{"product_id":"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","title":"“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","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"781\" data-start=\"196\"\u003eA single \u003cstrong data-end=\"278\" data-start=\"205\"\u003eoriginal hand-painted cover illustration (“genga”)\u003c\/strong\u003e, measuring approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"320\" data-start=\"304\"\u003e27 x 39.5 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, preserving the dramatic published cover composition for \u003cem data-end=\"392\" data-start=\"378\"\u003eUltraman Ace\u003c\/em\u003e in saturated red, blue, black and white, together with the surviving \u003cstrong data-end=\"493\" data-start=\"462\"\u003epasted title \/ logo element\u003c\/strong\u003e still attached below. Rich in colour, bold linework, strong graphic contrast and unmistakable period production character, this is an \u003cstrong data-end=\"642\" data-start=\"628\"\u003eultra-rare\u003c\/strong\u003e survival from late-Showa Japanese manga publishing: not merely an image, but the physical artwork from which a printed cover was prepared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1362\" data-start=\"783\"\u003eThe present work is the \u003cstrong data-end=\"829\" data-start=\"807\"\u003eoriginal cover art\u003c\/strong\u003e for the manga adaptation of \u003cem data-end=\"872\" data-start=\"858\"\u003eUltraman Ace\u003c\/em\u003e issued by \u003cstrong data-end=\"911\" data-start=\"883\"\u003eDaitosha \/ Tsuburaya Pro\u003c\/strong\u003e, first edition published on \u003cstrong data-end=\"972\" data-start=\"940\"\u003e20 September 1978 (Showa 53)\u003c\/strong\u003e, with a typographical error on the book giving the date as \u003cstrong data-end=\"1043\" data-start=\"1032\"\u003e「9日20日」\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1987\" data-start=\"1364\"\u003eAs published, the cover bears the printed artist credit \u003cstrong data-end=\"1427\" data-start=\"1420\"\u003e蛭田充\u003c\/strong\u003e, 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 \u003cstrong data-end=\"1723\" data-start=\"1695\"\u003epre-digital cover making\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2530\" data-start=\"1989\"\u003eThe 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 \u003cstrong data-end=\"2381\" data-start=\"2369\"\u003eUltraman\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-end=\"2400\" data-start=\"2383\"\u003eTsuburaya Pro\u003c\/strong\u003e, rare manga original art and late-1970s Japanese popular culture, it represents a highly unusual and visually arresting survival.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2754\" data-start=\"2532\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2931\" data-start=\"2756\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2770\" data-start=\"2756\"\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2773\" data-start=\"2770\"\u003eAcquired in Japan from an established specialist dealer in rare and out-of-print manga, original art, cels, signed shikishi, and related subcultural material. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3458\" data-start=\"2933\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2946\" data-start=\"2933\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"2949\" data-start=\"2946\"\u003eOverall 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3618\" data-start=\"3460\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3476\" data-start=\"3460\"\u003eAuthenticity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"3479\" data-start=\"3476\"\u003eThis is an original period \u003cstrong data-end=\"3557\" data-start=\"3506\"\u003ecover illustration (“genga”)\u003c\/strong\u003e for \u003cem data-end=\"3576\" data-start=\"3562\"\u003eUltraman Ace\u003c\/em\u003e. It is \u003cstrong data-end=\"3591\" data-start=\"3584\"\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e a reproduction or reprint. \u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Authenticity Included\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"3697\" data-start=\"3620\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3627\" data-start=\"3620\"\u003eAge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-end=\"3630\" data-start=\"3627\"\u003eThis work dates to \u003cstrong data-end=\"3663\" data-start=\"3649\"\u003ecirca 1978\u003c\/strong\u003e and is now \u003cstrong data-end=\"3696\" data-start=\"3675\"\u003eover 45 years old\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Japan Poster Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56812665864570,"sku":null,"price":4150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0424\/8859\/4591\/files\/Scanfrom2026-04-1606_36_59PM.jpg?v=1776336346","url":"https:\/\/japanposter.co.uk\/products\/ultraman-ace-%e3%82%a6%e3%83%ab%e3%83%88%e3%83%a9%e3%83%9e%e3%83%b3a-original-hand-painted-cover-illustration-production-board-genga-with-surviving-pasted-title-logo-element-for-the-daitosha-manga-adaptation-circa-1978","provider":"Japan Poster Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}