There are many Dragon Ball cards that get a lot of attention, but today I’d like to introduce a few Dragon Ball promo cards that I personally think are underrated, yet very well made.
One thing I always notice when handling Dragon Ball cards especially promo cards is the high quality of their holo and foil finishes. The cards introduced here date back to around 2017, but even at that time, Dragon Ball was already using holo effects very actively, which I find impressive.
Line-art focused holo patterns, full gold finishes, and surfaces that change their expression depending on how the light hits them. Many of these cards feel far more impressive in hand than they do in photos.
The promos featured here aren’t necessarily special because they are rare, but because they are fun to look at and satisfying to collect.
Dragon Ball Super Divers
SDVP-024 A promotional card distributed as a visitor gift at the Dragon Ball Genki-Dama Festival. The card features the official “40th Anniversary Dragon Ball” logo.
SDVTD-002 / SDVTB-003 Gohan (Youth) Cards included in the 40th Anniversary Edition.
SDVTD-003 Piccolo Also included in the 40th Anniversary Edition.
Dragon Ball Heroes
Hero Avatar Card (Gold Foil Version) This card was obtainable at selected game centers and toy stores by completing a survey or meeting certain conditions. The gold foil finish is very strong, giving the card a powerful presence. It’s also relatively easy to collect, which makes it an attractive piece.
What all of these cards have in common is that they aren’t overly flashy, yet they still carry a strong “Dragon Ball–like” sense of power and impact.
They work well as collectibles, and they clearly show why people often say that Dragon Ball cards have some of the most beautiful holo designs.
We do handle and sell some Dragon Ball promo cards like these, so if anything here caught your interest, feel free to reach out.
Contact / Reservations
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— But When You Stand on the Ground, the View Is Slightly Different —
Looking at the Numbers, the Japanese Pokémon Card Market Seems Healthy
Let’s start by looking at recent trends in the Japanese Pokémon card market through flea-market price charts.
September 26, 2025: Expansion Pack Inferno X
November 28, 2025: High-Class Pack Mega Dream ex
January 23, 2026: New Expansion Munykis Zero
When these release timings are layered onto the chart, the average price trend shows a steady upward movement overall.
Each new release triggers a reaction in the market, and many people conclude:
“The Japanese market is still active.”
“There’s still strong momentum.”
Judging purely by the numbers, that assessment isn’t wrong.
However, the “Human Movement” Behind the Prices Tells a Different Story
Now let’s change perspective slightly.
These charts don’t only show prices — they also show transaction volume, in other words, how many actual trades are happening.
This is where a subtle inconsistency appears.
Right after Inferno X launched, both prices and transactions surged briefly
After that, prices held steady, but trading volume gradually cooled
Even after Mega Dream ex and Munykis Zero, prices continued rising while transaction volume remained relatively low
In simple terms, the current Japanese market looks like this:
Prices are high, but the market itself isn’t moving much.
This is something that’s difficult to grasp by numbers alone.
What I Feel on the Ground: “It’s Busy, But the Excitement Has Faded”
I live close to Pokémon Centers and multiple card shops, and I visit them regularly watching price changes, BOX and pack availability, reservation trends, and customer behavior in real time.
What has stood out to me recently is this:
The sense of excitement has clearly declined compared to before.
Emotions don’t appear on charts or spreadsheets, but when you’re physically present, the change in atmosphere is unmistakable.
Pokémon Centers Are Still Crowded But in a Different Way
Pokémon Centers are still packed with tourists, especially on weekends. However, the nature of that crowd has changed.
When Munykis Zero launched in January 2026, the release day attracted many people who wanted to “see something new” or “try opening a few packs.”
But that excitement didn’t last long. Just a few days later, customer activity visibly slowed.
An Honest Surprise Inside Card Shops
Visiting card shops brought a different kind of surprise.
On the first day of Munykis Zero, Mega Zygarde ex (MUR, gold) was already displayed in showcases, and AR cards were selling for around ¥600 (about $4).
My honest reaction was:
“Wait… already this cheap?”
Even if you understand market logic, seeing those prices in person instantly pulls you back to reality lowering expectations and dampening the emotional thrill.
“You Can Easily Buy Boxes at MSRP in Japan” Is No Longer True
Many people still assume:
“If you’re in Japan, you can just buy BOXes and packs at retail price, right?”
Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case.
Past issues such as:
Scalping
Shrink-wrap tampering
Searched packs
combined with online misinformation, have pushed Japanese retailers to adopt strict countermeasures.
