“Studio Ghibli & Anime Legends Shatter Auction Records—You Won’t Believe the Winning Bids!”
Anime lovers, collectors, and nostalgia-fueled bidders just made history! Heritage Auctions’ Art of Anime: Vol. VI Signature Auction shattered expectations, raking in an astounding $1.491 million in sales. With over 3,600 eager bidders and 1,200+ rare animation pieces up for grabs, this sold-out event became the largest showcase of Japanese animation art ever presented in a Western auction. Even more impressively, this was the first Heritage auction to focus almost exclusively on anime—and the results were nothing short of legendary.
Studio Ghibli Steals the Spotlight
Unsurprisingly, Studio Ghibli’s magical legacy dominated the auction block. Leading the charge was a rare production cel of the elusive “Senior Witch” from Kiki’s Delivery Service, which enchanted bidders all the way to a whopping $48,000—one of the highest prices ever recorded for the beloved 1989 classic. Another Kiki treasure, a Key Master setup of the titular character peering into a brick oven, warmed hearts (and wallets) at $16,000.
Ghibli’s timeless masterpieces continued to soar, with stunning pieces from Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke, Porco Rosso, and Grave of the Fireflies drawing intense interest. One particularly adorable highlight? A rare production cel of the Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro, which joyfully rumbled away with a final price of $13,000.
“This was not just a celebration of Studio Ghibli’s 40th anniversary,” noted Jim Lentz, Vice President and Director of Animation & Anime Art at Heritage Auctions, “but also a landmark moment for anime art collecting.”
Berserk Breaks Records & Cyberpunk Classics Dominate
While Ghibli reigned supreme, Kentaro Miura’s dark fantasy masterpiece Berserk claimed the auction’s highest price. A breathtaking harmony cel setup featuring protagonist Guts, crafted by the legendary Shichiro Kobayashi, slashed its way to a staggering $85,000—making it one of the most significant Berserk artworks ever sold.
Meanwhile, cyberpunk titan Akira flexed its dystopian muscles with two breathtaking production backgrounds of Neo-Tokyo’s skyline, securing $11,000 and $8,500.
Macross fans also went full throttle, with Shoji Kawamori’s VF-1J Valkyrie concept art blasting off at $18,000, while Haruhiko Mikimoto’s character concept of Hikaru Ichijyo found a new home for $11,000.
Super Saiyan Sales: Dragon Ball Z, Evangelion, Pokémon & More
No anime auction is complete without Dragon Ball Z, and this event delivered. A massive pan production cel of Gohan in his climactic battle with Cell charged up to $11,000, while a collection of Dragon Ball GT drawings added another $4,500 to the mix.
Other anime heavyweights commanded impressive numbers:
- Ghost in the Shell – $6,000
- Neon Genesis Evangelion – $6,000
- Pokémon – $6,750
- Cowboy Bebop – $5,500, with a shikishi illustration of Spike Spiegel by animation director Hiroki Kanno charming its way to $4,400.
Western Cult Classics Make Their Mark
Though anime was the star of the show, a few Western gems also made notable cameos. A cel from Heavy Metal’s iconic “Taarna” sequence slashed its way to $6,500, while an original production piece from the surreal French sci-fi cult film Fantastic Planet claimed $3,400.
A New Era for Anime Collecting
“With each installment of The Art of Anime, we’re seeing more collectors, stronger bidding, and a deeper appreciation for these works,” Lentz said. “Vol. VI was a major leap forward—not just for Heritage, but for anime art collecting as a whole.”
This record-breaking event proves one thing: anime art is no longer just a niche passion—it’s a full-fledged global market on the rise. With collectors willing to bid big for these nostalgic treasures, expect the demand for rare animation art to only skyrocket from here.
For a complete list of results from The Art of Anime: Vol. VI Signature Auction, visit HA.com/7401.
