{"product_id":"chodenji-machine-voltes-v-超電磁マシーン-ボルテスv-original-hand-painted-production-cel-ga-セル画-of-hiyoshi-go-little-jon-armstrong-剛日吉-key-lead-sequence-a-1-toei-nippon-sunrise-circa-1977-78","title":"“Chōdenji Machine Voltes V” (超電磁マシーン ボルテスV), Original Hand-Painted Production Cel-ga (“セル画”) of Hiyoshi Gō \/ “Little Jon” Armstrong (剛日吉), Key Lead Sequence A-1, Toei \/ Nippon Sunrise, circa 1977–78","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"313\" data-end=\"838\"\u003eA single \u003cstrong data-start=\"322\" data-end=\"373\"\u003eoriginal hand-painted production cel-ga (“セル画”)\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"399\" data-end=\"417\"\u003e26.8 x 23.5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, depicting \u003cstrong data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"443\"\u003eHiyoshi Gō\u003c\/strong\u003e (剛日吉), known internationally as \u003cstrong data-start=\"476\" data-end=\"502\"\u003e“Little Jon” Armstrong\u003c\/strong\u003e, in his distinctive green-and-white Voltes Team flight suit and helmet, gripping a cockpit control during what appears to be a high-intensity action or combat sequence. The work is executed in hand-painted animation colour on transparent cel, with sharp late-1970s linework, vivid helmet colours and visible studio production notation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"840\" data-end=\"1280\"\u003eThe upper margin is marked \u003cstrong data-start=\"867\" data-end=\"880\"\u003e“176 A-1”\u003c\/strong\u003e, indicating a production cel from cut or sequence \u003cstrong data-start=\"931\" data-end=\"938\"\u003e176\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"945\" data-end=\"954\"\u003e“A-1”\u003c\/strong\u003e denoting the first cel in the primary A-layer sequence. Red pencil colour callouts and production notes remain visible across the sheet, including annotations such as \u003cstrong data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1130\"\u003e“D4”\u003c\/strong\u003e and other paint-reference markings, giving the work strong production character and direct evidence of its original use in the ink-and-paint process.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1851\"\u003eThe present work comes from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1310\" data-end=\"1339\"\u003eChōdenji Machine Voltes V\u003c\/strong\u003e (超電磁マシーン ボルテスV), the landmark Japanese super-robot television series broadcast from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1440\"\u003e1977 to 1978\u003c\/strong\u003e. Toei Video records the original series as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1486\" data-end=\"1529\"\u003e40-episode colour television production\u003c\/strong\u003e, broadcast on TV Asahi from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1585\"\u003eJune 1977 to March 1978\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1592\" data-end=\"1610\"\u003eTadao Nagahama\u003c\/strong\u003e as chief director, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1630\" data-end=\"1648\"\u003eSaburō Yatsude\u003c\/strong\u003e as original creator, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1685\"\u003eYuki Hijiri\u003c\/strong\u003e as character concept designer, and production involving \u003cstrong data-start=\"1742\" data-end=\"1812\"\u003eTV Asahi, Toei, Toei Advertising, Tohokushinsha and Nippon Sunrise\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1853\" data-end=\"2477\"\u003eVoltes V occupies an important place in the history of the Japanese \u003cstrong data-start=\"1921\" data-end=\"1936\"\u003eSuper Robot\u003c\/strong\u003e genre. Produced as the second part of the so-called \u003cstrong data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"2015\"\u003eNagahama Romance Robot\u003c\/strong\u003e line, it extended the five-machine combining robot formula into a more ambitious dramatic structure, with themes of family separation, hidden lineage, resistance to oppression and social hierarchy. Toei’s later description of the series emphasizes its unusually serious dramatic arc, including father-child separation, conflict between half-brothers, resistance and liberation, and the class structure of the Boazan Empire. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"3023\"\u003eThe character shown here, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2519\"\u003eHiyoshi Gō\u003c\/strong\u003e, is the youngest of the Gō brothers and one of the five pilots of the Voltes Team. In the later international naming tradition he is represented as \u003cstrong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2694\"\u003e“Little Jon” Armstrong\u003c\/strong\u003e, pilot of the fourth Volt Machine, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2730\" data-end=\"2746\"\u003eVolt Frigate\u003c\/strong\u003e. The official Voltes V Legacy character page identifies “Little Jon” Armstrong as the pilot of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2842\" data-end=\"2878\"\u003eVolt Machine No. 4, Volt Frigate\u003c\/strong\u003e, and as the third Armstrong brother, reflecting the internationalized character naming used outside Japan. