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, collectors are already diving into the Japanese Glory of Team Rocket sets. Now is an excellent time to join the fray, as the initial hype has subsided and prices are dropping rapidly. This isn't just the typical post-release cooldown; it's a combination of increased stock availability and Pokébro investors moving on, making it more affordable to buy individual cards rather than risking high-priced sealed boxes. Here's why purchasing singles could be a smart strategy 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

Just take a look at the current value of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set, which are more than double the shelf price right now. We haven't seen such overpricing since the 151 set, but there's hope on the horizon for resolving stock shortages in the Pokémon TCG worldwide.

Consider Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR, for instance; its sold listings started at around $500 on April 20th, but have plummeted to about $370.77 in recent days. This is a strong indicator of market correction.

Then there's Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR, which has dropped from around $250 to $163—a decrease of $87 in just a week. While not a dramatic fall, it's significant. These early price drops suggest that more scalpers are exiting the hobby, 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. These cards are often overlooked, which is great news for collectors like us.

However, it's clear that others are catching on, as seen with Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex, which has increased in value by over $6 since its release, now sitting at $38.75. These cards follow the Journey Together art style, featuring full-color Pokémon with an outline of their trainer in the background, making them highly desirable.

Is it just a Mewtwo phenomenon? Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex is performing as expected, dropping from $26 to a stable $12.94. This card is iconic for fans of the first generation and viewers of the initial Pokémon anime seasons, and its menacing look is unmatched. It's a card to buy now and watch its value grow over time, similar to 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

There's a wave of nostalgia here from generations one and two, particularly with Giovanni and Ariana. Giovanni, the notorious leader of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, the interim boss in Johto, evoke strong memories for many fans.

There's limited data on Giovanni 129/098 at the moment, but it features Team Rocket's leadership alongside the boss himself. It's likely to maintain its value around the $17 mark, so if you find it cheaper, it's a great buy. A general rule for this set: if it's Giovanni or Mewtwo, expect to pay a premium.

Team Rocket's Ariana 128/098 is a stunning variant of the standard trainer art, with prices ranging between $17 and $18. Given the set's recent release, it's too early to fully assess its value, but any listing under $18 is a good deal right now.

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

Some of the best artwork in the Scarlet and Violet era belongs to illustration rares and art rares. These cards are affordable and visually striking, often overlooked gems in the TCG. If you're looking to expand your collection across binders, increase its value, and enjoy stunning visuals, this is the way to go.

Currently, Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098 is priced at around $19.25, a drop of nearly $20 since the launch of The Glory of Team Rocket. This is expected so soon after release, but the iconic link between this Pokémon and Team Rocket is undeniable. It seems this card is still falling in price, so anything below $20 is a fantastic deal.

For some reason, Blaziken 101/098 is experiencing a significant price drop. The artwork is incredible, showcasing why this generation three starter Pokémon is a fan favorite. These qualities typically lead to a card's value increasing, suggesting that now is the time to buy. It's even playable with its Infernal Legs attack, dealing 120 damage to your opponent's active Pokémon and another 120 to a benched Pokémon. This card could potentially secure two prize cards in one move, another reason it should be worth more.

If you're still keen on opening boosters of The Glory of Team Rocket despite the high prices and the five-card count of Japanese packs, go for it. However, there are incredible bargains to be found on single cards. Please note that the prices mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing. Also, stock availability may fluctuate due to TCG Player being a live secondary marketplace, which adds to the excitement. If you missed the Charizard Sam's Club deal, it might be worth checking back to see if it's still available.

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