The LA Dodgers' signing of Japanese stars Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki has set off a collecting frenzy, just in time for MLB's return to Tokyo for the 2025 season. Fans are scrambling to get their hands on cards featuring these players as the baseball world turns its attention to Japan.

Yamamoto Cards Flying Off Shelves

Last year, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made a huge splash in the collecting world right away. His MLB Inaugural Mark Gems rookie card on Candy Digital's platform sold out in just seven minutes! Originally priced at $50, these digital cards quickly resold for over $333, showing just how crazy fans are about Yamamoto memorabilia. 

Topps has added fuel to the fire by releasing a special dual signature card featuring Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani together – the first time these Japanese superstars have appeared on the same card.  

The Missing Sasaki Rookie Card

While Roki Sasaki doesn't have an official MLB rookie card in licensed products yet, his spring training debut with the Dodgers has collectors buzzing. Topps has released a few Sasaki cards through their Topps NOW program, but he was much more prominent in Japanese sets like BBM and Topps Chrome NPB before coming to America–pointed out by @BluToothTiger from Mantel. This limited availability has only made collectors hunger for the card more fierce. 

Topps and Fanatics Go Big for Tokyo Series

Topps is releasing two special baseball card collections for the MLB's Tokyo Series in March 2025, featuring artwork by famous Japanese artist Takashi Murakami:

• 2025 Topps Baseball Series 1 - Tokyo Game: Available since March 1st in Tokyo and through Topps Japan online, this set includes rare Murakami-designed base card variations numbered to just 5 copies.

• 2025 Topps X Murakami MLB Tokyo Series Matchup Box: Launching March 7th through Complex.com and select stores in LA and Tokyo, each box contains a complete 25-card set, one numbered parallel, and highlights Cubs and Dodgers stars including Japanese players Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Seiya Suzuki, and Shota Imanaga. Yu Darvish's autographs are also making their return to Topps products after nine years. The biggest prize is a dual autograph redemption card featuring both Murakami and Ohtani – a true collector's dream.

Fanatics is also releasing Murakami-designed MLB clothing starting March 7th, bridging sports and art. 

Could a Triple Autograph Be Coming?

With Yamamoto and Sasaki now both under the Topps umbrella, collectors and industry insiders are wondering if a triple autograph card featuring Sasaki, Yamamoto, and Ohtani is in the works for the future. 

Such a card would instantly become a holy grail for collectors worldwide, representing the ultimate showcase of Japanese baseball talent hubbed in Los Angeles. 

Fan Experience in Tokyo

Topps is also hosting an interactive exhibit in Tokyo's Shibuya district from March 13-16, displaying important Ohtani memorabilia, including a base from his historic 50/50 game and a bat he used during the 2024 World Series. 

The Tokyo Series includes exhibition games between the Dodgers, Cubs, and two top Japanese teams, culminating in two regular-season MLB games between these National League rivals in Tokyo – a perfect setting for this celebration of baseball's global appeal.