Team Rocket Japanese Singles Prices Plummet: What to Buy Now News - Latest Updates and Information

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 frenzy now subsiding, prices for individual cards are rapidly decreasing, making it an opportune moment to start or expand your collection without breaking the bank.

This price drop isn't just the usual post-release cooldown. It's driven by a combination of increased stock availability and the departure of speculative investors, known as Pokébros, from the market. This shift makes it more cost-effective to purchase cards singly rather than investing in expensive sealed boxes, despite their allure. Here's why opting for singles might be the best strategy for US collectors at this time.

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

Consider the current market value of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set, which are currently more than double the retail price. This level of overpricing hasn't been seen since the 151 set, but there's a glimmer of hope as we approach the end of global stock shortages for Pokémon TCG.

Take Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR, for instance; its price has plummeted from $500 on April 20th to around $370.77 in just a few days. This is a clear sign of market correction. Similarly, Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR dropped from around $250 to $163—a $87 decrease in just over a week. These rapid price drops indicate that more scalpers are exiting the market, reducing artificial 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

While chase cards often steal the spotlight, the Glory of Team Rocket set also boasts stunning Super Rare ex and Hyper Rare ex variants. These cards are often overlooked, which is a boon for collectors like us. Notably, the value of Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex has risen by over $6 to $38.75 since its release, thanks to its appealing art style featuring a full-color Pokémon with its trainer's outline in the background.

It's not just Mewtwo that's attracting attention. Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex has stabilized at $12.94 after a drop from $26, making it a great buy for fans of the original Pokémon generation and anime series. This card, with its menacing look, is poised for future value appreciation, similar to Team Rocket's 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 the Trainer cards, particularly with Giovanni and Ariana, iconic figures from the first and second generations of Pokémon. Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, the interim boss in Johto, are central to the set's theme. While Giovanni 129/098's value is still settling, it's expected to hover around $17, so any price below that is a steal. Similarly, Team Rocket's Ariana 128/098, with its stunning artwork, is a good buy at 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 has introduced some of the most visually appealing illustration rares and art rares, which are often undervalued yet highly collectible. If you're looking to enhance your collection with cards that are both beautiful and potentially valuable, these are the cards to focus on.

Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098, despite its strong link to the iconic villain group, has seen a significant price drop from around $40 at launch to $19.25 currently. This is a great time to pick it up, especially if you can find it below $20. Meanwhile, Blaziken 101/098, with its striking artwork and powerful gameplay mechanics, is another card to watch. Its current price dip suggests it's a smart buy now, given its potential for future growth.

While the allure of opening booster packs from The Glory of Team Rocket set is undeniable, the current market offers incredible deals on single cards. Keep in mind that the prices mentioned here are accurate at the time of writing, and stock availability on TCG Player can fluctuate due to its live secondary marketplace nature. That's part of the thrill of collecting!