Grading & Authentication
Our grading system evaluates anime production materials on condition, authenticity, and provenance.
Grade Scale
Supreme
Perfect condition with no visible flaws.
Near Mint
Essentially perfect. Minor age-consistent wear only.
Excellent
Very minor flaws that do not detract from the piece.
Very Fine
Small imperfections visible on close inspection. Presents beautifully.
Fine
Light wear consistent with age. Paint and linework fully intact.
Very Good
Moderate wear consistent with age and use. Still presents well.
Good
Notable wear. Some paint lifting or foxing possible.
Above Average
Visible wear throughout, but better preserved than most surviving examples of its era.
Average
Wear typical of surviving production materials of its era. Remains collectible.
Below Average
Significant wear or damage. Lower collectible value.
Authentication Process
Authentication is performed by CEL Grading staff with expertise in anime production history. Each submission is evaluated against known production records, studio documentation, and physical characteristics of the era.
Authenticated items receive a certificate number and are marked with an "AU" badge in the archive. If it is believed that the item is authentic but it cannot be production-matched, it will be marked "UV" Unverified. This designation does not mean the item is inauthentic, but that we cannot definitively say it is.
Unverified items are not encapsulated. Each one still receives a certificate number and a catalog entry, but it is returned to you unencapsulated, its grading fee is refunded to your account as site credit, and it is posted to our Bounty board so the community can help identify it. If a bounty is solved, we email you so you can send the item back in to be graded against the new research and encapsulated.
Submissions are not yet open to the public. Authentication services will be available in a future update. If you have materials you'd like to discuss, please reach out directly.