The cards won't be the only collectables for the Zatch Bell! TCG that Bandai is releasing this spring (see 'Bandai's Zatch Bell! TCG'); the Spell Books are also collected by kids in Japan.  The Spell Books, which come in different colors that will be launched in the States as they appear in the anime storylines on Cartoon Network, are associated with different game elements, such as offense, defense, weapons, agility, and so on.  Kids build multiple decks in their various Spell Books, then use the deck appropriate for their opponent.  There are over 100 different Spell Books in all.  The red Spell Book will ship with the first starter; six more colors will ship in the first expansion.  Special chase Spell Books (e.g., books with foil or holographic cover treatments) will be available only through organized play.

Bandai Games is staking a lot on this launch, including 'spending more on print for this brand than almost all the rest combined.'  It believes it's worth it based on the sales in Japan, where the game has generated $85 million at wholesale over the last two years.  TV advertising will follow in 2006.

Releasing the game after the anime has been on TV for a while is a calculated move to make sure demand is there when the product streets.  'We're doing the same thing as when we launched the Teen Titans toys; it's going to be on the show for four to five months before it gets into the stores,' said a Bandai spokesperson.