Your collecting journey

[JWR]

A long time ago in a gla.... errrrr..... once more from the top.

Back when you first started your collection what were your goals?

With a large universe of series out there what was it about certain ones caused you to wish spend hard earned funds to collect?

I have seen some collectors stick with just one series, others totally change their entire focus several times.


In our case when I first set up our gallery on RS we had planned to have as our main focus cels from AMG, Ranma 1/2 and Inu Yasha. With AMG the beauty of the art as well as the story hooked us and with Ranma & IY the humor of the story and art of Rumiko Takahashi we found appealing. We pretty much stuck to that early on till interest in IY tailed off and it was replaced by Ai Yori Aoshi when that series was released.

Slowly over time we picked up a few other series till our collection has become quite large.

Early on we went thru the "buy everything that moves" stage . It was kinda influenced by Ranma 1/2. One thing that Ranma had was unlike "Saturday Morning Cartoons"(1 cel of each character of Scooby Doo and you have all their outfits) was that most of the main characters changed clothes. So it was easy to go "Oooh I don't have a cel of Akane if that outfit yet". I'm sure it must be simular with others who collect CCS going after Sakura's costumes as well as each of the cards. You must "catch them all".

Now we have become more picky and weigh the image presented, the importance of the scene and if I already have something simular.

[tenzink]

I began about 14 years ago... wow, ok. Let's see... my very first animation cel was Zelgadiss from Slayers. It was a first season cel, and I found it by googling the character and finding Nichibei's site. I was really excited about having a piece of the animation, and began modestly collecting in the $125 or less range... usually the $30 AIC cels available at places like anime nation. I got a lovely bunch of cels from Armitage and other series, including the first tenchi muyo movie that way. At the time I loved Slayers and wanted cels from that series, but if a nice cel from Tenchi came along of a character I liked (usually enemies) then I would pick it up. El Hazard too. The cels were really affordable back then - 1000 yen to 4000 yen at most, and on a trip to Japan in the late 90s I found nice closeups of Lina and the Next cast for 4000 yen or less in Animate Shibuya.

However, I was introduced to Escaflowne and the artwork, mood and lighting in that anime blew me away - it took me from wanting a piece of my favourite shows to wanting a really gorgeous piece of art from a great show. I learned to let go of collecting other series simply because I liked them a bit, and stuck to enjoying them as entertainment while focusing on art from esca instead. It was expensive enough buying esca or buying cels that people wanted to trade for their esca! I still racked up a horror story of a bill when FY cels were released from the studio but I sold most of it off I couldnt help it, the boys were pretty. Yu Yu Hakusho is departing too, but not all of it.. I plan to keep a small handful of nice pieces. I still value art after all, and I loved the tale. The last cels I collected were Trigun, because I loved the design and story, Gatchaman (childhood love thats lasted 30 years) and Hajime no Ippo (wonderful and inspiring character story as well as high standard of art).

When genga and paper came into the picture I did pick up a few prince of tennis sets, and a bit of One Piece. But it was not the same attraction to me so with alot of self discipline I ceased collecting entirely. I intend to let go of all my PoT sets eventually. I can't tell you how tempting it is looking on YJ and seeing amazing 1990s cels being sold off by their owners. Those are the anime that I was re-introduced to the genre with, always a soft spot. But I had found my holy grail Dilandau cel, and I was done. No excuses.

I must say that it is no small relief to me that even after all this time, I'm still in love with most of what I picked up a decade ago.

[graymouser]

I started off by telling myself I was only interested in collecting from 3 shows ( Fushigi Yuugi, Arslan Senki, and The Last Unicorn). I added Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust soon after it came out. I still collect from these shows, but over time my miscellaneous section expanded from a few cels to 30 shows and a rather large miscellaneous section.

The other big change was my decision to limit the number of cels of each character I bought. I felt that a few of each of the main characters gave me a nicer feel of a show. It also forced me to be picky about what I added to my collection and saved me a lot of money in the long run.

[Keropi]

1. Random/Overspending Phase ----- When I started collecting, I didn't have any goals at all. I just collecting cels from shows that I liked. It was pretty random. I used up too much of my money that way. There wasn't enough money for all the cels I wanted to get.