Today, it’s common to see:
No BOX sales at all
Shrink wrap removed immediately after purchase
Pack-only sales with strict quantity limits
Shrink-wrapped BOXes do still exist, but they are far less common than before.
Even Individual Packs Have Become Competitive
“So then just buy packs at convenience stores or card shops?”
In reality, even packs are difficult to secure.
When packs arrive:
Information spreads instantly on social media
Stock sells out within hours sometimes minutes
By the time you hear “This store had some,” they’re usually already gone.
Relying on past restock information is, frankly, not recommended.
Has Pokémon Lost Popularity? Not Exactly.
So, has Pokémon become unpopular?
I don’t believe so.
More accurately:
Short- and mid-term investment buyers have decreased.
That’s all.
True Pokémon fans are shifting their focus away from chasing only new releases, and back toward vintage cards and older formats.
With Pokémon’s 30th anniversary approaching, commemorative cards like future McDonald’s promos could easily shift the market again in a different way.
Meanwhile, One Piece and Dragon Ball Are Clearly Heating Up
On the other hand, Bandai’s One Piece and Dragon Ball card games are extremely strong right now.
Until late 2024, the situation was often:
Plenty of buy-ins
But slow retail movement
Now, the trend has flipped.
Promo cards
Special sets
Limited items
are moving very actively.
More card shops are dedicating entire sections to One Piece and Dragon Ball for international customers, and online reservations often sell out instantly.
This mirrors Pokémon’s earlier phases almost perfectly.
It’s Not a “Switch” It’s an Expansion of Interest
This doesn’t mean people are abandoning Pokémon.
Rather:
Pokémon fans are expanding their interests into One Piece and Dragon Ball.
That overlap is growing steadily and that’s the real atmosphere of today’s Japanese market.
So, What Should International Visitors Buy in Japan?
First, an important reminder:
You should always buy what you genuinely like.
That said, many visitors come to Japan hoping to buy new Pokémon BOXes or packs at Pokémon Centers or electronics stores.
The reality is: it’s hard to do so.
Even Japanese buyers who understand the system and visit multiple stores strategically struggle. For short-term visitors, spending valuable travel time hunting packs often leads to frustration rather than enjoyment.
Why I Recommend “Japan-Specific” Cards
So, what does make sense to buy in Japan?
I strongly recommend focusing on:
Japan-exclusive promo cards
Vintage cards unique to Japan’s card history
These items capture something you can only get in Japan.
Final Thoughts
New expansions like Munykis Zero are still being sold in Japan, and I personally continue visiting stores, observing real-world movement and atmosphere daily.
However, there is no single “correct” way to collect.
Rather than chasing trends or prices alone, ask yourself:
What truly caught your interest?
What experience do you want to take home from Japan?
Choosing with that mindset is, in my opinion, the least regrettable way to enjoy today’s Japanese market.
For reservations or inquiries, please contact us here:
Saikyo Jump – March 2026 Issue (Releasing February 4, 2026)
The March 2026 issue of Saikyo Jump, releasing on February 4, 2026, includes a special all-applicants service bonus for readers.
By purchasing the magazine and applying, you can receive the Dragon Ball – Strongest Saiyan Pack.
This pack features three cards, all in God Rare specification, making it a very attractive bonus for Dragon Ball fans.
In Japan, magazine pre-orders have already begun, and the application period for this all-applicants service is scheduled to start on February 4.
I have already shared this information briefly on Instagram Stories, but with the recent surge in Dragon Ball popularity, I can clearly see that magazine reservations in Japan are moving faster than usual.
If this is something you are interested in, it’s worth keeping an eye on availability and acting early while options are still open.
For reservations or inquiries, please contact us here:
Today, I visited the Pokémon Center once again as usual.
It’s been about a week since Munikis Zero was released, and purchase limits are still in place: Munikis Zero: up to 5 packs per person Mega Dream ex: up to 5 packs per person.
For some reason, I seem to have good luck at the Pokémon Center. I often feel that buying loose packs gives better pulls like MUR or SAR compared to buying full boxes, so personally, I prefer packs over boxes. Lately, I’ve also been receiving many requests from customers, so I picked up packs accordingly.
This time, in addition to Pokémon cards, I was asked to look for Pokémon Center badges. After doing some research, I managed to buy them, but they are quite popular items and sometimes sell out depending on timing.
