French translations of the One Piece Trading Card Game (TCG) are set to launch on February 7, 2025, starting with the ninth expansion, “The New Emperors.” This marks a significant moment for French fans as they join the global excitement. The expansion features 131 cards, including exclusive manga-style designs and starter decks for beginners. Organized tournaments will follow, providing an opportunity for new players to learn and engage with the game, enhancing the One Piece TCG experience in France.
The Arrival of Emperors in France
The wait for French translations of One Piece has been lengthy, largely influenced by the struggles of the Dragon Ball card game to capture the attention of players in France. Fortunately, the One Piece Trading Card Game (TCG) is charting a different course, with its popularity soaring globally. This success has paved the way for translations in various languages, including French, enhancing accessibility for fans.
As we French enthusiasts gear up to dive into the One Piece TCG, we find ourselves slightly behind the curve. Japan is on the verge of unveiling its eleventh expansion, while the English-speaking community is eagerly anticipating the tenth. Here in France, we are starting our journey with the ninth expansion—an essential milestone for collectors and competitive players alike.
For the first time, the beloved One Piece card game is being released in French, covering all expansions up to OP-09. This exciting launch is scheduled for Friday, February 7, 2025, marking a significant moment for French fans as they enter the world of One Piece cards.
Collectors and players shouldn’t fret about missing cards from earlier expansions. Just three weeks later, on February 28, 2025, the secondary expansion “PRB-01” will roll out, featuring a reissue of the most popular and visually stunning cards from OP 01 to OP 06.
It’s important to note, however, that the PRB-01 expansion does not encompass every card from previous sets. As French fans, we are left in anticipation of how Bandai Namco plans to deliver older products, especially considering the significant delay in translation compared to our English-speaking counterparts. As for OP-09 “The New Emperors”, it boasts a collection of 131 cards including:
- Alternative Don!! x1
- Leader x6
- Common x45
- Uncommon x30
- Rare x26
- Super Rare x10
- Secret Rare x2
- Special x10
- Treasure Rare x1
This expansion also features parallel versions similar to alternatives in Pokémon. Notably, it introduces 4 manga-style cards showcasing the four emperors: Luffy, Buggy, Shanks, and Blackbeard. Additionally, there’s an extremely rare manga-type card adorned in gold, highlighting the legendary pirate king, Gold D. Roger.
The Ultimate Expansion for New Players
OP-09 “The New Emperors” is undoubtedly the perfect starting point for newcomers. Not only is it the most visually appealing expansion to date, but it also introduces 6 distinct starter decks, each representing a different color to aid players in grasping the gameplay mechanics effectively.
The starter decks, ranging from ST-15 to ST-20, feature renowned characters like Monkey D. Luffy (Purple), Doflamingo (Blue), Uta (Green), Whitebeard (Red), Smoker (Black), and Karakuri (Yellow). Each deck comes with unique gameplay strategies to help players strive for victory and claim the title of TCG champion.
When constructing your deck, you will need a total of 51 cards, which includes a leader that dictates your gameplay style and your life points, along with 10 Don!! cards that function similarly to mana or energy in other trading card games.
Additionally, from February 7 to March 2, stores will host organized tournaments limited to the 6 starter decks, ensuring a welcoming environment for beginners to learn the game. Be sure to check if your local store is part of this exciting event organized by Bandai.
The One Piece expansion, OP-09 “The New Emperors,” hits French retail shelves this Friday, February 7, ushering in a new era for fans of the series.