“Devilman: The Demon Bird” (デビルマン 妖鳥シレーヌ編), Original Hand-Painted Animation Cel-ga (“セル画”) with Painted Production Background, from the Devilman OVA Cycle, circa 1990
A single original hand-painted animation cel-ga (“セル画”), measuring approximately 26.8 x 23.5 cm, depicting Devilman in a forceful forward-thrusting battle pose, his fanged expression, yellow eyes, black bat-like head silhouette and ochre-toned body set against a dramatic blue-green rocky production background with vivid red energy or flame effects. The upper right margin bears the studio sequence notation “A33”, identifying this as an A-layer production cel, numbered 33 within its cut or sequence.
The present work is from the Devilman OVA cycle, Devilman: The Demon Bird (デビルマン 妖鳥シレーヌ編), released in 1990. Dynamic Planning records Demon Bird Sirène as an OVA released on 25 February 1990, produced by Bandai, with Go Nagai as original creator and general supervisor, Tsutomu Iida as director, and Kazuo Komatsubara as character designer. Bandai Namco Filmworks’ later OVA Collection likewise identifies the two principal OVA works as The Birth and Demon Bird Sirène, produced in 1987 and 1990 respectively.
The wider significance of Devilman is considerable. Go Nagai’s original manga was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from 1972 No. 25 to 1973 No. 27, a publication history noted in Shogakukan’s archival description of Devilman The First. The work became one of Nagai’s defining creations, combining demonic transformation, apocalyptic horror, moral conflict and anti-heroic violence in a form that profoundly influenced later Japanese manga and animation. In the OVA cycle, these themes were rendered with a more mature visual register, making surviving production material from this period especially desirable.
What makes this work especially compelling is its survival as a physical component of pre-digital animation production. In traditional cel animation, character action was painted on transparent sheets and photographed over painted backgrounds; Japanese animation terminology describes cel-ga as imagery painted on transparent cel material and layered over a background during production. Here, the production process remains materially visible: the transparent cel layer, hand-painted figure, upper registration holes, handwritten studio notation, and separate painted background all survive together as a complete display unit.
The composition itself is exceptionally strong. Devilman dominates the frame in a low, predatory charge, his shoulders and arms cropped close to the picture plane, heightening the sense of violent forward motion. The black silhouette of the head and wings cuts sharply against the turquoise background, while the red painted effects introduce a striking theatrical intensity. It is not a later printed image or commemorative cel, but a working artifact from the construction of the animated image.
For collectors of Go Nagai, Dynamic Production, Devilman, Japanese OVA animation, horror anime and original cel-ga, the work represents a powerful survival from one of the most visually important Devilman adaptations. Its appeal lies not only in the subject, but in the period surface: hand-applied colour, production notation, visible registration, and the direct connection to the late-1980s / 1990 hand-painted anime process.
The work also carries strong collecting provenance, having been acquired from a noted private collection in Kyoto, the same provenance as the referenced Ultraman Ace original genga / production artwork.
Provenance
Acquired in Japan from a noted private collection in Kyoto; same provenance as the referenced Ultraman Ace original genga / production artwork.
Condition
Overall very good for period animation production material of this type, with strong surviving colour, excellent display presence and vivid red effect passages. The cel and background show expected age toning, light handling wear, minor edge and corner wear, small surface marks, production registration holes, and the visible studio annotation “A33” at the upper right. Please review the photograph carefully, as they show the exact item for sale.
Authenticity
This is an original period hand-painted animation cel-ga (“セル画”) with painted production background, from the Devilman OVA cycle, Devilman: The Demon Bird (デビルマン 妖鳥シレーヌ編), circa 1990. It is not a reproduction, printed cel, sericel, modern replica or digital print. Certificate of Authenticity Included.
Age
This work dates to circa 1990 and is now approximately 35 years old.
