Anime
A great collection of original production animation cels, original production animation drawings, and master production backgrounds for sale from from Various Anime Studios.
Original hand painted production animation cel of Goku from from Episode 86, "The End of Vegeta" of "Dragon Ball Z," 1991," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper cel edge; Set on a lithographic background; With Toei Animation notes on tracing paper overlay; Size - Goku: 7 1/2 x 9", Image 7 1/2 x 10"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Spike Spiegel from "Cowboy Bebop," 1989-1999," Sunrise; Production numbers upper cel and sheet edges; Set on a hand painted production background; Size - Spike Spiegel: 5 1/4 x 7", Image 8 1/4 x 10 1/2", Background 10 1/2 x 14 3/4", Drawing 9 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Misty, Mikey, Pikachu, Eevee, and Sandwich & Juice from Episode 40, "The Battling Eevee Brothers" of "Pokémon," 1998, OLM; Production numbers in ink upper right; Set on an original master hand-painted production background; Production numbers upper sheet edge; Size - Misty, Mikey, Pikachu, Eevee, and Sandwich & Juice: 7 x 8 1/4", Image 8 x 10 1/2"; Background 10 1/4 x 14 1/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Goku, Gohan, and Krillin from from Episode 72, "Calling the Eternal Dragon" of "Dragon Ball Z," 1990," Toei Animation; Production number upper cel edge; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Goku, Gohan, & Krillin: 7 x 9 1/2", Image 8 1/4 x 10"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Krillin and Ki Effects from "Dragon Ball Z," 1992-93," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper cel and sheet edges; Set on a hand painted production background; Includes eight production animation drawings; Size - Krillin & Ki Effects: 5 1/2 x 8 1/4", Image 7 3/4 x 10 1/4"; Background 9 3/4 x 14 3/4", Drawings 9 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels & matching drawings of Goku and Gohan from "Dragon Ball Z," 1989-1996," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper cel and sheet edges; Set on a hand painted production background; Size - Goku and Gohan: 6 3/4 x 7 3/4", Image 8 x 9 1/4"; Drawings 9 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Background 9 1/2 x 10 3/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Cell with Golden Ki from Episode 150, "Up to Piccolo" of "Dragon Ball Z," 1992," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper cel edge; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Cell with Golden Ki: 8 x 9 1/4", Image 8 x 11"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Jesse and James from "Pokémon," 1997-Present, OLM; Production numbers in ink upper and lower right; Set on an original master hand-painted production background; Production numbers upper right; Size - Jesse & James: 6 3/4 x 5 1/2", Image 7 3/4 x 13"; Background 10 x 14"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Doraemon, Nobita, & Purple Gadget Box from "Doraemon," 1979," TV Asahi; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on an original master hand-painted production background; Size - Doraemon, Nobita, & Purple Gadget Box: 6 x 7 1/4", Image 7 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Background 9 3/4 x 11"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Android 16 from from "Dragon Ball Z," 1992-93," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper cel and background edges; Set on a hand painted production background; Size - Android 16: 6 x 6", Image 8 x 10"; Background 10 x 14 1/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Astro Boy from "Astro Boy," 1980," Tezuka Productions; Numbered A3 in ink upper right; Set on an original master hand-painted production background; Size - Astro Boy: 8 x 7 1/2", Image 8 x 10 1/2"; Background 10 x 11 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Ash Ketchum and Ephraim from Episode 178, "The Grass Route" of "Pokémon," 2000, OLM; Production numbers in ink upper right; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Ash Ketchum & Ephraim: 7 1/4 x 7 3/4", Image 8 1/4 x 10 1/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Son Gohan from "Dragon Ball Z," 1989-1996," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on a lithographic background; With production exposure sheet and original plastic storage sleeve with Toei Animation & price stickers; Size - Son Gohan: 7 1/2 x 9 3/4", Image 7 1/2 x 9 3/4"; Drawing 9 1/2 x 10 1/2" Storage Sleeve 10 x 11"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Bulma from "Dragon Ball Z," 1989-1996," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on an original hand-painted production background; With production exposure sheet and original plastic storage sleeve with Toei Animation & price stickers; Size - Bulma: 7 1/2 x 9 1/2", Image 8 1/4 x 10 1/4"; Background 9 1/4 x 10 1/2"; Drawing 9 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Storage Sleeve 10 x 11"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Future Trunks with Effects drawing from "Dragon Ball Z," 1989-1996," Toei Animation; Production numbers on edges; Set on an original hand-painted production background; With exposure sheet & original storage sleeve with Toei Animation & price stickers; Size - Future Trunks: 7 1/2 x 9 1/2", Image 7 1/2 x 10"; Background 9 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Drawing 9 1/2 x 10 1/2" Storage Sleeve 10 x 11"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Son Gohan from "Dragon Ball Z," 1989-1996," Toei Animation; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on an original hand-painted production