Tag Archives: Bandai

One Piece Card Game OP-17: Rocks D. Xebec Debuts, Baki’s Itagaki Draws Kaido

One of the most feared names in One Piece history has finally found its way onto cardboard. Bandai has revealed that Rocks D. Xebec — the pirate so dangerous the World Government erased him from the history books — will make his One Piece Card Game debut in OP-17: The World’s Strongest Warriors, alongside a stunning guest-art collaboration with Baki creator Keisuke Itagaki. The 4th Anniversary booster drops worldwide on 28 August 2026, including Singapore.

The ONE PIECE CARD GAME BOOSTER: -THE WORLD’S STRONGEST WARRIORS- [OP-17] Trailer — via Official Bandai Card Games Channel on YouTube

Rocks D. Xebec Finally Joins the One Piece Card Game

The Rocks Pirates’ legendary captain has never appeared in the card game — until now. Rocks D. Xebec enters OP-17 as a Secret Rare (OP17-118 SEC) with a formidable 12,000 power and a block X Rocks Pirates affiliation. His on-play ability lets you draw a card and then deploy up to two different Rocks Pirates characters from your hand, provided their combined cost does not exceed 9. He also receives a Manga Rare treatment — part of OP-17’s brand-new Manga Rare rarity tier, which is making its first appearance in the game.

Rocks holds the distinction of being the one pirate who united Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard under a single flag — long before their names were spoken with fear across the Grand Line. The Elbaph arc currently airing has begun pulling those threads back into focus, which makes his card debut feel particularly well-timed.

Rocks D. Xebec Secret Rare card OP17-118 SEC from One Piece Card Game The World's Strongest Warriors OP-17
Image courtesy of Bandai

Baki Creator Keisuke Itagaki Illustrates Kaido — OP17-062 SR

Alongside the Rocks reveal, Bandai confirmed that Keisuke Itagaki — the mangaka behind the Baki franchise — has created an exclusive illustration of Kaido for the set. The resulting card (OP17-062 SR, titled “The Strongest Creature”) applies Itagaki’s trademark raw, anatomy-heavy linework to Kaido’s face mid-roar, in a composition that reads unmistakably like a page from Baki Dou. The name “KEISUKE ITAGAKI” is printed vertically into the card border as a permanent guest credit.

This follows the precedent set when Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami illustrated the Five Elders cards, cementing guest manga-artist collaborations as a recurring headline of the One Piece Card Game. Two of the biggest names in brutal, power-focused manga have now contributed art to the game — and the card community has responded warmly both times.

Kaido Super Rare card OP17-062 SR illustrated by Baki creator Keisuke Itagaki for One Piece Card Game OP-17 The World's Strongest Warriors
Image courtesy of Bandai

OP-17 Set Breakdown: New Rarities, 131 Card Types, Elbaph Theme

OP-17 is the game’s 4th Anniversary set, themed around the Elbaph arc and the Four Emperors. It introduces two new rarity types at once: Manga Leaders and Manga Rares (both firsts for the game), plus the new Pirates Super Parallel rarity, which debuts with special versions of Monkey D. Luffy and Rocks D. Xebec. The full set contains 131+4 types in total — 6 Leaders, 45 Commons, 30 Uncommons, 26 Rares, 10 Super Rares, 2 Secret Rares, 6 Special cards, and 1 Treasure Rare. Starter decks confirmed for the wave include Monkey D. Luffy, Roronoa Zoro, Kuzan, Charlotte Katakuri, Sabo, and Eustass “Captain” Kid.

Singapore Release: 28 August 2026 — First Global Simultaneous Launch

OP-17 releases in Japan on 22 August 2026, with the English-language wide release on 28 August 2026 — the same date for Singapore, North America, and Europe. Bandai has confirmed this as the game’s first booster with zero gap between the Japanese and international release, which means local players can open packs on the same weekend as their counterparts in Tokyo and New York without waiting or importing. International pack pricing is set at USD $4.99 per pack; watch major game retailers and card shops here for SGD pricing and pre-order details closer to the date. For more One Piece and trading card game news, check our manga and anime coverage.

Digimon’s DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL Launches Today in Japan

Today — 1 August 2026 — is Odaiba Memorial Day, the anniversary of when the DigiDestined first arrived in the Digital World. Bandai Namco is marking it in the best way possible: the DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL is out today in Japan, reviving the iconic LCD handheld toy from the original Digimon Adventure series for the first time since 1999.

