Duel Masters Card Grading
DuelMasters
24 years since the first set in May 2002. From the earliest cards to the latest sets, every standard-size card is graded on the same four criteria, and the reason behind each grade is recorded in the Grading Report.
- Size
- Standard 63 × 88 mm
- Card language
- Japanese
- Eligible
- All series since the first set in 2002
- Corner fit
- Available
History
24 years of Duel Masters
From the 2002 launch to 2026. The series and the moments that shaped the game, by Japanese release date (US date for the English edition).
- 8.2billion+
- Cards shipped (March 2026)
- 21.5years
- Span of the TV anime (2002–2024)
Cards shipped: Takara Tomy
01 — 1999–2009
The beginning
The Duel Masters manga begins
Shigenobu Matsumoto's series in Monthly CoroCoro Comic, originally about Magic: The Gathering.
The manga switches to the new card game
The story turns to the Duel Masters card game.
The first booster and starter set
SeriesCo-developed by Wizards of the Coast and Shogakukan, and released in Japan by Takara.
Set 2: Evo-Crushinators of Doom
Evolution creatures arrive.
The Duel Masters TV anime
Begins airing on TV Tokyo.
Tōkon-hen
SeriesThe first set with a series title, and the debut of Bolmeteus White Dragon.
The English version launches in the US
Published by Wizards of the Coast.
Seiken-hen
SeriesTensei-hen
SeriesTakara and Tomy merge
Forming Takara Tomy.
Fushichō-hen
SeriesGokushin-hen
SeriesSengoku-hen
SeriesShinka-hen
Series
02 — 2010–2016
Psychics, Victory and Legend
Kakusei-hen
SeriesPsychic Creatures and the Hyperspatial Zone arrive, and product codes (such as DM36) are printed on cards from this set.
Episode 1
SeriesVictory (VIC), a new rarity above Super Rare, arrives along with a new card design.
Episode 2
SeriesEpisode 3
SeriesDragon Saga
SeriesDragheart cards arrive.
Kakumei-hen (Revolution)
SeriesLegend cards (LEG) replace Victory.
The first Duel Masters Grand Prix
The first large official event aimed at adults. Over 5 billion cards had shipped by then.
Kakumei Final
Series
03 — 2017–2026
A new chapter, and 25 years
Shinshō (New Chapter)
SeriesMaster cards (MAS) arrive with a major rules overhaul, and rarities change from symbols to letters such as VR and SR.
Sōkyoku-hen
SeriesTwinpact cards arrive, combining two cards in the top and bottom halves of one card.
Chōten-hen
SeriesGR creatures arrive.
Duel Masters Play's
The smartphone version of the game launches.
Jūō-hen
SeriesThe new King Master (KGM) rarity arrives.
Ōrai-hen
SeriesThe 20th-anniversary series. Its first set offered a chance to win one of 20 serial-numbered Bolmeteus White Dragons (Spring version).
Ōrai MAX
SeriesGod of Abyss
SeriesThe Over Rare (OR) top rarity arrives, and product codes switch to year-based codes such as DM22-RP1.
Abyss Revolution
SeriesThe TV anime ends
It aired across about 21 and a half years from 2002 (since October 2024, Duel Masters LOST has been streamed on YouTube and other platforms).
Ōdō-hen
SeriesThe new Dream Rare (DMR) and Secret Dream Rare arrive.
Ōdō W
Series25th-anniversary years announced
Takara Tomy names 2026–2027 its 25th-anniversary years, with over 8.2 billion cards shipped.
Ex Dream
SeriesIncludes Serial Secret Dream Rares, 25 serial-numbered copies of each worldwide.
On older cards, corner and edge whitening and small surface scratches are more likely to make the difference between grades.
Knowledge
Collector's Notes
Where the number and product code are
In the band at the bottom of the card, you will find the product code and a number, as in "RP20 VR 1/95". Product codes are printed from the 2010 Kakusei-hen series; earlier cards have none.
How rarity is shown
Until 2016, rarity was shown by symbols (circle for Common, diamond for Uncommon, star for Rare, star in a circle for Very Rare, and so on). From the 2017 New Chapter, it is shown in letters such as VR and SR.
Number prefixes
A number like "S1/S10" marks a Super Rare or similar, "㊙" a Secret, and "SP", "TR" or "T" a gold, silver or black Treasure. The prefix is a clue to special versions.
Frequently reprinted cards
Bolmeteus White Dragon first appeared in the 2003 Tōkon-hen series and has been reprinted in many products since. The card name alone does not tell you which product it came from.
Serial-numbered cards
In the 2021 Ōrai-hen series, each of the four sets offered a seasonal serial-numbered Bolmeteus White Dragon (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter), 20 of each worldwide. In the 2026 Ex Dream series, each set's Dream Rare also comes as a Serial Secret Dream Rare, 25 of each worldwide.
Double-sided and Twinpact cards
Psychic Creatures and Draghearts have art on both sides. Twinpact cards are single-faced cards with two cards in their top and bottom halves.
How to Submit
Tips for your submission
Where to find the product code
The text such as "RP20" at the bottom of the card is the product code (from 2017 it drops the "DM"). Search the set field by product code or set name.
Cards released before Kakusei-hen (June 2010) have no product code printed. Enter the set name as best you can.
Choosing the rarity
Rarities in the list include their abbreviation, as in "Super Rare(SR)". For cards up to 2016 that use symbols, choose the rarity the symbol stands for.
Reprinted cards
The same card may appear in several products. For cards from June 2010 on, choose the set by the product code printed on the card, not by card name. For earlier cards, use the card number (such as "S8/S10") as a clue and choose as best you can.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. From the first set in 2002 to the latest, every card is graded on the same criteria.
We currently accept Japanese cards only.
We grade cards up to 63 × 88 mm and 0.5 mm thick. Jumbo cards and tri-fold 3D Ryūkai Dragheart cards (larger when unfolded, thicker when folded) cannot be graded.
Sorry, we do not grade signed cards.
Yes, with Crossover. We remove the card from the slab (PSA, CGC or BGS) and grade it again at Gemix. Because we grade on our own standards, the grade may differ from the original.