TL;DR
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Authentic 1980s production cel of King Nikochan from Dr. Slump
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Includes matching douga (pencil sketch) with studio color transfer
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Sequence B8, used directly in animation photography
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Paint layer intact with minor age wear on backing sheet
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Great Toriyama-era collectible for vintage anime fans
Quick Specs
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Series: Dr. Slump
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Character: King Nikochan
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Studio: Toei Animation
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Medium: Hand-painted cel (gouache on acetate) + douga
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Dimensions: ~10.5″ × 9.5″
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Markings: Sequence B8, timing notes in red and black pencil
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Condition: Used – Good (light smudging/transfer, cel intact)
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Era: 1980s cel production
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Includes: Cel + matching sketch (douga) + protective sleeve
Overview / What It Is
This is a genuine, screen-used production cel featuring King Nikochan, one of the most iconic comedic villains in Dr. Slump. Known for his upside-down biology (face on his belly, antenna on his backside) and permanently frustrated personality, Nikochan plays a big role in Toriyama’s early humor-driven universe.
The cel depicts him in a classic irritated pose—gritted teeth, squinted eye, clenched fists—all hand-painted by Toei’s animation team. Every cel from this era is unique; this exact piece was photographed for a frame in the original anime broadcast.
Included is the douga, the animator’s pencil drawing that served as the basis for the cel. The douga has studio smudging and color transfer, which is normal and adds authenticity.
This is a great entry for collectors seeking Toriyama’s pre-Dragon Ball animation history.
Product Images
Image copyright usage rights: You may use these images for any of your posts or projects, so long as you attribute Japan Bound as the creator and link to this post as the source of the images
How It Works
Like most 1980s Toei Animation cels:
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The douga was drawn by animators as the master reference.
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Line art was transferred onto a clear acetate cel.
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Painters applied gouache paint to the back of the cel to create solid colors.
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The cel was placed over a background and photographed with precise timing sheets.
Your cel displays:
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Clean registration holes
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B8 numbering (denoting shot sequence and layer order)
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Handwritten timing notes, typically used to sync motion frames
These markings confirm that the cel was used in an active production environment.
Who Should Buy This
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Toriyama collectors who want villain/side-character cels beyond Arale
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Vintage anime cel enthusiasts expanding into comedic classics
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Fans of Toei’s 1980s animation pipeline
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Collectors who love unusual, expressive character poses
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Anyone building a Dr. Slump or Toriyama-focused art collection
King Nikochan cels are less common than Arale or Gatchan, making this piece a fun rarity.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Strong colors in the paint layer
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Includes matching douga, boosting provenance
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Classic and expressive pose of a fan-favorite alien character
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Standard Toei cel size—easy to frame
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Production markings intact and clear
Cons
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Minor paint transfer/smudging visible on the backing sheet
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Light waviness in the acetate (typical for 40-year-old cels)
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No background layer
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Fragile medium requiring proper storage
Setup / Usage Tips
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Use UV-protective acrylic when framing; sunlight fades vintage gouache quickly.
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Avoid heat and humidity—animation cels can warp during Japan’s 梅雨 (tsuyu, rainy season).
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Store flat in an archival sleeve if not framing.
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If framing the cel and douga together, use a double-window mat so the sketch doesn’t touch the acetate.
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Keep away from plasticizers; older sleeves can cause sticking.
For archival supplies, Tokyu Hands, Loft, or even select コンビニ (konbini, convenience store) stationery sections are good sources in Japan.
Popularity, Sales Numbers & Critical Reception
Dr. Slump was one of the standout hits in early 1980s Japanese television. According to Toei Animation’s production history and reporting in Nikkei Entertainment, it helped cement Toriyama’s reputation and contributed strongly to Shueisha and Toei’s commercial success before Dragon Ball exploded globally.
King Nikochan remains a fan-favorite side character—recognizable across manga, anime episodes, films, and cameos in Dragon Ball. Because Toei stopped using traditional cel animation in the mid-1990s, surviving Dr. Slump cels are limited in number, with villain and alien characters appearing far less frequently in the collector market compared to Arale-focused frames.
Cels with matching douga are especially valued by collectors for their documentation of the animation workflow.
FAQs
Is this cel one-of-a-kind?
Yes. Each production cel is unique and was photographed for a specific frame.
Why is the douga smudged?
Douga pages were working drafts handled repeatedly by animators; smudging and color transfer are expected and confirm authenticity.
What does “B8” mean?
It designates the cel’s place in the sequence. “B” often represents the character layer; “8” refers to frame timing or order.
Does this include a background?
No, only cel + douga. Backgrounds were commonly reused or discarded.
Is it safe to display?
Yes—use UV-safe acrylic and avoid direct sunlight or humid storage.
Where to Buy
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Japan Bound eBay Store (recommended) — If you message us on Japan Bound, you can buy it from us directly for 15% off the eBay price.
About the Author
Limarc Ambalina is a longtime Japan culture and pop-culture journalist. He lives in Japan and is a longtime video game and Japanese pop culture memorabilia collector. The product images in this article were taken by him directly. The information in this article has been verified by his personal testing/usage of each product listed.
