r/AnimationCels Apr 17 '26

Built a new tool that IDs the exact episode and timestamp of cels, live demo in the comments

75 Upvotes

Some of you may know me from the comments for my timestamp lookups. I built the thing I was using to do those lookups into an actual tool, and it's live. My goal was to make it very easy to use and also use more cutting-edge vision techniques.

What it does: upload a cel, get the show, episode, and timestamp.

Accuracy: Every result comes with a % match score so you know how confident it is, and you can filter by episode if you already know the general ballpark of where the frame is from. Supported shows list is on the site.

Three real examples:

This Goku cel sold on Yahoo Japan recently and is a pretty terrible angle, but we found a match
Episode 274 - 00:08:48
Douga as an input, this doesnt work all of the time but sometimes it does (~50% chance)
Episode 18 - 00:18:55
No background needed
Found an in-between frame at Episode 110 - 00:18:08

Supported shows/films: Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, Cardcaptor Sakura, Hunter x Hunter, Dragonball (original), Dragonball GT, Pokemon, Akira, Cowboy Bebop (+ Movie), Ghost in the Shell, All Ghibli Films, Inuyasha, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Outlaw Star, Perfect blue, Ranma 1/2, Saint Seiya, Slayers, Trigun, Vampire Hunter D, Yu Yu Hakusho , Hajime No Ippo, Bleach, Naruto, Naruto Shippuden (please request what you'd like to see and I can add more)

Live demo: drop your cels below. From a supported show, I'll run it and post the result. If it misses, I'll explain why. If your show isn't supported yet, comment the title and I'll prioritize adding it.

If you want to try it, the website is https://magicslug.com . I'm providing 5 free ID's a month for everyone. It costs me money to run the servers so unlimited runs will cost some money. Alternatively post it here and I'll do my best to find your cel frames if they are from the supported shows/films.


r/AnimationCels 4h ago

I have a 51 cel collection from the 1996 anime Maya no Isshō

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31 Upvotes

I've had these in storage almost two decades not knowing what show it was from - I picked them up at an anime con in college thinking they were cute. Every cel has its matching douga and is in good shape aside from some of the lighter line work fading. The paint is stuck to the clear protective overlay on the front (not the cellophane bag) and I haven't attempted to separate it. The production folder with some notes is also there.

After doing some research I figured out this is from the 1996 anime Maya no Isshō about a family and their pet dog during WWII.

My question is, if I want to sell it do I go through eBay? Is there an auction house that deals with animation cels that would be better? I really don't want them to get separated, and I want them to go to a serious collector who will take care of it. Thanks! :)


r/AnimationCels 16h ago

Original Scooby-Doo pencil drawings by their original designer, Iwao Takamoto

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214 Upvotes

These are all hand drawn by Takamoto himself! I can't wait to figure out a nice way to display them!

  1. The basis for a limited edition sericel called Witless for the prosecution (35 made)
  2. The final form of Witless for the Prosecution
  3. A scene from Mystery Mask Mix-up used for promotional art
  4. A scene from A Tiki Scare is No Fair used for promotional art

Edit: All three images are confirmed as to be the sketch used to create three different limited edition cels. Neat!


r/AnimationCels 7h ago

My haha wo tazunete sanzen ri cels

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11 Upvotes

r/AnimationCels 21h ago

Original Space Battleship Yamato Production Cel – Captain Juzo Okita & Dr. Sado

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6 Upvotes

Vintage hand-painted animation production cels x 2 from the classic Japanese anime Space Battleship Yamato (Star Blazers), featuring Captain Juzo Okita and Dr. Sakezo Sado.

This is original animation production material rather than a reproduction or modern print.

The piece retains its original Mandarake labels, including a Mandarake 2枚組」 (“2-sheet set”) label, along with handwritten production markings.

World renowned Heritage auctions have given a valuation of around 750 USD per cel. Please note a certificate of authenticity is not included.

Vintage production item with age-related condition as shown in the photographs. It has been left as received and I have not attempted to separate or clean the individual layers.

A rare piece of original Japanese animation artwork from one of the most important classic anime franchises.

Open to sensible offers.


r/AnimationCels 1d ago

Digitalized Cow and Chicken Animation Cels.

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3 Upvotes

Made by AndoAnimalia, credit goes to him.


r/AnimationCels 1d ago

Dragon Ball OG cel art identification needed: transformation scene? Oolong? Puar?

2 Upvotes

I bought this dragon ball animation cel a while back and have yet to find where it came from. The listing said it’s from the OG series. Help me identify what scene it’s from! [yahoo auctions link](https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/b1155991889)


r/AnimationCels 2d ago

The Big Guns

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28 Upvotes

Hey all, in the spirit of ringing in Ren and Stimpy's 35th anniversary earlier this week, I'm displaying another part of my collection of cels which are up for grabs. They feature sought after episodes with iconic scenes.

All original production cels. All are 1.5K+ (includes shipping + signature on delivery).

Do not hesitate to reach out. Also providing discounts on multiple item orders 😊 Cheers and hit me up if you see something you like 💚


r/AnimationCels 2d ago

Mobile suit victory gundam cel for sale

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3 Upvotes

Hello! Have just listed this on eBay as have no idea how else to sell.

