The Japanese game cards set is not strictly speaking a trading
card set however we have included them here since each card shows
a different illustration of a Lost in Space scene. The illustrated
cards actually compliment a second card pack which has just
Japanese text. It would appear the game play is very similiar
to the the American TV show card games that started to
become popular in the early 60's (The Beverly Hillbillies,
Combat, etc.). Of course, unless you're Japanese or know Japanese,
the game aspect is probably of little relevance and interest
and that's why we're concentrating on the picture cards here.
What makes this set unique is that unlike other known
Lost in Space sets the Japanese cards have painted images.
Each scene is loosely based on the opening 5 episodes of the show:
"The Reluctant Stowaway", "The Derelict", "Island in the Sky",
"There were Giants in the Earth" and "The Hungry Sea." There
are 45 picture cards in total. At the top right hand corner is a
Japanese character, presumably a number or a reference of
some kind to the text cards.
Although one would be hard pressed to say the "cartoonish"
artwork on these cards is particularly good, they are nonetheless
colorful and attractive. The set offers collectors a rare and
quaint look at our favorite TV show from the perspective of
a different culture. The style is actually very reminscent of
Japanese cartoons of the 60's. Actually they are Copyrighted in
1966 by Space Productions.
The game was only distributed within Japan.