JAPAN, 1996 · THE POCKET MONSTERS ERA
Before
the Booster.
The Illustrated History of
Pokémon’s 1996 Carddass Cards
Found a card that says Pocket Monsters? That is the full Japanese name behind Pokémon. This illustrated guide explains the connection and documents Bandai’s 1996 Carddass Parts 1 and 2, from the first identifying clue to the complete collection.
A MUCH LARGER HISTORY.
PAGES
001 / THE BEGINNINGRED + GREEN
START HERE / NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE NEEDED
Pocket Monsters.
The name behind Pokémon.
Pokémon is a fictional world of creatures with distinct appearances and abilities. The name also identifies the franchise built around them. Its full Japanese name is Pocket Monsters; Pokémon is the shortened form.
“POCKET MONSTER” on a card front is part of this branding. To identify a 1996 Bandai Carddass card, match the whole design, its number and the information on the back.
01 / LOOK CLOSER
Original photographs. Historical wording. English readings.Turn it over.
There’s a world
on the back.
The front introduces the Pokémon. The reverse records its early world: game sprites, measurements, moves, appearance charts and descriptions that sometimes differ from later lore.
FROM THE BOOK / PAGE 7
Found a Pocket Monsters card?
Start with its number, portrait, reverse layout and maker line. A photographed example shows how the visible clues fit together.
THE OTHER BEGINNING
Before the first Japanese TCG booster, there was another way to collect the world.
The book follows Carddass from machine to hand, and from picture to information, distinguishing documented history from collector convention.
02 / FOLLOW THE STORY
A history.
A reference. A complete catalog.
Start at the beginning, or go straight to the detail you came to find.
03 / THE COMPLETE BOOK
Make yourself comfortable.
237 PAGES / ONE COMPLETE VOLUME
The collection,
from both sides.
Open the full book here, or download it to explore the photographs, chapters and interactive checklists in your preferred PDF reader.
The PDF loads when you open the reader. 65.5 MB.PAPER REMEMBERS
A small card can hold
a much larger history.
An independent illustrated reference, written and compiled by satoshi.