One Piece Card Game OP16: The Time of Battle has quickly become one of the most talked-about sets of 2026.
Returning collectors to the legendary Marineford War and Impel Down storylines, OP16 combines some of the most iconic moments in One Piece history with one of the strongest chase card line-ups the game has ever seen.
For collectors, one question stands above the rest:
What are the chase cards in OP16, and which are the best cards to grade from The Time of Battle?
With three Manga Rares, stunning Alternate Arts, highly sought-after Secret Rares and fan-favourite characters from the Marineford arc, OP16 is packed with cards that collectors will be chasing for years to come.
In this guide, we’ll break down the biggest OP16 chase cards, the best cards to grade, and why The Time of Battle could become one of the most important modern One Piece TCG sets.
OP16 Chase Cards at a Glance
| Card | Rarity | Why Collectors Want It | Grading Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sakazuki (Akainu) Manga Rare | Manga Rare | One of three Admiral Mangas | Extremely High |
| Kuzan (Aokiji) Manga Rare | Manga Rare | First Admiral Manga Rare treatment | Extremely High |
| Borsalino (Kizaru) Manga Rare | Manga Rare | One of the most iconic Admirals | Extremely High |
| Marshall D. Teach Secret Rare Alt Art | Secret Rare AA | Blackbeard collector favourite | Very High |
| Portgas D. Ace Secret Rare Alt Art | Secret Rare AA | Marineford’s central character | Very High |
| Miss All Sunday SP | Special Rare | Early collector favourite | Very High |
| Monkey D. Luffy Leader Alt Art | Leader Parallel | Main character appeal | High |
| Sengoku Leader Alt Art | Leader Parallel | Marineford storyline relevance | High |
| Buggy Leader Alt Art | Leader Parallel | Huge fan-favourite character | High |
| Zehahahahaha! Alternate Art | Event Alt Art | Unique Blackbeard artwork | High |
Why OP16 Is Such an Important One Piece Set
OP16: The Time of Battle focuses on one of the most memorable story arcs in all of One Piece.
The set centres around Marineford and Impel Down, featuring:
- The Marine Admirals
- Whitebeard Pirates
- Portgas D. Ace
- Marshall D. Teach (Blackbeard)
- Sengoku
- Monkey D. Luffy
- Buggy
For many fans, Marineford remains the defining story arc of the entire series, making OP16 immediately appealing from a collector perspective.
What makes OP16 even more significant is the inclusion of three Manga Rare cards in a single set, a first for the One Piece Card Game.
Why the Three Admiral Manga Rares Matter
Historically, Manga Rare cards have represented some of the most desirable cards in the entire One Piece TCG.
OP16 changes the formula by introducing three Manga Rares instead of one:
- Sakazuki (Akainu)
- Kuzan (Aokiji)
- Borsalino (Kizaru)
Collectors have been discussing the Admiral Manga Rares heavily since their reveal, with many viewing them as instant grail cards for Marine collectors and long-term One Piece fans alike.
The Admirals have been central figures throughout the series for over a decade, and their first Manga Rare appearances instantly made OP16 one of the most anticipated collector sets of the year.
The Biggest Chase Cards in OP16
Sakazuki (Akainu) Manga Rare
For many collectors, Sakazuki stands at the very top of the OP16 chase hierarchy.
As Fleet Admiral and one of the most controversial characters in One Piece history, Akainu’s Manga Rare captures one of the defining figures of the Marineford War.
Why collectors love it:
- Manga Rare treatment
- Marineford significance
- Powerful character popularity
- Historic three-Manga set
Grading Potential: Extremely High
Kuzan (Aokiji) Manga Rare
Aokiji remains one of the most popular Marine characters ever introduced.
His unique role within the story and immense fan following make his Manga Rare one of the most desirable cards in the set.
Grading Potential: Extremely High
Borsalino (Kizaru) Manga Rare
Kizaru’s distinctive personality and incredible artwork make him another standout collector target.
As the third Admiral Manga Rare, Borsalino completes one of the strongest Manga Rare trios ever released.
Grading Potential: Extremely High
Portgas D. Ace Secret Rare Alternate Art
No character is more closely associated with Marineford than Ace.
As a result, premium Ace cards continue to attract enormous collector demand across multiple One Piece sets.
Grading Potential: Very High
Marshall D. Teach Secret Rare Alternate Art
Blackbeard remains one of the most important villains in the entire franchise.
Collectors have consistently gravitated towards premium Teach cards, and OP16 is no exception.
Grading Potential: Very High
Miss All Sunday SP
Amongst Special Rare collectors, Miss All Sunday has emerged as one of the most discussed cards in the set.
Its artwork and rarity have made it an early collector favourite.
Grading Potential: Very High
Best OP16 Cards to Grade
If you’re opening OP16 and wondering what deserves grading, the strongest candidates are generally:
Tier 1
- Sakazuki Manga Rare
- Kuzan Manga Rare
- Borsalino Manga Rare
Tier 2
- Portgas D. Ace Secret Rare Alternate Art
- Marshall D. Teach Secret Rare Alternate Art
- Miss All Sunday SP
Tier 3
- Leader Alternate Arts
- Event Alternate Arts
- Character Alternate Arts featuring major Marineford characters
What Makes an OP16 Card Worth Grading?
Condition
Before grading any One Piece card, inspect carefully for:
- Sharp corners
- Surface scratches
- Edge wear
- Print defects
- Centring
Rarity
Collectors generally prioritise:
- Manga Rares
- Special Rares (SP)
- Secret Rare Alternate Arts
- Leader Alternate Arts
- Character Alternate Arts
Character Popularity
Characters such as:
- Ace
- Akainu
- Aokiji
- Kizaru
- Blackbeard
- Luffy
have consistently demonstrated strong collector demand across multiple releases.
Should You Grade One Piece Cards in the UK?
Professional grading provides several benefits for One Piece collectors:
- Authentication
- Long-term protection
- Improved display quality
- Collection preservation
- Greater buyer confidence
For premium cards such as Manga Rares and Special Rares, grading can be an excellent way to preserve condition and showcase some of the most visually impressive cards in your collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest chase card in OP16?
The three Admiral Manga Rares — Sakazuki, Kuzan and Borsalino — are widely regarded as the headline chase cards of the set.
Why is OP16 so popular?
OP16 focuses on the Marineford War, one of the most iconic story arcs in One Piece, whilst also introducing three Manga Rare cards in a single set for the first time.
Which OP16 cards are worth grading?
Most collectors will prioritise Manga Rares, Secret Rare Alternate Arts and Special Rares due to their rarity and collector demand.
Should I grade One Piece cards in the UK?
Many collectors choose to grade high-value cards to protect their condition, verify authenticity and improve presentation.
Final Thoughts
OP16: The Time of Battle has all the ingredients of a standout One Piece release. The return to Marineford, the introduction of three Admiral Manga Rares and a strong selection of premium Alternate Arts have created one of the most collector-focused sets in recent memory.
If you’re looking for the best cards to grade from OP16, the three Admiral Manga Rares are likely to remain at the top of most collectors’ wish lists, whilst Ace, Blackbeard and Miss All Sunday provide additional high-end grading opportunities.
As one of the most significant One Piece sets of 2026, OP16 looks set to remain a favourite amongst collectors for years to come.
If you’re looking to grade One Piece cards in the UK, Imperium Grading provides professional card grading services designed to help collectors protect, preserve and display their favourite One Piece cards for the long term. You may also find our card grading UK guide helpful.
