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| The second part of the of the Limited 3000 set |
For the release of Carddass part 3 in November of 1989, Jump followed up the first limited 3000 card with another prize card event in Weekly Shonen Jump. This time the lucky
selected winners were awarded a full set of 6 prism cards! This set was
called the "Part 3 release commemoration limited n2" (3弾発売記念限定第2 in
Japanese).
Below is a picture that has surfaced thanks to a seller on Yahoo
Auctions Japan, revealing what the original prize announcement looked
like. The instructions were to fill out the little box on the upper left
section (cut out by the owner) with one's name and address. By doing
so, the owner of the set below was selected as one of lucky winners.
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| On the bottom left Kami sama says "I want those", and Goku replies "indeed!" ^^ |
On the upper left of the picture is part of the list of successful
candidates who won the prize, including their name and region of Japan
they lived in. Also included on the bottom left is the envelope in which
the cards came in (a similar envelope was used for later limited cards
as well).
Following in the footsteps of the first limited card, these cards too
are numbered after letters in the Greek alphabet. Where as the first
limited card started with the last letter of the alphabet, for the
second set of 6 cards they started from the beginning of the alphabet:
alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta (or α β γ δ ε ζ).
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| Limited 3000 card "alpha" |
Card number "alpha" depicts Son Goku and friends dressed in garbs inspired by "Journey to the West" (the edge text refers to such). The Chinese legend of a hero called Sun Wukong that served as an influence to Toriyama for creating Dragon Ball in the first place!
Of course Son Goku is dressed as Son Goku from the tale. Piccolo, Kuririn, and Gohan are dressed as other characters from "Journey to the West".
The bottom box reads: "What is the secret of these 6 special cards?"
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| Limited 3000 cards "beta" & "gamma" |
Card number "beta" and "gamma" form a pair. These are often just referred to as the Goku and Vegeta cards. Featuring Son Goku and Vegeta in their iconic stances during their first fight, these illustrations come straight out of the manga.
These are two of my personal favorite cards, also worth noting that individually these two are harder to find than the other four in the set, for understandable reasons.
The lower box of the Goku card reads: "It seems in Part 4 a powerful enemy will appear.". The box on the Vegeta card talks about how combined with the infinity card (the first limited card) will give bonuses when playing the card game (+200 BP).
The edge captions read: "Here comes the last decisive battle!", and "Let's go Kakarot!". Classic!
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| Limited 3000 card "delta" |
Card number "delta" depicts everyone heading off for adventure in space. Another wonderful and delightful group illustration. Notice how even Umigame (the turtle) is in a spacesuit!
The bottom text box reads: "Vegeta revives in the recovery tank! Who will get their hands on the Super Dragon Balls!"
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| Limited 3000 cards "zeta" & "epsylon" |
Card "zeta" and "epsylon" form another pair, with each having an icon for 左 and 右 (left & right) in the icon boxes. When displayed together they display a long single panoramic scene as shown above.
The lower boxes of both cards state bonuses relating to the card game (when the two cards are combined they will provide total power x3).
Edge on the zeta card reads: "At any time, and at any place, ZENKAI power!".
The illustration features most of the cast of Son
Goku's friends and family up to this point. There's a beautiful
gradation in the sky, and a great sense of adventure!
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| Part 3 Release Commemoration Limited 3000 cards |
The second set is of 6 cards only came out a few months after the first, but Carddass cards were growing at a very rapid rate. As such these are somewhat more in circulation than the first limited card. They are still incredibly rare, and nowadays very expensive.
Like with the first Limited 3000 card, all 6 of the illustrations on these cards were colored by Akira Toriyama himself, unlike most cards which used digital coloring. These 7 Limited 3000 cards would be the only limited cards featuring illustrations from the Saiyajin arc of Dragon Ball Z.
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| Part 3 Release Commemoration Limited 3000 cards back |
The back of the second limited cards are the same as the back of cards Bandai started using with Carddass part 3 (meaning no more gold particles). Just like with the Limited 3000 number 1, the production year is omitted on the back.
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| Part 3 Release Commemoration Limited 3000 cards |
These illustrations can also be found in Dragon Ball art
collection books including the amazing 30th anniversary artbook. Some of
the illustrations can also be found in the full color manga as
postcards attached at the back of certain manga volumes.
The Limited 3000 first and second set limited cards are most special,
and are beloved Dragon Ball Carddass cards for their great style and
their significance in Carddass history.
For anyone looking for the pictures used some years ago, they can be found here.
