Carddass

Carddass is a trademark owned by the Japanese toy and video game company Bandai. It refers specifically to their system of vending machine-dispensed collectible trading cards and related card games, which were highly popular in Japan, particularly from the 1980s through the 1990s.

The name "Carddass" is derived from a portmanteau of "card" and "vending machine" (ダス, dasu, meaning "to dispense" in Japanese, often associated with vending machine sounds). The core concept involved dedicated vending machines that would dispense packets of cards, often based on popular anime, manga, tokusatsu, and video game franchises such as Dragon Ball, Saint Seiya, SD Gundam, Kamen Rider, and others.

Carddass cards were typically sold in small, sealed packs or directly dispensed as single cards from the machines. They were known for their distinctive format, often featuring original artwork, character statistics, story information, or game elements. While primarily collectibles, many Carddass lines also incorporated simple game rules, allowing players to use the cards in battles or other competitive formats.

The system represented a significant evolution in the Japanese trading card market, making collectible cards widely accessible through vending machines placed in various locations like convenience stores, arcades, and toy shops. The blind pack nature of the vending process encouraged repeat purchases and trading among collectors seeking specific rare or desired cards.

Over the years, the Carddass brand expanded to include various sub-brands and formats, including those focused on specific game mechanics or card types. While the original physical vending machine format became less prevalent with the rise of more complex trading card games and digital platforms, the "Carddass" name continues to be used by Bandai for various collectible card products, often incorporating modern printing techniques and game designs. The legacy of the original Carddass system remains significant in the history of Japanese collectibles and card games.