- Auction
24872
Anime Starts Here: Japanese Subculture Reimagines Tradition
18 March 2026 - 31 March 2026, New York -
Auction overview
This season, during Asian Art Week, Christie’s presents Anime Starts Here: Japanese Subculture Reimagines Tradition, a new online auction exploring the visual dialogue between Japan’s classical artistic heritage and the subcultural movements that have shaped contemporary global culture.
The sale brings together original manga drawings by Osamu Tezuka, anime cels from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and Doraemon, and vintage film posters of Godzilla, shown alongside traditional and contemporary works by artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Yoshitomo Nara. Together, these works trace the enduring resonance of motifs, techniques, and narratives rooted in Japan’s past—sources that continue to inspire some of its most influential modern expressions.
Rather than positioning subculture as a departure from tradition, this carefully curated auction presents it as a dynamic evolution—one that bridges craftsmanship, storytelling, and visual innovation across generations. -
Auction information
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Auction
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Online18 Mar, 10am (Lots 1 - 44)
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- VIEWING
- Online20 Mar, 10am - 5pm21 Mar, 10am - 5pm22 Mar, 1pm - 5pm23 Mar, 10am - 5pm
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Contact the department
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Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department | Japanese and Korean ArtTakaaki Murakami (村上高明)tmurakami@christies.comTel: +1 212 636 2160
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Junior Specialist | Japanese and Korean ArtHua Zhou (周樺)huazhou@christies.comTel: +1 212 636 2160
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44 Lots for Sale 24872
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Lot 1 NARA YOSHITOMO (B. 1959) Untitled colored pencil on paper, framed 10 7/8 x 8 in. (27.6 x 20.3 cm.) paper |
estimate $80,000 - $120,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 2 NARA YOSHITOMO (B. 1959) Sleepless Night Sitting mixed media sculpture, with the original presentation box, executed in 2007, edition 220⁄300 11 ¾ x 5 7/8 x 6 ¼ in. (30 x 15 x 16 cm.) |
estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 3 NARA YOSHITOMO (B. 1959) Hand Searching polystone sculpture, with the original presentation box, executed in 2017, edition 40⁄150 12 ¼ x 4 ¾ x 5 ½ in. (31 x 12.2 x 14 cm.) |
estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 4 LV x YK SURFBOARD LOUIS VUITTON, 2023 88 ¼ x 3 x 22 in. (224.2 x 7.6 x 55.9 cm.) |
estimate $8,000 - $12,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 5 ENKU (1632-1695) Untitled carved wood sculpture of standing Buddha in single-block technique (ichiboku-zukuri) as the buddha standing, wearing a long robe and the hands holding at chest 11 5/8 in. (29.5 cm.) high |
estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 6 JINBO MIYABI (B. 1952) Shingetsu (The Deep Moon) carved from wood in single-block technique (ichiboku-zukuri) as a owl perched on a tree trunk next to water with moon reflection, painted in polychrome, signed Miyabi 16 1/8 in. (41 cm.) high |
estimate $7,000 - $9,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 7 TAKASE KOZAN (1869-1934) Untitled the shakudo articulated stag beetle finely constructed of numerous hammered parts jointed together with movable wings, limbs and head, the details finely chiseled 3 ¼ in. (8.3 cm.) long |
estimate $2,000 - $3,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 8 TAKASE KOZAN (1869-1934) Everlasting Pleasure the silver articulated spiny lobster constructed of numerous hammered plates jointed inside the body, the body bends and the shakudo eyes, antennae, limbs, fins and legs move, the details finely carved and chiseled body 7 ½ in. (19.1cm.) long |
estimate $8,000 - $12,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 9 UCHIDA NOZOMU (B. 1987) Blue Striker, 2025 iron, brass, stainless steel, wood 40 ½ in. (102.9 cm.) long |
