Birth (バース, Kaname Production/Idol, 1984): Hand-Painted Production Cel of Arlia on Copy Background

Birth (バース, Kaname Production/Idol, 1984): Hand-Painted Production Cel of Arlia on Copy Background
A stunning original production cel featuring Arlia, the mysterious and ethereal spirit who guides the heroes through the surreal sci-fi labyrinth of Birth — also known as Planet Busters in its various English releases. This expressive cel captures Arlia in a beautifully poised moment, layered over a copy background that evokes the desolate, post-organic dreamscape of Aqualoid, the ruined planet on which the story unfolds.

Directed by Shinya Sadamitsu, with character designs and animation direction by Yoshinori Kanada, Birth is an animator’s playground — a kinetic odyssey of visual invention. Arlia, often described as a “pretty ghost,” embodies the metaphysical heart of the film: a being of light caught between the cosmic conflict of Organics and Inorganics.

This cel is a rare artifact from a legendary OVA, famous for its animation pedigree: the legendary Hideaki Anno (Evangelion) worked on it as a young animator, alongside other early Gainax talents. With motion and design reminiscent of Nausicaä, Angel’s Egg, and Genma Taisen, Birth stands out as a bizarre, beautiful one-off from the golden era of experimental anime.

The background copy complements the cel wonderfully, showcasing Arlia’s spectral presence in a world both alien and familiar. The soft color tones and fluidity of the character design are emblematic of Kaname Production’s unique aesthetic — expressive, playful, and full of energy.

A must-have for fans of vintage anime, cel art, and the untamed creativity of the 1980s OVA boom. This piece isn’t just a collectible — it’s a portal into one of the most imaginative, motion-driven works ever animated.