A unique collaboration between Nissin Cup Noodles and the Yu-Gi-Oh! series has been officially announced.
The Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG Cup Noodles – Instant Fusion Limited Set (20 Cups + Collaboration Card) will be released on March 18, 2026, exclusively through the Nissin Foods Group Online Store in Japan.
This special set includes a limited Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG promotional card themed after the famous spell card “Instant Fusion.”
For collectors, this is one of those rare collaborations that combine trading cards, Japanese pop culture, and food products.
Today’s blog is another post where I’d like to share a piece of my daily life with you.
Many of you may already know this, but until about 30 days ago I was active on Reddit. On Reddit, discussions are usually limited to specific categories, so it’s often difficult to talk about things outside of those topics. Because of that, there were many times when I had to carefully rephrase what I wanted to explain.
Sometimes I would receive comments like these:
• Are you really going to Pokémon Center? • I’ve bought boxes at Pokémon Center before. You said they don’t sell them, so that must be a lie.
Occasionally, people would leave comments like this. Of course, I could simply ignore them. But on the internet, I’m just another anonymous Reddit user. To someone who doesn’t know my background or who I am, I might look suspicious (laugh).
Even in Japan, there are many scammers online. So instead of criticizing those people, I started thinking about my own position. Maybe they simply thought I was trying to deceive them.
That’s when I had an idea.
“Why don’t I write about my daily actions and thoughts on a blog?”
That’s how this blog started.
Of course, this blog does include some promotion, but my main purpose is to share information about Pokémon culture in Japan and my personal perspective, so that people who read this can feel a little closer to me.
Thankfully, I now work directly with many customers. Yesterday and today I received several new inquiries, and even now I’m chatting with people on WhatsApp about requests for Pokémon, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Yu-Gi-Oh, and more.
Since these are international transactions, I completely understand that people feel nervous at first. That’s why I try to reduce that anxiety as much as possible by sharing my thoughts and activities on Instagram and this blog.
Now that the introduction has become a little long, I’d like to talk about something that happened recently.
This time, I want to share my experience on March 14th, the release day of the new Dragon Ball set (FB09).
On March 14th, the new set
Dragon Ball Booster Pack – DUAL EVOLUTION [FB09]
was released.
I had already received preorders for about 22 boxes, so those were secured. However, I personally wanted some boxes as well, and I also thought other customers might want additional ones. So I went to the Bandai NamcoCross Store to try to purchase some from the launch day stock.
The store opens at 10:00 AM, so naturally you need to line up in advance if you want to buy anything.
Compared to Tokyo, the competition in Fukuoka is usually lower. So I thought that lining up about 1.5 hours before opening would probably be enough.
However, when I arrived, there were already around 100 people in line.
For Dragon Ball, 100 people already felt like quite a lot. On top of that, the store had a very unusual rule:
“Maximum 3 boxes per person per purchase.”
This kind of policy is quite bold and not very common.
Because of that, I started to feel a bit nervous.
Previously, I had lined up in Kumamoto to buy a One Piece regional promo card, and the same type of rule applied there. Since each person could buy several items, the stock sold out extremely quickly.
So this time I was thinking,
“Well… we won’t know until the end.”
While waiting, I posted some videos of the situation on my Instagram story.
As I mentioned earlier, actually going to the location and experiencing the atmosphere firsthand is valuable for me. At the same time, it allows me to share real on-site information with all of you.
Even if I fail to buy anything, I still consider it a positive experience.
When I looked behind me, the line had grown dramatically. I believe there were around 1,000 people in total.
Even if each person bought 3 boxes, I highly doubt the store had 3,000 boxes in stock.
Depending on the inventory, it’s obvious that the 1,000th person in line would never be able to buy anything.
So honestly, I still don’t understand why some people keep lining up anyway (laugh).
While waiting, I saw something interesting.
It looked like organized resellers were operating nearby. They were giving money or digital payments to people who were lining up, and telling them where to bring the items if they managed to buy them.
I won’t mention specific nationalities, but it seemed like people from various countries were involved. The instructions were given in Japanese that clearly sounded like it was spoken by non-native speakers, and they looked like language school students or university students.
