Hi everyone, I have a few finds to share with anyone who's interested. One of them is original film strips! (They're out of Japan.) A good seller there is Akkie. He's in Japan. I found him to be reasonable in prices and very good with things like postage and communication. The cell is from Gatchaman II, there are more if you scroll down. Tats! I thought you might want to check it out. Anyway just for anyone who wants to know about some buys in Ebay. http://cgi.ebay.com.au/C4752-ANIME-CEL-ScienceNinjaTeam-Gatchaman-b-TATSUNOKO_W0QQitemZ300319798679QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item45ec747597&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

These are neat! In the second one, though, I wonder why Ken's visor isn't shaded blue.

Maybe he used the windex finally LB... or better yet, vinegar and or coke.... since I've been told they work better then windex.

Great find Ebony..... thanks so much for sharing with us.

Originally posted by lborgia88 These are neat! In the second one, though, I wonder why Ken's visor isn't shaded blue.

Its another blooper!!! see what they do when they're stilled!

Perhaps a blooper, or I suspect it maybe that colour because of what ever the background. If Ken were in a dark place then the artist may want us to be able to see through the visor to see his face. If I am correct that is only the overlay of a cell. That picture would probably be placed on a different background. I am wondering if a sword would be placed inKen's hand at that time as well. (I am sure James will correct me if I am wrong about that first idea, and maybe the second as well.)

Hi all! Thank you for pointing those out. I had spotted them earlier, but I do appreciate the heads up. As for the cels themselves, they are either publicity or mass market cels, not actually production cels. I say this because I actually own duplicates of both of those cels. Like those in the auction, the cels possess neither peg holes nor cut numbers along the top. Regardless, for the price the seller is asking, they're nice enough images that they'd be worth getting, if anyone else wants to bid on them. Like I said, I already have them, so I won't be going after them myself. By the way, the two Gel Sadra cels that the same seller has look to be production cels, and both are likely from the same scene, though I don't recognize the shot off the top of my head. Still, if you're looking for a couple of Gel Sadra cels for a good price, now's your chance!

Perhaps a blooper, or I suspect it maybe that colour because of what ever the background. If Ken were in a dark place then the artist may want us to be able to see through the visor to see his face.

If this had been a production cel, you could very well have been correct, as they do change the visor colors to reflect the lighting in the scenes. In this partiular instance, though, it was either a sloppy decision or a cost-cutting/time-saving move when they were mass producing the cel.

If I am correct that is only the overlay of a cell. That picture would probably be placed on a different background.

That's correct, that image is not placed against a background. Even with production cels, if they come with a background, it is infrequent that you'll find them with the proper background. Don't forget, for every shot you see, there could be dozens of cels, but there is only one background. So, you'll often find cels that have been placed against a variety of random, non-matching backgrounds that came from shots of things like hands or running feet, whose cels would likely be unsellable.

I am wondering if a sword would be placed in Ken's hand at that time as well.

By looking at Ken's belt, you'll notice that the holster on the right side of the belt is from Gatchaman II, so the Gatchaman Fencer would not have come into play. Had it been a publicity cel from Gatchaman Fighter, and had they wished to include the Gatchaman Fencer in the shot, it would have been drawn into the image from the start, which is how it is in the Gatchaman Fighter production cels I have. In the production of the show, the only reason they would have put the Gatchaman Fencer on separate cels would have been if the Gatchaman Fencer was moving, but Ken was not, allowing them to animate the weapon without having to redraw Ken in each cel. James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan By looking at Ken's belt, you'll notice that the holster on the right side of the belt is from Gatchaman II, so the Gatchaman Fencer would not have come into play. had it been a publicity cel from Gatchaman Fighter, and had they wished to include the Gatchaman Fencer in the shot, it would have been drawn into the image from the start, which is how it is in the Gatchaman Fighter production cels I have. In the production of the show, the only reason they would have put the Gatchaman Fencer on separate cels would have been if the Gatchaman Fencer was moving, but Ken was not, allowing them to animate the weapon without having to redraw Ken in each cel. James

Thank you for all that information James. You must have a really spectacular collection. Maybe the next time I am out your way visiting TJ I can make a visit to you as well to get a glimpse of some of your "stuff." I do not know Gatch Fighter or Gatch II well enough to be able to tell the difference, as of yet. If I were to be honest, in my mind they are the same show,*** thus my mistake in thinking Ken could be carrying a sword. ***Although I do know there are differences when I think about it, I tend to clump them together as "not" the Gatch I know. I know, bad me, but I am still trying to figure out the differences between Gatch I and BOTP, given time and I may be able to work in another series as well.

