The One Piece Card Game (OPCG) is one of the fastest-growing collectible card games in recent years. Launched by Bandai in December 2022, it has captivated millions of fans thanks to the enormous popularity of Eiichiro Oda's work, spectacular illustrations, and a constantly evolving competitive game system.

Today, the One Piece card market attracts not only players but also collectors and investors, with some cards reaching values of thousands of euros.

In this guide, you will discover everything you need to know to start collecting the One Piece Card Game.

What is the One Piece Card Game?

The One Piece Card Game is the official collectible card game dedicated to the One Piece universe, published by Bandai.

Each year, several expansions are released, introducing new characters, new mechanics, and stunning exclusive illustrations.

The cards can be used both for playing and for collecting, just like in the world of Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, or Yu-Gi-Oh!.

How are expansions organized?

One of the first things that confuses newcomers to the game is the abbreviations found on the products.

In reality, it's all very simple.

OP – Main Booster

Expansions with the OP abbreviation represent the main sets of the game.

These are the most important releases of the year and introduce:

• new cards;
• new Leaders;
• new mechanics;
• new competitive archetypes;
• the most sought-after cards by collectors.

For example:

• OP-01 Romance Dawn
• OP-05 Awakening of the New Era
• OP-09 The Four Emperors

Each expansion normally contains over 120 different cards, not including the Alternate Art versions.

EB – Extra Booster

Extra Boosters, identified by the abbreviation EB, are smaller expansions.

Their purpose is not to revolutionize the game but to expand existing decks and offer new illustrations.

They generally contain:

• fewer cards;
• a lot of support for existing decks;
• numerous Alternate Arts.

They are perfect for both players and collectors.

Among the most well-known are:

• EB-01 Memorial Collection
• EB-02
• EB-03
• EB-04

PRB – Premium Booster

The abbreviation PRB stands for Premium Booster.

These are completely different products compared to the OP series.

Their main objective is to reprint highly sought-after cards, making them more easily available.

The first Premium Booster was:

PRB-01 – The Best

Inside, we find:

• reprints of popular cards;
• special foil versions;
• new textures;
• exclusive premium variants.

For players, it's a great way to acquire important cards.

For collectors, it's particularly interesting for some exclusive alternative versions.

ST – Starter Deck

Starter Decks are ready-to-play decks.

Each Starter contains:

• a complete deck;
• exclusive Leaders;
• some cards available only in the Starter.

Many Starter Decks have become highly sought after over time precisely because of the presence of exclusive cards.

P – Promo

Promo cards are distributed through:

• official tournaments;
• Bandai events;
• prereleases;
• collaborations;
• promotional campaigns.

Some Promo cards have an extremely limited print run and can reach very high valuations.

Expansion timeline

2022

• OP-01 Romance Dawn

2023

• OP-02 Paramount War
• OP-03 Pillars of Strength
• OP-04 Kingdoms of Intrigue
• OP-05 Awakening of the New Era
• EB-01 Memorial Collection

2024

• OP-06 Wings of the Captain
• OP-07 500 Years in the Future
• EB-02
• OP-08 Two Legends
• OP-09 The Four Emperors

2025

• EB-03
• OP-10 Royal Bloodline
• OP-11 Emperors in the New World
• EB-04
• OP-12 Side Characters
• OP-13 Carrying On His Will

2026

• OP-14 Wano Country
• OP-15 Adventure on Kami's Island
• OP-16 The Time of Battle

Card rarities

Each expansion contains different rarity levels.

The main ones are:

C – Common

The most common cards.

UC – Uncommon

Slightly rarer than Commons.

R – Rare

Cards that start to be of interest for collecting.

SR – Super Rare

Among the most desired cards by players.

SEC – Secret Rare

Much harder to find cards.

AA – Alternate Art

Alternative versions with completely new illustrations.

These are among collectors' favorites.

SP – Special Card

Special cards present only in some expansions.

Manga Rare

The true "Holy Grail" of the One Piece Card Game.

They use panels taken directly from the original manga and represent the chase cards of each expansion.

What makes a card valuable?

The price of a card primarily depends on five factors.

1. Rarity

The harder a card is to find, the higher its value will be.

2. Character

Some characters are much more in demand than others.

Among the most sought after are:

• Monkey D. Luffy
• Roronoa Zoro
• Shanks
• Portgas D. Ace
• Trafalgar Law
• Nami
• Boa Hancock

3. Condition

A perfect card is worth much more than the same card with scratches, creases, or worn edges.

For this reason, it is essential to protect it from the moment it is opened.

4. Grading

Companies like PSA, Beckett (BGS), and CGC certify the condition of cards.

A card graded PSA 10 can be worth several times the value of the same ungraded card.

5. Market demand

Even a very rare card can lose value if no one is looking for it.

Conversely, a much-loved character can maintain high valuations over time.

Japanese or English cards: which is better?

One of the most frequent questions.

Japanese version

Advantages:

• costs less;
• released earlier;
• excellent print quality.

Disadvantages:

• more limited European market.

English version

Advantages:

• higher international demand;
• much stronger European market;
• often higher prices.

It is generally the preferred choice for Western collectors.

Is it worth opening boxes?

Opening a booster box is certainly fun, but from an economic point of view, it is not always the best choice.

Many collectors prefer to directly purchase the single cards they desire.

Sealed boxes, especially from the first sets, tend to maintain or increase their value in the long term.

Of course, there is always the risk of reprints by Bandai, which can temporarily affect the market.

How to store a collection

Good preservation is essential.

Essential accessories include:

• Perfect Fit Sleeves;
• Standard Sleeves;
• Top Loaders;
• PVC-free Binders;
• Rigid boxes for sealed booster boxes.

Poor preservation can significantly reduce a card's value.

Tips for beginners

If you're new to this, here are some tips:

• buy characters you love first;
• don't chase every new release;
• prefer single cards to boxes if you have a specific goal;
• always protect newly opened cards;
• study the market before buying very expensive cards.

The One Piece Card Game is still a relatively young game, and for this reason, it represents one of the most interesting collecting markets at the moment.

Whether you want to build a collection dedicated to your favorite characters or seek out the rarest cards in the game, understanding the different types of expansions, rarities, and how the market works is the first step to making informed purchases.

As with any form of collecting, the best advice is simple: collect what excites you first and foremost. Any increase in value will merely be a pleasant consequence.