In Japan, depending on your visa status, street trading or side businesses may not be allowed, and if serious problems occur it could even lead to deportation.
I’m not criticizing reselling itself. But I’m often surprised to see people doing things that even most Japanese resellers would hesitate to do.
In the end, the boxes sold out right before my turn.
Since it’s a Bandai Namco official store, I assume they had more inventory than most shops. But it seems I was just a little too late.
Still, it was a very valuable experience.
By repeating experiences like this, you naturally learn and improve your instincts. In that sense, it was a great opportunity to grow.
After that, I went to Pokémon Center Fukuoka.
The day before was the release of the Ninja Spinner, so since it was Saturday, I expected the store to be quite crowded.
When I arrived, I received a numbered ticket that allowed entry one hour later.
Since I had some time, I walked around the area and visited a few other stores.
The photos here show the scenery near the station. If you visit Fukuoka by Shinkansen, you will see the same view, so please enjoy the atmosphere of the city.
While waiting for my entry time, I decided to visit Nintendo Fukuoka.
This store just opened in November 2025, so it’s still very new.
In the past, I used to sell vintage Nintendo items on eBay, including the Famicom, Twin Famicom, and old game software. Because of that, I have quite a bit of knowledge about retro games.
Even now, I still collect old consoles personally and sometimes buy junk units to repair when I have free time. So I have a lot of respect for companies like Nintendo and SEGA.
The store itself feels very open, and there are many different kinds of merchandise available.
The item that caught my attention the most was related to the Famicom Disk System.
There was a Disk-shaped card case that can hold credit-card-sized cards. It even comes with a chain so you can attach it to your bag.
If you’ve traveled in Japan before, you may know about transportation cards like Suica. It would actually be fun to store a Suica card in this case while traveling around Japan.
They were also selling Mario Hanafuda cards.
Hanafuda is a traditional Japanese card game, somewhat similar to playing cards. The characters are illustrated in a Japanese style, and even PSA has graded Hanafuda cards before.
One item I especially recommend is the embroidered Mario Hanafuda T-shirt.
The embroidery is extremely well done, and the back print looks fantastic. If you ever visit Japan, I highly recommend checking it out.
Of course, I can also help purchase it for you if needed.
Nintendo’s official merchandise has become very appealing. It no longer feels like “children’s toys,” but rather something closer to adult fashion and lifestyle items.
So when you visit Japan, I highly recommend visiting Nintendo Fukuoka in addition to Pokémon Center.
While exploring the store, time passed very quickly.
Finally, it was time to enter the Pokémon Center.
But when I walked in…
I was shocked.
It felt like there was some kind of clearance sale happening. There were huge crowds, and the checkout line was incredibly long.
Even with a quick estimate, it looked like it would take about 1.5 hours just to reach the register.
Honestly, I didn’t feel like experiencing that today, so I just looked around the store briefly and decided to leave (laugh).
In the end, despite waking up early and lining up, I didn’t come home with much.
But it was still a valuable learning experience.
My life has never been a perfectly smooth road. I’m always moving forward on a bumpy path, gaining real experience along the way.
That style suits me.
And the knowledge and feeling I gain from those experiences are what I share with all of you.
That’s my way of doing things.
The same idea applies to business.
Even sealed boxes can be risky. There are many dishonest people who fake shrink wrap or swap contents.
There are also issues like factory damage and condition differences.
In other words,
business doesn’t end when you simply set a price.
Direct communication allows both sides to fully understand each other before making a transaction.
That’s the most important thing to me.
People who say
“I’m not sure, but it’s cheap so I’ll buy it”
are not my customers.
I prefer to work with people who understand our style and share mutual respect.
Perhaps that mindset is a little unusual, even for a Japanese person (laugh).
This morning started quite busy. A new Dragon Ball card set was released, and there were lines at stores and a lot happening around the card community.
Normally I would write about that right away and share the news with everyone.
But today I wanted to do something a little different.
Instead of talking about cards or business, I thought I would share a small part of my daily life in Japan.