Hi all!

You must have a really spectacular collection. Maybe the next time I am out your way visiting TJ I can make a visit to you as well to get a glimpse of some of your "stuff."

I'll just have to randomly grab a few boxes and let you two dig through them. That could easily fill a few hours!

I do not know Gatch Fighter or Gatch II well enough to be able to tell the difference, as of yet. If I were to be honest, in my mind they are the same show,*** thus my mistake in thinking Ken could be carrying a sword.

I became acutely aware of things like the holsters on their belts when I started trying to identify exactly which series the random cels I found for sale were from. With the holsters being different in all three series, they're a good marker. Ken and Jinpei's visors are another good thing to look for, since they were different colors in the first series than they were for the second and third series. Of course, nothing beats simply recognizing the cel, but you can't always be that lucky! James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all!

You must have a really spectacular collection. Maybe the next time I am out your way visiting TJ I can make a visit to you as well to get a glimpse of some of your "stuff."

I'll just have to randomly grab a few boxes and let you two dig through them. That could easily fill a few hours! James

Well if you are GRABBING random boxes I might just decide to grab them and run off with them. I wonder if I could convince the Condor to make himself available on the day I go to visit you ... just to keep me covered during my escape. Of course I might have to be careful, Barrdwing might abscond with him while I was looking through your collection.

Hi all!

Well if you are GRABBING random boxes I might just decide to grab them and run off with them.

Looking through and enjoying things is okay. "Borrowing" without asking is not. Tsk, tsk, and here you are, a role model for children... James

Opppsss I should have thought about that before I posted the piccies, I was a bit excited....but then he might have got some bids out of it. Oh I should read the rest of the posts before jumping to conclusions...

[quote]Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all! As for the cels themselves, they are either publicity or mass market cels, not actually production cels. I say this because I actually own duplicates of both of those cels. Like those in the auction, the cels possess neither peg holes nor cut numbers along the top. [QUOTE] That's correct, that image is not placed against a background. Even with production cels, if they come with a background, it is infrequent that you'll find them with the proper background. Don't forget, for every shot you see, there could be dozens of cels, but there is only one background. So, you'll often find cels that have been placed against a variety of random, non-matching backgrounds that came from shots of things like hands or running feet, whose cels would likely be unsellable. [QUOTE] James, so if a film strip has the holes along with a 4 digit number on one end, would that make it an original? There is also a 74-AJ and the words Fuji color N6 on the other side of the strip.

Hi all!

James, so if a film strip has the holes along with a 4 digit number on one end, would that make it an original? There is also a 74-AJ and the words Fuji color N6 on the other side of the strip.

A film strip is a completely different animal than a cel. A cel being part of the production process that goes into making an animated production (Specifically an individual piece of artwork on a transparent piece of cel luloid (Hence the abbreviation "cel") that, when viewed in a sequence with a number of other pieces of art that have a similar image showing the subject in a slightly different pose from the others, gives the illusion of movement) and the film strip being the end result of that production (When the various cels are placed against a background and photographed in sequence onto motion picture film, resulting in a strip of film that, when projected, becomes an animated movie). A film strip has holes so it can run through the sprockets of a film projector, while a cel has peg holes to make certain all the cels in a sequence are properly aligned when they are photographed in order to make the animation smooth. The numbers and other printed material along the edges of a film strip provide information such as the film's manufacturer, model number, and batch number, while the numbers on a cel designate which specific shot in a film the cel is from, and which spot in the sequence for that shot the cel belongs. I hope this helps! James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all!

Well if you are GRABBING random boxes I might just decide to grab them and run off with them.

