Collecting animation cels of any kind is a fun and profitable thing to do. Japanese animation cels, in particular, are really starting to gain popularity in other countries outside of Japan. And, surprisingly, according to a simple, informal poll I've taken on my website, the ages of those involved in this hobby can range from as young as 15 to as old as 50 -- the official range is probably even wider.

Used in the actual production process, animation cels are all unique. Since it takes hundreds of these to do a few seconds worth of film, chances are that many cels from a particular sequence might look similar, depicting minute changes of continuous movement. But no two are exactly alike. That's what makes this a wonderful hobby, the opportunity to own a one of a kind piece of animation.

The web is one of the easiest and most cost effective sources for great cels. When purchasing cels over the web, however, there are a few important questions that you should ask before you place your order.

Shipping:

The most important question to ask is how the dealer packs cels for shipping. I have heard some real horror stories of customers that have had their cels ruined in transit. Any time a vendor places a cel in an envelope that can bend, odds are that the mailman will bend it as he jams it into the mailbox. A typical "Priority Mail' envelope is not enough, regardless of how many times "Do Not Bend" appears on the envelope. The best way for cels to be shipped is within a specialized cel bag between two sturdy pieces of cardboard with the edges securely taped.

Sketch:

The next piece of information you need to know, is whether or not the cel comes with the original sketch. If it does, always ask if the sketch is stuck to the cel. Many times, even if the sketch is stuck to the cel, it is possible to remove it without any damage. Other times, however, it is necessary to rip the sketch in order to avoid peeling paint from the cel. If you accidentally rip a sketch while trying to remove it, it is still possible to frame and enjoy your cel, as the sketch does not have to be used in the framing process.

Wrapping:

Sometimes cels are shipped with a thin type of rice-based wax paper over the painted side of the cel to protect it from sticking to the accompanying pencil sketch. Trying to peel the wax paper off could result in damage to the cel. To remove the wax paper simply take a damp washcloth and rub it over the wax paper. The paper will then come off easily, without damaging the cel.

Displaying:

As your cel collection grows, there are a couple of ways to protect them. One is by the aforementioned practice of framing the cel. Another involves storing cels in a cel binder.