Christie’s Revives Anime Starts Here With a Star‑Studded Lineup
After a landmark $89K sale for a Sailor Moon original, Christie’s is turning its New York floor into a shrine for Japanese pop culture this October. The auction, titled Anime Starts Here: Japanese Subculture Reimagines Tradition, will sit alongside the bustling New York Comic Con, giving fans a double dose of nostalgia and fresh collectibles.
Why Sailor Moon Still Shines
The Ikuko Ito piece that broke records featured Sailor Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus in a dynamic pose that captured the 1990s magic. Its near‑18‑times‑estimate price proved that classic anime art remains a hot commodity, especially among Millennials and Gen Z buyers who now make up 35% of the auction’s audience.
What Else Is On the Block?
Collectors can expect original cels from Pokémon, Akira, My Neighbor Totoro and Dragon Ball Z. Works by Osamu Tezuka, the mind behind Astro Boy, will also appear, as will pieces tied to Fujiko Fujio’s Doraemon and Rumiko Takahashi’s Ranma ½ and Inuyasha. The entire lot is estimated between $344,350 and $523,200.
Key Dates and How to Join
The physical exhibition runs Oct. 8‑12 at Christie’s New York galleries, followed by an online auction from Oct. 9‑22. Bidders worldwide can place their offers through Christie’s secure platform, while New York visitors can walk the halls and see the iconic 
up close.
Connecting the Dots With Dragon Ball and Pokémon
By pairing Sailor Moon with heavyweights like Dragon Ball and Pokémon, Christie’s signals that anime isn’t a niche hobby any more—it’s a mainstream investment class. The upcoming sale not only celebrates the legacy of these franchises but also sets the stage for future high‑profile anime auctions in the West.
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