Christie’s Will Host Anime Auction This October
The auction house will feature 130 lots of rare anime and manga artwork in New York.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Comic Books
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Christie's will hold its second Anime Starts Here auction in New York this October 2026. The event features approximately 130 lots and follows a successful inaugural sale held in March.
Why it matters
The auction builds on the momentum of the inaugural March 2026 event, which saw strong interest from younger collectors. It highlights a growing institutional market for rare anime and manga memorabilia.
The October auction includes roughly 130 lots estimated to bring in between $344,350 and $523,200. This follows a March event where 90% of lots sold and Sailor Moon artwork reached $88,900.
The players
Christie's
This British fine arts auction house is one of the world's oldest and most prominent venues for the sale of luxury goods and collectibles.
The details
The upcoming collection will be available for in-person viewing at Christie's New York galleries to provide potential bidders an opportunity to inspect the items. Online bidding for these assets is scheduled to take place throughout the middle of the month.
Timeline
March 2026: Christie's held the first Anime Starts Here auction.
Oct. 8-10, 2026: New York Comic Con occurs at the Javits Center.
Oct. 8-12, 2026: Auction items will be on view in New York.
Oct. 9-22, 2026: Online bidding for the auction will occur.
Culture Shift
This auction reflects the broader shift of major institutions tapping into the rising purchasing power of Millennials and Gen Z buyers. By moving into anime and manga, the art market is evolving to meet the nostalgic and cultural preferences of a new generation of high-end collectors.
New York residents can visit the Christie's galleries in person to view the auction items prior to the bidding process. The event overlaps with New York Comic Con, creating a dense week of programming for local enthusiasts and collectors.
The takeaway
Collectors should note that the market for anime artwork has shown high demand, with the first auction successfully clearing 90% of available lots. Prospective bidders should monitor the online auction platform closely as it remains open for several weeks.
Further reading
Discover more about the evolving market for collectibles in the Comic Books section.
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