The ORIOGI Certificate of Authenticity
Every cel or background we certify has been examined directly and tested using professional inspection tools. The certificate records those findings in detail — there’s no automated approval or casual opinion involved.
Why we issue COAs
A COA from ORIOGI confirms that a piece was used in production and that its materials, structure, and markings match the era and studio claimed. It isn’t a marketing tag or investment guarantee; it’s documentation of what the artwork truly is.
How we verify authenticity
Verification covers three areas:
- Physical build – how the cel is made, how it has aged, and how it fits known studio standards.
- Scientific checks – use of optical and spectral tools to confirm paint, lines, and plastic composition.
- Context – the scene, numbering, and peg layout compared against reference material and known studio methods.
Only pieces that satisfy all three are certified.
Tools we've invested in and use:
Jeweller’s loupe (10–20×)
Reveals the physical structure of ink lines and paint edges. Genuine xerox or hand-inked lines show raised texture, pigment grain, and small variations that printing cannot replicate.
Microscope camera (30–60×)
Used for close photography of line quality, pigment layering, and any restoration or re-inking.
UV light (365 nm)
Highlights modern pigments, adhesives, or optical brighteners that fluoresce under ultraviolet. Period studio paints usually remain neutral.
Spectrometer
Reads the reflected colour spectrum from the paint surface. Detects modern synthetic dyes that don’t match historical pigment curves. Fully non-destructive and surface-only.
Cold light table
Allows us to check transparency, registration, and residue without heating or warping the acetate.
Precision calipers and field rulers
These tools are to measure peg spacing, field size, and cel thickness to fractions of a millimetre. Studios had specific tolerances and deviations reveal later reproductions.
All inspections are visual or optical. Nothing ever contacts or alters the paint layer.
What else we check
- Studio markings (A1, B3, cut numbers, and scene codes)
- Peg type and spacing (Disney Acme, Toei B4, etc.)
- Alignment between cel and background if present
- Expected ageing of acetate and paint
- Any restoration or re-inking evidence
- Provenance notes when available
If a piece fails to meet these standards, it is not certified.
What the certificate includes
The ORIOGI certificate applies to the complete artwork as sold, whether a single cel, Key Master Setup, or cel paired with an original or archival background reproduction, gengas, dougas etc. All verified components are documented in our registry whilst giving the most essential details on each certificate to accurately represent the full contents of the lot. What we document either on the certificate or in our registry:
- Production title and studio
- Approximate year or era
- Scene or cut number
- Field size, peg type, and measured dimensions
- Summary of verification tools used
- Notes on paint or line condition
- Date of inspection and initials
- Embossed ORIOGI seal and red Hanko stamp
- Unique serial number for your purchase
The certificate is the formal record of verification. As previously disclosed, ORIOGI also maintains a secure internal log, including all inspection notes, verification details, and reference photographs, allowing us to confirm authenticity at any time if questions ever arise.
Replacements and updates
If a COA is lost or damaged, we can reissue it after confirming the artwork through our internal photo record. Replacements are marked duplicate with the new issue date.
Ownership changes don’t affect validity, the certificate follows the artwork, not the person.
What we don’t certify
We never issue COAs for:
- Printed or sericel reproductions
- Decorative replicas
- Pieces examined only via photos
- Works showing modern materials or repainting
If evidence is unclear, we decline certification. It’s better to be certain than generous.
Why this matters
Animation cels are fragile pieces of working history. The tools and time we invest in verification exist to protect that history and the collectors who keep it alive.
An ORIOGI COA means one thing only, the piece was created for the screen, painted by hand, and confirmed through direct, instrument-based inspection.
