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| The Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project Carddass set |
In February of 1993 Jump started one of the biggest Dragon Ball related events called the Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project (鳥山明めちゃんこプロジェクト in Japanese). The project featured many potential rewards, but to Carddass fans the ultimate prize was a limited set of 10 prisms cards given exclusively to 2000 lucky winners.
Unlike the first and second limited gift cards that were won through a lottery system, the Mechanko Project cards were won through the magazine contest phase called Shijou Battle (誌上バトル). A long and challenging 50 multiple answer questionnaire in which each question had five potential answers to chose from.
For more information, as well translations of the entire Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project questionnaire, please refer to the page on the subject: The introduction to the Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project questionnaire.
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| The Mechanko Project cards presented in an unfinished form from the pages of Jump |
At the time of the announcement this set was simply referred to as a "Jump original super limited Carddass" set, but later became officially recognized as the "Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project Carddass" set (as seen in 1995's Daizenshuu Perfect File volume 1). Mechanko is Nagoya dialect and can translate to "extreme" for those wondering where the name came from.
Back from when I was in school in the mid 90's, at least in my school, we called them "the Cell games limited cards". Outside Japan these cards are sometimes referred to as the Limited 2000 cards. Ultimately the most commonly used name is the "Mechanko Project" cards, an abbreviation of the full title.
As a child I had classmates that had several cards from this set, I was lucky enough to have acquired a majority of the set through trades at school. They often circulate incomplete because presumably this happened quite often. Children would end up trading some of these cards for other rare cards (or what we felt was rare in those days).
The Mechanko Project cards were distributed after the release of Carddass part 14, and before the release of part 15. The Cell Saga was reaching its climax, and the last two cards in this set would become the very first to feature Son Gohan in his incredible Super Saiyajin 2 form (later part 15 would include two more iconic SS2 Gohan cards!).
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| Mechanko Project card number I "Son Goku" |
The first card, number I ("TORI" in the scouter box) features several Son Goku illustrations. At the center Son Goku is shown smiling while doing a double peace sign in a tuxedo! In the upper left is a younger Goku flying on Kintouun with the Nyoibou in his hand, while the right side has SS Goku in SD (Super deformed) doing a Kamehameha!
This card is notorious for being among the most difficult to find individually. The card mistakenly reads "Son Goku & Gohan", an error that was also in the Jump issue promoting the contest.
The bottom box reads: "Dragon Ball Special Carddass". The edge of the card reads: "I'll become even stronger!!".
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| Mechanko Project card number II "Son Goku" (written in gold) |
Card number II ("YAMA" in the scouter box) shows Super Saiyajin Son Goku during his fight against Cell during the Cell games. A nice and elegant illustration.
A large area of the card is black in non prism coating, as a result this card is a bit infamous among fussy collectors for potentially attracting flaws.
The lower box reads: "Goku's desperate great counterattack! Can he inflict damage to Cell!?" The edge of the card reads: "Time for a decision!!!".
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| Mechanko Project card number III "Decisive Battle" |
Card number III ("AKIRA" in the scouter box) is a majestic group illustration centered around Cell, with his opponents minus Goku featured around him). One of my favorite cards in the set!
There aren't many group cards with this many characters presented so gracefully as in this brilliant illustration. Like most cards of this set the artwork comes from the full page chapter illustrations published in the manga.
The lower box reads: "Sudden surrender of Goku! Who in the world has more power than Goku!?". The edge of the card reads: "Who will follow next!?".
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| Mechanko Project card number IV "Son Gohan" |
Card number IV ("ME" in the scouter box) features several Son Gohan illustrations. At the center is SS Gohan during his fight with Cell. The three other representing Gohan at different ages during different arcs of Dragon Ball. The first being prior to Raditz' arrival, the second during the fight against Nappa and Vegeta, and the third during the fights on planet Namek.
This is a magnificent card with a great choice of colors. I really like how it shows us Gohan's evolution in a very exquisite and fresh manner. Also notice the special blue Dragon Ball logo!
The lower box reads: "Gohan's major change!! Use that tremendous battle power to knock down Cell!!". The edge of the card reads: "Takeoff! Super Son Gohan".
