Navigating the Three-Year Bear Market: The One Piece TCG’s Voyage to Recovery

Introduction

For collectors and investors in the One Piece Trading Card Game (TCG), the past three years have been a voyage as turbulent as the Grand Line itself. From the heady peak of early 2023—when the Market Price Index hit 110—to a trough of just 40 by mid-2025, the market has tested the patience of even the most stalwart fans. Now, as we finally see a rally taking hold, it’s time to chart the currents that shaped this downturn and the winds that are now filling our sails once more.

The Storm: Why the One Piece TCG Entered a Three-Year Bear Market

The bear market that began in early 2023 had two primary drivers, both tied directly to Bandai’s strategy and the rhythm of new card releases:

1. Widespread Reprints Flooding the Market

Bandai’s aggressive reprint policy flooded the secondary market with previously rare cards, diluting their scarcity and sending prices into a steady decline. Iconic cards that once commanded premium prices became more accessible, eroding confidence in the long-term value of collections. This oversupply created a buyer’s market, where even highly sought-after cards lost their luster as reprints hit shelves.

2. A Drought of Exciting New Releases

For years, the One Piece TCG lacked the kind of blockbuster new sets or crossover events that reignite collector enthusiasm. Without fresh, game-changing cards or high-profile collaborations, player and collector engagement waned. The market stagnated, with few reasons for new investors to join or existing ones to stay active.

Together, these factors pushed the One Piece TCG Market Price Index into a prolonged decline, bottoming out at around 40 in mid-2025—a drop of over 60% from the 2023 peak.

The Turning Tide: Collaborations Spark a Rally

Just as the Straw Hat Pirates find their way through the New World, the One Piece TCG market has found its wind again, thanks to two landmark collaborations:

• One Piece x BVB (Borussia Dortmund) Partnership: The crossover with the legendary football club brought a wave of new fans into the hobby, blending sports and anime fandoms. Limited-edition cards featuring One Piece characters in BVB kits became instant collector items, injecting fresh demand into the market.
• One Piece x Los Angeles Dodgers Collaboration: Teaming up with MLB’s Dodgers introduced the TCG to a massive U.S. audience, with exclusive cards that appealed to both sports card collectors and One Piece enthusiasts. This crossover proved that the TCG could transcend its core anime fanbase and attract a broader audience.

These partnerships, paired with a slowdown in Bandai’s reprint pace, have reignited confidence. By late 2025, the One Piece TCG Market Price Index began a sharp upward climb, signaling the end of the bear market and a new era of growth.

Lessons from the Grand Line: Patience Pays Off

The One Piece TCG’s three-year journey underscores a timeless truth for collectors and investors: patience is the ultimate treasure. Those who held through the downturn are now seeing their loyalty rewarded, while new collectors are learning the importance of timing and market awareness.

As we sail into this new rally, it’s critical to remember the lessons of the past. While the BVB and Dodgers collaborations have breathed new life into the market, sustained growth will depend on Bandai balancing scarcity with accessibility—and continuing to deliver the kind of innovative releases that keep the community engaged.

Ready to Set Sail?

For those ready to join the crew or expand their collections, now is the time to set sail. Whether you’re a seasoned OG who weathered the storm or a new pirate looking to claim your first treasure, the One Piece TCG market is once again a sea of opportunity.