estimate $6,000 - $8,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 10 SHIOZAKI KEN (B.1972) The Great Wave and Two Whales, 2021 paintings mounted as six-panel screen; ink, color, gold and gold leaf on paper 62 3/5 x 139 3/8 in. (159 x 354 cm.) |
estimate $12,000 - $22,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 11 UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861) Picture of Retired Emperor Sanuki sending allies (tengu) to rescue Tametomo vertical oban triptych: 13 ¾ x 9 5/8 in. (34.9 x 24.4 cm.) each approx(3) |
estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 12 GODZILLA, 1954 Toho Co., Ltd. approximately 29 ½ x 20 5/8 in. (74.9 x 52.4 cm.) |
estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 13 SHIOMI RYOSUKE (B. 1989) Wolf and Armor, 2019 copper, iron, brass, leather, string, lacquer and cypress wood 70 7/8 in. (180 cm.) approx high on the display box |
estimate $20,000 - $30,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 14 ONO YOSHIMITSU (B. 1948) Untitled, 1988 31 5/8 in. (80.3 cm.) long |
estimate $3,000 - $4,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 15 A NIMAIDO GUSOKU (ARMOR) WITH WHITE-LEATHER LACING EDO PERIOD (18TH CENTURY) |
estimate $8,000 - $12,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 16 AKIRA, 1988 Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd. 40 ½ x 28 3/8 in. (102.9 x 72.1 cm.) |
estimate $600 - $800 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 17 AKIRA, 1987 Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co., Ltd. 28 ½ x 20 1/8 in. (72.4 x 51.1 cm) |
estimate $800 - $1,200 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 18 ISHINOMORI SHOTARO (1938-1998) Kamen Rider: Terror of the Spider Man, 1971 original artwork accompanied by a coloring instruction sheet; ink, color and colored pencil on paper, numbered 8 on top right corner and titled on bottom left corner 10 5/8 x 15 in. (27 x 38.1 cm.) each(2) |
estimate $10,000 - $20,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 19 TSUBAKI SANJURO, 1961 Toho Co., Ltd. 28 7/8 x 20 in. (73.3 x 50.8 cm) |
estimate $2,000 - $3,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 20 SEVEN SAMURAI, 1967 Toho Co., Ltd. triptych 40 3/8 x 30 1/8 in. (102.6 x 76.5 cm.) each sheet approx. |
estimate $6,000 - $8,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 21 TOPCRAFT CO., LTD. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Giant God Warrior, 1984 animation cel and drawing (doga), each numbered A 49 9 ¼ x 13 ¾ in. (23.5 x 34.9 cm.) each |
estimate $3,500 - $4,500 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 22 SHIOZAKI KEN (B.1972) Attack on Titan “Invasion of the Giants”, 2023 woodblock print, edition 230⁄300, produced by Bansan Co., Ltd 11 ¾ x 22 ¼ in. (29.8 x 56.5cm.) |
estimate $800 - $1,200 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 23 KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849) Kanagawa oki nami ura (Under the well of the Great Wave off Kanagawa) [“Great... horizontal oban: 10 1/8 x 14 ¾ in. (25.7 x 37.5 cm.) |
estimate $40,000 - $60,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 24 KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849) Onden no suisha (Waterwheel at Onden) Horizontal oban: 10 3/16 x 1415/16 in. (25.9 x 37.9 cm.) |
estimate $6,000 - $8,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 25 TEZUKA OSAMU (1928-1989) Princess Knight (Ribon no Kishi), 1953 original artwork; ink, watercolor and colored pencil on paper 11 x 7 7/8 in. (27.9 x 20 cm.) |
estimate $12,000 - $22,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 26 ITO IKUKO (B. 1961) Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon original artwork; graphite, colored pencil and pen on paper 10 5/8 x 9 5/8 in. (27 x 24.4 cm.) |
estimate $5,000 - $7,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 27 IWASAKI ERI (B.1968) The Scent of Poppy Seed Incense: Bind the hem of my robe, to keep it within,... Natural mineral pigments and platinum paint on Japanese mulberry paper laid on wood panel 13 x 21 in. (33 x 53.3 cm.) |
estimate $2,000 - $3,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 28 GHOST IN THE SHELL, 1995 Production I.G 28 7/8 x 20 1/8 in. (73.3 x 51.1 cm.) |