Japanese People and Work
When I talk with friends overseas, the topic of holidays often comes up.
In many European countries, people take long vacations. In China, during the Lunar New Year, some people take nearly a month off.
In Japan, most companies have around 110–120 days off per year, and those days are usually fixed weekends and national holidays.
Long continuous vacations are actually quite rare.
For me, that kind of system never really suited my personality. I always felt that working independently would allow me to have more freedom.
This year marks my 25th year running my own business.
Ironically, choosing freedom sometimes means it feels like I work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (laugh).
My Work Style
When I say freedom, what I really mean is that I value my lifestyle more than the specific work itself.
The way I work today is the result of trying to make things as efficient as possible.
For example:
keeping fixed costs low (no large office or many employees)
using online services and digital tools effectively
Because of this, I built a system where I can work from almost anywhere.
So I’m not always sitting in front of a computer.
Actually, I love nature. Whether with my family or by myself, I often try to visit places where I can enjoy natural scenery.
A Trip to Beppu
Today I visited Beppu, a famous hot spring city in Oita Prefecture.
It’s about two hours by car from Fukuoka, where I live. The population is around 110,000 people, and it’s one of Japan’s most famous onsen towns.
About 30 years ago, Beppu was even ranked the number one honeymoon destination in Japan.
Traveling from Fukuoka
I usually drive to Beppu because I like stopping at different places along the way.
But there is also a train called the Limited Express Sonic.
The name sounds like the video game character Sonic the Hedgehog, but the view from the train is very beautiful and very “Japanese.”
If you ever travel in this area, I highly recommend it.
Mt. Yufu
On the way to Beppu you pass Mt. Yufu, one of the most beautiful mountains in the region.
It stands 1,583 meters tall and is known as one of the “200 famous mountains of Japan.”
There are hiking trails for intermediate climbers, and the view from the top is said to be spectacular.
I recently posted a short video of this drive on my Instagram story, and surprisingly it received a lot of reactions.
Actually… it received more reactions than my Pokémon card posts (laugh).
But I’m happy people enjoy seeing these parts of Japan. Talking about cards all the time can get a little repetitive too.
It’s a beautiful wooden bathhouse that almost looks like something from the movie “Spirited Away.”
This bathhouse was originally built in 1879.
The name “Takegawara” comes from the early days when the roof was made from bamboo, before later renovations changed it to traditional roof tiles.
The current building dates back to 1938 and features a beautiful curved roof design called Karahafu.
It is now recognized as a registered cultural property of Japan.
The entrance fee is only about 300 yen (around $2), although you need to bring your own towel.
I didn’t actually go inside to bathe this time I just took photos of the building — but the architecture alone made the visit worthwhile.
Tattoos and Japanese Hot Springs
One small cultural note.
In Japan, some hot springs still do not allow tattoos.
This comes from historical reasons. Between the 1960s and 1990s, tattoos were often associated with intimidation and criminal groups, and that image remained in society.
This is very different from Western tattoo culture.
However, many places now offer private baths, called family baths or reserved baths. These allow visitors to enjoy hot springs privately, which makes it much easier for international travelers.
The View of Beppu
Finally, I visited a viewpoint overlooking the city of Beppu.
If you look closely at the city, you’ll see white steam rising from many places.
That steam comes from the natural hot springs underground.
It’s a unique view a city surrounded by mountains with steam rising everywhere.
Personally, I think one or two nights is the perfect amount of time to stay here.
My family and I love Beppu and visit about once a month.
A Balance Between Work and Life
This story may not have much to do with Pokémon cards or One Piece cards.
But places like this are part of why I enjoy living in Japan.
Having nature and peaceful places nearby helps me focus on my work and maintain a good balance in life.
If you ever visit Fukuoka, I recommend giving yourself a little extra time to explore the surrounding areas.
It’s not a typical resort destination, but it allows you to experience real Japanese culture and daily life.
You might find it hard to leave.
If you ever come to Japan, especially Fukuoka, feel free to let me know.
Even if it’s just for a short trip, I’d be happy to share some local places with you not only card shops, but also the beautiful spots like the ones I showed today.
