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| Tokubetsudan B-course Limited Trading card |
In September of 1997 Bandai released the final part of Dragon Ball Carddass cards, the Tokubetsudan (特別弾 in Japanese), which literally means "special part". It was meant to finalize both the mainline Carddass series, and the Super Battle series.
For more information on the Tokubetsudan part please read the introduction to the Tokubetsudan A-course n82 card here.
The Tokubetsudan was officially introduced as a fusion between the two iconic series. The designs on the front of the cards were mainly based on the designs used in the Super Battle series (with some mainline Carddass design influences). As a result it's more commonly associated with the Super Battle series, but the Tokubetsudan can be regarded as both Carddass part 31, and Super Battle part 21.
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| Both Tokubetsudan backing paper variants for use in vending machines (from an auction listing) |
Alongside the release of this very special part was also the announcement of a final contest to win one of two limited gift cards. The way it was described on the Carddass machine backing paper was as follows:
The Greatest Carddass campaign ever!
Fill out the empty circle(s) on the official postcard, and send it in with your name, address, age, and desired course! Then please send to the address below (followed by said address).
Course A (Aコース): A not for sale Dragon Ball carddass given to all applicants!
Course B (Bコース): A not for sale Dragon Ball Trading Card given by lottery to 1000 individuals!
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| Tokubetsudan B-course Limited Trading card back |
The campaign ran from September 15 to December 5 of 1997. When the campaign ended a lottery was carried out selecting 1000 winners. Those who selected course B and won were sent this very cool Limited Trading Card!
The reason the card is referred to as a trading card has to do with the
format of the card, the "trading card" format (very
slightly bigger and with straighter
angles instead of rounded angles). Please checkout RetroballZ's chart for a comparison.
The back of the card indicates it was printed in 1998 and features a monochrome Shenron with "Dragon Ball Carddass Special Issue Premium Card" written all in caps. Very elegant back in my opinion.
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| Tokubetsudan B-course Limited Trading card - Son Goku's name uses a golden print |
The front of the card features Son Goku from different time periods in Dragon Ball. From his appearance as a child from early Dragon Ball all the way to SS4 Goku from Dragon Ball GT. Son Goku's name is printed on a special golden box that protects the card from being easily replicated.
I really like the attention to detail, with all 7 Dragon Balls spread around the illustration (with the last one above Son Goku's name). SS4 Goku is preparing a Kamehamea with beams of light spreading all around. 23rd Tenkaichi Budoukai era Goku even brought his Nyoibou. SS Goku's pose is perfect, and Young Goku is dashing forward on Kintouun. So much nostalgia!
Later in 1998 V-Jump magazine offered their readers a chance to win an additional 100 of the B-Course Limited Trading card, again by lottery, resulting in the card having 1100 made in total.
Both of these cards were meant to be the last Carddass cards. Bandai wouldn't return to Carddass until over 15 years later. The Tokubetsudan B-course Trading Card was the ultimate card to mark the end of an era. It was a lasting, exciting, and magical journey for Dragon Ball fans!
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