What Is the DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL?

If you grew up in Singapore watching Digimon Adventure and pestering your parents for a Digivice at the toy shop, this one is for you. Released in Japan in July 1999, the original Digivice was a pendulum-style LCD game — you raised a Digimon partner, kept it healthy by swinging the device, and linked up with other Digivice owners to swap HELP requests. It was part virtual pet, part adventure companion, and for a generation of Singapore kids it was the coolest thing on the toy shelf.

The DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL brings that loop back, pulling content from the full original Digimon Adventure TV run all the way through the 2020 film Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna. There are more than 80 Digimon to raise and encounter — partners and rivals alike — and the core pendulum mechanic is intact. The retail price in Japan is ¥4,378 (tax included), roughly US$30.

DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL Taichi Yagami Colour — orange and blue transparent body with Agumon on the LCD screen
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Two Variants: Taichi or Yamato?

There are two colour variants at launch, each styled after one of the original DigiDestined:

  • Taichi Yagami Colour — the classic orange-and-blue transparent shell with Agumon on boot. If you only owned one Digivice as a kid, it was probably this one.
  • Yamato Ishida Colour — a deep translucent blue with white buttons, Gabumon on the LCD. Yamato’s device always had the colder, sharper look, and this version nails it.

Both variants have identical gameplay and Digimon rosters — the choice is cosmetic. A single CR2032 battery (included) powers the unit and the rated age is 8 and above.

DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL Yamato Ishida Colour — deep blue and white body with Gabumon on the LCD screen
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

How Singapore Fans Can Pick One Up

The DIGIVICE ver.REVIVAL is going out through general Japanese retail today — it is not a Premium Bandai exclusive — so stock should be broadly available at toy shops and electronics chains across Japan. For Singapore fans, the usual import routes apply: Play-Asia and AmiAmi both stock Bandai toys and frequently ship to Singapore, and proxy/forwarding services (Tenso, Buyee, Remambo) are straightforward options for this size of item.

Closer to home, Singapore’s Zenint — a local Digimon card and collectibles specialist — has both variants listed for pre-order ahead of the international release. Bandai has confirmed an international version is in development, described as a re-work of the existing Ver.Complete build made more accessible for fans outside Japan (likely including English text). Zenint’s listings point to a September–November 2026 window for that release; international pricing has not been confirmed.

If you want the Japanese version now, ¥4,378 per unit is very reasonable for a piece of Digimon history. Both colours are worth considering — the 1999 originals came out at similar price points and dried up fast. For more on upcoming Digimon products and other gaming news, see our latest news.

NARUTO CARD GAME First Look: Rules, CHARACTER Cards, and a Kishimoto Illustration Revealed at Gen Con 2026

Bandai Card Games has finally shown how the NARUTO CARD GAME actually plays. Timed to the game’s first public appearance at Gen Con 2026 (30 July – 2 August, Indianapolis), the official website went live with the first rules breakdown and a set of sample CHARACTER cards — our clearest look yet at what to expect when the game launches worldwide in Summer 2027.

We covered the initial announcement back in June — Bandai’s NARUTO CARD GAME reveal — when the game was confirmed but no gameplay details had been shared. That changes today.

NARUTO CARD GAME official key visual featuring Naruto and Sasuke, “Arriving in 2027”
The NARUTO CARD GAME arrives worldwide in Summer 2027. © Bandai Card Games / ©2002 Masashi Kishimoto / ©2007 Shippuden All Rights Reserved.

How the Deck Works

Each player’s deck is built from three distinct components:

  • 51 main deck cards — your battle hand of CHARACTER and other card types
  • 5 Chakra cards — a separate resource pool that powers your moves
  • 1 Summon card — a powerful additional card set aside from the main deck

The Chakra card pool sits outside the main deck and serves as both a resource system and a life point mechanic — a design that puts Chakra management at the heart of every decision.

