Cel Animation Art Appraisal

Original Production Cel for Pokémon TV Animation Series: Pikachu

This item is an original animation cel featuring Pikachu from the 'Pokémon' anime series, encased within an ornate, possibly gilded, frame. The cel itself depicts Pikachu in a dynamic, mid-stride pose, rendered in its iconic yellow and black colors with red cheek pouches. The background, which the accompanying text clarifies is not original to the cel, features a simplified forest scene with green foliage and the trunk of a large tree. The entire piece is presented within an elaborate, golden-toned frame characterized by intricate, raised decorative scrollwork and acanthus leaf motifs, indicating a classical or Baroque-revival style. The frame appears to be made of wood, possibly gessoed and gilded or painted to mimic gold. The overall dimensions of the framed cel are approximately 228mm x 263mm (9" x 10.4"). The cel itself is likely made of celluloid or acetate material, with the character outlines and colors painted on the reverse side. The condition of the cel appears good from the image, with vibrant colors and no visible major fading or cracking. The frame also seems to be in good condition with no obvious chips or damage to its ornate details, though minor wear consistent with handling and age may be present. The item is identified as an 'original celluloid and animation' piece from 1997, directed by Kunihiko Yuyama and Hiroki Tomiyasu, and produced by OLM, providing clear manufacturing details and estimated age. This piece represents a significant artifact from the early production of the 'Pokémon' TV animation series before the transition to digital production in 2002, making original celluloid images like this highly valued for their historical and collectible significance.