Looking through and enjoying things is okay. "Borrowing" without asking is not. Tsk, tsk, and here you are, a role model for children... James

But of course it is ALWAYS do what I SAY not what I do. After all that is why I end up sitting on desks in class while telling my students not to do it. Of course if I got hurt then that is my own stupid mistake, but if they got hurt falling off the desk I am the one to blame (even though they did it after me telling them not to) That is the problem with kids they never listen, they always have to do the opposite of what an adult tells them. *sorry Rant over*

James, your knowledge never ceases to amaze me!Thanks for all the great info on the different Gatch version cels (holster types for identification) and the detailed explaination between cels and film strip frames. I would love to get my hands on a cel from the series (preferably Gatch, but any will do!). Maybe someday, if the extra $$ ever presented itself to me!

My B/H keeps telling me it's film... I just never imprint into my mind.

Hi all!

That is the problem with kids they never listen, they always have to do the opposite of what an adult tells them.

That's because they all possess a special filter that changes everything into "Do as you want, not what I say."

I would love to get my hands on a cel from the series (preferably Gatch, but any will do!).

For many, many years, getting a first series cel was one of those Holy Grail items for me, and it took until the late 1990s to finally track one down. Thankfully, I've found a decent selection of them since then. Second and third series cels are definitely easier to find, mostly because Tatsunoko had a system set up to sell their old cels by the time those series were airing, something they didn't have when the first series aired.

My B/H keeps telling me it's film... I just never imprint into my mind.

When compared directly, the two are unmistakably different. Here is a cel: And here is a film strip: Probably part of what has added to the confusion you have had between the two is the annoying fact that, over the last 15 years or so, numerous manufacturers have sold film strips from popular science fiction movies in nice display cases, and have usually referred to them as cels. Yes, they're made of celluloid, but they're not cels! James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all!

That is the problem with kids they never listen, they always have to do the opposite of what an adult tells them.

That's because they all possess a special filter that changes everything into "Do as you want, not what I say." James

LOL I am going to have to remember that one and mention it to my Principal. He has probably heard that before but it is always good to have reminders - especially these last few days of school where we could do with a laugh because the kids are getting so "high" with thoughts of summer break.

Yes, mine is def. a film strip, though I like the subject on your slightly better.

Whta an Angsty Condor shot!!! Its interesting to see the details in the Artwork. Thanks Tats

Well if you are GRABBING random boxes I might just decide to grab them and run off with them. I wonder if I could convince the Condor to make himself available on the day I go to visit you ... just to keep me covered during my escape. Of course I might have to be careful, Barrdwing might abscond with him while I was looking through your collection.

Naah, I'd stick with James. The Condor would just have to sprain himself laughing as I raced after you screeching like one of our chickens and snatching at the boxes.

LOL And I would be laughing right along beside him so I guess you would not have far to run to catch me.

I found this on ebay Australia. It's region 1 and 600 minutes of DVD. Any takers?

Cheaper than the same thing on Amazon.com, which was about $100 (American). If I'm remembering correctly. After all, it was rather early when I saw it. I was purchasing the Hofius book, and looked around a bit. They have the first volume of BotP, NEW, for $70. Used ones command a more reasonable price. I'm not that interested. Unless I can get the whole set, and there are some interesting extras (and not just couplings with 'G-Force' and 'Gatchaman').

Hi all!

Unless I can get the whole set, and there are some interesting extras (and not just couplings with 'G-Force' and 'Gatchaman').

Then look for the 5-box Australian release. Australia and the U.K. are the only places where the entire series was released on DVD, and the Australian sets have a vastly superior selection of extras. James

And would they play on an American DVD player? What sort of extras? (When/if I get some bills paid down, I just might splurge.)

What I would love to know is how I can convert other region DVD's so I can watch them on my DVD player.

No - they won't work on US DVD players as they are region 4. You would need to have a region free player. The extras include cast interviews, some episodes of Gatch, G-Force & Eagle Riders and the Witch Racer episode (can't remember the BotP name) with an audio commentary by Janet Waldo and Ronnie Schell (interestingly, Ronnie says that he had never actually watch the series until then and had become a fan as a result!). They also have virtually the whole of Jason Hofius' BotP book - not surprising as he is listed as one of the producers of the set. Ebay Australia (www.ebay.com.au) always has copies, but you can buy them direct from Madman (www.madman.com.au) who put them out.

