{"product_id":"sherlock-hound-meitantei-holmes-original-japanese-promotional-poster-c-1984-b2-size-51-73-cm-n273","title":"“Sherlock Hound” (Meitantei Holmes), Original Japanese Promotional Poster c. 1984, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) N273","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster for the beloved anime series \u003cstrong\u003eSherlock Hound\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003e名探偵ホームズ \/ Meitantei Holmes\u003c\/em\u003e), the Japanese-Italian co-production created by \u003cstrong\u003eTMS Entertainment\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eRAI\u003c\/strong\u003e and first released in the mid-1980s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes this poster especially desirable is that it does \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e rely on standard finished cel imagery. Instead, it presents a suite of delicate \u003cstrong\u003ewatercolour image boards \/ concept illustrations\u003c\/strong\u003e, giving it the feeling of an animation-development sheet rather than a routine commercial poster. For collectors of anime art, this is precisely its appeal: it offers a direct window into the visual world-building of one of the era’s most charming and artistically distinguished series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBackground\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSherlock Hound\u003c\/em\u003e reimagines Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective universe as an anthropomorphic adventure set in a warmly evoked, quasi-Victorian London inhabited by canine characters. Holmes, Watson, Mrs Hudson, Moriarty and the supporting cast are all transformed into dogs, yet the series retains the spirit of classic detective fiction while introducing comic invention, steampunk machinery, and richly atmospheric settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe project holds particular importance in animation history because of its early connection to \u003cstrong\u003eHayao Miyazaki\u003c\/strong\u003e, who directed and storyboarded several of the most celebrated episodes before production was temporarily interrupted by rights issues concerning the Conan Doyle estate. As a result, imagery associated with \u003cem\u003eSherlock Hound\u003c\/em\u003e is often closely linked to Miyazaki’s pre-Studio Ghibli visual language: European architecture, expressive character acting, intricate vehicles, and a lyrical sense of place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePoster design\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wonderfully subtle and art-led design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eupper register\u003c\/strong\u003e is dominated by a large, softly rendered image-board scene showing Holmes and Watson in a hushed London street at dusk, joined by policemen beside a brick wall and terraced houses lit from within. The loose pencil contours and pale blue-pink washes create a misty, almost nostalgic atmosphere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003elower section\u003c\/strong\u003e is composed as a grid of six smaller concept views, each expanding the world of the series:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebustling Victorian streets and shopfronts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea richly observed urban corner filled with signs and pedestrians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea lighter street scene with horse-drawn transport\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea lively crowd sequence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea cosy interior breakfast setting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eand, crucially, a dramatic mechanical contraption image, underscoring the series’ playful steampunk side and Moriarty’s eccentric inventions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe overall effect is closer to a \u003cstrong\u003epresentation board of development art\u003c\/strong\u003e than a conventional poster. It is understated, elegant, and highly evocative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the bottom, the Japanese title \u003cstrong\u003e名探偵ホームズ\u003c\/strong\u003e is printed simply and cleanly, while the small copyright line at lower right credits \u003cstrong\u003eTMS \/ RAI\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy it matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis poster is especially appealing for three overlapping reasons:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1. Animation-art appeal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt functions almost like a portfolio sheet of concept art rather than a standard advertising image.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2. Hayao Miyazaki association\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause \u003cem\u003eSherlock Hound\u003c\/em\u003e occupies an important place in Miyazaki’s early career, material connected to the series has strong crossover appeal for collectors of his work and of pre-Ghibli anime history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3. Aesthetic distinction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIts muted watercolour palette and observational city scenes make it stand apart from louder, more commercial 1980s anime posters. Framed, it reads beautifully as artwork in its own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVery Good+.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe poster shows light, honest signs of age and handling consistent with a vintage promotional piece. There are \u003cstrong\u003esmall pinholes \/ display marks\u003c\/strong\u003e, gentle rippling, and minor general wear visible in the photographs. The reverse is blank and clean overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe artwork remains highly attractive, with soft colour, strong visual clarity, and excellent display presence. Framed, it will present extremely well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease review the photos carefully, as they show the exact poster for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong\u003eoriginal Japanese poster from the period\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a reproduction or reprint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Authenticity included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57189935841658,"sku":null,"price":135.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-08-21T072317.813.jpg?v=1787264611","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/sherlock-hound-meitantei-holmes-original-japanese-promotional-poster-c-1984-b2-size-51-73-cm-n273","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}