Japan is not only about cards or collectibles. Sometimes the best memories come from small moments, good scenery, and simple daily life.
Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #15 (Released March 9, 2026)
Today I want to briefly share information about one of the most popular magazines in Japan.
The Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #15, released on March 9, 2026.
As many of you know, Weekly Shonen Jump is famous worldwide. Recently, it has attracted even more attention from overseas collectors because some issues include One Piece cards as special bonuses.
However, this time the bonus is not a card it is a special poster.
Surprisingly, this poster has become extremely popular in Japan, and the magazine price has already started increasing in the secondary market.
I purchased several copies today, including one for my personal collection, since I had already received a few requests.
The poster design is actually very cool, and it looks even better if you frame it.
If you would like a copy of Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #15, please contact me before around March 13. I may still be able to secure one for you.
Visiting Bandai Namco Cross Store
Today I also visited Bandai Namco Cross Store again.
As I mentioned in previous posts, the reason is the Netflix Live-Action ONE PIECE promotional card distribution.
Many collectors want to have at least one copy, so I have been helping people obtain them here in Japan.
However, the distribution stock seems to be getting very low, and it may end soon.
If you are interested in this promo card, please contact me while they are still available.
A Stop at the Pokémon Center
After that, I went to the Pokémon Center.
Recently I introduced some regional Pokémon card sleeves, and the number of orders increased, so I went to restock them.
To be honest, these sleeves usually sell out very quickly.
But today I was lucky they had just restocked, so I was able to buy them.
And of course… I also bought some Pokémon card packs.
Here is what I picked up today:
Munikis Zero (limit: 5 packs per person)
Mega Brave (limit: 10 packs per person)
Mega Symphonia (limit: 10 packs per person)
Recently, many overseas customers have been buying individual packs instead of full boxes.
And interestingly, many of them come back and buy again after their first purchase.
The reason is simple.
Opening packs is exciting, and there is always a chance of pulling a big hit.
Compared to buying an entire box, packs are more affordable and still very fun.
Another reason people like them is transparency.
Every time I buy packs, I share the actual purchase location and situation on my blog, so collectors know exactly where they came from.
Upcoming Release: “Ninja Spinner”
In just a few days, the new set “Ninja Spinner” will be released.
Pokémon Center has already held a lottery sale for this product, and the winners will be able to purchase starting March 13.
We have already received many orders from customers who want boxes or packs.
Just like with previous releases, I personally think buying a small number of packs is a great option.
New releases often feel expensive, so buying packs allows you to enjoy the experience without spending too much.
And who knows — you might pull something amazing.
If you are interested, feel free to consider Ninja Spinner as well.
Upcoming Releases in Japan
Looking ahead, there will be several Dragon Ball related releases starting around March 13.
For Pokémon and One Piece, there are currently no major new card set releases announced, but there will be many new merchandise items.
Also, card reprints sometimes appear unexpectedly in Japan, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on the market.
Are you familiar with the anime Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba)?
The anime series began in April 2019 with the Tanjiro Kamado,Unwavering Resolve Arc, and continued through multiple seasons, reaching the Hashira Training Arc in May 2024.
The movie Mugen Train became a global phenomenon, debuting at No.1 not only in Japan but also in the United States. In fact, it became the highest-grossing film in the world in 2020.
Today’s topic is about Demon Slayer entering the arcade card game world.
Similar to Pokémon or Dragon Ball arcade games, this type of machine is installed in shopping malls or game centers. When you play the game, the machine dispenses one collectible card.
According to current information, the game is still in a testing phase, so the full release may still be some time away.
Even today, if you visit a Jump Shop in Japan, Demon Slayer merchandise remains extremely popular. However, from a trading card perspective, the number of characters in the series is relatively limited, so it may be challenging to sustain a long-term card game ecosystem.
Still, it is exciting to see Demon Slayer appear as arcade game cards.
Interestingly, Demon Slayer already has several types of collectible cards beyond this arcade game.
At the moment, these cards are surprisingly inexpensive in the Japanese market.
I personally started collecting them about six months ago, and honestly speaking, there are currently very few buyers in Japan.