Hi all!

And would they play on an American DVD player?

On a standard, off-the-shelf player? No. The discs are Region 4, and won't play in North American Region 1 players without that player being modified to be code free. You might check online to see if there is a way to easily modify your player, since some players can be modified simply by going through the proper steps with your remote control. If you have a DVD player on your computer, you might consider checking to see if that can be modified as well.

What sort of extras?

Here a breakdown of the extras, mostly taken from the Madman site (They have Vol.'s 2~5. Vol. 1 has sold out): Vol. 1 ...episode comparisons between the first episodes of Battle of the Planets, G-Force and Gatchaman (subtitled in English), alternate and rare versions of episodes, a video interview with Casey Kasem, vintage promotional spots, model sheet galleries, art galleries Vol. 2 Extras include: Alternate Episodes, Ronnie Schell Interview, Character profiles & Galleries, Vehicle & Weapons Profiles, Art Galleries, Ronnie Schell biography, Madman Previews and featuring exclusive artwork by Alex Ross Vol. 3 Merchandise gallery, Janet Waldo Interview, Character Profiles & Galleries, Vehicle & Weapons Profiles, Art Galleries, Janet Waldo Biography, Opening Titles Comparison, Alternate Music Pieces, Artwork by Alex Ross Vol. 4 Merchandise Gallery, Alan Young Interview, Character Profiles & Galleries, Vehicle & Weapons Profiles, Art Galleries, Alan Young Biography, Artwork by Alex Ross, Interview with Campbell Smith Vol. 5 Merchandise Gallery, Alan Dinehart interview, Character profiles and Galleries, Vehicle and Weapons profiles, Art Galleries, Alan Dinehart Biography, Jameson Brewer interview James

I use a program called Clone DVD and a program called AnyDVD. AnyDVD will play any DVD (as its name implies) on your computer. This includes ones in other regions. Clone DVD will copy other region DVDs into a region-free format which will then fork on your regular DVD player. So I have the Australian sets, but I watch them on my regular DVD player using these DVDs. http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvd.html http://www.slysoft.com/en/clonedvd.html Unfortunately, these are PC programs, but I'm sure there are similar Mac programs out there.

I am not sure.... maybe I will have to bring my British DVD out to you when I visit this summer so we can copy it. I would love to get the Australian sets for myself. I may have to put in an order through the site Maddy recommended.

If anybody wants, I get regular ebay updates from ebay Aust on BotP and Gatchaman. I'll post here when the Aussie box sets come up - especially No. 1 since Madman has sold out of it. And thanks for those links Springie. My region free DVD player is good, but is a bit of a pain to use. Be good if I can convert my outisde region ones to play on my normal DVD player.

Erm...uh...that was TJ who gave you the links, Maddy...but I'm glad I could be of service! LOL

Happy to help you out, CD and Maddy!

Ooo, Springie! Love your new avatar! Not sure why, not being a Swannie and all... something just speaks to me

Springie always does wonderful sexy Swannie pics. And seeing as she likes to use green for her, Springie's got a beautiful bevy of St. Patrick's Day pics.

I agree, Springie! That's a great avatar you've got there! You really know how to make the Swan picture perfect in all her glory!

Thanks, green, TJ and Gatchamarie! Yes, TJ is right...I have a bunch of Swannie St. Pat's pics...green *is* her color, after all... Guess we need a new St. Pat's thread, huh? And green...I think it's speaking to you b/c there is so much...green in the pic...LOL

Uh huh, and I'm getting thoughts of the Condor with a lot of green 'wrapped' around him.... Damn, I'm supposed to be getting ready for work! COFFEE! I need COFFEE!!!

If you are looking for the Top Cow comics there is an Aussie seller on Ebay selling with set of 12 for $19.99 Aussie. See them here

Thanks for the link Maddy. If I did not have to pay the $12 plus dollars on top for shipping it might be something I would consider - just to get them. Maybe some day .....

Ebay Australia has the Alex Ross Battle of the Planets ARt Book for $13.27. Postage is incredibly reasonable as well. Alex Ross book on Ebay