[Update 27 Sep 2024] This card now has metagame viability as well. It serves as a key draw engine in the Red/Blue Marco deck, allowing the player to get the jump on the opponent by setting up key pieces on the player’s side early.

Some of the most intriguing character arcs in the entire One Piece canon belong to characters from or associated with the Kozuki family. Izou, the retainer of the Wano Country daimyo Kozuki Oden, was one such character—and there are several allusions to this character arc on this ONE PIECE Card Game card from the Pillars of Strength [OP-03] set.

Izou’s in-universe epithet was “Flintlock Pistols Izou” for good reason—and while not quite possible to completely determine, what appear to be his pistols can be seen in the bottom-left corner of the card’s illustration. The card’s general aesthetic mimics feudal Japan upon which Wano Country was based, adding a sense of immersion. Finally and most importantly, this card’s rarity of Rare Special (R-SPC) is among the highest in its set.

Even though Izou is male, he is also a cross-dresser. For that reason, those who aren’t all too familiar with the canonical material of One Piece might mistake him for a woman at first glance, inadvertently causing this card to benefit from the usual “female character boost” as well. Additionally, the relative novelty of the entire concept might also draw attention to the card.

This card has been released in English.

The price of an Izou (Pillars of Strength [OP-03] OP03-003) card of R-SPC rarity is 5,200 JPY.

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