Well ... I wouldn't look at it like it's *Taro* 
who is trying to take advantage of GW fans in 
regards to the OP cels. ^^  I am sure Taro had to 
pay a very high price for them. Therefore the 
price they are asking is going to reflect that. 
To me, OP cels are worth paying extra for - they 
are very highly sought after by many collectors. 
Personally, I don't collect GW - but I did 
recently pay close to the prices of these for a 
DBZ OP cel, and I don't feel that I was taken 
advantage of at all. I was allowed a bit of extra 
time to pay for it, since it was over 1000.00 
(Thank you Stephen!! ^^;;) and I adore it. :)

DBZ and GW are both extremely popular in auctions 
at Yahoo Japan now, and the people Taro purchases 
from know it, so they are having to pay a higher 
price too. Doesn't make it any easier to see the 
escalating prices, I know - but it really is all 
about supply and demand as so many others have 
said.  The mechs that you brought up were 
cheaper, true - but they usually don't command 
the prices of the pilots themselves overall .. 
not that I've seen anyway. (Like I said, I don't 
collect GW - but I do love the show and have been 
watching the prices) 

Anyway.. just my random thoughts. ^^

Sheri