2006 Year in Review (Not a “Show Me” Thread)

[tex-chan]

It was interesting to hear some people talk about hiding items. To an extent I think it's possible to inspire others to collect specific series and create competition. Perhaps this is more problematic for "main stream" stuff though. As sensei noted, the ecclectic stuff doesn't garner the same attention.

I agree. It is interesting to read about people discovering the need to do this.

I'm not so sure, though, about this being something that affects only main stream shows/stuff. In the past year, I managed to pick up fairly major competition for a few of the shows I collect -- and they are not what I would consider main stream shows. Actually, I don't think I collect much that is really main stream, as most of the shows in my gallery tend to be a little older than the newer releases. And, I know the increased competition was based on my gallery/collection, as I received emails telling me so.

I have to admit, at first it did make me wish I had hidden those shows I wanted to build up into a larger collection. At least, until I managed to acquire the cels/scenes I really wanted. But, then, I decided I would just go with the flow and be happy that my gallery could actually inspire someone to collect or try a new or different show. (Which, honestly, surprises the heck out of me! )Part of the fun in this hobby, for me, is being able to share with fellow collectors. A potential increase in competition is one of those chances I decided I would rather take. Besides, one nice side effect of increased competition is more pretty art out there in galleries for me to look at and appreciate. This is a good thing. A very good thing, especially if it brings attention to shows I love but that are, often, a bit underrated within the "anime community" (<-- for lack of a better term).

But, that's just me. I know not everyone feels the same way, and to each their own.

[Keropi]

I like these yearly retrospectives Sensei.
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1. The best thing that’s happened:

I'd say the collectors I've talked with over the past year have been the Best Part. For me, "fellow collectors" and "anime" are the basics to cel/sketch collecting. If I stopped watching anime and stopped talking to other collectors, my hobby would be much less fun.

If I has to be about my gallery, I really have no idea. I haven't done enough with my page to have a "Best Part".
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2. The most surprising thing that happened:

The most surprising thing in 2006 was that eleven-cel order I made back in January 2006. I never thought I would see that many quality cels I wanted at the same time ever again. That experience was like something from the Olden Days of Collecting five to seven years ago. I felt like I was a kid in the candy store there.
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3. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience:

Over the past year I've had a number of cel/sketch packages that I never opened for months on end. I don't consider that a good sign. Maybe I don't want to open them because then I'll feel like I'm getting even further behind in my scanning. At any rate, I do that with regular mail too (with bills and relatives letters) so that's not only a "collecting packages" thing.
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4. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007:

I would like to continue only going for items I feel COMPELLED to purchase. If I have to THINK about whether I want buy it, I shouldn't buy it. Since October 8th, I've only won seven YJ auctions and three of those auctions were for items 3000yen or less. That's a good purchasing rate I think. It's a rate that would allow me to put in a good bid if I ever saw something I REALLY wanted.

"Always Leave Something in Reserve" - ?Sun Tzu?

[safetygirl]

1. The best thing that’s happened to your gallery

That I bought cels and I opened one. Seriously... 15 years after drooling over Beauty and the Beast repro cels at Disney World, here I am with real cels. ^__^ And starting out my gallery with gifts from a friend.

2. The most surprising thing that happened to your gallery

That I've been buying from a lot more series than I had planned, and the ones I thought I'd focus on... well, come to find out, those are -expensive-. LOL. It's not stopping me but the higher the price - the more selective I am.

3. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience

Other than how easy it is to spend piles of money? That I got in too late. That a lot of the -quality- cels from certain series are lost to me, unless I find a collector unloading a personal collection. But since I can't go back in time, it's really a matter of being patient - there's still some gems out there. ^__^

4. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007.

To keep collecting diverse titles but still being devoted to my favorites. To use cel collecting as a way to discover older shows that I may have never even heard or or just passed over (oh, You're Under Arrest, how -wrong- I was about you!). To watch my spending, because I still have a manga/doujinshi/shitajiki habit to feed.

[EternityOfPain]

1. The best thing that’s happened to your gallery

This is an easy one.. How about getting a gallery up and running and at the same time joining in this crazy hobby of collecting pieces of anime art from series?

2. The most surprising thing that happened to your gallery

Hum.... I guess that would being able to track down so many awesome Yoko sketches!

3. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience

Main thing that concerns me and I am quite sure it will continue to concern me. When I become broke after spending all this money will I sometime in the future look back at my time and be able to say it was money and time well spent or am I am going to say it was a phase of insanity? Time will tell.

4. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007.

To obtain more Yoko sketches at the same time keeping the quality high. As the saying goes, quality is better then quantity.

[animeobsessed]

The best thing that’s happened to your gallery

I have narrowed the focus of my collection to a few choice series and quality, not quantity. Though with the amount I have added this year, maybe it doesn't seem like it.

2. The most surprising thing that happened to your gallery

I have been able to acquire some of my favorite scenes for these series usually though help from some wonderful friends.

3. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience

How much I have purchased and the amount of money I have invested in this collection.

4. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007.

To get my collection under control as far as organizing, and tracking this collection. Also, to try again to curve the impulse buying.

