After more than 27 years (and counting!) in print, the One Piece manga has provided its readers with an ever-growing cast of memorable villains which Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat Pirates have had to fend off on their path to claim the series’ titular treasure. Many of these One Piece villains have gone on to make appearances on standout ONE PIECE Card Game cards ever since the TCG’s debut in 2022.

What’s interesting about all the cards on this list is the fact that the version of each of the cards mentioned here was first awarded as a tournament prize. This is rather apt for cards that depict villains, for those who conquered their adversaries at the tournament would then be awarded a card representing one of the primary foes to be overcome in the manga.

Kaido SR [OP01-094] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$513)

We’ll get things started with a Super Rare version of the Kaido card originally from Romance Dawn [OP-01] which was awarded to winners of November and December 2023 Flagship Battle tournaments in Japan and Asia-Pacific. Right off the bat, this card’s visuals are obviously eye-catching; they include a spectrum-like holofoil finish that for One Piece anime viewers, might call to mind the iconic Episode 1015 when Luffy’s duel against Kaido on the rooftop of the Skull Dome of Onigashima began.

The card’s illustration clearly depicts Kaido’s sheer power by centering the splitting ground that’s implied to have come about as a result of an attack launched via Hassaikai, his giant kanabo—a fitting representation of the overwhelming force that a (now former) member of the Four Emperors wields in the One Piece canon. Finally, in the background of the top-left corner of the card, there’s a faded dragon image. That dragon is the form that Kaido takes after using the powers of his Devil Fruit, the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon. It was in that form that the climax of his fight against Luffy took place.

Borsalino SR-P [OP02-114] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$4,514)

Next up is a version of the Borsalino card from Paramount War [OP-02] which went to winners or high-ranking finishers of selected ONE PIECE Card Game tournaments around the world in mid-2023. Befitting the status of a card awarded as a tournament prize, the card’s border and background as well as the outer edges of Borsalino’s seat are covered in gold accents, adding a further layer of prestige to a card that’s already one which inherently carries a great deal of it.

The card also uses its holofoil layer to display Borsalino’s Devil Fruit powers that come from the Glint-Glint Fruit which enables Borsalino to create, control, and transform into light at will. The ray of light emanating from Borsalino’s figure has its visual impact augmented by the holofoil, causing Borsalino to appear to be an even greater threat—exactly the vibe desired when designing an epic villain card.

Perona SR [OP06-093] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$116)

This card was awarded to top-8 finishers at the Flagship Battle EX tournament held at the BANDAI CARD GAMES Fest 23-24 World Tour FINAL in JAPAN (the capitalization is how BANDAI stylized the event’s name) in March 2024. The Flagship Battle EX tournament was one of the undercards to the main event—the ONE PIECE Card Game World Championships. Though it wasn’t the prize handed out as part of the biggest title of them all, just its association with the World Championships unquestionably drives its value way up.

A tournament-exclusive version of a card first released in Wings of the Captain [OP-06], the card depicts the so-called “Ghost Princess” living up to her epithet as she controls a ghost army which Perona created herself—both possible through the use of the Hollow-Hollow Fruit. Cards depicting canonical material almost always tend to be well-regarded. Additionally, the fact that Perona is a female character who fulfills certain character archetypes that appeal to some One Piece fans gives this card’s value an extra rise.

Kuzan SR-P [OP02-096] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$10,045)

This card was one of a set of three tournament prize cards distributed back in 2023; the first of these was the Borsalino card mentioned earlier. (More on the third one later.) Like that card, this one went to various ONE PIECE Card Game tournament winners or high-ranking finishers; however, this card was more restricted than the Borsalino card, further elevating its value. This card is a tournament-exclusive version of a card first printed in Paramount War [OP-02].

The card’s illustration somewhat mimics that of the Borsalino card as well—Kuzan is shown unleashing the power of his own Devil Fruit; in this case it’s the Ice-Ice Fruit. The layer of holofoil adds further visual impact, making the ice appear more life-like as though light is reflecting off its surface. The illustration also emphasizes Kuzan’s outstretched palm to further drive the point that he’s the one launching the attack—infusing a degree of dynamism apt for a tournament prize card.

Charlotte Pudding R [OP03-112] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$2,580)

Charlotte Pudding has been a fan favorite ever since her introduction in the Whole Cake Island Arc—in part for demographic reasons and in part for her compelling backstory and character arc. Thus, when BANDAI chose to put her on a tournament prize card for Championship 2024 Wave 1 preliminary tournaments in Japan and Asia-Pacific, the card, as expected, became among the single most desired of all ONE PIECE Card Game cards.

This card is an alternate-art version of a card first released in Pillars of Strength [OP-03]. Pudding’s third eye is clearly visible; as a member of the aptly-named Three-Eye Tribe, this is her defining feature. However, throughout the majority of her character arc, her third eye is usually covered by her hair. Additionally, the card directly alludes to a major turning point in the Whole Cake Island Arc’s storyline—the supposed arranged marriage between Pudding and Sanji. Cards that allude to a pivotal moment in the manga typically have additional appeal; this card is no different in that regard.

Charlotte Katakuri SEC [OP03-123] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$5,294)

Pudding’s brother Katakuri is the single most popular of all One Piece villains as shown by the results of the most recent character popularity poll. This is due to his major role in the Whole Cake Island Arc as well as his surprising turn to allying with the Straw Hat Pirates in One Piece Film: Red. As such, the Katakuri card awarded to high-ranking Championship Wave 1 tournament finishers in Asia-Pacific as well as those from Wave 2 tournaments in North America, Europe, Oceania, and Latin America in June and July 2024 tournaments has become one of the most coveted ONE PIECE Card Game cards.

The card’s alternate-art illustration, unique to the tournament prize version of a card first seen in Pillars of Strength [OP-03], shows Katakuri unleashing a ferocious attack by way of his Devil Fruit powers. The Mochi-Mochi Fruit allows Katakuri to turn his limbs giant and compress their force into a single fist—an image of overwhelming power and force apt for a tournament prize card. Additionally, the original version of this card was already a Secret Rare (SEC); thus, with this being a special version of an already mega-rare card, it’s no surprise that its value is exceptionally high. 

Sakazuki SR-P [OP02-099] (PSA 10 Price: ~US$33,935)

This is it. This is “the one”—among all ONE PIECE Card Game villain cards, this Sakazuki card stands head and shoulders above the rest. The third of the trio of cards including the Borsalino and Kuzan cards already mentioned, the card depicting the Fleet Admiral has a value far outstripping those of its counterparts as well as all other villain cards for several reasons. Unlike Borsalino and Kuzan, Sakazuki is among the primary overarching antagonists of the entire series and is expected to prominently feature during the climax of the story.

Further adding to this card’s value is the links between Sakazuki and the ONE PIECE Card Game metagame. Though it wasn’t this card, another Sakazuki card—and thus the Blue/Black Sakazuki deck—was recently banned from tournament play as it was deemed to be overpowered. Add this to the card’s status as a tournament prize exclusive as well as its eye-catching alternate artwork and every element to one of the most epic pulls in ONE PIECE Card Game history is in place.

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