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"Team Rocket Japanese Singles Prices Plummet: What to Buy Now"

Author：Kristen Update：May 14,2025

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 the perfect time to get in on the action, as the initial hype has subsided and the once-inflated prices are rapidly declining. This isn't just the typical post-release cooldown; it's a result of increased stock availability and Pokébro investors moving on to new ventures, making it more cost-effective to purchase individual cards rather than risking high-priced sealed boxes.

Here’s why buying singles could be a smart move for US collectors at the moment.

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 value of Japanese booster boxes for The Glory of Team Rocket set is more than double the shelf price. 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.

For instance, Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex SIR has dropped from $500 on April 20th to around $370.77 in the past few days. This is a strong indicator of market correction. Meanwhile, Team Rocket's Moltres ex SIR has fallen from $250 to $163, marking an $87 decrease over the span of a week. These rapid price drops suggest that more scalpers are exiting the hobby, reducing artificial inflation on 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 highly sought-after chase cards. The Glory of Team Rocket set includes stunning Super Rare ex and Hyper Rare ex variants that often go under the radar. For example, Team Rocket's Mewtwo Super Rare ex has increased in value by about $6 since its release, now sitting at $38.75. These cards, with their full-color Pokémon and trainer outlines in the background, are well worth collecting.

Is it a Mewtwo phenomenon? Not quite. Team Rocket's Nidoking Super Rare ex has been holding steady, dropping from $26 to $12.94. This card, iconic to fans of the first generation and watchers of the original Pokémon anime, is a menacing addition to any collection and is likely to appreciate in value over time. The same can be said 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 from generations one and two. Giovanni, the boss of Team Rocket in Kanto, and Ariana, the interim boss in Johto, are key figures in the Pokémon universe. While there's limited data on Giovanni 129/098, its value is expected to hover around $17, making it a good buy if you find it cheaper. A general rule for this set is that cards featuring Giovanni or Mewtwo tend to be pricier.

Team Rocket's Ariana 128/098 offers a stunning variant of the standard trainer art, with prices ranging between $17 and $18. Given the set's recent release, it's hard to predict long-term value, but any listing under $18 is a solid deal at the moment.

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 finest artwork in the Scarlet and Violet era can be found in illustration rares and art rares. These cards are not only affordable but also visually stunning, often overlooked yet valuable additions to any collection. If you're aiming to expand your collection with cards that both appreciate in value and look impressive, these are the ones to go for.

Team Rocket's Meowth 109/098 is currently priced at around $19.25, a significant drop from its launch price of nearly $40. Given its iconic association with Team Rocket, this card is still on a downward trend, making anything below $20 a great deal.

Blaziken 101/098 is another card that's unexpectedly crashing, despite its stunning artwork and fan-favorite status. It's even playable with its Infernal Legs attack, capable of dealing 120 damage to both the active and a benched Pokémon, potentially securing two prize cards in one move. This makes it a card to watch and possibly invest in now.

While opening boosters from The Glory of Team Rocket set can still be exciting, the current bargains on single cards are hard to ignore. Note that the prices mentioned in this article are accurate at the time of writing, but stock levels may fluctuate on TCG Player's live secondary marketplace, adding an element of thrill to the hunt. If you missed out on the Charizard deal at Sam's Club, it might be worth checking back to see if it's still available.