Cel Art
Revived classic anime cels as art pieces to display and enjoy.
Japanese anime culture lives on—revived through display cel art. Hand-painted cels were once at the heart of Japan’s iconic anime masterpieces. But due to their delicate nature, many originals no longer exist, and digital production has made new cels rare. Still, the very word “cel” stirs the hearts of fans, because each one carries the passion and history of anime. To keep this irreplaceable culture alive, we have begun creating new cels to be enjoyed as art in everyday life. We hope you can feel the timeless beauty and power that these cels continue to hold.
Features of Our Display Cels
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Artist
There remains a strong passion for cel art, especially for beloved works from the golden age of anime. At Art Studio Kai, Vice President and cel artist Keiko Kai leads a team of original artists who once painted these cels by hand. By preserving the same traditional techniques and color sensibilities, we have created an environment where cels can be recreated with the quality of the past. Enjoy this nostalgic yet new world of cel art, crafted by the hands of true masters.
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Quality
In anime production, tight deadlines and limited staff meant that large numbers of cels had to be painted quickly. As a result, speed often took priority over the finish of each individual cel. While these cels live on vividly in our memories as moving images, many of them weren’t created to stand alone as works of art. In contrast, our “display cels” are crafted from the very beginning as one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Each is painted with care, skill, and time devoted to every detail. You’ll notice the difference the moment you see them in person.