Rare Dragon Ball Goku artwork heads to auction

Propstore will auction a rescued cache of original Dragon Ball production art in London on July 8-9, 2026, with standout Goku cels estimated at up to $26,400. The sale marks the franchise’s 40th anniversary and includes artwork spanning Goku’s evolution from kid hero to Super Saiyan 4.

Why it matters: - Original Dragon Ball production artwork from the franchise’s cel-animation era is increasingly scarce. - The collection spans Goku’s key transformations and gives collectors a rare chance to buy pieces tied to some of anime’s most recognizable scenes. - Propstore says the collection’s provenance, rescued from disposal, adds to its significance.

What happened: - Propstore is offering a rare Dragon Ball artwork collection in its Animation Art Live Auction on July 8-9, 2026. - The sale marks the 40th anniversary of Dragon Ball. - The collection includes original hand-painted production cels and matching douga from Toei Animation. - Collector Bobby Valentine preserved the material after it was found during a late family member’s house clearance. - The artwork was discovered in 12 folders among items headed for disposal, and many folders still had original studio labels. - Bidding will be available globally online, by absentee bid, and by telephone. - Daily bidding starts at 03:00 PM BST / 07:00 AM PDT / 10:00 AM EDT.

The details: - The auction highlights Goku’s progression from Dragon Ball through Dragon Ball Z and Dragon Ball GT. - Featured transformations include Super Saiyan, Super Saiyan 2, Super Saiyan 3 and Super Saiyan 4. - A Super Saiyan Goku original production pan cel with matching douga from “Double Trouble for Goku” is estimated at $13,200 to $26,400. - A Super Saiyan Goku original production pan cel with matching douga from “Namek’s Explosion” is also estimated at $13,200 to $26,400. - A Super Saiyan 2 Goku oversized original production cel from “Super Saiyan 3?!” is estimated at $9,900 to $19,800. - A Super Saiyan 3 Goku original production pan cel with matching douga from “Goku’s Time Is Up” is estimated at $9,900 to $19,800. - A Super Saiyan 4 Goku original production cel with matching douga from “Super Saiyan 4 Vegeta” is estimated at $1,320 to $2,640. - Other listed lots include Goku cels from “Unlikely Friendship,” “Mystery of the Dark World,” and Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon. - The auction also includes a Goku and Gohan original production cel from Dragon Ball Z: Wrath of the Dragon, estimated at $1,056 to $2,112. - The full catalogue is available here. - Propstore will hold a free public exhibition at Borough Yards, London, from July 2-5, 2026. - Event details are available here.

Between the lines: - The auction reflects a broader shift away from hand-painted cels as anime production moved to digital workflows. - Russell Singler, Propstore’s Animation Art Expert, said the rarity of preserved Dragon Ball artwork and the collection’s provenance make it especially important for collectors. - The strongest lots center on Goku’s most recognizable forms, which are likely to draw the most interest from anime fans and high-end memorabilia buyers.

What's next: - Propstore’s London exhibition opens July 2 and runs through July 5, 2026. - The live auction follows on July 8-9, 2026. - Registration is open now, and bidding will continue through the sale window. - Additional images are available via Propstore’s press materials.