This article introduces Dragon Ball Carddass Main Series No.505 “Cell”, a vintage Japanese card released by Bandai in 1993. The front side features Cell in his powerful completed form, while the back side uses a classic gold-and-black Carddass-style design. For overseas collectors of retro anime cards, this is a highly appealing piece connected to one of the most iconic villains in Dragon Ball Z.
Card Overview
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Series: Dragon Ball Carddass Main Series
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Card number: No.505
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Character name: Cell
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Franchise logo: Dragon Ball Z
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Manufacturer: Bandai
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Year shown on the card back: 1993
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Country shown on the card back: Made in Japan
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Front text: Japanese text related to Cell gaining ultimate power
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Back design: Gold background with black line art and symbols
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Copyright line: Bird Studio / Shueisha / Fuji TV / Toei Animation
This card features Cell from Dragon Ball Z, shown in a strong and intimidating pose. The front side clearly displays the number 505 and the character name セル, which means Cell in Japanese. The card belongs to the Dragon Ball Carddass Main Series, a classic line loved by collectors of Japanese anime cards.
Front Side Information
The front side shows Cell standing against a blue sky and desert-like background. He is depicted in his completed form, with his green spotted body, black chest armor, wing-like back parts, and clenched fists.
The visible card number is 505, and the character name is written in Japanese as セル.
The Dragon Ball Z logo appears near the lower-left area of the illustration. On the red vertical strip on the right side, the Japanese text reads:
ついに究極のパワーを手に入れたぞ!!
This can be translated as:
“At last, he has obtained ultimate power!!”
At the bottom of the card, the Japanese text reads:
現在では、「セルが人造人間を吸収し」完全体となった!!
A natural English translation would be:
“Now, Cell has absorbed the Androids and become his complete form!!”
The text appears to refer to Cell absorbing the Androids and reaching his Perfect Form.
Front Side Highlights
The biggest highlight of the front side is the powerful presentation of Cell. His body is shown in a dominant standing pose, giving the card a strong villain-focused atmosphere.
The red side text also adds dramatic impact. It emphasizes that Cell has finally obtained ultimate power, which makes the card feel like an important moment from the story rather than just a simple character portrait.
Another attractive point is the classic 1990s Carddass layout. The bold Dragon Ball Z logo, Japanese text, colorful character art, and numbered design all make this card very appealing for retro anime card collectors.
Back Side Information
The back side has a gold and black design. At the top, the card reads:
BANDAI 1993 MADE IN JAPAN
The center features a large kanji character:
造
This kanji is commonly associated with “create,” “make,” or “manufacture.” In the context of Dragon Ball Z, it may connect to the Android-related theme, but the card itself does not provide a full explanation beyond the visible character.
There are also two white circles with black symbols. One circle shows two black stars, while another circle shows a black mark that looks like the Japanese character 一 or a single horizontal stroke.
At the bottom, the copyright line reads:
© バードスタジオ / 集英社・フジテレビ・東映動画
This indicates Bird Studio, Shueisha, Fuji TV, and Toei Animation.
Back Side Highlights
The back side has a very classic Japanese Carddass feel. The gold background gives it a premium retro look, while the black geometric pattern creates a strong visual contrast.
The large central kanji 造 is especially eye-catching. Combined with the Android and Cell theme, it gives the card a mysterious and mechanical impression. The simple but bold design is very different from modern trading cards, which makes it attractive for collectors who enjoy early 1990s anime card aesthetics.
What Kind of Card Is This?
This is a vintage Dragon Ball Z Carddass card featuring Cell, one of the most memorable villains in the series. The card focuses on the moment when Cell reaches his complete form after absorbing the Androids, making it a story-important collectible.
For overseas fans, this card is interesting not only because of the character, but also because it preserves the original Japanese design and text. The combination of Bandai 1993 Made in Japan, the Japanese Cell name セル, and the dramatic front-side message makes it a great piece for anyone collecting retro Dragon Ball cards.
It is especially recommended for collectors who like villain cards, Perfect Cell-related items, or classic Carddass designs from the early 1990s.
Summary
Dragon Ball Carddass Main Series No.505 “Cell” is a striking vintage card featuring Cell in his completed form. The front side highlights his ultimate power and connection to the Android absorption storyline, while the back side uses a gold-and-black design with the large kanji 造.
With its 1993 Bandai Japan marking, bold Japanese text, and iconic Dragon Ball Z artwork, this card is a strong collectible for overseas fans of retro anime cards, Carddass releases, and classic Dragon Ball Z memorabilia.