To be honest, I’m not trying to make big profits from Pokémon Center badges. What matters more to me is that these items help create conversations and strengthen relationships with customers. Recently, customers have been asking not only for cards but also for other products and even food items popular ramen, local ingredients, and more. I feel like I’m starting to understand everyone’s preferences better (laughs).
As I’ve mentioned many times, if you’re looking for Munikis Zero or Mega Dream ex packs, I’d be happy if you buy them from me. I purchase directly from the Pokémon Center almost every day, so the packs are always fresh. I also stay in close contact with customers via WhatsApp, which allows for real-time communication. I believe the reliability, local presence, and real-world activity I offer go beyond what most customers expect.
For reservations or inquiries, please contact us here:
Winter continues in Japan. Here in Fukuoka, where I live, the temperature is around 7°C (about 45°F). Many people imagine southern Japan to be warm, but in reality, Fukuoka is almost the same temperature as Tokyo. Travelers are often surprised by how cold it actually feels.
As I’ve mentioned several times on this blog, the popularity of ONE PIECE in Japan is rapidly increasing. More accurately, new products, new cards, and campaigns are being released one after another, and almost everything becomes popular and expensive very quickly. Even for someone living in Japan, the speed of this trend is surprising.
Today, I’m not writing about a new release. Instead, I want to talk again about a part of my personal collection: Miracle Battle Carddass.
Miracle Battle Carddass was an all-star trading card game released by Bandai more than 10 years before the current ONE PIECE Card Game existed.
It started in December 2009 with two titles: Dragon Ball Kai and ONE PIECE. Later, many popular Jump series of that era joined the game, including Toriko, HUNTER × HUNTER, NARUTO, BLEACH, Gintama, and Kuroko’s Basketball.
The rules and designs were completely different from today’s ONE PIECE cards, but the concept “Jump characters battling to determine the strongest” was a dream game for many children at the time. The series eventually came to an end around 2014–2015.
Interestingly, I didn’t know about these cards during their original release period. I only discovered them about a year ago and started collecting well-preserved cards little by little. Recently, however, prices have increased significantly sometimes three to four times higher than before.
I originally purchased them as both a collection and a form of investment, but around October 2025, prices began to rise steadily. This trend is not limited to Japan; I strongly feel that overseas demand is also playing a role.
I sell cards and boxes to collectors around the world almost every day, and I often think: “Thank you for being interested in Japan and its culture.”
In Japan, many people prefer new items, and older things are often overlooked. Yet collectors overseas frequently discover and appreciate the value of older Japanese cards and culture. In many ways, they remind us of the worth of what we already have.
The cards shown here are part of my personal collection, but one of my favorite details is the Japanese ‘signature phrases’ printed on them they’re incredibly cool (laugh). It has become a true hobby for me, and I’d like to slowly explore not only ONE PIECE, but also Dragon Ball and Naruto cards from this series.
These cards are already becoming hard to find in the Japanese market. If you’re interested or looking for specific cards or boxes, feel free to contact me anytime I may be able to help you find them.
For reservations or inquiries, please contact us here:
This time, I visited Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Most of the time, I focus on exploring Pokémon and One Piece cards, but recently I’ve noticed that interest in Dragon Ball has been steadily increasing as well. It’s not at the same level as One Piece yet, but more people are clearly starting to get into it.
Personally, I grew up with Akira Toriyama’s works. Not only Dragon Ball, but also Dr. Slump, and when it comes to games, I’ve always loved Dragon Quest. I even remember the release day of the very first Dragon Quest but that’s a story for another time.
For this post, I’ll briefly share my experience with photos, showing what I found on the ground.
First, a bit about Kitakyushu City, a city with a population of around 900,000. It’s the second-largest city in Fukuoka Prefecture, after Fukuoka City where I live.
By car, it’s about an hour via the highway (around 35 minutes by train, or just 15 minutes by Shinkansen). It’s not exactly close, but once you’re used to it, the distance doesn’t feel like much.
In large cities like Tokyo, it’s common to miss out on popular items due to heavy competition and professional resellers. However, regional areas often have fewer stores and less competition, which can make them surprisingly comfortable places to search.
This time, I was looking for the Dragon Ball Super Divers – Diver Passport DRAGON BALL 40th Anniversary Edition, released on January 24, 2026.
As the name suggests, this is a commemorative item, and many fans are actively searching for it. While it’s possible to buy one online through marketplaces, I prefer direct sourcing whenever possible, as I don’t want to sell items with poor condition.
