{"product_id":"tetsuwan-atom-astro-boy-鉄腕アトム-original-hand-painted-animation-cel-ga-セル画-with-hand-painted-underwater-production-background-tezuka-productions-likely-from-the-1980-colour-television-series-circa-1980-81","title":"“Tetsuwan Atom \/ Astro Boy” (鉄腕アトム), Original Hand-Painted Key Master Production Cel-ga (“セル画”) with Original Hand-Painted Gouache Background, Tezuka Productions, from the 1980 Colour Television Series, circa 1980–81","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"345\" data-end=\"1044\"\u003eA single \u003cstrong data-start=\"354\" data-end=\"416\"\u003eoriginal hand-painted key master production cel-ga (“セル画”)\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"460\"\u003e37.8 x 25.8 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e (14⅞ x 10⅛ in.), depicting \u003cstrong data-start=\"488\" data-end=\"508\"\u003eAtom \/ Astro Boy\u003c\/strong\u003e in profile, partially submerged or skimming low through water, set against a deep blue-green \u003cstrong data-start=\"602\" data-end=\"657\"\u003eoriginal hand-painted gouache production background\u003c\/strong\u003e. The figure is painted on a transparent animation cel sheet in the traditional pre-digital manner, aligned by registration peg holes along the upper edge. The upper margin retains studio production annotations, including \u003cstrong data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"887\"\u003e“A1”\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"892\" data-end=\"901\"\u003e“197”\u003c\/strong\u003e: the former indicating the first A-layer cel in the sequence, and the latter apparently serving as a scene, cut or background tracking number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1538\"\u003eThe present work belongs to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1074\" data-end=\"1099\"\u003eAstro Boy (1980–1981)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the colour remake produced by \u003cstrong data-start=\"1131\" data-end=\"1153\"\u003eTezuka Productions\u003c\/strong\u003e. The official Tezuka Osamu catalogue records the series as a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1215\" data-end=\"1258\"\u003e52-episode colour television production\u003c\/strong\u003e, broadcast on the Nippon Television network from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1346\"\u003e1 October 1980 to 23 December 1981\u003c\/strong\u003e, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1369\"\u003eOsamu Tezuka\u003c\/strong\u003e credited for original manga, storyline and main character, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1433\" data-end=\"1475\"\u003eNippon Television \/ Tezuka Productions\u003c\/strong\u003e credited for production. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1540\" data-end=\"2073\"\u003eThe work depicts \u003cstrong data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1565\"\u003eAtom\u003c\/strong\u003e, known internationally as Astro Boy, the robot-child hero at the centre of Osamu Tezuka’s most internationally recognised creation. Tezuka’s original manga, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1754\"\u003eTetsuwan Atom \/ Mighty Atom\u003c\/strong\u003e, was serialized from \u003cstrong data-start=\"1776\" data-end=\"1804\"\u003eApril 1952 to March 1968\u003c\/strong\u003e; the official Tezuka catalogue describes Atom as a robot hero with \u003cstrong data-start=\"1872\" data-end=\"1894\"\u003e100,000 horsepower\u003c\/strong\u003e, created in the image of Dr. Tenma’s lost son before entering a wider moral universe of robot rights, science, childhood and responsibility. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2075\" data-end=\"2665\"\u003eThe animation history of Atom is of exceptional importance. The 1963 television series helped establish the foundations of Japanese television animation, and the official Tezuka catalogue describes it as the \u003cstrong data-start=\"2283\" data-end=\"2339\"\u003efirst Japanese 30-minute television animation series\u003c\/strong\u003e. The 1980 colour series revisited the earlier work with a contemporary visual and narrative treatment, retaining Tezuka’s distinctive character proportions while introducing the richer palette, more elaborate backgrounds and modernized dramatic structure of early-1980s television anime. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"3224\"\u003eThe present cel-ga is especially notable for being offered with a \u003cstrong data-start=\"2733\" data-end=\"2776\"\u003etrue hand-painted production background\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than a later printed or copied backing. The background is built up in layered blue, teal and dark green gouache, creating a moody underwater or oceanic effect against which Atom’s pale profile and black hair silhouette stand in strong relief. The composition is quiet but highly cinematic: Atom is not shown in his familiar heroic flight pose, but in a low, suspended passage of movement, suggesting immersion, rescue or underwater travel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3226\" data-end=\"4242\"\u003eScene identification should remain cautious. Existing collector notes have suggested \u003cstrong data-start=\"3311\" data-end=\"3351\"\u003eEpisode 1, “The Birth of Astro Boy,”\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-start=\"3355\" data-end=\"3383\"\u003eEpisode 6, “Robot Land,”\u003c\/strong\u003e as possible origins; both are episodes from the 1980 series, but the present photographs do not allow a positive frame match. The official Japanese episode summaries for Episode 1 and Episode 6 do not, by themselves, confirm this exact aquatic image. The underwater setting also invites comparison with later water-themed episodes, particularly \u003cstrong data-start=\"3729\" data-end=\"3783\"\u003eEpisode 36, 「クラーケンの怪物」 \/ “The Monster of Kuraken,”\u003c\/strong\u003e in which Atom visits an undersea ranch, encounters sharks, a submarine and a giant electric ray, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"3885\" data-end=\"3950\"\u003eEpisode 37, 「ポチョムポチョム島のルミー」 \/ “Rumy in Pochom-pochom Island,”\u003c\/strong\u003e which includes an artificial sea serpent and an undersea base. The most accurate catalogue description is therefore: \u003cstrong data-start=\"4068\" data-end=\"4203\"\u003ean original production cel-ga from an aquatic \/ underwater sequence of Astro Boy (1980), with the exact episode not frame-confirmed\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4244\" data-end=\"4898\"\u003eWhat makes the work especially compelling is its survival as a complete physical artifact of hand-made animation production. In traditional cel animation, moving characters were painted on transparent cel sheets and photographed over painted backgrounds; Japanese animation references describe cel-ga as imagery painted on transparent cel material and layered over backgrounds before the move to digital production. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Here, that process remains materially visible: the transparent cel, hand-painted figure, original painted background, registration holes, production notation and studio alignment all survive together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"5323\"\u003eThe cel is currently \u003cstrong data-start=\"4921\" data-end=\"4950\"\u003eadhered to the background\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is common in vintage animation cels of this age, often caused by long-term contact between the cel paint surface, acetate sheet and background under storage conditions. Importantly, the alignment remains visually strong and presents as a complete production setup. The colours remain vibrant, with \u003cstrong data-start=\"5255\" data-end=\"5322\"\u003eno visible paint flaking apparent from the supplied photographs\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5325\" data-end=\"5771\"\u003eFor collectors of \u003cstrong data-start=\"5343\" data-end=\"5359\"\u003eOsamu Tezuka\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"5361\" data-end=\"5383\"\u003eTezuka Productions\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"5385\" data-end=\"5414\"\u003eAstro Boy \/ Tetsuwan Atom\u003c\/strong\u003e, early television anime and original Japanese animation production material, the present work represents a highly attractive survival from the hand-painted cel era. Its appeal lies in both subject and substance: Atom himself, rendered in a classic 1980 profile pose, preserved with an atmospheric original production background and visible studio markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"5773\" data-end=\"5984\"\u003eThe work also carries strong collecting provenance, having been acquired from a \u003cstrong data-start=\"5853\" data-end=\"5895\"\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=\"5986\" data-end=\"6155\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"5986\" data-end=\"6000\"\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"6000\" data-end=\"6003\"\u003eAcquired in Japan from a \u003cstrong data-start=\"6028\" data-end=\"6070\"\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=\"6157\" data-end=\"7135\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"6157\" data-end=\"6170\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"6170\" data-end=\"6173\"\u003eOverall very good for period animation production material of this type, with strong surviving colour and excellent display presence. The cel and background show expected age toning, light handling wear, minor edge and corner wear, small surface marks, production registration holes, and visible studio annotations including \u003cstrong data-start=\"6498\" data-end=\"6506\"\u003e“A1”\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"6511\" data-end=\"6520\"\u003e“197”\u003c\/strong\u003e. The painted underwater background retains vivid blue-green tonal depth, with visible brushwork and natural production irregularities. The cel is \u003cstrong data-start=\"6667\" data-end=\"6694\"\u003estuck to the background\u003c\/strong\u003e, a common condition issue in vintage cels of this age; it should not be separated from the background without professional conservation advice. The colours remain vibrant, and there is \u003cstrong data-start=\"6880\" data-end=\"6941\"\u003eno visible flaking apparent from the photographs provided\u003c\/strong\u003e. The verso shows age toning, light staining and handling marks consistent with period studio or collector storage. Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact item for sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"7137\" data-end=\"7491\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"7137\" data-end=\"7153\"\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7156\"\u003eThis is an \u003cstrong data-start=\"7167\" data-end=\"7282\"\u003eoriginal period hand-painted production cel-ga (“セル画”) with original hand-painted gouache production background\u003c\/strong\u003e from \u003cstrong data-start=\"7288\" data-end=\"7329\"\u003eAstro Boy \/ Tetsuwan Atom (1980–1981)\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced by \u003cstrong data-start=\"7343\" data-end=\"7365\"\u003eTezuka Productions\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is not a reproduction, printed cel, sericel, modern replica or later digital print. Certificate of Authenticity Included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"7493\" data-end=\"7582\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"7493\" data-end=\"7500\"\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"7500\" data-end=\"7503\"\u003eThis work dates to \u003cstrong data-start=\"7522\" data-end=\"7539\"\u003ecirca 1980–81\u003c\/strong\u003e and is now approximately \u003cstrong data-start=\"7565\" data-end=\"7581\"\u003e45 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56821142323578,"sku":null,"price":1250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/wall-shelf-with-ornaments-2026-04-20T174823.502.jpg?v=1776674955","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/tetsuwan-atom-astro-boy-%e9%89%84%e8%85%95%e3%82%a2%e3%83%88%e3%83%a0-original-hand-painted-animation-cel-ga-%e3%82%bb%e3%83%ab%e7%94%bb-with-hand-painted-underwater-production-background-tezuka-productions-likely-from-the-1980-colour-television-series-circa-1980-81","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}