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| Mechanko Project card number V "Son Gohan" |
Card number V ("CHANKO" in the scouter box) features SS Son Gohan again. This time at the instant right before he transformed into SS2 Gohan in his fight against Cell. A very confident Cell is shown on the left side of the card smirking.
It's a little hard to see, but Vegeta, Tenshinhan, Yamcha, Piccolo, and other Z fighters are in the background!
The bottom box reads: "Will Gohan's anger explode! And will Cell experience true fear!?". The edge of the card repeatedly displays the 怒 (character for rage) as a sound of anger.
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| Mechanko Project card number VI "Family" |
Card number VI ("P" in the scouter box) features Chichi, Gohan, and Goku, riding in a car together. A memory of peaceful days from some point in time prior to Raditz' arrival on Earth.
The bottom box reads: "Gohan's desperate cry dissipated in the empty sky. Where is this desperate battle heading!?". The edge reads: "Remembering those nostalgic and happy days".
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| Mechanko Project card number VII "Cell Jr" |
Card number VII ("RO" in the scouter box) features the Cell Jr’s being both menacing and playful. A very charming card and the only Carddass prism exclusively featuring Cell Jr. Undeniably very special!
Some years ago this used to be one of the hardest cards to find in the set. Several collectors mentioned it as being the last card that completed their set (including artist Youngjijii). It remains one of the rarer cards.
The bottom box reads: "Despite being small, terrifying fighting power!! What is their true strength!?". The edge of the card reads: "The hell of Cell Jr’s".
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| Mechanko Project card number VIII "Z Fighters" |
Card number VIII ("JE" in the scouter box) features Yamcha, Tenshinan, Krillin, Piccolo, Trunks, Vegeta, and Goku. All tired and inured from their fights with Cell Jr’s, and all in awe over Gohan's astonishing transformation into Super Saiyajin 2!
Another one my favorite cards in the set. I really like the combination of many emotions and the great use of colors. Wonderful!
The lower box reads: "That anger that even burns the heavens! It’s the true power of Gohan who exceeded the critical point!!". The edge reads: "The savior!! His name is Gohan".
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| Mechanko Project card number IX "Son Gohan" (written in gold) |
Card number IX ("C" in the scouter box) features SS2 Gohan immediately after his epic transformation during his fight against Cell. Cell reacts to this with a concerned and upset expression. Another classic moment expressed with great style and colors through a wonderful card!
I've found that this is often one of the favorite cards of collectors in Japan. Understandably!
The bottom box reads: "Gohan's ki of infinite power erased the calmness from Cell's face!!". The edge of the card essentially reads: "Full power vs full power".
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| Mechanko Project card number X "Son Gohan" |
Card number X ("T" in the scouter box) features SS2 Gohan dashing forwards, with Cell looking very distressed. Son Goku observes calmly with a serious expression. Featuring a special green Dragon Ball logo, and a red/white diagonal gradient background, this is a highlight card in the set and one of my absolute favorites as a little child!
Similarly to card number I, this has become well-known for being one of the most expensive and sought after cards. The lower box reads: "Half of Cell's body is blown away by Gohan's super oversized Kamehameha.". The edge of the card reads: "Cornered Cell".
As you can see from the different readings in the scouter boxes of each card, when the full set are put together they read "Akira Toriyama Mechanko Project"!
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| Back of the Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project Carddass cards |
Cards number I, IV, and X have the distinction of having been gorgeously colored by Toriyama himself, as was also the case with all the cards from the first and second Limited 3000 cards, as well as the Over 1 Billion Carddass Commemoration limited 6000 cards. The remainder use beautiful digital coloring as was the norm for most Carddass prism cards.
The illustrations on cards number II, III, V, VI, VIII, and IX can also be found on the Visual Adventure Special metallic cards, the Visual Adventure Special Asian version prisms, and the Carddass Special prism card set.
As a complete set, the Mechanko Project cards
have become the most valuable and most sought after item in all
Carddass according to recent online sales and the purchase offers by stores
such as Mandarake.
The Mechanko Project remains most significant and constantly in demand, both due to its history and for being a part of a beloved era of Dragon Ball. This is a legendary collection of cards, and it stands up there among the most treasured of all Dragon Ball cards.
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| The Toriyama Akira Mechanko Project Carddass cards |
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