Examples:
Iczelion, Armitage III, Fushigi Yuugi, Ranma 1/2, Violinist of Hamlyn, Tenchi Muyo, You're Under Arrest, DNA^2, El Hazard, Jojo's Biz Adv

2. Favorite Shows Phase ----- I concentrated mostly on two of my favorite shows at the time - Video Girl Ai and Maison Ikkoku. After awhile, the prices went up and I got tired of collecting the same stuff. I wasn't buying much near the end because the hobby was becoming stale.

3. Ren'ai Gaming/Bishoujo Anime Phase ----- Ren'ai game TV series anime was becoming popular around that time. The cels from most ren'ai game anime were pretty cheap back then so decided to concentrate on those. It was a lot of fun. I got a lot of good cels. But I reached the point of saturation again and no new shows were cel based so...

Examples:
Elf Kakyuusei, Tenkousei, Doukyuusei, Doukyuusei 2, Tokimeki Memorial, Pia Carrot 2 DX, To Heart, Words Worth, Refrain Blue

4. Computer Colored Sketch Anime Collecting Phase ----- There were a lot of good sketches back then. A lot of high quality sketches from shows came out while the show was still airing. It a was great time. Start watching the show...then get sketches from it. But that was being too blatant and things had to change. I looked for more expensive higher quality stuff here.

Examples:
Tsukihime, Iriya no Sora, Higurashi, Strawberry Panic, ONE, Fate/stay night, Da Capo, Dokuro-chan, KimiNozo, Otome wa Boku, SisPrincess

5. Random Sketch Collecting Phase ----- I no longer had a problem with controlling my spending so I collected random sketches that I liked. Spent less money during this time. I might get it only because I like the sketch. I might not even like the show.

Examples:
Xamdou, Shining Tears, Mahou-Taisetsu-Natsu, Night Wizard, Polyphonica, Saint October, Kaze no Stigma, Shigofumi, 11eyes


That's about it.

[kamidake]

All I have to say that ever since I started collecting sketches, it's been completely out of control! >_<

[ZombieBunny]

If I think about it, I am still pretty new.
I've been collecting for 5 years now.

I bought my first cel when I found it on ebay while looking for Sailor Moon items.
Right then I was hooked.
I started to google 'production art' and this and that to learn more about the hobby and what I was buying.

So, when I first started I bought almost anything I could get from Sailor Moon.
Other than a few other shows I have heard about, SM was really the only anime I knew of at this time.

Then after a year or so, I met some really cool people on beta and they introduced me to more series of anime.
After watching Ayashi No Ceres, Tenshi ni Narumon, Kenshin, VHD Bloodlust and a few others, I wanted to branch out and collect from them.
So I bought more but it was still pretty random stuff.

A year later I basically sold everything and took a break for two years.
During this time, collecting never left my heart so here I am again!

When I came back, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to buy and collect from.
I am much more picky now and will only buy cels I wanted before but couldn't get due to money, and pieces that are wishlist cels.
I am a lot more focused and actually happy where I am at now.

[sensei]

I have a similar story as ZB: began collecting intensively from Cardcaptor Sakura (which is still a good series to start with given the relative surplus of material on the market and decent prices), met many good people who introduced me to other collectable series, broadened my collecting horizons, and recently trimmed back my urges to focus on things I really need, not just want. I also spend less time browsing auctions and more time conserving what I already have, dealing with damage and ensuring their long-term health.

This week I removed about a yard of cellophane tape from a CCS cel + background I'd had for more than 7 years. The tape was relatively stable, compared to some of the high-acid stuff I've dealt with, but it was discoloring the bg and had always bothered me. Now I felt I had the skills and material to deal with it, and when I was done it surprised me how bright and ... well, happy the piece was to be free of it. It almost felt like I'd gotten something new for nothing.

I'd say this is a pretty typical scenario for long-term healthy collecting, though I'm also sadly aware of many others who went through a "boom and bust" cycle, collecting too many "wishlists" too quickly, then dispersing them all in a moment of financial crisis.

[Starfighter]

I started collecting nine years ago.

