, 1989-1996). Estimated at $5,000 – 7,000.
- Pikachu in motion from Pokémon with art by Satoshi Tajiri (OLM Inc., 1997-2002). Estimated at $2,500 – 3,500.
- Princess Serenity from Sailor Moon R: The Movie with art by Naoko Takeuchi (TOEI Animation., 1993). Estimated at $2,000 – $3,000.
- Astro Boy from Astro Boy (Atom) with art by Ozamu Tezuka (Mushi Production., 1963-1966). Estimated at $1,000 – $1,500.
“Inside the World of Anime” Online Seminar
In addition to the auction, there will be an online seminar, “Inside The World of Anime” on January 25th starting at 8am Easter Standard Time. The seminar will cover the history of anime as well as tips and trends for collectors.
Speakers will include Erica Friedman, Daren Ashmore, Susan Napier, Helen McCarthy, and Helen Hall. All of whom are experts or educators in the areas of anime, manga, or Japanese entertainment and publishing. Registration is open through Zoom.
In the past, online auctions featuring pop culture and anime art have done quite well. This Heritage Auctions The Art Of Anime And Everything Cool II auction sold $2.1 million worth of art. With some profile and universally beloved animes represented in the Bonhams auction, the lots could each earn quite a bit.
Don’t Forget the Ghibli Museum!
Of course, maybe your love for studio Ghibli is an appreciation and instead of a desire to collect. In that case, check out the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka.
The museum is still collecting donations to help them keep the doors open though these difficult times. For a 5,000 yen (roughly $44) donation, the museum will send you a small thank you!
Do you have any anime art or collectibles? What movie or series would you like to get a production cel from? Will you be tuning in for the online seminar? Let us know in the comments!
Ja Ne, Adventurers!
