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Is Awakening of the New Era One Piece Worth Collecting? 2026 Investment Review

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Yes, the One Piece Awakening of the New Era set presents a compelling investment opportunity in 2026 for collectors focused on high-demand chase cards, particularly its manga alt-art variants. The top 8 cards alone command a raw value of $23,976, with the Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119 at $8,405 raw and a significant 1.8x multiplier to its PSA 10 grade. This set warrants a WATCH verdict for discerning collectors prioritizing value and scarcity.

One thing stands out: its most coveted manga variants are experiencing strong, sustained demand. The top chase cards, particularly those featuring Luffy and Law with manga-style alternate art, demonstrate a healthy appreciation potential, making this a set to watch for astute collectors.

In This Article

• About Awakening of the New Era

• The Top Chase Cards

• Deep Dive: Chase Card Spotlights

• Investment Analysis

• Worth Collecting? The Verdict

• Pro Tip

• Frequently Asked Questions

About Awakening of the New Era

The One Piece card game, developed by Bandai, has rapidly ascended in popularity within the TCG collectibles market. Sets like Awakening of the New Era are crucial to its growth, introducing key characters and pivotal moments from the beloved manga and anime. Releases like this typically feature a substantial checklist including common, uncommon, rare, super rare, and secret rare cards, often with unique alternate art versions that become the set’s primary drivers of value. The introduction of manga-style alternate arts in sets like this has proven to be a significant factor in driving collector interest and market value, establishing them as highly sought-after items for both players and investors.

The Top Chase Cards

The true value and collectibility of any TCG set are often dictated by its chase cards – the rarest and most desirable pulls that command the highest prices. For the One Piece Awakening of the New Era set, the top eight cards, based on their raw and PSA 10 graded prices, paint a clear picture of market demand. These cards represent the pinnacle of the set’s scarcity and artistic appeal, drawing significant attention from collectors worldwide.

Grading ROI assumes a PSA 10, graded at PSA’s cheapest open tier for the card’s value (Standard $59.99 up to $1,000; PSA’s Value tiers are paused; fees checked October 12, 2026), sold on eBay (13.25% fee + $0.40) with an estimated $5 shipping. No figure is given above $10,000, where PSA publishes no fee.

Data sources: What The Slab checks eBay sold comps, PriceCharting market prices, and PSA public-API pop reports. All figures as of October 2026.

Deep Dive: Chase Card Spotlights

The appeal of the Awakening of the New Era set is significantly amplified by its top-tier chase cards. These cards are not just valuable; they represent the artistic and narrative highlights of the set, drawing in collectors who appreciate both the game mechanics and the aesthetic qualities of the cards.

1. Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119

This card is the undisputed king of the set, boasting a raw price of $8,405 and a PSA 10 median of $15,350. The 1.8x multiplier to PSA 10 suggests that while the raw card is already a significant investment, the premium for a perfect grade is substantial. No grading ROI is given, because at a $15,350 value PSA publishes no grading fee (its published tiers stop at $10,000). Its desirability stems from Luffy being the central protagonist of One Piece, coupled with a highly sought-after manga-style alternate art. This combination makes it a primary target for high-end collectors.

Buy Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119 on eBay Buy Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119 on TCGPlayer

2. Rebecca [Championship 2024] OP05-091

Commanding a raw price of $6,000 and reaching $7,128 in PSA 10, this Championship 2024 variant of Rebecca is a significant card. However, its low 1.2x multiplier and a -6.4% grading ROI (a $420.86 loss per card even at PSA 10, after PSA’s $599 Premier fee, eBay fees, and shipping) indicate that the premium for a PSA 10 grade does not cover the cost of grading. This suggests that most of the value is inherent in the card itself, likely due to its tournament exclusivity and character popularity.

Buy Rebecca [Championship 2024] OP05-091 on eBay Buy Rebecca [Championship 2024] OP05-091 on TCGPlayer

3. Monkey D. Luffy [Manga PRB01] OP05-119

This second entry for Monkey D. Luffy, the [Manga PRB01] variant, is exceptionally strong. With a raw price of $3,227 and a PSA 10 median of $10,682, it demonstrates an impressive 3.3x multiplier. No grading ROI is given, though: at $10,682 its PSA 10 value is just above $10,000, where PSA publishes no grading fee, so the full cost of grading it cannot be priced. The demand for any Luffy alternate art is immense, and this particular art style clearly resonates with collectors.

