“Ultraman Ace” (ウルトラマンA), Original Hand-Painted Cover Illustration / Production Board (“Genga”), with Surviving Pasted Title / Logo Element, for the Daitosha Manga Adaptation, circa 1978
A single original hand-painted cover illustration (“genga”), measuring approximately 27 x 39.5 cm, preserving the dramatic published cover composition for Ultraman Ace in saturated red, blue, black and white, together with the surviving pasted title / logo element still attached below. Rich in colour, bold linework, strong graphic contrast and unmistakable period production character, this is an ultra-rare survival from late-Showa Japanese manga publishing: not merely an image, but the physical artwork from which a printed cover was prepared.
The present work is the original cover art for the manga adaptation of Ultraman Ace issued by Daitosha / Tsuburaya Pro, first edition published on 20 September 1978 (Showa 53), with a typographical error on the book giving the date as 「9日20日」. This edition is well known to have never been reprinted, nor was a complete edition ever issued, giving the book an almost phantom-like status among collectors of obscure Ultra-related print material. In that context, the survival of the original cover genga is of particular significance.
As published, the cover bears the printed artist credit 蛭田充, and the present board preserves the composition at a materially richer stage of production, before final printed layout fixed the relationship between image, masthead and text. What makes this work especially compelling is the way it preserves the physical logic of pre-digital cover making: the fully rendered painted image mounted to its support, the title/logo retained as a separate pasted element, and the verso showing old tape remnants, handling marks and visible show-through of the design—direct evidence of original editorial or publishing use.
The composition itself is exceptionally strong. Ultraman Ace surges forward in the foreground with clenched fist and illuminated eyes, while above him a second figure descends into combat against a roaring kaiju amid water, spray and collapsing urban space. It has the force of a finished poster image, yet remains unmistakably a working artifact of production. For collectors of Ultraman, Tsuburaya Pro, rare manga original art and late-1970s Japanese popular culture, it represents a highly unusual and visually arresting survival.
The work also carries strong collecting provenance, having been acquired in Japan from an established specialist dealer in rare and out-of-print manga, original art, cels, signed shikishi, and related subcultural material.
Provenance
Acquired in Japan from an established specialist dealer in rare and out-of-print manga, original art, cels, signed shikishi, and related subcultural material.
Condition
Overall extremely good for period production material of this type, with strong surviving colour and excellent display presence. The board shows expected age toning to the margins and support, light handling wear, minor edge and corner wear, surface marks, and production-related evidence of use. The verso shows old tape remnants / adhesive staining from period mounting or handling, consistent with original publishing or studio practice. Please review the photographs carefully, as they show the exact item for sale.
Authenticity
This is an original period cover illustration (“genga”) for Ultraman Ace. It is not a reproduction or reprint. Certificate of Authenticity Included.
Age
This work dates to circa 1978 and is now over 45 years old.
