Team Rocket Japanese Singles Prices Plummet: What to Buy Now

As we eagerly await the arrival of Destined Rivals in the US on May 30, savvy collectors are already diving into the Japanese Glory of Team Rocket sets. With the initial excitement tapering off, we're seeing a significant drop in prices, making this the perfect time to grab some of these coveted cards.

The decline in prices isn't just the typical post-release dip. It's driven by increased stock availability and the shift of Pokébro investors to new opportunities. This makes it a more budget-friendly option to buy single cards rather than investing in expensive sealed boxes. Here’s why opting for singles could be a smart move for US collectors right now.

TL;DR: Single Card Prices Are Crashing

Glory of Team Rocket Booster Box

4 $146.99 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 125/098

2 $370.77 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 124/098

1 $163.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 127/098

1 $107.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 126/098

1 $99.00 at TCG Player

The current market value of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set is more than double their shelf price. We haven't witnessed such overpricing since the 151 set, but it seems like relief is in sight for global Pokémon TCG stock shortages.

For instance, Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR started at $500 on April 20th and has now plummeted to around $370.77 in just a few days. This is a promising sign of market correction.

Similarly, Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR has dropped from $250 to $163, a respectable $87 decrease in a week. These swift price drops indicate that more scalpers are exiting the market, reducing artificial price inflation at release.

Most Affordable Team Rocket Cards

Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 130/098

0 $74.27 at TCG Player

Jamming Tower - 132/098

0 $32.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 131/098

0 $27.95 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex - 114/098

0 $38.75 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Nidoking ex - 116/098

0 $12.94 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Crobat ex - 117/098

0 $14.97 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Moltres ex - 112/098

0 $10.75 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Persian ex - 118/098

0 $12.99 at TCG Player

It's not just about the high-priced chase cards. The Glory of Team Rocket's Super Rare ex and Hyper Rare ex variants are visually stunning and often overlooked, which is great for collectors like us. For instance, Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex has increased by about $6 to $38.75 since release, following the appealing Journey Together art style.

Is it just a Mewtwo trend? Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex has stabilized at $12.94 after dropping from $26. As an iconic card for fans of the first generation and watchers of the original Pokémon anime, it's a menacing piece that's likely to appreciate over time. The same goes for Moltres and Crobat.

Best Team Rocket Trainer Cards

Team Rocket's Giovanni - 129/098

0 $34.95 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Ariana - 128/098

0 $39.94 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Archer - 120/098

0 $14.99 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Ariana - 119/098

0 $18.95 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Giovanni - 121/098

0 $17.10 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Proton - 123/098

0 $15.00 at TCG Player

The nostalgia factor is strong with cards featuring Giovanni and Ariana, key figures from generations one and two. Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, his interim successor in Johto, are prime targets for collectors. While there's limited data on Giovanni 129/098, it's expected to hold steady around $17. Ariana 128/098, with its striking artwork, is a great buy under $18.

Best Team Rocket Art Rares

Team Rocket's Houndoom - 100/098

0 $12.49 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Raticate - 108/098

0 $7.96 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Wobbuffet - 103/098

0 $7.31 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Weezing - 105/098

0 $8.95 at TCG Player

Blaziken - 101/098

0 $9.40 at TCG Player

Kangaskhan - 110/098

0 $8.67 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Murkrow - 106/098

0 $6.96 at TCG Player

Zamazenta - 107/098

0 $4.49 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Orbeetle - 104/098

0 $2.95 at TCG Player

Clamperl - 102/098

0 $3.00 at TCG Player

Team Rocket's Spidops - 099/098

0 $2.60 at TCG Player

Regirock ex - 115/098

0 $7.15 at TCG Player

Cetitan ex - 113/098

0 $3.50 at TCG Player

Glory of Team Rocket Booster Pack

0 $3.41 at TCG Player

The Scarlet and Violet era boasts some of the best artwork in illustration rares and art rares. These cards are affordable and visually stunning, often overlooked yet perfect for collectors looking to expand their collections with valuable and beautiful cards.

Currently, Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098 is at $19.25, down nearly $20 from its launch price. Given its iconic connection to Team Rocket, this card is still falling, so anything below $20 is a great deal.

Blaziken 101/098 is another card to watch. Its stunning artwork and powerful Infernal Legs attack, which can deal 120 damage to both an active and a benched Pokémon, make it a steal at its current price. This card has the potential to appreciate significantly.

While opening boosters of The Glory of Team Rocket might be tempting despite their cost and the five-card count, the real bargains are in single cards. Prices mentioned here are current as of writing, and stock availability on TCG Player may fluctuate as it's a live secondary marketplace. This dynamic nature is part of the fun. If you missed out on deals like the Charizard Sam's Club offer, keep checking back for more opportunities.

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