CHARACTER Cards: The Shinobi Roster

The first wave of sample cards revealed at Gen Con showcases Special-rarity CHARACTER cards with three core stats: DMG (Damage), POW (Power), and HP (Hit Points). The initial set draws from the original Naruto series, with four characters confirmed so far:

Naruto Uzumaki CHARACTER card — Special / Hidden Leaf Village
Naruto Uzumaki — Special / Hidden Leaf Village
Sasuke Uchiha CHARACTER card — Special / Hidden Leaf Village
Sasuke Uchiha — Special / Hidden Leaf Village
Jiraiya CHARACTER card — Special / Hidden Leaf Village
Jiraiya — Special / Hidden Leaf Village
Orochimaru CHARACTER card — Special / The Legendary Sannin / Village Hidden in the Sound
Orochimaru — The Legendary Sannin / Village Hidden in the Sound

The art direction mixes full-colour illustration with manga panel collages, giving each card a distinct visual identity. Special rarity cards in particular show striking holographic treatments across the character art.

Masashi Kishimoto’s Special Illustration

Masashi Kishimoto’s hand-drawn illustration of Naruto and Sasuke holding NARUTO CARD GAME cards
Masashi Kishimoto drew this special illustration of Naruto and Sasuke for the NARUTO CARD GAME. © Bandai Card Games / ©Masashi Kishimoto Scott/Shueisha.

Creator Masashi Kishimoto contributed a specially drawn illustration of Naruto and Sasuke holding NARUTO CARD GAME cards — the image was shared alongside the Gen Con reveal as part of the official launch materials. Bandai Card Games noted Kishimoto’s personal enthusiasm for the project.

Official First Look Trailer

Gen Con and Beyond: The Event Roadmap

Gen Con 2026 marks the game’s first hands-on public appearance. Bandai Card Games has confirmed additional stops on an international event circuit, with PAX Australia listed in the roadmap. A full global rollout is targeted for Summer 2027.

No Singapore-specific retailer or distributor has been announced at this stage. We’ll update as regional details surface.

Dragon Quest Capserium: Slimes Pop Up Inside Terrarium Gachapon This Week

If you have ever wanted a Dragon Quest monster encounter to live permanently on your desk, Bandai just made it happen. The Capserium Dragon Quest (カプセリウム ドラゴンクエスト), a new entry in Bandai’s Premium Gashapon line produced under licence from Square Enix, has begun rolling out at capsule vending machines across Japan this week — and the concept is quietly brilliant: the capsule itself becomes the terrarium.

Dragon Quest Capserium Slime variant terrarium gachapon, green lid, three blue Slimes on a grassy hill
Image courtesy of Bandai / Square Enix

A Monster Has Appeared — Right on Your Desk

Bandai’s Capserium series transforms a standard gashapon sphere into a sealed, globe-shaped display case. There is no assembly required beyond dropping the diorama pieces inside the transparent shell; the lid screws on and the whole thing sits on any flat surface as a self-contained miniature scene.

The Dragon Quest version leans hard into the series’ iconic battle-encounter moment. Each capsule recreates that familiar message window as a physical placard at the base of the diorama — the same black text box that has been stopping adventurers in their tracks since 1986. Part of Dragon Quest’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, the range celebrates forty years of Slimes, Metal Slimes, and everything in between.

Update from the DRAGON QUEST Team — via DRAGON QUEST on YouTube

Three Monsters, Three Battle Scenes

The launch set has three variants, each pairing a monster with a matching field environment lifted straight from the games:

  • Slime (green lid): Three cheerful blue Slimes cluster on a grassy highland, a miniature pine tree standing watch in the background. Message window: “スライムが あらわれた!” (A Slime appeared!)
  • Hagure Metal (black lid): The notoriously elusive Metal Slime — high EXP, famously prone to running — stands on a cracked stone floor surrounded by crumbling columns and ancient rock formations, a ruins encounter brought to life. Message window: “はぐれメタルが あらわれた!” (A Metal Slime appeared!)
  • Slime Tsumuri (blue lid): The shell-wearing Slime Tsumuri emerges on a sandy beach scene with palm trees swaying overhead — arguably the most summer-ready desk ornament in the lineup.
Dragon Quest Capserium Hagure Metal (Metal Slime) variant terrarium gachapon, black lid, silver Metal Slime on a ruins diorama
Image courtesy of Bandai / Square Enix
Dragon Quest Capserium Slime Tsumuri variant terrarium gachapon, blue lid, beach scene with palm trees
Image courtesy of Bandai / Square Enix

All three are priced at 600 yen each (tax included) at gachapon vending machines. The product is rated ages 15 and up due to small components. These are not blind-box products in the traditional sense — while you are still pulling from a machine at random, there are only three designs, so collectors who know which variant they want can keep going until they land it.