Because of that, I personally visit multiple stores and check stock in person.
Luckily, I managed to secure a few sets this time. I already knew stock was extremely limited, but I trusted my instincts and stopped by one store and they still had it. That was pure luck.
It’s not an extremely expensive item, but for Dragon Ball fans, it’s definitely something worth owning at least one set of.
I personally keep several sets in my own collection, and considering that prices have already risen to about 2.5 times the original retail, I believe this item has strong potential for further appreciation. If you’re interested, it’s best to secure one sooner rather than later.
Overall, Dragon Ball cards are relatively affordable compared to other franchises, and many feature beautiful holographic and foil designs, making them easy to get into.
Competition in Japan is still relatively low (though it’s slowly increasing), which makes now a great time to start collecting older cards. Prices tend to rise gradually from older items first, so getting in early is usually the best strategy.
I’ll continue sharing Dragon Ball-related updates going forward. If you’re interested or have any questions, feel free to reach out anytime.
For reservations or inquiries, please contact us here:
It has now been three days since the release of the new set “Munikis Zero.” So, what is actually happening in the market right now?
I have been visiting the Pokémon Center every day since release day, including today. The set was released on the 23rd, followed by the weekend on the 24th and 25th, so I expected heavy crowds. However, contrary to expectations, it wasn’t crowded at all. In fact, it felt quieter than usual.
Perhaps the stores anticipated weekend congestion in advance. Sales were limited to 5 packs of Munikis Zero per person, and other products such as Mega Dream ex were not being sold at the time. Overall, it felt like the stores were intentionally focusing sales on Munikis Zero.
Market Overview
Mega Zygarde ex #117 (MUR)
The current market price is around ¥28,000 (approximately $182 USD). Before release, this card reached prices as high as ¥120,000 (around $780 USD). On release day, the price dropped sharply and opened around ¥37,000 ($240 USD).
Since then, the price has stabilized around ¥28,000 for two consecutive days. It has not even been a full week since release, and considering that comparable cards such as Mega Lucario ex MUR are trading in a similar range, I personally believe that a major further drop is unlikely at this stage.
Meowth ex #114 (SAR)
Meowth is a very popular Pokémon, and the current market price is around ¥11,000 ($71 USD). At launch, it was selling closer to ¥13,000 ($84 USD), so we have seen a mild decline.
This is only my personal opinion, but depending on future supply levels, there may still be some room for additional downward movement.
Looking at the market overall (for selected cards), prices are generally trending downward. However, this is not unusual. It follows the same pattern seen with many previous new releases.
Early prices are often inflated by hype and expectations. What matters is whether prices drop sharply or stabilize after the initial wave. Usually, the first 7 days after release (around January 30th in this case) give us a clearer picture of where the market is heading.
For now, the most important thing is not to jump to conclusions too early.
Compared to Pokémon Centers in Tokyo or Osaka, Fukuoka offers a relatively favorable purchasing environment. As of today (January 26), customers could buy 5 packs of Munikis Zero, and additionally 5 packs of Mega Dream ex. At Toys“R”Us locations, purchases of up to 10 packs per person were allowed.
Fukuoka is not as intensely competitive as some other regions, and many stores here are cooperative. This makes it easier to secure packs consistently and, in some cases, offer them at more reasonable prices.
In major cities like Tokyo, direct purchases are often difficult, forcing buyers to rely on secondary markets, which naturally drives prices higher. From that perspective, Fukuoka remains a strong location for selling and sourcing products.
There are, of course, many different opinions about Munikis Zero. That said, I would recommend starting by opening just a few packs.
You may rediscover the simple enjoyment of opening cards something that feels nostalgic for many collectors.
As a small side note, and perhaps just luck, but many customers who have purchased packs or boxes from me have pulled great cards. If you’re considering it, this might be a good opportunity to give it a try.
For reservations or inquiries, please contact us here:
Today (January 21), the new Pokémon TCG expansion “Munikis Zero” was officially released in Japan.
There are many different opinions about Pokémon cards themselves, but in this article, I’d like to focus on something a bit different: what it actually takes to get Munikis Zero on release day in Japan.
Rather than discussing card values or pull rates, I want to walk you through a real day on the ground step by step with photos.
5:00 AM – Convenience Store Hunting
My day started at 5:00 AM.
In Japan, the earliest place to buy Pokémon cards on release day is convenience stores, so I woke up early and began visiting multiple locations.