Buy Monkey D. Luffy [Manga PRB01] OP05-119 on eBay Buy Monkey D. Luffy [Manga PRB01] OP05-119 on TCGPlayer

4. Nefeltari Vivi [Championship 2024] OP05-086

Similar to the Rebecca card, Nefeltari Vivi’s [Championship 2024] variant is a high-value item, priced at $2,058 raw and $3,615 in PSA 10. It shows a 1.8x multiplier, yielding a solid 30.1% grading ROI. Vivi’s significant role and popularity in the One Piece narrative, combined with its rarity as a Championship 2024 exclusive, contribute to its robust market presence.

Buy Nefeltari Vivi [Championship 2024] OP05-086 on eBay Buy Nefeltari Vivi [Championship 2024] OP05-086 on TCGPlayer

5. Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-069

Trafalgar Law is another fan-favorite, and his [Alternate Art Manga] card from this set is priced at $1,680 raw, with PSA 10 reaching $2,138. The 1.3x multiplier and a -1.6% grading ROI (a $29.69 loss per card even at PSA 10) suggest that while the card is valuable, the jump to a perfect grade does not cover current grading and selling costs. The artistic appeal of the manga style is a strong driver here.

Buy Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-069 on eBay Buy Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-069 on TCGPlayer

6. Trafalgar Law [Manga PRB01] OP05-069

This [Manga PRB01] variant of Trafalgar Law is priced at $1,290 raw, with PSA 10s at $2,022. It exhibits a 1.6x multiplier and a 17.4% grading ROI, indicating a healthy potential for profit through grading. This card’s strong performance further underscores the demand for manga-style alternate arts of popular characters within the One Piece TCG.

Buy Trafalgar Law [Manga PRB01] OP05-069 on eBay Buy Trafalgar Law [Manga PRB01] OP05-069 on TCGPlayer

7. Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074

Eustass Captain Kid’s [Alternate Art Manga] card comes in at $696.81 raw and $1,464 in PSA 10. This card shows a strong 2.1x multiplier and a promising 62.8% grading ROI. Kid’s rising popularity in the anime narrative, combined with the appealing manga art, makes this a significant card for collectors and a potentially lucrative target for grading investments.

Buy Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074 on eBay Buy Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074 on TCGPlayer

8. Monkey D. Luffy [Wanted] OP05-119

Rounding out the top eight is another Luffy card, the [Wanted] variant, priced at $619 raw and $899.64 in PSA 10. It features a 1.5x multiplier and a 14.1% grading ROI. While not as high as some other chase cards, its position as the eighth most valuable card and its connection to the iconic Luffy character ensure continued demand.

Buy Monkey D. Luffy [Wanted] OP05-119 on eBay Buy Monkey D. Luffy [Wanted] OP05-119 on TCGPlayer

Investment Analysis

Grading ROI Across the Set

The data from Awakening of the New Era reveals a clear trend: grading can significantly enhance the value of certain cards, particularly those with high demand and a strong multiplier between raw and PSA 10 prices. The Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074 stands out with a 62.8% grading ROI ($487.82 per PSA 10 after PSA’s $79.99 Priority fee, eBay fees, and shipping), making it the best calculable candidate for raw purchases followed by grading submissions. Nefeltari Vivi [Championship 2024] OP05-086 provides a solid 30.1%. Both Monkey D. Luffy manga variants have PSA 10 values above $10,000, where PSA publishes no grading fee, so no ROI is computed for them, while Rebecca [Championship 2024] (-6.4%) and Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art Manga] (-1.6%) lose money even at PSA 10. These figures highlight that strategic grading of high-value singles can yield substantial profits for investors.

Complete-Set Cost

The sum of the top 8 chase card raw prices provides a significant floor for the set’s value at $23,976. However, this figure does not account for the countless common, uncommon, rare, and parallel cards that constitute the majority of the set’s checklist. For TCG sets, it’s prudent to estimate the real complete-set cost as 1.2 to 1.5 times the sum of the top cards’ raw prices. This suggests that acquiring a complete Awakening of the New Era set could range from approximately $28,771 to $35,964, reflecting the substantial investment required for full completion, including commons and bulk.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term View

The current pricing for the top chase cards in Awakening of the New Era suggests robust demand that has likely stabilized after the initial release buzz. The high raw prices of cards like the Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119 ($8,405) indicate sustained interest. While our data has no short-term trend history (e.g., 90-day price movements), the strong market presence of these key cards implies a positive long-term outlook, particularly as the One Piece anime continues its narrative and collectible interest in the TCG grows.

