More One Piece, Less Topps NOW

Over the past few weeks I’ve been making predictions (both real and silly ones) in where I think the hobby will go in 2026. That was fun. 

This week, though, I’m going to put the crystal ball away and instead look inward. These are my personal resolutions for 2026. Less predictions but things I am going to accomplish and achieve. Or at least do until Quitter’s Day - which is typically the second Friday of January; which amounts to 9 days. 

Sick.

In 2026 I’m going to get super into One Piece. What’s One Piece? Buddy, I have literally no idea. But I want in! And so too does Mr. Beast, apparently.  

After (and, really, even before…) his tweet, the One Piece TCG market boomed. Just over the last 7 days, according to ALT, the 5 hottest “players” on the card market were Cooper Flagg, Caleb Williams and then three characters from One Piece. 

I know you’re reading this thinking “dude, you’re late to the game.” What, the guy who buys Alysa Liu autos and Burger King advent calendars is wanting to get into a thing that’s booming that he doesn’t understand anything about? Weird. 

I’m sure it is terrible “advice” to start buying the boom but this is me being vulnerable and wanting less to invest and more to understand. The art looks really cool! I want to know everything about it.

In 2026 I’m going to buy absolutely zero packs of Topps NBA cards. I won’t commit to not buying singles but I’m not paying $80 for a mega box on a product that is going to surpass the Bible in total number of printings. They are over-pricing and over-producing and I am over it – and being a baby about it. 

In 2026 I’m going to stop buying Leaf x SI Kids cards. Sorry, Leaf. I was a huge advocate for these but over the last couple of weeks they’ve gotten so lazy with their releases. What a shame. 

In 2026 I’m going to also give up on Topps Now cards - at least in terms of chasing autos and hits. It’s a lost cause. I’ve been critical of Topps Now in the past - when they release a card because random player had two steals or when they release a card literally every time Cooper Flagg dribbles the ball. It’s too much. And with dangling these “hits” that are impossible to hit, it’s getting tiresome with all these ridiculous releases. 

Shout out to Topps Now Cards guy. I love how committed to it he is. 

In 2026 I’m going to try and treat all grading companies equally. I know you’ve seen me tip my cap to SGC and other random places like TAG or even Arena Club who use technology to actually grade their cards - a way better process, in my opinion, than what the “standard traditional” process has been. 

Arena Club: Hey, we’ll grade your cards with our cutting edge, fully transparent technology within 15 business days and every single card we grade will only cost you $10.

PSA: Oh, hey, we’ll grade your cards sometime in the next 6 months, at a price we’ll determine later, and we won’t be transparent about much of anything.  

Us: The first one sounds good, buuut, some guy on Instagram said it’s not and I should do the second one…“just because.”

I get the market is being the market and we’re being stubborn about it but I’m going to do what I can to help change hearts and minds. PSA is only the standard bearer because we accept it as such. That’s wild to me. 

In 2026 I’m going to double down on continuing to invest in women’s sports trading cards. The WNBA, the PWHL, the NWSL, etc. These leagues have made leaps and bounds, and honestly if you’re looking to collect then consider this as well. The markets are less volatile (Caitlin Clark, aside) so you can actually focus on collecting. 

What a concept! 

In 2026 I’m going to buy vintage magazines and better understand that market. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again; print is dead. Great! Remember when we killed the penny and everyone went bonkers trying to buy Topps Now (blech!) cards hoping to get a penny insert? Bring that energy to print. 

Vintage photography, too. 

In 2026 I’m going to talk less about fast food collectibles. Not fully remove them from my newsletter, but just step back a little. Hey, it’s better for my cholesterol. 

In 2026 I’m going to go to more card shows and focus on continuing to build community within the hobby. I mean, isn’t that what it’s all about? 

Hey, we’ve (mostly) made it through 2025 and what a wild ride it’s been. A major shout out to the readers who’ve stuck with me, those who have written in and shared their stories, and the Mantel crew who has built one incredible community. See you all next year!