ed shape information and the pixel coded data obtained by the coding of the pixel information are generated. Therefore, the coding process for the image signal having no shape information obtained by taking a picture of a natural image or the like can be performed, with making the most of the features of MPEG0 principally executing the coding process in object units, i.e., by separating a desired object (an image of a specific area) in the natural image from another area. According to a 0th aspect of the present invention, in the image coding method of the 0st aspect, 