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3025\" data-end=\"3478\"\u003eThe cel is especially appealing as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"3062\" data-end=\"3088\"\u003eclose-up cockpit image\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than a distant group or mechanical shot. Hiyoshi’s determined expression, the cropped framing, the gloved hand and the visible control element create a strong sense of immediacy. The image preserves the late-1970s Toei \/ Nippon Sunrise production aesthetic: clean graphic forms, bold helmet colour, practical cel layering, and hand-applied paint with visible production annotations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3480\" data-end=\"4022\"\u003eScene identification should remain cautious. The cel clearly depicts \u003cstrong data-start=\"3549\" data-end=\"3604\"\u003eHiyoshi Gō \/ Little Jon Armstrong in cockpit action\u003c\/strong\u003e, but the exact broadcast episode or frame cannot be confirmed from the photograph alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4749\"\u003eWhat makes the work especially compelling is its survival as a physical artifact of pre-digital television animation. In traditional cel animation, moving characters were painted on transparent sheets and photographed over background or layout elements; Cel Lab describes pre-digital Japanese cel production as a process in which multiple transparent cels were layered over hand-painted backgrounds and photographed frame by frame, with large numbers of individually painted cels required for each episode. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Here, that process remains visible through the transparent cel sheet, upper registration holes, red pencil paint callouts, graphite guide lines, and surviving production numbering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4751\" data-end=\"5298\"\u003eFor collectors of \u003cstrong data-start=\"4769\" data-end=\"4781\"\u003eVoltes V\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"4783\" data-end=\"4801\"\u003eTadao Nagahama\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"4803\" data-end=\"4838\"\u003eToei \/ Nippon Sunrise animation\u003c\/strong\u003e, Super Robot history and original Japanese cel-ga, this is a strong and character-focused production piece. Voltes V has also received renewed international attention through \u003cstrong data-start=\"5014\" data-end=\"5034\"\u003eVoltes V: Legacy\u003c\/strong\u003e, the Philippine live-action revival; Toei notes that the original anime’s popularity crossed overseas, particularly in the Philippines, where the property inspired a large-scale live-action remake later brought back to Japan. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5789\" data-end=\"6000\"\u003eThe work also carries strong collecting provenance, having been acquired from a \u003cstrong data-start=\"5869\" data-end=\"5911\"\u003ewell-known private collection in Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e, the same provenance as the referenced Ultraman Ace original genga \/ production artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"6002\" data-end=\"6171\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6002\" data-end=\"6016\"\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"6016\" data-end=\"6019\"\u003eAcquired in Japan from a \u003cstrong data-start=\"6044\" data-end=\"6086\"\u003ewell-known private collection in Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e; same provenance as the referenced Ultraman Ace original genga \/ production artwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"6173\" data-end=\"6837\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6173\" data-end=\"6186\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"6186\" data-end=\"6189\"\u003eOverall very good for period animation production material of this type, with strong surviving colour and excellent display presence. The cel shows expected age toning, light handling wear, minor edge and corner wear, small surface marks, visible registration holes, and original production annotations including \u003cstrong data-start=\"6502\" data-end=\"6515\"\u003e“176 A-1”\u003c\/strong\u003e and red pencil paint callouts. The linework remains clear, and the principal colours remain strong. No painted production background is visible in the supplied photograph; the cel appears photographed over a plain backing or production sheet. Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact item for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"6839\" data-end=\"7149\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6839\" data-end=\"6855\"\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"6855\" data-end=\"6858\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong data-start=\"6869\" data-end=\"6927\"\u003eoriginal period hand-painted production cel-ga (“セル画”)\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong data-start=\"6933\" data-end=\"6962\"\u003eChōdenji Machine Voltes V\u003c\/strong\u003e (超電磁マシーン ボルテスV), depicting \u003cstrong data-start=\"6990\" data-end=\"7029\"\u003eHiyoshi Gō \/ “Little Jon” Armstrong\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is not a reproduction, printed cel, sericel, modern replica or digital print. Certificate of Authenticity Included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"7151\" data-end=\"7243\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"7151\" data-end=\"7158\"\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"7158\" data-end=\"7161\"\u003eThis work dates to \u003cstrong data-start=\"7180\" data-end=\"7197\"\u003ecirca 1977–78\u003c\/strong\u003e and is now approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"7223\" data-end=\"7242\"\u003e48–49 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56821189116282,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-04-20T180958.546.jpg?v=1776676268","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/chodenji-machine-voltes-v-%e8%b6%85%e9%9b%bb%e7%a3%81%e3%83%9e%e3%82%b7%e3%83%bc%e3%83%b3-%e3%83%9c%e3%83%ab%e3%83%86%e3%82%b9v-original-hand-painted-production-cel-ga-%e3%82%bb%e3%83%ab%e7%94%bb-of-hiyoshi-go-little-jon-armstrong-%e5%89%9b%e6%97%a5%e5%90%89-key-lead-sequence-a-1-toei-nippon-sunrise-circa-1977-78","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}