Risks

Collecting any TCG set carries inherent risks. For Awakening of the New Era, potential risks include future reprints of popular cards, which could dilute scarcity and impact prices, though this is less common for highly artistic alternate arts. Set rotation within the game’s competitive play could reduce the in-game demand for certain cards, although collectible value often transcends playability. Furthermore, shifts in grading company popularity or perceived grading standards could affect the market for graded cards. The strong performance of manga art variants also makes them a target for potential future artistic styles or similar chase cards in subsequent sets.

Worth Collecting? The Verdict

Verdict: WATCH

For collectors in 2026, the One Piece Awakening of the New Era set is a prime candidate for acquisition, particularly if focusing on its high-demand chase cards. The set’s top 8 cards alone represent a substantial investment, with prices reflecting significant collector interest.

• The TCG Collectibles Completionist: WATCH. A completionist will find value in pursuing the entire set, but should be prepared for the substantial cost, estimated to be between $28,771 and $35,964. The focus will be on acquiring all cards, appreciating the set’s artistic and narrative breadth.

• The ROI-Focused Investor: BUY (select cards). For investors looking for immediate profit potential, focusing on individual chase cards with high grading ROI is the strategy. Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074 at 62.8% ROI, Nefeltari Vivi [Championship 2024] OP05-086 at 30.1%, and Trafalgar Law [Manga PRB01] OP05-069 at 17.4% are the calculable targets for grading and reselling.

• The New Collector with $11,987 to Spend: WATCH (focus on top singles). With $11,987, a new collector can acquire several of the top chase cards in raw or graded condition, such as the Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119, Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-069, or Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074. This allows for entry into high-value cards without the commitment of a full set.

Pro Tip

When evaluating the investment potential of the Awakening of the New Era set, prioritize cards with unique manga-style alternate arts and those featuring popular characters like Monkey D. Luffy and Trafalgar Law. Cards with a high PSA 10 multiplier, such as Monkey D. Luffy [Manga PRB01] OP05-119 (3.3x), offer significant upside through grading, turning raw purchases into higher-value graded assets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Awakening of the New Era worth collecting in 2026?

Yes, Awakening of the New Era is worth collecting in 2026, especially if focusing on its high-demand chase cards like the manga alternate arts. The set’s top 8 cards alone command over $23,976 in raw value, indicating strong market appeal and potential for appreciation.

What are the most valuable cards in Awakening of the New Era?

The most valuable cards include the Monkey D. Luffy [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-119 (raw $8,405), Rebecca [Championship 2024] OP05-091 (raw $6,000), and Monkey D. Luffy [Manga PRB01] OP05-119 (raw $3,227). These cards feature popular characters and sought-after alternate art styles.

How much does a complete Awakening of the New Era set cost?

Based on the sum of the top 8 cards ($23,976), a complete set is estimated to cost between 1.2 to 1.5 times that amount, roughly $28,771 to $35,964. This accounts for commons, uncommons, rares, and other bulk cards not included in the chase card valuation.

What is the grading ROI for top cards in Awakening of the New Era?

Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074 leads with 62.8%, followed by Nefeltari Vivi [Championship 2024] OP05-086 at 30.1% and Trafalgar Law [Manga PRB01] OP05-069 at 17.4%, all assuming a PSA 10 at current PSA and eBay fees. Rebecca [Championship 2024] OP05-091 (-6.4%) and Trafalgar Law [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-069 (-1.6%) lose money, and the two Monkey D. Luffy manga variants have no ROI figure because their PSA 10 values are above $10,000, where PSA publishes no fee.

Should I focus on raw cards or graded cards from this set?

For investment purposes, focusing on raw cards with high grading ROI potential, like the Eustass Captain Kid [Alternate Art Manga] OP05-074, is advisable for those looking to profit from grading. For collectors seeking established value and display pieces, acquiring PSA 10 graded versions of the top chase cards offers a more immediate, albeit often more expensive, path.

What are the risks of collecting Awakening of the New Era?

Risks include potential future reprints that could affect scarcity, changes in the TCG’s playability affecting card demand, and market shifts in grading companies. However, the artistic merit and character popularity of key cards in this set may mitigate some of these risks for long-term collectors.

To further explore valuable TCG sets, consider these articles:

• Is Legacy of the Master One Piece Worth Collecting? 2026 Investment Review

• Is Whispers in the Well Lorcana Worth Collecting? 2026 Investment Review

• Is Commander 2020 MTG Worth Collecting? 2026 Investment Review

For more on investing in collectible card games, visit our TCG Collectibles hub.