[redwolf]

1. The best thing that’s happened to your gallery
2. The most surprising thing that happened to your gallery

I'm combining these two to say...the addition of ten new series (five of which need to be scanned/received from the deputy). My gallery is fairly small (Not including Miscellaneous, I had about 15 individual series galleries last year), so this is a large amount for me.

3. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience
The number of shows being released. CG and outsourcing speeds up the process so studios can pump out too many shows for me to take in. It makes even easier for me to miss or dismiss something I end up liking enough to collect (something I was already talented at). Also, despite the huge number of shows, there aren't more production artworks appearing...with many prime shows having none turn up at all.

4. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007.
Rescan my older cels to put larger and more complete pictures in my gallery. Finish up buying items to help preserve and protect my collection.

I'm going to continue to move towards being a sketch only collector. This is essentially what has been happening ever since I returned to collecting in 2005, but I still managed to collect a decent number of cels this year.

I'm also going to continue to improve my ability to be strict on myself while still recognizing the items I truly desire. I think I did an okay job this year, however there were still several instances where I bought or went after something on impulse. I ended up being extremely happy about a couple of these, but I could have lived without the others. I also ended up with one lasting regret (an auction that I let go) and one close call (an auction I missed, but another turned up).

[sugarcels]

1. The best thing that’s happened to your gallery

Hm. Well, I'm more picky with what I get. I'm less likely to buy something just because it's cute and/or is of a series or character I like.

2. The most surprising thing that happened to your gallery

That people are kind enough to help me find things, and that people actually visit my gallery!

3. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience

I don't tend to look at my cels. As soon as they arrive they go in the closet or in the portfolio, and I only see them through my gallery scans. Sometimes I even feel annoyed and disappointed with them. Also, bid wars are very frustrating and discouraging.

4. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007.

Keep being picky. Don't scan Y!J every other day, it'll only make you mourn that you can't afford to get them.

[Keropi]

I'd be nice to see how many people still have kept their Cel Resolutions by the end of 2007.

This thread will probably be trimmed by then though. Let me see how long I'll be able to keep mine.

[sensei]

I've already started to get out my cel books devoted to genga and organize them by series. For the first time ever I now have all (well ... most) of my Saiyuki together. And I've reorganized and redone all the descriptions in my Tree of Palme gallery. So I think I'm well along in my resolution.

This was an interesting thread: thanks everyone for chiming in. I think it raised some worthwhile issues, such as the matter of increased competition and the advisability of "hiding" some galleries or purchases. I've normally not found that necessary with the series I collect, because many of the serious collectors are good friends of mine, and we tend to cooperate rather than scrap over items we'd all like to own.

But it is true that I finally had to eliminate my "Wishlist" section of my gallery because one other collector who wanted me to trade a particular cel he coveted kept consulting it and then placing blocking bids on anything from it that showed up on YJ, thinking that if he did so, he'd eventually force me to trade him the cel in question.

But in truth, my collecting interests were changing rapidly, and to make the wishlist accurate, I knew I had to spend a lot of time revising and revamping it, and to what end? So probably I'm affected by this issue, too. As more collectors arrive on the scene, I'm guessing that this will, sadly, continue to happen with other collectors.

It was also interesting to see how many people were resolving to be more selective about their bidding habits and spend more time curating what they already had. I think that's a sign that more and more collections are maturing and becoming long-term resources rather than short-term enthusiasms.

But, safetygirl, don't feel that you've necessarily gotten in too late! I'm still finding really lovely things coming up on the market, sometimes for the second time, but sometimes out of nowhere. It's still, in my opinion, a buyer's market, and even if the selection is starting to dry up in some series, that doesn't mean that 2007 will be a bad year to build a new collection. Possibly it means that diversity will be the name of the game: a dozen series rather than just a few. But I'm still very, very happy with what I'm still able to snag off the market.

[otakusin]

1- The best thing that’s happened to your gallery:

I opened my collection to the public after years of obscure behind the scenes collecting. I guess you could say I was a lurker collector.


2- The most surprising thing that happened to your gallery:

I found cel collectors are not all as rude as the few I had meet before Rubberslug. Sensei was the first to welcome me, even though I do not know him really well, it was the nicest thing to have happened. His feedback email me made me want to continue with my gallery and truly get to know others. I have meet some really wonderful people because of this.


3- Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience:

I have been collecting for years without any feedback about my cels. I refused and still refuse to go by what others deem worthy as a cel. I buy for myself and for myself alone. I think most are like this but there are those that I have meet that look at price tags or popularity and not the cel itself. So I guess my concern is that I want people to enjoy the cels and not look down on them because they are not all from popular titles. Because in the end its the image not the price that you love.


4- A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2007:

First things first, I truly hope to have everything scanned and uploaded.

Secondly, I have always been one to balance my collection with my life. Where I absolutely love my cels I will not put them over food, clothing and life itself but I discovered something about myself when updating. In the past I would receive my cels, stare at them for some time and then set them in their new home. Now having a gallery, I scan them, upload them, visit galleries, notice a cel I like... my mind starts to wonder if anime-link, mandrake or milkacow has anything and before I know it I have spent more than I wanted that month. So my cel resolution in a round about way is to never tap into my savings again, lol. It wasn't much but I was disappointed in myself, thank god I refuse to use credit or I might have been in trouble.


Thanks for such a thought provoking thread Sensei, it was quite interesting!!