On X (Twitter), you often see posts like: “I got tons of boxes and packs at a convenience store!”
But to be honest, even for Japanese buyers, getting a full box at a convenience store is extremely rare.
Why?
Very limited stock
Items sell out immediately
That morning, I visited around 10 different convenience stores, and in the end, I was only able to purchase 2 boxes.
Not every convenience store sells Pokémon or ONE PIECE cards. Only specific locations carry them, which means advance research is essential.
On release day, speed matters. The less time you waste, the better your chances and in this case, I managed to find boxes at a store I hadn’t originally expected.
Next Stop: Pokémon Center
After that, I headed to the Pokémon Center.
Boxes: Lottery winners only
General sales:
Munikis Zero: 5 packs per person
Mega Dream ex: 5 packs per person
Looking around, about 40% of customers were Japanese, with the remaining 60% being international visitors, mostly from other Asian countries.
Mega Dream ex allows 5 packs per person, which slightly increases the chances of pulling URs or SARs. And most importantly, Pokémon Center packs are completely unsearched and safe.
Because of this, I confidently offer budget-friendly pack services to my customers. Many people have already pulled MUR and SAR cards through this service.
30 Packs of Munikis Zero
In total, I purchased 30 packs of Munikis Zero.
One important advantage I have is that the Pokémon Center is close to my home. This allows me to respond quickly to customer requests and buy packs almost daily.
In a market filled with resealed packs and fake shrink wrap, being able to provide authentic, traceable packs at fair prices is something my customers truly appreciate.
Recently, many overseas visitors in Japan have struggled to buy packs or boxes themselves. We now offer a service where we purchase the items on their behalf and deliver them directly to their hotel. (Of course, we also ship internationally.)
Some people compare prices but all of our packs and boxes come from clear, legitimate sources. Safety and authenticity are guaranteed.
Lately, counterfeit ONE PIECE cards have also become a serious issue. Choosing purely based on price can be risky, and I strongly recommend buyers be cautious.
Finally, Something for Myself
At the end of the day, I also picked up a few boxes for myself.
I haven’t opened them yet, but just knowing there’s a strong chance of pulling MUR or SAR cards is already exciting 😊
There has been a lot of focus on ONE PIECE lately, and Pokémon fans may have felt a bit left out but this year marks Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. I truly hope this release helps reignite excitement.
Interested in Munikis Zero or Mega Dream ex?
If you’re looking for packs or boxes, feel free to contact me.
Many of you are probably familiar with the name “Jump”, but it actually includes four different manga magazines:
Weekly Shonen Jump
Jump SQ
Saikyo Jump
V Jump
The V Jump April Super Issue comes with a One Piece “Sanji” promo card as a bonus.
As of January 21, the artwork has not been officially revealed yet, but from the teaser image, you can already get a rough idea of the design 😊
In addition, this issue also includes a Yu-Gi-Oh! card, making it a very content-rich release overall.
It may be hard to picture the card without seeing it yet, but reservations have already started (and in some places, competition is intense).
With the current One Piece boom, many people expect prices to rise later on. Right now, we can still offer this at a very reasonable price, so please contact us as soon as possible if you’re interested.
Many people are currently looking for sealed Mega Dream ex boxes (10 packs per box). At the moment, market prices are already close to almost double the retail price, but today I’d like to share a way to get them at a lower cost than the current market.
Thanks to your support, we communicate and trade with many collectors every day via WhatsApp and Instagram. Through these conversations, we wanted to find a way to offer Mega Dream ex as affordably as possible.
Our advantage is simple: we are located very close to a Pokémon Center, which allows us to purchase packs directly and immediately.
Currently, Mega Dream ex packs are limited to 5 packs per person, but within this limit, we can continue purchasing packs on behalf of our customers.
In short, we sell authentic, unopened packs purchased directly from the Pokémon Center, in the quantity you request. This service is built on trust, but please be assured: there is absolutely no searching, weighing, or any unfair practice involved.
Since one Mega Dream ex box contains 10 packs, orders are accepted in 10-pack units. Depending on availability, other products such as Inferno X may also be offered below market price.
For the upcoming release on January 23rd, “Munikis Zero,” while full boxes may be expensive, individual packs should be relatively easy to obtain in small quantities. There is no need to overpay for sealed boxes we aim to provide fair access through trust and transparency.
If you are interested, please contact us using the details below.
HAKATA7 