A similar situation happened with One Piece Miracle Battle Carddass (2009–2014). About a year and a half ago, those cards had almost no market demand.
But today, they are starting to be treated like “vintage-era cards” and are now trading at much higher prices.
If Demon Slayer experiences another major boom in the future, there is a strong possibility that these earlier cards could also gain significant value.
This article introduces the new arcade game cards, and starting with the new release is certainly a great option.
However, as mentioned earlier, another interesting strategy could be collecting existing cards first, such as:
First of all, I would like to say thank you to everyone. Recently we have been receiving many new inquiries almost every day, and we truly appreciate your support.
We do not run any advertisements. Instead, we mainly share information through our BLOG and Instagram.
We also do not sell through eBay or Facebook anymore.
A few years ago, we started selling internationally on eBay, and through that experience we met several collectors who still trade directly with us today. Most of our current customers come through Instagram, and some from Reddit (although we have not updated there in the last 30 days).
Most of our transactions are handled through WhatsApp, because we value the relationship with our customers.
When we trade, communication is always important. Customers ask about price and condition, and we also ask questions to understand what they are looking for.
Because of this communication, we have never experienced the typical problems that often happen in online sales.
Instead, we have built real friendships with some customers. For example, one customer even sent handmade clothes for our child, and we have also met some customers in person here in Fukuoka to have coffee together.
So for us, this business is not only about selling items. We value the connection that grows beyond the transaction.
Our Business Philosophy
Our business is not focused on selling items as cheaply as possible.
Instead, our main goal is to share real information from Japan.
For collectors and investors, understanding the local market situation and atmosphere can help them make better decisions.
Simply posting new information every day would make this BLOG nothing more than an information site.
But that is not what we want.
We want people to buy items that have a story, background, and meaning, not just products.
Because of that, it is important for us to provide as much information as possible.
Not only online information, but also real on-site information from Japan.
This is why we continue to share updates through our BLOG and Instagram.
We hope that through our BLOG, you can feel a little bit of Japan’s atmosphere and culture.
Visit to Bandai Namco Cross Store
Today I visited Bandai Namco Cross Store.
It is located about 15–20 minutes by car from the Pokémon Center, so I am fortunate to live in a very convenient area.
Since we often receive requests from overseas customers for cards and merchandise, we prefer to purchase items directly in person whenever possible.
This allows us to provide fresher and more reliable items.
Some of you may remember that I even traveled to Kumamoto and waited in line for the ONE PIECE Kumamoto limited card.
Experiencing the local atmosphere is something we value very much.
ONE PIECE Chopper Promo Distribution
Starting yesterday (March 7), Bandai Namco Cross Store began distributing a Chopper promo card to celebrate the upcoming release of
Netflix Live Action ONE PIECE Season 2 – “INTO THE GRAND LINE”.
According to the staff, yesterday there was a very long line even before the store opened.
Whether people came because they love Chopper or because of resellers, it was extremely busy.
Personally, I had already secured some copies earlier through outsourcing, so I did not need to wait in line.
However, I visited the store the next day to check the situation.
Fortunately, I was still able to get the Chopper card.
Since this card is only distributed at limited locations, the price itself is not very high.
But for collectors, it could still be interesting to keep one or two copies.
Movie-related promo cards usually do not increase dramatically in price later, but they often have unique designs, which makes them fun collectibles.
We still have some of these Chopper promo cards available, so if you are interested, feel free to contact us.
Visit to the Pokémon Center
After that, I also visited the Pokémon Center as usual.
Since it was Sunday, the store was very busy.
Besides Pokémon cards, the most popular items seemed to be the 30th Anniversary merchandise.
Many families were buying plush toys, and of course Pikachu remains the most popular character.
Regional Pokémon Goods
By coincidence, I found Tohoku Pikachu Deck Shield sleeves, so I immediately bought them.
As I mentioned in a previous BLOG post, regional items such as sleeves and stickers often gain value over time, so they can be surprisingly good items to watch.
Today’s Card Purchases
And of course, today I also bought:
Mega Dream EX Munikis Zero
as usual. (laugh)
Upcoming Releases
This week, Ninja Spinner will be released on March 13 (Friday).