The reason I started was because while walking through the mall I saw a sailor moon Chromo cel. The cel was $10.00 and I thought it would be so cool to own a real cel. That night I went on the computer and found a gallery that was selling cels. I saw an awesome Esm cel and I talked to the owner about the cel, She was selling the cels on ebay . Well I ended up winning that Esm cel and a usagi cel from Emma. As soon as the pieces arrived I was in for a shock. These cels were big. I thought they would have been a lot smaller since I was thinking cell (small). Well this opened up a new hobby to me . I had a lot of communictaion with Emma about cels. She basically said to me that I should go for the cels I want and not buy ever cheap cel that crosses my path. She was right about that . I started my collection with one thing in mind getting an awesome cel of Angel Serenity with her eyes opened. Well it didn't take me long to get her. I was so very happy to have her . I thought my collecting days were over. well it didn't happen that way . I then wanted all sailor moon Transformation , I achieved that. Still not the end. All the royals, Then wanted trans cels, op cel and bank cel . I achieved all that but other series appeared mkr, ccs, lassie, xanadu, scrappy, all dogs go to heaven , he-man, she-ra and many others . My collection just kept growing . Even though I am happy with my collection I'm sure there will be something I want. (I never had a wishlist, Was told by Emma not to reveal what I really wanted. Some people can use it against you .) Well I'm sure there will be a time when my cels will be for sale (Probably sooner then I want.)


Well I made a lot of friends while collecting you can say I have even rescued some of there collections (some of them have stopped collecting all togather)



Well hope you liked my story


Starfighter

[Cordelia]

11 years ago, I was browsing for images of my favourite anime online and came across cels by accident. I've always loved art and anime, so naturally cel-collecting appealed to me. By then, there was already a vibrant community and I spent weeks reading abt cels and looking at sale sites. I still remember feeling surprised at how much they cost (little did I know.... ).

I took the plunge by buying a Sasami cel off ebay. It was my first cel and I liked Sasami's character design even though I hadn't (still haven't actually) watched Pretty Sammy. I was blown away by the beauty of the cel in person and things started from there.

As a poor college student, the early cels I bought were mostly under $100. My tolerance towards spending large amts of $$ on painted plastic soon increased with time.

Luckily I don't fall in love with anime easily so the series I collect are quite few. The anime I loved then still form the core of my collection - Ranma, FY, VPM and RK. These are the primary titles I collect. Then there are the 'latecomers' IY, Esca etc.

When CG-based shows came along, I resisted collecting sketches because I still love colours so cels were of course preferred. But Bleach soon blew me away and the only way to own artwork from it was to join the crowd. Not that I don't appreciate line drawings, I do and can spend equally long time looking at them.

I still find things I want to buy. With an income, it's easier now than before. I realised years ago that quality is more important than quantity. Of cse, only you can define what quality is. It's much more worth it to save up and go for the pieces that you love.

I am happy with what I have collected all these years. In fact, I can remember the story behind each and every piece. I don't see as many 'must-haves' as before. Even if I didn't get something I wanted, I console myself by looking at what I have. Something else will always come along anyway. So yes, I've slowed down.

I don't think my collecting habits are going change, seeing that they have not for the last decade.

[tenzink]

All I have to say that ever since I started collecting sketches, it's been completely out of control! >_<

tee hee ^^

Is it like http://www.affordablehousinginstitute.o ... _small.jpg yet ?

[Gonzai]

Goals?? What goals?? Back then, if I liked it, I bought it.

[benten]

I got started in cel collecting with a "Free Kick to Tomorrow" cel that came with a laserdisc purchase from AnimEigo. Later, when I attended Anime Central 1, I saw several cels from Birdy the Mighty (I loved and still love the character design of Birdy) and purchased six of them. Then I purchased some inexpensive cels from different anime in order to get examples of different types of cels. I was just interested in the animation process and wanted some examples.

Later, I expanded my collecting to include Ranma 1/2 and Urusei Yatsura in addition to Birdy the Mighty. Then, at the end of 2000, I quit active collecting, although I kept everything I had acquired.

In 2008, I resumed active collecting. Mainly, I just collect Ranma cels now. Although I wouldn't mind getting some more Birdy cels, there just aren't many on the market. I have branched out and picked a cel or two from other series with no particular rhyme or reason - either I would like to own something from the series (Ghibli) or just liked the look of the cel.

It's funny that, during my first period of active collecting, Heather (Usagi's House / later Rinkya) tried to convince me to buy some cels from a then new series, "Card Captor Sakura", saying the art was beautiful and the cels would just be in increasing demand over the years. I didn't act on her recommendation. I do chuckle a little bit, though, since I wouldn't mind owning something that Sensei had a serious interest in. It's way more fun (and often educational) collecting a series when there's active interest in collecting cels from the series.

