Manga Art Market Booms as Christie’s Hosts First Anime Sale
Manga, which was once considered a niche import, has now emerged as the fourth-largest category of fiction in the United States and is projected to expand into a $42 billion industry by 2029. This transformation is influencing the art market as well. In March 2026, Christie’s conducted its inaugural auction that merged traditional Japanese art with subcultural pieces, named “Anime Starts Here.” The event showcased original manga artwork by Osamu Tezuka, animation cels from the 1984 movie Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and classic Godzilla film posters. This auction reflects an increasing acknowledgment of manga and anime as valuable art forms by institutions.
Key facts
- Manga is forecast to grow to a market value of $42 billion by 2029.
- Manga is now the fourth-largest fiction category in the U.S.
- Christie’s held its first sale combining classical Japanese art with subcultural movements in March 2026.
- The sale was titled 'Anime Starts Here'.
- The auction included original manga drawings by Osamu Tezuka.
- Anime cels from the 1984 film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind were featured.
- Vintage film posters of Godzilla were also included in the sale.
- Manga is one of Japan’s fastest-growing cultural exports.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
Locations
- Japan
- United States
Sources
- Artsy —