background; With production exposure sheet and original plastic storage sleeve with Toei Animation sticker; Size - Son Gohan: 7 3/4 x 4 1/4", Image 8 1/4 x 10"; Background 9 x 10 1/2"; Drawing 10 x 10 1/2" Storage Sleeve 10 x 11"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Dorami from "Doraemon," 1979," TV Asahi; Set on an original master hand-painted production background; Production numbers upper sheet edge; Size - Dorami: 7 1/2 x 6", Image 8 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Background 9 1/4 x 10 3/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Kabuto from "Karasu Tengu Kabuto - The Golden-Eyed Beast," 1992," Nakamura Production; Set on a key original master hand-painted production background; Size - Kabuto: 2 3/4 x 2", Image 7 1/2 x 10"; Background 13 x 16 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Kabuto from "Karasu Tengu Kabuto - The Golden-Eyed Beast," 1992," Nakamura Production; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Kabuto: 8 1/2 x 13 3/4", Image 10 1/4 x 13 3/4"; Drawing 11 1/4 x 13 3/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels & matching drawings of Kabuto and Rasatsubo Guards from "Karasu Tengu Kabuto - The Golden-Eyed Beast," 1992," Nakamura Production; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on an original master hand-painted production background with cel overlay; Size - Kabuto & Rasatsubo Guards: 8 x 15", Image 8 x 15"; Drawings 9 x 16 and 9 x 11 3/4"; Background 9 1/2 x 16 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel & matching drawing of Kabuto from "Karasu Tengu Kabuto - The Golden-Eyed Beast," 1992," Nakamura Production; Production numbers upper sheet edges; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Kabuto: 7 x 8 3/4", Image 11 1/4 x 15 1/2"; Drawing 9 1/2 x 10 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Misty, Mikey, Pikachu, Eevee, and Sandwich & Juice from Episode 40, "The Battling Eevee Brothers" of "Pokémon," 1998, OLM; Production numbers in ink upper right; Set on an original master hand-painted production background; Production numbers upper sheet edge; Size - Misty, Mikey, Pikachu, Eevee, and Sandwich & Juice: 7 x 8 1/4", Image 8 x 10 1/2"; Background 10 1/4 x 14 1/4"; Unframed.
"I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was... to catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause!" - Ash
Japanese anime has become one of the most influential and recognizable forms of animation worldwide, known for its distinctive visual style, thematic depth, and cultural impact. Three iconic series—Astro Boy, Dragon Ball Z, and Pokémon—illustrate how anime has evolved over time and how each era contributed to shaping global perceptions of Japanese animation.
Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atom, 1963), created by Osamu Tezuka, is often regarded as the foundation of modern anime. It was one of the first Japanese animated television series to gain international attention, introducing the characteristic large, expressive eyes, simplified yet emotive designs, and cinematic storytelling techniques that became staples of anime. The series follows a robot boy with human emotions, exploring themes of technology, humanity, and morality—subjects that reflected Japan’s postwar fascination with science and progress. Tezuka’s approach revolutionized animation production in Japan, emphasizing limited animation techniques that allowed studios to produce weekly episodes on tight budgets while maintaining narrative complexity and emotional resonance.
Dragon Ball Z (1989–1996), created by Akira Toriyama, marked anime’s transition into high-energy, action-oriented storytelling. It became a global phenomenon, introducing many Western viewers to anime during the 1990s. The series is characterized by its dynamic fight scenes, stylized motion lines, exaggerated expressions, and dramatic use of pacing—techniques that heightened tension and made moments of transformation or combat iconic. Beyond its animation style, Dragon Ball Z popularized long-form serialized storytelling in anime, where character development and epic battles unfolded over dozens of episodes. It also influenced countless later works and helped define the “shōnen” genre, aimed primarily at young male audiences but enjoyed by all ages.
Pokémon (Pocket Monsters, 1997–), created by Satoshi Tajiri and Ken Sugimori, represents anime’s integration of multimedia storytelling and its rise as a global cultural product. The series combines adventure, friendship, and moral lessons within a bright, accessible art style suitable for children, while maintaining an imaginative world of fantastical creatures. Pokémon’s success demonstrates how anime can extend beyond television into games, merchandise, and films, becoming a vast transmedia franchise. Visually, it reflects the evolution of anime into more polished digital techniques while retaining traditional hand-drawn charm. Its clear lines, vibrant color palette, and emotionally driven character animation make it instantly recognizable and appealing to a global audience.
Together, Astro Boy, Dragon Ball Z, and Pokémon illustrate the progression of Japanese anime from its experimental roots in the 1960s to its global dominance by the late 20th century. Each series showcases how anime blends artistic innovation with universal themes—identity, perseverance, friendship, and morality—while remaining distinctively Japanese in aesthetic and storytelling approach. Through these examples, we can see how anime evolved from a national art form into a worldwide cultural force that continues to influence animation styles and storytelling around the globe.