There will probably be leak videos and photos appearing online, but overall the supply situation seems relatively stable.
On the same day, another interesting product will be released:
Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World Official Card Catalog
This product is technically a magazine, but it includes two promo cards.
If you are interested in these items, please feel free to contact us.
The Unexpected Rise of the Pokémon Center Tohoku Sticker Set
The Pikachu Tohoku Special Box was released in August 2025.
Before its release, it was already announced that three regional Pikachu Special Boxes would be launched:
Tohoku
Hiroshima
Fukuoka
Among Japanese Pokémon fans, everyone expected these products to become extremely competitive to obtain.
At the time, I posted several predictions on Reddit about the price movements. Looking back now, I’m happy to say that those predictions turned out to be surprisingly accurate.
But today, I’m not going to talk about the Special Box itself.
Instead, I want to talk about something much more unexpected.
A sticker set.
The Pokémon Center Tohoku Renewal (June 2025)
In June 2025, Pokémon Center Tohoku reopened after a renewal.
To celebrate the reopening, many special goods were released.
One of them was a small item called:
Sticker Set – Pokémon Center Tohoku R
When people think of Pokémon merchandise, stickers are usually not the first thing that comes to mind. There are many types of Pokémon stickers out there, and personally I own quite a few related to Pokémon GO.
However, I had never paid much attention to Pokémon Center stickers before.
That changed in August 2025.
When the Pikachu Tohoku Special Box was released, I mentioned something casually in a post:
“If you see the Pokémon Center Tohoku R Sticker Set, you should probably buy it.”
The reason was simple.
Regional Pokémon goods especially flat collectible items similar to cards often become valuable over time.
This includes items like:
Postcards
Event prints
Limited exhibition goods
Recently in Japan we’ve seen similar patterns with event merchandise such as:
Pokémon Craft Exhibition goods
Pokémon Observatory collaboration items
These types of items quietly become collectibles.
Why This Sticker Was Interesting
The Tohoku sticker set had several interesting factors.
First, the artwork was excellent. The design features multiple Pokémon celebrating traditional Japanese festivals and regional culture.
Second, the item was released before the Pikachu Tohoku Special Box was announced.
That timing matters.
It meant the sticker was available at normal retail price before collectors realized the regional theme would become highly desirable.
The original retail price was:
1,100 yen (about $7 USD)
The Current Market Price
So what is the price today?
As of now, the sticker set is selling for around:
68,000 yen (about $430 USD).
That’s approximately:
62× the original retail price.
Even in the Pokémon collecting world, that kind of increase is pretty wild.
Honestly, I did expect the price to rise but not this much.
My personal prediction was around $150–$160.
When I recently checked the market price again, I was genuinely surprised.
Pokémon Goods Are Becoming Collectibles Too
If you look closely at the market, you’ll notice something interesting.
It’s not only trading cards that are increasing in value.
Many Pokémon goods are also quietly becoming collectibles.
For example, I recently bought a product from Pokémon Center Fukuoka:
Deck Shield Sleeves – Kanto Festival Pikachu (Kanto Festival style)
This item is still currently available.
But a few years from now… who knows?
Festival-themed Pokémon merchandise, especially items like:
Stickers
Deck sleeves
Postcards
can become surprisingly interesting from a collector’s perspective.
Of course, this is just my personal opinion.
There is never any guarantee that prices will rise above retail.
But sometimes the most unexpected items turn out to be the most interesting ones.
I’ll continue sharing unique Pokémon goods whenever I find something worth discussing.
A Quick Note About Japan: Cherry Blossom Season
By the way, speaking of Japan…
When people think about Japan, one thing always comes to mind:
Cherry blossoms.
These beautiful pink flowers bloom between March and April.
Typically, the cherry blossom season starts in the southern regions of Japan and gradually moves north.
Here in Fukuoka, where I live, the main bloom usually begins around late March.
However, there are also early-blooming cherry trees, and I recently went out to see them.
Some people might think I only spend time working on Pokémon cards.
