Christie’s is launching its first New York auction dedicated to Japanese anime and manga, titled "Anime Starts Here: Japanese Subculture Reimagines Tradition." Scheduled for March 18–31 during Asian Art Week, the online sale features over 40 lots including original production cels from Hayao Miyazaki’s films, manga drawings by Tezuka Osamu, vintage Godzilla posters, and Hokusai prints. Most items are priced accessibly, with many estimates falling below $3,000.
This sale represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap between contemporary pop culture and classical Japanese art history. By contextualizing anime alongside masters like Hokusai, Christie's is tapping into a rapidly growing market driven by younger collectors who value the media they grew up with. The move follows successful institutional exhibitions and high-profile sales in the category, signaling that anime and manga are increasingly being treated as serious assets within the global fine art market.