Hajime no Ippo – Makunouchi Ippo and Trainers – Original Production Cel + Matching Background + Douga + Timing Sheet + Studio Envelope (Madhouse)

This original production cel set comes from the legendary boxing anime Hajime no Ippo, produced by Studio Madhouse.

In the foreground we see the back of Makunouchi Ippo as he faces his trainers, the iconic duo Genji Kamogawa and Ginpachi Nekota, standing beside the ring. The composition is particularly striking thanks to the strong perspective created by the boxing ropes crossing the frame and guiding the eye toward the characters.

What makes this piece especially compelling is its layered construction. The cel features multiple animation elements, including the character layer, the ring ropes, and a beautifully painted original background depicting the wooden interior of the gym. The result is a scene with remarkable depth and spatial composition, typical of the cinematic staging used throughout the series.

The set also includes the original douga drawings, timing sheet and the studio envelope from Madhouse, providing valuable production context and further confirming the authenticity of the artwork.

Animation cels such as this were used during the filming process of traditional hand-painted anime. Each cel was photographed frame by frame over a background to create the final moving image seen on screen.

A beautiful example of classic 2000s anime production art from one of the most beloved sports series ever created.