But actually, whenever I have free time, I enjoy exploring:
nature
history
local culture
Within about 100–200 km of where I live, there are countless beautiful places.
Kyushu, in particular, is a volcanic region, which creates incredible landscapes. The scenery alone can boost your motivation.
And interestingly, for card sourcing, it can sometimes be more advantageous than Tokyo.
For me, it’s the perfect place.
If You Visit Japan
If you ever plan a trip to Japan, I recommend adding Kyushu to your travel list.
You might come for the trip…
but you may end up feeling like you want to live here.
A New Card Game Many Collectors Haven’t Noticed Yet
Today I want to introduce something a little different.
There are always many topics I could write about, but I try to focus on information that people may not have seen yet.
This time, I want to talk about Dragon Ball Super Divers, a game that is still relatively under the radar in Japan, but interestingly, I have been receiving more and more requests about it from overseas collectors.
What is Dragon Ball Super Divers?
Many people already know about Dragon Ball trading cards.
However, Super Divers is a bit different.
It is a new digital card arcade game released by Bandai in November 2024.
The system is quite simple.
• About $1 per play • 1 Avatar Card • Up to 7 Battle Cards
Players battle using these cards, and after the match ends, the machine dispenses one physical card.
In other words, it combines
Arcade Game + Collectible Cards
into one system.
A Very New Card Series
Because the game only launched in November 2024, it is still a relatively new card category.
Personally, I actually like Super Divers cards more than regular Dragon Ball cards.
The reason is simple:
The cards look incredible.
The holographic effects, foil stamping, and overall card design are extremely beautiful.
I’ve quietly started collecting them myself.
Set 9 Launching March 26
The next major update is coming soon.
Starting March 26 (Japan time), the game will introduce the new set titled:
Set 9 – “Coordinated Strike”
Some of the characters appearing in this set include:
• Son Goku • Golden Frieza
Goku cards are always popular, but Golden Frieza is also a very strong fan favorite.
Honestly, I really want that card myself.
The Character I’m Watching Closely
The character I’m personally most interested in this time is
Jiren
If you watched the final arc of Dragon Ball Super, you probably remember him.
Jiren is one of the strongest warriors in the series.
Interestingly, he doesn’t appear very often in card sets, so this is a character I definitely want to collect.
Other characters appearing in this set include:
• Kefla • Tapion • Son Goku variants
Even if you are not deeply familiar with Dragon Ball, just remember this:
This set has a very strong lineup.
Example Cards
In this article I also included sample images of Super Divers promo cards.
The back of the card includes game stats such as:
• HP • Attack • Skills
These mechanics affect gameplay.
For collectors and investors this may not matter much, but the game design itself is quite interesting.
Why Collectors Are Starting to Notice
Since Super Divers is still very new, the market prices for most cards are still relatively stable.
However recently, interest has started to grow due to:
Today I stopped by the Pokémon Center to hunt some packs.
Here were the purchase limits today:
• Munikis Zero – 5 packs per person • Mega Dream ex – 5 packs per person
Of course, we went full family mode to maximize the purchase limit.
Every pack counts.
Right now Mega Dream ex is constantly being requested by overseas collectors, so whenever I can secure packs, they move quickly.
On the other hand, Munikis Zero is more of a “safe buy.” It’s not something I absolutely need to buy every time, but since prices in Japan are still low, it’s usually profitable if you pick some up.
And the result of today’s pulls…
Mega Starmie ex SAR #111 😂
The current price in Japan is around $32.
It’s not a card with huge international demand at the moment, but one pull like this easily covers the cost of the packs which is why Pokémon Center pack hunting is always fun.
Japan still has moments where pulling one good card pays for the whole trip.
So as always, I’m accepting orders for items like Ninja Spinner and other Pokémon products as well.
Separating the One Piece Promo Cards
Today I was also working on something else.
The One Piece Sanji promo card from V Jump April issue.
These promo cards are attached directly to the magazine, so separating them is actually quite a delicate process.
To remove the card, the magazine has to be torn.
But collectors usually prefer “unopened condition,” so the process needs to be done carefully.
Here’s what I do:
First, I carefully cut the promo section from the magazine.
