F.A.Q.
On our website, three payment methods are available: free European bank transfer, credit card (excluding American Express), and PayPal. In Brussels, at the gallery, two payment methods are available: credit card (excluding American Express) and cash. For cash payments, the maximum allowed by Belgian law is €3,000 per artwork. A PDF invoice is sent to our clients for every purchase.
Each original Japanese animation drawing sold by La Galerie de la Bande Dessinée will be accompanied by a detailed invoice. This invoice includes the gallery’s contact information, an image of the original anime production drawing, and its description, thus certifying its authenticity.
Each original Japanese animation drawing was created during the production of the anime in question, by one of the animators at the Japanese production studio. It was therefore used in the making of the anime and represents a fraction of a second of it. It is a unique piece of art.
Based on the storyboard approved by the director, one of the key animators on the anime draws the layout. This layout is a pencil drawing on animation paper, showing the main poses of the characters and objects, and any special effects. The layout can also determine the background (outlined), define the lighting of the scene, decide on the camera movements, and specify the scene’s duration. The layout will serve as the basis for creating the genga (character animation panels).
A genga is the first original key drawing in Japanese animation, depicting the key poses of an animated sequence. There will always be a keyframe at the beginning and end of the sequence, and sometimes a few intermediate genga, depending on the length and complexity of the scene being animated. Gengas are the main drawings of the animated sequence. They are created by one of the key animators of the anime. On the genga, they draw the outlines of the characters, the areas of light and shadow, and often add annotations.
Genga correction sheets are drawn after the genga drawing has been completed. These corrections are made by the episode director or animation director. They ensure that the characters’ appearance remains consistent throughout the episode and may improve the graphic quality or modify the character’s expression. The final doga (clean cut) will be created taking these corrections into account. Some correction sheets are of exceptional graphic quality, at least equivalent to the genga of the scene in question, or even more subtle.
A doga is an original production drawing in animation. Until the early 2000s, the doga was the penultimate stage of production, done by hand, just before the painting of the cel (cellulo, cel). Since then, the doga has become the final production drawing on physical media, before digital coloring. Different colors (colored pencils) are used on the doga to make the drawing more legible and facilitate its subsequent coloring. The doga is a clean version of the animation, and inbetweeners draw the intermediate poses between the genga. This succession of images then creates the illusion of movement.
An anime production cel is a transparent plastic sheet made of cellulose acetate. The same size as a doga, the animation production cel is hand-painted on the back with opaque gouache. Each production cel is unique, as each one corresponds to a different doga. Until the early 2000s, the creation of cels was the final drawing stage in the animation process. Since the shift to digital coloring, production cels are no longer used in the production of anime series and movies. This has led to an increasing scarcity and price on the market for collectors of original Japanese animation works.
Once scanned, each original Japanese animation drawing sold by Galerie de la Bande Dessinee is placed in a transparent, acid-free plastic sleeve, along with a rigid, acid-free backing board, which helps support the artwork. It is in this protective packaging that you will receive your original anime art.
To ship original Japanese animation drawings, La Galerie de la Bande Dessinée uses only FedEx, from Brussels to destinations worldwide. We will keep you informed when your package is shipped, and you will subsequently receive email notifications from FedEx. The packages are made of two MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) panels, which is the equivalent of masonite, providing robust and unbreakable protection. Since 2014, we have shipped thousands of packages worldwide, and all of these artworks have arrived at our customers’ homes in perfect condition. We remain available for any questions until you receive your order. The artworks are declared at their sold value and are insured for that amount. We provide our carrier with accurate value and specific HS Code / Tariff for artwork, so you will be billed the specific amount for art set by your country’s customs. This is mandatory by law.
Once payment is received in full, along with email confirmation from the gallery, original Japanese animation drawings can be picked up in Brussels at La Galerie de la Bande Dessinée. You can also visit us during our opening appointmets to make a direct purchase or make an appointment. The artworks will be carefully packaged for optimal protection until you return home.