The Facts
Aguttes announced its first auction dedicated to animation cels, drawings, and storyboards, led by its Pop Culture & Memorabilia department. The sale features a strong Japanese focus, including works from Hayao Miyazaki's "Castle in the Sky," "My Neighbor Totoro," and "Princess Mononoke," alongside pieces from "Space Pirate Captain Harlock," "Cobra," "City Hunter," "Cat's Eyes," "Dragon Ball Z," and "Saint Seiya." European animation is represented by "Tintin" and "Oggy and the Cockroaches," with American animation included through an Ariel drawing and "SpongeBob SquarePants" items. The auction runs until October 20, 2026, at 2:30 PM, with a public exhibition from October 16 to 19 and a guided tour on October 17.
The Signal
For collectors, this sale signals a growing market for original animation art, which has historically been undervalued compared to fine art. The inclusion of iconic Japanese series and European classics offers entry points for both nostalgic buyers and serious animation enthusiasts. The emphasis on production cels—actual materials used in filmmaking rather than reproductions—adds historical and technical value, appealing to those interested in the craft behind beloved characters. This auction may help establish animation art as a distinct collecting category within the broader pop culture memorabilia market.
- Artists: Hayao Miyazaki
- People: Benoit Spacher
- Auction Houses: Aguttes
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