Also, with a nod to JWR, I didn't collect many long-hair Akane cels in my early collecting days because Heather was actively collecting them, making it hard to find any at all.

[cutiebunny]

I had been collecting Japanese Sailormoon cards for years prior to getting into cels. This was from 1998-2002.

After I obtained at least one of every Japanese Sailormoon card produced(no small feat), I needed something else to collect. And one thing that I wanted was artwork of characters that was not featured on any cards. I purchased four cels at the same time during the summer of 2003 - Lead Crow, Mistress 9, Peruru & Nehelenia. I still own all four.

Overall, with Sailormoon, I think I've stayed true to my initial wish. I only have a handful of cels that were featured on any trading cards. The majority of what I own was never used on any items.

When I first started collecting Sailormoon cels, there were lots of nice ones around. And with a high dollar/yen exchange, I was able to pick up the bulk of my collection from 2003-2008. But once the supply started to trickle, I started adding Cardcaptor Sakura & Inuyasha artwork to my gallery. I bought my first CCS cel in 2007 and figured, with just that one cel, I wouldn't need any more from that anime. But, yeah, we all know how that goes.

Lately, though, I'm shifting my focus more towards shikishi and other forms of original artwork from industry personnel. It's a good way to find artwork from CG series, especially if you're hoping for something in color. However, the market is rife with fakes, so you really have to know what you're looking for before you bid. But, I've been really satisfied with my purchases lately, which more than makes up for not buying as much as I used to.

[kizu]

My collecting journey is really just a random eye cel I bought of Saitou. Someone said wouldn't it be cool to have it and I bought it as relief for myself because the company I worked for went bankrupt and I was depressed. I couldn't buy any of the others that came out aside from an eye cel because I was gawking at the prices and was always under the shadow of "what if things turn out badly?". I was one of those people who would not spend more than 200... LOL... But after trying for several Saitou cels that came up and losing each and every time... and also researching prices I came to the conclusion that if I ever wanted a nicer cel of him I'm going to have to pony up the money and also forget that the world as I knew it was coming to an end and stop thinking "what if" (Goodness I'm tired of thinking that way!). I'm an all or nothing kind of person (moderation is not my strong point), so I ended up buying an OP cel of Saitou. LOL! But I was still in that -maybe- I can get away with not spending more than 200... Then one day this RK sketch set came up of a very beloved scene of mine but during the time, I still couldn't figure out my prejudice against sketches and so I dropped out, claiming I stuck to my budget... But honestly if I wanted to win it, I knew I could've and so up to this day I am very regretful of sticking to my budget... That's when I learned there are some things you just have to go for regardless.

Thankfully enough I'm a rather moderate collector of other series and characters! This has helped balance out some of my purchases. Plus I no longer just buy whatever, I know myself a little bit more now such that my collection is a bit more defined. I'm not a person who will collect anything rare, pretty, in fashion or whatever. I collect solely on how I feel. I find that I am much more unattached to a lot of series for sale (which makes me happy!)! Nowadays I only ask myself one question, will I keep regretting not going after a piece with all my heart and my wallet years from now? If yes then I find a way to make it work (unless of course, there's no way - some people here know I always give things a try if I really want it)... If not then I just sigh and I know I'll moan now but I won't be moaning and groaning later...

Early in my collecting I was reading up on collectors who collect contemporary art and paintings, I wanted to learn a little bit. There were many collectors who were so technically detailed as to why and what they collect, I forgot most of them. But there was an interview with a guy who just bought a multi-million dollar piece and he was asked, how he finds it in himself to buy something so high considering the "market", he said that buying artwork should hurt a little money-wise and emotion-wise, otherwise it is not a piece one should buy. He said if you can't stand the thought of not having it on your wall then you should buy it even if it "hurts". That gave me all the excuse I need and I've never looked back. Oh and I've never regretted a purchase that required a bit more "work" and heartache to acquire. So maybe there's a little truth to what he said.

[duotrouble]

Goals?? What goals?? Back then, if I liked it, I bought it.

In my 10 years of collecting, only one thing really changed. I went from if I like it I buy it to if I love it I buy it. Series have come and gone in my gallery and I've liked them all. The ones I keep I love.