Dragon Quest fans in Singapore will recognise this is part of a broader wave of 40th anniversary merchandise and experiences in Japan this year, including the recently opened Dragon Quest the DIVE VR experience in Tokyo. Browse other gaming merch and collectible news on GameTrader.

How Singapore Fans Can Import Them

Capserium Dragon Quest is a Japan-only gashapon release and will not appear at local game retailers or electronics chains. That said, it is available not just through physical vending machines but also via Japanese online retailers including Amazon Japan, Rakuten, DMM.com and Yahoo Shopping Japan — all of which support forwarding and proxy shopping services.

The 600 yen base price works out to roughly S$5–6 per capsule before shipping. Factor in international freight and proxy service fees and each terrarium will likely land closer to S$15–25 all-in, depending on how many you order and how you consolidate the shipment. Ordering three at once to complete the set in one shipment is almost always the most cost-effective approach.

If Dragon Quest Slime merchandise history is any guide, the Hagure Metal variant will be the first to sell out — rare-monster items consistently move fastest. If that is the one you want, do not sleep on it.

One Piece Card Game Launches 6 New Starter Decks — The Friendliest Way Into OPTCG Yet

The One Piece Card Game just got its most beginner-friendly entry point yet. Six brand-new starter decks — ST-31 through ST-36 — dropped in Japan on 11 July 2026, each built around a fan-favourite character and colour, with the English version set to hit shelves on 31 July 2026. If you have been on the fence about jumping into OPTCG, this is the most straightforward on-ramp Bandai has ever made.

One Piece Card Game ST-31 Red Monkey D. Luffy starter deck box
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Six Decks, Six Icons — Pick Your Colour

Bandai has lined up six decks that together cover every major colour in the game’s current meta palette. Each deck is named after a single leader character and leans into that character’s signature combat style:

  • ST-31 (Red) — Monkey D. Luffy: A fast mono-red aggro deck built around Gear 5 Luffy’s effect of attaching rested DON!! cards to characters and overwhelming opponents with Straw Hat Crew power.
  • ST-32 (Green) — Roronoa Zoro: A control-flavoured green deck leaning on Zoro’s endurance and precise timing to outmanoeuvre opponents over a longer game.
  • ST-33 (Blue) — Kuzan: A blue deck revolving around Kuzan (Aokiji), the former Marine Admiral, focused on manipulation and freezing the board state.
  • ST-34 (Purple) — Charlotte Katakuri: A purple deck inspired by Katakuri’s foresight, rewarding players who can read the game and set up multi-turn chains.
  • ST-35 (Red/Black) — Sabo: The only dual-colour deck in the set. Sabo bridges the aggressive power of red with black’s resource disruption, giving new players a taste of multi-colour play without overwhelming complexity.
  • ST-36 (Yellow) — Eustass Kid: A yellow control deck for players who prefer grinding the opponent down and punishing overextension.
One Piece Card Game ST-32 Green Zoro starter deck contents with cards
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

What’s Inside Each Deck

Every box in the ST-31 to ST-36 range contains the same core set of components:

  • 1 pre-constructed deck of 51 cards (15 unique types)
  • 1 Leader Card and 10 DON!! cards
  • 1 Playsheet (the printed play mat insert for teaching the game)
  • 1 bonus booster pack from OP-16, giving you a taste of the wider card pool

Each deck also includes 5 brand-new cards not previously released, meaning even established players have a reason to pick these up for the fresh additions to the card pool. The remaining slots are reprints of key cards from earlier sets, chosen to teach each colour’s core mechanics.

Sample cards from the One Piece Card Game ST-31 Red Luffy starter deck
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Simple Enough for Day One, Ready for the Locals Table

Bandai has specifically designed the ST-31 to ST-36 leader effects to be straightforward — no multi-step triggers, no conditional on-attack effects that require a rulebook check every turn. The intent is that a completely new player can open a box and understand what their leader does within minutes of reading the card.

That said, these are not throwaway products. Each deck’s 5 new cards are being integrated into the current competitive meta, and the ST-35 Sabo dual-colour build in particular has drawn early attention from the OPTCG community as potentially having genuine tournament legs once players figure out the optimal builds around it.

The decks are rated for ages 9 and up on the Japanese packaging, but the actual game has always attracted a broad adult player base here in Singapore — these starter decks are simply a smarter entry point, not a step down in quality.

