Glossary of Anime Collectables

Anime collecting ranges from hand painted production art to modern figures and limited editions. Many terms come straight from Japanese studios and shops. This glossary explains the vocabulary.

Production art

  • Cel. A transparent sheet painted by hand, used to film traditional animation until the late 1990s.
  • Production cel. A cel actually used in filming.
  • Hanken cel. A cel painted for publicity or merchandise rather than for filming.
  • Sericel. A screen printed reproduction of a cel, made for sale.
  • Genga. A key animation drawing in pencil.
  • Dōga. An in-between drawing, completing the motion between key drawings.
  • Settei. Model sheets defining characters and objects for the animators.
  • E-konte. The storyboard.
  • Background. A painted background, sometimes paired with its matching cel.

Signed and printed items

  • Shikishi. A square board for autographs and sketches.
  • Tankōbon. A collected volume of manga.
  • Dōjinshi. Self published fan works.
  • Art book. A published collection of production art and illustration.

Figures

  • Scale figure. A detailed figure made at a fixed scale, such as 1/7 or 1/8.
  • Prize figure. A figure made as an arcade prize, simpler and widely available.
  • Articulated figure. A posable figure with interchangeable parts.
  • Limited edition. A numbered or time limited release, often sold by mail order or at events.

Merchandise

  • Acrylic stand. A printed acrylic figure on a base.
  • Can badge. A printed pin badge.
  • Tapestry. A printed fabric wall hanging.
  • Box set. A limited home video release, often with booklets and extras.

Collector notes

  • A production cel with its matching key drawing or background is especially desirable.
  • Cels are sensitive to light and heat, and paint can lift from old sheets.
  • Studio stamps, cut numbers and sheet numbers help to confirm production art.

Related references

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