Studio Ghibli and other anime fans have something special to look forward to over the next three days. Heritage Auctions, the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer, is holding its biggest-ever anime artwork event, beginning on March 22 and showcasing over 1,200 total works, including Studio Ghibli films, Dragon Ball Z, Akira and more.
Per a press release, included among the lots are production cels, key master backgrounds, original artwork and many other pieces, including story pages and original art from several manga series. “The Art of Anime – Vol VI: Celebrating 40 Years of Studio Ghibli Signature Auction” is held on Heritage Auctions’ live floor in addition to its official website, allowing interested parties to place bids on items without having to physically attend. For fans of these various forms of media, the online portion of the auction is accessible and allows the chance to claim some of these special pieces of art and animation history. Jim Lentz, Heritage’s Vice-President of Animation and Anime Art, said, “This is more than just an auction – it’s a tribute to the artistry and vision that have made Studio Ghibli a household name… Collectors and fans alike will have the opportunity to own pieces of history from the films that have inspired generations.”
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Heritage’s Biggest Anime Art Auction Celebrates 40 Years of Studio Ghibli
Studio Ghibli has left such a deep mark on both the anime and animation industries that it is hard to talk about one without the other. The auction has a variety of lots that cover the 40 years of the anime studio’s history, including both extremely well-known works like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, as well as less popular titles like Porco Rosso and Pom Poko.
Among the highlights of the auction are a rare production cel and key master background from Kiki’s Delivery Service showing Kiki looking into an oven while preparing to remove the cooked food, a production cel with the production background from Grave of the Fireflies featuring Seita and Setsuko, a wonderfully preserved production cel from My Neighbor Totoro showing the fan-favorite Catbus climbing on the top of a roof, and a limited edition cel from Princess Mononoke that features Ashitaka riding into battle with his bow drawn. However, many of Ghibli’s other works are also included, such as a giclée featuring the robot from Castle in the Sky offering flowers to Sheeta and Pazu, a limited-edition cel of Chihiro riding on Haku’s back from Spirited Away, and several cels from Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.
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’90s Anime Cult Classics & Fan-Favorite Shows Among New Rare Artwork on Offer
While the Studio Ghibli movies have received the top billing for the Heritage Auctions event, they are far from the only noteworthy pieces at the event. Other anime movies, like the legendary Akira, can be found among the pieces, as well as several of the most popular anime from multiple decades and genres. Several Dragon Ball Z production cel pieces among the art, featuring various main characters like Goku, Vegeta, Trunks and Piccolo. Yu Yu Hakusho, Cowboy Bebop, Trigun, Neon Genesis Evangelion and many other series from the same era are all represented as well, with various animation cels and original artwork. “The sheer variety and depth of this auction reflect the evolution and enduring appeal of Anime,” says Lentz. “From the hand-drawn artistry of the 1980s to the digital masterpieces of today, this event celebrates the full spectrum of Anime history.”
In addition to TV anime offerings, several manga-related items are likewise up for bid, including several original works by Osamu Tezuka. Cult classic movies, OVAs and other limited series are also represented by pieces from Vampire Hunter D, Ghost in the Shell and more. “The Art of Anime – Vol VI: Celebrating 40 Years of Studio Ghibli Auction” runs from March 22-24 and can be accessed via the Heritage Auctions official website.
Source: Press release
