George Morikawa

GEORGE MORIKAWA (Japan, 1966).
"Hajime no Ippo."
Celluloid + free drawing
Measurements: 23 x 26,5 cm (celluloid); 24 x 27 cm (drawing).
Hajime no Ippo is a Japanese boxing-themed manga series written and illustrated by George Morikawa. It has been serialized by Kodansha in the sh?nen manga Weekly Sh?nen Magazine since October 1989, with its chapters collected in 143 tank?bon volumes beginning in April 2025. It follows the story of high school student Ippo Makunouchi as he begins his boxing career and eventually wins many titles and defeats various opponents.
Before the digital era, traditional Japanese animation (also known as anime) used the "cell animation" technique of meticulously hand-painting frames onto sheets of acetate or celluloid. This method, predominant in animation before the advent of digital techniques, turned each celluloid into an original work of art, capturing a unique moment in the production of the series. The elaboration process was as follows: first the sketch was created and then inked on the acetate and painted by hand on this surface. The colors were applied to the back of the cell with acrylic or gouache paint, ensuring that the lines inked on the front remained sharp.
Due to their rarity and artistic value, these celluloids are not only coveted by collectors and fans of the most iconic series, but also represent a tangible testimony of the creative process of one of the most emblematic fields of animation and pop culture.