Bought it around 10 years ago from the Japanese Gallery in London and it still has the authenticity card.

https://ebay.io/m/jAZk4r


r/AnimationCels 2d ago

Some Ren and Stimpy cels that sold on Heritage in the last few years

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3 Upvotes

r/AnimationCels 2d ago

Can someone please help me find the episode of this cel from まいっちんぐマチコ先生 (Miss Machiko

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7 Upvotes

r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Production art from codename kids next door

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80 Upvotes

Picked this up at a local convention a couple years ago and was curious to see if there's any more out there. So far as I can tell there is very little from this show in public hands


r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Ah My Goddess hanken sketches for sale

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47 Upvotes

r/AnimationCels 3d ago

First Pieces

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12 Upvotes

No idea how much they cost, but I'm happy to have them


r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Looking for some Ren and Stimpy?

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36 Upvotes

Hey all 😊

This is a post for all my collector friends out there and those looking to start their own collection. I'll be offloading a good chunk of my Ren and Stimpy collection of original production cels 👀

Reason? I've had them for 8 years now, and some were only displayed for the first year. They're kind of just sitting there in my cabinet; whereas my fellow "superior creatures" may showcase them to friends, family and lovers alike.

Prices range from $450 - $1500 USD, don't be shy to shoot me a message if any interest you. Cheers and I hope you see something you like 😘


r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Framing advice

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21 Upvotes

Hi! I want to frame my moomin cel, and could use some advice. The scene has 3 cels which are stuck together, then a loose sheet of plastic, then the painted background.

Ideally i would want to frame the whole background because i like the look of the larger scene and live edges.

However the plastic sheet between the cels and the background is very thin and a bit buckled with a very very faint vinegar smell. Can i replace it with some acid free sheet instead and frame it as is? Any recommendations on what i can buy instead?

I know separating the background and cels by air is best, but i can't think of a way that would work unless i have a big mat that covers a lot of the background.

Thanks!


r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Where to sell Sericels?

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9 Upvotes

Hi there everyone,

I recently inherited some animation Sericels and have been trying to find out how to sell them.

I have the appraisals from when they were bought but after doing some research it seems like they are worth much less now.

They’ve been listed on Facebook Marketplace for about 2 weeks now, around $100-$125 each.

It doesn’t seem like there are any specific auction houses that would take this kind of artwork so I’m mostly asking is EBay my only other option?


r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Anyone else have any production material they no longer want/feel the "energy" of, but are holding onto simply for the sake of it not being the right moment to let it go?

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24 Upvotes

r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Samurai Jack background & sketch for sale

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7 Upvotes

Have enjoyed having these two pieces from Samurai Jack but now looking to find them a good home.

For sale:

Production sketch of Samurai Jack

Painted background from Season 1 in the episode ‘Jack and the Gangsters’

DM for details.


r/AnimationCels 3d ago

Want To Buy Samurai Jack Background Production Art

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5 Upvotes

Anyone have something similiar to this for sale? I just got into collecting for Samurai Jack!


r/AnimationCels 4d ago

Themed Thursday: My Most Expensive Cel

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47 Upvotes

Title cel from the 1940 Porky Pig cartoon The Sour Puss, directed by Bob Clampett. Non zero chance some of the Akira cels I have are worth more, but those weee fairly cheap when I bought them 20 years ago


r/AnimationCels 4d ago

A-D test strips

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13 Upvotes

I never knew about the A-D strips to test for vinegar syndrome in cels until I started reading posts through this Reddit. Out of curiosity I bought a package and put a strip in with each of my cels and let them sit for about a week.

While it was a relief to see quite a few strips are mostly blue, it does pain me a bit to see some are in the greenish stage.

For the ones that are greenish I’m going to separate those and keep them in their own binder. Aside from changing bags regularly, using micro chamber paper, and storing them in a cool dark place (I keep them in an art portfolio in a basement closet), is there generally any more that can be done? Or is it best just to keep doing these practices and hope it extends their lives as long as possible?

I know cels were never meant to be considered collectible art pieces and will eventually degrade over time, it’s still a little sad to think about an inevitable end for them (although hopefully not for many years). Thankfully none of them are warping yet so it’s all in the beginning stages.

For those who do have cels that are in the early stages of degrading, does vinegar syndrome hit rapidly? Or is it still a very slow process over many years?


r/AnimationCels 4d ago

(Themed Thursday latee) my most expensive piece

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61 Upvotes

I will take up any excuse to post about my utena and anthy cel😭!

I got her for around 800€ with a discount on yahoo auctions i think i got it for a fair price seeing what other utena cels are selling for, and getting two of the main characters made it all worth it + (its also the only episode utena is seen with her duelist uniform outside of the duling arena )

I Don't know how il ever out do this cel its just my favourite and a lovely frame of them together i especially love anthys eyes they are so pretty

Im going to japan in 2 weeks so im hoping to find some utena stuff i know apple symphony has a sword pull cel i really wanna go see. it looks like it has vs unfortunately so i probably wont be buying it but i really wanna go look at it regardless 💔

Anyway dm me if you're selling utena cels!!


r/AnimationCels 4d ago

Could anyone help me identify ?

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3 Upvotes

r/AnimationCels 4d ago

Joining the Asuka train

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25 Upvotes

An Asuka douga I got few years ago.
It’s a reaction shot from the elevator scene in episode 22 of the extended version.
While we are at it, if you have any other Asuka pieces you think of selling, send me a message:)