estimate $600 - $800 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 29 ADAM LISTER x HELLO KITTY Medicom toy and print, 2020 ABS resin, special edition with the artist’s handwritten signature 8⁄20, with the original presentation box 6 ¼ x 3 ½ x 7 1⁄8 in.(15.9 x 8.9 x 18.1 cm.) Giclée print in colors on paper, edition 8⁄200 9 x 11 in. (22.9 x 27.9 cm.) |
estimate $1,000 - $2,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 30 YOKOO TADANORI (B. 1936) Cat in Japan, 1996 original Japanese silkscreen poster, commissioned by the Association of Manekineko Japan 40 ½ x 28 5/8 in. (102.9 × 72.7 cm.) |
estimate $1,000 - $2,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 31 SHIN-EI ANIMATION CO., LTD. Doraemon, Besoko and Nobita animation cel, attached background and drawing, each numbered 40 or c-40 background 9 7/8 x 14 1/8 in. (25.1 x.5 x 35.9 cm.)(2) |
estimate $1,500 - $2,500 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 32 TONARI NO TOTORO (MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO), 1989 Studio Ghibli 28 ¾ x 20 1/8 in. (73 x 51.1 cm.) |
estimate $2,500 - $3,500 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 33 NARA YOSHITOMO (B. 1959) Mori Girl polystone sculpture, with the original presentation box, executed in 2012, edition 124⁄200 11 ¼ x 7 ½ x 5 7/8 in. (28.5 x 19 x 15 cm.) |
estimate $10,000 - $20,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 34 A HANIWA EARTHENWARE HEAD OF A MAN LATE KOFUN PERIOD (6TH-7TH CENTURY) 5 7/8 in. (14.9 cm.) high |
estimate $2,000 - $3,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 35 A CARVED WOOD MINIATURE SCULPTURE (NETSUKE) OF MATSUTAKE MUSHROOMS TAISHO-SHOWA PERIOD (20TH CENTURY), SIGNED YOSHIMITSU 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) diam. |
estimate $2,000 - $3,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 36 Topcraft Co., Ltd. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Gol and Obaba, 1984 animation cel and attached drawing (doga), each numbered C1483, B4 end, C1, D 3 END or A1 9 3/8 x 14 1/8 in. (23.8 x 35.9 cm.) each |
estimate $1,800 - $2,800 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 37 SHIN-EI ANIMATION CO., LTD. Doraemon and his secret tools animation cel, attached background and drawing, each numbered 281 and drawing inscribed natsu tokuban (summer special program) background 10 x 14 1/8 in. (25.4 x 35.9 cm.)(2) |
estimate $1,500 - $2,500 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 38 UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861) Someone Who Makes a Fool of People Vertical oban: 14 1/8 x 9 7/8 in. (35.9 x 25.1 cm.) |
estimate $6,000 - $8,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 39 TSUKIOKA YOSHITOSHI (1839–1892) AND TOYOHARA KUNICHIKA (1835–1900) A group of six theater portrait prints 14 5/8 x 9 7/8 in. (37.1 x 25.1 cm.) each approx(6) |
estimate $1,500 - $2,500 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 40 TSUKIOKA YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892) Oshu adachigahara hitotsuya no zu (The Lonely House on Adachi Moor) Vertical oban diptych: 1415/16 x 10 ¼ in. (37.9 x 26 cm.) each approx.(2) |
estimate $3,000 - $4,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 41 A CARVED WOOD MINIATURE SCULPTURE (NETSUKE) OF OCTOPUS AND MONKEYS MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY), SIGNED SHOKO 2 x 2 x 2 in. (5.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 cm.) |
estimate $2,500 - $3,500 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 42 AIBA RUIJI (B. 1964) Octopus and Child, 2023 Ceramic 9 x 5 ½ x 5 4/5 in. (22.9 x 14 x 14.7 cm.) and 10 3/5 x 2 1/5 x 5 4/5 in. (27 x 5.7 x 14.7 cm.) respectively(2) |
estimate $2,000 - $3,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 43 KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI (1760-1849) Kinoe no Komatsu (Pining for love) fukurotojibon (pouch binding); hanshibon: 8 ¾ x 6 1/8 in. (22.2 x 15.6 cm.) cover, each approx.(3) |
estimate $15,000 - $25,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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Lot 44 KAWAHARA KEIGA (1786-1860?) Mermaid (ningyo) two paintings; ink and color on paper mounted on board 19 ½ x 13 3/8 in. (49.5 x 34 cm.) each(2) |
estimate $8,000 - $10,000 PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
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