Beginners Deck Party 2026 — Your First Tournament Starts 31 July

Bandai is pairing the English launch with a dedicated tournament format. The Beginners Deck Party 2026 runs from 31 July to 30 August 2026 at participating local game stores, and the rules are simple: all players must use one of the six ST-31 to ST-36 starter decks, unmodified. No custom builds, no expensive singles — just the box you buy at the counter.

That levels the playing field completely and means your skill at reading the deck — not your collection depth — decides who wins. Both participation prizes and winner prizes come in the form of exclusive card packs, each featuring one card across six different designs tied to the deck series.

One Piece Card Game Beginners Deck Party 2026 Participation Pack sample card
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

To find a participating store near you, register through the Bandai TCG+ app, which lists local venues once store applications open on 17 July 2026.

Where Singapore Players Can Get These Decks

The Japanese versions are available right now. At least one local retailer — SC Collection at Orchard Towers — has been stocking the Japanese edition at SGD $12 per deck. Stock on the Japanese run tends to move quickly, so if you want a specific colour before the English release, it is worth checking with major game retailers and card gaming shops now.

For those who prefer the English version, the ST-31 to ST-36 decks land internationally on 31 July 2026. SGD retail pricing for the English edition has not been formally announced, but based on historical OPTCG starter deck pricing in Singapore, expect them to land in the SGD $12–16 range at local game retailers and online hobby stores — pricing to be confirmed closer to launch.

Whether you are a longtime One Piece fan who has been curious about the card game, or a lapsed TCG player looking for a low-stakes way back into competitive play, the ST-31 to ST-36 wave is the clearest answer Bandai has given yet. Check out our manga and anime coverage for more One Piece and OPTCG news as it drops.

NARUTO Card Game Is Coming in 2027 — Bandai’s Newest TCG Revealed

Bandai Card Games has officially announced the NARUTO CARD GAME, a brand-new strategy-focused trading card game set in Masashi Kishimoto’s beloved ninja world — and it is coming to players worldwide in 2027.

NARUTO CARD GAME – Official Teaser Trailer — via IGN on YouTube

What Is the NARUTO CARD GAME?

Built by BANDAI CARD GAMES — the same brand behind the Dragon Ball Super Card Game and Digimon Card Game — the NARUTO CARD GAME is designed as a strategy-first competitive TCG. Full details on card mechanics, deck construction, and rarity tiers are held until 29 July 2026, the day before its first public playable event. What is confirmed is that this is a proper standalone TCG, not a collectible set, targeting the competitive card game audience.

NARUTO, the manga by Masashi Kishimoto, ran for 700 chapters and now sits at over 250 million copies in circulation worldwide. The franchise is one of the defining properties of Singapore’s ACG scene, and a dedicated competitive TCG has been a long time coming for fans here.

World Debut at Gen Con 2026

The game makes its global playable debut at Gen Con 2026 (30 July – 2 August, Indianapolis). Bandai is running free beginner Tutorial Sessions at the event, complete with demo decks. Attendees can also score the limited CP-001 Chakra Card promotional version, an exclusive backpack, a sticker, and a purchase ticket for the official playmat. Registration for tutorial slots opens on 21 June via the Gen Con website.

Kishimoto Sends a Message

Kishimoto commemorative illustration for the NARUTO CARD GAME announcement
Image courtesy of Bandai Card Games

Series creator Masashi Kishimoto offered a personal message alongside the reveal, as quoted in the official press release: “I’m glad to see the world of NARUTO grow larger once again. I truly hope these cards find their way to both your hands and your hearts.” A commemorative illustration accompanies the announcement.

What Singapore Players Should Watch For

Bandai Card Games products have a solid retail footprint in Singapore. The Digimon Card Game and Dragon Ball Super Card Game both support active local communities, with singles available at hobby stores across the island. It is reasonable to expect the NARUTO CARD GAME to follow a similar Southeast Asian distribution path — but no local retail or tournament roadmap has been announced yet.

Stay tuned via the official X account (@narutotcg_en) and the official website. The next major info drop is 29 July, when card designs, gameplay systems, and the full product roadmap will be revealed.

Last words

For Singapore’s ACG community, this is exactly the kind of announcement that gets card players talking. Naruto shaped a generation of anime fans here, and a properly competitive TCG treatment from Bandai — the house that made Digimon and Dragon Ball viable in local hobby stores — is worth getting genuinely excited about. Mark 29 July in your calendar for the full card reveal, and check out our other game news while you wait.