Then I preserve the original paper sleeve that protects the card as cleanly as possible.
After that:
• The card is placed into a plastic card case • Wrapped with a rigid vinyl sleeve • Then separated into sales inventory and long-term storage
For the storage copies, I also keep:
• The date • A cutout of the Jump magazine article featuring the promo
This way, years later, I can look back and see not only the card, but also the historical context of when it was released.
It’s like keeping a small time capsule of the card market.
Why Jump Promo Cards Matter
Recently there have been constant announcements of new products from series like:
• One Piece • Dragon Ball
New cards and merchandise are released almost every week.
Of course, not everything is worth recommending.
I try to carefully select the items that make the most sense for collectors.
However, Jump magazine promo cards are a special category.
Even though some collectors don’t like them because:
• They are not holo • The design is sometimes simple
Historically, Jump promos often increase in value over time.
From a collector or investment perspective, they can become surprisingly valuable years later.
So if you haven’t paid attention to them yet, I definitely recommend watching:
• V Jump promos • Saikyo Jump promos
Pre-Orders Now Open
We are currently accepting pre-orders for:
Saikyo Jump May Issue “Summit of the Strongest Pack”
Early demand and pre-order interest have been very strong.
There is a good chance the price may increase shortly after release, so if you’re interested, it’s best to reserve early.
Yesterday I mentioned that we mainly use FedEx and EMS for international shipping.
Handling daily shipments with a small team is not always easy, but connecting this island nation of Japan to customers around the world is something I truly believe is important — not just for business, but for expanding my own world as well.
That’s why I find real purpose in what we do.
Today, I personally brought an urgent shipment to Japan Post and sent it to Europe. Even if it’s just one package, it must be sent accurately and securely.
If we can ship today, we ship today. The sooner it leaves Japan, the sooner it reaches you — and that peace of mind matters.
💡 $1 Shops: A Hidden Treasure for Packaging
After shipping, I went to pick up packaging materials.
When it comes to shipping, “safety” is everything.
I started selling trading cards two years ago on eBay my first sale was a $5–$10 card to a customer in the U.S. I still remember how that buyer kindly gave me advice on shipping methods.
Since then, I’ve learned through experience — including occasional shipping accidents like bent cards. Every issue became a lesson. I improved, guaranteed customers when needed, and refined my packaging methods.
Now, rigid plastic card holders are essential for protecting cards. Sometimes I use UV-protected hard cases they cost around $1 each, but they are surprisingly effective.
For larger orders, we use different methods, but for single cards, lightweight and durable protection is key.
📂 Custom Protection for Larger Items
Recently, we’ve had more orders for premium collections (such as One Piece premium card collections).
These items are A4-sized, and standard document cases are often too large. I found a perfectly fitted plastic case that prevents movement inside the package — and customers can reuse it for storage afterward.
That balance of protection and usability is important to me.
📦 Why We Don’t Use Standard Bulk Packaging
At our scale, using bulk commercial packaging would be cheaper.
However, Pokémon, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Yu-Gi-Oh! products all differ in size and characteristics. Instead of forcing everything into one standard solution, we customize packaging depending on the product.
Yes, $1 per case may sound inexpensive — but when combined with other materials and international shipping weight considerations, costs add up.
Still, we prioritize:
• Damage prevention • Lightweight protection • International shipping efficiency
Safety always comes first.
🏬 Pokémon Center Visit
I also stopped by the Pokémon Center today.
Recently, MEGA Dream ex has often been out of stock, but after confirming availability by phone, I went in person.
Purchase limits today:
• MEGA Dream ex – 5 packs per person • Muni Kis Zero – 10 packs per person
After receiving orders from yesterday’s blog post, I purchased a total of 40 packs.
With new sets scheduled for release in March and again in May–June, current market conditions make unopened Muni Kis Zero packs an interesting long-term hold. Buying during calmer price periods can offer future upside — or simply the fun of opening them years later.
📢 Upcoming Release
Tomorrow (March 4th), the new issue of Saikyo Jump will be released, including a Brook promo card.
HAKATA7 